~Keiji POV~

The next morning, I woke up to find myself sleeping next to Lala and, like always, she just looked too beautiful.

Instead of laying around all day, I got up and joined Smoky and the others for breakfast, where they were happy to see me. I mean, they may be happy, but I still am not from yesterday.

Smoky: Keiji, you doing alright?

Keiji: I'll be fine.

They handed me a bowl of soup, which I'm okay with, blessed the food with...

Keiji: Itadakimasu. (Thank you for the food)

...and started eating with them.

Smoky: What happened yesterday? Why were you so upset?

I looked at them for a moment, and put my food down as I had to tell them what happened. It's something I didn't want to butden them with, but it's better to get it out before I went insane.

Keiji: Cobra's saying that my loyalty to Hoodlum Squad is being questioned.

Takeshi: Why would he do that?

Keiji: It mostly has to do with me spending time with you guys, but more recently, someone from Mighty Warriors called me.

Smoky: Wait what?

Takeshi: Who was it?

P: Who called you?

Keiji: You know the girl with the black and white fur coat she'd wear all the time?

Smoky: We've seen her before.

Keiji: She's the one who called me and her name is Sarah.

Takeshi: Why would she call you?

Keiji: She was telling me about Ice's plan to take over S.W.O.R.D. with Kuryu and make everyone including us his bitch. Sounded like bullshit to me.

Takeshi: It could be true. There are times where you gotta take a chance, you know?

Keiji: Yeah, but then again, it could be lies. I didn't want to take any chances, so I turned her down. That's why I didn't want to say anything to Cobra and the others because I know they'd be pissed if they found out.

Then, I felt a vibration from my pants and it turned out to be a call.

Keiji: Let me grab this real quick.

Smoky: Go ahead.

I got up, walked out of the building, and answered it, but it turned out to be...

Keiji: Yeah?

Sarah: Can you meet with me? I want to talk to you.

Keiji: Where?

Sarah: Outside of SWORD, same place as last time.

She hung up again as I now had to go.

I walked back in to let Smoky and the others know about it as I am now feeling pissed that I have to meet up with Sarah again.

Keiji: Just got a call from Sarah. She wants to meet with me. Sounds like she's got more information.

Takeshi: We'll go with you.

Keiji: Takeshi—

Takeshi: We have the bikes, we'll keep an eye out for any Mightys out there.

Smoky: I'm willing to lend a few Rude Boys to come with you, in case anything happens. Takeshi, P, Yu, you three go with him, make sure he gets protected. I don't want any Mighty coming over and hurting him.

Takeshi: You got it, Smoky.

Keiji: Grab whatever bikes you have and meet me outside.

Takeshi, P, and Yu went outside as I had to see Smoky. I didn't think he'd do this for me.

Smoky: You don't have to say thank you. We're family. We always look out for each other.

Keiji: Even if I'm not a Rude Boy?

Smoky: Of course. Plus, you're dating my sister.

Keiji: Well, I appreciate it. Stay strong.

Smoky: I'll try.

We fist bumped, I kissed Lala on her cheek, who was still asleep, and went outside to see that Yu, Takeshi, and P were already on their bikes, waiting for me.

Takeshi: We're ready when you are, Sandman!

Keiji: We ride.

I got on my bike, revved it...

Keiji: Follow me! I know where we're going!

We rode off as the three followed my trail. I mean, having these three guys come with me is good because that way if it turns out to be a trap, we'll fight our way out of it.

After 10 minutes or so, we made it over, where I saw the same alleyway as last time, and I saw Sarah waiting for me.

Keiji: That's her. You guys come with me. Watch my back.

Yu: We plan to, Keiji.

We walked over as the three walked behind me, but when Sarah saw me with three of Rude Boys, she was perplexed.

Sarah: Why'd you bring the Rude Boys?

Keiji: I have a bond of friendship with Smoky. If I ever need help, he helps. So what do you have for me?

Sarah: If those three can wait by the bikes, we'd keep it private.

Keiji: No. If I go, they go. So what is it?

Sarah: Some of Mighty are moving into SWORD, looking to infiltrate your homes, and they look to take you guys out.

Keiji: If everything you're saying is real, where's your proof?

Sarah then pulled out some documents from her jacket and handed them to me as I was kinda surprised.

Sarah: These are the plans to take out SWORD. Ice is looking to take out anyone who knows about the plan, Harada, and I suggest you get going. Any more time you and your friends spend here, the more it'll be dangerous.

Keiji: Yeah, no shit. And let me tell you something, dollface, this better be legit because if you're lying, I'll come after you. And if these plans are, I'll consider bringing you to Hoodlum.

Sarah: You know that I want out of Mighty, right? Why do you think I'm giving you all this information?

Keiji: I know the kind of game you're playing, and don't think you're gonna fool me or any of these guys. We know how you assholes operate, and we ain't falling for it unless you're telling the truth. P.

P: Yeah?

Keiji: You got a bag with you?

P: Sure do.

He pulled out a duffle bag as I put the plans in there and walked up to Sarah with a smirk.

