Chapter Text
They return in the early hours of that morning, fresh wounds and aches on their bodies but otherwise not too tired to refuse Jakurai’s offer of using his space to recover. After the night’s excitement, they’re in need of the quiet, almost desperately so, and the fact that they’d gotten to this point at all is a nagging concern in the doctor’s mind.
On the sofa, his teammates are just as subdued. They sit, collecting their thoughts, and the only visible reaction comes from Hifumi when Jakurai sets their tea down in front of them.
“Thanks, sensei.” His jacket is strewn across the table so his voice carries itself lightly across the room. Even now, he’s taking great pains to set them all at ease and Jakurai feels his heart twinge at the effort.
He turns to Doppo to hand him an ice pack. “Set this against your temple,” he says.
A quiet thank you is all Doppo says in response before he does as he’s told. There’s a softer hiss when he presses the cool pack to the side of his head and this time, Jakurai’s heart aches for a different reason. Where Hifumi tries to lift the worry with his words, Doppo is the opposite and shuts down completely, giving them no reason to look his way by not speaking at all.
But the bruise is still there on Doppo’s head and Hifumi can’t always hide his wince whenever he so much as moves his arm. For his part, Jakurai runs a free hand over his bruised knuckles, a little worse for wear like them, and more tired than he’s willing to admit. They’re each carrying their own share of pain, both old and new, and now, he supposes, is as good a time as any to lay it all bare in front of each other.
He moves to take his own seat on a nearby chair. He takes stock of their current conditions. And then, Jakurai speaks.
“Something’s changed,” he says – softly, so they know it’s a question that’s only there to inquire and not to accuse. But neither Hifumi nor Doppo move to meet his gaze. They stay stubbornly silent, adding to the heavy atmosphere in the room.
Jakurai holds back his sigh. This quiet, it’s unlike them, and because Matenro has always found its peace amid the soft night lights and the ambient bustle of their city, it’s a quiet that feels unnatural and almost oppressive.
He doesn’t want to rush them. But it’s opportune timing to rip the band-aid off now, so to speak, rather than later. He wishes he’d decided to open the conversation under better circumstances, but he’s more afraid of what their next rough evening would bring, should they have chosen to let the issue run for far longer.
Jakurai speaks again. “Since the DRB,” he says.
Still, nothing.
Another breath, then two, and three, before he gives himself permission to gently prompt them again.
“Hasn’t it?”
He leaves his question hanging there, giving them both the space they need to respond.
He waits.
A drop of water gently falls from the faucet to his kitchen sink, piercing the silence and as if responding to it, Hifumi settles himself more comfortably against the sofa. He releases a breath. Their tea, now growing cold in front of them, ripples with the movement.
“Heh,” he says, looking at Jakurai. “Don’t worry about it, sensei. It’s nothing, just an off-night, that’s all! You know how we always get one of those. But that’s okay ‘cause we won anyways, didn’t we? So doncha fret, we’ll be A-OK before you know it! Eh, Doppo-chin?”
Doppo only grunts in response, still staring down at the floor. He doesn’t even react to his melting ice pack, the water now trickling down from his head to his pants.
“Hifumi-kun, please.” Jakurai aches, wanting so very badly to reach out and help however he can. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“It’s all good, I promise!” he answers. “I swear! Look, y’can even ask Doppo-po here.”
But Doppo, still caught in the depths of his own thoughts, doesn’t acknowledge the tag.
Hifumi continues. “An’ – an’ what even makes you think something’s wrong, anyway? You worry too much, sensei! I’m telling ya, this is nothing – ” He falters, catching something in Jakurai’s expression that makes him pause. “ – and… and…”
“It’s all right,” he says. “Whatever it is, Hifumi-kun. You don’t have to worry.”
“Sensei, I – ” Hifumi starts to say, trying to smile again but catching himself when it comes out shaky and awkward. He shakes his head and turns to look at Doppo. “No other way around it, buddy. Looks like we’ve been caught.”
Doppo grunts again to show he’s heard and it’s all Hifumi needs before he addresses Jakurai. He grins, the apology already clear in his tone even if he doesn’t give words to it. “No hiding anything from you, huh?”
