Chapter Text
05
Debts and dates
Walking alongside Mikey, Kazuki found herself in a world painted by the interplay of light and darkness, as the golden glow of the streetlights reached out to caress their figures, casting elongated shadows that seemed to trace their every step. The two strolled through the night's embrace, the streetlights casting a warm and inviting aura on their towering silhouettes. Following Mikey's lead, they made their way to a nearby gas station, where his bike rested after a pit stop, a favour called in.
Amid this unhurried journey, Kazuki's phone remained unrelenting, buzzing ceaselessly since they departed from the shrine, rather a disturbing distraction for their rowdy journey—For the past ten minutes, Mikey had playfully pestered Kazuki with a barrage of trivial yet undeniably bothersome questions.
"How old are you, Bitchy?"
"Say, Bitchy, what's your favourite colour?"
"I heard Baji is your classmate, is that true?"
"Don't tell me you have a boyfriend, Bitchy?"
It had been an interview, almost, if not for her constant shushing and clever topic changes, then perhaps she'd have rambled on every detail of her life to him already. Kazuki'd answer on occasion, but if she didn't feel like it, she'd talk about something else, but she couldn't help but decide her mouth wasn't worth tiring. Among them, mothers guided strollers with their precious cargo, children donned in snug attire braved the crisp air, and youthful individuals strolled alongside their pets on a night walk. And she couldn't help but cringe at the fact a stranger or two must've looked at them and thought they were a couple.
Her phone rang it's loud tune again, and she ignored it, letting it ring endlessly. Mikey's exasperation was palpable, his brows furrowing in annoyance as the jarring notes of her phone's persistent ring cut through the air once more. His lips tightened in a mixture of impatience and bemusement as he watched her ignore the call, letting the incessant ringing continue unabated.
"You didn't answer the question, Bitchy! Do you have a boyfriend?" Mikey pestered, his restless energy causing him to hop from one foot to another as they ambled along the pavement.
"Stop calling me bitchy! I have a name!" retorted Kazuki, a playful grin tugging at her lips as she playfully scuffled her slippers across the road. He might have been incessant, but there was no denying his ability to keep her entertained. A girl would be a fool to brush his childishness in irritation.
Just as her phone's clamour subsided, it erupted into sound once again, the ringing resonating throughout the vicinity. With an eye-roll of exasperation, Kazuki decided to do something, finally, powering it down and declining the call, the caller ID revealing the name "Hitaro."
Mikey pivoted on his heel, his back now directed towards her as he walked in reverse. His blonde hair, an enchanting cascade of half-up half-down strands, flowed mesmerizingly, its ends gracefully brushing just above his shoulders. As he playfully confronted her with a sly grin, his features partially obscured by the shadow he cast, he challenged her relationship status with an inquiry drenched in a mixture of mischief and curiosity. "Does that mean you're single, Zuki-ne ?"
Her smile vanished as swiftly as it had appeared, replaced by an abrupt seriousness that settled over her features like a passing cloud. The spark of amusement Mikey had provided seemed to dim, now replaced by a sense of irritation. A sigh escaped her lips, her shoulders betraying a tense posture. "Don't call me that," she stated firmly, her voice carrying an undertone of exasperation.
Once more, her phone sprung to life with its persistent ring.
Unfazed, Mikey had resumed his forward-facing stride, his pace now steady. "Why don't you answer your phon eeee? " he playfully whined, his nose scrunching up in a gesture of mock complaint.
"People just can't resist my absence! I don't blame them!" Kazuki quipped, a self-assured grin playing across her features.
"Psh, liar!"
"Me? Liar? You told your friends that I crashed into you!" exclaimed Kazuki, her hands jokingly crawling onto Mikey's next to strangle him.
"Hmph!" Mikey had almost admitted to it, but perked up upon realizing something. "My grandpa is at home, bitchy-ne!"
Kazuki's gaze snapped back to him, a sly smirk dancing on her lips. "So? You gonna make excuses now?"
"No! How am I supposed to get the girl if I do—!"
