So here comes the third chapter. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, but I was busy with studying for a few tests. I have also another two of them coming up during the next two weeks.
Anyway, again I want to thank the people who have reviewed my story so far. It gets me excited every time. I hope you are enjoying this chapter as well :)
Also the movie "K-Missing Kings" is being released in theater's in Japan next week. Have you seen the trailers to it? I literally jumped up and down in my chair. After waiting such a long time and counting down the visuals, I can't quite believe that the day has finally come :D So excited for the subs to be aired!
Have fun reading!
„Achoo!"
Giving her a concerned look, Yuri took some tissues out of her bag and gave them to Akari. The girl had walked home from the bar yesterday, after leaving the tumult behind. It had been freezing and she hadn't had a jacket so she'd caught a cold. When she got home, she had collapsed onto the bed and tried to calm down her beating heart, until she slept in. Waking up the next morning, she had almost thought everything had just been a dream, but the still too big clothing, which didn't really look like hers, told her otherwise. That was the moment she first really noticed, that she had left all of her stuff at the bar. She didn't really bother for the clothing, however her PDA was important and she would get into trouble, if she had lost it for good. But to get it back she would need to revisit Homra and she wasn't sure, if she was really prepared for it. They all seemed very nice in fact. Well, besides on rushing out on people very fast, being hot tempered and easily to annoy. Thinking back, Akari didn't know why she had been so afraid of Suoh. Sure he was a king and a violent one too, which was a dangerous combination, but he hadn't really done anything. Was it really just his aura that had terrified her so much? Or had she still been shocked from the stuff, that had happened before and Suoh's appearance had just been too much for her at the moment. Still, she was struggling inside to go back to that place. And her poor health didn't convince her either. Akari didn't even know if she could make it through the day without losing consciousness. During the day her cold had got worse and maybe she had even developed a fever.
"You don't look good at all. " Yuri told her worried, while taking the first bite of her bento for lunch. They were sitting in the cafeteria close to Yuri's university. The girl was studying economics to follow the footsteps of her family, while Akari was going to medical college to become a surgeon. They first had met in preschool and were sticking together ever since. Even if their future would lead them down different paths, they would never part from one another. That's what they'd sworn themselves after finishing high school. Right now, it was still easy because their universities were only half an hour apart. No one knew, how they were supposed to manage it in the future. Akari would probably stay in Shizume city, while her friend was more the traveling type. Yuri's father was a rich business man, so she had enough back up from home, other than Akari, whose parents had left her and who lived alone.
"I'm fine." She said almost sneezing and faced her friend as Yuri crossed her arms and gave her the 'I-told-you-so-look'
"No you're not. You did catch a cold yesterday. And you didn't show up at the hospital either. Kyoku and I were worried. I thought you wanted to visit him and we were going to meet there. Did you at least go to the lecture?"
"Of course, of course. And afterwards I was so tired, that I slept in at home. When I woke up again it was already the next morning." Akari lied. She couldn't possibly tell her friend, that she had got involved in a fight of Homra and that there might be some consequences for her. Yuri would worry and tell her to stay at her place the next time, but Akari didn't want to disturb or rely on other people.
"I'll visit him today for sure. How was he?"
"Fine. He's bored to death. I brought him some books and magazines. He's finished the jigsaw puzzles you've brought him last time, so I guess you have to provide some new ones."
"I wanted to stop by the shop anyway. I need some groceries."
Yuri nodded in agreement, before conspiratorially leaning forward to talk to her in private.
"You know that one guy, who is my international business class? The one I told you about before, who is pretty and seems very nice, but I'm not sure if he is honest to the people? He asked me, if I would go out with him."
"What did you answer?" Akari asked surprised. There were not many men, who asked Yuri to a date. Yuri was a pretty girl, but her mostly noisy and impolite behavior would scare people off. She had not many friends either, because people didn't know how to deal with her. She also was a desperate manga otaku and would annoy people with her talking.
"I said I would think about it. You see, I kind of panicked but I'm not sure if I want to go out with him. He seems kind of sly."
"You can at least give it a try. Just don't get your hopes up right away. That way you won't get hurt."
