Replay

4-9 Flux

A/N: Hey, it's been a while. This is an important chapter for this fanfic, so I took more time refining it.

The next arc will be final one for this story. Although I will write with much quicker pacing, it should thematically fit with the tone. I will also add a poll sometime this week to survey which characters you hope to see in the next arc, and I will take the results into consideration.

The next chapter will be an interlude of Takemichi in the future. I am planning to release it closer to when I start writing the next arc, so it will likely take several months to half-an-year.

I may also make a dedicated chapter of art related to this story since I try to avoid updating published chapters, which removes comments from their in-text positions. I like to use some scenes as drawing prompts, so I may occasionally update it in the meanwhile.

"—will be open late tonight and early tomorrow morning for the festivities. A reminder to drive carefully tonight and look out for crossing children. Ahem. Now, back to the recent updates on the Udagawa Christian Church fire on December 31st."

My phone clattered on the table as I flipped to a new page in my notebook and picked up my pen.

"A few minutes before midnight, the church erupted in a large fire from a conflict between the Black Dragons gang, a biker gang notorious for extortion and contracted violence, and a crowd of teenagers who have been identified as the Tokyo Manji gang."

"Blake?" I looked back as my host mother entered my room, her gray curls and tired eyes hazy in the dim light of my desk lamp. With my pen still in hand, I felt for the volume knob of my small radio and turned it up. "Hina-chan and—boyfriend—ting outside."

"The police have placed the area under lockdown as the investigation continues," the reporter droned over Youko's voice.

"Could you please tell them that I'm not going out tonight?" My breath rattled in my dry throat. "I'm...too tired."

Youko gave a small sigh. "Alright." I listened to her sandals scrape the floorboards before turning back to my desk.

"The police have released a tentative list of the total damages and estimate the cost of repairs to exceed 200 million yen. The church owners have yet to release a statement claiming damages but have instead requested donations. As of 9 PM today, it has received 300 thousand yen."

200 million.... I bit my lip as I jotted it down. My hand jerked when I coughed, and I rubbed my forehead with my other hand to ease the pressure brewing in my skull. The city wouldn't have hesitated to hunt us down for reparations if the building had been public property, but the church could still escalate to legal action, which Toman certainly could not afford, its meager funds spent procuring uniforms. The Black Dragons likely had considerable funds from its illegal businesses, but not as much as 200 million yen, let alone a reason to pay our debt.

Brrrr... My phone hummed on my desk. I risked a glance at the pale screen, and my pen dug into the paper and stopped.

Hina was calling me on my old number.

"But before you leave, we can make unforgettable memories that'll last a lifetime. Are you still up for visiting the shrine on New Year's?" The snow lining the busy streets below us twinkled under the departing sun, but her short hair had glowed the most vibrant amber in my memory.

"I'm...I'd love to go," I'd said. "I'm worried about the crowds and may not stay for long, but I'd love to."

The screen went dark. I shook my head but winced as my headache flared up.