Draken was taken to the hospital.

Once Hina, Emma and I left Takemitchy and Draken, we immediately ran to get help. Returning to the scene, we were relieved to see Takemitchy and Draken both alive and standing. Along with them were a few other guys I had never seen before. None of them were wearing any Toman outfits and just like Hina told me - they were Takemitchy's friends.

The fight had ended. I had no idea what was the result of it and I could not care which gang was victorious at that moment.

Takemitchy, his friends, the girls and I were in the hospital, waiting impatiently out of the emergency room where the nurses were trying to help Draken.

On his way to the hospital, he had a cardiac arrest.

Everyone was deathly scared for his condition and every minute passing felt like an eternity. Emma was crying on Hina's shoulder, who was trying in her best way to reassure Emma that Draken was going to be fine. I would hug Emma and try to give her as much positivity and reassurance as I could, although my heart was beating out of my chest. The boys were extremely worried, too.

H/n called me on the phone, asking if I was okay. He sounded out of breath and tired, but he assured me he was fine. He had gotten scared to death after hearing the trouble that we all found ourselves in. I apologized to him for worrying him and explained the situation as quickly as I could. I was afraid that he would get mad and scold me, but he was very understanding of the situation and thanked me for helping to take care of everyone and that it was not my fault. He was just happy that we were alright.

Obviously, my brother and the entire gang was shaken once they heard about Draken's fatal situation. He told me that Toman was on it's way to the hospital to see how their vice-leader was doing and that we would see each other there.

"TAKEMITCHY!"

We all turned to see there people running towards us. The person in the middle dresses in his everyday clothes was Mitsuya. On his sides were my brother and... Peh in their Toman uniforms. I had no idea what had happened during the fight once I felt, but I could only guess that the issue with Peh was sorted out, considering how he was with Mitsuya and H/n and he looked just as worried. Mitsuya and H/n were mildly injured and a bit soaked from the rain. Pah did not have any injuries.

"How's Draken?!" Mitsuya asked, his voice rough. "Mitsuya-kun! Peh-yan-kun..." Takemitchy spoke, looking worried.

My brother ran straight to me and hugged me tightly. I returned the hug, closing my eyes tightly. H/n held the back of my head close to him. "I'm so so sorry that I left you by yourself." He whispered to me. "H/n it's fine- I'm fine." I reassured him and pulled away, looking at him with a frown. "It's Draken who is in danger."

H/n was close to going insane once he noticed the light bruising and redness around my throat, but we managed to calm him down and I reassured him that I did not even feel it. In fact, I had no idea of the marks around my neck from Kiyomaza until H/n pointed it out for me. My wrist was fine.

Takemitchy was explaining the situation to Peh and Mitsuya in another area of the hospital. Takemitchy's friends, the girls, H/n and I were in the waiting room.

Mikey showed up with a blank look on his face. He started walking towards us. "Mikey..." Emma cried, looking at him. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder before he walked in front of the operation room, staring up at the 'Operation in Progress' sign that was lit up.

"Ken-chin..." Mikey spoke, his eyes narrowed as everybody stared at him. "Ken-chin's always been a man of his word. He's not gonna die here. He'd never do something so disingenuous. He promised me..." He turned back at us with a closed eye smile on his face, hiding his pain and fear. ".... that we'd rule the world together." Mikey said. "So, everyone... Believe in Ken-chin." He slowly sat at the blue couch in the room, resting his elbows on his knees, his smile not fading. "He'll pull through." He promised.

My heart softened and I looked around me, seeing how most people had smiles on their faces. Mikey's words definitely touched everyone's heart, and I felt my heart relax and warm a bit. I exhaled deeply through my nose, closing my eyes.

Waiting felt like an eternity. Thanks to Mikey, the situation had calmed down a bit as his words brought everyone comfort and reassurance of the situation, yet it did not stop the fear and the anxiety.

A 'click' was heard and the sign of the operation being in progress was turned off, indicating that it was over.

A few gasps were heard and everyone, except Mikey immediately looked at the doors. My heartbeat started picking up and I held my brother's forearm tightly. I swallowed hard.

Two surgeons walked out slowly and looked at us.

Everyone was tense and waiting to hear either the best or the worst news come out of their mouths. The atmosphere was tense.

"We managed to save his life." I shivered at that, my eyes softening and my mouth opened, eyes trembling. "The operation... was a success." The surgeon announced.

