Samatoki and Ichiro meet on a random rooftop.

Smoking a cig, Samatoki sighs before glancing at Ichiro, who's looking at the sky. The cloud trying to cover up a blue moon.

"What's wrong with you?" he asks, not expecting a reply.

"M' thinkin' about some things..." Ichiro replies.

Blinking, Samatoki thinking that the brat's lucky he's in a good mood right now, "Wanna talk about it?"

Ichiro snaps his head towards him so fast, it looks like he might break, looking at him with contempt, "Why?"

"Just cuz."

He shakes his head, "It's not like you'll listen or believe me anyway...you never did."

Taking that jab, Samatoki sighs, "I'm listening now, so spill."

After what seems like hours, it was only a few seconds, before Ichiro relents.

"I don't trust Chuohku. Those damn liars...! They lied about taking my bros hostage in the first place."

"Hah? You mean..." Samatoki strings it together in his head, "Nemu lied to me?"

"Of course she lied! Do you honestly expect Chuohku NOT to lie?!" Ichiro snaps at him before turning to leave, "You made your choice of who to believe."

It was then that they noticed Jakurai and Ramuda eavesdropping by the door.

Ichiro sighs, "You two never hurt me directly, but you did leave me behind. For too long. You weren't ever coming back, were you?"

Jakurai and Ramuda didn't say anything back, ashamed.

Then, his brothers caught part of the conversation while on the stairs, attempting to see their brother.

"Aniki/Ichi-nii?"

Ichiro only sadly smiles at them, "You two used to hate me, remember? I expect it to happen again... I just hope it won't."

As he walks down the stairs, with no one going after him, "I was the only one hurt...so it's fine. Better me than everyone else."

He briefly looks back at them with a smile, "I said I'd die for freedom, didn't I? I really meant it," before disappearing from sight.

"Wait!" Samatoki was the only one who sprinted off after him. Before Ichiro did anything stupid. Before he sacrificed himself again.

Ichiro still doing dirty jobs for money.

Samatoki is displeased when he finds out.

Ichiro tries to run but I'd quickly caught, "Get back here, brat," and dragged by Samatoki.

Ichiro showing up covered in blood and looking like shit... it wouldn't be the first time it's happened, and probably won't be the last.