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When Takemitchy visited her house one evening, he had the most peculiar request so far.
“Hey Hina, can you befriend Senju?”
Of course Hina said ‘yes’ with her fingers forming the peace sign even though she knew no one called “Senju”. The moment Takemichi left her house, she immediately called Emma and Yuzuha.
Yuzuha didn’t pick-up the call even after three tries.
Emma answered right after the first ring.
“I know her!” Emma exclaimed. “Brahman’s president. Draken’s new boss. Told me that she’s the youngest and the strongest so far. Mikey and Bonten had to form a truce with her for world peace.”
“World peace…” A ferocious monster bigger than Godzilla appeared in her mind. Hina shook her head, dismissing the ridiculousness. Takemichi wouldn’t deliberately put her in harm's way. Otherwise, the whole time-leaping would be all for nothing.
“Takemichi-kun asked me to be friends with her.” Emma hummed at the other end of the line. Hina curled the end of her bangs. “I honestly don’t know where to start.”
“Yuzuha’s birthday is coming up. Maybe we can invite her?”
‘Is it safe though?’ Hina wanted to retort again but after a fraction of a second of being reasonable, she conceded. Celebrating one’s birthday should not be a reason - a crime even - to start a gang war.
“I’ll ask Yuzuha-chan if she’s okay with it.”
“Yay! Text me the details soon!”
—————————
Hina’s phone rang after a few hours. Yuzuha’s caller ID popped up.
“Sure.” Yuzuha agreed. “Got no homework scheduled that day. Wanna go shopping? I heard of a good store from a senpai who’s already in University. Maybe we could check it out?”
Hina stood up and checked her closet. She bit her lip when she realized that she had worn all of her clothes to all her dates with Takemichi.
“So see you all this Saturday?” Yuzuha’s voice snapped Hina’s thoughts.
“Mhm!”
“I’m so excited! I’ve never went shopping with girls before!”
Hina smiled. This would be her first time too.
—————————
After dinner, Hina texted Takemichi of their plan. He called her after a few minutes and thanked her profusely. As expected, Takemichi shed happy tears.
“I’ll pick you up at one o’clock,” Takemichi said in between sniffles. “I’ll pick-up Senju afterwards.”
“Okay, see you this Saturday.”
Hina texted Emma and Yuzuha of their schedule.
“Mikey can pick you up and Takemitchy can pick-up Senju,” Emma offered.
“Wouldn’t be… I don’t know… weird? Mikey-kun might be busy that day too and —“
Emma dismissed her worries.
“Knowing my brother, he’ll agree to the plan. He can hangout with Takemicthy after he drops off Senju.”
Hina wanted to offer a counter-proposal that she can ask Chifuyu instead but Emma already asked Draken to text her brother.
“I thought Mikey cut off his contact with Draken-kun ever since—“
“He did, he did. But he has an excuse to see Takemitchy, so he’ll answer Draken.”
Hina smiled when she felt Emma grin at the other end of the line.
“Wouldn’t it be funny if they followed us?”
Emma laughed.
“It’s not impossible with all the free time they have!”
—————————
Saturday came and Hina left her apartment with the clover-leaf necklace Takemichi gave her years ago, dangling on her neck, and a small gift for Yuzuha on her left hand. Mikey was already waiting in the lobby of the building. Thankfully, he was wearing casual clothes instead of his Bonten uniform. His black winter jacket contrasted his white-colored hair.
They said the ‘weather’s nice’ thrice before Mikey handed her an extra helmet.
“Thanks for this favor, Mikey-kun.”
“No problem. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen Takemitchy too.”
Emma never lost her touch. A soft smile on his lips shot a dose of melancholy to Hina’s nerves.
“He’s excited to see you too, you know,” she confessed while adjusting the strap of her helmet. “He texted me just this morning that he wasn’t able to sleep a wink.”
Mikey’s smile remained on his lips and Hina can’t help but read the naughtiness behind that innocence.
“Don’t tease him too much later, okay?”
She climbed on the back of the bike and wrapped her hand on Mikey’s waist.
“That I can’t promise,” Mikey whispered before kicking Babu to life.
