He couldn't cope with the overwhelming guilt and fear. It was way too much for his not yet fully developed psyche. Having come from a physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive family, and forming strong bonds with his friends who protected him from the bullies on the streets, only to walk the path to his own personal hell paved with every single good intention he had for those friends, it was too much. His soul broke. His mind succumbed to the darkness that ensued.

Without proper psychotherapy and social rehabilitation in the detention center, his suffering only kept turning worse day by day. Tremendous fear and shock turned into excruciating pain, which in turn became unbearable hatred. Toward his former friends, especially Mikey, whose brother he accidentally killed, and Baji, who witnessed the whole tragedy, and was even his accomplice to a certain extent, and yet got away with it as if he was completely innocent. "And he promised he'd stick with me till the end, no matter what hell awaited, that bastard! Promised so, and yet he betrayed me and left me alone in this hell! I'll get my revenge on the traitor!" - Kazutora fed his hatred with similar thoughts.

However, in its core, the hatred he felt wasn't really for Mikey, Baji, Toman, or anything and anyone else. It was towards himself. Because underneath all that darkness of a ruthless teenage delinquent, was a little boy scared to death of being abandoned and left alone by his only real family, the only ones who ever cared for him - his friends. And he knew, deep, deep down in his soul, how wrong he was about everything. He knew how grave of a mistake he made, and he regretted it more than any words could describe! But he was afraid that there was no forgiveness for him anymore. That he had definitively lost his real family, and that he's all alone from now on, and that he's a monster. And so, he decided to play the role of the monster, since it seemed like the only choice he had. And just like every lie that's repeated enough times becomes a truth, so did Kazutora's metamorphosis into a monster become a reality.

After two years spent in what was practically jail, his time to shine had come, or so he thought. The revenge time was here. The stars aligned, Mikey was about to be crushed, Toman was about to be destroyed, and even Baji could get what he deserved. But the twist of fate wanted it differently. After receiving merciless beating from Mikey, who had let out all of his long-suppressed anger and pain from losing his brother in his fists, Kazutora started regaining some clarity. However, the second mistake had already done the damage, and he had indirectly killed again. This time, his one and only true friend, who sacrificed himself in order to keep Kazutora and Mikey from killing each other. Baji. A tragic character in his own accord, he was pressed between rock and hard place for a long time. Two people he cared about the most became each other's mortal enemies, even though they themselves used to be close friends.

Having realized the extent of Baji's selflessness and care for both of them, they both started regaining composure. But it was too late. Especially for Kazutora. He had another death on his hands, and this time, it was intentional. He was blinded by the rage and lust for revenge to the point of killing his most loyal friend. He attacked the other one with the same intent. He had no way of even dreaming of redeeming himself after that. He ended up with a 10 year sentence this time. But it felt too light. He felt that even 100 years would have been too mild a punishment for his sins. He wanted to die.

And, yet again, he was saved by Toman members. Mikey forgave him. The same Mikey who had suffered endlessly because of Kazutora's stupidity and mistakes. The very same Mikey who bore so much pain and darkness in himself, that any average person would have become a mass murderer long ago, found enough inner strength to forgive the lost Kazutora. But how does one get forgiveness from a dead person? "Huh, Baji? How can I get YOU to forgive me...? How can I get Shin'ichiro-kun to forgive me? And how do I forgive myself and move on? Draken, why did you forbid me from killing myself? I have no other way to atone for what I've done..."

Tears kept flowing in streams down his delicate pale face, still swollen and bruised from Mikey's punches. He welcomed all those small physical pains. He deserved it all, and then some, he thought. Sitting in his lonely prison cell, he sobbed and bawled his eyes out, his soul letting out all the pent-up pain in sorrowful, desperate cries.

