~~~~Homare's P.O.V.~~~~
"Wow~, really? Toman's only two years old? But it looked like there was so many members last night."
"Yeah, well, we're still working on getting bigger and better."
"I can't wait to see it."
"I can't wait to show it to you... We're here."
Arriving back at my house, Mikey slows down into a complete stop. I step off and smile at Mikey.
"I'll see you soon. Thanks for breakfast, it was fun. I'll pay next time, got it?"
"Yup. I'll see you again real soon. And if that guy comes back, just call."
"Okay, okay. I will."
He just gives me that carefree smile of his. Leaning forward, he kisses my cheek before driving down the street. Smiling to myself, I feel all giddy inside.
"Hehehe... Damn, I really am a school girl."
*Ring* *Ring*
Pulling out my phone, I answer it.
"Sano."
I instantly blush from my mistake.
"I-I mean Sato."
"...Are you with Mikey?"
"Uh, I was..." I answer Takemichi as I enter my house. "He just left from my place."
"Just left?! As in, right now?"
"Yes... What's wrong with that?"
"...I see. So he slept over last night. No wonder you hung up so fast."
My cheeks begin to stain red as I hear his teasing voice.
"S-Shut up! It's not like that! We were just talking and fell asleep! That's all!"
"Fell asleep, eh? In the same bed?"
"...I'm going to hang up."
"Wait! I'm sorry! No more of that! I called to ask to meet up. The events are not the same as we were told."
"I know. There's something we're missing. But what is?"
"I'm not smart enough to figure that out on my own. So let's meet up this afternoon."
"Got it."
~~~~Time Skip~~~~
Meeting up with Takemichi in the city, the two of us stand around.
"Okay, so I have a plan."
"...Thanks for giving me the heads up. See ya."
"No, Homare!"
Grabbing my shoulder, he stops me from leaving.
"Aw~, what?"
"To keep Draken from dying, I'll be his bodyguard."
"..."
"...Homare?"
"..."
I walk right up to him and push him to the ground. He lands on his butt hard.
"Ow~, what was that for?"
"You can't even handle yourself against me! And I'm way weaker than you! How in the living hell are you going to be Draken's bodyguard?! Let me repeat that. Draken's bodyguard. The dude can bodyguard himself. I mean, he is Mikey's number two."
Climbing to his feet, Takemichi dusts himself off.
"Well, speak of the devil."
Following my gaze, Takemichi spots Draken walking down the street in the opposite direction from us.
"Well, we'll never know unless we try."
"...You're stupid."
Running after him, I follow the idiot blond.
"Hey, Draken!"
He stops and looks behind him.
"Hey guys. What's up?"
"I've been thinking-"
"Run now, Draken."
"Shh, you! Anyway, since Toman is going against Moebius it could get very dangerous. So, I was thinking I could be your bodyguard."
"My bodyguard? No way."
Takemichi bows his head.
"Thank you! ...Wait, what?"
"Why would I need something as annoying as a bodyguard? What use would you be, anyway?"
"Damn."
"You don't have to say it like that..."
Facing forward, Draken goes on with his day.
"Told you."
"Well...I guess we'll have to follow him."
"I'm not stalking that dude."
"Come on."
I sigh as I'm forced to follow the moron's lead.
~~~~Time Skip~~~~
It's been some time since we've begun tracking Draken. Eventually we end up at some small restaurant called "Enjoy Restaurant". I know, they couldn't think of something better to call it?
Anyway, it's here he met up with Mikey. They sat at a booth by the window while we secretly took one hidden from their view. Mikey ordered and the two just talked. Takemichi and I ordered some water as well. After some time...
"What the hell, man?!"
We take a peak their way. Are they fighting?
"Someone's gonna pay for this!" Mikey complains to the waiter. "There's no flag!"
...What?
As if he was a little kid, Mikey pouts, making him even cuter than he was when he was sleeping.
"I only get excited over the kid's meal when there's a flag!"
"I'm terribly sorry. I'll get one for-"
"Here you go, Mikey. Your flag."
Draken pulls out a small flag from seemingly nowhere. Placing it in his food, Mikey gets all excited.
Darn it, he's cute like that too.
"Way to go, Kenny!"
"Where'd he get that from?" Takemichi mumbles.
"...I can't believe he's still hungry. He did eat a very big breakfast this morning. I'm still full from that."
"What?" my partner in crime eyes me.
"U-U-Um, w-well...we went on a date this morning." I shyly explained. "That's all."
"...You were on a date this morning? While I was coming up with a plan to protect the future?!"
"What plan?! That bodyguard thing was beyond stupid! This is Mikey and Draken we're talking about! Hell, I don't even know if this plan is-"
"Duck!"
Takemichi and I quickly duck under the table as the two delinquents look in our general direction.
"What was that, Kenny?" Mikey questions while stuffing his adorable face with food.
"Don't know. Anyway-"
The two go back to talking as we come out of hiding.
"That was close."
"S-Sorry." I apologize.
~~~~Time Skip~~~~
"That's it! I've had it!"
Are they fighting now?
We look back at their table to find Mikey had fallen asleep.
"My heart can't take anymore of his cuteness."
"Shh. You're not even dating."
"..."
I kick his leg under the table.
"Ow~."
"Shh."
Standing up, Draken stares down at him.
"Would you stop falling asleep right after you eat?! Jeez, you're helpless."