Peh started sobbing and Mitsuya was tearing up next to him, a smile on his face. Takemitchy's friends gasped in happiness. "HELL YEAH!" Takemitchy yelled out, tightening his fists as he cheered in happiness, tearing up as Peh and Mitsuya smiled happily. Peh was rubbing his eyes with his sleeve and Mitsuya was rubbing his shoulders. Mikey got up and walked somewhere. Emma started breaking down on Hina's arms. "Hina! Thank goodness, I'm so happy!" Hina was laughing and holding her friend. Takemitchy and the boys were cheering like idiots over Draken's success and Mitsuya was rubbing his eyes.

H/n failed to hold back a sob as he sniffed, covering his eyes as he trembled. My eyes grew teary as we and I hugged him, before I walked over to the girls and hugged Emma-chan happily while my brother walked to Mitsuya.

"Shut up, you guys! Let's go let the guys outside know." Mitsuya smiled. "Right!" The boys agreed as they started running out of the building to let Toman know Draken was alive.

H/n smiled at Emma, Hina and I and motioned us to follow. "Girls, come on!"

I smiled and Emma held my hand and Hina's. We were all laughing in pure happiness, not caring about anything at that point as we followed the rest, laughing while Mitsuya, Takemitchy and Peh remained in the building, but we did not pay any attention to them. I thought about Mikey at that moment. He must have been so relieved... I had no idea where he went, but he was most likely outside with the rest.

---------------------------------------------

"Huh, it stopped raining..." Hina said, raising her hand in the sky in order to feel any raindrops.

Hina and Emma took their phones out and noticed the time, Takemitchy sitting a bit behind us. "Oh, no! Look at the time! It's past midnight." Hina exclaimed. "It's already August 4th." Emma said and they started walking somewhere. I was supposed to follow, but I stopped. They looked at me. I gave them a smile. "You girls go on and do your thing- I'll go to my brother and Takemitchy, I'll catch up with you in a bit." The girls smiled at me. "Okay!~" Then, they started walking somewhere.

I looked around to find my brother, but looking back I noticed Takemitchy on the back, who fell on his knees and stared at the sky, muttering something to himself. He started trembling and crying on the ground.

Some loud cheering was heard in Toman, and I could only guess that Mitsuya informed everyone about Draken being alive. The smile and roaring of every deliquent's faces showed the admiration and love they had for their vice-leader and the happiness and relief they all shared of the news. I found myself smiling and I touched my chest where my heart was.

The sight of so many men cheering over their leader being alive, no matter how injured and tired everyone was was a powerful sight. It was clear to me that the bond in Toman was undoubtedly strong.

Mikey was not wrong when he said Toman was a family.

Talking about Mikey, I could not see him anywhere in the crowd. So, I looked back at Takemitchy, who had just gotten up and started walking somewhere.

"Takemitchy, wait-" I called out and ran to him. He let out a hum and looked at me, blinking. He quickly cleaned his tears. I walked at him and smiled, giving him a bow. "Takemitchy... I wanted to thank you." I spoke quietly. "It's all thanks to you. If you weren't there, Draken would-....." I paused, my voice closing before I could say the outcome of the situation. I smiled at him again. "You were amazing back there. You're a hero, Takemitchy." I said. "Also, how is your hand? Because, damn, you had a whole knife pierced through it!" I exclaimed in shock. He raised his bandaged hand at me. "It's alright, I guess... I got it all stitched and bandaged up. The nurses also gave me some antibiotics and whatever other medicine they could for any infections or the pain." He sighed and smiled. "It will all be okay." "You're very brave, Takemitchy. Even if it does not look like it at first impression." I sighed and smiled gently at him. "I can't imagine what could have happened if you weren't there."

Takemitchy blushed and looked away. He gave a nervous smile and rubbed the back of his head with his other hand. "Hey, no need for all that... After all, you were there, too." He smiled at me. "You and the girls helped me out a lot. You helped with the wound and carry him with me. And Y/n..." He looked at me with a genuine, determined smile. "Thank you for having my back back there. You jumped right at Kiyomaza like a badass, but I don't want you risking your life for me ever again." He scratched the back of his neck and he smiled nervously, breaking eye contact. "I felt... I felt terrible and I almost shat myself!" He pouted. "Look at your neck, you got hurt because of me... Are you sure you're okay?" He asked softly in worry.

"Of course Takemitchy, I promise I'm fine." I nodded. "I just acted on instinct, I felt like I had to do something to cause a distraction and win us some time." Suddenly he made a noise and looked at me, changing the topic after realizing something. "Um- b-by the way, have you seen Mikey-kun?" "Mikey?" I blinked. "No, I haven't either. I wanted to find him." Mikey started looking around in different directions and pointed at one in a corner, leading to another side of the building. "How about we search there?" I hummed and nodded, as Takemitchy and I started running together, leaving everyone behind to cheer and celebrate.