The unmistakable rumble of an engine cut through the banter, abruptly seizing Kazuki's attention. She turned to locate the source of the distinct sound, but as her eyes locked onto the approaching vehicle, an expression of mixed emotions washed over her. The Nissan Silvia S15 Spec-R, bedecked in its signature red and blue hues, coasted to a gentle halt at the curb. The stickers on the car were all too recognizable to dismiss:
The gradual approach of a Nissan Silvia S15 Spec-R, its paintwork a striking blend of red and blue, drew Kazuki's attention as it coasted to a halt by the pavement's edge. If it weren't for that particular and distinctive colour combination of the car, perhaps her reaction wouldn't have been so immediate, yet here she stood, her demeanour fraught with unease. The stickers that adorned the car were all too familiar to overlook:
A "send nudes" decal boldly adorned the car's hood, its white font playing against the gentle illumination of the streetlights. Above the windshield, spanning from one side to the other, the characters 起死回生 glowed in prominence—a prominent Kishi Kaisei, translating to "Wake from death and return to life."
And not to be missed, the audacious number plate in its blue and white hues: HTR 000.
How did he find her this quick?! It has merely been a day since her escape, and now they had sent Hitaro after her. How quick did it take to climb over their fences? If he was here, then father wouldn't take so long to send his men after her either.
The question reverberated in Kazuki's mind, a mixture of shock and frustration tightening her grip on Mikey's forearm, her nails inadvertently biting into his skin. Urgency demanded their departure, overriding any concerns about her grasp's intensity. Silencing Mikey's protests with a fierce shush, she propelled him forcefully toward the park's perimeter, veiled by hedges and discreetly nestled beside a refuse bin.
Mikey, caught off guard, ended up seated unceremoniously on the unforgiving concrete, the chill seeping through his clothes. Meanwhile, Kazuki positioned herself between his legs, her own eyes wide and breath hurried in the midst of the unfolding turmoil.
A faint blush tinged Mikey's cheeks as he avoided her gaze, his attention diverted elsewhere as if fearing the sight of something he wasn't prepared to confront. "I wanted it to be romantic, Kazuki, but if you insist—!" His words trailed off, a mixture of embarrassment and exasperation in his tone.
She clamped her hand over Mikey's mouth with a tight grip, determined to stifle any potential for him to utter something ill-timed. Loosening her grip was out of the question; the risk of his imprudent words was too great for her to entertain.
As the car's doors shut with a resonant thud, Kazuki's heart seemed to echo in her ears, her own breath suspended in her chest as if any sound could give them away. The reverberating thud signaled Hitaro's arrival, and a shiver of dread coursed through her. Her lips pressed together, teeth sinking into her lower lip to suppress the sound of her heavy breathing.
Hitaro's boots reverberated on the concrete, revealing his advancing presence to Kazuki. His scoff hung in the air as he retrieved a flip phone, dialing her number once more. Raising the phone to his ear, he hardly held any expectation of a response. The prospect of her picking up now seemed as improbable as asking for divine intervention in finding an instant girlfriend.
However, his ears pricked up at the distant sound of her Nokia's ringtone, its melody reverberating throughout the surroundings. He didn't actually expect her to be here, why would she be here in the first place? In a public park, at night, alone. Perhaps it was a good idea to hide amidst the crowds, but spotting a homeless person wasnt difficult at all, no matter where she hid.
A shiver coursed through Kazuki's frame at the piercing ring of her Nokia, her breath escalating into a frantic rhythm she hadn't foreseen. Caught in a dilemma, declining the call might unwittingly unveil her presence, and Hitaro's determination wouldn't waver until he located her. Yet, allowing it to ring could divulge her exact location to him. A sense of urgency gripped her, and her best course of action seemed to involve destroying the phone and escaping with Mikey.
“Kazuki?” Hiro called, his voice loud compared to the incoherent chatting of the crowds. “Mio!?”
Summoning her resolve, Kazuki sucked in a breath and forcefully brought her foot down onto her phone, but the Nokia proved more resilient than anticipated. Frustration mounting, she stomped on it again, her efforts in vain. With the footsteps drawing closer, a surge of desperation impelled her to seize the phone and hurl it at the distant tree, a last-ditch attempt to distance herself from the encroaching danger.
A silent understanding passed between Kazuki and Mikey, a shared glance communicating their next move. Without hesitation, they scaled the fence and bolted in the direction opposite to where her phone had been thrown. Their feet pounded the pavement as they sprinted, the distance stretching out for several miles until exhaustion began to catch up. But bolting in slippers proved to be quite an equal challenge.
