[Chapter 16] : Your rock
Long author note incoming :
Um... hi again! Sorry for the lack of updates, i had a really busy semester and I failed like 2 classes out of 7 lol. School's been over for a few days but since the beginning of my break I've been in a bit of slump. I have a few things going on so it took me a bit longer to finish correcting this. This chapter was actually partially written like weeks ago but school was taking up my entire life. It's a bit short and I'm honestly kinda scared I OOCed the characters because it's been too long..! I feel like it's a little half-assed compared to my previous ones since it was meant to be a filler at first. I promise next chapter will be better :( Still, thank you everyone for the sweet comments, and for following this story. I'm taking a break from everything (excluding Wattpad) so now I have more time to write and post! yay! :) <3
**Please let me know if you have any criticism regarding things I may have left out/gotten wrong in characterization or the story in general!**
Also, I felt like I didn't describe the second scene well enough in this chapter, so I drew this beautiful drawings to hep my wonderful readers understand what it looks like tee-hee <3. I dont like to put author notes/pictures mid chapter so im putting them here lol.
✰The actual chapter starts here!!✰ :
"That movie was ass..." Yuzuha grumbles, rolling her eyes as the end credits begin to scroll across the large vinyl screen. She huffs, stretches her limbs, sore from the lack of movement in the last two hours, and breathes out a drawn-out sigh.
"I know, right?" Her friend mirrors her expression. "I can't believe she chose that jerk in the end..."
Yuzuha hums in agreement as she finally rises from the black padded seat, soon followed by (Y/n). The ending song continues echoing across the room, although most of the audience has already begun to evacuate the dimly lit auditorium. The two girls follow the small crowd out into the lobby.
The place isn't too shabby, far from it, but neither is it particularly fancy. ''Below average'' would be the best way to describe it. It is, however, still clean and affordable, which is more than enough to compensate for its cramped hallways and flimsy furniture.
"That was soooo lameeee. You pick the movie next time." The brunette cracks a small smile, nudging her friend's shoulder with her fist and earning an amused nod from the latter.
"Will do."
As the pair emerges from the gloom of the cinema, (Y/n)'s eyelids flutter a few times, her eyes struggling to adjust to the near-blinding light of the outside.
The Shinjuku district stands in stark contrast to the interior of the cinema - and much more to the quieter suburban districts of Tokyo in general. It's unbelievably lively, with gaudy store fronts and flashy sales posters, the streets crammed with city dwellers and tourists of all kinds. Skyscrapers and corporate buildings line the thoroughfares, their large glass windows reflecting the sun's blazing rays. However, with the soaring summer temperatures, staying indoors in air-conditioned stores and restaurants is a much better alternative than roasting alive under the heat.
"I'll tell the guys we're done here." Yuzuha muses, fishing her phone out of her pocket and flipping it open. The screen lights up and she swiftly inputs her password, unlocking the device.
Mitsuya and Hakkai had volunteered (with a little 'encouragement' from Yuzuha) as drivers, since taking the subway at this time of day inevitably meant getting stuck in rush hour and the dangers that come with it.
It doesn't take long for the call to go through, and barely ten minutes later, the two guys are on the scene. Mitsuya is all smiles as usual, although perhaps a little too much at the moment... He's sporting a black sleeveless jacket, with his house keys dangling from the belt loop of his pants. Strapped to them is a cute little clay keychain. It resembles a misshapen heart, with clumsily applied paint and tiny fingerprints scattered all over. Like something a child would make.
Yuzuha had once mentioned that Mitsuya had younger sisters, so perhaps it wouldn't be too far-fetched to think that they may be the ones who crafted the messy trinket for him. It definitely does make things a thousand times cuter.
As for Hakkai... He's still as shy as when they first met. Whenever his gaze meets (Y/n)'s, he hastily looks away, sweat trickling down his back. Poor guy looks like he's about to melt into the ground the longer she looks at him...