"That's weird, I wonder where he went.." Takemitchy frowned and panted softly as we looked around. My eyes then spotted him. "He's there!" I said and pointed at Mikey, who was standing against a wall, his hair covering his face.

"Ah, Mi-" Takemitchy was about to call him, but I quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him back behind a wall the moment I realized that Mikey needed his time to himself.

Mikey slowly slid down on the ground against the wall, sitting down. He held his head low. A few restrained cries and hiccups were heard as he raised his hand to his face. His shoulders were trembling. "Thank goodness." He cried in a trembly high pinched tone, rubbing his face. He raised his head up. He was frowning and his lips was quivering. Tears were running down his eyes.

My eyes softened and my heart clenched in pain to see him this way. It was the first time I had seen Mikey crying. He never did, or at least not in front of others. "Ken-chin..." He cried. He started trembling and sobbing.

I looked at Takemitchy, who was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed.

Mikey relaxed a bit and leaned down, looking at the ground. "Don't make me worry like that, you asshole." Takemitchy smiled gently as we looked at each other. I placed a hand on Takemitchy's shoulder and slowly started dragging him away, after looking back at Mikey who needed his moment. All I wanted to do at that moment was run to him and embrace him, but I had to respect his space and time.

-----------------------------------

Cuddling my pillow closer for comfort did not help me sleep quicker and neither did tossing and turning around my bed all night. Well, to be fair it was around one in the morning, but still. I let out a frustrated sigh as I struggled to find it in me to relax and sleep.

It had been one day already, since the fight with Moebius. Since Draken almost lost his life and was hospitalized. Ever since that, I had a hard time relaxing and focusing on anything in particular. I was still shaken from everything.

I could still feel and imagine Draken's blood all over my hands Draken. I could still hear the sounds of the men yelling and fighting, seeing people getting hurt and punched. I could still feel the andrenaline of helplessly trying to assist Draken with Takemitchy and the girls and how we found ourselves cornered by those traitors who tried to kill Draken. The anxiety, the fear and the agony of waiting to hear the announcement of Draken's successful or failed operation still made my heart beat faster.

I kept trying to calm myself down and convince me that everything was alright. After all, Draken was alive, and so was everyone else.

And no, H/n and I never told Yuri or Harry anything about what happened or me getting entangled with the gangs. We quickly made sure to go home, change and clean ourselves before we could be seen and have them worry sick. Our dads already knew that H/n and our friends were in a gang, but they never knew exactly how serious things were and we would keep a secret what happened. If they learned that I got myself in danger, I'm sure our dads, and especially Yuri would have made the entire Toman drop on their knees and heads.

My mind then wandered to a certain tall man, with the singular golden earring and the hand tattoos. I did not blink as I imagined the scene of his appearance over and over again on my mind. Those crazed eyes and smile as he threatened Toman, Mikey and Draken. The way he held his cigarette so unbothered and the excitement that glinted in his amber eyes as the brawl began.

They way he looked at me and spoke about me.

Did he say anything too.... 'interesting or important'? As far as I remember, no. He simply said something about me not being supposed to be in that place.

Hanma definitely recognized me. He definitely did. I saw it and I felt it in his eyes and his voice once he noticed me.

Hanma definitely did not forget about me if he recognized me so easily. But the way I saw him behave had me thinking.... Did he remember our small friendship in the past and the little things we shared together?

It was not like Hanma and I had thousands of sleepovers and we had never hung out together the two of us anywhere outside. We had some sleepovers, definitely more than ... well, eight or ten, perhaps? I never really counted. But in the time we spent together, we really bonded and he made me feel comfortable around him.

We would spend our time chatting and talking about random things, maybe a bit about each other, things we liked, random memories as kids with friends or bad experiences, we practiced reading and writing together... And of course, I would always lock my bedroom door everytime I secretly let Hanma in, so we could hang out in peace and he could enjoy the homemade food and warm bed as much as he could.

My mind went blank for a moment.

What had happened while I was gone?

Based on Mikey's reaction when Hanma made his appearance, he clearly did not know about Hanma. But Hanma did.

Hanma was 'covering' the true leader of 'Moebius'. Had Hanma always been in gangs without me knowing? Did he switch gangs often or did he decide to take part in it recently? What was the reason that he did? What was he getting out of this?