Kazuki yelped at her bare feet brushing along the pavement, as the lack of the soft surface under the soles of her foot had flung off her toes and behind them. She had froze, slapping a hand over her mouth. Mikey had taken it upon himself to return and snatch her slipper before grabbing her wrist and pulling her with him further away from the park.
Hitaro plunged into the hedges, his urgency was evident in his actions as he kicked the trash bin over in his pursuit. His gaze honed in on the glinting object lying amidst the debris—the once-pink phone now sprawled on the ground. Its wires protruded from its edges, and the SD card jutted out from its back, a peculiar sight that sent a shiver of unease down his spine. The unmistakable K sticker on the phone's lid provided a telltale clue, linking it undeniably to Kazuki. But confusion clouded his mind—why was her phone here while she was not? Kneeling, he seized the SD card, gripping it tightly in his palm as a perplexing realization unfurled before him.
As the foggy veil lifted, revealing the gas station in clearer moonlit view, a meticulously maintained CB250T motorcycle stood gleaming on the side. Bathed in the soft moonlight, it gleamed readily to be ridden, with a full tank and new tires. Mikey swiftly straddled the bike, his heavy breaths blending seamlessly with the engine's steady rumble.
"So," he managed to pant between breaths, "Bitchy, do you have a boyfr—!"
"Ass! Do you never run out of saliva?!" Kazuki retorted, irritation lacing her words as she climbed onto the motorcycle behind him. She muttered disjointed farewells to her lost phone and her lamented unextracted SD card. Her brother had managed to find a way to leave home, and if he did, then their father could as well. It had only been a matter of time until she would be hunted by the police too. After all, how precious was her father’s prodigy of a daughter to the company? She had to be more careful if she wished to deal with her family, the police, and now that damned Moebius.
As they rode through the streets of Tokyo, Mikey had been well versed in his nonchalant chit chats, as Kazuki sat down on the bike, holding on for dear life, deep in thought.
She didn't know what she had expected from Mikey, maybe a small apartment with his family to live in, but instead, Kazuki had hid behind a bush near the entrance to his family's compound. It was neat, homey and large, very much open in the air with much space to breathe, unlike the house they had back at the edge of Shibuya. And despite the size difference between Kazuki and Mikey's house—In comparison, Kazuki's huge house proved hollow, cold and restricted. Mikey's had been perfect: it was the perfect home, spacious but warm, something she lacked back at home.
Mikey had left her in a bush to the side of his house, whilst he snuck into the front door of his private room and instantly met his grandfather face to face. The lights were on and his old man sat on his couch, awaiting him with arms crossed over his chest. "Manjiro… I'm surprised you even came back home at this hour," His grandpa croaked, the irritation practically oozing from his tone.
His grandfather stood, and grabbed a hold of his ear, patting his bare chest. "Oh! What did I tell you kids about going outside in the cold half naked! Have you even had dinner yet?" He clicked his tongue and shook his head, before muttering a soft goodnight to Mikey.
Once he was out, Mikey stuck his head out of the window to the side and smiled at Kazuki, who was relentlessly scratching at her skin, ridding off the leaves on her clothes. She grabbed her backpack and shoved it inside, at his face, before taking a step into the room through the window, but not before hitting her head on the solid rims.
Once she had finally got into his room, she fell to her knees and groaned. "Ugh, finally."
"Sorry for my gramps. He doesn't like that I'm a delinquent." The way he apologized sheepishly did not sit well with Kazuki, it could have been much worse. What was there to say sorry for?
Mikey removed his shoes and threw it under the shelf near the door. Kazuki followed suit, shoving her slippers near the door and jumping on his huge, fluffy bed. It had been modern, with gray rimming and a wooden headboard. The mattress wasn't the softest, but it wasn't as squeaky as Mitsuya's couch. The sheets were obviously newly changed and smelled of apples and baby powder. It had been a much more innocent twist to her bed which smelled of velvet and ice cream.
"Hey, Bitchy! Move over!" Mikey had catapulted from his couch and landed straight beside Kazuki, almost trampling her if she had not moved in time. With a body pillow in his arms, he sprawled beside her, nor seemingly caring about her gender.
Irritated, Kazuki had kicked his foot. "Stop calling me bitchy!"