Something in him loosens and Jakurai smiles in relief, grateful that they’ve made some progress at last. “Would you like to talk about it?”
It pulls a sigh out of Hifumi, long and deep, like he’d been holding it in for far longer than just these last two weeks. “Geez,” he says, laughing. “Where d’you want me to start?”
It begins – or rather, ends – at their last onstage fight, a three-way showdown with the upstarts from Ikebukuro and their old rivals from Shibuya. The Second Division Rap Battle preliminaries had been fierce, with everyone bringing their full strengths to the fore, and when all the smoke had cleared, Matenro found itself still standing atop the rubble.
But there was work to do, still. One more battle to go through. One last chance to defend their throne and stake their claim as the nation’s best. And in this final round, one that saw them about to lock horns with such familiar foes, they knew better than to let their guards down.
And yet, there was an overwhelming sense that Shinjuku was coming in with a tremendous advantage, into a fight nearly everyone believed was theirs to lose. Perhaps they had good reason to. Bad Ass Temple had been more than worthy opponents after all and Jakurai was aware, more than anyone, that things could have very easily gone the other way.
But here Matenro was now, and the others…
There was Fling Posse, who had come hungry and desperate for the win. And then there were the Yamada Brothers, who had barged their way into the Finals with something to prove. Both of them, now due for a head-on collision with the wolves from Shinjuku, who were carrying their pride as defending champions to the stage and snarling with intent at anyone who dared challenge them for their crowns.
Jakurai would not be defending the title alone. Never alone, never again. He looked to his sides and felt the strength fill his body. There was Hifumi and there was Doppo, both at the ready and thrumming with excitement – and nervousness.
But they were alert and they were eager. They would not be holding back with their words today and it set Jakurai at ease to see that they were all on the same page.
The thought sprang to his mind then: “Oh, what a long way we’ve all come.” He was proud, so, so proud, and feared even words would not be enough to express how thrilled and honored he was to share the stage with the men he’d chosen as his allies.
A few minutes now before they were due to take the stage. Jakurai looked to his team then, committing the expressions on their faces to memory.
It occurred to him that the moment called for some kind of message. But at the same time… they were the champions, were they not? What other motivation did they need beyond that?
The thought made Jakurai smile. They would be perfectly all right. “Gentlemen,” he said, clearing his throat. “Hifumi-kun. Doppo-kun. I’ll be counting on you out there.”
Their responses were immediate.
“We’ll do our best,” Hifumi said, bowing.
“You can leave it to us,” Doppo said, nodding.
Here they were now, confident and fully assured of themselves. The thought made him smile. “We are Matenro,” Jakurai said. “Let’s show them how a real champion does business.”
And then, that was it. The Second Division Rap Battle had come and gone and after they’d been soundly defeated in the finals, it took Matenro all of two days before they fully regrouped – not to reflect and discuss their last team fight, but to throw themselves into even more rap battles and skirmishes. On the streets, this time, and against smaller crews gunning for Shinjuku’s top spot now that the champions had been dethroned.
Matenro was still a name to be respected and feared, but the news of their loss had also signaled their first sign of vulnerability in so long. They were formidable but no longer invincible, and that encouraged scores of their hometown rivals to come out from their dark corners, all of them eager to prove themselves at their expense.
Two weeks now the city had been like this, and Jakurai’s team was run ragged to the bone. Working men, all of them, with dues to be paid and obligations to be met. But the safety of the city took precedence above all else. That was the vow they took when they decided to take Shinjuku on their backs and so it was a promise they would honor; their sacred mission to ease the city of her many ailments.
They needed the rest, but their city needed them more. This was the thought at the forefront of Jakurai’s mind as he tightened his grip on his Hypnosis Mic and prepared for the night’s newest challenge.
“There’s just no end to you people, is there?” Hifumi sneered. “That desperate for the spotlight, are you? Well, sorry to say, but you’re still about ten years too early for that fantasy!”
It was a standard GIGOLO boast, but they still needed to be careful. Ordinarily, they would have had no trouble taking down the other team but tonight, Matenro would have to face them at a crucial disadvantage.
“Don’t worry, sensei,” Hifumi said, sensing the doctor’s thoughts. “It’s nothing we can’t handle.”