—————————
When they arrived at the meeting place, Yuzuha, Emma and a pastel-haired girl were sitting at the booth near the windows. Draken, Hakkai and Takemichy occupied the table beside them.
“Sorry we’re late!”
Takemichy stood and introduced Hina to Senju. How Takemichy fidgeted when Mikey ruffled his hair didn’t escape Hina’s peripheral view. She turned her attention to Senju whose white blouse, skirt and denim jacket masked her being the leader of Brahman.
“Feel free to call me ‘Hina’, okay?” They shook hands and Hina sat beside her.
She then handed her small gift to Yuzuha to distract the group from watching Mikey and his boyfriend flirt. Yuzuha thanked her and opened it. A pair of hair ties with intricate designs fell on her hands. Yuzuha parted her long hair and tied the two sections with Hina’s gift.
“It looks so good!”
Yuzuha turned to her brother in disbelief. Hakkai mouthed a ‘What?’ before Yuzuha’s cheeks turned pink.
Emma fetched her phone and took a photo with Yuzuha.
“It really suits you!” Emma flipped her phone so everyone could see their picture.
“Thank you, Hina!” Yuzuha grabbed her hands and gave it a slight squeeze.
While they were waiting for their drinks, Hina felt a light tap on her hand and saw Senju’s eyes locked on to hers. She smiled, encouraging the shy girl to just speak freely.
“Nice to meet you, Hina-nee-san.”
Hina’s eyes sparkled. The last two syllables rang in her ears.
She grabbed Senju and embraced her. She felt soft and fluffy. Her being the President of one of the most fearsome gangs in Japan must’ve been a bad joke. A lie.
“Oh! So this is what it feels to have a sister!”
Across them, Emma and Yuzuha nodded in understanding. They looked at their respected brothers and wished they could ask God for an exchange.
—————————
“I’ll pick you up at 5 PM?” Draken asked Emma to which Emma said ‘No’.
“Will probably spend the night at Yuzuha’s place.”
Hina raised an eyebrow.
Wait, they’re sleeping over?
“That was just decided a while ago while waiting for you,” Yuzuha explained while she handed a black card to the cashier.
“Apparently Senju would be spending the night alone in their house tonight and Emma got all worried. House is free. Already kicked Hakkai out for the night. Said he’ll just crash at Taka-chan’s place tonight.”
Hina felt a bit bad for Hakkai but more so with Senju. The ‘Hina-nee-san’ triggered her elder sister's instincts she thought were only reserved for Naoto.
“Takemichy won’t probably be able to pick you up later tonight so might as well spend the night with us too?” Yuzuha asked.
Hina giggled and glanced at Takemichi smiling when Mikey whispered something in his ear.
She made a mental note to buy a toothbrush at the convenience store later.
—————————
Takemichi left Hina with the girls only after he thanked her with a sweet, gentle kiss on her forehead. Hina smiled and reminded Takemichi to be careful with his body. Takemichi blushed and pretended what Hina said was pure nonsense. The excitement in his eyes said otherwise.
Mikey must’ve overheard what they were talking about and said that he would since Hina asked him to do so. Hina chuckled and patted his white hair.
“Enjoy you two!”
They kicked their twin bikes and rode to god knows where. Probably one of Bonten’s hideout or a high-class hotel that they own.
“Fucker didn’t even say goodbye to his sister,” Draken complained after the clasp of his helmet clicked.
“Well, that’s Mikey. He’s either fighting someone or hanging out with Takemitchy.”
—————————
First they went to see a movie. Emma confessed that she’s not in the mood to watch any romance films while Yuzuha’s not up to queueing long. They all turned to Senju who suggested that they watch the thriller/mystery movie instead. It’s not like they have any other choice.
Hina volunteered to buy the tickets but Yuzuha beat her to it. She flashed her black credit card.
“Taijuu’s paying.”
Emma went with Yuzuha to buy the tickets while Hina bought snacks with Senju. She’s still a bit quiet compared to how Takemichi described. In his exact words, ‘She’s like a kid being forced to play an adult role’. She thanked the cashier and glanced at Senju who was chewing her bottom lip.
“Really glad you agreed to come with us,” Hina said as she handed Senju’s share of popcorn.