"What do you want me to call you?! If not bitchy! If not Zuki-ne! Then what?"
Kazuki rolled her eyes. "Kazuki! Like any sane person would call me!" She watched as he grabbed his body pillow and dragged it to the edge of the bed, near her feet. Mikey then trudged to the light switch and switched the light off. He then pulled his toman uniform off and Kazuki's eyes hadn't widened any more than it did now.
"Ass! Don't get the wrong idea!" Kazuki threw a pillow at him, to which he caught swiftly whilst he unbuckled his belt with only one hand.
"Geez, Bitchy-ne! I didn't know you liked me so much!" Mikey mocked, taking a pair of pajamas and slipping the sleeves onto his arms. Scowling, Kazuki rolled over to face the opposite side, pulling the blankets on her body, covering all but her head.
Silence took comfort in the room, with nothing but his faint shuffling and the song of crickets singing in the distance. Kazuki shut her eyes, for hope the aching in her back would go away. He wouldn't try anything funny, right? Sure, she had quite the courage to take his place in his bed, and demanded for him to sleep elsewhere in his own home, but surely he'd respect her right?
The sudden shifting on the bed had caused her eyes to flutter open once more, but instead of beside her, his head rested opposite to her feet. He was generous enough to give her his bed, but not quite enough to sleep on the couch instead. It'll do. She thinks.
And in the stark moonlight, only the shallow breaths and whispers of their dreams sounded softly in Mikey's room, with not much thought to what was in store the very next day.
" Kazuki!"
The girl swatted all that she could of the incessant fly that buzzed around her ear, as she tugged on the blanket as it was pulled off of her. What a great fight this fly had kept up, and what great resolve did this fly have to pester her. Moaning with a frown, Kazuki tugged her hardest at the blanket to shield herself from the sudden cold, to warm her bare shoulders the breeze had kissed.
"Kazuki!"
Now how strong this fly was, to be able to shake the bed. The mattress trembled, and so did her shoulders, the fly's grip sticking to her shoulders and wiggling her shoulder around. It's whispers got louder and it's buzzing undeniably irritating. What did this fly want so badly it needed to disturb her sleep?!
"Kazuki!"
All the air seemed to have knocked out of her lungs when the mattress she had given herself into had vanished in a mere second—that, or some ridiculous imbecile had knocked her off of it. Her back snapped as her side rolled onto the wooden floors with an echoing thud. For all that was good and glorious, nothing was good about her morning, neither was there anything glorious about a sleepless night beside a snoring maniac who coddled the blankets cruelly.
Hands pushed her under the canopy of the bed and wrapped her in a comforter in hopes of concealing her presence. "What," A feminine voice called from the door frame. The blonde girl made her way into his room and exasperatedly eyed Mikey's form that lay on his bed, phone in hand with a sheepish smile. "Is taking you so long?! Gramps' waiting for you at the table!"
Mikey had shrugged, giving an odd closed-eye smile and chuckling sheepishly. "Oh, you know, boy things. You wouldn't understan—!"
The body he so desperately worked to hide under his bed had appeared to have rolled from underneath and groaned, rubbing her eyes and stretching her limbs. She had flipped over her curtain of black wispy locked and the blues that cascaded in stripes between them, though she was given no respite as a familiar blonde girl made her way across the room.
" Boy things? You have a girl over!" She yelled as if it wasn't the most obvious thing. It had been clearer than day: Mikey arriving home late at night, the loud chitter from his room in the middle of the night, the two pairs of snores, one high and one low, and of course, the hassle of which he wouldn't come to eat breakfast! "Fuck! Why didn't you tell me you hooked up with the girl last night!"
"Emma!" He seethed through gritted teeth. "Be quiet—!"
"I could hear you two from a mile away," Their grandfather had appeared in the doorway, his hands kept to the front, and his pajamas swaying in the open breeze. He clicked his tongue, eyes roaming from his granddaughter to his grandson. "How many times must I call you to eat ?"
Kazuki had slowly ducked under the covers and slid beneath the bed in hope her presence had not come to be obvious and distracting, and even prayed his grandfather had remarkably poor eyesight to have not seen her. But it seems the blessings she had prayed for last night, and till the morning, have been answered by Satan.
"Now. Let's eat." Their grandfather smiled and turned on his heel, making his way out of Mikey's room. "And invite the pretty young lady to breakfast! We're having bacon and eggs."
