Replay

2-3 Rumination

A/N: This story is now also posted on fanfiction.net. Choose whichever site you prefer. 

As usual, the next chapter drops in two weeks.

"Several days ago, a conflict involving two gangs over what is speculated to be a turf war was ended by the police. There was one fatally injured victim, who is currently recovering from a stab wound. The culprit, 15-year-old Hayashida Haruki, has been sentenced to a year in juvenile detention. The other gang members arrested at the scene will be—"

My phone vibrated in my pocket as my pre-set alarm went off. I continued to slouch on the couch and mindlessly listen to the ambient noise for another minute before shutting off the television and heaving myself onto my feet. I ran a hand through my gelled-back hair as I trudged out of the living room and dragged myself over to the front door.

It was way worse than I'd thought it would be. Toman had split over Pah-chin's arrest, and although I hadn't seen it evolve into a full-fledged fight yet, it was only a matter of time before one occurred. Even the 2nd Division, as relatively chill as they were, had been tense over the past few days. They weren't just avoiding speaking about Pah-chin; they weren't speaking at all. The mood had been utterly unbearable, and I didn't want to get involved with the gang at this time.

Which was why I currently felt quite sour.

Hayato had been unavailable at our scheduled session, so we were having another one in less than half-an-hour. What I was annoyed at, though, was the fact he had neglected to mention it would be at a meet-up with some other Toman members until a few hours ago. Part of it was admittedly my fault; I should've been suspicious when he suggested we do it over lunch at a restaurant and not just dismissed it as I had been doing for a while.

But Peh-yan and several 3rd Division members being there was a completely different matter.

I hadn't seen or heard of them since this mess started, but it was a reasonable assumption that they would be the most volatile and aggressive about the matter, as Pah-chin was their Captain. They were the last people I wanted to be around.

I'd been paid beforehand this time, and it was too late to cancel. I didn't really have any other choice but to go through with it. And I wasn't going to half-ass this session.

I tied my red jacket around my waist as I trekked outside into the summer climate. My tote bag of stationery swung at my side as I walked to our agreed-upon location. Passing by the sights of the city did help alleviate my bad mood, and I entered the same restaurant from my welcome party with a carefully neutral expression. Being angry would only exacerbate the situation.

"Frank! Over here!" Hayato waved to me from a table across the room, and several other boys sitting in the adjacent table turned to watch. Three boys from the 3rd Division whom I had never seen before and Peh-yan, wearing a blue track-suit with his sleeves rolled up. There were several other customers having an early lunch, but they mostly ignored the small group of delinquents off to the side.

As I neared, Hayato took his school bag off a chair beside him and gestured for me to sit. I did. "Frank's a fairly new member of the 2nd Division. He tutors me."

The boys gave lukewarm greetings and introduced themselves, except Peh-yan, who glowered at me silently. I refused to look at him. "You tutor?" one of the other boys asked in disbelief.

"Yeah," I replied. "Part-time." His expression hinted that he was about to say something rude, but he kept his mouth shut. They were already much more receptive than the members at the gang meet had been. Judging from Hayato's relaxed demeanor and casual talk with them, they appeared to be friends. That was probably why they were nicer to me.