Was he part of beating Pah's friend and the rape of that girl?

The thought of that made me shiver and clench onto my pillow.

I knew beforehand that Hanma was a troublesome person. I knew that he was known for fighting and stealing and all that even back then. He was always good with me. Maybe only because I helped him and he gained something from me? Either way, he was always respectful and when I left, he promised me that he would never forget about me. That we would be friends and he even brought me a flower and a manga for me, something that he did not have to do at all.

I was afraid that perhaps, Hanma was not a good person anymore. Or at least, he had gotten swayed by the gang and criminal life and became someone disturbing and dangerous.

Maybe someone that was nothing like the Hanma I knew in the past, whether that was the real Hanma or not.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I did not make a single movement to move from my bed at that moment. Someone seeing me in that way, curled on my bed, would have thought that I didn't even hear the knocking from the other side of my window. Only I could feel how my heart jumped in my chest and started to accelerate like crazy. 

With slow, careful movements, I raised myself off the bed and placed my feet on the ground. I pushed myself off the bed, using my hands on my sides on the bed and slowly, with an unreadable look started heading towards the window.

My mind held no thoughts as I pulled the curtains off and stared at the tall, slightly broad back that was facing me, wearing a white shirt, and the back of the silhouette's head.

The sound of me opening the window's definitely went noticed by the figure that was sitting on the tile of my window leaned outwards. His feet were dangling over the edge and he had himself seated comfortably on the other side of my window.

The figure slowly reached a hand towards my way, slowly turning to the side and locking his amber eyes with mine.

"For you." Hanma said quietly with a calm, unreadable expression on his face as he offered a few different, small flowers without their roots that were on his fingers. There were around five maybe, a few tulips, lilies...

I stared at him for a moment, not saying anything before I instinctively, yet hesitantly reached my hand close to his, gently taking them from his hand. Our fingers brushed against each other's.

"....." Both of us remained silent as we stared at each other in pure silence. "Can I come in?" Hanma asked.

Could he be the reason why people had gotten hurt? Yes.

Could he be the reason why Draken was almost killed, even if he was not the one to attack Draken himself? Yes.

Was he Toman's enemy? The enemy of Mikey, Baji, Draken, H/n, Mitsuya and everybody else's? Yes.

Was he my friend anymore? Were things the same between us, despite the whole gang issue? ..... I was not sure exactly.

Would I let him in?

Yes.

I gave him a nod and stepped backwards to give him space. He took it for permission to enter my room, moving his long, thin legs inside my room and pushing himself off the window, now landing on my room and standing up.

I stared at him as he hid his hands on the pockets of his pants and he looked around my room, examining everything with a blank look. I noticed how he had gotten taller than the last time I had seen him. And he looked stronger, although his thin built could give someone the opposite impression. Other than that, he was still just like I remembered him.

"I see a few changes." Hanma said. "I like the new decorations." He commented and gave me a small smile, in his attempt to interact with me.

I looked down at the flowers he gave me and then around my room. I had no idea how to advance in this... 'conversation', or whatever this was. "Thank you."

Hanma's gaze lingered on me for a moment. ".... It's been a while." He began. "You've changed a bit." He gave me a small smile. "Four years passed by quickly, huh? How've you been?"

".... W-Well." I stuttered quietly, crossing my arms over my chest a bit awkwardly, looking around and then up to him. "... You?" I said. "Same."

We both felt the awkwardness of the situation. It was most likely that we had not expected this ... 'reunion' to be this way between us. But I knew exactly why it was going this awkwardly, instead of us being all happy and cheerful to see each other.

"So," I cleared my throat. "... I see... You've been, um.... " I was trying to find a way to sugarcoat my words, but there was no use. ".... getting into gangs. And you're my friends' and brother's enemy now."

Hanma went quiet, but no particular emotion or irritation appeared on his face. He was carefully thinking about his words. "Yeah." He muttered. "Seems so."

"... Can I ask why?" I asked, completely genuine. "Is there a reason why Toman is targeted? A reason why you want with Moebius?" I asked.

He looked out my window, turning his back on me. "I don't have a personal issue with 'em, darling." He eyed me on the side. "Gangs are complicated things. It's my duty to run some shit. Leader's commands and stuff. And... Well, gangs fight for power, money and domination. Our gang, at least." He shrugged.

"... Is this what you want?" I asked with a hint of disappointment in my voice. "You're willing to hurt, kill and rape for all that? Is that the reason you went with such a terrible gang as Moebius?"

