"I'm against this," Chifuyu started, "We don't have to join forces with Kisaki, Takemitchy! You and I can handle this without the help of that bastard!"
The duo walked side by side in the city, discussing whether to accept Kisaki's help or not. Chifuyu was completely against it while Takemichi..was thinking to give it a go.
Takemichi was deep in his thoughts, it took a few seconds for him to respond, "..can we?"
Chifuyu wasn't happy with his response, he gritted his teeth as he went up to him and grabbed Takemichi by the shoulder, forcing him to face him. "Are you hearing yourself right now?! He's the guy who got Baji-san and Hinata Tachibana murdered!! Don't you know that?!" he yelled.
"Yes! I know! I know that! But what else are we supposed to do?!—Kill Kisaki?! We both know that we can't do that!" Takemichi snapped back at his partner, "What we really gotta do is get Kisaki the hell out of Toman! And we gotta stop Hakkai from killing Taiju!" He added.
Chifuyu stayed quiet as he continues to listen to him.
"I don't want to join forces with that bastard Kisaki, either. But if we do, we might learn something about him—we could find a way on how to get him kicked out of the gang!"
When Takemichi said that it stunned Chifuyu—realizing that Takemichi's right. All the yelling, made Takemichi pant like he just ran in a marathon.
As he tries to catch his breath, he began to recall everything that happened in the future—Draken ending up on death row, Chifuyu and [first name] killed by Kisaki, and Akkun.. and Hina..
Takemichi bit his lip to prevent himself from getting emotional, "I..I don't wanna see a bad future for us ever again. I'll work with Kisaki if I have to." He said, then he turns to Chifuyu, with his usual determined look, "So please, Chifuyu..help me do this."
The two stared at each other for a while, in silence. Takemichi patiently waited for Chifuyu to respond, he mentally gulped—thinking that Chifuyu might not help him and leave him. Then Chifuyu broke the silence with a heavy sigh.
"Ah jeez," he said, rolling his eyes. Takemichi stared at him, not knowing what his partner's reaction was supposed to mean.
Then Chifuyu turned his back on him and began walking away, "Looks like I'm not gonna enjoy this Christmas. I want to spend my Christmas night with my family and maybe with [first name]. But I guess..that's not going to happen."
Takemichi scratched his head, a bit confused with what Chifuyu just said. It took him a minute to finally realize what Chifuyu meant, a soft smile form on his face, and said, "Thanks, Chifuyu!"
Chifuyu eyed him, "Whatever. Let's just get over with this crap.."
Takemichi went to his side, still smiling at him. Chifuyu avoided eye contact and said,
"What so fun about meetin' up with dudes to beat up some other dude at Christmas?"
~~~
"So..you two are really gonna do it." said [first name], sitting on the stairs of the apartment complex with Chifuyu.
"Yep. Tonight's the night." Chifuyu replied as they both watch snow fall from the sky. It's Christmas. The two decided to talk before Chifuyu leaves to meet up with Takemichi. He still has plenty of time to be with her, since it's only 1 pm.
"Well, good luck to both of you, you're gonna need it." She said, resting her chin on her hand. Chifuyu let out a soft chuckle, "You think we can't do it? That's offending." he said.
"No, it's not that. It's just.." she paused.
Chifuyu turned his head to look t her, and he saw the worried look on her face.
"Kisaki's gonna be with you guys, right?" She looked at him, "I haven't met that guy yet but I don't trust him. Not one bit." She finished. Chifuyu just stared at her as he continues to listen.
"He's the reason why Keisuke died, and you told me that in the future he's responsible for Takemichi's girlfriend's death.." she bit her lip when she thought about her cousin then she took a deep breath and exhaled, "Just be careful. That bastard Kisaki might just be tricking you." she said.
Chifuyu gave her a determined look and nodded. She smiled at him.
Then they both began to hear something from afar.
Vroom
Vroom
Vrrooomm
[first name] couldn't help but smile when she recognized the sound. "What a sweet sound.." said Chifuyu, amazed by the sound of the exhaust. She laughed softly at his reaction, "He's here." She said as she stood up. Chifuyu slightly flinched when she heard her words, "Who's here?" He asked in confusion.
