(A/N: I suggest playing the song above as it's to fit the narrative of this chapter for right now.)

~Keiji POV~

When morning came around, I woke up and looked to get some breakfast, but before I could, I saw that Lala wasn't here.

I figured she was on top of one of the buildings, looking at the sunrise, so I basically cleaned myself a bit, and started walking up to the top of the building, where she was.

As I walked up, I heard some crying.

I don't know what was going on, but I started to pick up the pace as I walked up the stairs. When I finally got there, I saw Lala just sitting down, head down, and just crying.

I immediately went up to her and had to see what was wrong.

Keiji: Lala? Are you okay?

She looked at me with a couple of tears down her face as I sat down beside her and pull her into a hug, just to help her let out the tears.

This was probably the second time I've ever heard Lala cry and I don't really know what happened, but I had to know for her sake.

I want to be there for her and right now, she needs me.

Keiji: What's wrong?

Lala: I worry about Smoky. I just can't see him being around anymore if he keeps this up.

Keiji: I'll talk to him, okay?

Lala: You can't, Keiji. There's no way you can convince him.

Keiji: Is that so?

Lala: Yes.

Keiji: Well, looks like that's out of the question.

Lala: It is.

Keiji: How about you come down with me, and we have some breakfast? I'll cook.

She smiled and kissed my cheek, saying...

Lala: I would love that.

I stood her back up as we walked down the stairs to make our breakfast, one of my all time favorite breakfast dishes, Onigiri.

Onigiri is one of my favorites because of how easy it is to make and it's very tasty as well.

To make it, it's super easy and here's how:

First, I start to wash the rice, 2 1/4 cups. Once the water started to pour out very clear, meaning the starch is all gone, I put the water and rice in the Zojirushi, and let it cook for a total of 20 minutes. I highly recommend to not use Jasmine rice and use Koshihikari short grain rice instead, which is this brand:

Jasmine rice is just gonna be very crumbly while Koshihikari rice is more grainy and his more texture to it.

Next, I prepped the ingredients. Everyone has their own preference for onigiri with kombu, salmon, bonito flakes with soy sauce, and things. It's up to everyone, really, but for my onigiri, I like to go with tuna...

...Japanese Mayo...

...and Kikkoman soy sauce for some flavor.

I drained the tuna, put it in a small bowl, added 2 tablespoons of Japanese mayo, and 1/2 tablespoon of the soy sauce. I mix it all together until it was fully mixed.

After that, I toast three sheets of nori, Japanese seaweed, on an open flame it has a dark green color. Once they're all toasted, I set them aside before I cut them in half and then into parallel slices.

20 minutes later, the rice was done and it was time to mold the rice into triangles.

Growing up, I always used my hands to make the shape because I felt this was more traditional, you know? I want to stay true to my roots.

All I did was that, I let it cool a bit first, wet my hands with water first, then put dab my fingers into the salt, and spreading the salt onto my hands.

After that, I started putting the rice in one hand and started flattening it out, but I left a slight indentation in the middle. I then put a teaspoon of the tuna in the middle, put another handful of rice, and covered it.

Then, I started forming it into a ball and start forming the triangle.

If anyone has a Onigiri molder, just go ahead and use that, but, again, this is Japanese Onigiri, my way, where I put my own touch.

I did the same for the rest of the onigiri and once they were all formed into triangles, I laid out some furikake rice seasoning onto a tray, and started putting the seasoning on the three sides of the onigiri.

After that, I wrap the nori on both sides of the onigiri, and there we have it, Albacore Tuna Onigiri.

It's so simple, a 5 year old could do it. Literally!

Before I served the onigiri, Eri had come by and she was hungry.

I was actually very happy to see her and I bet she would too. Eri sees me as an older brother at this point and it's kinda funny in a way when she's got Smoky as a brother as well.

Eri: Keiji!

Keiji: Hey, how you doin', sweetheart?

She hugged me as I did the same and I could tell that she was hungry.

Eri: Onigiri! You made these?

Keiji: It was would I could make. Go ahead, have one and see how it tastes.

Eri then took one, took a bite, and she was in total bliss!

Eri: So good!

Keiji: You like it?

Eri: Love it!

Lala then came in, grabbed one, took a bite, and she was in total bliss as well, her hand landing on the table and then releasing the rice ball as I took one, and my childhood memories were coming back to me.

It really brought it all back and I thought I had a tear in my eye, just because this was one of my favorite things growing up.

When we were all done with our breakfast, we all went out and just started having some fun as I walked around, just looking to see what I could do here, but then, someone's cart full of vegetables fell.

I stopped what I was doing and I had to help.

Keiji: You're okay?

Person: Yeah. It's just that this cart isn't as good as it used to be.

Keiji: Yeah, I get it.

Person: Wait, you're Hoodlum Squad, right?

Keiji: Yeah, but I'm dating Smoky's sister, Lala. I also try to help however I can as it was my promise to Smoky.

I helped him the rest of the vegetables onto the cart as he looked so grateful.

Keiji: You alright, you got everything?

Person: Yes. Thank you.

Keiji: You bet.