Jakurai didn’t doubt their combined strength, of course. However – “Be careful, Hifumi-kun,” he couldn’t help but say anyway.
It was rather unfortunate timing for this new fight to take place in the thick of the evening – rush hour for most of Shinjuku’s working class, but overtime at the office for Doppo. He hadn’t seen their messages yet, so his notifications were still on mute, his phone no doubt tucked away where his supervisor wouldn’t see. He was working hard, as usual. There was no need to disturb him further with what should have counted for a simple conflict.
Perhaps.
“You’re lucky Doppo-kun isn’t around to beat the sense into you.” This one, Hifumi had redirected to the four men standing in front of them. “But that’s fine – ill-DOC and GIGOLO will be happy to entertain you in the meantime!”
Then with a grand wave of his arm, he summoned his speakers and his disco balls dazzled with how brightly they shone behind him. It filled the abandoned parking lot with a glorious light, and Jakurai, now also summoning his speakers, found himself smiling amid the illumination.
That roguish confidence had always been a good look on Hifumi, after all.
“Now, then. Shall we get this party started?”
“Your party tricks won’t work on me and my brothers!” Yamada Ichiro roared. “Take that shit somewhere else!”
Hifumi braced himself for his next strike – and opened his eyes again when the noise had passed and left him completely untouched.
“He’s gotten stronger…!” Jakurai said through gritted teeth, having sent Ichiro’s last attack to the ends of the stage. He leaned heavily on his Mic, shaking slightly with the effort but still standing. That was the important thing.
“Sensei!”
“I’m all right.” A quick look behind him confirmed the same for Hifumi and he breathed a sigh of relief.
“Tch,” Doppo muttered, and moved to flank Jakurai in front. “Damn brats. They’re pissing me off.”
It got Hifumi to chuckle. “They’ve got you speaking like an old man now, haven’t they, Doppo-kun? I guess that means it’s time to turn it up a notch.”
“You’re telling me.” Doppo frowned. “What’s the plan, then?”
“The plan?” a new voice shouted from the side. “Who needs plans when it’s way more exciting to go all-in? Think fast, salaryman!”
A beat, a rhyme, and then a quick strike of wind – flying past Doppo and grazing the side of his face, but ultimately exploding in an angry cloud behind him.
“Tch!”
Arisugawa Dice pouted. “Aww, man!”
“Oh, dear,” Yumeno Gentaro said, taking his position beside his teammate. “What’s Matenro to do now with all these people against you? Would you believe me, GIGOLO, if I told you I was worried about you?”
“From you, Phantom?” Hifumi said. “Not in this lifetime!”
“That’s good,” Yumeno Gentaro said. “That’s good, Izanami. Because that was just a lie.”
“It’s nothing personal, old man,” Amemura Ramuda said, bringing up the rear and completing his Posse. “But you guys are sooo last season. Out with the old an’ in with the new, right? Right, right? I wanted to play with Ichiro today anyway, so that means – ” He grinned, angry and hot, and bit his lollipop off its stick. “That means: Shinjuku’s gotta go.”
On a team of three, who would you go after first? The fierce attacker up front? The distracting glow of light enchanting your every move? Or the healer behind them whose presence ensured they would always have the strength to keep going?
And in a showdown of three teams with three men to a side, who knew what would happen? Would the young upstarts step back and let the two archrivals destroy each other first before leaping into the fray? Would they join forces with the defending champions to take down the wildcards? Or would they form a shaky alliance with the unpredictable players to take down the group they perceived to be the strongest threat?
The decision, it seemed, had been made for Matenro and they would have no choice but to go with the flow.
They were the strongest team on the field. It made sense for everyone to have their way with them first.
“Okay,” Doppo said. “O – okay. I guess it’s two against one now. Isn’t it?”
Hifumi clapped his friend on the back, radiant and buoyant. “What, Doppo-kun, think we can’t handle it? I’m right here, remember! I’ll take care of you.”
“Sh – shut up, Hifumi! Be serious!”
Enemies on all sides with nowhere left to run. They’d been caught, left to fend for themselves now and stranded on the defensive. These were less than ideal circumstances, but nothing Matenro hadn’t handled before.