"Wow, thanks. That's very reassuring." Yuri answered sarcastically and waved her friend off. "And here I thought I could get some advice from you, but you are as useless as always. " Smiling she took another bite from her bento. It was just the usual mocking that went on between them; however people were usually not able to distinguish, if the two girls were joking or serious about it.
"You are one to talk! Your constant advices are making my head hurt. And they are not very helpful either. Just annoying."
"You should really eat something. You look weak arguing like this."
"See! That's what I'm talking about."
"What are you two arguing about again?" A calming voice asked from behind Akari. The girl didn't need to turn around to recognize the person. His deep but relaxing voice was always easy to identify.
"Takahiro-san, don't you have some work to do?" It was her usual greeting to him.
"A break is a break in the end. And if I can spend it with you two beautiful girls, I will work even harder later on Akari-chan."
Skeptically the girl raised an eyebrow, before exchanging a look with Yuri.
"You? Work? Don't make me laugh."
"Looking at you two, I am starting to feel very concerned about the medical department. Is everyone in your university like you?" Yuri asked, shaking her head troublesome. Both of the medical students turned around and glared at her. Yumasaki Takahiro was a senior in college and worked part time at the hospital, giving special courses, to prepare students for later work life. Akari had joined him at his work, long before she had even started college. She had known very early, what she'd wanted to become and helping and learning from the nurses there part time would not only bring her extra money and important knowledge, but also let her spend more time with Kyoku and get to know more of his case. Takahiro had been the one, who had introduced her to the job and who had shown her around. He supervised and guided her ever since and was going to finfish medical college this year.
"I'm not going to take care of you, if you get turned in one day, don't worry." Akari replied, then turning to Takahiro she continued. "Just imagine being questioned all the time by a patient, who will never shut up and insult you."
"Just give her some narcotics right away. Then you don't have to bother with her."
"Oi! I'm right here. Fine, I will never go near you two, when I'm sick."
"Why couldn't you have caught a cold?" Akari said, resting her head on the table.
"Because I can take care of myself." Yuri replied, while Takahiro put his plate next to her and leaned over to ruffle Akari's hair.
"Well that's how we know her, isn't it Yuri-chan?" Always taking more care of others, than of herself."
Just stop complaining already. It would have been fine, if I wouldn't have made a jump for the water.
"Stop making it sound like I'm some kind of a modest hero, Takahiro."
Yuri made a sound that was close to a grunt. "Yeah that doesn't suit her at all." She called out, only to receive another deadly glare by her friend.
"I'll pass by the hospital in a few hours. Do you need someone to help out right now?"
"No I think we are pretty packed. Didn't you take the week off anyway?"
"I'm free till the weekend. Just thought I could put myself to use, when I'm there."
Akari didn't notice how Yuri and Takahiro exchanged a look.
"Just relax a bit. Or if you have too much free time at hand, study a little. That will also put your mind at rest." Yuri said to her, trying to sound convincing, but it seemed a little desperate.
Nevertheless Akari nodded in agreement. "Yeah I'll try. Maybe you are right."
After Akari had left, Yuri and Takahiro remained silent, both clinging to their own thoughts.
"It's been one and a half years, since they got to know of his disease. This is the first time she's been acting strange." Yuri started, giving Takahiro an apprehensive look.
The man sighed deeply once and took a last sip of his coffee, before turning to that matter.
"His condition is stable again, but the doctors are not sure, what will happen in future. We are all hoping, that this will be his last chemotherapy and that he will recover, but no one can be sure about it. Akari knows that, but she wants to believe that it will all work out."
"Looking at him nowadays, probably reminds her of the fact that his condition could worsen any second. But still, she should be there for him." Yuri's look was distant, as she remembered Kyoku's glad face, whenever someone visited him.
"Will you pass by later as well?" Takahiro asked curious, before standing up to put away his plate.
"I don't know yet. Maybe later after Akari had a talk with him. I don't want to disturb them."
Takahiro only nodded in agreement.
