Hitoka Yachi knew she doesn't deserve her job. She's too shy, timid, naive, and most of all, she has fears, lots of them.

She never understand why did Kuroo chose her. Nevertheless, she decided to do her best.

So, when Sawamura returned to the building with a Golden Cats member, she hurriedly prepared the room to lock the criminal in. Sawamura left to report to their Leader, and now Yachi was stuck inside with the criminal.

He didn't look dangerous. It's true that people shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but even he gave off a friendly aura, which made her trusts him.

"You seemed quite troubled there, Miss. You're alright?"

"Y-Yeah..."

"Ah, sorry. Maybe my status scares you. Although, if I may be honest, I'll say that you don't have to be afraid."

Yachi sighed. Her mother taught her to listen more rather than judging, so she decided to ask.

"... How can you say that, after everything your group has done?"

The man let out a small huff, shrugging slightly with his hands still cuffed behind the chair, "We never intend to kill the innocents."

"But you already did," Yachi replied, "The explosion two months ago? It killed around 20 people, almost all businessman from Wakutani Corporation were dead."

"And only Takeru Nakashima, the CEO, survived? That was all intentional," he replied calmly.

"What are you talking about?"

He chuckled, "Even if I tell you, Yachi-san, you wouldn't believe me. What's the use of it?"

Yachi stayed silent. It was true, no one would believe them. They caused harm and chaos, and no one would want to be on their side.

"Just think it as this, Yachi-san: You hated facing conflicts, and yet you joined the military. Why? Because of your own reasons. Maybe it's for a friend, maybe there's a goal you wnat to reach, or maybe you just feel it was the right thing to do."

Yachi didn't respond.

"We're the same. We have our own reasons, and we have the right to find our own way. Even if it wasn't the best, it is what we choose. What we wish for."

"... Then what's your reason?"

"To take care of a friend."

"Sugawara-san, was it?"

The man nodded, smiling softly. Yachi returned the gesture, sincerely, with a little bit of sadness.

"If only we met in a different circumstance, I believe we could have been friends."

"... I know."

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Kenma wasn't like this before. He wasn't a bad person, he used to be merciful and forgiving. It's not like he was angry.

He was disappointed.

In his parents, who never gave him enough love. For everyone around him, who never cares. For the whole world, who never notices.

But he held back. Until the incident.

His best friend left.

It was frustrating. Kenma couldn't bring himself to hate Kuroo, but he was in rage. He tried his best to forget, he started a new life, and he survived.

At least, it taught him a very important lesson: Everyone leaves.

With a loud scoff, Kenma pulled out a pack of cigarettes, took one out and lit it up with his lighter. As he walked through the alleyways, he couldn't help but to think about Kuroo.

Kenma knows Kuroo. He never changed. Kuroo was that same smart, soft-hearted man. He may seem to be a bad person, but in fact, he's a gentleman.

Kenma let out a puff of smoke, as he stopped at the back door of the Bungalow. He entered the old building, ignoring people's unbelieving stares as he walked further inside.w i

He went upstairs, through the dark halls and many turns, until he reached the residence area, the dorm on the fifth floor. In the lounge (used to be a guest room), Hajime was sitting on the couch, reading a book. Yuu was playing video games on one of the computers, while beside him, on another computer, was Kei, currently editing a video with a scary meaningful smile on his face.

"This place is beginning to turn back into our hideout, huh?" Kenma asked softly.

Hajime chuckled, "Like old times, Kenma. Remember our old 7 and 8?"

Yuu immediately paused his game. "Woah, new topic there. I wanna hear!"

Kei kicked his chair back, away from his desk, as he fixed his glasses. He took a glance at Kenma, who gave him a small nod.

"Before Ryu joined us, there were only 8 members. Kenma-san, Keiji-san, Hajime-san, Kiyoko and I, Koushi, and two other members. Those two were a part of us for a few years, but then they decided to leave with an epic exit," Kei explained, "They were the number 7 and 8. Like you and Ryu."

"...Epic exit?"

"They blew up a firework factory. Killed almost 100 people, not including the injured ones, and also managed to promote us as a gang of criminals. It was a chaos."

Yuu's eyes widened, and he almost jumped out of his seat, "How did they look like?! Are you enemies?! Are they-..."

"They're coming tomorrow, Yuu," Kenma replied, "So you don't exactly have to hear it from us."

"Wait. What for?" Hajime asked this time, furrowing his eyebrows.

"The usual, don't worry."

"Can you tell me more, Kenma-san?"

"I won't explain much, but they're older than me. They called themselves Eagles, and now they sold weapons and sometimes information for gangs and criminals."

"Sounds so interesting!" Yuu exclaimed, "Why did they left, by the way?"

Kenma breathed out more white smoke, crouching down as he began to pet his cat, Pudding.

"They said they're disappointed on us. They said we lack on ambition, and staying with people like us would only bring them down," Kenma calmly said, his expression stayed stoic as those words left his lips.

But Yuu only tilted his head in confusion.

"Weird. I think you're fine just the way you are," he commented, "Just because we are in the same group, doesn't mean we must always have the same ambition or anything, right? Besides, you're the leader here, so we will follow you faithfully. If they can't follow your orders, that means they don't deserve your leadership."

Kei raised an eyebrow, but then he snickered and went back to his work. While Hajime only chuckled without even leaving his gaze from the book. Kenma, however, looked up and stared at Yuu, his lips turning up into a smile.

"Thanks. That means a lot, Yuu."

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