And so now came the time to act. It would come down to their endurance and – most importantly of all, Jakurai knew, their composure.
Split-second decisions. In an active fight zone, it was crucial to maintain a cool head to be able to make those sudden choices. Making the right one could save lives. Choosing the wrong one would prove catastrophic.
“They… they might go after sensei first,” Doppo began, his eyes trained on their approaching opponents, but clearly addressing them both. “So we have to – we have to protect him, Hifumi. With everything we’ve got.”
“Of course,” Hifumi said without hesitation, their earlier banter forgotten. “I suppose you’ll want us to watch out for Fling Posse first.”
Doppo shook his head. “You could, but… but you can’t underestimate the Buster Bros either. Yamada Ichiro could take us all out if we’re not careful.”
“Two against one, huh? It’ll be tricky, but I suppose we’ll just have to pull through, eh?”
“Don’t worry about it. We’ll manage.” Doppo set his jaw and loosened the knot in his necktie. “I’ll make sure we do.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” Now, Hifumi turned to directly address Jakurai. “Sensei, we’ll hold them off for as long as we can. Buy as much time as we need until we find an opening. Anything, as long as we get these unruly customers off our hides.”
Once again, Jakurai was unable to stamp down the wave of pride that surged within him. He nodded to them and met their fierce gazes, preparing himself to give more than his usual everything to keep up with these tremendous fellows he’d aligned himself with.
He would not be letting them down today.
Jakurai smiled. “It appears you two don’t need me after all,” he said. “Goodness, I’m afraid it’s me who has to catch up to you now.”
Hifumi grinned, strong and beautiful. “Come on, sensei,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “When have we ever let you down?”
He knew he would always feel incomplete, if he somehow ever found himself with just one of them. That was the reason, he supposed, why seeing Doppo come to their aid immediately flooded him with immense relief and calm.
But to see him here now meant…
“Sensei! Hifumi!” Doppo panted, racing towards them with his Mic at the ready.
“Doppo-kun!” Jakurai greeted, unable to keep the warmth from his voice upon seeing him. Still, he felt that he had to ask: “Your work?”
The question provoked a pained sort of reaction from Doppo. His face twisted and he looked as if he’d wanted to say something else, but he shook his head instead. “N – not important. But I’m sorry I’m late, there… there was just so much to do at the office and I think I’ll still have to go back and finish because it’s my head Baldie will have tomorrow if I don’t and – ”
“Doppo-kun,” Jakurai said, smoothly stepping in to calm him down. “There’s no need for that now. We’re grateful you came.”
“I – I came here as soon as I could.”
“We’re glad for it too, my man!” Hifumi smiled, clapping a hand on his friend’s back. “And don’t you worry about your work either. After we clean up tonight’s garbage, we’re going straight back home to celebrate!”
“Idiot! What about your job?”
“Oh, they can handle the club without me for one night. Wouldn’t you agree, sensei?”
Jakurai smiled gently at them both. “Some rest is in order for everyone, I should say,” he told them. “Doctor’s orders.”
“And there you have it!” Hifumi crowed, spreading his arms again in a renewed challenge to their opponents still standing across them. “Now we have ourselves a showdown. What do you say?”
It was always a marvel to see Hifumi in action on the battlefield. So splendid and so assured of himself; a refreshed air of strength about him now that Doppo was here. It was a kind of confidence Jakurai could certainly understand because he felt much of the same himself. With Matenro together again to face this new threat as one, there was no reason for them to give in so easily to their enemy today.
And yet…
That was exactly what had happened, wasn’t it? At the Second DRB, with all of the nation’s eyes on them and only their name and pride at stake… despite all that, they’d still lost and because of their misstep, the crown had gone to somebody else.
Their misstep… Jakurai didn’t know what they lacked. Despite taking on Nagoya’s challenge and surpassing those odds, they’d lost. And it was tearing him apart that he still didn’t know why.
From the corner of his vision, he caught Doppo moving to take his place in front of him. “Doppo-kun, are you certain you don’t need to rest? Your work…”
“Don’t – don’t worry about it, sensei,” he answered, giving him only the briefest of glances before nodding. “This… this is more important. Right? We agreed.”
