24th December, 2005
At Umashita park
Hinata's heart pounded in her chest as she stood before her boyfriend, Takemichi.
Shock and hurt surged through Hinata's veins, igniting a fiery rage within her. How could he just drop such a bombshell on her? All the memories they had shared, the promises they had made, now felt like shattered fragments of a once beautiful relationship.
With tears streaming down her face, Hinata's anger boiled over. The pain she felt transformed into a fierce determination, fueling her every move. Without a second thought, she clenched her fists and unleashed a torrent of punches, each one carrying the weight of her shattered heart.
Takemichi fell down. He had never seen this side of Hinata before, the raw strength and determination that now radiated from her. As her fists connected with his body, a mix of emotions flickered across his face - surprise and immense regret.
"Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! I hate you!" With anger and tears, Hinata yelled.
As the blows continued to rain down on him, her anger began to ebb, replaced by a profound sadness. She realized that even though she was hurting, this act of violence wouldn't bring back what they had lost. It wouldn't mend her broken heart or magically make everything okay.
With one final punch, Hinata stopped, her hands trembling and tears dropping on her now ex boyfriend. She looked at Takemichi, his bruised and battered form mirroring the wreckage of their relationship. He was crying, shedding tears as if he did not want to breakup but still did. His sniffles mingled with his ex girlfriend's.
Hinata stood up from him with a heavy heart, picked up her umbrella and left, leaving a mess in her ex boyfriend's heart.
On the cold snowy ground, the boy laid, crying his heart out for no one knows how long. He regretted it so much but for her safety he had to. Flashback of Y/n's words to him stormed his mind as he continued to grieve.
'All the people in this world do things which have alternative purposes, selfish ones. They do not do things just out of care for someone...Are you sure you don't have any selfish purpose too?'
'Selfishness...yes. I can't be selfish anymore. I knew it would come to this point where I'll have to let go of her for her own sake. I knew it all, yet I still can't bear the pain when it actually happened.'
With tears fading, his expression switched to a determined one.
'This pain is nothing compared to what I've felt before. I'd do anything to protect Hina, even if it means breaking up with her and hurting her...' his brows knitted in determination and fists clenched. He stood up recovering from the event that just broke him. Suddenly, his phone rang in his pocket. He took it out to see Chifuyu's name displayed on it and immediately pressed the green button.
"Where the fuck are you Takemitchy? We're all here for the meeting." Takemichi was hit with a realisation.
"O-oh yeah! I'm just on my way! Wait for me just a sec!"
"Idiot you don't even know where we are, how are you on your way?"
"Uh...I meant..where are you all? I'll be on my way.." he stuttered awkwardly receiving a sigh from the other line.
"Juuzo restaurant. And hurry up, we've already waited long enough."
"Okay!"
Before he could end the call, a sudden jolt of surprise rippled through Takemichi as a shadowy figure emerged behind him. It was Y/n, someone he never expected to encounter in this moment. The shock on his face was palpable as Y/n's piercing gaze locked onto him.
"You have some explaining to do, Hanagaki," Y/n's voice cut through the silence, filled with a mix of anger and concern.
"Why did you break up with Hinata so suddenly? She's devastated."
Takemichi's mind raced, trying to comprehend what was happening. How did Y/n get to know about the breakup this early?
Fear and confusion intertwined within him as Y/n's interrogation intensified. Each question probed deeper into the motives behind his actions, forcing Takemichi to confront the truth he had been avoiding. The weight of his choices bore down on him, and he realized the magnitude of the pain he had caused.
With a heavy sigh, Takemichi mustered the courage to speak, his voice filled with remorse. "I thought I was doing what was best for both of us, Y/n. I didn't want to drag Hinata into the dangerous world I'm a part of. I thought it would protect her."
Y/n's cold eyes softened, a mix of understanding and frustration crossing their face. "You can't make that decision for her, Hanagaki. Love isn't about protecting someone from every hardship. It's about being there for them, supporting them through it all."
