Waiting was the worst.
Takaaki never hated it before. He always used to find a way to occupy himself ever since he was a boy. Now, sitting alone in traffic didn't leave him with many options if he didn't count tapping his finger on the wheel, simulating the same tempo as the ticking of his wristwatch. Seconds felt like minutes, minutes felt like hours. He almost wished a speed-racer would, somehow, rush past so he'd have probable cause to cut and get to his next patrol. No such luck. He supposed it was for the best. He wouldn't wish for anyone to break the law, anyway. Unlike someone he knew.
Maybe he was getting old. That seemed to be the natural assumption for his diminishing patience. Things change when one gets old, for better or worse. Interests stop becoming interesting, mundane household chores become hobbies. This was the way the current flowed for everyone, and fighting it would only end in chaos. At least, that was the way it's always been. Sometimes, there've been foolish few who dared to defy the current. Some failed, but some kept going, and more joined in. Through trials and tribulations, eventually, they conquered it. Against all odds, the current even changed with them, leaving behind those who followed it for so long to wonder what was the point. If the course could change so easily, why follow it in the first place? Takaaki never disheartened those who changed the current as much as those before him, nor did he blame them. A small part of him even wished he had the courage to follow them when he was younger, but there was always an anchor. There still was, even if the cord had long been detached. Still, that desire never faded no matter how hard he hid it. Especially, since his son had followed them.
His son, Taka. The reason he woke up so early and got home late. The reason he carried so much weight over the years. The reason he lives. He was everything, and everything was for him. He swore to do whatever it took to give Taka the life he deserved, the life that was unjustly given to Takaaki in his youth. Going to parties, hanging out with friends, getting into trouble, the joys of being a teenager. What parent wouldn't want that for their kid? But Taka had other goals, "smarter" goals. Goals that wouldn't be his burden to bear if only he wasn't an Ishimaru. No, if he wasn't Takaaki's son. Maybe he could actually be happy if Takaaki insisted Taka's mother let him stay with her. At the very least, he could grow up normally, instead of having to pay for the sins of his grandfather. But Takaaki was too selfish. He needed Taka to give him a reason to carry on. He always hated himself for that. Taka always smiled when he saw his father, but it was just as forced as the tired one Takaaki returned. Why would he smile to see the man who makes him miserable? Only after his son befriended a biker did Takaaki realize just how miserable Taka was.
Mondo Owada. Just about every cop in Japan knows that name. No, the whole world. Only fitting for the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader of the Crazy Diamonds. The Diamonds were always a thorn in Takaaki's side, even before they climbed the ranks of biker gangs. It seemed like a cruel irony that their leader would be the one his son chooses to befriend. Although, only a fool would believe their platonic brotherhood was just that. And a fool Takaaki wasn't. He could see it every time his son would talk about the biker. Taka had never been one to consider romantic relationships, one might say he believes them to be a waste of time and Taka hated wasting time. But there was something he saw in the biker that Takaaki had not. Most times, he believed his son to be the wisest of their name and Takaaki had always been proud of him for it. The last thing the world needed right now was another asinine Ishimaru. It only seemed natural that the new generation be smarter than its predecessor, after all. But it wasn't the world that Takaaki worried about most. It was Taka's happiness. He was glad that his son finally found someone who makes him happy. But his reasoning said it was foolish to allow them to stay together, romantic or not. Mondo was a biker, the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader, for that matter. A title like that would certainly carry a copious amount of enemies, Takaaki knew that firsthand. And who'd be the first person they'd take advantage of? Takaaki can't always be there to save him, so his reliance would fall on Mondo. Even then, could he trust him? He trusted Taka's judgment, of course, he was a young adult and he needed to experience life through trial and error. And when their relationship would blossom into something more...
He'd have to let Taka go.
'Dammit...'
Takaaki noticed something splashed onto his windshield and looked over to find the gloomy sky above him. Dammit, he forgot to check the forecast again. If he did, he'd remember to leave the plants out. Taka's been considering growing a small garden to be more frugal and not have to buy food from the store. He should be home from school by now, anyway. But didn't he mention going to town with Mondo today? Or was that tomorrow during the weekend? Why was Takaaki so bad with dates?
His intrusive thoughts were interrupted when his scanner buzzed to life with a stern but desperate voice attached to it.
"All units! All units within the frequency, please respond!"
Takaaki snatched his mic from the radio. "Officer Ishimaru, copy."
"There's a 10-10 in progress at 11th Madoko Street. Suspects are armed and dangerous. We need backup, over."
"10-4. On my way, over and out."
Flicking on his siren, the traffic quickly cleared a path for him to cut through the highway as the rain came down.
It didn't take long to find the address from the report. An ample of flashing reds and blues crowded the street corner. By the time he arrived at the scene, a crowd of panicked civilians had already been cleared from the streets, none of them seemed to need any medical assistance. Good, one less thing to worry about. Gang wars were nothing new to these parts, but this was the largest one Takaaki had seen on record. He spotted several of his fellow officers crouched behind their cars, gun in hand. Before he could join them or ask about the situation, Takaaki heard the sound of violence dying down, followed by a collection of unmistakable motorcycle engines fleeing the streets. The fight seemed to have ended faster than when it began. Through the harsh weather and engines, Takaaki could've sworn he heard a gang member say something along the lines of "Consider that your last warning, Diamonds!".
Diamonds? As in, The Crazy Diamonds? They were involved in this street fight? Surely, he was mistaken. Mondo was reckless but he wasn't stupid. Even he wouldn't stoop so low as to start something as pathetic as a turf war. He promised Taka he was done with that stuff. And Takaaki knew how important promises were to him. Alas, when Takaaki turned the corner where the fight had occurred, it was flooded with unconscious and beaten figures of men in familiar gang uniforms. As if the street was a mismatched chessboard of white and black shapes. The men who were battered but standing wore white jackets with gold letters and their unmistakable diamond logo on the back. Takaaki sighed. He was going to have a few choice words to throw at his future son-in-law.
