February 16th, 2006
I should have seen it coming. I should have been more on guard. To think that my life would end like this. After everything that happened to me. After being put into someone else's body. To be put in my own body. To die. To be given a chance of a second life. I was lucky. I was lucky to have met Mikey and to have fallen so deeply in love with him. I was lucky to have dreamt of a future with the both of us making a family and growing old together.
It was just that though. A dream. A foolish little dream of a foolish little girl.
I was stupid and blind. My brother had even warned me. And yet...
My vision was blurring as I gasped in breaths. I struggled to breath as I laid on the cold ground all alone. I could feel my body growing cold. But I didn't shover. I was numb as blood pulled around me from the hole in my stomach.
Mikey, I am so sorry.
Flashea of the time I met him came into my head. I smiled bitterly at the memories. I had been so hesitant to call him my friend back down. When had I begun developing such intense feelings for him?
Tears threatened to spill from my eyes as I struggled to stay away. I wanted to think of Mikey. I wanted to fight to stay alive. But breathing was so painful.
It hurts. It hurts so much, Mikey. I'm so cold.
If I was going to die here, I wished I could see him one last time. I wished that I could tell him that I loved him one last time. I wished I could beg him to not give in to his darkness to kill everyone we know. But that hideous future was going to still happen.
I'm an idiot. Why did I come out tonight? Why did I trust... ?
I felt my consciousness fade away as the embrace of darkness clung to me, not letting me escape. I had no strength left in me.
"Kai!!!"
The familiar voice that called out my name was the last thing I remembered before I completely succumbed to it.
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Earlier That Day
Mikey happily hummed as he walked alongside his best friend on the streets of Shibuya. It had been a while since the two blonds had spent the day alone together. Their time usually revolved around their girlfriends lately. It was nice to have some time together like they used to. But Mikey couldn't wait to be back with his soon to be wife. Everytime that came to his mind, his heart would flip out of control.
Draken watched his shorter friend from the corner of his eyes with a happy smirk. It was nice to see Mikey so happy. All the years that Draken had known Mikey, he never saw the short blond so filled with life. Draken was grateful for Kairi giving this much happiness to Mikey. Draken was happy for both of his friends. It also helped him gain the courage to confess his own feelings for Emma. And he couldn't be happier for it. The future was looking bright for them all.
"It's nice seeing you so happy, Mikey."
Mikey chuckled, "Yeah. It feels real good, Ken-chin." He turned his head with a gentle friend to his taller friend. "I was hoping you could be my best man."
"Me? Shouldn't that go to Takemitchy? He is the bride's brother."
"I already discussed it with Kai. She agreed that it should be you."
Draken was surprised. He had really thought that the brother of the bride should be the best man at the wedding. But if he had to be honest, he felt extremely honored to be chosen.
Draken smiled, "Yeah. I won't let you down, Mikey."
Mikey nodded, "Of course not." Jokingly he added, "Or I will just have to kill you."
Draken chuckled, "I would like to see you try."
This was how their lives should be. Joking amongst friends. Looking forward to the future. It was all so good. Too good.
"Mikey-kun?"
Mikey turned to look in front of him on the sidewalk to see Takemitchy and Chifuyu walking towards them. It was past dinner time now. The sun would be setting soon. The sidewalks weren't as busy now.
"Takemitchy," Mikey grinned, "Good to see you."
Takemitchy ignored him, looking around as if looking for someone, "Where's my sister? Why isn't she with you?"
Mikey frowned, not liking the worry tone in his friend's voice, "She said she had something to do and left earlier."
"She's not with the other girls preparing for the wedding?"
Mikey furrowed his brows, "Ha? No. The girls are at my place right now but Kai had an errand to run. Like I said. What is this about, Takemitchy?" Something told him that there was something wrong with the look the younger Hanagaki was giving.
"I- I uh..."
Takemitchy wasn't sure what to say. How could he tell Mikey that he thought his sister was in danger without explaining that he was from the future where Kai died today? Would Mikey believe him? It was crazy right? And maybe his sister was fine. Kai was strong after all. Right? But Takemitchy worried that the future wouldn't change.
"It's about Kai," Chifuyu spoke, attracting the other three boys' attention.
"Ha?" Mikey's eyes darkened.
"We think she might be in danger if she's alone right now."
Chifuyu... Takemitchy thought, feeling ashamed that his friend had to say it in his place.
"What do you mean? Kai is in danger?" Draken questioned while Mikey stood in shock, "This better not be a damn joke." Draken leaned in to intimidate Chifuyu but he did not back down.
"I am being serious. We think someone is targeting Kai."
Someone was targeting Kai? Someone dared to want to hurt his Kai? Mikey's dark impulse was breaking the walls of his fragile mind. If anyone even laid a hand on her, he would kill them. He would not show mercy to anyone who hurt her or their unborn child.
"She hasn't been answering her phone," Takemitchy's worried voice broke through the silence. "I thought maybe she wasn't responding because she was busy with you or something."
"If she isn't with Mikey or the girls..." Chifuyu looked at Takemitchy, "It could be happening right now."
"What is happening?" Mikey questioned with a dark expression. The happiness he once felt had disappeared with an intent to kill.
"Mikey-kun," Takemitchy took a step forward, "I can't say how I know but I think my sister is in danger. We have to find her. And I think I know where she could be. Please trust me, I-"
"Where?"
"Eh?" Takemitchy blinked, surprised that Mikey trusted him so readily.
"Where is Kai?"
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The four teenagers ran as quickly as they could towards the alley that Takemitchy had said they could find Kai. Mikey had been ahead of them. Feeling the adrenaline putting in his veins, pushing him forward. He hoped that Takemitchy was wrong. He hoped that Kai was safe. But dread was consuming him.
He finally made it to the alley. He rounded the corner. His breath caught in his throat, eyes widened in shock at the scene in front of him.
"Kai!!" he screamed, running to her side.
He gently moved to turn her around on her back. His eyes glanced down at the wound in her stomach where blood soaked through her clothes. He felt his throat tighten, his eyes blurring.
Quickly, he pulled off his coat and placed it on her to keep her warm. He pressed his hands on her opened wound.
"Call an ambulance!" He ordered his friends that caught up to him.
While Draken called for an ambulance, Mikey cried over Kai's body.
Kai was pale and her body was growing colder and colder as they waited for the ambulance. Judging by the amount of blood around her body, she had lost a lot. Her breathing was shallow. She was barely hanging on to her life.
How the fuck could this have happened? What the fuck happened? Who the fuck did this to here? So many questions ran through his mind. He wanted to make the person who did this to her suffer unimaginable pain. Oh, they were going to suffer for this.
"Please. Please, don't fucking leave me, Kai. I need you. I need you here with me. Don't go. Don't go. I love you."
Mikey's words broke the hearts of the three friends that watched the scene. Draken wasn't sure what to do or say to Mikey. He wasn't sure there was anything he could do for him. Chifuyu felt anger and rage. Who could do this to her? Takemitchy was feeling at fault. He should have done better to protect his sister. He knew that today was the day his sister would die. He should have been there to watch over her. But he failed. He failed again. And now Mikey...
The younger Hanagaki watched Mikey as he cried. All four of them were now crying as the sirens were heard in the distance. They just had to pray they hadn't been too late.
Please. Please, don't let it be too late. Please, let my sister live. Please.