As the truth settled upon him, Takemichi's heart sank even further. He realized the depth of his mistake, how he had let fear cloud his judgment. The consequences of his actions were now unraveling before him, and he knew he had to find a way to make things right.
"I understand...Y/n san. You're right..."
"Patch up with her because I don't like to see my friends wearing a dull face around me." Y/n said with a soft smile appearing on their face. Takemichi nodded.
"But how did you get to know about the breakup so early? Did Hina call you?"
"That's for you to figure out." Y/n winked playfully at him making him giggle a little.
They hopped on their GXS400F, ready to leave. "Alright, I guess it's time for me to head out now that I've dealt with the crybaby,"
"Wait! Can you give me a ride somewhere, please? I don't have a motorcycle or any other way to get there," Takemichi requested, scratching his neck.
"Sure thing. Hop on." Y/n ignited the engine, and the motorcycle roared to life.
"Where to, Hanagaki?" Y/n asked.
"Juuzo restaurant," Takemichi replied. As soon as he answered, Y/n pulled back the throttle and sped off towards their destination.
During the short ride, they chatted about various things related to Hinata.
"How did you meet Hina?" Takemichi asked, curious about their close relationship.
"I met her through a friend of mine from school," Y/n answered.
'Oh...that makes sense,' Takemichi thought to himself.
"And when did that happen?" Takemichi inquired.
"I think it was during the summer, right at the start of the new school session," Y/n replied.
"Oh, I see..." Lost in thought, Takemichi didn't realize they had already arrived at the restaurant until Y/n spoke up.
"Do you plan to get off or nah, Hanagaki?" Y/n asked sarcastically. Takemichi awkwardly got off the motorcycle and thanked Y/n with a bow.
"Yeah, I'll go in now. Thanks. Bye!" Takemichi waved as Y/n sped off. He turned around and entered the restaurant, where his partner Chifuyu waved at him to signal him where they were sitting.
But just when he reached the table, a harsh comment was thrown at him from none other than Hanma.
"What happened to your face? You look even uglier man!" Cackled the unserious commenter. Takemichi did look bad if not worse from his usual look; his eyes were red and extremely puffy.
"Ah..nevermind that. Anyways let's get to the point." Takemichi replied while sitting down beside Kisaki. Kisaki nodded and started,
"This is going to go down at Udagawa Christ Church tomorrow. Fortunately, he'll go to worship there in the dead of the night when nobody's around." Chifuyu questioned in between, "Wouldn't a church be full of people on Christmas night?" to which Kisaki answered, "That happens tonight, on Christmas Eve. Around this time tomorrow it's empty. If Hakkai's going to attack Taiju, that has to be when he'll do it. We'll wait for Taiju outside the main chapel. Hakkai should already be inside waiting for him." Kisaki diverted his pupils to Takemichi and instructed. "Takemitchy, you have to convince Hakkai. Since you're friends, you're the best person to stop Hakkai, right?"
Kisaki stood up continuing his speech, "And before Hakkai can confront Taiju, us three outside..." He turned to the three boys, "will beat down Taiju." And finished. All of them nodded their heads in agreement and left the restaurant after eating.
Takemichi and his partner strolled side by side, their footsteps echoing on the pavement. As they walked, Takemichi found himself lost in his thoughts, contemplating the upcoming events. Suddenly, Chifuyu caught his attention, breaking his reverie and sparking a conversation.
"Well, it looks like our secret operation against Black Dragon is going to happen," Chifuyu exclaimed, excitement evident in his voice. He draped a hand around Takemichi's neck, a gesture of camaraderie.
Takemichi snapped back to the present, his determination reignited. Silently, he vowed to himself once again,
'Hina...this time for sure, I'll protect you. I'll safeguard your future.'
-
25th December, 2005
As the clock ticked closer to midnight, Hakkai's determination grew stronger. He knew that this was his chance to confront his brother and settle the score once and for all. The church, shrouded in darkness, would become the battleground for their long-standing feud.
Hakkai tied his shoelace as he mentally readied himself. His eyes darkened as the desire for revenge clouded his mind.
"Today, I'll settle everything. I'm coming for you, brother."