Carrying five new thousand pieces jigsaw puzzles, Akari went down the road to the hospital, next to the former Nanakamado Scientific Research Center. After some problems in the internal structure of the building, it had been taken down four years ago. Akari didn't really know, what they used to do there, but she had heard about the Golden Clan supervising the center.
A meadow was all that was left of it, serving as a ground for therapy of patients. They were starting to plant little trees there to create a lovelier environment, giving the patients a place to breath and to leave the hospital. Maybe it would even put their minds at rest of a coming surgery or of the fear of a disease.
She entered the hospital through the front, because today she only came as a visitor. Usually she wouldn't take the main entrance and pass through the back door, to get changed and start working. Kyoku would also see her coming when she took the front door and leave his bed to watch her at her work and she didn't want him to cause any trouble in the hospital. But today she especially came for him, so she could sent him back right away and keep an eye on him. It was unfamiliar to look at the work place from a different point of view. She greeted the women at the reception desk and took the elevator to the third floor. Walking down the corridor, the nurses on duty, her colleagues, waved her as they passed by. They all knew where she was heading to. Many of them took even care of Kyoku.
As she reached the door, she hesitated before knocking. In her mind echoed a talk they had quite some time ago.
"Have you read the papers? They say Homra beat up an underground drug organization and the police just had to pick the criminals up afterwards. Damn these guys are strong! I wish I could meet them one day."
"Don't you think you left out a bit?" She had said back then, taking the magazine out of his hands and pointing at the headline of the article. 'Shinjuku-three stores destroyed. A million yen damage! Owners are making Homra responsible.'
"They destroyed everything around it too. Those people were completely innocent, but nevertheless their work was turned into a battlefield. Those guys should better think about where they are fighting, before hurting someone who has nothing to do with it."
"They got compensation, so everything turned out fine, didn't it? Also, wouldn't it be bad having drug dealers under your store for too long? It was only a matter of time for someone to turn up there. They should be happy, that those were the good guys back then." Disappointed he had looked down at the magazine. "I don't like how the media is making everything sound like they are evil. I don't think they are. Those reporters are just looking for a scandal to sell their magazines."
"It's the media, so of course they are. Don't let it get to your nerves. I don't think Homra gives anything, about what the papers say. So you shouldn't either, right? This bunch is violent and unconsidered, but I guess they have a strong sense of justice. I can see why you like them. Maybe you will get to know them one day?"
"You too! You have to meet them too."
It was kind of sad, that she had met Homra before Kyoku did, even though he was such a fan. He talked a lot about the clan, but most of the time Akari couldn't really share his excitement. Of course she had never believed she would actually meet the red clan. The girl had wished it for Kyoku, but she had been worried about the possible involvements, that could turn out to have bad consequences. Now she was the one involved, but nevertheless, the red clan seemed – she didn't want to say 'nice', but it was the first word that crossed her mind.
When someone touched her shoulder, she jerked a bit and turned her head. One of her colleagues signed at the door and gave her a bright smile. The woman was always joyful and just recently started working here. Akari couldn't quite remember her name and felt bad for it.
"He's not going to see you, if you stay out here. He's been asking about you since yesterday. Don't let him wait too long." She winked at the girl and added "He's fine." before she turned around and continued with whatever she was supposed to do.
Hesitating for a moment, Akari knocked at the door and was being called in. A boy was sitting on a bed, reading some articles in a magazine, while the medical machines at his side, which were usually constantly beeping, stayed silent for now. He wasn't sharing the room with someone, so he mostly stayed alone all day. Going bald after the last treatment, his normally messy blue hair had already started to grow back, now covering his head again in strands. His bored features lighted up, as his deep blue gaze was fixed on Akari.
"Nee-san!" He called out, smiling brightly before jumping off the bed and hugging her. Surprised she caught the falling jigsaw puzzles and put them on the nearby cupboard, while Kyoku was clinging to her.
"How are you doing?" She asked, relieved to see him so lively. Last time the girl had visited her younger brother his condition had worsened, after the last chemotherapy and he had seemed more dead than alive. No visitors had been allowed during that time and Akari hadn't had the courage to see him like that, so she had worked on another floor. Since a week people were able to visit Kyoku again. Being his sister, she should have been the first one stepping into his room, but Akari had been scared of what she was going to find there. She didn't want to lose hope, but she believed, seeing him struggling to stay alive, would take it away from her.