I walked away and saw Lala and Eri just playing. I mean, seeing the two warms my heart because they're just the best kind of people I've ever met. Eri is now like a little sister to me and Lala is just the best girlfriend I've ever had.

Sure, I had a crush on one of the Ichigo Milk girls in Sannoh, that being Shiba from Ichigo Milk, but I'm sure she'll find someone. I know it.

She just needs to keep finding that special person.

Anyway, I saw that Smoky and his friends came along and Eri went up to him with Lala.

I don't know what's going on, but I'm interested, right?

Eri: Smoky! Are you okay?

Smoky: Yes, I'm fine. Keiji.

Keiji: Smoky.

Then, he started coughing a bit as many of his peers came up to check on him, but I didn't think Eri would do this.

She took off her lucky charm necklace she had on and put it in his hand.

Eri: You can have this.

That actually touched everyone's hearts and I actually thought that was so thoughtful of Eri to do that.

Lala: Really? Isn't that your treasure?

Eri: That's why he can have it.

Smoky, feeling touched and almost looked like he wanted to burst into tears, smiled and said this...

Smoky: I'm okay. So...

He took it out of his hand, gently put it back into hers with a smile, and said...

Smoky: ...you keep it. You need it more than I do.

Eri smiled, but then, she started coughing!

Lala: Eri?

Keiji: Eri?

All of us were concerned as Eri was coughing until she wasn't. I mean, I gotta get Eri and Lala out of this place in the near future. It's filled with pollution and I don't either of them to suffer.

When she was done coughing, I quickly turned to Lala.

Keiji: You go on with Eri, I'm gonna talk to Smoky.

Lala: Okay, you come back.

Keiji: I plan to.

We kissed each other's cheeks and I walked with Smoky as he was now concerned about Eri while I was too.

Keiji: Mind if we have a chat, Smoky?

Smoky: Of course. What is it?

Keiji: It's actually something that's between you and me.

Smoky: Okay. Takeshi, Rude Boys, move on out, Keiji and I are gonna talk.

Takeshi: Will do, Smoky.

They all went in different directions with their parkour as Smoky and I walked and had a chat.

Smoky: I see you and Lala are getting along.

Keiji: We've known each other since school, so it's not really surprising. And speaking of which, there's something I've been wanting to ask you about.

Smoky: And what's that?

Keiji: It's this.

I pulled out a box to reveal the ring I plan on proposing to Lala with and when Smoky saw it, he was shocked and smiled.

Smoky: Is it really?

Keiji: It is. I'm gonna ask Lala to marry me in the near future. I don't know when, nor where, but I do want to ask her.

Smoky: Keiji, you really are one of the most kindest human beings I've ever met and to see her happy and how you treat her with love and respect, it really makes me happy.

Keiji: I try to be. I really want to make her happy however I can.

Smoky: Let's go to one of these buildings, and we'll talk about this, okay?

Keiji: Let's go.

We then went up one of the buildings and while we had a mishap with Smoky coughing due to his illness, we kept going until we got to the top.

Smoky: So you want to marry my sister, is that right?

Keiji: Yeah.

Smoky: Conviently, Lala and I were abandoned on the same day, and we stayed together ever since. She really cares and is so sweet to wards everyone, she makes Mighty Warriors look like friends.

Keiji: I can see that.

Smoky: Now, with you wanting to marry my sister, it really brings tears to my eyes, only because of how well you've treated her after a year, but the question is, do you have the heart and the passion to keep it going for the years to come?

Keiji: I can do it, Smoky. You know I can. I love her so much to where I don't want to see her hurt. Do you trust me?

Smoky: I do, Keiji, because you have my blessing. You know when you wanna ask her?

Keiji: Not really. I think I'm gonna wait until the time is right.

Smoky: It's understandable. For now, you head on back, I'm gonna stay up here for a while.

Keiji: Alright, then. Stay strong, okay? I'm praying for ya.

Smoky: Appreciate it, Keiji. I really do.

We fist bumped and I walked down with the biggest smile on my face, but as I got back to Lala and Eri, they were a bit scared of what just happened not too long ago, but then, I was given a call from somebody.

I picked it up...

Keiji: Yeah?

Sarah: Keiji, can you come by the diner? Naomi needs you.

Keiji: Alright. I'll be there in a bit.

I hung up and got to them as I gotta tell Lala that I had to go to work.

Keiji: Lala, I'm sorry, but I gotta go to work.

Lala: Okay. Stay safe.

Keiji: I plan to. Love you, sweetheart.

Lala: Love you too.

We kissed before I hugged Eri and I went on my way. I got on my bike and rode over to the diner, where I saw that Cobra had been waiting for me outside.

I don't know what it is, but I knew for a fact that I had to see what was wrong. Once I got closer, it wasn't Cobra.

When I finally got close, it was Ice.

Something wasn't right as I had to know what was it he wanted.

I got off my bike and started walking towards him with no emotion on my face. I was going to beat him until he gets out of here.

Ice: Oh, if it isn't the incomparable Sandman!

Before I could even get a swing in, I was knocked out by a hit to my head!