Sparing the blue haired boy from her gaze, (Y/n) heads straight to Mitsuya's motorcycle, while Yuzuha hops on to Hakkai's. Ever since Draken's bike has become her primary means of transportation, mounting a motorcycle has become as natural as breathing.
"It was nice hanging out with you! Let's do it again sometime!" Yuzuha grins as Hakkai revs up the engine, a fierce smile tugging at her lips as she waves at her friend.
The bike takes off in the opposite direction, the exhausts spewing out thick ropes of smoke as they glide through the busy mid-day road, the siblings growing smaller and smaller as the distance between both pairs grows bigger and bigger. It always feels a little melancholic when the day ends, though (Y/n) is pretty tired from the outing by now.
"Hey, (Y/n)?" Mitsuya asks tentatively, casting a quick glance at the passenger seat of his motorcycle, located right behind him and on which his friend is currently seated. The bike remains motionless, its engine yet to be ignited. "Did you talk to Draken at all recently?"
"Draken?" repeats (Y/n), tilting her head to the side curiously. It's true that it's now been a few days since she's last seen the blond. "No, why? Did something happen?"
"Ah, it's nothing serious, don't worry". He reassures her, deftly inserting the fitting metal key into the vehicle's ignition to start the engine. In response, (Y/n)'s arms reflexively wrap around his waist, her hands resting firmly against his solid midriff. "It's just... we hung out yesterday and he was a little off, you know? All he said was that the Moebius situation got him thinking. I thought maybe you could go and talk to him, if you hadn't already."
(Y/n) blinks in confusion, her arms tightening around her friend both due to the surprise brought on by his question and the fact that the motorcycle had started and pulled out of the parking lot to eventually blend in with the other vehicles rolling down Tokyo's broad highways. "Isn't this kinda coming out of nowhere?"
Takashi chuckles sheepishly, eyes glued to the road. "I know this is a little unexpected, but... consider it doing me a favor? I'm on babysitting duty tonight, so I can't go see him myself. Plus, I'm sure he'll be happy to have you there."
(Y/n) nods quietly, refraining from immediately commenting on his words as she collects her thoughts. Her gaze flickers from the back of Mitsuya's head to the neighboring lanes that bisect the highway, the latter outlined with various imposing office buildings.
"I mean... It's not like I don't wanna see him... even if he is a jerk most of the time." (Y/n) halfheartedly confesses, muttering the last part with a frown. "We're friends, sure, but I haven't known him for as long as you and Mikey have. Besides, the whole thing with Moebius is a very touchy subject... Wouldn't it be a little inappropriate to ask him to open up about it... ? It's been a while since we last talked anyways. I'd risk overstepping a boundary and making things awkward between us."
"Is that how you see it?" Takashi cocked a brow. "I don't think he'd have a problem telling you. You're already involved in the conflict anyway."
"Huh?" She frowns, leaning further on his shoulder. "Pah-chin's arrest nearly caused Toman's collapse. I don't think he'd just willingly tell me about his feelings on the matter..."
All of a sudden, her friend's warm palm reaches out to affectionately ruffle her hair. The sensation is pleasant at first, until she remembers that she and Mitsuya are on a motorcycle, and that it would be risky to distract him. As she's about to tell him to keep his eyes on the road, (Y/n) realizes that the motorcycle has ceased moving.
They're waiting for the light to turn green.
"Don't let his stoicism fool you. Draken isn't a heartless rock. I don't think you need to compare yourself to me or Mikey. Friendship isn't quantitative... You'll do great."
(Y/n) sighs. "Are you sure...?"
"Mhm."
Biting her lower lip, the girl considers her options. It doesn't take long for her to weigh up the pros and cons, her heart quickly tipping the scales in favor of her tattooed friend for whom she worries. And thus, much to Takashi's delight, she relents.
"Ugh... Fine. Whatever makes you happy." She sighs once more. "But I'm not guaranteeing you anything."
"Just be there, I'm sure that'll be more than enough." The lilac-haired boy states, a slight grin etched on his lips as the traffic light finally turns green.
***
"Mitsuya. I'm regretting it."
