Chapter 1

"Kousuke...wait", Setagawa yelled as he ran out of the school.

"Masahiro..huh" Kousuke stopped from entering the school parking. The morning seemed nice that day, and he had decided to enjoy the nice car drive to the school. It would provide him a much needed relaxation in order to prepare the school question papers, since Masahiro was going out with his friends and couldn't provide him the daily relaxation he come to love so much

"Weren't you going with the kids to Shufoku for Fukushuge-kun's internship treat?"

"Ah yes. We are. I, well.." Masahiro stumbled, feeling shy.

"Yes, Masahiro.." Kousuke herded him on, as a smirk formed. He had a pretty good idea of what Masahiro was going to say.

"Will I see you when we are back?"

"Why, Masahiro?" Kousuke prodded on, pretending to be oblivious. He knew very well, they hadn't been able to see each other for more than a few minutes the past week due to Kousuke having to visit a Math Workshop for High School Teachers, courtesy of their high school, and he often returned late, tired since the workshop was outside of the city.

Masahiro averted his eyes and back again. "I.. I missed you" He stuttered, a light pink dusting his cheeks.

A chuckle, and his blush deepened. Suddenly, Masahiro felt warm lips on his own, and was red as a tomato.

"N..not out here" He pushed Kousuke away.

"Sorry, I just.." Masahiro was a bit scared he'd offended Kousuke someway.

"Stop apologising" Kousuke playfully reprimanded, and ruffled his hair. "I missed my wife too"

The blush still stayed.

"I'll see you later tonight" He winked playfully and turned to walk away, without sparing a backwards glance

Masahiro started to walk back towards the school gates. "Setagawa! We are leaving" He heard Kensuke call out just as soon as he reached the school gates. "Hurry up!"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming" Masahiro affirmed.

"huh, Hasekura. Erm.. Hi" Hasekura was staring at Setagawa, expressionless.

"Nothing" Hasekura said nonchalantly, turned back and sped to catch pace with his lover. Setagawa joined them too, trying to will away his blush from the earlier incident with Kousuke. The gang headed to Shoufuku bantering.

"Ah, the Ramen is just heaven" Shige sighed as he patted his belly.

A murmur of agreement went around through the table.

"I'm so full" Kensuke muttered "And I want to eat more" he said in near tears.

"I have some free coupons" Hasekura consoled, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We'll come again and have more" Kensuke grinned "Hasekura!"

Setagawa squirmed. He was Hasekura's almost regular supply of free coupons. Suddenly the doorbell, rang signifying some new customers. Setagawa, Kensuke and their friends, looked curiously at the new arrivals.

Two men, their hair dyed some obnoxious color walked in, tattoos lined up their sleeveless arms, and there were noticeable bulges in their pockets, in shapes of pistols or guns. A barely audible gasp, came from the owner of the ramen shop. Nervously, he gave them a menu and asked for their orders.

Setagawa felt a tremor creep up his spine. He had seen them before, from his past time in Toru's gang. And they had been Toru's enemies.

Noticing, unsavoury looks directed towards his group, Setagawa felt uneasy. He knew those looks. He desperately wished Kousuke was here. The bear killer would surely send them scurrying away. He was a big solid wall that could protect him from anything as long as he was with him.

But Kousuke wasn't here. Setagawa had a sneaking suspicion that they had seen him and remembered him as Toru's lapdog as he was the only one out of them all, with connections to the gang life. Shaking off the thoughts of Kousuke, he knew he had to keep them safe whatever happened. They didn't have to get entangled in his past mistakes. They would get hurt in trying to be his friends.

He was an awful friend, Setagawa knew. Here, he was bringing trouble to his friends by being embroiled in the gang. But...

For once, he wanted to stay with them, he wanted to be friends with them, he wanted to be happy with them, for Kousuke, he wanted to live for Kousuke... Because he had someone to care about now.

I want Kousuke.

He had to keep them away in case the ruffians made a move on them.

"Setagawa! Hey Setagawa" Kensuke called out to him. Setagawa looked at him. "You seemed spaced out!"

Masahiro cringed internally, the ruffians now surely knew who he had been. And they were staring at him all the more, with deceptively unfriendly looks.

"Yeah, Ooshiba" Setagawa looked at Kensuke "I am fine" He gave a shaky smile. Hasekura looked at him and glanced at the unwanted presence, sensing tension. Thankfully for Setagawa he didn't mention anything yet.

