╰┈➤ ❝ [sunsets and paradise]

Third Person POV

"Haru, you're disappointing."

Hanma told in pure annoyance while leaning on their medic's metal bed frame. His injured arm is supported by a shoulder sling, and his neck is braced. There are noticeable bruises and scars, and a large white gauze around his head, almost covering his left eye.

"Utterly disappointing."

Haru and Mitsuya are sitting in their private hospital room corner. Dark circles are visible around their eyes, expressions showing no glint, but enervation.

Mitsuya, his situation right now? Well... ever since Chifuyu didn't come back, he didn't utter a single word.

Chifuyu didn't really come back. He's gone. Long gone.

"Dammit!" Hanma groaned, his voice echoing in the room. "Our mission failed, obviously. He's still alive, she's still alive! It's because of you two! Dumb fuckers!" He pointed at Haru and Mitsuya.

"How about you, Haru, huh? You let Ran live?! Let alone each of them? You didn't even take one of them down?! Are you that fucking weak?!" Hanma added.

"Oh! So, this is why your buddy 'Mask' died, huh?! HAHAHA!" Hanma shouted, and laughed sarcastically. Fury and anger laced his voice. "He died because of your weak ass! You couldn't even defend him! You're fucking weak, Haru."

Haru gritted his teeth, his heart thumping in agony, and he had to fumble with his fingers and scrape the side of his nails to compose himself. Despite all of these, Hanma's words were true... all true.

"Don't you even dare mention him," Haru whispered.

"What was that? I can't hear you, ya know?" Hanma sighed sharply. 

Haru had no choice.

"Oh, and Mitsuya—" Hanma turned. "How's Chifuyu? Is he really dead?"

Mitsuya didn't speak or anything, just staring at the floor with his blank eyes.

"It's like I'm talking to a corpse. Okay, neither of you wants to talk," Hanma muttered as he rolled his eyes.

"Hanma, will you fucking shut your mouth for a moment?" Haru spoke, loud and clear.

Hanma bats him an eye, and his brow raised as a dark chuckle escaped from his throat.

"Haru, be lucky I got you out of that hellhole. Be thankful at least. Be glad that you're not in Bonten anymore—"

"You only used me for your nefarious schemes, and it's the same with Mitsuya," Haru answered.

"You weren't there when Chifuyu died... I saw it with my own two eyes on how you turned your back to Chifuyu and Mitsuya when we were attacking Bonten. You're nothing but a vile traitor and exploiter, Shuji!" Haru shouted.

"Mask didn't die for this," Hanma said, snorting.

"Watch your fucking mouth!" Haru stood up from his chair and walked up to the hospital bed where Hanma is sitting.

At the same time, Hanma pulled out a gun and pointed it at Haru, "Try to take a step farther."

"Look, Haru. You don't really understand, do you?" Hanma dropped a sigh.

"Go on. Tell me, Haru. Who's our target in the first fucking place?"

"Bonten," Haru answered, almost inaudible.

"As much as that word makes my ears ring, you're right," Hanma grumbled. "Mhm, what else did I say to all of you before we attacked Bonten?"

"I won't turn my back to them."

"See?" Hanma said, proudly grinning. "I was right all along. I was too busy trying not to turn my back at them while fighting, and you're here blaming me for Chifuyu's death? Oh c'mon! Look at Mitsuya, he's all silent on the corner there, unlike you who's blabbering nonsense shits!"

"Next, do you know why Chifuyu got knocked down in the first place?"

"No..." Haru shook his head.

"How about you, Mitsuya? Do you know?" Hanma said next.

Mitsuya didn't answer.

"As expected," Hanma sighed. "I don't want to deal with your dramatic ass."

Haru fixed his gaze on Mitsuya, who appeared to be a statue. The mood is tangible, so heavy that it was difficult to comprehend what Hanma, their boss, was saying.

"Ran Haitani knocked Chifuyu down, yes?"

Haru's mind is all crumpled. In which direction does he need to proceed? Every direction in his perspective is blocked. His pathways are nothing but a void, not filled with light at all. Which way should he go?

"I'm confused..."

"Yeah, right. You should be because I'm always right and you shall follow me." Hanma firmly told.

"—And the least you can do is kill Ran Haitani if that's what you want," he added.

"Come here, Haru," Hanma motioned.

Haru walks up to Hanma, who looks really vulnerable in this situation, but Haru knows that even if he's physically weak right now, Hanma is capable of planning anything, even if it means he'll use his iniquitous ways.

This just proves his thoughts when Hanma grabbed Haru's collar and threatened him with widened glaring eyes.

"You know what, Haru? You have the road. You have the car. You have the path. You have the steering wheel. You have the decision." Hanma muttered, each syllable ringing in Haru's ears like a chant.

"Do you want to avenge the death of Chifuyu? Then target his killer. Now, isn't that simple, Haruki Sato?"

Hanma's words rang in Haru's ears. Haru's chest felt heavy when the room remained silent. It's as if everything he can't articulate was building up inside him.

"Do you understand what I'm saying, hm?" Hanma raised a brow and then pushed Haru away by his collar.

"Again, do you believe me now, Haru? Ran is the fucking reason why Chifuyu died! He killed him!" Hanma shouted.

"Cut it, Hanma. Stop your fucking bullshits," Mitsuya finally spoke, standing up from his chair. "You know the truth damn well." 

