A/N:

November in Japanese is known as: juuichi-gatsu.

The month holds a special place in my heart because my mother is a Scorpio born in the month of November :)

Anyway, I never thought Hell's Paradise would be this interesting...I'm keeping up with the anime (: chefs kiss 👌🏻

⌛️⏳

***Flashback***

"Afternoon Baji-san," the girl wished as she entered the apartment which the boy shared with his single mother. "I brought cake."

The jet-black-hair boy looked at her questionably.

"Don't give me that look, you missed the party...I'm pissed!"

"I was busy."

She squeezed one of his ears, "I know when you're lying...everyone came except you."

Suzume threw a surprise birthday party for her mother and invited all of her friends, everyone turned up except Baji because after the S.S Motors incident he was trying his best to avoid them as much as possible.

"Baji, who's it?" A boy with blonde pompadour hair shaved at the sides and a piercing on his left ear appeared. Wearing an apron. His hairstyle reminded her of Akkun somehow.

"You made a new friend, Heh!" Suzume looked at the newbie who was staring at her, surprised. "Hi, I'm Suzume Sato."

"Uh...Chifuyu Matsuno." They shook hands.

"What's that smell?" She sniffed heading towards the kitchen, uninvited. It was Baji's house after all, she didn't need an invitation, even though the boy wanted her to leave asap.

"I'm making Udon noddles," Chifuyu said trailing behind her.

Suzume took a seat, "sounds delicious!"

Baji cleared his throat. "I thought you were leaving Hime_"

"You really don't know how to talk to girls, do you." Chifuyu interjected turning off the gas.

"Sing it again!" Suzume said merrily, she's glad someone else is teaching Baji valuable life lessons.

He narrowed his eyes, "don't get too caught up Romeo...she's Mikey's girl."

"You've a way with words Baji-san..."

Chifuyu agreed with a nod, "you speak my mind!"

"And that's why. I didn't want you guys to meet." Baji muttered.

"Cos we'd gang up on you?"

Baji threw them an annoyed look as they both laughed and gave each other a hi five. And that's when she realised—Chifuyu could be her person.

***Flashback ends***

Now they sat together at their late friend family grave. It's been two weeks since they lost Baji. Losing his captain have taken a toll on Chifuyu. Suzume felt like she'd dried up all her tears crying over the boy she'd never see again. But because they've each other, they were able to find sanity.

They shared the pack of peyong that Chifuyu had brought, just like when he first met Baji. The boys had narrated the story of how their friendship bloomed after they split the pack of the instant noodle.

Takemichi and Chifuyu were there for Baji during his final moments. If Suzume hadn't lost consciousness she'd be there for him too but after witnessing the boy stabbing himself, she'd black out but maybe, it was for the best—she might not be able to handle it—if the boy died in her arms.

The girl rested her head on Chifuyu's shoulder, "Baji-san will be annoyed."

"Yeah," the boy let out a chuckle. "He hates it when we're together."

"Cos we always gang up on him."

They stayed in silence for a while until she felt a presence. "Little sparrow," the boy smiled.

After Bloody Halloween, she'd been avoiding everyone. The only person she's talking to is Chifuyu because he's the only one who had that connection with Baji. She knew it wasn't easy for someone as clingy as Mikey to give her space but he'd tried his best, and she was thankful.

"I knew I'd find you here." He offered his hand, she took it as he gently pulled her up. "Can you do something for me?"

"Now?"

The boy nodded as a yes.

Chifuyu rose up, "go ahead Hime, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Can you please get some deep blue flowers for Baji-san on your way." That was his magic colour.

"Will do." He gave her a little salute.

As Mikey and Suzume walked out of the graveyard, Draken and Takemichi was waiting for them. The boys smiled as they saw her.

"Ken-chin and Takemichi are heading out to meet Kazutora." Mikey said, "I want you to go with them, if that's okay with you?"

The girl blink surprised. Mikey wants her to meet Kazutora? That's a first.

"I've a message for him and I want you to be the one who passes it."

"I will." She nodded, a warm smile passed across his face as he pulled her close and whispered the message in her ears.

➿➿➿➿➿

Suzume could smell Mikey all over her, it was cold so Mikey had given her his checked grey over shirt. She has never been to a juvenile prison or any kind of prison before, the girl felt nervous and excited at the same time and with that thought came another—what if her mother finds out that not only one but two of her friends Pah-chin and Kazutora were both in juvie for stabbing people?

Kazutora sat on the other side of the glass wall, in grey prison overall. It was silly of her to even think that the boy looked good in prison clothes. His face lighten up when he saw her, he wasn't expecting to see her at all. They just stared at each other for a while, seeing him on the other side broke her heart, she put a hand on the glass and he did the same. "I'm glad you came."

She gave him a small smile.

"They told me to expect a ten-year sentence. It's short for what I did, though. I won't run anymore. I've got to face up to this. That's what he taught me. That's why...I'm planning to get proper rehabilitation this time." He was sad, she could clearly read between the lines.