-
Meanwhile, outside Udagawa Church
Taiju stood tall, a sense of determination radiating from him as he faced his gang members. Inui and Koko stood by his side, holding the umbrella to shield their Leader from the snow, while Y/N stood confidently beside them. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as Inui raised his voice, his words echoing through the air.
"Listen up, everyone!" Inui yelled, his voice commanding attention. "Tonight, I, Koko and Y/n are in charge of BLACK DRAGON!" The words hung in the air, filling the space with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. The gang members exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity.
The members nodded, a renewed sense of purpose evident in their eyes.
Inui and Koko bowed at their leader.
"Boss, we'll be going now."
"Right." Taiju replied and Y/n nodded looking at the duo which was about to leave.
Inui gave them a quick glace while Koko winked at them and the duo left the scene.
-
At Shiba household
Yuzuha, Taiju's sister, sat in a dark room, engrossed in whatever she was watching on the big TV. With a bowl of popcorn in her lap and headphones on, she chewed monotonously, lost in her own thoughts. "I wish it would just end," she muttered to herself.
Just then, her phone buzzed, breaking her trance. She glanced at the screen, curiosity piqued. She reached for her phone, wondering who could be messaging her in the midst of her TV time.
-
Outside Udagawa Church
Inui and Koko sat side by side on the staircase outside Udagawa Church, their umbrellas shielding them from the rain. The silence between them was broken as Inui stood up and turned opposite to the other guy, asking in a monotone voice, "What do you want to do, Koko?"
Koko responded with a slight smile, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "Isn't it obvious? I'm sticking with you, Inupi," he said, using Inui's nickname. Inui turned to face him, a hint of curiosity in their expression. "Keeping your promise?" He questioned.
Koko shrugged playfully, standing up and sticking out his tongue. "I forgot all about that," he replied, a playful tone in his voice and stuck out his tongue.
-
As snow crushed beneath black boots, Chifuyu proudly and determinably walked with his previous captain's sash—to his current one—Hanagaki Takemichi. Once he reached a good distance near him, he came to a halt. Taking in a deep breath, he bowed ninty degree, with both hands behind his back, he yelled,
"Tokyo manji gang, first division vice-captain, Chifuyu Matsuno! Born in Shibuya ward, Tokyo, in 1991, I lived a life of hating and hurting others! The person who changed that was a man named Baji Keisuke!" He stretched out his hand holding the sash and continued,
"He was a great man who stuck to his ideals through thick and thin! This is Baji Keisuke's sash!" He takes another breath continued,
"I entrust it to you!"
His captain, Hanagaki Takemichi who had just been entrusted with this sash, looked at him with determination. Being entrusted with the honorable captain's sash was a big responsibility for him and he was there to take it. He nodded and thanked him accepting it.
Chifuyu went behind him to secure it around his shoulders. Then, He turned around and with just as much formality and respect, he yelled,
"Tokyo Manji Gang, First division captain, Hanagaki Takemichi! Having accepted this sash, I swear that I will live true to my ideals just like the owner of it, Baji keisuke!" Chifuyu smiled at him commenting, "All warmed up now."
Both of them turned, with determined looks they approached their other teammates— Hanma and Kisaki.
'We can't rely on Mikey kun this time, neither Draken or Mitsuya. We can't rely on anyone else in Toman..' Takemichi stepped forward mentally bracing himself.
'Only the four of us can fight this battle.' He concluded in his mind.
'Into battle! We go!'
-
At Udagawa Church
"So this is the place..." The four Toman members stood outside the Church, speculative.
"Stick to the plan, okay?" Kisaki reminded making Takemichi turn.
"Yeah. I'll convince Hakkai. He's probably already inside. You guys hold back Taiju here." Takemichi finished. Chifuyu dapped his back encouraging, "Takemitchy, stopping Taiju is important but our future will only change if you can change Hakkai's mind."
"Right." Replied Takemichi. Stretching out his fist, Chifuyu motivated, "I'm counting on you!"
"Got it. Leave it to me!"
