Movie night went exceptionally well, at first her mother seemed a little upset Suzume didn't inform her about inviting someone else over but as the snacks were prepared and the movie was played, everything settled. Her mother was surprised to see Taro sleeping on Mikey's lap the whole time, apart from Suzume, Mikey is the only person Taro would sleep on. Taro wasn't affectionate towards strangers so her mother was quick to bring the topic up right after he left. "How often do the boy come over when I'm not around?"

Suzume had to pinch the bridge of her nose to suppress her upcoming headache, her mother and her never ending suspicions.

"You're too young to know what love is...I don't want you to make a decision you'll regret for the rest of your life."

"Mama," she let out a breath. "I'll be careful."

Her mother's gaze softened, "I'm only looking out for you."

"I know, mama, I know."

Now, Suzume entered the busy restaurant. The girl was meeting the boys for lunch, she'd already told them what to order for her since she was already late. "I'll never forgive this." She could hear Mikey from across the room. "There's no flag!"

Manjiro Sano a gang leader order the kids meal because he's excited about the flag. The flag is missing on his plate so he's pissed but the server didn't think twice to put a flag for Mikey because he wasn't a kid. "I'm sorry, I'll bring it right away_"

"Here," she pressed a tiny paper flag on top of his omurice. The girl does carry an emergency flag or two in her purse whenever she goes out with Mikey because of this particular reason.

"Thank goodness Hime is here." Draken looked relieved to see her.

Mikey was thrilled as he saw the flag. "You're the best little sparrow."

She took the seat besides Draken, "you better not sleep after the meal."

"Whatever she said," Draken agreed.

"Why do you both always gang up on me?"

"Because you're the baby with the kids meal." She chuckled taking a quick picture of him having the meal. This is how the president of TOMAN usually acts around people he's close with. He's an absolute spoilt baby, if you really get to know him.

Suzume was blabbering to Draken about the book she's currently reading, when she noticed Mikey have fallen sound asleep. When will he grow out of this bad habit? Sleeping at random places, at random times.

"Will he depend on his girlfriend to piggyback him if I'm not around," Draken complained as he piggybacked Mikey out of the restaurant.

"If you weren't here, I'd have just abandoned him." She responded licking the large rainbow coloured lollipop Mikey got for her.

"That candy is the size of your head." Draken chuckled handing over Mikey's phone, which was slipping out of the sleeping boy's pocket.

She gazed at the phone screen, Aww the boy kept a reminder for lunch with a little heart. He can be so sweet at times. Unlike now, when he's happily sleeping. They don't even get time to spend together and when they do—Mikey does something like this.

"Do you remember when Mikey got you that box of chocolates back then?"

Of course she does, that was the most amazing birthday gift for her as a kid.

"He helped Shinichiro extra hours in the workshop for some tips, he'd even mow the lawn and help out with chores so that his grandpa would give him some money."

Suzume didn't think twice where Mikey got the money to afford that but now it was making sense. She didn't even know Mikey likes her back then—she was so dumb to see it. And when she thought, she couldn't fall more in love with him, she was wrong.

"Ken-bou...how do you feel about Em and Takemichi?" There's nothing going on between the two and Suzume knew it but Draken doesn't.

"What about them?"

"They look cute together, no?"

"I guess..."

Ugh! At this rate she's not going to get any answers from Draken about what he really feels about Emma. Does he really not care about her, like Emma said? Or is he playing hard to get for years? Or maybe, he like someone else but who?

"Is your friend Hinata Tachibana seeing anyone?"

She didn't see this coming. Does Draken like Hinata? Emma is going to kill him.

"Why? You like her or something?"

"Nah...Just asking for a friend."

Like she'd belief that. She knows every single friend of Mikey and Draken and none of them have shown any interest towards Hinata. Something fishy is going on. She needed to get to the bottom of this, should she tell Emma about it? After all she's her friend but Hinata is her friend too, she don't want any beef between these two.

The boy stopped in front of a building, "we're here."

"What are we here for?" She glanced up at the structure which was a hospital.