Hanma faced me completely. "Darling, I wasn't part of that rape incident." He replied. He was about to try to find a way to excuse the 'hurting and killing' part, but he closed his mouth before speaking again. "Gangs are complicated things. They are not some clubs you just go in and out of easily. It takes a lot of risk to do either of these. And.... I have my reasons for that, but it's not exactly meant to be shared." Hanma said. Because you'll take me for an asshole if I tell you I do this for fun and out of boredom.

I stared down at my feet in silence. "... Y/n." He called my name, making me face him. He slowly started walking towards me.

My breath hitched and my eyes trembled as I stared at him getting closer. I tensed up and closed my eyes when I noticed his right hand reaching towards my face. They opened again and softened the moment I felt his fingers gently pushing some strands of my hair away from my face and forehead.

"Darling," Hanma spoke quietly. "I'm Mikey's enemy. Not yours. I will never hurt you." Hanma replied. He then slowly placed his hands on my shoulders and pushed me to his chest, hugging me. My mouth opened slightly and my heart accelerated again. "I haven't forgotten what you've done for me back then, silly." He grinned for a few seconds, looking down at me. "You're still my friend, remember? I promised." He took a step back from me and pulled his hands away from me. He kept a tiny smile on his face and his eyes were narrowed. "I didn't forget about you."

His smile fell slightly. "Jeez, I made a bad impression on you already." He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Why did our first meeting again had to be during the fight?"

I looked away for a second. He spoke before I could say anything. He grinned at me and ruffled my hair. "You know, you looked pretty cute."

My face grimaced a bit and I felt my cheeks heat up. That earned a huge grin from him. "You brightened my day that moment. I wanted to grab you and squeeze you, but it would be inappropriate, ya know? Especially in front of everyone." He tilted his head a bit. "But why were you there in the first place?"

"... I went with my brother to the festival." I explained to him after I fixed my hair. "But then we .... um, heard that Draken was in trouble and... you know the rest." I spoke quietly. "I didn't listen to my brother or anyone telling me to go home, cause my friend was there and I wanted to make sure everything was okay."

"Reckless." He chukled humorlessly. "Don't do that next time. You can get caught up in a lot of danger. Moebius has broken now, but the members were extreme violent. Not people you should ever deal with. You've heard what they've done." Hanma warned. "I'm surprised I don't see a single injure on you." And relieved.

The images and the pain I felt when my wrist was twisted when I was holding the bat, or the moment when I was being held by my throat appeared on my head. Just imagining this made me want to instinctively rub my wrist and neck.
My neck was still bruised, although Hanma had not seen it because it was covered by foundation, thanks to Emma and Hina's help back in the hospital. I did not want to return home and risk being seen by my dads with a bruised neck. I even told H/n not to tell them.
Either way, I decided not to let Hanma know about the ugly bruising around my neck that I would cover with foundation until it left. Although I could tell him and make him feel shitty after a guy he was 'cooperating' with hurt me.

"Were you the one to tell them to kill Draken?" I changed the topic. When I said 'them', Hanma knew exactly the people I was referring to.

"Well..." Hanma spoke and looked away. "I know you're not a big fan of these stuff, but like I said, it was a command. Personally, killing is not my thing. I find the thrill in the fight itself." He grinned sadistically and looked at his knuckles, but once he noticed my look, he dropped it quickly.

"Look," He began. "I'm sorry for scaring you. And I know you're not happy with whatever that has happened." He then looked at me seriously. "But you need to understand that everybody is serious when it comes to gangs. They're serious and heavy issues. The best thing you can do is keep away. Enemies will not hesitate to target you the more they see you out in the open and use you in any ways to use you against Toman."

Hanma sighed and took another step closer to me. "I came here for you. Not to discuss about Toman or Moebius. Whatever happens with the gangs stay among the gangs. There is nothing you are responsible for or you should do. You'd only get yourself hurt. And I don't want that." He pushed my nose with his index finger playfully. "I missed you." His phrase caught me off guard when he said this.

I was bombarded with a lot of words, and then he threw me off with those three words.

I blinked and looked at him in confusion when I saw him start walking towards the window. He climbed on it and looked at me with a smile. "So? We're good? Still friends? Or would you rather... you know, stop assosicating yourself with me and we drop this, I never appear again?"

"Huh?" I was caught of guard, "I- uh- Hanma-!" I was in a loss of words and got a bit nervous with my words. I looked down at the flowers he got me and I felt my heart warm a bit. I closed my eyes, inhaled and exhaled softly. I looked up at him. "... I understand that I don't have any say in what you do with your life or what happens with the gangs. I get it, I'm just... I'm an outsider in this," I said and then remembered H/n and Mikey's words about me being a family to Toman now. "Sort of."