Mikey and Emma snapped their attention back to Kazuki, whose body was well hidden under the bed, but whose leg had been sticking out from the bottom of the canopy. Preparing for the worst, Mikey had dragged her out from under, and Emma had been trying to quietly snort by herself in the doorway.
Breakfast had been quite the endeavour. The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow upon the breakfast table where an ensemble of personalities had gathered. The four of them sat, each to their own reactions to the encounter, staring each other down and awaiting the first person to speak after their few minutes in silence. Mikey's grandfather presided over the scene, his weathered countenance a quiet observer of the relation and new acquaintance his grandson had seemingly invited into their household.
Emma did a terrible job concealing her discreet fascination, her gaze subtly alternating between Mikey and their grandfather. Her utensils moved through her meal at a measured pace, as if she were deliberately prolonging each bite to savour the unfolding drama. The blonde had been familiar indeed—Kazuki recalled her presence at last night’s meeting, taking care of Takechi’s girlfriend, if that was even his name at all. Who would've known she’d be Mikey’s sister, after all, she wasnt as exhilarating as her brother. Her attention oscillated between Mikey's unease and their grandfather's attentive scrutiny, a silent observer of the tableau that had captivated the breakfast table.
Beside her, Mikey seemed somewhat ill at ease, his demeanour marked by an awkwardness that manifested in his hasty consumption of food, avoiding the penetrating gaze of his grandfather. Kazuki’d never thought the president of what they claimed was one of the strongest new forces in Tokyo, would have a soft spot for his grandfather, but then again, they were family.
While the blame for the whole situation could be squarely placed on her, Kazuki maintained an air of nonchalance. Her utensils clinked against her plate with a distinctive rhythm, a backdrop to the unfolding scene. Her eating pace was steady and composed as if the drama didn't affect her in the slightest. It was as if she was accustomed to situations like these, the ebb of silence around the table a natural part of her family household. Tense meal times were common at home, especially considering Hitaro's absence during his time in New York.
Silence reigned until Emma disrupted it, her curiosity getting the best of her. "Okay, but like, did you sleep together or—?"
"Emma!" Mikey's disapproving glare was swift.
"Come on, Manjiro, what kind of manners do you have with your guest? A pretty lady, no less," Grandpa Sano chimed in, his tone gentle but laced with a hint of amusement. His lips perked up into a kind smile, sending Kazuki a closed eye smile, it seemed to run in the family. He turned to her and asked, “Uh what is your name?”
“I’ll… totally leave if that's what you wan–,”
"Ha, nonsense!" Mikey's grandfather chuckled, his kind gaze settling on her. "Our boy Manjiro just conveniently forgot to mention we've got a guest! So, what's your name?"
"Kazuki, sir."
"Oh, call me Grandpa Sano, Kazuki what?"
"Nishikawa, sir-grandpa." Kazuki had shifted in her seat, finishing the last of her meal and sharing a devious look with Mikey, who had been pouting beside her.
"I see," he replied, his response layered with a tacit awareness. She might have assumed he was acquainted with her family name—the prominent car corporation that had skyrocketed to success in a remarkably short span: Red Light Tokyo. However, one wouldn't naturally expect someone of his age to be well-versed in the nuances of current events.
"Well, um, Kazuki, I'm afraid we don't have a spare room. Would it be alright for you to stay with my granddaughter for a while?"
"Of course, sir." After Mikey and Emma excused themselves to get ready for school, Grandpa Sano and Kazuki remained at the dining table for a chat. She recounted the tale of how Mikey ended up indebted to her after crashing into her car and not compensating her, sharing more stories as well. Slowly but surely, a bond formed between her and Grandpa Sano. Relief settled in Kazukis's chest, a warm bubble filling her chest with much delight.
Amidst their conversation, Mikey impatiently intervened, pulling her from her seat and urging her to get dressed. Kazuki complied and bid a farewell wave to Grandpa Sano before following Mikey's lead. “Where are we going?” She gritted between tight lips.
