Keep Fighting

𓊈卍 𝟐𝟕 卍𓊉

Takemichi stands in the makeshift witness booth with Nakano beside him. Neither of them knew what they were going to be brought in for until now.

They're witnesses, but to what exactly? It seems like they're about to find out.

"One of Toman's founding members. The first division captain, Baji Keisuke!" Hanma announces in a loud voice up front on a platform, overlooking everyone in the abandoned arcade. "He claims that he wants to abandon Toman and join Valhalla's ranks!!"

Murmuring arises in the air contaminated by cigarette smoke. Some guys voice that it's pretty suspicious, while some argue that it could be a huge advantage for them.

"This is a very serious matter!" Hanma continues. "Enlisting Baji will aid us greatly in crushing Toman. But there's just one problem remaining. He might be one of Toman's spies. So I had Kazutora prepare a witness for us!"

Takemichi thinks this over. If this is true, then he isn't sure what to make of it. Baji literally just beat his vice-captain half to death, and they still don't believe him?

'Spy? Witness? What are they talking about?'

He glances at his twin, who has an unreadable expression on her face once again. He can't tell if she's angry or afraid, but she must be at least on edge by being surrounded by enemies. She doesn't really do well in situations like this. He's honestly surprised she's keeping it together right now.

"I will now call both witnesses over!" Hanma looks down upon the twins. "Hanagaki Takemichi. We'll hear your statement first."

"Y-... Yes!" He stammers, but manages to find the courage.

"At Toman's gathering, what did Baji say in front of everyone there?"

"... Um..." Takemichi tries to remember the exact words Baji said. "'I'm going to Valhalla.' 'Toman is my enemy.'"

Hanma merely nods at this, then his attention turns to Nakano. "You seem like an honest girl. Do you agree with your brother's answer?"

Nakano's eyes narrow, but relax in what he assumes is defeat. "Yes. He said those things exactly. Not only that, but he also went against Toman's morals and rules."

"Oh? Do tell."

"He started infighting in the gang, as stated by one of the other captains, and was banned from gatherings. Then he proceeded to show up to a gathering for the sake of publicly announcing his leave of Toman and making them his enemy. He also punched me, a girl, without reason. From what I've gathered, Toman doesn't condone violent acts against females."

Takemichi can only listen and watch wide eyed as his sister says all this with an emotionless face and a dead tone in her voice. It's like she wants Baji to join Valhalla. That's not what they're here to do!

'And didn't she willingly let Baji punch her to protect me?'

"Hm. What do you think, Kazutora?" Hanma averts his gaze to the black and yellow haired delinquent.

There's a pause before Kazutora gives his answer. "The test of faith and the witness summoning. Don't you think that's good enough? He'll be useful for fighting other gangs. And he knows what's been going on in Toman while I was away."

'While he was away..?'

"Right Baji? We will crush Toman. And then..."

"We'll kill Mikey."

Takemichi feels a shift next to him, to see Nakano looking towards Kazutora with a shocked expression on her face. He doesn't know if it's because she wants to kill Mikey herself, or she doesn't like the idea of him getting killed. He really doesn't know the relationship between the two at all.