The Insanity of Tokyo's Shadows | Manjiro Sano

◇chapter twelve◇

"Still, thank you for everything." Akiko said as she left the workshop. Masumi nodded, and a hint of hopelessness crossed her face.

On her way back to the Fujita family, Akiko felt her thoughts spiral out of control. The lively hustle of the city around her stood in stark contrast to the emotional storm she had just been through. She paused briefly, took a deep breath, and allowed the noise of the city to wash over her.

When she arrived at the Fujita's house, it was filled with laughter and the scent of freshly prepared food. Yukiko and Kaori were preparing dinner, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Akiko felt both comforted and lost as she entered the familiar rooms.

"Akiko chan, you're back!" Kaori exclaimed, running towards her, her eyes shining with joy.

"I missed you all." Akiko replied, pulling the little girl into a hug. "How was your day?"

"Good! I learned how to make Onigiri today!" Kaori said proudly.

Yukiko stepped closer, a smile on her lips. "It's nice to have you back. What did you do today?"

Akiko paused for a moment, deciding how much to share. "I spoke with Masumi. She told me about Draken, you know."

Yukiko's face grew serious. She knew what had happened to him, as Akiko had already told her. They often talked about various things, especially when Akiko was struggling to cope with new challenges. "I hope you’re closer to the truth. If you need anything, I’m here for you."

Kaori nodded eagerly and squeezed Akiko's hand. "And me too! I want to always be there for you, Akiko chan."

Akiko smiled, touched, and returned Kaori's squeeze. "Thank you both. I'm glad I can talk openly with you." she said warmly before leaving the room to go to her own.

After collecting herself briefly, she sat at her desk in her room, preparing to study for her upcoming lectures. Akiko was studying medicine, a field she was passionate about because she believed that people’s health was essential to society. She had always felt the need to make a positive contribution to the world. But that evening, it was hard for her to focus on her studies.

Thoughts of Draken swirled in her head. She resolved to not only focus on her studies but also to fight for the truth about Draken's life and death.

As night fell, Akiko found comfort in the familiar sounds of the house. The Fujitas had become like a second family to her, and she knew she could count on their support. No matter what answers the future held for her, she would not run away anymore.

---

The footsteps echoed through the darkness as she breathed shallowly, trying to suppress the fear that flooded her body. She ran as fast as she could, without looking back, not knowing how long she could keep this up. Behind her, heavy footsteps rang through the narrow alleys, the deep calls and curses of the men sending a cold shiver down her spine.

A few weeks ago, she could never have imagined running like this, hunted by men who would strike without hesitation. Back then, she believed her search for Draken’s past would bring her closer to answers. But now, as she fled from the men of Brahman, she felt the net she had tangled herself in growing tighter.

"That way!" one of the men shouted, and their steps grew louder, faster. Akiko fought the panic rising inside her and turned the next corner, hoping to shake off her pursuers. The houses here were old and crumbling, some windows shattered, others boarded up. She spotted a narrow passage between two buildings and squeezed through, her heart pounding in her chest.

She found herself in a dark courtyard, surrounded by high fences and a wall that seemed insurmountable. Her thoughts raced, desperately searching for an escape, but her gaze caught a small, rusted ladder leading to a window on the first floor. Without thinking, she climbed up the creaky rungs, her fingers gripping the rough metal, despite the threatening creaks with each step.

No sooner had she squeezed through the window than she heard the creaking of the fence below. The men were close behind. She hurried through the dusty room, the floor covered with a thick layer of old newspapers and tattered fabric scraps. She forced herself to stay silent, held her breath, and crept toward the opposite door, which led into a hallway. The building seemed abandoned, but the corridor offered no exit, only a dark staircase leading higher.

There was no choice. She ran up the stairs, fighting the trembling in her legs, forcing herself not to give up. She had to find a way to escape.

But as she ran, she felt her thoughts catching up with her memories of Draken and her desperate search. How many times had Yukiko warned her not to push too far?

Since her last visit to Masumi, Akiko had researched Toman extensively. She only knew the gang through letters, but she could only imagine what it was truly like. Her investigations had led her deep into a labyrinth of gangs. Toman, Moebius, Valhalla, Black Dragon, Tenjiku, each had left their mark of havoc in Kanto. But all, including Toman, had been dissolved. Now, only three gangs ruled Kanto. Rokuhara Tandai, Brahman, and the Kanto Manji Gang.

At least that’s what Akiko thought. However, further research revealed that Rokuhara Tandai no longer existed. Only two gangs remained in the Kanto region. Brahman especially caught her interest.

Draken had once been part of Brahman, and that was why she was now in this danger. She had searched for too long for those who knew more about Draken, but her quest had led her to the wrong people. People who did not like outsiders uncovering their secrets. They harbored a deep hatred for strangers.

The men were still somewhere in the building, their footsteps echoing like a threatening drumbeat, tearing through the silence. At the top, Akiko found a way onto the roof. She pushed open the old, creaky door and stepped out into the cool embrace of the night. The wind sliced through her face, but the view of the endless rooftops of the city gave her a brief moment to breathe. She paused for a moment, inhaling deeply, trying to gather her thoughts.

But this brief moment was not enough to figure out her next move. The door to the roof slammed open, and she saw one of the figures wedge himself into the doorframe, eyes lit with fury.

"Dammit."

Without another thought, Akiko ran on, leaping from one rooftop to the next. The adrenaline made her feel light and invincible, the jump a dance on the razor-thin line between life and death. But the men did the same, managing to close the gap. There were no hiding spots on the roofs of Tokyo, no refuge. They were getting closer, she could hear their steps drawing near. Tears gathered in her eyes, threatening to spill.

She had promised herself she would uncover the truth, for Draken, for herself, but now she realized she was losing control.

In her desperation, she suddenly spotted the alleys below her. She quickly climbed down, racing through the narrow, dark paths. Once she found a safe alley, she hid behind a stack of old crates and listened for the fading footsteps of her pursuers, their shouts slowly receding.

"That was close.." Akiko whispered with a trembling voice, a hint of relief in her words.

But suddenly, the crates were shoved aside. One of the men had found her.

"I've got her!" he shouted to his comrades.