"I don't like how you're considered to be an enemy to Toman and my family or how Draken almost died because of Moebius. But as long as you don't try to seriously hurt or kill anyone, we're good." I gave him a nod. "We're friends." A small smile escaped my lips the moment I said that, unintentionally. "... You can come over for visits, I guess... Just- I don't want anyone finding out. Especially after everything." I was about to half-joke with him about him never hurting me or threatening me in any way, but I remembered him promising not to do that already.

"But Hanma... How do I know you won't ever try to use me in any way against Mikey?" I asked.

Hanma grinned and his eyes smiled. He seemed excited to hear that we were still friends. "Heehee, you're so cute, Y/n~♡ I just want to squeeze you right now." He then spoke a bit more seriously. "I do have a soft spot for you, darling. I'm disgusted with the idea of doing anything bad to you." His smile fell and his eyes narrowed, as if expression the distaste he was feeling at such thoughts. But he quickly replaced that with another smile. "Well then, in that case, I'm glad we're cool. I'll come by again when I can."

"Wait-" I asked before he could make a move to leave yet. "I know Moebius has been broken now.... But... Are you or any other gang going to attack Toman again?" I asked. He grinned and pushed his index finger against his lips and gave me a wink. "That's not for you to know yet, darling~ Sweet dreams.♡" After wishing me goodnight in his own.... charming way, I watched how he jumped from the tile of the window towards the big tree very close to my window and climbing down, before leaving.

I walked close to the window and stared at him do that. He had his hands in his pockets. I was surprised to see him look up at me. He grinned and blew me a kiss before he started walking away casually. I blushed and slowly closed the window and closed the curtains.

I was standing there in silence, holding tightly onto the curtains and blankly staring at them, wondering if this was all real. The moment Hanma disappeared from my room, it felt like he had never been there in the first place, and if we had never shared this conversation after so long.

Yet, his scent mixed with a soft scent of cigarettes and a slight tint of his sweat were still filled in my nostrils, strong, especially after he pulled me for a hug.

My body and cheeks felt warm as I remembered bow he hugged me and how playfully yet gently ran his fingers through my hair, or played with the top of my head and pushed my nose. How he smiled at me, called my name and called me 'darling'.

I sat down on my bed, holding my rapidly beating heart and breathing softly, closing my eyes at the thought of him.

Hanma was a very strange guy.

And my emotions were all over the place. I felt extremely guilty for all this. Hanma was siding against such terrible people and gang, going all their way to even try to kill someone, and not just anyone. A very dear friend of H/n's, Mikey's, Baji's and Emma's. And Emma's crush. Draken was a wonderful person and nobody would have been able to take it if Draken had died.

I knew that I would not have been this calm with Hanma if Draken really had dies that day. I was sure I would cry, yell and push him away, quite possibly even wish to never see him again.

But he was not. Draken was alive. And plus, it was not Hanma himself who ever held the knife towards Draken.

But still, Hanma was an enemy to my family, my friends and brother.

"I'm Mikey's enemy. Not yours. I will never hurt you."

Hanma told me not to associate myself with the gang life and that anything part of it had nothing to do with me.

And he was right. I was a family in Toman apparently, although it felt weird for me to say that, since I barely knew anyone there in Toman. But that did not mean I had a say in anny matters. I could not tell anyone how to work things, or tell the enemy to 'make friends and peace with Toman because they are my friends' or whatever bullshit. Nobody would listen to me and it was childish of me to expect things to work in my favor by trying to pursue anyone. In the worst case, I could get myself hurt or killed by trying to say anything like that.

Despite everything, I still felt myself caring for Hanma and happy to see him again. I had no control over the positive emotions I got with his playfulness, his smiles and the way he acted around me, which was nothing like how I saw him treating others.

"I missed you too, Hanma."

---------------------------------------------------------

"Ken-chan!"

After knocking the door, Emma walked inside the hospital room Draken had been resting in, with me following behind with a bouquet of flowers that Emma and I had chosen as a gift and wish for his recovery.

Although I barely knew Draken, Emma insisted that I came with her to the hospital to check up on him. Plus, my brother and Emma who had already visited Draken before me told me that he wanted to thank me for the support I provided him with during the Moebius fight.

Draken was sitting on his bed. He was wearing comfortable, light colored hospital clothes and he had been looking outside the window. His hands were placed above the covers on his lap. He turned his head to look at us. He smiled. "Emma, Y/n."