Takemichi walked to the entrance gate. With a deep breath, he opened it and walked inside. Scanning the inside, his gaze quickly fell upon a certain person he was expecting to be present there.
'There he is!' He exclaimed in his mind.
"Hakkai!" He called out loudly to the person facing Jesus. He turned around surprised to see Takemichi there.
"Takemitchy... What're you doing here?"
"I figured you would be here, Hakkai." Replied Takemichi with a sharp voice and started approaching the said boy.
"What's this all about?" Hakkai questioned with a serious face.
"I'm here to stop you." Hearing this Hakkai grunted.
'I hate to admit it, but if Hakkai's here, that means Kisaki's prediction was right. And Taiju will be approaching this Church too. So, while Kisaki and the others hold up Taiju outside, I just need to convince Hakkai!' Takemichi mentally reminded himself of the plan and braced himself to do his part.
"Takemitchy. I didn't have that talk with you because I wanted you to stop me." Hakkai's face darkened and his voice became raspy as he continued his sentence,
"It was to stiffen my resolve! If you get in my way, I'll kill you too!"
"That's a lie." Hanagaki cut him off. "I only tell people about my troubles when I can't make up my mind. Hakkai, I understand how you feel. Taiju's so tyrannical, you've got no alternative. You think your only choice is to kill him. But choosing to murder won't lead to protecting others." In this moment, Hakkai hesitated. His mind raced. The darkness that had consumed him began to waver as Takemichi's words started to make sense to him. He clutched his fists and lowered his gaze.
"You want to protect your sister, Yuzuha, right?! Hakkai!" Getting overwhelmed with all these words, Hakkai shouted, "You just don't understand!" He took a pause to catch his breath.
"If the food tastes bad, he hits me. If I forget to greet him right, he forces me to kneel all day long. If I don't get up before he does, he kicks me until I cough up blood. When he's in a bad mood, he beats me up just for looking at him! That's how life is in the Shiba household." Emotions overflowing in his words, Hakkai decided to push Takemichi out of his mess.
Turning his back on him, he yelled, "Keep your nose out of my family's business! Get out! You cannot stop me!" Takemichi hesitated hearing his friend's words but still stood his ground.
"I told you to get out!" Cutting him off Takemichi spoke in a small voice,
"Yesterday...yesterday, I broke up with Hina." Hakkai turned his head to his side to look at his friend as he continued to speak.
"I broke up with her...to protect her. I'm weak and gutless. And I'm a total idiot. But she still loves me, so I would do absolutely anything to protect her." This made Hakkai turn around and listen to him more intently.
"But, I'd never kill anyone!" Takemichi's voice rasped as his brows knitted together in seriousness.
"No matter how much I hate them or how impossible the alternatives are, I would never do anything that would make Hima grieve!" Hakkai's eyes widened as he heard his friend's words.
"Listen to me, Hakkai! Is that what you want to do to Yuzuha!? Don't you think Yuzuha would grieve if you committed murder!?" A horrified look appeared on Hakkai's face as he stuttered looking behind his friend.
"T-takemitchy..." Takemichi followed his gaze and slowly turned around as his ears echoed with someone's steps growing closer. His eyes widened as he recognised who had walked in.
'What!'
"Our father who art in heaven..." The person kept walking with slow but heavy steps, nearing them both.
"..I pray in thy holy name. Amen." With a stern expression plastering his face, he approached the two.
'What's Taiju doing here?' Hanagaki thought to himself.
"Where's Kisaki and the others!?" He yelled not believing his eyes. He was sure Taiju couldn't come inside with the three of them to take on him outside, then how? Hanma was almost as good as Draken and Chifuyu was the first division vice-captain for a reason too. Then how could they not tackle Taiju even for a while? His mind raced terrifically.
Taiju boiled with anger. "What the hell are you two doing here?" vein popping on his forehead.
Suddenly Hakkai charged at him with his knife, screaming his lungs out. Takemichi yelled horrified by the situation,
"Hakkai!! Stop, Hakkai!"
Thump.