Was he reaching his absolute rock bottom? Turned out to be so. But there's no such place as good as rock bottom is for starting going up. And that's exactly what happened with Kazutora. This time around he got a proper psychiatric care and education while serving his sentence. But no amount of good effort from the authorities being put into him would have helped, had he not already wished to become better. He wanted to live a (somewhat) normal life more than anything else! He yearned for a chance to make up with former friends and gang mates, would they ever see him as worthy ever again. But he wanted to become worthy! He wanted to become a human being. And he did everything in his power to reach that goal.

Those 10 years of constant work on self-betterment didn't pass in vain. Kazutora left the institution fully rehabilitated and functional. The past could never be erased, indeed, and he was fully aware of it, but he had accepted his fate, and decided to make the most of what he had available.

First thing on his to-do list upon getting back into the free world, was officially making amends and asking forgiveness from everyone he ever hurt. Shin'ichiro and Baji before everyone else! He spent good two hours "talking" to each of their graves, owning up to his mistakes, profoundly apologizing to Shin'ichiro for everything and solemnly promising to him that he'll devote his life to protecting and taking care of Mikey from now on, in any way he could, then begging Baji to not think of him as of his enemy, and promising to follow in his steps and carry on his dreams to the best of his abilities. After that, he went to Mikey's, lowering his head in utmost shame and apology, asking for forgiveness and offering himself as a friend and aide once again, in case he ever needs him for anything. Then he visited Takemicchi, Mitsuya, and Pa-chin, apologizing to each one for everything he had caused them and Toman in the past. Mitsuya was kind enough to take him to Draken's grave as well.

- It really took a great toll on Mikey... I think he's still not fully recovered from that blow. - Looking at the gravestone that said "Ryuuguuji family grave", Mitsuya unconsciously touched his right temple.

- I can imagine... First Shin'ichiro-kun, then Baji... Emma, even Izana... And Draken on top of of it all. That must have been too much. - he sighed deeply. - And to think that I'm responsible for half of his pain...

- Well, he forgave you. There's no changing the past... Things will never go back to the way they were, but I don't hold any grudges against you, and I'm glad to see you're doing well.

- Mitsuya... thank you.

- Don't mention it. Anyway, gotta go! Maybe we can hang out some time if we get a chance. I guess you won't be rejoining the gang?

- Yeah, no... I don't think it would be a good idea. But I'm still gonna support Mikey and Toman in any way I can, if they need me.

- Right... well, it was good to see you again.

- You too! I'll stay here a bit longer, hope you don't mind...

- Sure. See ya!

Kazutora lightly waved to the leaving Mitsuya, and turned to face the grave. Having lit the incense and paid respect to the departed, he remembered Draken visiting him in jail right after Bloody Halloween. "To think that you saved my life that time... To be honest, I don't know if I should thank you for that, but you really understood me well, didn't you? You thought of me as your friend even when I was at my lowest... I'm sorry I said I hated that side of you. I actually respect you for that. And everything else you ever did! Rest well, Vice Commander!"

Having given the gravestone a pat as if it was his friend's shoulder, he left the cemetery.

Eventually, he dropped by Chifuyu's pet shop. Even though the former Toman Vice Captain of the First Division "welcomed" him with a punch in the face and spitting on him as he stumbled down from the impact, "Mikey may have forgiven you, but I haven't!", he didn't feel any anger towards Chifuyu's reaction. What's more, he straight up said that he deserved that, and that any better greeting from Chifuyu would have been inappropriate. Chifuyu was kind enough to listen to what Kazutora had to say, and after a couple of hours of talking, Chifuyu offered him a job of a janitor in the shop, which Kazutora happily accepted.

Two more years had passed. As a memento and a sign of respect for his departed friend, he grew his hair out like Baji used to, back in the day, only keeping the strands that were framing his face highlighted in yellowish blond. It matched well with his light hazel eyes. Kazutora spent most of his free time visiting his victims' graves and repenting there, whenever he wasn't working his ass off in Chifuyu's shop. As much as he believed that he made amends with himself, his past, and his sins, and that he at least managed to be on the neutral terms with his former friends, there was still one person who could never forgive him, and the one person he had completely forgotten to offer his repentance to. Baji Keisuke's mother.