Emma gave him a bright smile and quickly sat on one of the chairs next to him on the bed quickly. "How you been eating well?" Emma was obviously worried over Draken. After the operation he went through, he had been staying in the hospital to a few days to recover. Obviously, he was a bit tired and weakened, but based on Emma's words he was getting better and better each day. Apparently, Emma had been visiting Draken every day for these past... very few days, but I just got to see him.

"It's great to see that you're doing well, Draken." I said with a smile and walked to the bedside table, carefully putting down the bouquet. "These are from Emma-chan."

"These are from me and Y/n! She helped me pick the most beautiful ones." Emma corrected me, smiling at Draken. I gave Emma a look.

Emma-chan, I'm supposed to be your wingman!

Draken closed his eyes for a few seconds, chuckling. "I appreciate your thoughtfulness, girls." I slowly walked next to Emma and sat on her side, looking at Draken. He smiled at me. "It's nice to see you too, Y/n." I stared at him in slight confusion and concern when I saw him slowly pull himself off of the bed. He held the area where he had gotten stabbed and very slowly and lightly bowed down at me. "I wanted to thank you-" "Wait, get back on the bed you're gonna get hurt!" I jumped up quickly, gently holding his strong forearms and really slowly started guiding him down on the bed. He raised his face at me in shock, surprised that I got so worried over him moving and interrupted him thanking me.

Draken started laughing lightly as he let me pull him down and sat. "Relax, I'm okay." He reassured me. I looked at Emma, who had her fingers on her lips and giggled. I slowly sat back down, blushing a bit and looking away. "Yeah, alright.... Well, you're welcome, it was nothing- really..."

"You give yourself too little credit," Draken rolled his eyes at me. "You girls, Hina and Takemitchy risked yourselves to save me. I feel terrible that you got entangled with all this." A warm smile appeared on his lips. ".... You know, I would have been dead if it weren't for you four. I owe you."

Draken was resisting the urge to lean forward and wrap his arms around Emma's and my shoulders and pull us close for an embrace. But it was not like Draken to be so affectionate now.

"Always so generous... Hmph." Emma huffed, crossing her arms and looking away. The annoyed look on her face was not covering her blushing face, though. "You really need to be careful! We were all worried sick!" As quickly as her frown appeared, it got replaced by a cute smile. "You will be forgiven only if you agree to take Y/n and I out once you get out of the hospital. That's how you will repay us."

I looked at Emma with a shocked look. What was she doing? It could have been the perfect opportunity for her to make the first move and arrange a date with Draken, on who she had a major crush on. But why did she invite me? Did she not think that she could go on a date with him, just the two of them? It felt like I could get in the way of the two!

"Hah?" Draken asked in confusion, staring at the two of us with a raised eyebrow. Then, he shrugged. "Alright, deal." I was surprised over how easily he accepted it. It looked like he barely even thought about it.

Emma gave me a happy smile at his response. I blinked at her.

"Man," Draken huffed, closing his eyes an changing the conversation. "Can't wait to get out of this place. I'm bored already."

"Your recovery is more important, Kenny." Emma frowned and crossed her arms. "The knife went really deep." Her gaze softened. "You still need time to recover from this."

Draken noticed her look and he smiled. "The nurses told me that I am recovering quickly and I will be able to go out in no time." He placed his hand gently over the clothed spot where his wound was. "It will leave a badass scar, though."

"Draken!" Emma raised her voice and finger at him angrily. "Don't say that! There's nothing cool or badass about it! You almost died!" Ken laughed at her reaction. "Well? I'm alive. That's badass enough. Right, Y/n?" Draken grinned and glanced at me. "Back me up on this one."

Then, Emma pouted and looked at me with her adorable, amber doe eyes. "Y/n!" She was expecting me to support her.

"Uh...." My eyes kept going back and forth between Draken and Emma, who were both staring at me, expecting me to support one of them.

I scratched the back of my head and laughed a bit nervously. "Well, it's true that... It was a dangerous thing and we need to make sure that you don't... get any similar scars, but it's true that the scar will be badass once it's fully healed?" "Y/n, you traitor!" Emma scoffed and Draken laughed playfully. I couldn't help but giggle, either.

"By the way," I spoke, "Emma, you said Mikey was here, too?" I looked at the blonde girl once I remembered that she mentioned that Mikey was here before we arrived. Draken spoke. "He's at the rooftop. He's probably sleeping or something." Draken mentioned. "But I doubt that, cause Takemitchy was here a while ago and paid a visit to us."

