~With Keiji~

I was called to go over to the Diner and have a meeting with Hoodlum Squad about the gang leader committee and when I got there, everyone was just dull.

I mean, no one said a word and just sulking in the fact that we have a few who are not willing to join us in an alliance, even though Murayama says we got his vote on behalf of Oya High.

Then, who walked in really surprised me with her new haircut...

Naomi: Stop sulking, you guys.

Yamato: Shut up, hag.

Keiji: Wanna call her that again?

Naomi: Thank you, Keiji.

Yamato: Wait, did you cut your hair?

Naomi: You just noticed?

Yamato: Yeah. I never did before.

Keiji: Well, it definitely suits you better than the other one.

Naomi: You're so sweet, Keiji.

Keiji: I try to be.

Dan: Why did Rocky turn us down?

Chiharu: He hates being in a herd. Some of his people said he kicked out some members.

Keiji: He's hard to read.

Chiharu: True, and I don't know what happened between them, but I can believe he just kicked them out.

Keiji: Hyuga doesn't believe the Drive exists, but he's certain he'll join us if there's any proof of its existence.

Yamato: How do you manage to work everyone without any conflict? You gotta be on everyone's payroll.

Keiji: I try to keep the peace between everyone. And nowadays, to me, it's better to make friends than enemies.

Yamato: Fair point.

Noboru: We can't do anything now, but if that flash drive gets out, the country's in trouble. It'll destroy Kuryu and the Casino Project will be dropped.

Keiji: Dropped harder than the leaders' moms dropping them down a flight of stairs.

Everyone laughed but I knew that we had to be serious.

Noboru: In all seriousness though, that should convince Hyuga. We have to wait for Kohaku to expose it.

Yamato: In any case, it doesn't change what we have to do. Protect the neighborhood.

Keiji: I'm gonna go talk to Rocky. He and I are on good terms right now. He trusts me more than I trust him.

Cobra: Hey, Sandman, you need to stay here.

Keiji: Why is that?

Cobra: You've been out so much yesterday. Why were you?

Keiji: Just wanted to go for a ride, clear my head.

Cobra: Are you sure that's what you were doing?

Keiji: I'm positive. Riding the bike really works wonders for me. Is there something wrong with that?

Cobra: There isn't, but something tells me you're not being truthful, and your loyalty to Sannoh Squad is in doubt.

Keiji: Why are you doubting my loyalty to this group? I've been here since the beginning, and now you wanna question where I stand, especially when you gave me more leeway to work with the other gangs?

Yamato: It's everyone else or us. Pick a side.

Keiji: How can I pick a side when I literally pledge my loyalty to you? You're my family, why would I wanna turn my back on you?

Cobra: You're never here for us when we need you. You're spending time with Rude Boys and not giving one luck of a fuck about us.

Naomi: Stop it, Cobra. Keiji is loyal to us. And you see that plaque on the wall?

Naomi then pointed at the plaque of Tatsuya that I hung up, and that was going to be proof enough that I am loyal to the group, but then again, I'm considering about leaving to do my own thing.

Naomi: He made that plaque, hung it up himself, and made his personal mission to make sure that I was taken care of forever. Do you not realize how loyal he is? If Tatsuya were here right now, he would tell you to stop ganging up on Keiji.

That is true.

Tatsuya, rest in peace, was someone who I considered an older brother and he deeply cared about his friends and family, even his own little sister.

Keiji: Naomi's right. And you see this cross I have on my vest? This is my way of paying homage to him and staying loyal to this club.

Cobra: If you really are loyal to us then why do you spend time with Rude Boys so much?

Keiji: Because of a promise I made to Smoky. Not only that, Lala happens to be my best friend since school, so she definitely played a part in keeping that relationship in sync.

Yamato: Alright, "Lala this" "Lala that", shut up.

Keiji: How about you shut up?

Yamato: Let me ask you a question, Keiji, and be honest with us: are you fucking Smoky's sister?

I had enough and punched Yamato in the jaw!

I then went on the attack and kept punching him until many members came over to break us up, but I wasn't having it.

I was choking my own friend who I've grown up with with both hands and not giving up. I hated what I was doing, but I was furious with what he just said.

Eventually, I was broken away from them until I was away from them while I saw that Naomi was horrified.

Keiji: I sacrificed my own body for this group, and yes, I did some stuff on the side, but I never turned on you! If this is what you think of me after all this time in Hoodlum Squad...

I took off the vest and threw it down as I was just gritting my teeth.

Keiji: ...then fuck all of you!

I then stormed out, walked over to my bike, revved it up...

Naomi(voice cracking): Keiji! Keiji, don't go!

...I rode off without hearing Naomi yell for me.

I didn't care anymore. If that's what my family thinks about me, then fuck 'em. I'm not gonna waste my time with a bunch of traitors.

I know where my loyalties lie and that's with Sannoh Squad. And sure, I helped Rude Boys and other gangs from time to time, but I never turn my back on my real family.

Hoodlum Squad is everything to me and for them to think I'm turning my back on them really fucking hurts.

I may be with no family now as I had to call Lala and ask her if I can come by. I know it's hypocritical of me to say that, but given the circumstances right now, it's only fair to call her.

I dialed the number and she picked up.

Lala: Keiji?

Keiji: Lala, can you ask Smoky if they got a bed to spare?

Lala: Why is that?

Keiji: I'll tell you when I get there. It's just hard to explain right now.

Lala: Okay. We'll see you when you get here. I love you.

Keiji: I love you too.

I hung up and just rode my bike over. I was really looking back on the memories I had with those guys, and for them to turn their back on me, it really hurts.

It hurts so much that, I'm man enough to admit it, I cried.

I haven't cried since I've heard the news on Tatsuya's death, which hit me so hard since he was an older brother to me, but with everyone in my family not wanting me to be in Hoodlum Squad again, it's overwhelming for me.

When I finally arrived, I saw Lala waiting for me with a smile, but then she realized that it wasn't funny and dropped it.

I got off my bike and started walking towards her with no smile on my face as tears were rolling down my face.

Lala came up and checked on me, but she hugged me before I could let it all out.

Then, I saw Takeshi, P, and Smoky come out, but Smoky looked AWFUL. His hair is all grey and he almost looks like a skeleton!

I was brought over to the three as I was welcomed with open arms, but I really didn't want to hug Smoky because of his terminal condition and he could be fragile. Takeshi, on the other hand, patted my shoulder and followed me with Lala.

If I'm gonna be a member of Rude Boys, then so be it.

Like I said, I never turned my back on Hoodlum Squad while I did some stuff on the side.

They brought me over to the spare bed they had, which conveniently was next to Lala's, I laid down and cried myself to sleep.

~Lala POV~

Seeing my boyfriend upset is just something I hated to see. I bet he didn't want to talk about what happened and I don't blame him at all.

Smoky: Lala.

Lala: Yeah.

Smoky: Are you two together?

Lala: Would it hurt you if I say we are?

Smoky: No. In fact, I'm not really surprised about it. Your chemistry with him is something that I really like. Knowing that you two have known each other for a long time, it was meant to happen either way.

Lala: Are you okay with it?

Smoky: Of course I am. I want you to be happy.

He then started coughing again as it turned out to be blood. I gave him a tissue to clean the blood off his miuth and hand as he cleaned himself up.

I hate seeing Smoky like this as well. First my boyfriend, and now him.

Smoky: I'm gonna rest too.

He then laid down as I decided to lay down next to Keiji and sleep next to him.

Before I closed my eyes, I gave him a kiss on his cheek and snuggled up to him.

I love him so much, and I really want to know what happened when he gets the courage to tell me.