He does that? He didn't do that this morning. Maybe because he was with me.
Carrying Mikey on his back, the two leave. We quickly follow their lead and do the same.
~~~~Time Skip~~~~
We follow the two around for what feels like forever. I couldn't help but notice how supporting Draken is to Mikey. If he has to do this kind of stuff everyday, he's pretty amazing.
"..."
Just following these two all day, it's hard to believe they would ever fight. They seem so close.
"Mikey, we're here."
Waking up, Mikey looks at the building.
"What are we doing here?"
Why are we at the General Hospital?
"We're making a little visit."
Mikey hopes off and follows Draken inside. Still trailing from a safe distance, we do the same. After walking down a bunch of hallways, and turning some corners, Draken finally stops at a window. The two look inside to find a severely beaten up young woman.
"Who's that?"
"Pah's buddy's girlfriend."
Wait. This is the reason the conflict started in the first place.
"She's been unconscious for five days."
"..."
"What the hell are you doing here?!"
We watch as an older couple walks up to them. The man was extremely upset while the lady was trying to calm him down.
"How dare you show up here! Leave, now!"
"Dear."
Without an hesitation, Draken bows to them.
"What do you think you're doing?! Our daughter almost died because of trash like you!
"Don't bow to him, Kenny. We didn't do anything wrong. Why's this old guy trying to take it out on us, anyway?"
"You vermin!" the old man continues his verbal assault. "You're nothing but trash! Causing a ruckus every single night!"
Mikey did not like that.
"What?"
"Please stop, dear."
"You cause so much trouble for others and hurt them, then think you can get away with it as adults because you were just kids then?! Like hell, you punks!"
"Who the hell do you think you're talking to-"
Draken grabs Mikey's head and forces him to bow.
"Hey! What're you doing?!"
"This is completely our responsibility."
"Like two pieces of sh*t bowing is going to make my daughter better?!"
"What?!"
"Shut your mouth, Mikey."
...I don't agree with all the yelling and pissing each other off. But I can see where each side is coming from. Mikey and Draken didn't do anything wrong. But that woman and man's daughter...their child is hurt.
"My daughter's been in a coma ever since. Her face...and body...have been battered and bruised." The man lets out his tears. "Why... What did she ever do to you?!"
Not able to hold it in any longer, the woman cries. Before I knew it, a few tears escape from my eyes as well.
"Homare?"
"I know we need to keep Draken safe... But, Takemichi...Moebius needs to pay. Those parents love their daughter so much. I never experienced that kind of love too much. So...it makes me sad to see them like that. She never deserved this."
"Homare..."
"My sweet, beautiful daughter has been disfigured." the father continues.
He turn to comfort his wife before taking her away.
"Please leave. We never want to see you again."
As they walk down the hallway, the two still kept their pose.
"We're going to fight Moebius soon. We'll deal with our problems in our own world. All of our crew have families and people important to them. We can't let innocent people get dragged into this. We can't make their friends and family cry.
You don't have to bow your head. Just have a heart that cares for others."
"...You're so nice, Kenny. I'm sorry... I'm...glad to have you by my side."
...So...Draken is Mikey's heart, huh? He compensates for what Mikey lacks. No wonder he changed when he died. ...There's no way in hell these two could ever fight. I wholeheartedly believe in that.
"Hey."
I look back at Takemichi.
"They're going."
Watching them walk down the hall, I quickly wipe my tears.
"You good?"
"Yeah. Sorry..." I weakly smile. "That scene just hit way too close to home for me. That's all. It's hard to believe there are actual parents that love their children in this world. Well...I shouldn't say that's completely true in my case..."
"..."
"Come on. I'm better now. No more depressing backstory from me, promise."
"...Alright."
We follow at a long distance.
"Man, I'm kinda hungry." Mike pipes up.
"What? You just ate."
"Ate this morning with Mare too. But you know me. I always get hungry after a nap."
"How does that even work? ...Wait. You ate with Homare?"
"Yep. As our first date."
"She saw how you always fall asleep right afterwards?"
"Of course not. I can't be lame in front of my girlfriend, now can I?"
Draken just grins.
"I like that fiery girl. She seems like a good match for you. You better watch over her."
"I will~. Now let's go get something to eat."
"Roger."
The two exit through the hospital entrance. Once out of view, we quickly head out in order to catch up. However, by the time we exit the building, they were gone.
"What the hell?! Where'd they go?"
"This is some ninja sh*t, Takemitchy. Anyway, it's almost dinner time. Shall we?"
"Sure. Why not?"
~~~~Time Skip~~~~
Entering some random food place we found, we take a tall booth by the window. After ordering, we get our drinks.
"So...Homare, I was wondering..."
"What?"
"You said some stuff about your parents."
"...?"
~~~~Draken's P.O.V.~~~~
Walking down the street, Mikey looks around.
"Where are we going to eat, Mikey?"
"Um...how about...there! Haven't been there in a while."
"Alright."
Passing by the window of the busy restaurant, we spot two familiar faces.
"Hey, it's Mare and Takemitchy. Let's go surprise them."
Entering the establishment, we get a booth right next to theirs. Mikey was grinning the entire time. Probably thinking of ways to scare them.
"Alright," he finally decides. "let's-"
"You said some stuff about your parents."
"..."
"..."
The two of us stay silent as we listen to their conversation.