I hummed and slowly got up. "I'll go see how he's doing, alright?" I asked the two with a smile. They both nodded and gave me a smile.

I wanted to see how Mikey was doing. Plus, it was a great opportunity to leave the two lovebirds alone together.

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"Mikey?"

Mikey was standing up the rooftop, his hands in his pockets of his comfortable, everyday clothes. His back was facing me and his hair was swaying in the direction of the soft air, along with his clothes. He turned his face to me and gave me a soft smile. "Y/n-chi."

I smiled softly at him and slowly made my way next to him, looking at the view from the top of the building, staring at the other shorter and taller buildings around, the roads and cars, people, trees and sea. I raised my face up, feeling the air hit my skin and hair and I looked at the sky. It was blue and there were some nice clouds. The sun was bright and warm. I looked next to me to see Mikey staring at me.

No words were exchanged between us. Although it was my intention to strike a conversation with my friend, the moment we locked eyes together, I lost my words.

Instead of the atmosphere being awkward, Mikey's smile widened. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and gently pulled me close on his side and he focused on the view from the top of the building. We both settled in the comfortable silence for a moment.

"I'm proud of you."

I tilted my head at him. "Proud?" "For putting up with all this." Mikey told me, not taking his gaze off of the beautiful scenery. "You must have been so scared." Although the look on Mikey's face looked serene an although he was smiling, I could feel his fingers twitch a few times. "So many scary guys in front of you capable of hurting you, yet you girls and Takemitchy helped take care of Ken-chin for me." He placed his hand on the top of my head. "I owe you." His voice was really soft.

My eyes softened at this as I remembered how Mikey was trembling and crying outside the hospital building by himself once Draken's successful operation was announced.

All I wanted to do at that moment was to have run to Mikey and comforted him, telling him that everything was okay now, but I felt that it was the best to respect his space. Mikey felt way more than he showed. He was just really used to hiding his emotions behind his blank, deep black eyes and his smile.

"You took care of each other and Ken-chin and protected each other when I couldn't." He gently pulled me in for a hug. "I'm sorry." He whispered on my ear. "I wasn't there for you guys."

I hugged Mikey back, slowly rubbing circles around his shoulders. "Don't say that, Mikey." His hold over my own shoulders was so careful. "We managed to do just fine, you saw. Draken is okay and everybody else, too. Please don't feel guilty over anything. You were held back there and you cannot hold the responsibility of everyone's whereabouts and movements or safety." I gave him a supportive smile, although he could not see it. "That's why there's Toman, right? Toman is a family like you said, a team. Everyone is backing up each other. And everyone will be backing you up whenever it is needed, just like you do for everyone. Please don't beat yourself. Whatever happened, happened. Everybody is okay, stop thinking so negatively of yourself anymore."

Mikey's hold on me lessened and he stepped away. He gave me a closed eye smile. "You're amazing, Y/n-chi." I rolled my eyes and smiled, pushing a few strands of my hair behind my ear that the air pushed in my vision. "You charmer."

"I'm serious." Then, he placed his hands inside his pockets. "Hey, Y/n.... Don't get yourself involved with our gang matters, okay?" He gave me a soft smile. "No matter how much faith I have in Toman, we cannot bear to entangle innocent people and family members of our members in this. I get everything you told me, but you saw what Moebius did to Pah's buddy, girlfriend and family. We cannot let anything similar to that happen again."

"But if I never got myself entangled," I spoke, ready to support my actions. "There would be one less person helping Draken. After all, I was helping Takemitchy carry Draken, I patched up his wound, I helped delay the deliquents AND helped the girls call for help. Think about it." I said.

Deep down, I was confident that even if I weren't there, Takemitchy, Emma and Hina would have handled this just fine themselves. That's why I felt guilty making myself sound as if I was the savior of the situation. I did what I could, but seeing how powerful everyone was, and how Takemitchy beared all the pain and almost had himself killed for Draken's sake and almost sacrificed himself.

But I knew I needed to find a way to reassure Mikey and show him that something good came out of me getting entangled and I was not hurt in any way or caused an issue. And hopefully, he would stop feeling so guilty.

Mikey did not respond. Instead, he gave me a small smile and turned his back. "Wanna go buy some dorayaki for us, Emma and Ken-chin?"

I smiled cheerfully and nodded. "Yes!" How could I say no?

Moebius Arc; End

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July 3rd - SUMMER SPECIAL - Part 1

July 14th - NEXT CHAPTER