She ignored him, as she watched a certain someone on a bike, parking in front of them. Chifuyu's eyes slightly grew wide when he saw a familiar silver-lilac-haired boy.
It was Mitsuya, wearing the gang's uniform.
[first name] smiled at him, "I always recognize the sound of your impulse." She said. Mitsuya laughed, "Everyone does," then his eyes landed on her hair, "Love the new hair by the way." he said, pointing at her newly dyed hair.
It was [h/c]/[favorite color]. "Thanks." she smiled. Then he noticed Chifuyu behind her. "Oh hey there Chifuyu, didn't see ya there." He gave him a wave.
"Hey, Mitsuya-kun." He greeted him back as he stood up and went next to [first name].
Then Mitsuya's attention went back to [first name], "Anyway, you ready to go, [first name]?" He asked, pointing at his bike with his thumb.
"Where are you going?" Chifuyu asked.
[first name] looked at him and said, "To the cemetery. Didn't I tell you that I'm gonna visit Keisuke and Shinichiro-san?"
"Oh. Right." Chifuyu knows about that, but he didn't know that Mitsuya's gonna come with her.
"Mikey and Draken are already there, waiting," said Mitsuya. "Oh, we better get going then," she said, turning to face Chifuyu, "I'll see you later." She smiled at him. "Yeah, see ya." said Chifuyu, slightly getting sad.
Mitsuya noticed Chifuyu's mood changing, he grinned as he thought of something and said to the blonde, "Don't worry, Chifuyu. We won't take too long, she'll be back before dark and be right on time for you to go underneath a mistletoe to k—"
"MITSUYA-KUN! DON'T SAY THAT!" Chifuyu yelled at the Second Division Captain, with his cheeks and ears red. Mitsuya raised his hands at him in defeat as he continues to give him a playful grin.
[first name] laughed at the flustered Chifuyu, "Takashi.." she shook her head disapprovingly.
Mitsuya hopped on his bike, [first name] followed and sat behind him. Mitsuya gave her his helmet, then gave Chifuyu one last grin, "Bye, Chifuyu! You can have a date with [first name] at some other time!"
Chifuyu's cheeks turned red more, and groaned, he always gets teased by the founding members of Toman whenever they are around. He let out a heavy sigh, thinking that he has no choice but to let them tease him about [first name]. I mean, the founding members of Toman claimed that they are [first name]'s older brothers. So he has to deal with it.
"Can you stop making him uncomfortable?" said [first name] as she wrapped her arms around Mitsuya's waist.
"Aw..but where's the fun in that?" said Mitsuya, then he drove off, along with [first name].
~~~
Keisuke Baji
November 3, 1990 - October 31, 2005
Another tear escaped from [first name]'s eye, she immediately wiped it with her sleeve before Draken, Mikey, and Mitsuya can see her. Knowing them, they might laugh at her when they saw her crying again.
"I saw that." said Mitsuya, grinning at her.
She flinched.
"I saw that too." said Draken.
She flinched again.
"Me too, actually." said Mikey.
And again.
"Same here." said Emma, who's standing next to Draken. [first name] buried her face in her hands in embarrassment. "Don't look at me..!" She cried. Mikey chuckled as he went beside her and put an arm around her shoulders, "Don't cry, Baji wouldn't want to see you crying in front of him." He said. [first name] uncovered her face and looked t him, then Emma went to her other side and hugged her, pulling her away from Mikey. "It's Christmas, [first name]-chan! You shouldn't be sad!" She said in a cheery tone.
[first name] gave her a weak smile and nodded. "Oh and by the way.." Emma started. [first name] hummed, "You're gonna come with me to the shrine, right? You promised." Emma narrowed her eyes.
[first name] flinched, "I..did?"
"Huh?! Of course, you did! Don't tell me you forgot?!"
Draken and Mitsuya dropped a sweat as they witness the poor [first name] getting scolded by Emma, "She's a smart girl but she's really forgetful, huh?" said Mitsuya. "She sure is." said Draken.