“Me too.”
They started walking to the entrance of the moviehouse when Senju pulled the sleeve of Hina’s coat. The last time Naoto did this to her was when he did something he did something wrong and was too embarrassed to admit it.
“Need to go to the toilet?”
Senju swayed her head. “Nope. Can I ask something?”
“Go ahead.”
Senju gulped and fixed her eyes on the floor.
“Is this how you guys spend your weekend?”
“Yup!”
Senju’s eyes twinkled. She grabbed Hina’s arm towards the waving figure of Emma. A happy spring was seen in her footsteps for the rest of the day.
—————————
“Hmm that movie was corny,” Emma sighed while browsing the shirt aisle. “I mean don’t get me wrong, the action part was cool. Leading man’s acted pretty damn well. It’s just that the story—shouldn’t the lead actor already be dead after getting shot once?”
“It’s called ‘fiction’ for a reason, Emma.”
“I know that but still, they could’ve made it believable, at least.” They continued browsing at the clothes shop that Yuzuha’s senpai recommended. Most of them looked tacky and too girly.
The shop music suddenly blasted a J-rock song and startled the shoppers. Yuzuha nodded her head to the beat while Emma hummed the melody.
“I think it’s possible to survive after being shot thrice,” Senju whispered when the vocalist started screaming the chorus.
“Really?” Emma paused her hands’ mindless search. “Know anyone like that, Senju-chan?”
“Draken,” she said and looked straight into Emma’s eyes. “Draken saved me and survived.”
Hina looked at Yuzuha while Yuzuha looked at Emma who just sighed.
“Well, it’s Draken.” Hina didn’t miss the sudden redness of Emma’s cheeks when she turned with a white dress at hand.
“Emma-chan, you have to give Senju-chan more context—“
“Forgive her, Senju-chan. Emma’s just head over heels over Draken since she was 5. Bet it was his abs that saved him that night. Right, Emma?”
“Yuzuha! Stop emba—“
Senju laughed - genuinely laughed with tears at the corners of her eyes and her hand clutching her stomach. “Yep it’s definitely his abs that saved him that night!”
“Senju, not you too!”
—————————
It was already 8 in the evening when they finished visiting all the stores open. Hina bought a pastel pink dress that complimented her necklace and a white blouse. She also bought Takemichi a pair of socks.
Emma bought herself a cardigan and Draken a beanie.
Yuzuha meanwhile splurged and bought Senju 3 dresses, 2 black tops, a pair of socks and 5 hair ties.
“So they could see your cute eyes when you kick their ass,” Yuzuha winked when she handed Senju the small paper bag.
“Won’t Taiju be mad when the bill comes back?”
“Don’t worry your pretty little head,” Yuzuha patted Senju’s head. “Money’s the least of his worries.”
“She’s right, Senju-chan. I bet 2,000¥ that Taiju’s more worried about that suitor of yours. What’s his name? The one that looks like a turnip?”
“Emma!”
“Revenge!”
—————————
They arrived at the Shiba household at around 8:45. Yuzuha flicked the lights on and told them to relax in the living room while she prepared the bath.
“Do you need help with anything?”
Yuzuha paused, took Hina’s offer, and asked her to get the futon in the guest room.
“Wow, you have a guest room?” Emma whistled when Yuzuha led them to the second floor of their house.
“Nah, it’s just a spare room that we converted into a guest room. It’s usually Kokonoi and Inui sleeping in this room whenever they’re staying overtime to finalize a business deal.”
The history Yuzuha just shared would make Yamagishi’s mouth frother. Hina met Kokonoi once on the street when she and Takemichi first met Yuzuha. She exchanged a few words with Inui when she joins Takemichi to have his bike fixed in Draken’s shop. That’s the extent of her knowledge. But Yuzuha here just spilling dark, dark secrets like it’s her to-do list.
They finally found three futons and carried them to Yuzuha’s room. Yuzuha took her bath while they set-up the room. They positioned their pillows near the edge of Yuzuha’s bed and their feet towards the door. For easier chatting, Hina suggested.