When Draken visited the boy, he'd mentioned to Mikey that he feared for Kazutora's safety and that's why Mikey had send her here today. So that Suzume could lighten him up, she's their heart after all.

Ten years is a long time in the life of a teenager and after spending two years in juvie and now another ten added, she felt really bad for Kazutora. "Don't die, Kazu...please."

That took him by surprise he looked embarrassed when he asked, "how?"

"I know exactly what you're thinking." Her voice heavy, Kazutora had not only murdered Shinichiro but he even had a hand in Baji's death. She couldn't fathom what that does to a person? But she could see it, he was immensely sorry for everything. "Don't even try to make up for this by killing yourself, okay?"

"But what else am I supposed to do? Hime...I just don't know!" He looked sad, very sad.

It breaks her seeing him that way, and she knew he could feel it too. "You've to live for him, for me, for all of us...we love you Kazu! I...I...love you."

He looked at her, the way he'd looked at her before when they were kids. When he'd not committed murder, when he was still innocent. The light that was long lost in him began to shine once more. "The wolf is in love with the moon, and each month it cries for a love it will never touch." Kazutora had told back then.

"Mikey wanted me to pass you a message. From now on you're still a member of TOMAN." Saying that lifted a weight off her shoulder.

The boy gasped.

"He has forgiven you." And that was the first time, after a long time Suzume saw the boy shed real tears.

➿➿➿➿➿

On their ride back home, Draken had informed Takemichi; Mikey had something important to tell him at the next gathering, so he better show up. After hearing that, Takemichi looked scared.

Suzume took a bite of the vanilla flavoured wafer Mikey had given her before she left the cemetery with the boys. She noticed that Draken was observing her slyly but he wasn't doing a good job. If he was, she wouldn't have noticed.

"Why are we in Shibuya? Where are we going?" Takemichi asked as they exited the metro station and moved forward with the crowd.

Draken lead the way. "My house. It's close by, so come over."

"Close by? But we're right in the middle of Shibuya." The boy scanned the surroundings.

"Yes, and the largest candy store of the city is right next to Ken-bou's place."

"The only reason why Hime ever pays me a visit." Draken said over his shoulder.

"Ken-bou," she pouted, "don't spill our secret."

"You love teasing people, don't you?"

"Do I?" She batted her lashes.

Takemichi gaped as they stood outside the large building. "What? This is where you live?"

"Shut up, it's not a big deal."

"You're so lucky! You're such a city boy!"

"It's nothing but trash everywhere." Draken muttered as they got into the elevator. He pressed the button of the 4th floor.

They stepped into the fourth floor that read: Fashion Health. There were photos of nude girls everywhere, rules and regulations pasted on the walls.

A beautiful girl stood by the counter, her black lingerie clearly visible underneath her see through babydoll dress. "Welcome!" The manager greeted.

Takemichi was turning as red as a tomato, "ah sorry, this must be the wrong_"

"I'm back." Draken announced as he got out of the elevator.

"What?"

"Oh, it's just you." The manager said.

The girl in black lingerie looked at Draken, "you're back early. Can't be a good delinquent that way. And you brought your little girlfriend as well."

"Huh?" Takemichi scratched his head confused.

"I'm the only one girl who visits him, so they think I'm his girlfriend...long story."

"Since you're here. Go carry the towels in the back." The manager ordered Draken.

"Change the bulb in the lounge while you're at it." The girl said.

"Geez, can't even catch a break around here." Draken huffed, he nodded at Suzume. "Sorry but wait for me in the waiting room, please."

As Draken disappeared with the girl, Suzume lead Takemichi to the waiting room, which was adorned with more pictures of naked girls. There was a customer in a pale blue suit who was trimming his nails, intensely. She'd never seen anyone trim their nails that excited before.

"This is a brothel...Draken lives here?" Takemichi looked around nervously, "is that even possible?"

"Hold that thought," Suzume rose up. "I need to use the loo."

"Wh-at?"

"I'll be quick." She said leaving in a blur.

Since Takemichi was feeling very uncomfortable, the girl was quick to return to the waiting room but there was no sign of him anywhere. So she tried calling him but he wasn't answering. Where the hell did he disappear to?

Draken walked into the room, "I'm done."

"Takemichi is missing."

"What? Did you check the restroom?"

"Do you think I'll be checking the men's room on my own." She stated the obvious.

They headed towards the men's restroom. But Takemichi wasn't there, so Draken enquired and found out that he was in room 03 instead. What the hell was Takemichi doing there?

The boy knocked on the wooden door, "is Takemichi with you?"

"What are you doing here Draken?" A girl's annoyed voice.

"He's my friend, he isn't a client!"

The door slide open, a cute nude girl appeared. "What?"

"Where's he Remi?" The boy asked stepping inside the little pink room.

The girl pointed towards the shower, not paying attention to them or in a hurry to cover herself up.

He pulled the shower door wide open, "what the heck are you doing?"

"Seriously? You're one of Draken's little friends?" Remi asked disappointed as she put the pink robe back on.

"You really should check who the customer is first, Remi!" Draken was humours.

