Take a chance | mikey

15

We headed away from the fight, our footsteps echoing off the pavement as we made our way down another road. The sounds of the battle faded behind us, but the tension in my chest only grew. My eyes scanned the area frantically, searching for any sign of Hina.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we spotted her—running towards us, her face flushed with relief. "Yuri-chan, Emma-chan!" she called out, her voice trembling slightly.

"Hina!" I exclaimed, rushing forward to meet her. "Thank god you're safe."

"Where is Takemichi-kun? He ran off earlier."

Emma quickly filled her in on everything that had happened. Worry creased Hina's brow, and without another word, we all turned to head back to the fight. But as we were running, something caught my eye—a figure up ahead.

It was Takemichi, and he was... carrying Draken?

My heart skipped a beat. Why was he carrying Draken? Panic welled up inside me as I noticed the blood staining Draken's clothes, the limp way his body rested in Takemichi's arms. This wasn't good. Not at all.

"I'll call an ambulance!" Hina shouted, already fumbling with her phone, her voice filled with urgency.

"How's Draken?" Emma's voice trembled, tears streaming down her face as she looked at Takemichi with desperate eyes.

"Don't worry, he's alive!" Takemichi yelled back, his voice strained but determined as he kept moving forward with Draken on his back.

Takemichi gently laid Draken down, his face lined with worry. We gathered around, the tension thick in the air as we waited for the ambulance.

"It's taking too much time," I muttered, glancing anxiously at the road.

Takemichi nodded, his voice tinged with frustration. "It seems like the roads are packed because of the festival."

Emma sank down to the road in despair, her hands trembling as she held onto Draken.

"Is this for real?" Takemichi whispered, walking forward in disbelief.

I followed his gaze and felt a chill run down my spine as a group of Toman guys approached us.

One of them sneered, "Oh, look at that, little sweet Draken isn't dead yet?" His voice was dripping with malice, sending a wave of dread through me.

"Hey! Why is Wimpy-michi here?" one of the guys sneered, his eyes narrowing as he focused on Takemichi.

The guy in the middle stepped forward, his expression twisted with anger. "How dare a little shit like you give me trouble," he spat, his tone laced with menace.

I quickly stepped in front of Hina, Emma, and Draken, my instincts kicking in. I couldn't let them get hurt. Not now. Not ever.

Takemichi, looking shaken, took a step back, his face pale.

"Takemichi, take the girls with you and run away. I'm okay," Draken said, his voice weak but determined, barely managing to get the words out.

"Run?" Takemichi echoed, still trying to process the situation.

Earlier, my survival instinct kicked in, guiding my movements without hesitation. But now, standing here, facing these guys, I felt a flicker of doubt. I didn't know how strong they were, and I wasn't sure if I could fight them off. But when I looked at Emma, tears streaming down her face, and Draken, fighting to stay conscious, I knew I couldn't afford to hesitate.

YURI THIS IS NO TIME TO HESITATE.

Just as I was about to make up my mind. Takemichi let out a loud, desperate scream, his voice echoing through the chaos.