A/N: I was unable to finish this chapter in time, so here's the first scene. While I do have a rough draft, it's not in a publishable state. I will replace this next time with the full chapter, but while I may edit this scene, the overall flow will not change. Sorry about the delay.

Several people have requested more fluff, and I shall keep that in mind.

Part 4-5 (Ground)

"Wow, that was bru-tal. What'd you get for the last question? I got like, one pi."

"Yeah, one pi."

"Huh, I got one-point-three-three-three with a bunch of three's. Did you guys—oh. I left my calculator in degrees mode the entire time…"

"Myers-chan, how about you? What answer for the last question?"

I looked up from my desk, my hand falling from my cheek to rest beside my pencils on the tabletop. The dark-haired girl who sat in front of me leaned against the back of her chair as she waited for my reply. Beside her, Hina patted the back of a sulking classmate. "…two pi," I said. "But I might have simplified incorrectly."

"Eh, you'll be fine, you always do well. What about the one before that? I got sine-squared over three."

Hina looked back at us. "Yeah, I remember seeing that problem in the homework. One-third sine-squared."

I said nothing.

Performing poorly on the final exams would wreck my grades, but that was a trivial matter compared to Taiju's death or a bloody war between Toman and the Black Dragons, whether Kisaki or Baji acted first, respectively. I had time to study—ample time after my recent visit to the Shibas' household—but I had little focus.

I unzipped my school bag and took out my phone. No new messages, no missed calls. I opened my most recently sent message and read it to myself with a clarity absent from during the exam:

I apologize for my behavior last week. I realize that I acted callously towards Hakkai and you, and that was unacceptable. However, I still believe that Hakkai must…

"Blake-chan?"

"Huh?" I looked up from the screen. Hina and the group of girls involved in the conversation watched me, and after the silence dragged on, I shut my phone and shook my head. "I'm sorry, I wasn't listening."

Hina waved her hands. "It's no big deal. I was just talking about how we were planning to go to the aquarium with Emma-chan."

"Oh, that. I'm looking forward to it tomorrow." I gave them the best smile I currently could. "I'm a little tired right now, so I'll go to the bathroom to freshen up."

"That freezing-cold water will totes wake you up," the girl in front of me said. "Just make sure to come back before next period." I nodded as I stood up and slipped my phone into my blazer pocket.

The corridor was barren for break time. Most students were either hunched over their desks with their textbooks open or with their heads in their hands, a glance through the windows of the classrooms I passed showed. The hall was awash with pale light, the cloudy sky unusually bright. My shadow kept me company, almost tangible in its stark darkness.

A group of shadowy figures passed mine and merged into one, confused mass. Two shadows split off without pause, but the third remained entangled.

"Hey, I know you." I looked up from the tiled floor and behind me, my eyes widening at the familiar voice.

Kazutora stood a few steps away, his hands in the pockets of his gakuran and body facing me. Behind him, two tall boys also in our school's uniform halted and looked back at us, but their feet remained pointed forward.

That boy on the right…he tried to shoplift cigarettes last weekend, didn't he?

"We may have met." I averted my gaze before it became obvious I was staring and nodded at Kazutora. Both of my identities had met him on multiple occasions, but acting secretively would only be suspicious.

He smiled, and his bell earring chimed as he straightened out of his slouch. "Heh, I thought you looked familiar. I met you in school that one time, right?"

I paused. "With Hanagaki-kun and his friends, yes."

"Mhm. Sorry for being rude back then, I wasn't—"

"We're going ahead," the boy to his left said. Kazutora watched him without any overt reaction to being interrupted. "You've changed, Kazutora. You never used to study, never used to bow your head to civvies. You've become boring." The other boy likewise scowled, and without waiting for a response, they walked away.

"Maybe I have," Kazutora muttered. He sighed and turned back to me with a smile, albeit strained. "Sorry about that. Just ignore my…old friends."

Rehabilitating from his mental illness had probably thrown his life in flux, as his entire identity since leaving juvenile detention had revolved around enacting revenge on Mikey. Not all the friends he made in that period may have incited him, but I'd wager quite a few of his closest had, especially considering his upfront disposition towards it. People could be friends despite their differences, but Kazutora's obsession with murder would have deterred all but the most dangerous of individuals. Perhaps his separation from them was a good sign of recovery, although even if he realized they were bad influences, I doubted losing his old friends was pleasant.

"I don't mind," I said. "I'm not bothered at all."

He chuckled. "You're pretty chill towards delinquents. Calling out to a random thug at night in an empty street—I guess we wouldn't have met otherwise, but you really shouldn't, especially since…you don't look like you're from around here."

While our conversation had turned out amicable, his amiable attitude towards 'Blake' was unusual. Multiple members from Toman knew I'd arrived during the summer as a transfer student, even if I hadn't specified the duration of my stay or which school I was enrolled in. As myself, however, I shouldn't have anything to hide, and I'd likely run into Kazutora again at school. "I transferred here for the school year as part of a study abroad program."

"Where from?"

"L—California, in the US."

"And blue shoes, so you're a 2nd year."

"Yes."

His hand came up to his chin, and his gaze drifted towards the corridor windows. A pair of students passed us as he remained silent, their footsteps as steady as the ticking of a clock.

"Hmm, I could be totally wrong, but by any chance, do you know Baji Keisuke? He told me his tutor was an American transfer student an year younger than him. Goes to this same school, too."

"I…." My fingers began playing with my skirt, but I forced them to stop. Were there any consequences to verifying that? Months ago, I would've lied that we were strangers to conceal my connection with an infamous gang member, and I still remained careful to not disclose his identity. Kazutora could compromise that secrecy without malicious intent—actually, getting involved with Kazutora himself was just as undesirable. However, Kazutora would likely deduce it himself whether after discovering that there were no other students that fit the criteria or after one day catching me at Baji's apartment. "I do know him, yes."