Then Mikey's eyes lit up as if he remembered something, and turned to face Draken "OH! You and I are also going somewhere later, Ken-chin!" he said, snapping his fingers. Draken's eyes widened, "Huh?! When did you tell me that?!"
Mikey laughed, sheepishly and said, "just now.."
Mitsuya dropped another sweat at the scene before him, then he sighed, "These guys.." he chuckled softly to himself.
Moments later they all said their goodbyes to Keisuke and Shinichiro, left, and went to their separate ways. Mikey left with Draken, Emma left with [first name] and Mitsuya left with his precious impulse.
Emma wanted to go to the mall, [first name] knows the reason why her friend wants to go, and she isn't quite happy about it, since she is not a big fan of shopping.
Knowing [first name], Emma has no other choice but to force her to go with her. "[first name]! I promise you that we will not take long!" said Emma, dragging [first name] inside a store. "You always say that.." [first name] mumbled. Emma heard, "Can you enjoy shopping just like any girl for once? jeez." she giggled at the sulking [first name].
[first name] just groaned in defeat.
Emma is now in the fitting room, trying on the clothes that she picked, while [first name] sat on a comfy chair that is just outside the fitting room that Emma was in. "So, I've been hearing that you've been hanging out with a guy for quite some time now?" Emma asked. [first name] flinched as she immediately thought of Chifuyu. "Yeah, you're kinda late for knowing that.." she said, controlling her blush.
"What?! I am?!" Emma exclaimed.
[first name] hummed in response, then the curtain of the fitting room opened, revealing an angry-looking Emma wearing only her undergarments, "Huh?! Really?! Then how come you didn't tell me sooner?!"
"Because..it's not that big of a deal?" said [first name] awkwardly.
"Not that--? [first name], it's a huge deal! My best friend has a boyfriend!"
"He is not my boyfriend! Well, not yet but--can you go back inside and put your clothes back on??" said [first name], looking away from her. "What? We already saw each other half-naked before.." Emma pouted and went back inside the fitting room.
"That's back when we were little kids.." [first name] deadpanned.
"We're still kids you know." said Emma playfully.
[first name] facepalmed, "Yes but we're kids with boobs now.."
"Going back, do I know your boy? what's his name? what's he like? why do you like him?" Emma continues to ask a bunch of questions, which is giving [first name] a hard time to answer all of it all at once.
[first name]'s scratched her temple, "How about I tell you how I met him?" she suggested with a faint smile on her face. The curtain opened again, revealing Emma already in her clothes and holding the clothes that she tried on, "That works." she smiled.
~~~
"Ooh..so that's when all it began?" said Emma, nudging [first name], who's walking right beside her. [first name] just laughed at her teasing grin.
It's already nighttime, they're now on their way to the shrine, and [first name] just finished telling the story of how she and Chifuyu met, which didn't happen not too long ago. She also mentioned how and when Chifuyu gave her the earrings that she's wearing at the very moment. Emma was a little jealous, but at the same time, she was happy for her, really happy for her.
"I'm sure Baji's happy for the both of you." said Emma, holding an umbrella for them. [first name] smiled warmly at her and said, "Yeah..I think so too."
When they got to the shrine, they both stopped when they saw someone, praying. It was a girl, with rosy brown hair.
[first name] was a bit stunned seeing the unfamiliar girl, she expected that she and Emma would be the only ones be in the shrine. A smile formed on Emma's face when she thought the girl looks oddly familiar from behind.
The duo walked up to the girl who looks like she just finished praying, "So, who goes to a shrine to pray on Christmas?" Emma asked.
The girl flinched, and immediately turn to face whoever's behind her, then her face softened when she saw that the person behind her was no stranger at all, except for the other person with her.
"E-Emma-chan?"
"Oh, so it is you Hina!" Emma's smile grew wider, while [first name] was left dumbfounded, they know each other?
Then her eyes widened in realization when Emma mentioned the girl's name. Hina..? Like, Hina short for Hinata? Then she must be Takemichi's girlfriend??
Emma did say that she and Takemichi's girlfriend are kinda close..