"I'm glad you're here. I've been waiting for you, since the doctors said people could come here again."
The girl looked down to her little brother. He used to be much smaller, but having just turned thirteen, he would soon surpass her in growth. She felt guilt fill her heart, hearing this. Kyoku was first sent to the hospital three years ago, due to bad health. There were moment when he just passed out, or a simple cold turned into a dangerous fever rapidly. Sometimes he was so tired and weak he couldn't leave his bed for days, missing school and other social contacts. Back then the doctors already grew suspicious, but couldn't quite pinpoint, what was going on with him. One and a half years ago they finally had a diagnosis.
Blood cancer.
Back then Akari had felt like her world was breaking apart. Kyoku had only been eleven years old and already feared for his life. She was used to take him to the hospital, but now he would always stay there for weeks or even months. Ten weeks ago he'd started throwing up blood and being unable to walk, so she had called an ambulance and they had taken him away. Kyoku hadn't been home since then, receiving his second chemotherapy and enduring the aftereffects
He had to bear it all alone. Only because I was such a coward. She thought regretfully.
"Don't worry." She said, trying to sound confident and encouraging, while hugging him tighter. "I'm here now. And I'm not going to leave you alone again, I promise."
"Nee-san? That's nice to here and all, but I can't breathe."
"Right! Sorry." The girl apologized, releasing him and ordering him back to bed. She took the puzzles from the cupboard and sat down beside him.
"What happened while I was stuck here?" He asked excited, opening her present. He began to put the pieces together right away, as Akari started talking about university, work and life. She added some news from the city to her report, since she wasn't sure how much information had reached him.
"Well, Yuri is the same as ever, constantly complaining. Meanwhile Takahiro is piling up his work, until I need to help him." The girl ended her story, now silently helping him with the puzzle.
"I met Yuri yesterday. She told me that you wanted to come too. Did something happen?" Kyoku asked. He was pretty sharp for his age and knowing his sister, he figured right away, that she had left something out.
Akari turned away from him and looked out of the window. She still wasn't sure, if she should tell him, but it was hard to lie to him. He would figure it out somehow anyway.
"Well-" She started, a smile appearing on her face "I had an unexpected encounter with someone."
Her brother frowned skeptically and waited for her to continue. He didn't like her speaking in riddles, whenever she tried to tease him and she knew well of it.
A professor. A movie star. Kyoku had expected anything but the answer he actually received.
"I met Homra."
His eyes widened in surprise and disbelieve, as he searched for some signs of a joke in her features, but that wasn't the case.
"No you didn't." He answered half laughing. The pieces of the half solved puzzle flew in all directions, as he shifted his body to sit up straight. "How? What happened?" He questioned.
As Akari looked at him her smile wouldn't disappear. He had become much livelier, looking at her and anticipating a good story about his favorite gang. She wanted to start, when a sudden dizziness caught her. She shivered and put a hand on her forehead, trying to get a grab of herself again.
"Nee-san." Kyoku's voice sounded concerned as a second hand joined hers on her forehead. Her brother had leaned forward, destroying the puzzle for good and putting one hand next to hers while the other on his own forehead, he checked for temperature.
"It's not going to work, if you have got a fever yourself." She joked and Kyoku's eyebrows narrowed to that comment. With his face only being a few centimeters away from hers, she could feel his breath on her skin, when he was speaking.
"Shut up! I'm not the one with a fever here. I'm down from temperature since two days. YOU should stay in bed."
She waved him off. "It is fine, I took some medicine. I feel much better now, than this morning."
"Weren't you dressed properly, during the last week?"
She pulled away and rolled her eyes in annoyance. Why did everyone think it was due to her irresponsibility, that she caught a cold?
"Actually it has something to do with the encounter I had yesterday." And thus like that, she started telling the first person of what had really happened to her.
"You sat next to the red king and you fled?" He asked laughing, after she was finished with her report.