"Nuh uh. Nope. No backing out now."
He grins playfully, earning an annoyed grumble from his friend, who's scowling uneasily at her surroundings.
Mitsuya had braked in the midst of a narrow, two-laned coastal road. The cemented surface stretches in a straight, clean line that curves around a steep hill. As it runs on, the road grows increasingly dilapidated, littered with crevices, holes and piles of reddish brown soil. After just a couple of meters, it no longer resembles the customary black asphalt roads of the city, being instead reduced to a filthy mud path.
It looked unfinished. As if the construction team had dropped the job halfway through.
A shoddily built yet sturdy wooden railing demarcates the boundary between the beach and the decrepit road, the latter merely a short distance away from the shore, where the azur waves crash idly upon the fine, hot sand. The salty waters seem to carry on the flamboyant gradient of the evening sky as the engine of Mitsuya's motorbike runs still, its gentle roaring melting away with the chirping of birds and the slight swish of the wind.
The muddy path twists sharply around the base of the hill, but according to Mitsuya, it doesn't carry on very far.
He had also mentioned that this was a place Draken would regularly visit whenever he had too much on his mind, and understandably so. The atmosphere here is soothing, especially at this time of day.
"Do you need me to walk you there?" Mitsuya, being the gentleman he is, offers.
"No, it's all right..." His friend mumbles hesitantly, contemplating the expanse of limpid water below. "Draken is just around the bend, right? I think I can walk that."
"Then I'll wait here. If you see him, just give me a thumbs-up and I'll head home." He smiles.
(Y/n) nods her head with a small smile of her own. She takes a deep breath, straightens herself and proceeds with cautious steps along the route, doing her utmost to dodge the slippery sludge and avoid tripping over one of the countless fissures streaking the asphalt.
The whirring of Mitsuya's engine gradually subsides the further (Y/n) gets from the boy, until it can no longer be heard, drowned out by the crashing of waves and the rustling of the wind. She even has to take a quick peek behind her, to make sure that he's still there. And surely he is.
Upon finally rounding the bend, she at last spots the one she's been looking for; Draken. He is hunched over the wooden railing, his arms crossed on the decrepit wood and his eyes glued to the scenery. He's dressed in his trademark black and white patterned jacket complete with a pair of cargo shorts, facing away from her. His motorcycle was parked nearby, at the foot of the hill. Traces of mud had accumulated on the wheels and soiled the frame. Given that the vehicle is quite literally Ken's pride and joy, the tattooed boy would probably make sure to give it a thorough scrubbing soon.
(Y/n)'s gaze returns to her purple-haired friend, to whom she gives a thumbs-up in signal. Picking up on the message, he quickly departs, leaving her alone with the blond.
It's okay, you got this.
With now less assured steps, she covers the distance between herself and her friend, placing her palms on the brittle wooden railing, and leans over the fence the same way he does, so as to both peek at his concentrated face and make her arrival known. The railing creaks, drawing Draken's attention to her.
"Huh?" He flinches a little, a slight, subtle shake of his toned body. "(Y/n)? What are you doing here?"
He frowns, a little embarrassed to be caught off guard. Tilting his head to the side, he patiently awaits her answer.
"Um... Mitsuya said I could find you here." She replies awkwardly, earning a nod from him.
"Did you need something?"
"Not really. It's just that it's been a while since I last saw you so I wanted to check up on you... Is everything okay? Anything new?"
"I'm fine I guess..." The blond shrugs, his gaze settling back on the sea. "I visited Pah-chin with Baji the other day. That's pretty much it."
(Y/n) nods silently. Baji's name did ring a bell. Maybe one of the guys had mentioned it before? However, there was no face to associate it with, but that didn't matter much in the current situation.
"And how was Pah-chin? Is he well?"
"He's alright." Draken merely nods before his lips quirk into a small smile and he breathes out a brief chuckle. "He did complain about prison food a lot though. Must be eager for his sentence to be over..."