Keiji: You know I don't trust you, but I'm expecting what you give me is the real deal, because if it isn't, don't expect me to save you from Ice.

Sarah: Feeling's mutual.

I booped her nose, chuckled, walked away towards our bikes, and we rode off back to SWORD.

However, I had to part ways with them, but we stopped somewhere P can give me the bag so I can give it to Cobra and the others, but they have to apologize to me.

Keiji: P, hand me the bag, will ya? I'm gonna go see Cobra!

P: Um, sure!

He handed me the bag, we fist bumped, and we went our separate ways so I can get to the Diner.

I hate going back after the fight yesterday, but this is something they need to know, and if I have to reveal my relationship with Lala, then so be it.

I also have something in my pocket that will make everyone change their minds and when I give out the story of why I have it, they'll understand.

When I arrived, I parked my bike, got off, and walked inside to see that Cobra and the others were talking until they saw me.

Cobra: Keiji.

Naomi: Keiji!

She ran over from the bar counter and hugged me as I did the same, but I was on business, and that's what I plan on being on right now.

I sat down at the table and folded my hands as I looked to get into it.

Cobra: So you came back.

Keiji: This is my family, and I ain't betraying none of you.

Yamato: It was a pretty hard punch from you. You're really strong.

Keiji: Yeah.

Noboru: Why do you have that bag?

Keiji: I'll get to that in a bit, but right now, there's something you all should know: Lala's wanting to join us sometime.

They were all confused as I was the first time I heard it, but I accepted it.

Cobra: How can she join us when she's Smoky's sister? Just because you've known her for years, it doesn't mean that she'll automatically become one of us. How can you be sure that it'll happen?

Keiji: I'm just saying we should take it into consideration.

Yamato: You really think Lala is going to join us? She's a Rude Boy.

Having enough of that bullshit, I stood up, reached into my pocket, opened up a small black box, revealing this...

...and put the box on the table for everyone to see as they started scrambling over to the table to see what it is.

Dan: Wait a second, what is that?

Tettsu: What's that?!

Noboru: Look at it, it's a ring!

Yamato: Quiet. Let's be quiet.

Cobra: Where did you get that?

Keiji: I came home after going on a date with Lala the other night. I was walking through the neighborhood to clear my head. I saw this for sale at a jewelry store when it was just about to close. It costed ¥55,000.

Cobra: You should've told us that you were actually dating Lala instead of keeping quiet.

Keiji: That's right, I should've told you .

Yamato: So what if you wanted to keep it a secret? You think that there will be guys jealous of the fact that you're dating Smoky's sister as they find out about this?

Keiji: Maybe there are.

Yamato: But what does it mean? This ring doesn't mean anything unless you bought it for a reason.

Keiji: What if I told you that I wanna ask her to marry me in the near future?

They were all excited as Cobra had a smirk about it all.

Cobra: Have you got Smoky's blessing?

Keiji: I'm working on it. To give you guys some context, Lala and I have been together for over a year and yes, I already gave her a promise ring to set this up in the future, but it's all about the timing. And guys, Lala isn't the only girl I've been talking to.

I smirked, pulled out the documents from the bag and set them on the table for them to see.

Cobra: What is this?

Keiji: Documents from an informant I didn't know I'd have.

Yamato: Who is it from?

Keiji: You probably remember that I fought her in the container yard when we stopped Kohaku and I was saving Lala.

Noboru: What?!

Cobra: Are you serious?

Yamato: What the hell?!

Keiji: Her name is Sarah. She's been leaking information to me about how Ice wants to join Kuryu and Jansang to take over S.W.O.R.D. District while the Casino Project is still being held.

Yamato: What did you say to her?

Keiji: I told her it was a bunch of bullshit. I wasn't gonna believe her anyway, knowing where her allegiance lies until she gave this to me to share with all of you. Also, she told me that there will be some Mighty members looking to infiltrate our homes, and try to take us down. So, we should keep our eyes peeled until then.

Cobra: Sounds like a plan.

Keiji: And speaking of allegiance, I suggest you apologize to me. And I'm not gonna lie and say that you didn't hurt me with my loyalty being in doubt.

Cobra: If it makes you feel any better, we're sorry. We didn't know this was happening to you.

Keiji: And I appreciate that. Also, if you don't mind, I'm gonna talk to Rocky and see where we stand. He's gonna need help sooner than later.

Cobra: Go ahead. You're the peacekeeper of SWORD, it makes sense.

Keiji: Yeah.

Yamato: And, Keiji, before you go, you better apologize too.

Keiji: Yeah, sorry I hit you. I didn't like it when you said I was fucking Lala.

Yamato: Understandable.

Naomi: And Keiji. Don't forget about your vest.

She handed to me and I put it on as she hugged me with a smile. I did the same as I really wanted Naomi to know that I wasn't going anywhere again, even though I have to on some times.

When I released, I pat the back of her head as I looked to walk out.

As I walked out, I kissed my hand, put it on Tatsuya's plaque, and walked over to my bike and rode over to the White Rascals' nightclub.

However, the answer I'm gonna get from Rocky is not what I'm hoping to get.