"OI! Don't make fun of me! He can be very terrifying you know? I would like to see how you would've reacted in my place." She answered, pretending of being hurt in her pride, before starting to tickle her little brother.
"Stop it. Nee-san-ugh" he tried to get away, but he was still smaller and weaker than her. "Alright I take it back. I take it back! You are brave and strong and-" He wasn't able to continue, because the laughter took over.
"Cut it out! It's not like you to say such nice things. You think I'm that naïve to believe you?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Don't tell me you haven't had your chance."
"Wait what? No, sorry. SORRY!"
She tickled the boy for another minute, before releasing him.
"Nee-san but I really mean it. You were brave enough to save that girl. There are not many people, who would have done it."
"There just wasn't anyone around, otherwise someone would have been able to even stop the fight. The short one arrived too late." Akari replied, thoughts returning to the situation from a day ago.
"You mean Yatagarasu? How is he? He is one of the strongest fighters of Homra."
His sister shrugged unconcerned "I was in the water, so I didn't really see him fight. But the attackers were all knocked out, when I saw them again." She stretched her hand out and ruffled his hair. Then turning her gaze to the ceiling, as if some thought had crossed her mind she added: "He yells all the time, but apparently when a girl is around he goes all quiet. Some shy fighter you've got there."
"Akari don't insult him." Kyoku pulled away from her and looked up like a kid, whose toy had been taken.
"Really though, I bet he never gets a girlfriend."
"AKARI!"
"Alright, I'll stop." Raising her hands, she waved him off. "But it is good, isn't it? Being nice to girls? Maybe they aren't that terrifying after all." Grimacing, she murmured the next to herself, but Kyoku picked it up anyways. "Hopefully they are not, since I have to go back to that place to get my PDA."
"You are going back there? Please tell me how it went later on!"
"I'm just going in to get my PDA back. It's not like I would stay there to have a chat with them."
"Okay fiiiine. If you say so." Like a sulky child, he crossed his arms and stiffed up his lower lip with a 'Hmpf'. "You are just scared after all!"
"Stop mocking me. It's not going to work."
"Yuri is coming." Taking a look outside the window, like he usually did, Kyoku had spotted their friend on the way to the entrance of the hospital. Taking a look at the clock Akari sighed.
"If I want to get my PDA back today, I have to go now; otherwise it'll be too late."
"It's fine. Take care!" Giving her a thumb up, her brother smiled reassuring.
"Are you sure?"
"Are you joking? You are going to meet Homra! Besides I'm stuck here, so you can't stay here forever. I'm tired and you are annoying, so get moving."
"Thank you." Stretching out her hand, she ruffled his hair again. However, as she turned around to get up from the bed, the sudden noise of loud coughing reached her ears. Having a hand covering his mouth, Kyoku was bend over, breathing hardly as more and more coughs took over. His body was shaking due to his efforts to keep his breathing under control. Akari had a similar, but not quite the same picture appear in her mind and it brought back memories she'd wanted to forget. Slipping one arm around the boy, she held him, until his breathing turned back to normal. She knew it wasn't anything serious, but still her body was on alert, like back in the days when he had stayed with her.
"I'm sorry Nee-san." He finally uttered exhausted, resting his head against her shoulder. She hadn't noticed, how fragile he still was, until now.
"Are you alright?" She asked after the coughing fit was gone.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's still just some of the aftereffects, so it's nothing dangerous."
"Hmm I figured that. You'll get better soon and then we will be able to take you home again. Maybe we can even visit Homra together." She tried to sound convincing, but Kyoku noticed the slightly absent tone in the voice of his sister. She was talking more to herself, then to him. Nevertheless he replied "That would be great." and let her hug him, before saying 'Goodbye'.
At the door Akari stopped for a moment, taking a look down the floor, before turning back to him. Putting a finger on her lips she smiled.
"Ahh- and don't tell Yuri, what I have just told you. The Homra thing. You know how she is."
"I'm not crazy. I don't need a patient with a heart attack in this room. I'm glad that the doctors stay out of here for once."
His sister winked at him, before disappearing from his view.