She descended down the front porch of their house, as Emma shut the door behind them and followed close beside her and Mikey. Kazuki donned a vibrant red blouse, characterized by its short sleeves and a front button-down design. The upper portion of the shirt boasted a snug fit against her torso, while the lower portion subtly flared out over her waistline. Admittedly, the pants she had shoved down her bag didn't quite fit well and needed a belt to keep it up. Her light blue denim jeans with their frayed hems at the ankles, imbued an edgy flair into her overall look. And though it was not quite her style, she didn't have much choice at all.
“I don't know, bitchy! Don't you have any friends?” Mikey had chimed, clad in an oversized black off-the-shoulder sweatshirt, his white under tank showing. It seemed Kazuki wasn't the only one skipping class then.
Kazuki scoffed, "I've got more than you can count." Well, in truth, she could count them on one hand: Yuzuha and... Hitaro? But whatever, the number of friends she had, or didn't have, didn't really matter. And neither did her mismatched slippers, standing out like a sore thumb amidst her already chaotic outfit.
Emma playfully flicked Mikey on the forehead before gracefully twirling over to Kazuki's side. "And now I'm one of them," Emma asserted, arms crossed in mock seriousness. “I’m Emma! Mikey’s sister!”
A frown creased Mikey's face as he rolled his eyes, quipping, "Aren't you supposed to be in class? What happened to being a model student, huh? I think you're late!" With an impromptu grasp of Kazuki's hand, he whisked her away in a hurry, bidding Emma a hasty farewell before she could retort. The two dashed off, leaving a slightly disgruntled Emma standing there, clutching her bag—running wasn't exactly her forte. Rather than giving chase, she simply flipped Mikey off and turned the corner, beginning her brisk walk to school.
Caught in the whirlwind of Mikey's enthusiasm, Kazuki's confusion was palpable. As they raced away, she stole a glance at Mikey, witnessing the broad smile that stretched from ear to ear despite his panting. Although she could keep up with him, she had essentially been pulled along by his momentum. By the way, Mikey’s hand squeezed hers, the incident triggered a memory, transporting her to a different time, one where running hand in hand had held a different significance—one that felt foreign yet oddly familiar.
The distant wail of sirens echoed through the air, serving as a discordant backdrop as the two youngsters raced forward, their hands tightly intertwined. Despite the sweat that formed due to their hurried getaway, their grip remained resolute, one holding onto the other with a fierce determination. "Damn it! Run Faster!"
Gasping for breath, Kazuki abruptly ripped her hand away from his grip and hurriedly adjusted her slippers. Her unexpected withdrawal caught Mikey off guard, and the sun's brightness accentuated the pallor of her face as colour seemed to drain from her features. Her heart raced with an almost frantic beat, her lungs desperate for air. Before Mikey could inquire about her well-being, Kazuki took the initiative to voice her question. "Ass! Why did we have to ditch Emma like that?" Her words were laced with a mix of exasperation and concern.
Mikey simply shrugged, a self-satisfied grin playing on his lips. "Emma can be a real pain, trust me! You wouldn't want to hang out with her. I'm way cooler, better-looking, and more fun anyway!" His words spoke of his jealousy rather obviously, no matter how indirect he attempted to put it. Kazuki narrowed her eyes at him, a bemused expression creeping over her features. Ass, how childish could he get?
In spite of the unmistakable undercurrent of possessiveness, Kazuki couldn't help but let out a chuckle. Mikey's antics had escalated from grumbling about her being at his place last night to now making sure she stayed by his side the entire morning. Amidst her amusement, her gaze landed on a nearby shop adorned with a sign that read "Phone Repair." Exactly what she was looking for.
She dashed toward it without a word, leaving Mikey puzzled as he trailed after her, not grasping the situation until he spotted the shop's sign. His confusion cleared when he saw her eyes fixated on the gleaming hot pink Motorola Razr V3 still snug in its box. The clerk handed it over with a grin, and upon inquiring about the price, the revelation was more expensive than she'd anticipated. But then again, it had only been released nearly a month ago. "70,000 yen, please," the clerk announced with a smile.
Kazuki's financial situation crossed her mind—her debit cards maxed out at 500,000 yen each. A quick calculation: 500,000 multiplied by 5 was 2,500,000 yen. A hefty sum, although one large enough to not concern herself with small thousands. She retrieved her wallet, which felt weighty and laden with currency, prompting Mikey to offer an impressed whistle.
"How about a sim card?" She queried.
"5,000 for prepaid."