"The waiting room isn't your personal parlour, idiot!" She hissed picking up the lingeries scattered on the carpeted floor before leaving the room.

"Isn't she annoying?" Draken said as he threw Takemichi a fluffy pink towel, "and what were you even thinking Takemichi?"

The boy wrapped his torso and stepped out of the shower. "I thought you guys set it up."

Suzume crossed her arms, "you think we're that kind of friends, huh?"

"I just thought it was a surprise present for me to graduate from being a virgin? So I can become a man." Takemichi said without thinking.

She and Draken exchanged a look and started to laugh, they laughed so hard that. If she hadn't peed, she'd have peed herself at that moment. Takemichi was truly a dummy! A jester.

When they finally stopped laughing, their jaws were aching and eyes were filled with tears. "Don't make the same mistake Ken-bou did." She said wiping her tears. "It's no fun losing your V-card in a brothel."

Draken shot her a disbelieving look.

She flashed him a smile. "I'm being honest."

"More honest then necessary."

Draken had shared back then, that he'd lost his virginity to a girl who was working here. "It was quick and no fun," those were his exact words.

The mood changed as soon as they stepped into Draken's pink coloured room, since he lives in a brothel his walls were pink. Takemichi's head was swinging like a pendulum, as he examined the room.

"Cool, huh? You're the first guy I ever invited over besides Mikey."

"This is your room huh?" Takemichi mouth's agape as he saw how pink it was yet there was a manly touch to it with dumbbells, radio, dark grey sheets and a brown leather bench which can seat two. Draken's study table was a multifunctional desk. And even though the room is small for someone like him, he was very neat and organised that it didn't feel or look cramped.

"Yeah. There's no place like home." The boy sat on his bed, Suzume has already made herself comfortable leaning on the headboard.

"So many pictures!" Takemichi looked at the wall, in all of their rooms there's a wall dedicated to photos. "Suzume-chan that's such a cute picture of you and Mikey."

"That's the first picture we ever took together, thanks to Ken-bou."

Draken smirked, "it's my favourite photo of them."

"And...there's the photo of you and Mikey when you were hospitalised..."

Takemichi tapped on the wall, "Emma is here too. So you care about her, huh?"

"Shut up!"

"And that's my favourite photo of them, that I took." Suzume said hugging the pillow.

Draken took a step and he was next to Takemichi, "they're all precious to me. If anything happens to them...I also wanted to kill Kazutora. I know that it's wrong. But still." He sighed, "I want to thank the both of you for stopping Mikey. I know I couldn't do it myself."

"Can we stop talking about that," the girl interjected not wanting to think about the grim event.

"Yeah," Draken said, "do you guys want anything to drink?"

"Yes, please."

As Draken served them chips and coke, they snacked and flipped through his photo albums. "Were you always so tall?" Takemichi asked gazing at one of Draken's old pictures.

"I drink milk everyday, after all."

"I drink milk too," the girl commented taking another sip.

"But not like me."

"I think you drink a gallon! No wonder you're bigger than a normal teenager."

Takemichi nodded at Draken's temple, "when did you get that tattoo anyway?"

"In grade five."

"What?"

"When I first saw the dragon tattoo on Ken-bou, I thought...a tattoo at such a young age? He's not going to grow up into a proper adult." But the girl had been wrong.

"Did no one try to stop you?" The boy asked Draken curiously.

"I was born here, in the red-light district. My mom's a prostitute, I don't know my dad...she left me when I was two."

Even though Suzume knew Draken's story, she still feels a pang in her heart. She didn't even want to imagine how hard it might've been growing up in a place like this as an orphan.

"I grew up here surrounded by pink towels, and the smell of lotions. In short, everyone working here raised me, basically."

And to turn out the way Draken did, after growing up in a brothel is amazing.

Takemichi was speechless, the only thing he could say was, "oh."

"Then...his life took a complete U turn after he met Mikey." The girl said to lighten the mood.

"Yeah...I was an errand boy for the Samayama gang, they told me to fetch Mikey for them—a boy who became famous after beating Shino from Bachikan. I thought he was a lunatic! How was he fighting a high schooler? I imagined him to be a giant who was bigger than me but he was tiny...when I brought him to Samayama, he ran straight towards them and kicked the leader on the face, the guy fell unconscious. 'You people couldn't do anything unless you're in a pack. What do you want? I'm the great Mikey from seventh elementary.' He looked at the other gang members, that just fled without a second thought. He was mind blowing impressive and from then on we became friends."

"Wow!" Takemichi's eyes were glinting, "Mikey was always that impressive, huh?"

"Always!"

"And you know how Ken-bou makes his pocket money back then?" The girl said, "by playing cards with the girls. When he loses he'll give them an hour massage. If he wins they pay him 1,000 yen."

Draken turned to her, "and once Hime lost two games and I had to be the one who had to give massages on her behalf!"

"Because you love me, Heh."

"Because you ran away."

Takemichi and Suzume exchanged a look and began to laugh, Draken joined their laughter as well. And that's when the girl realised, that after two long weeks they were all laughing heartily.

June 06, 2023.