Yes. Yes, that was what they’d agreed on together, but…
Jakurai frowned. “Doppo-kun, I’m not sure that’s – ”
“Here they come!” Hifumi said from further up front.
There was no time to argue so he shook the cobwebs from his mind and moved to focus on the battle at hand. And yet it was disconcerting, this formation that was so familiar to them by this point that it had become an almost natural fit. His teammates up front, leaving Jakurai to wait for their opening behind them.
Wasn’t this also what had happened when –
“Hifumi-kun!”
“Sorry!”
Again, Jakurai deflected another strike meant for Hifumi. And again, Doppo had looked in anger at the enemies who’d dared to fire that last attack. He was already plotting his next move. That much could be told from his hard stance, tense and ready to spring like an agitated bomb getting set to explode.
The street fight was starting to take its toll now, and the tiredness was manifesting in their sharp breaths. Here they were, spent and exhausted beyond anything they’ve ever felt before, with all the wounds that were still raw from all their last fights together. All those wars waged here on the streets and back on that Chuohku stage.
And still, they continued to persist. They persisted because they had no choice. Life went on in Shinjuku and they simply had to move with that flow, because anyone would choose to attack them in this state now instead of waiting for them to return to their full strength.
Matenro was still the strongest team on the field, after all. It made sense for everyone to have their way with them first.
But how long would this have to go on before something – or someone – gave in and fell?
He looked up in time to see Doppo gearing up for what would be his final attack, his eyes alight with purpose. He would strike down their foes, no matter what it took.
“You’re going down!” he screeched, flipping his phone open and nearly snapping it clean off its hinge with his ferocity.
Berserker. This overwhelming power, all in the palm of Doppo’s hand. All of that rage and exhaustion directed to their enemies, successfully knocking three of them off their feet at once.
A beat passed, and then another. Jakurai and Hifumi looked on in horror as the fourth man crept out from behind his fallen friends, his turn now to exact revenge.
His eyes, they noticed far too late, were trained entirely on their last teammate.
“Doppo-kun!” Hifumi shouted. “Shit!”
But their opponent had finished his verse and with that, had sent Doppo flying in an instant. He was thrown back against an empty car and the slam his head made against it was heard clear across the parking lot. The light in his eyes dimmed. With a sinking feeling in his heart, Jakurai knew that he wouldn’t be returning to this fight.
“You!” Hifumi snarled, now whipping his gaze to the last man standing in front of him. “You shouldn’t have done that!”
“Hifumi-kun!”
A flash of light and crazy feedback – not from GIGOLO’s speakers, but from ill-DOC’s instead. The noise had taken both Hifumi and the last goon by surprise, but Jakurai did not feel compelled to stop to take in their reactions.
Stopping, too, was a split-second decision he could have made. But he’d already seen what had happened when he did. He’d resolved not to make that same mistake again.
He concluded his verse, his last for the evening, and watched with grim satisfaction as the last man across them finally fell to his knees. He did not get up again.
The battle now concluded, Jakurai turned to Hifumi, breathless. “Are you all right?” he asked.
There was still some leftover anger in his eyes from that last attack on Doppo – it seemed Jakurai had moved much too quickly before Hifumi’s rage had completely cooled – but he snapped out of it the moment he heard Jakurai’s voice. “He – he shouldn’t have done that,” he said. “Right, sensei?”
Jakurai paused, unsure how to respond. When Hifumi blinked tired eyes back at him, he looked… fatigued, as if all the night’s stress had fallen upon him at once. Fatigued and… terrified. Somehow.
The moment passed. Jakurai nodded wordlessly and Hifumi gave him a crisp nod in return. Only then did they race to check on Doppo, who was now starting to sit up against the car he’d been slammed into, groaning all the while.
“I – ” he said, the word already forming on his lips. “I’m sorry. Sensei, Hifumi, I – ”
“Hush, Doppo-kun,” Jakurai said. “How are you feeling?”
“Thought I could – thought it was enough, I – ”
“Doppo,” Hifumi interrupted. “Answer sensei, please.”
He cut his apologies short and focused on them both. “F – fine,” he said. “I’m fine.”
