𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍~ 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐎 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐈𝐑𝐎

♡Chapter-45♡

Third point of view.

"I've been lying this whole time." Hakkai admitted, his voice breaking. He lifted his head, eyes brimming with pain and guilt as he looked at all of you. "It wasn't me protecting Yuzuha.. All this time, she was the one protecting me."

The weight of his confession settled heavily in the air, making Yuzuha freeze in your hold.

"You mean.. that you lied about protecting your family all this time, even though you promised to the day you met Mitsuya."

"I made it sound like I was the one standing up to Taiju.. like I was the one protecting Yuzuha." His hands clenched into fists against the cold floor. "But it was all a lie. She was the one taking the hits.. and I let her."

You exhaled sharply, your grip on Yuzuha tightening slightly as your lips parted.

"That's.. pathetic."

"So all this time.. you let your sister take the fall?"

Hakkai's hand's shook at his sides, his face twisted in guilt.

Yuzuha shifted in your hold, her voice barely above a whisper. "It.. doesn't matter, don't blame him!"

But it did. It mattered more than anything. And the fact that she had endured all this while Hakkai stood by in silence made your blood boil more.

Hakkai's head hung low, his hands gripping his knees as he choked out, "Takemichi.. I--I'm so sorry. Please forgive me?"

Takemichi, still catching his breath, wiped the blood from his mouth and sighed. "You suck, Hakkai." His tone wasn't harsh, rather blunt. "But don't go thinking you're the only one who sucks. I suck even more."

Hakkai's eyes widened slightly, lifting his head just enough to look at him.

Mitsuya stepped forward then, placing a firm hand on Hakkai's shoulder. "You're lame, Hakkai. But then again, I'm lame too. I told you to enjoy the life you were living, but the truth is.. I hated mine. Once, I ran away from home and left my little sisters behind." He let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head at the memory. "My mom slapped the hell out of me for it."

He knelt in front of Hakkai, meeting his eyes with a rare softness. "You're not the only one who runs away. We all do, in one way or another. That's why we have friends, so we don't have to face it alone."

Hakkai's breath hitched, tears welling up in his eyes as he stared at Mitsuya, his lips trembling.

Keisuke scoffed, crossing his arms as he eyed Hakkai. "What, you think we'd abandon you over this?" His voice was firm. "That's not what Toman stands for."

Those words seemed to strike deep within Hakkai. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. Then, with a sharp inhale, he let out a loud yell, ripping off his Black Dragon jacket in one swift motion.

His gaze hardened as he looked toward Taiju, fists tightening. "Everyone, step back. I'm gonna settle this myself!"

He took steady steps forward, his fists trembling at his side. Taiju's gaze darkened, as he glared down at his younger brother. "You dare defy me, Hakkai?"

Yuzuha struggled against your grip, her panic evident. "Hakkai, stop! Taiju, don't you dare lay a hand on him--"

But before she could finish, Hakkai surged forward, his fist slamming into Taiju's jaw with a force that echoed through the church.

"I'm done being afraid." Hakkai declared, his voice steady. "I'll beat your ass and protect my friends and family!"

Taiju's head snapped to the side, his expression briefly stunned before it twisted into fury. With a growl, he launched himself at Hakkai, fists swinging as the two brothers clashed, exchanging powerful blows.