They spent another few minutes, in the shop finishing up the leftovers, with Setagawa growing uneasy every moment. Shigeo paid generously for the meal, and everyone thanked the owners. The hooligans stayed behind as they walked out of the shop. At the exit, Kensuke, Hasekura and Setagawa were left, as the rest of the friends parted ways, going the opposite way.

"Thanks Shigeo for the meal! Happy Birthday!" Kensuke shouted as they walked away waving. Setagawa glanced behind quickly. He could see the ruffians following him, Ooshiba and Hasekura discreetly. He knew the three of them would be in trouble, if he didn't do something. He could pull out his phone and call Kousuke or the police. But he was afraid, the gang members would start on them, the moment he tried to call for help. He was too weak, he wouldn't be able to protect his friends from getting injured in the tussle that would ensue.

They are after only me. Right. I need to separate myself

"Ooshiba, Hasekura, I forgot. My mother asked me to get some delivery for her" Setagawa made up. "I have to go the other way. The three had reached a crossroads. "I'll catch up with you at home"

"Setagawa..We'll come with you" Ooshiba started sensing something wrong.

"No" He snapped "Hasekura, please take him home. I'll be there in sometime. Please." Hasekura just stared at him. Hasekura would figure out something was wrong. Kensuke was just too oblivious. Setagawa hoped that Hasekura would and tell the older Ooshiba. Setagawa turned the other way and sped away. Kensuke made a move to go after him. He felt Setagawa had been acting oddly as they left Shoufuku. Hasekura grabbed his hand before he could.

"We have to go home." Hasekura whispered urgently. "We need to talk to Kousuke." He pulled Kensuke in the direction of their home and started running, dragging Kensuke.

"Give me your phone. We need to call Kousuke" Hasekura said panting when he could no longer sense the unfriendly presence that had been following them since leaving Shoufuku.

"What..Is it Setagawa? Is he in trouble?"

"Later. There's no time" Hasekura gestured for the phone. Kensuke pulled it out immediately, speed dialled is older brother and handed it to his lover without further complaint.

"Ken?" Hasekura heard the older Ooshiba speak.

"It's Hasekura" He began.

"What happened? Is Ken okay?"

"Yes he is okay. But Setagawa isn't" Hasekura rushed out. "There were two delinquents from some gang following us three as we left Shoufuku"

"What!?" Kousuke yelled, his eyes widening.

"I think Setagawa knew them and he separated from us using some flimsy excuse about his mother and those two delinquents followed him, and left us alone. We called you as soon as possible as I think he's in trouble."

"Shit" Kousuke cursed, dropping his cigarette and grabbing his jacket as he rushed to his car. "Where are you both? Are you both safe?"

"Yes. We are. So far I think" Hasekura confirmed.

"Where did Masahiro run off to?"

"He went to the left of the junction near the bridge over the river"

"You did good, Hasekura. Kensuke has Detective Houjou's number in his phone. Call him and tell him the same and to start a search for Masahiro. Get home safely. Both of you quickly" Kousuke ordered as he started his car, and backed out of the driveway.

"Yes, sensei" Hasekura agreed. Kousuke then hung up.

"We need to call Detective Houjou" Hasekura handed the phone back to Kensuke. "We need to get home quick too to be on the safe"

Kensuke nodded as he dialled Houjou's number. The two walked briskly towards the Ooshiba home, while waiting for Houjou to pick up his phone.

Setagawa ran through the roads. It was getting darker and the street was lonely. He cursed for having to take this way. There was no one to help him. And he could he footsteps pounding after him.

Thank god, at least they are after me and not Ooshiba and Hasekura. I'd never live with myself if something happened to them because of me.

He ran as far as he could, the path seemed to go on endlessly without any visible turns or hiding places. The residential houses were separated by a high walled fence. He had no hope of asking for help . His heart was pounding and he was growing terrified as with each passing moment, the thunderous footsteps sounded nearer.

Suddenly he saw the pavement rushing up towards him, as felt a pain in his midsection. Setagawa clinched his eyes closed, when he was tackled towards the pavement by a burly, and tattooed arm.

He saw stars suddenly as his head hit the pavement. Two faces grinning maliciously, with hands reaching out to him, were the last thing he saw as darkness claimed him.

Kousuke. Help. Was his last thought I don't want to die.