"I just saw Akari leaving. Did you two finally talk?" Yuri, who had brought some flowers, searched in the cupboard for a vase.
"How did she look, when she passed by?" Kyoku asked, suddenly much more serious than before.
"Mhh hard to describe." Yuri answered casually, while causing a constant rattling down at the cupboard. "Somehow, she seemed to be in thoughts, I guess. Ahh there it is!"
Finally pulling out a glass vase from below, she turned around with a triumphantly smile. She looked around the room to find a source for water and her head dropped in disappointment, when she realized she had to take an extra walk.
"Seriously, why isn't there a sink in this room? Such a bother! Just wait a minute, I'll be right back."
She jumped out of the room and Kyoku could hear her running down the hallway, followed by a few complaints of the nurses working there.
"In thoughts – huh?" Despite having much fun with his sister this afternoon and being really happy to see her, Kyoku too, had noticed how Akari's mood had changed and it made him sad. He had tried to stay strong through this meeting, to show her how much he had recovered, but right before she'd left he had shown his weakness. He knew why his sister had only visited him now and he had also noticed how she had hesitated at the door. It troubled him to make Akari worried and he got the feeling, that he'd scare her off, if he would show any weakness. He didn't want to cause her pain, he didn't want to see that troubled look, which she gave him, whenever she thought he wasn't looking and he really didn't want to make this any more alarming to her. Of course she wouldn't show it in front of him, but that didn't mean he didn't notice.
"Kyoku, are you alright?"
Yuri had returned, putting the flowers on the desk next to him, while giving him a confused look.
"Fine. Just tired I guess." He stretched his arms and pulled the blanket up to his chin. The thought of Akari's face, when he had started coughing wouldn't let go of him.
"When will the two of you start being honest to each other?" Yuri sighed, exchanging a knowing look with him. Then she smiled and started picking up the pieces of his puzzle from the bed and the ground. "It will all turn out okay, as soon as you get better. We will all pull through this together, so don't worry too much about Akari. We are all here to help you guys."
Really feeling better after her comment, Kyoku gave her a true smile. "Thank you, Yuri."
The skateboard clattered, as it landed on the ground. The boy, who had just jumped up and flicked it once, didn't take his time for a break and kicked the ground again to do the trick a second time. The other big guy sat a few meters away from him at the stair case.
Akari could see the scenario pretty well from where she was standing. Yatagarasu, watched by his friend, was practicing his techniques right in front of the bar, blocking the way for anyone, who would like to enter it.
Do I really want to do this? I just left without saying anything, yesterday. It's going to be damn awkward.
Thinking of a way to get the PDA back, without making the whole situation uncomfortable, she didn't notice the constant stare coming from a person from somewhere behind her.
"Are you looking for something?"
Surprised Akari turned around and faced a young man with brown hair. Startled she backed away against the wall at her side. It was the guy, who had driven the van the day before and crushed the gates of the park. She couldn't quite remember his name.
"I- well…" she was at a loss of words. She didn't expect someone to corner her, before she entered the bar.
"Oh it's you!" The guy snapped one of his fingers and pointed it at her. "The one from yesterday, who sneaked out on us. Kusanagi expected you to come back to get your stuff." Akari relaxed a bit, as she heard this. He took a few steps in her direction and stopped right in front of her, offering her a hand.
"Would you mind, coming inside? I don't think our king wanted to frighten you last time."
So they know that I was scared of their king?
The man must somehow have guessed her thoughts, because he gave her a knowing smile.
"Mikoto-san may seem terrifying, but most of the time he doesn't mean it. You are not the first to run away from him."
She hesitated for a moment, but then she took his hand anyway.
"Chitose is bringing a girl here." Dewa called out, after looking through the window of the bar.
"One would think that he had learned his lesson, since the last time." Kusanagi answered, standing behind the counter and polishing it with a piece of cloth. Displeased he crossed his arms and shook his head. "If it is a Strain again this time, I'm not going to help him. We had enough trouble with the last one."
"Maybe he started to ask them first." Totsuka suggested, sitting opposite of the bartender, next to Anna, who was sipping on a juice. She looked up, the doll-like eyes fixing on Kusanagi and shook her head, without saying a word.
