Chapter Text
The alleyway was choked with a grey smog, the livehouse contrasted the evening's dark and gloomy atmosphere and then a man steps out the back entrance: It's Shinonome Akito. He went outside the livehouse after a series of practice sessions with his team, he was exhausted and felt that he could collapse at any moment.
Even then, Akito still says his farewell to his friends, and begins to navigate through the alley where he starts walking through the path that leads out of Vivid Street. The red towering walls of bricks from buildings and the long metallic pipes invoke the sense of claustrophobia in these places.
What doesn't help is when a group of strangers decided to block his only way out, despite this. Akito stood firm and told them to move out of the way which was almost instantly met by intense stares by the group.
Their leader made a gesture, and the whole group dims down before he stood up to face Akito. The leader was significantly much taller and physically built than he is, if Akito were to get beaten by him then its a straight trip to the hospital.
But instead the leader of the group began to speak. "What're you doing here, kid? This place isn't safe for you."
The leader briefly inspected Akito before mentioning a certain topic. "Are you part of the group that sings in the livehouse? The one who's doing the fiery street music, correct? That's some dedication I could respect."
The leader took one more good look before handing him something cold and metallic, a firearm and a couple rounds of 38. Special.
"Here, kid. I know your parents may be shocked but it's for your safety. I've seen multiple people like you vanish in these streets, you'll never know when you'll need it. And maybe.."
The leader takes out another firearm from his vest. "Keep this, just in case you lose the first one or you need to arm an important somebody. Take care."
The group disperses after the leader performs a gesture and Akito was left bewildered with what he had experienced just now.
But he knows exactly who to give the second firearm to.