𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍~ 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐎 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐈𝐑𝐎

♡Chapter-62♡

Third point of view.

The wind howled through the ground, stirring the silence that followed Mikey's words. Izana stood there, gun trembling in his grip. Chifuyu broke the silence, his voice sharp with anger. "Using a gun is dirty, Izana! Are you no better than Kisaki!?"

But Izana didn't react to the insult. "I'll lose everything.. Everything..."

Your breath caught in your throat as you stared at the crazed look in his eyes.

At this rate.. you doubted he'd hesitate.

Izana's fingers tightened around the gun as he raised it towards Mikey.

"Die, Mikey."

Mikey met Izana's gaze head-on and shot back. "Then shoot. If that'll satisfy you, do it."

Your eyes widened. "Mikey! Don't encourage him!"

Draken's voice rang out beside you. "She's right, he's serious!"

But Mikey didn't move. Instead, he raised his voice, stepping forward. "What's wrong, Izana!? Shoot. Go ahead and shoot."

The moment Izana's finger began to tighten on the trigger, your body locked up.

Then a blur of movement was seen and Kakucho stepped forward, shoving the gun from Izana's grasp. It clattered to the ground with a sharp metallic clang.

Izana's eyes snapped to Kakucho, his voice laced with venom. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Kakucho lifted his head, hesitation flashing in his eyes before he steeled himself.

"That's enough, Izana.. you have lost."

"You think a mere servant can rebuke a king? Do you!?"

Kakucho swallowed hard, but he didn't waver. "I've followed you this entire time. I didn't care how warped your ideals were. I would have gladly died for you. But please.. stop this shameful spectacle. I don't want to see you act so disgracefully."

But Izana ignored him. He walked past Kakucho without sparing him another glance. "Oi, executives." His tone was cold. "What are you standing around for? Kill him already."

Kakucho turned swiftly, grabbing Izana's shoulder with a firm grip. "Why don't you get it!?" His voice was desperate now. "You lost! A one-on-one among gang leaders--"

"Get out of my way!" Izana snapped. "I still have to fight!"

"Tenjiku has lost! It's over, Izana!"

"SHUT UP!!"

BANG.

Your eyes widened in horror as Kakucho stumbled, a dark red bloom spreading across his shoulder.

"Kaku-chan!!" Takemichi's voice yelled out.

Kisaki stood with the gun still raised, smoke curling from the barrel. His voice was devoid of emotion as he muttered.

"Damn nuisance."

Kakucho's breath came in heavy, uneven pants as he turned his head toward Kisaki, his face contorted in pain, who exhaled. "Now that I can't use Mikey, my only choice is to use Izana as an instrument." His fingers flexed around the gun.

"Kakucho, you're in the way. Damn it."

Kakucho's knees wobbled slightly, but he kept his footing, his expression filled with bitter realization. "I knew it." His voice was hoarse. "I should have never let you get close to Izana."

And then, without a second thought, he ran.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

Kakucho braced for the impact, for the pain to rip through him, But it never came. Instead, his eyes widened in sheer disbelief. Because standing right in front of him, shielding him with his own body was Izana.