"Bet," She nonchalantly tossed the bills onto the counter, securing two boxes—one long, one small. Mikey observed in fascination as she made such a substantial purchase with remarkable ease. The blond’s eyes peered as she counted her change and shoved it into her pocket. And with the swift winds of the morning, Mikey and Kazuki found themselves sat together at a table outside a McDonald's.
Greeting the cashier at the register, the familiarity of his face brought a smile to Kazuki's lips. Mikey had hugged her hand tightly, shaking it like a child, pouting and hopping on one foot to the other. "Bitchy-ne eeee~! I want fries!" He had whined, though Kazuki only snorted and ripped her arm off of him, leaving him to sulk beside her.
"Teriyaki Burger and a Shaka Shaka Chicken," She recalled her order, the bill in her hand more than enough to cover her order this time. The cashier looked up at the familiar voice and order, unable to shake the frown of deja vu, but then as his eyes met hers, the homeless lady from the two nights ago no longer looked homeless. In fact, she was clad in a designer red shirt and free of dirt.
"Kazuk iii~!" Mikey proceeded to whine, shaking her shoulders from behind. Scoffing, Kazuki rid him off her shoulder.
"Add a large fries and soda with that," at this, Mikey had roared in triumph, smile stretched widely across his face as he giggled behind her back. What a child. She rolled her eyes and flipped him off, "Your debts seem to grow by the day, Mikey!"
After her change was returned to her by the cashier, with a curt nod and a kind smile, Kazuki had taken a seat at one of the picnic tables outside the McDonald's, taking her newly bought phone and its sim card out on the table. She had left Mikey inside to wait for their orders but it didn't seem to take too long, as he already made his way outside with the tray of their orders. The least he could do after she bought more than she had anticipated.
But the fight he put up against the glass doors of the fast food joint proved to be much worth it, and Kazuki dared to say, rather enough to pay his most recent debt in half. Mikey had tried to pry the door open but it took him at least 5 minutes figuring out how to exit, but after he seemed to get the hang out it, he happily set their tray on their table and shoved the fries into his mouth.
Simultaneously, Kazuki had taken the phone out of its box and inserted its battery into it, inspecting the foreign device with its completely new and different set of a keypad, and home screen. It didn't take her a minute to insert its SD and Sim Card either. She held the phone to the sun, marveling in her newest purchase since her home run.
Mouth filled with food, Mikey muffled: "Bitchy! I wanna see your phone!" But as soon as Kazuki set her eyes on him, the sigh of her Teriyaki Burger bitten and reduced to half, broke her heart.
She slapped his hands away from taking any more, and stole half of his fries. "Ass! No way!"
"Come on! I need to be the first contact you have there!"
"Stop being a dork!"
"It's only right! I brought you to the shop!" The blond argued, licking the sauce off his fingers and taking a sip of his soda. Upon the lack of an answer from Kazuki he whined, "Come on~! I have to go in 10 minutes!"
Cocking her brow, she asked, "Where? I thought you were skipping?"
He shrugged, gulping the last drop of his coke. "Toman. Kenchin called for me!"
" Kenchin ?" She didn't remember any Kenchin during the toman meeting, nor did she recall Mikey ever talking about him at least once last night.
"The cool dude with the dragon tattoo and the braid!" Mikey gushed as if he were a middle school girl describing her crush. But Kazuki did admit, this Kenchin guy looked the most delinquent out of everyone in their gang, and a tattoo like that in high school only marked his true commitment to being a troublemaker.
"Hm, he's cool." She voiced, "Is he a squad leader or something?"
As if offended, Mikey shook his head, "He's my number two! Don't underestimate him!" What is there to underestimate about a 6 foot hunk anyway? But that seemed to have been the end of their conversation as Mikey had finally rose from his seat, and grabbed her burger, biting the rest of it before Kazuki could even complain.
"Asshole!" Kazuki exclaimed.
With an eye roll, Kazuki unlocked her new phone. Upon checking the screen, the contacts list greeted her—almost as if it had been left open on the contacts app before the device was turned off. But the list wasn't empty; only one entry graced it.
The entry was saved as " the strongest, coolest, and cutest gang leader," accompanied by a snapshot of Mikey brandishing a raised middle finger in his profile picture, still dressed in the same outfit he had worn today.
What a fucking dork.