"A little visit."

When Mikey woke up even he was looking a little surprised to be at the hospital. So this was all the great Draken's plan. Next time Mikey's reminder should be; lunch + quick nap + hospital visit.

There was a patient on life support on the other side of the glass. They stood there for a while until Mikey finally asked, "who?"

"Pah's friend's girlfriend."

The cause of the dispute between Moebius and TOMAN; the girl being raped and the guy and his family beaten. Suzume had heard and read plenty of stories about rape victims but she never thought she'd be standing here today witnessing first hand. Before she knew, tears were brimming up her eyes.

"Seven stitches in her head. Broken teeth. Detached retina in her left eye. Beatings all over her body left her with broken ribs, and she's been unconscious for five days."

Before Suzume could even react. An angry man appeared pointing an accusing finger at Mikey and Draken. "What the hell are you guys here for? Don't you dare show your face here! Get lost!"

"Honey..." the woman behind him mumbled.

The boys quickly turned to their sides. Draken bowed at them.

"What is that for?" The man growled. "My daughter nearly died because of you guys!"

Mikey turned to Draken. "You don't have to lower your head, Ken-chin. We did nothing wrong." Then he looked at the man. "Why is this old man taking it out on us anyway?"

The man was furious. "You worthless imbeciles! You guys are garbage to society with those annoying noises you make all night!"

"Please stop it, honey!" The woman begged.

A shadow passed Mikey's face.

"You brats caused nothing but trouble and hurt a lot of people! You think you will be forgiven just by behaving yourself for one day? You nasty piece of turd!"

Mikey was becoming angry. "Who do you think you're talking to_"

Draken was quick enough to hold Mikey's head down, "hey, what are you doing!"

"It's all our fault." Draken apologised.

"Hey!" Mikey struggled.

The man's mouth agape. "Two scumbags lowering their heads won't make my daughter any better!"

"Huh?" Suzume gasped, so this man's the father of the victim that means the lady is her mother. The girl couldn't even imagine what they'd be going through to see their daughter like that.

"Pipe down, Mikey!" Draken pushed the boy's head lower.

Mikey's right. It's not their fault but it wasn't the man's fault either that he's yelling at them. He's angry and broken.

"My daughter has been in a coma," he shuddered. "Her body...it's all full of wounds..." he was now in tears, "why? Just what did she even do to you guys?"

The woman behind him was crying now.

"She's a very kind girl. She's our precious daughter. But now she has been completely disfigured." He walked away with the woman. "Please leave. Please never show up in front of us ever again."

Suzume wiped her tears as she saw the two figures disappearing down the hallway. Draken and Mikey still bowed without moving.

"We're off to fight Moebius soon. The problem in our world is something we must deal with ourselves. All of our members have families and people they care about. We must not involve any outsiders. We must not make people around them cry. You don't have to force yourself to bow. Have a heart and care about others."

Even though Draken is intimidating and not a person to be messed with. He's kind, loyal and humble. After Shinichiro he's like a brother to Mikey. Suzume always knew that, and so did Mikey.

"You're so kind, Ken-chin." Mikey said slowly, "sorry....I am glad that you're here with me."

When the boys finally turned around, she was beaming at them proudly before any of them could say a word she moved forward and hugged them, they both hugged her back. "I love my boys."

As they let go she suggested, "what about ice-cream?"

"You guys are made for each other," Draken crossed his arms, "always hungry."

Mikey cheerfully put an arm around Suzume and said, "it's your treat Ken-chin."

"What? no!"

Suzume and Mikey laughed as they walked ahead, Draken easily caught upto them a small smile passing through his handsome features, "what'll I do without you guys."

She gave him a loving smile, "likewise."

Mikey chuckled, "this conversation is becoming way more romantic than it should."

"Mikey!" Draken muttered as Suzume let out a laugh and then the three of them were laughing hysterically as they stood in front of the ice cream machine. Whatever life throws at them as long as they're together, the girl knew they'd always find a reason to smile.

May 01, 2023.