"Oh man, you're Baji's tutor!" He laughed. "So you're responsible for giving that idiot half a brain."

"I…guess."

His mirth seemed to fade as his grin and shoulders fell, and his dark eyes trailed downward to the side. The drastic mood swing could've been comical if not for the topic of our conversation. Had I hesitated too long in my response? Had he realized some arbitrary similarity between me and that foreigner in Toman?

"Is something wrong?" As his gaze rose to meet mine, I pushed my glasses' thick frames further up my face. "You seem distracted."

Kazutora's smile returned. "Did I come off like that? Sorry. I've been…I've been trying to be more aware of what I say, since I said some pretty hurtful things to a friend. Baji's reputation probably doesn't make him look like the most civil of people, right? Let's not talk about him."

Had I really thought everything was fixed after stopping Kazutora from murder and hearing of him attending therapy? Recovery's not a simple process; it takes considerable time, steady effort, and copious self-reflection. For his age, that's a lot to deal with.

"I'm alright with talking about Baji-san. His infamy belies his willingness to learn, and I've seen firsthand that he's still a middle-schooler like my classmates and me. I was simply surprised that you were familiar with him. Don't fret over it; you've said nothing wrong. Just be yourself."

His facial expression reverted back again, but he kept eye contact. "…it's more complicated than—"

My phone rang.

My breath hitched as my hands twitched at my sides, but I didn't otherwise move. The ringtone cycled back, muffled by my blazer pocket but loud enough to echo in the corridor. As Kazutora remained silent, perhaps reconsidering his words, I peeked at the lit screen.

A call from Yuzuha.

"I apologize, but I have to take this," I said, my thumb resting on the buttons.

He sighed and stepped back. "It's fine, I'll go. Oh yeah, I'm Hane—"

"Explain what you mean," Yuzuha hissed into my ear.

"I meant what I said in that text," I whispered with my hand cupped over my mouth and phone. With a quick wave at Kazutora, I strode past him and resumed speaking at a clearer volume. "Hakkai must confront his brother, whether he attempts to reason with Taiju-san or chooses to leave. I want to help him regain his confidence by empowering him to act. You've known how terrified Hakkai is of him—he'll have to overcome that fear eventually. Please, give me another chance to help."

"What if I don't?"

"I'll continue anyway."

Her snort whistled through the speaker.

"…I told you, it's not your business."

"It's not my business to interfere with Taiju's behavior, but it is my business to support a friend." Yuzuha had never explicitly mentioned murder, but she'd at minimum be in the headspace to consider it. "You told me you would protect Hakkai through any means, but attacking Taiju-san won't necessarily help Hakkai, especially if you get indicted for assault or anything worse. I hope you reconsider the consequences before you commit to anything."

"Who said I was doing this for Hakkai? Can't I do something for myself?" Her snarl crackled with static.

I halted in the shadow of a pair of adjacent windows, and my head lowered as my gaze fell to the pale, tiled floor. I'd almost forgotten that Yuzuha herself was a victim of Taiju's abuse. Compared to Hakkai, she acted controlled and possessed a strong sense of self that Taiju had failed to erode, but her motives would extend beyond simply protecting Hakkai to protecting herself. She'd endured Taiju's punishments to shield Hakkai, but who wouldn't grow frustrated and desire change?

"Of course you can, and I can't stop you." I licked my lips and swallowed. "But Hakkai'll be affected, whatever you choose to do. Act rashly, and you may hurt him."

"Is that a threat?"

"It's a warning."

A rattling breath carried over the connection, and Yuzuha spoke no words for almost a minute. Was it excessive to remind her of the responsibilities that caused her current situation? Had Yuzuha had no other siblings, I didn't doubt she would've left on her own or fought back against Taiju. In that sense, Hakkai was a liability.

I flinched as the bell blared over the intercom installed right above me, but I exhaled and relaxed my shoulders before pivoting on my foot to stride toward the bathroom. I'd get caught outside of class eventually, but it'd buy me a few more minutes to talk. I ducked underneath a classroom's windows and half-crawled past before pushing off the ground with my free hand to stand back up and turn into a side corridor.

"You're still at school?"

"We have finals today. It's our last day before winter break, but that's irrelevant right now. I'm warning you against committing to a decision you may regret." My shoes tapped against the tiles.

"Fine. I'll talk to Taiju one last time. Stop pressuring Hakkai."

"Please wait!" I hissed, hearing the finality in her voice. It was that same resolve which had led her to murder, and if she failed to get through to him, she'd only be affirmed that Taiju was better off gone. I didn't yet hear the telltale click of a call disconnecting, and I hurried to speak. "Let—let me attend that meeting, and I won't prompt Hakkai to act. I can't promise I'll be entirely quiet, but I won't speak out of turn."

She didn't respond immediately, and I slowed to a halt with my hands cradling my phone, straining my ear as she remained silent.

"When are you free tomorrow?"

"I'm free all day." My head bobbed up and down. "Whenever works for you."

"Then tomorrow, 13:00. Come to my house by then."

A small gasp escaped my lips. "Thank you. I mean it."

"I'm not doing this for you." Click.

I lowered my phone from my ear and took a deep breath. Tension I'd not felt during the adrenaline rush seeped out of my body, and I leaned against a plastered wall, cool and firm against my back.

It wasn't my ideal solution, but Yuzuha had a right to act as much as Hakkai did, and she conceded to a nonviolent method of confrontation. By no means was it a bad outcome.

I sighed.

If I wanted to keep my word, then this would be my last chance.