Existence Precedes Essence

Chapter 29: To Save What's Left

Park

Azumi saw the purple uniform once more. They weren't beating someone this time but they were intently having a meeting. There was something eerie about their smiles so she tried to get a little closer. "Have you prepared the gun? We're going to hit two birds with one stone", she heard one of them and her heart started to race. Before she gets caught in another crossfire, she decides to make a U-turn. Her face screams worry about whoever they will be using the gun for. She bumped into someone.

"Shiba-kun", she felt relieved. "Did they do something to you?", the tall lad furrowed his brow. Azumi grabbed his arm and started dragging him away from the place. "You already went out from being a delinquent, right? I haven't seen Yuzuha-san for some time. I think I'll go visit your place", Azumi tried to get the lad away as soon as possible. The rain started to fall. "I didn't bring an umbrella with me", Hakkai tried to look for it inside his bag. The lady passed one. "We can share until the shopping district", Azumi still plans on buying her groceries.

Hakkai held the umbrella and walked alongside the lady. "Hanami. About Taka-chan", the blue-haired lad looked down and saw how the lady suddenly turned red. "He's always been the person who would listen to what people wanted. I genuinely hope for his happiness", the lad looked at the street in front of them. "Taka-san walked me home yesterday. I felt so embarrassed wearing the wedding dress as I knew I didn't give justice to how gorgeous it was. Having him tell me that I was on his mind while making it made my heart melt. I was thrilled and scared at the same time", the raven head tried to calm her nerves.

"Are you going to reject him?", Hakkai asked. Azumi's phone rang. It was Chifuyu so she answered it excusing herself from Hakkai.

"I'm heading to the shopping district. Why did you call me?", the raven head asked.

I was trying to contact Takemitchy but he's not answering. Do you still have contacts with Tachibana?

"I do. I'll just pass her your message".

Tell Takemitchy not to stay out without having us by his side. I think Rokuhara is targeting him because he's planning to gather the gang back.

"Chifuyu, you didn't tell me about this. Are you also going back?".

I have reason and Takemitchy is someone I will follow.

"I am with Shiba-kun. I'll ask him the details. I'll call Tachibana first".

The two took shelter at a nearby bus stop. "Shiba-kun. Why did you revive Toman? I mean, Mikey is no longer here and no one knows where he is", Azumi opened. "That's why we revived it. We want to get him back", the tall lad explained. The raven head received a message from Tachibana.

Amusement Park. He told me that he was with Kawaragi-san.

Amusement Park

For some reason, Azumi's heart felt so bothered so she decided to tell Takemitchy to go home for now.

We'll be hitting two birds with one stone.

The lady heard people screaming and she finally connected the dots. She ran in the direction. Rokuhara gang members surrounded Takemichi with Senju on the side running towards him. The raven also ran towards them but gang members blocked the way. She was able to kick one of them in the face making him fall.  One gang member already lifted the gun and aimed at Kawaragi but Takemichi was able to brace her and she fell on the ground. After falling to the ground, Takemichi just heard gunshots.

"Draken?! Let's get out of here", they were chickened out with the presence of the former vice commander of Toman. The gun was slapped on the gang member's hand by Azumi's hand. Azumi was about to grab on his neck but Draken signalled her to let it be. The lady picked up her phone and called for the ambulance. After some time, Takemichi is on the ground holding Draken's hand. The ambulance arrived but he was declared dead on the spot. The rain fell heavier with the three just standing on the spot. It was unbelievable that things happened so fast.

I'll be seeing Emma now. 

"Takemichi-kun, Kawaragi-san. It's time to leave this place. I hear more people coming", Azumi tried to convince the two. A man wearing Brahman's uniform also ran towards them. "Is it true that Draken is dead?!", Takeomi was beyond belief. The blood on the ground trying to be washed away by the rain is still there. Soon, the place was surrounded. "Hanami. Leave. This will be an all-out war", Kawaragi said with a serious look in her eyes. The raven head understood the weight of the situation and ran towards the opposite of where Rokuhada was gathered but was met by an unexpected person. "Mi...key?", she gasped and stepped back. "Tell me what happened", he commanded. The lady saw two siblings headed towards her. "You heard the commander", Rin grabbed her arm. "So you better tell him everything", Ran grabbed her cheeks.

"Didn't you come here because you already know what happened? If you didn't leave, do you think all of this would happen", Azumi looked at Mikey's dead expression. Haruchiyo furrowed his brow and slapped the girl's face. Rin and Ran took their hands off the girl. "Are you blaming all of this on Mikey?! Don't talk to Mikey as if you know what he's going through", the pink-haired lad clenched his fist to throw on the girl once she said another stupid thing. "Mikey. I remembered the time when Emma died. Draken was shouting at you. Didn't you create Toman to protect everyone? Then, this time around, why did you create the Kantou Manji Gang? Is it to destroy everything you had ever wanted to protect before?", the lady raised her voice. Haruchiyo's eyes twitched and punched the girl in the stomach. Azumi looked up and saw a dead expression from Mikey. 

Chifuyu, you know this well. You can communicate using your fist. 

Your words have reached him. 

She stood properly and grabbed the pink-haired's torso with Azumi securing the back of his leg. After some time, he was on the ground. The raven head walked towards Mikey and clenched her fist. She threw a punch that the blonde allowed him to deliver right on his face. The siblings were stunned and looked at each other. They have to drag the lady away before Mikey slams her on the ground. "Is that your attempt to scold me? You failed. It cannot reach me. You punched me so weak", the leader of the gang grabbed on her neck. 

"That's enough", Koko grabbed his arm and signaled the siblings to pull her back. 

Even after struggling, Azumi cannot free herself from the two siblings. "We've been seeing each other so many times. Why don't you just concede with fate and just agree to be our dear doll?", Ran whispered to the lady's ear. She found an exit as Senju and South are fighting and everyone's eyes are on them. She stepped on Ran's feet and headbutted Rin. The lady ran as fast as she could. The two were about to follow but Kakucho blocked the way. "It's not our agenda to bully a girl", he said with a stern voice.

Azumi reached Takemichi. "This got out of hand. Let's take our leave", the lady tried to convince him. "Hanami. Please. Run away from this place. I don't know how to face Chifuyu if something bad happens to you. I am begging you", Takemichi pleaded with his eyes.

Mitsuya's Studio

Mitsuya already closed the door and prepared to go home. Mana and Luna are pestering him to buy some chocolate cake. He was about to open his umbrella when he saw a silhouette of a person. "Hanami? Why are you drenched in rain?", the lilac head asked. The rain hid her tears. Azumi ran to Mitsuya and hugged him tightly. "Your lips are bleeding. Did someone hit you?", the lad tried to gently push her away but she couldn't afford to look at Mitsuya's eyes. "Sorry Taka-san. Draken is already dead. I wasn't able to slap the gun away in time. It was just few meters away", she cried and kept apologizing. It registered in Mitsuya's brain. A few days ago, they visited the shrine and Draken said something about being unable to quit the life of being a delinquent because he still wanted to follow Mikey.

I wish the best for you Mitsuya. Be the designer wanted to be. I am genuinely rooting for you.

He looked up and closed his eyes. They stayed like that for some time. Azumi coughed and felt the pain of being punched by Haruchiyo. She felt weak on her knees and fainted. Mitsuya caught her and carried the lady in their arms.

Chapter end