Jakurai sighed, relieved. “We’re going back home, the both of you. No exceptions.”
They nodded and said nothing more, and Hifumi moved automatically to help him lift Doppo to his feet. Their quiet bothered Jakurai, but he would talk to them about it later. At home, where they would be safe and free to discuss what needed to be discussed.
In the meantime, he tried to find some assurance in their lack of a reply, choosing to see it as proof that they would still implicitly trust him with themselves, in spite of everything.
Not enough. Still not enough. How many verses had they thrown at each other now? How many beats on the turntable had passed, its harsh drums counting them down until one of them fell?
The clock was ticking and they were starting to run out of gas. Someone had to go, now, or else they wouldn’t last much longer.
Jakurai quickly glanced at the other two Division leaders, their hands on their knees and both of them panting for breath. It seemed they also knew their time of reckoning was due, if the looks they were casting his way were any indication.
Beside him, his own teammates were running on empty, yet both of them were still on their feet and refusing to fall. They were both trying so hard. Jakurai held on, knowing that he would not be able to forgive himself if he let go first.
“Haaah…” Doppo gasped and raised the back of his hand to his face to wipe some of the sweat away. “Th – they’re strong.”
“This can’t go on for much longer,” Hifumi said. “Sensei, how are you holding up?”
“I’m still here,” Jakurai answered. “I may have enough left to heal you both, but – ”
“N – no.”
Hifumi and Jakurai snapped their gazes to Doppo. He caught their gazes and shook his head.
“I – don’t waste your strength, sensei. I – I’ll take care of this. And then you and Hifumi can take over.”
“Not this again,” Hifumi was starting to say. “Doppo-kun – ”
“Then what do you suggest we do?” he fired back. “The rate this is going, someone’s going to have to make a move soon because this fight can’t drag on any longer than it has to, and – ”
“Yes, but I’m not letting you do this again!”
“Sensei, please – ” Doppo turned to Jakurai now, desperation burning in his eyes. “You – you know there’s no other way. And… and I’m sorry, but there really is no other… no other option. Please just let me do this. They’re strong, but I – I’ve gotten better, I think, and if I just get this one chance, I know I’ll blow some of them away. Sensei, Hifumi, please.”
“We can’t afford to lose you now, Doppo-kun. We can’t afford to lose you at all! What part of this aren’t you getting?”
“So… what? We stall until one of them takes us all out? What if Yamada Ichiro goes critical? What if that gambler hits the jackpot? We have to attack now – then sensei can use his last verse to heal you and that’ll get us home.”
“We can’t wait for them to attack first?” Hifumi argued. “If the Little Brother or one of those Posse members uses their tricks to counter you, then what?”
“Then we will be there with our own counter,” Jakurai said, now stepping in. Instantly, his teammates ceased their arguments to listen. “They are the alliance now, aren’t they? Doppo-kun is right. If we wait for them any longer, then all we’re doing is playing right into their hands.”
Doppo’s eyes lit in understanding. “S – so that means…”
Jakurai nodded. “That means I’ll trust you with that final blow. Be sure to focus your attack on their tricksters – anyone you know will give us trouble later on. Hifumi-kun, you may step in when the dust has cleared and use your ability on someone you know will be of great use. Yamada Jiro-kun, perhaps.”
“R – right,” Hifumi answered.
“As for myself, I will be standing by to heal any one of you in case – ”
“No.”
Jakurai turned to his teammate, surprised to hear this come from him this time. “Hifumi-kun?”
“No, sensei,” he said again, much stronger than the first time. “If Doppo’s going all-out, then I am, too. You’ll still need your strength for Yamada Ichiro and Amemura Ramuda, won’t you? If I go, then that’s fine. What’s important is that you’re left standing.”
Doppo sniffed. “It – it’s the final round after all, right? For all of us.”
“So it is.” Jakurai breathed deeply and laid a hand upon each of their shoulders. “All right, then. But gentlemen, just please let me say as much: I truly am proud to call you my comrades. The both of you – you’re my most valued friends, and I would hate to see this battle leave permanent scars on either of you. Please, be careful.”
They both grabbed hold of his hands and squeezed.
With nothing further to add, they nodded at each other one final time and prepared to face their opponents anew.