—————————
“Still can’t believe Yuzuha’s this rich. She’s practically a princess if you ask me.” Emma sat beside Hina with a fashion magazine at hand. Her eyes just passed over the colors of the clothes and let her mind wander how Draken would look if he wore this particular outfit.
“If we’re talking about ‘princesses’, aren’t you one too Emma?”
“Me? Why?”
Hina raised her eyebrow. “Your eldest brother built Black Dragons, right? So did Mikey with Touman and Izana with Tenjiku.”
Emma’s eyes widened then she giggled.
“Wow Hina! If some random person on the street heard you right now, they would think you’re a delinquent yourself!”
Reality slapped her in the face.
“N-n-no! It’s just that when you guys talk about stuff, I can’t help but remember them.”
“Oho-ho, Hina’s being a bad girl!”
Emma attacked Hina with a pillow. Hina grabbed the same pillow and retaliated. Grinning from ear to ear, Emma reached for a pillow lying on Yuzuha’s bed and smacked Hina. Hina shielded her face with the pillow.
Senju watched them act like kids, high on sugar, and having their first sleepover.
“They’re always like that whenever we have sleepovers.” Yuzuha explained while drying her hair with a towel. “It’s usually over at Emma’s place since it’s safe and no one would complain if we’re noisy.”
Senju nodded and continued watching the two exchange pillows.
After a few more blows, they stopped. With labored breaths and sweaty foreheads, they decided whose turn it was to take a bath through rock-paper-scissors.
Senju won.
—————————
At 11 PM the girls were finally ready to sleep.
“Gonna switch off the light, okay?”
“Go ahead.”
“Yes, please.”
“Okay.”
“Good night!”
“Night.”
“Good night and sweet dreams.”
“Night!”
Hina can’t sleep. At least not yet. Excitement still ran through her brain and everytime she replayed what happened today, a habit she has developed ever since Takemichi told her he could time-travel, it kicks the sleepiness out of her system. She sat on her futon and fluffed her pillow.
“You okay?” Emma turned and asked. Moonlight painted her blond hair with white tonight. For a moment, Hina thought she resembled Izana.
“Yeah. I'm still too happy to sleep.”
“Me too.”
Emma snickered out of the blue. “Wanna prank Takemitchy?”
Hina wanted to say ‘yes’ but she thought of Mikey. She declined the offer, however tempting, and suggested going to the convenience store and buy instant ramen.
“It’s too cold to go out,” Emma pouted and laid on her back.
—————————
“Hey Hina,” Emma whispered a bit softer this time. Her eyes are still fixed on the ceiling. “You and Takemitchy have been dating for years now, right?”
Hina nodded. She laid on her right side to face Emma.
“Have you ever imagined him proposing to you?”
“He already did.”
“WHAT?!” Emma screamed.
“TAKEMI—WHEN WAS THIS?” Yuzuha fell off her bed.
“HE DID WHAT?” Senju shrieked and threw off her blanket.
Hina heart pounded on her ears. “Eh? I thought you’re all asleep?”
—————————
“Want me to ask Hakkai and Taka-chan to drop hints for Draken to propose to you?”
Emma blew raspberries. “If I told you ‘yes’, then it wouldn’t be romantic anymore.”
The kettle whistled and the four of them poured hot water on their instant ramen.
—————————
Hina tried to ignore the sunlight peeping through the curtains. She covered herself with the blanket but her phone rang, waking everyone up.
“Hello?”
“Oh Hina, good morning. Sorry, were you still sleeping?”
“I just woke up,” she lied but Takemichi saw right through her.
“Oh I see, let me know what time you want me to pick you up, alright?”
“Okay. See you later, Takemichi.”
Takemichi nodded and instead of pressing the end call, Hina accidentally pressed the speaker button.
“See you later Hina! Love you!”
“Yeah, yeah she loves you too.” Emma groaned and attacked Hina with a pillow again. “Please let us sleep some more.”
“Sorry, sorry.” Takemichi’s voice echoed in the room. “I’ll drop the call now. Bye!”
Silence finally.
Until Senju’s stomach growled.
“Yuzuha, got any more food in the fridge? Our baby sister’s starving.” Emma threw her pillow and smacked Yuzuha’s back waking her up.
Yuzuha groaned. “Wait, I’ll go check.”