The Diamonds in question were either being packed in the back of police cars or in an ambulance. Not that it made a difference, they were all going to the same place eventually. Something about this didn't sit right with Takaaki. It was one thing for the Diamonds to be involved in a street fight, but they stayed and allowed themselves to be captured. Why didn't they try to flee like the other gang? Takaaki figured they wouldn't leave without their leader's permission, so he scanned the area in search of Mondo. He then spotted a familiar face standing before two officers, Takemichi Yukimaru. Takaaki had somewhat of a soft spot for the young Diamond. Takemichi was the calmest and most level-headed of the Diamonds. Although his current state betrayed that reputation.
Takaaki figured a familiar friendly face would calm the boy down. Perhaps he was still in shock from the fight. That would certainly upset any boy his age, experienced or not. He approached him from behind, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Yukimaru?"
Takemichi froze in place at the sound of his voice. Takaaki dismissed the other two officers, and they were left alone. Takemichi looked up at the officer, hands and voice trembling as he struggled to speak.
"M...m-mister Ishi...maru..." Takemichi averted his eyes to the ground. That was almost hard to listen to as it was for him to say it.
Takaaki looked down. "That looks bad."
Takemichi followed his gaze to his ripped pant leg. The skin was slightly bruised and had a fairly deep scrape on his knee, possibly from road rash. Other than that, no other external injuries, much to Takaaki's relief.
"O-oh, it's...it's nothing..." Takemichi lied timidly.
Takaaki ignored it and sat down at a nearby bench, inviting Michi to sit beside him, who defeatedly did so. Takaaki took out a small first aid kit from his uniform vest, selecting a cool swab and gauze, and carefully began cleaning the wound. Takemichi's trembling never ceased. It must really hurt.
"Yukimaru, can you tell me what happened?" Takaaki asked calmly.
Takemichi's eyes shot up to meet his, clenching his stomach. "U-uh...M-mister Ishimaru...I can...Mondo--" he cut himself off.
Takaaki's gaze met his. So, Mondo was involved.
Takemichi gulped. "It...wasn't...He didn't...please..!"
Takaaki narrowed his eyes as he noticed a crowd of civilians had gathered around the corner. He finished dressing Michi's wound as he stood up from his seat. Before he could get half a step in, he felt something clench his sleeve and looked down to see Michi's desperate, watery eyes.
"No! Please, don't..!"
Takaaki gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'll be back. I have to make sure no one's hurt. Just stay off that leg for a while, okay?" He took off before Michi could grab him again, the rain drowning out his desperate calls.
As Takaaki pushed through the crowd, he heard a collection of shocked gasps and worried whispers, although he couldn't make out what they were saying. As he inched closer to the center, a sound made him momentarily freeze.
Crying? Someone was crying. No, wailing, screaming. The voice was unmistakably male, gruff but boyish. It was unlike anything Takaaki had ever heard in his career. The sound of true, agonizing heartbreak. He quickened his pace to get to the center of the crowd, and when he did...
His heart stopped.
There in the center, lying in a pool of crimson, was Taka.
His bright ruby eyes that outshined the sun when he first opened them were dull like burnt-out embers, half-open and staring up at the sky, but they could no longer see. His pale skin could no longer feel the cool rain pouring on his face. His lips were parted but they would no longer form words. Kiyotaka was dead.
His Taka.
His boy.
Takaaki fell to his knees. His stomach twisted in on itself, and bile crept up his throat as he noticed the crimson rain flowing from his son's head and down to the nearest storm drain. A large open gash. He hopelessly pressed his fingers against his son's cold neck. No pulse. Of course, there wasn't. No one in their right mind would look at him and think there was any hope of him being alive. Taka was dead.
His Taka, his baby boy, was dead.
Takaaki gently scooped up his body and held him as if he were a newborn again. His breathing hitched and his vision became blurry as the rain poured down his face, buried in his son's chest.
He screamed out his anguish, clenching Taka's soaked uniform. He ran his fingers through his son's hair and immediately winced as it came in contact with the open wound. Why did this happen? Why Taka? His boy didn't do anything. Who would kill him like this? Who would let this--? His eyes trailed down to the dark-clad figure. The figure who dared to cry at his son's body. Takaaki clenched his teeth.
"YOU!"
He reached across Taka's body and latched onto Mondo's lapels, bringing him in like a whiplash, their noses pressed together. Mondo responded like a ragdoll, allowing his body to limply obey the force as if crying drained him of any strength he had to even flinch. His eyes were red-shot and almost as dull as Taka's, but Takaaki knew damn well he could see him. He could see his wrath.
"This is all YOUR FAULT!" he cried, "What the HELL is wrong with you?! I told you to protect him! You said you would! You promised you'd keep him out of your gang shit! He trusted you! I trusted you! And you KILLED HIM, YOU MONSTER! YOU KILLED MY BOY!"
Takaaki huffed through his teeth to catch his breath. His expression melted to pained ease when his eyes trailed back to his son's body. Squeezing his damp eyes shut, Takaaki roughly shoved Mondo, sending him crashing to the wet ground.
"Go." Takaaki said through grit teeth, "Get out of here..! If I ever see you again, I'll--" he held his tongue. Takaaki caressed his son's cheeks in his hands, pressing their foreheads together, and sobbed his heart out.
Mondo gathered whatever strength he regained to pry himself off the pavement and leave the scene.
Behind him, Mondo could hear an agonized scream, carried by the thunder.