-
Outside the Church
Scarlet red dripped down on the white snow, coloring it like an artist would've sprinkled their paint on the canvas. But this wasn't a pleasant painting. Chifuyu was being beaten by his other teammates who had just flipped on him and his partner.
Hanma messily tied him on a piller with his sash, making sure he doesn't make a sound by draping it several times around his mouth. Chifuyu struggled to get out of it but failed miserably.
"What a freaking pain in the ass." Hanma commented rubbing his neck as Chifuyu glared at him.
"Stay outta this fight between brothers." Said Hanma and turned to leave with his partner. Kisaki quietly went with him until Hanma chattered.
"Guess the Hanmas team is through."
"So we were called the 'Hanmas'?" Questioned Kisaki with much casualty.
"Yeah. So hey, I didn't want to ask this before, but you were going to backstab them from the start, right?" Asked Hanma curiously as they both stepped down the staircase.
"So, why'd we work with them?"
"Because it's fun. I mean, those guys couldn't do a goddamn thing about it!" Kisaki smiled wickedly which made Hanma laugh too. But then, their chatter was interrupted by an unknown voice joining in.
"You're one hell of a traitor." The unknown voice cackled behind them. They both turned around to meet with an unfamiliar face.
"You just made it much easier for me!" They laughed receiving a glare from the duo.
"Who the heck are you?"
"Someone you just gave a big hand to." Replied Y/n still laughing.
"Huh? Idiot. Get going!" Hanma stepped forward to kick Y/n in their stomach but they quickly dodged it.
"Keep your legs to yourself, Shuji." They commanded with a stern voice as their expression switched to a blank stare. The duo was surprised by their sudden dodge.
"Damn am I that famous now that everybody knows my name?" Hanma said in a playful tone while Kisaki intently scanned the unfamiliar person. Y/n scoffed at Hanma's comment and turned around to leave. But just then, something clicked to Kisaki.
"Wait. It can't be..." Y/n continued to walk unbothered.
"You're Y/n, right? The famous fight strategist? Yeah...you are indeed them." Kisaki said in a surprised voice as realisation struck him. He remembered Y/n from back when he used to research about gangs. Learning about such a personality among gangs piqued his interest; he admired them. He had tried to find them before but he couldn't since he was not a part of any gang before. But guess his fate changed, and now he's face to face with them.
Seeing Y/n just walk away from him made him run after them.
"Y/n! Wait! I want to make a deal with you!" He yelled as he approached them from behind putting his hand on their shoulder to stop them. They turned around and slapped his hand away and just blankly stared at him expecting him to speak further about the 'deal' he just yelled about. Catching his breath, Kisaki spoke,
"I'd give you ten grands if you work with me. I promise." This offer made Y/n go drooling inside their head. Though they did not show much of what they felt usually, their eyes widened hearing about it. It was a surprise they did not expect.
"Tell me more." Kisaki smiled in satisfaction.
"I want you to join Toman, my gang. Before you object, I know you don't join gangs but if I offer you even more than I just did then would you reject it? I expect not. What do you say?" Y/n was flattered. They had never been offered this much for joining any gang before or even for some big job. They were definitely going in for it. But what interested them more was Kisaki's desperation behind it. What reason would he have to give Y/n this whole lot just for joining a kiddo gang? They were intrigued, so they replied,
"I wouldn't." Kisaki's smile grew wider making Hanma confused. He was dumbfounded but stayed silent.
"Good. Here's my number, I'll tell you all the details later, plus I'd give you some advance just as you like it." A smirk grew on Y/n face hearing him. Kisaki interested them. It sounded like he was aware about their ways too well; and that was a first, since Y/n's clients never really showed this much interest in knowing how things work with them.
Y/n took out their cellphone from their pocket and handed it to the boy as Hanma's jaw dropped looking at how expensive of a phone they used. Kisaki typed in his contact, saved it and rang his own number to get yours on his phone as well.
"Very well meeting Y/n. I'd never expected to run into you so randomly."
"Same here. Well I should go now." Said Y/n and took their leave as Kisaki and Hanma watched them from behind thinking about their coincidental encounter.
-
Word count - 4070