"Thank goodness! At least it's not a Strain." Dewa, who had noticed Anna's reaction, put his hands in the pockets of his jacket and turned around to the door. "I'm tired of the constant problems this womanizer brings with him."
Totsuka cocked his head and smiled wryly. Everyone knew that Dewa would still continue to look out for his friend, no matter how much trouble it was going to cause him. They sometimes felt sorry for the poor guy, who had to put up with Chitose. Just recently the whole clan got involved, trying to save the womanizer from an enraged female Strain.
However, they didn't expect such a familiar girl being in his company.
"Boshiya-san! Welcome back to the bar Homra." Kusanagi was the first one to react and greeted her in his professional way of a bartender, as the girl entered the place. Dewa looked confused since he hadn't been involved in the incident from the day before. In the back one could see Yata watching them from the doorstep, somewhat confused but relieved as well. It probably bugged him to have scared the girl.
"I saw her outside, so I brought her with me, since we still got her stuff." Chitose scratched his head like he wanted to apologize. He had probably figured out by now, that his fellow clansmen didn't like to see him with another girl after the last incident.
"I'm also returning these." Akari held out a back with the clothes they had lent her. She had washed them after her classes and before she visited her brother.
"That's very kind of you. Thank you." Totsuka got up from his seat and walked over to take the bag out of her hands. Then he walked behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, pushing her to a nearby seat at the counter and separating her from Chitose. "Do you want anything to drink? How are you anyway? We were worried, that you maybe didn't make it home last night."
Since Totsuka was guiding her into another direction, Akari didn't notice, how Dewa forcefully put an arm around Chitose's neck and pulled him over to the other side of the bar. Maybe his intensions had been noble, but they all knew, especially Dewa, that the womanizer couldn't do anything against his true nature.
"I'm fine. Thank you, but I don't need anything. I just wanted to get my stuff and leave right away." Akari answered, tensing in the next moment. That sounded much more impolite, than she had imagined it.
Nevertheless Totsuka smiled and pushed her to the seat. "Alright. Sit down here. I will go get it for you." And just like that he left her alone to face the people of the bar.
"We didn't even notice you leave yesterday. I'm sorry you had to see me quite outraged. Sometimes there is just no better way to reason with this bunch." The bartender placed a glass of juice in front of her and went back to is task of cleaning the counter.
"Thank you, but I don't have any money on me right now."
"It's on the house. Take it as an apology for Mikoto's behavior yesterday."
Taken aback Akari stared at the man. He had no reason to say sorry. She had been the one acting like a scared little brat, after all.
"There's no need to apologize, since he didn't really do anything." She admitted. Somehow, it was very easy to talk to this man. Maybe because he was the only sane one in this weird bunch.
"Yeah, well that's just how he is. It takes some time for people to get used to him. Sometimes I'm not quite sure if he actually knows that."
Looking around curiously Akari frowned.
"Where is he?"
"Ahh well, his sleeping schedule is different than those of normal people I would say. He is still upstairs."
Like a lion in the savanna. Sleeping all day long.
"Achoo"
The sound was quite and one would even say cute. Surprised Kusanagi looked over to Anna, who was grabbing the counter, as though she didn't want to fall off. He didn't even know that the little girl was able to make this kind of noises.
"Anna? Are you alright? How about taking a nap upstairs?"
The girl only nodded and Kusanagi walked around the counter to offer her a hand.
Seems like we are the same, huh? Akari thought as the bartender took the girl upstairs. She herself felt also the fever coming back and was hoping for Totsuka to hurry up, so she could get home. The dizziness was coming back as well and she felt much colder than before. However the constant thought of really sitting in this bar, distracted her from her sickness.
Why were they all so nice to her? This wasn't the furious, hot-tempered Homra she had imagined all the time. Kyoku was probably right when he had said that the media was always looking for a big scandal. From what she had seen this people were noisy, but kind. She couldn't remember a moment, when they had been rude or impolite to her. And it had even been funny, when they had fought in front of her.
I wonder what they will do about the gates. Akari thought and decided to ask Kusanagi later on, but as a shiver caught her body, she was reminded to get back home as soon as possible.
