Tetta Kisaki stares with wide eyes at the woman before him. He had heard many things about her, the connections she had, and the abilities she harbored. But to be able to read him so well, she was much sharper than he was told.
He chuckles as he adjusts his gold-rimmed glasses. "You're right on point," he says as you watch him. "What do you say?" Your expression doesn't change as you stalk closer, causing him to walk back when he realizes you aren't going to stop.
His ears flush softly, and he jumps when his back hits a tree. You stop just shy of him and lean down, your expression unwavering while he's practically shaking in his boots. "Who?"
He blinks and chuckles nervously, adjusting his glasses. "His name is Takemichi Hanagaki."
You blink slowly while lifting your head, the only sign of surprise as you stare down at the boy. He looked no older than thirteen, but you could tell he was a lot smarter.
Too smart.
Not that it scared you.
"No."
He froze after your one-word answer. "Are you sure? You can have some time to think about it!" You didn't even need to think it over and turn away from him.
"I have no reason to kill anyone for you," you say and glance over your shoulder. Your eyes were lidded but intense at the same time.
A warning.
"Besides, I'm not in the mood."
Hanma whistles as Kisaki gawks at your retreating form, unable to muster the courage to stop you. He could tell from the look in your eyes that if he tried to push it, he'd be the one dead.
Then again, he was desperate.
"Wait!" you feel a gloved hand latch onto your wrist, his grip tightening in desperation. "Please, just think it over!" You stop and turn to look at him. "I'll give you one more chance, Tetta Kisaki," you say lowly, slowly turning around to face him. You could see Hanma struggling against the vines but to no avail. Kisaki grits his teeth, contemplating, and releases your wrist just as you raise your hand.
"Good, now don't speak to me ever again," you say and start walking again. "I won't hold myself back a second time."
"You're just gonna watch her go?" Hanma asked as he sat cross-legged, still tied.
Kisaki hadn't moved from his spot, his eyes still fixed in the direction you had left. His lip twitched as he forced a smile. "Heh...ha..HAHAHA!" Hanma watched with a surprised grin as Kisaki started laughing. "That woman," Kisaki sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I need that woman on my side, no matter what," he announced, voice darkening.
Hanma blinked. "But you just let her go?"
Kisaki clicked his tongue as he turned around, his finger sliding under the leather glove. He pulls it inside out and discards it. "She might not get rid of Hanagaki for me, but." He paused, snapping a pocket-knife open. "She'll be the biggest obstacle and most helpful pawn yet!" he explains, a sadistic grin on his face as he cuts the vines.
⟢●⟣
Y/m left the forest and paused at the sight of countless bodies clad in a familiar black uniform and an unfamiliar white uniform lying haphazardly in a parking lot. It was raining, but even through the haze, you could tell this was a gang fight between Toman and another.
You were a bit saddened that you didn't get to join in, but you couldn't change that.
Your boots click against the concrete as you try to find anyone familiar. You notice a guy in white slowly standing up, and you walk up to him. He grunts as he holds his side but pauses when a shadow falls over him. "The hell━" He was cut off by a swift kick to the face by you, and his head hit the ground with a thud.
You continue walking, and after a couple of steps, you spot a lilac-haired male sitting on the ground. You walk over and stare down at him. He wasn't wearing a uniform and wasn't familiar either. He blinks up at you in surprise, confused as to why a girl is in a place like this.
"Who are you?" you ask, your voice cold as ice as you narrow your eyes. "Based on your answer, I won't kick you down."
His brows furrow as he takes a doubletake. "W-what?!"
You move a foot back. "Wrong answer." His eyes widen as you lift your leg, but a familiar voice stops you.
"Hold up, Y/N!?"
You pause, glancing over, and notice Baji jogging over, an unfamiliar pair behind him. "He's a member of Toman, so don't beat him up," he sighs, rubbing his neck.
"Oh." You turn to the male and nod your head. "Sorry, about that." He chuckles and lets out a breath. "No problem. It's Mitsuya, by the way," he introduces, holding a hand out. You take it and help him up. "Y/n."
"So, you're the 'big sis' of Toman I've heard about, huh?" he says, shaking your hand.
"I guess so."
"Hey~ I'm afraid I'm out of action, you guys!" the peach-haired boy said as he walked over with the support of a shirtless guy. "He hurt his leg, I guess, kicking somebody," he supplied.
Mitsuya sighs. "Any idea where Mikey is?"
"Yeah, he's over there," Baji answered nonchalantly, pointing.
You both glance over, and you frown. "I thought I tied that bastard up?" you huff, the others whipping their heads in your direction as you place a hand on your hip, watching Hanma and Mikey.
Hanma laughs as he watches Mikey. "Heh, sorry for leaving you for a minute." He tilts his head mockingly, even though there's blood near his mouth. "I had something I needed to take care of." He looks up, his smile dropping momentarily. "Fighting you is exhausting, Mikey," he drawls, rubbing the back of his head. "You don't even sound out of breath, freaky monster."
"Just shut up and die."
You quirk a smile at Mikey's reply. The sound of an engine cuts through the rain as a guy pulls up behind Hanma.
"Come on, boss, gotta go."
The sound of sirens filled the air as Hanma gave some speech. All around, the unconscious guys start to scatter.
You tilt your head, a shadow falling over your eyes, and you grin. "Should I stop these losers?" you drawl, causing Baji to sigh as the others gawk at you.
"No, just let them be."
You lift your head, blowing a raspberry. "It's no fair that you had all the fun, Baji," you grumble. Baji gives you a sidelong look, a bit confused. Is she suddenly fight hungry? he thinks. I wonder, if this is how she was before we met, he muses.
A moment later, Mikey rushes past on his bike. "Well, he's in a hurry."
"It must be Draken," Mitsuya mumbles. Your eyes widen, and you stare at him. "What happened to Draken?" you growl.
"I don't know the details, but he was apparently stabbed based on what Takemichi said," he informs, already moving.
Your eyes flashed in surprise as you remembered the bloodied Draken in that vision you had.
Is this connected to that?
"Let me come with you," you say, catching up to him. Mitsuya nods and hands you a helmet. "Get on."
●
Mitsuya punched the wall after Takemichi explained Draken's condition. You hear footsteps and turn to see Mikey.
Almost immediately, all three approached the male. Mikey merely walked past them. "Keep quiet, this is a hospital, don't you know anything?" he says and stops. "Where's the waiting room?"
You decide not to say anything as your little group follows Mikey inside. He pats Emma's shoulder, who is crying and goes to stand in front of the operation door.
"I know, Ken," he says, staring up at the red light. "So, I can tell you he's always been a man of his word. He's not going to die here," he spat. "He promised me that we're going to rule the world together," he says, turning around with his signature bright smile. He moves to sit on the seat. "He's going to pull through," he finishes, still smiling.
You watch him as the others let out a relieved breath.
You didn't buy it.
You've put up the same front before yourself, so you could easily spot it.
You let out a breath, and walk over to him, but the world suddenly spins. You stumble, catching yourself as you hold your head.
"Hey, Y/n?" Takemichi calls.
Your eyes widen as you catch a familiar scent near your hand. You pull your sleeves back and notice a red welt on your wrist. "Dammit it," you scoff, your vision swimming. "Poison," you grit and your eyes roll back.
"Y/N!?"
Your body hits the floor with a thud.