"I didn't expect to see you here--Oh, by the way, Hina, this is [first name]! the one that I'm always mentioning to you.." Emma introduced her, putting her arm around her shoulders. [first name]'s face slightly turned pink and greeted Hina a soft, "Hello.."
Hinata smiled warmly at her and bowed, "Nice to finally meet you, [first name]-chan. I heard a lot about you from Emma and Takemitchy."
"Really? Wow, I--wait, did you say Takemitchy?"
[first name] was a bit taken aback hearing what Hinata just said, she didn't expect that Takemichi talks about her, especially to his girlfriend. Hinata was still smiling warmly at her, "Mhm. He said you're really nice and a good friend."
The three young girls continue to converse. Hinata and [first name] were really getting along pretty well, Emma was happy about the two, thinking how fast they become comfortable with each other.
Hinata told her the story of how she met Emma, and Takemichi was the one who first met Emma. [first name] was stunned. She has no idea that...that's how Takemichi and Emma met.
"I'm happy that you and Takemitchy didn't meet the same way how he met Emma-chan." said Hinata, scratching her temple, remembering how angry she was when she discovered about that.
[first name] let out a nervous laugh, "Yeah..if that's how Takemichi and I met, I'm sure he's not breathing right now.." she said.
"Ooh! right! he did say that you have a protective boyfriend!" said Hinata, brightly.
"And a crazy cousin who acts like an overprotective big brother.." Emma added, monotonously, referring to Baji.
"Mhm, and if Takemichi did saw me in my underwear, I'll probably pull his eyeballs out before he can run.." said [first name], coldly.
Emma and Hina froze at her words, thinking how cold and violent they were. Hina didn't expect that coming from a gentle-looking girl like [first name].
"She's so pretty and she can be really scary, huh?" Hina whispered to Emma.
Emma giggled and said, "That's [first name] for ya."
Hinata gave her a small nod, "By the way, what are you doing here, Emma-chan and [first name]-chan?" she asked.
[first name] sighed, "I'm here because of Emma, I promised her that I'll come with her to the shrine to pray.." she said.
Hinata's eyes widened, "What?! You came to pray too, Emma-chan?!"
Emma giggled at her reaction, "Yup. My oldest brother would come here every Christmas to pray, and it became like this annual thing.."
[first name] couldn't help but smile as she thought of Shinichiro, he's always so nice to her back when he was still alive.
Hina let out a soft gasp and said, "What a coincidence! I come here every Christmas to pray too!"
[first name] raised a brow at her, "No way? You're like this weirdo?" she said, pointing at Emma with her thumb. [first name] let out a soft yelp when Emma smacked the back of her head with a sweet smile on her face, "Wow, so we probably met a real long time ago." she said, ignoring [first name], who's rubbing the back of her head right now with a pouting face.
Hinata giggled, "Probably."
Emma hummed, "..So? What did you pray for?" she asked. Hinata's smile immediately dropped when Emma asked her that question, [first name] noticed and became a little concerned, "What's wrong, Hinata?" she asked.
"It's nothing, [first name]-chan..it's just..me and Takemitchy broke up.."
Emma's eyes widened in shock, same goes with [first name]. "O-On Christmas??" [first name] exclaimed.
"What an asshole.." said Emma, scowling.
"Well, it's not like he wanted to.." said Hinata, looking down with a sad frown on her face.
Emma raised a brow as she and [first name] listened to Hinata.
"..I see..so, you're Dad went out to meet him, huh?" said Emma, resting her chin on her palm, "That must have been really hard on Takemitchy.." she added.
"Yeah.." said Hina sadly.
[first name] looked up at the sky and said, "So that was the reason..Chifuyu told me that Takemichi came late at their meeting place with his eyes swollen last night, he said he looks like he cried so hard before he got there.." a weak chuckle escaped her lips.
Hinata laughed along with her.
"But still..just because your Dad told him to do that.." Emma mumbled, then an idea popped in her mind. She stood up with a determined look, "Okay! Leave this to me!" she said.
"Huh?" Hinata looked at her in confusion.
----
who one of you cried on episode 22?
I already read the manga yet it still made me cry pretty hard :')