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22 September 2005
THURSDAY
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[y/n]'s pov
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐃 within the deep abyss, dipping in between the fragmented clouds, freckled stars shining and flickering. The daylight lost itself earlier under the skyline, the temperatures depleting with it.
It was fairly late, and only 10 minutes ago a Toman meeting had ended, member separating themselves throughout Shibuya.
And thats what I was doing now - clutching onto the warm body that sped up their bike, the sound of the exhaust pipe echoing through the empty street.
The breeze weaved its way into my hoodie sleeves, causing a shiver down my back and pressing my burning cheeks deeper into the male's neck. The cold nipping at my exposed skin served as a reminder that autumn was slowly creeping up on summer; taking over.
It was then I had realised that the driver had missed her turn that lead directly towards my place.
"Oi, Keisuke, where are we going?" I ask, leaning closer to his ear so he could hear me over the engine.
"You said you were hungry," Baji states, not giving me a glance, and instead pulls into a familiar diner.
"Yeah, well-"
I began, preparing my rebuttal of something along the lines of 'having food at home', but was instantly ignored.
Baji turned off his bike, throwing his keys into his back pocket, before swinging his right leg off of the bike after my decent. He made a quick walk towards the entrance, pausing for a moment to make sure I was following suit.
He pushed the glass door open, allowing me access to enter first.
The air inside was warmer than the chilling night breeze outside. Yellowed hued lights hummed; contrasting with the leather red booths.
"I'm going to order, you get a table," Baji states, striding over towards the counter that on looked over the diner, as well as serving as a divider for the kitchen.
I complied with his request, taking a booth near the other side of the restaurant, one against the corner booth.
My eyes watched Baji for a few moments before turning to scan the area.
It had become a habit. The paranoia. The sinking feeling that something wasn't right.
Although Takemichi's future consciousness parted ways with me saying that everything in the future was fixed; I couldn't just believe that. The future always has a way of twisting in a direction you don't want. He may have known the future then, but now things have changed.
You can never really know what the future holds.
Knowing Takemichi's secret has also been more difficult to keep buried within. It plagued my mind - even after his apparent departure from his shift in attitude and mannerisms. Mikey, Draken and I had never kept things that concerned Toman from each other, even during the hardest of times.
But a promise is a promise. Even if it's difficult. Even through Draken's presence being a constant reminder of what could have been. Takemichi's effort was enough to make me bite my tongue.
At that final thought, I drummed my fingers on the wooden table of the booth, leaning back further into the couch. Sighing, I refocus back onto the present, noticing that a family was now leaving the diner.
"....Toman?"
My mind was deviated.
I didn't hear what was previously stated, only catching the name drop of Toman.
The hushed conversation was taking place behind me - inside the corner booth. I couldn't instantly recognise the first voice that spoke of Toman's name.
"That Mikey is many things; but he relies heavily on those idiots he calls 'friends'."
I felt my eyes widen, and the air was sucked out of my lungs.
Hanma.
"Hey, I-"
I see Baji slide into the booth next to me, and I jump, clamping my palm over his mouth. I raise my finger up to my lips, glaring daggers into his eyes, signalling him to shut up.
To be certain, a waited a few moments before removing my hand. I was honestly surprised that he listened to my silent command, keeping his mouth shut.
He raises an inquiring brow in my direction, the corner of his lip curling upward; a demand to tell him what was going on.
I point in the direction of the corner booth, then tapping my ear. I hoped he got the message of listening in while I turned to look at the back rest - the only thing standing between myself and Baji and the two men conversing.
"He also trusts way too easy. Thought getting rid of one of his lap dogs would allow you to slide in - but that Kiyomasa obviously doesn't seem to know how to get a fucking job done."
Hanma continues, and I turn to face Baji, who seemed to be quick at deciphering what they were talking about.
'So Kiyomasa was just a pawn in the battle of 8/3...'
"And now Hanagaki is on good terms with Toman."
The other male voice spoke. The way he spoke - the tone he used when speaking against Takemichi made it feel like he had a vendetta against him.
There was a pause between the two men, making my stomach churn, and I prepared myself in case Baji and I were caught eavesdropping on their conversation.
"I got a message. The rat has decided; we're meeting up with him in an hour. Let's go."
The unfamiliar voice spoke again.
At his declaration, I felt a surge of anxiousness as I hear them shuffling out of the booth.
I slide off the seat and under the table; with Baji getting the hint and following behind me. We pressed our bodies into the corner, and I could feel myself unconsciously stop breathing as I saw the two sets of feet walk past our booth.
One pair paused, however, making the horror inside my stomach rise.
"Oi, Hanma, hurry up," the male voice called in the distance, followed by the sound of the diner's door opening.
The pair of feet stayed still for a few more seconds, before turning to walk away, "yeah, yeah, I'm coming Kisaki."
Baji and I stayed under the table for a few more minutes after the door was opened again and closed.
"Shit..." Baji was the first to speak again, muttering to himself, climbing out from under the table.
I follow behind, sitting back where I was previously, a new weight resting on my shoulders.
"You catch the other guy's name?" Baji questions me, hand smoothing back the bangs that fell into his face.