"How are you feeling, actually?" The bartender asked frowning, after having returned from the floor above.
"Just feel a little uneasy, but other than that I'm good." She lied and tried to hide the indication of her cold.
"I got it!" Finally Totsuka had returned from the other room, bringing another bag with him and handing it over to the girl. After rummaging in the bag, she found her PDA and sighed in relief. Some numbers saved on it were very important and the device was her identification for work as well.
"Thank you very much!" she closed her eyes and bowed in front of them. "I'll take my leave now."
"Take care! And feel free to pass by again." Totsuka replied winking, as he waved her goodbye. Kusanagi, being the gentleman, opened the door for her.
"Be careful on your way home." He added to Totsuka's remarks.
"I will." She said surprised. Why did it feel like parents giving their child advices before going to a party? Akari felt weird thinking about it that way. She had only met this people after all.
She had only passed through a few streets, when her vision started to become blurry.
Great! It's still going to take me at least half an hour until I get home. I should have picked another day to get my PDA. She knew that she would need it tomorrow, but right now Akari was rather annoyed by herself. She had to hurry before passing out on the street.
"Hey you!" A voice called. Akari didn't want to turn around and loose precious time, so she ignored it and kept on walking.
"I was talking to you!" A strong hand gripped her arm and turned her around. A young man with black hair was standing in front of her, eyes narrowing as he took a look at her.
The girl didn't have the strength to fight back, so she just kept staring.
"What kind of connection do you have with Homra?" By now, it took her a few seconds to work out, what the question really meant. She was very slow, if she couldn't focus. When she finally realized, what he was asking, Akari tried to free her arm in panic.
"I don't have any connection with them. I just visited their bar. Let go of me!"
When she looked up at him again, the man was smiling, but the smile wouldn't reach his eyes.
Hate them! A cold shrieking voice called out in her mind. Like an echo it resounded many times, without ever stopping. Akari fell to her knees, as the sound caused her a headache. It felt like a needle was being pierced through her forehead, while her body went cold and hot at the same time.
My circulatory system is breaking down and due to the fever I must be hallucinating. She kept telling herself. But she wasn't so sure about that. The voice felt somehow much more real, than she had expected it for a hallucination.
HATE THEM! KILL THEM! KILL HOMRA! They have done terrible things to you. Get revenge on them. KILL THEIR KING!
Wrong! She thought, covering her ears and shaking her head. It felt like another presence was reaching out to her, putting thoughts in her mind, that weren't hers.
Terrifying pictures appeared before her eyes for just a split second. She caught a glimpse of Yuri and Kyoku lying on the ground before her, covered in blood. It disappeared right away and the only thing that was left were blurry colors, while she could feel the dizziness taking over. She could still feel how the other personality was trying to grab her mind, but as the darkness engulfed her and the fever took over her consciousness, the presence, unable to make contact with her, disappeared.
"Shohei-kun, is Bandou with you?" Kusanagi asked, after having picked up the ringing phone. Everyone had already returned to the bar, besides those two.
Coughing was the only sound delivered through the phone.
"Shohei? Oi!" For the second time in the last two days, Kusanagi was worried, while being on the phone.
"We are fine, Kusanagi-san. Just a little out of breath. Guess the last gang wasn't the only one having a grudge against us. We too got attacked by eight men, who wanted revenge on Homra. I have never seen them before to be honest."
The bartender exhaled the breath he had been holding and exchanged a look with Totsuka, who was watching him, waiting for an explanation.
"Okay, for now concentrate on coming back here without any other trouble. We will talk about it later on."
"We might need some time." He hesitated for a moment. "We are currently taking care of the girl from yesterday. Bandou found her lying on the ground a few streets away from the bar. There was some guy with her, who ran away after he'd spotted us."
"What? How is she doing?" Kusanagi answered surprised; after all they had just seen her.
"Hard to describe. She's lost consciousness, but it doesn't look like she's hurt. Should we bring her along or should we call an ambulance?"
"Alright, take her here. Be careful on your way. You guys have a lot to report to me."