"I see." (Y/n) smiles softly. "Still... prison doesn't sound like rainbows and sunshine. I hope he's really okay."
"Well... juvie's not really jail. They're not as harsh there."
"I see..."
A small, awkward pause ensues between them. Despite all the jokes and smiles, Draken doesn't seem to be in high spirits. His gaze lingers on the ocean and his smile falls.
"Did it... not go that well?" (Y/n) asks tentatively.
"Huh? What didn't?"
"Visiting Pah-chin, I mean."
"No, it was fine."
"Then... why are you so... I don't know..." She sighs. "So down in the dumps?"
"Oh..."
Draken remains silent and, for a moment, (Y/n) wants to retract her words, fearing that she may have asked too personal of a question.
"Is it... that noticeable?" He hesitantly breaks the silence, rubbing the back of his neck. At her nod, he sighs.
"Well... the visit went well." He begins awkwardly. "It's just that... I think it made me more aware of certain things."
"Huh? More aware? Of what?"
Draken hesitates, as if pondering on his next words; what to say, or perhaps how to say it. His gaze wanders to his crossed arms, pensive for a moment.
"I guess I hadn't really realized how dangerous gang life is." He rubs his chin between his thumb and forefinger. "Well... I did know but I hadn't realized it, you know?"
He takes a deep breath before continuing.
"It's not the first time we get in trouble with the cops. We ride together, hold meetings, fight other gangs, get hurt but at the end of the day, it's always fun." He explains, taking a brief pause. "To us, Toman was reclaiming the true essence of gangs and if someone tried to hurt our loved ones, we'd be there to protect them, or at least fight for their honor. I knew there was still a potential threat to the people around us. What they did to Pah-chin's friend is proof alone... but after Pah-chin got locked up it became a lot more real, I guess... Our fights were never about something this serious. I'm worried it might lead to more in the future."
"Lead to more?" (Y/n) blinks questioningly.
"Yeah. More dangerous fights where it's not just about having fun. And... people close to us being targeted. Like you..." He says, before quickly adding. "Or Hina, or Emma... Hell, even Takemichi!"
He sighs. "I'm rambling... Sorry."
"No, it's okay. I get it." (Y/n) nods as the pair sinks into a comfortable silence.
Shyly, she rests her head against his arm, feeling his body stiffen at the contact. Draken is a little taken aback by the sudden gesture, nodding sheepishly at her words. He doesn't push her away, but neither does he really lean into her touch.
"You don't gotta worry about me. I can take care of myself." she says, resolute.
Draken scoffs. "Take care of yourself? What are you gonna do if you get attacked? Throw a can of beans at their head? Or maybe a book?"
"Hey! I can pack a mean punch! Just ask Kiyomasa!" She huffs, glaring at him. "And for your information, it was a can of broth, not beans."
The tattooed boy lets out a lighthearted laugh at her words, nudging her side playfully. The sun has already sunk nearly all the way below the horizon, its dying rays giving place to the dark navy blue of night. (Y/n)'s brows furrow, although deep down she's rather pleased to see him smiling.
"I'm just teasing. You're a nice girl, (Y/n)." He says softly as he regains his composure, gazing at the sun setting ahead.
"And you're an ass, Draken." She snorts. "A stinky one."
The blond scoffs at her words, grinning.
"Oh yeah? Then, next time Mikey farts, I'll make sure he's sat right next to you." He playfully tousles her hair. "Gonna show you what real stink is."
"What?! Don't you dare! If you do that, I'm calling the cops on your ass for attempted homicide!" She argues back.
"Too late. War's declared." He smirks.
"I'll throw a can of beans at you for real." She warns half-jokingly. "And I'll have you looking like a unicorn for weeks on end with the big bump it'll leave."
"Yeah, I'm sure you will, you angry chihuahua. Bet you'll start gnawing at my ankles too while you're at it." He smiles, ignoring the girl's offended expressions. He looks up at the dark sky now littered with stars. "Heh. Alright, enough playing now. It's getting late. Come on (Y/n), I'll drive you home."
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