Then, Hanma points the gun at Mitsuya, clicking it as he removed the safety.

"You've always been such a nuisance for years, Mitsuya," Hanma's eyes were droopy as he glared at him.

"Stop getting in my way before this bullet gets in your head," he added sternly.

"That bullet won't equal to the lies you've lived with, among the lies you find comfort in," Mitsuya retorted.

"Shoot me. Go ahead," he threatened once more.

Hanma clenches his jaw and grips the Glock tightly. He laughed hysterically, his lips curved into a wicked grin. "Shut up, you and Haru are so obstinate, eh?"

"You're a masked man, Hanma. But there's a difference between you and Mask... A big difference."

A wicked face behind that invisible mask.

"Yeah, blablabla... The difference is that he's dead and I'm alive," Hanma bantered.

"You see, I fucking hate roads where there are small alleys, humps, and more branches to go to. I want a path that is clean and straightforward. Why is that, you may ask? It's because it's faster to reach your objective in your game, unlike some of these people. Now, look at them, sulking because an important piece in their game is on the verge of dying, so don't tell me that you two— Haru and Mitsuya—will end up like them?" Hanma added.

"I'm doing the best for the two of you! I'm your only ally left!" He convinced. 

"Mitsuya and Haru, you wanted to avenge Chifuyu? Haru, you wanted to kill the Haitani brothers or at least one of the Bonten higher-ups, right?"

Hanma continued, then glanced at the two men with a deceivingly compelling stare.

"Then the stage is all yours, Mitsuya and Haru."

Yeah, but it's Hanma who's controlling the strings behind the stage.

The same beeping sound indicates your life is still going off beside your hospital bed.

In the same routine, the Bonten higher-ups will go back to their mansion, taking turns staying in the hospital room with Mikey, who's not leaving the room under any circumstances.

The situation was perilous, and he knows it very well.

Anytime, anything can happen.

"You can go home anytime, you know? I called securities, in fact, bodyguards are guarding by the door right now," Kakucho muttered beside Mikey. Some of the men are still inside, waiting for like an eternity.

Mikey didn't speak, just blankly staring at the walls beside your hospital bed.

Even so, some of the men also had these little arguments that occurred that until now they're unsure if they're fixed.

Just like Mikey and Sanzu. Ran and Rindou. For the past few days, they've barely interacted with each other because of an argument.

It was difficult to understand each of the men's façades at the moment. It's like an impenetrable armor made of steel and thorns. They can hardly keep track of time and date.

Their last meeting with Erianne Dhiore, (L/N) (Y/N)'s stepmother was days ago.

A part of them felt like it made everything worst, but at least they realized some few things... more like remembered.

A memory to remember is that the contract, which is now crumpled in the hands of Eri is the only bridge connecting their relationship with (Y/N).

Which will terminate soon.

When will this misery also end?

It's just fate's little game that awaits them, which will also decide their path.

She was right, Eri was right, knowing too much is dangerous.

"We'll leave for a moment," Kakucho cleared his throat.

"Ran, Rindou, Sanzu, Koko," Kakucho called as he motioned them outside of the room.

Ran, who had been seated on the floor, stood up and sighed deeply as he took one last glance at your unconscious state in the hospital bed before exiting the room with a heavy atmosphere.

His eyes were glossy, tears threatening to spill at any moment while looking at you, but he quickly held them back as he decided to just close the door and proceed outside.

Ran was then met with Rindou, who was wandering around the hallway along with Kakucho and the others.

"Rin—" Ran called, reaching out for him, but the younger brother was already out of the hallway.

Ran's chest felt ten times heavier.

His comfort was there, which is the only thing that can heal those wounds. She's on the verge of dying, only the machines keeping her alive. Now he feels like he's being neglected by his other half, Rindou.

Ran sat on one of those cold empty metal chairs in the hallway, and he swore this was so vivid.

"Sano?" Kakucho called once again as he peered at the slit at the door, but the only thing facing him is Mikey's back.

They went outside since it seemed pointless to wait for an answer from their boss, leaving an acrimonious tone inside. Mikey never spoke, and no one in the room could bear the tension.

Mikey has refused to leave your side despite the passing of time. The only source of light in this dull, empty-like room is the sunrise and sunset vista outside the wide window beside your hospital bed.

It's the same view every day. It's the same routine every day.

Mikey laid his head on the white sheets, besides your body. He closes his eyes as he hums himself to sleep.

Minutes have passed, yet he's still wide awake.

Mikey raised his head once again, sighing to himself.

Mikey's gaze was drawn away from your unconscious state. He observes your face, and it seems lifeless. The colors were all drained, slowly contrasting into a void, just like his, and that's what he never wants to happen.

Is it too late?

But then, he noticed a tear spilling from your closed right eye.

"Huh?"

Manjiro's eyes widened from it, and he immediately stood up from the stool to check on you.

"(Y/N)?" He knows he's foolish for calling your name, knowing you're unconscious and in a coma, but this one part of him was still holding on.

A tear, that's the only response he got from you.

Mikey felt a sick pit on the bottom of his stomach, and a heavy boulder forming inside his chest. His pained eyes looked at the tear streak on your cheek, and the tip of his cold thumb grazes your cheek, wiping away the tear.

"Oh, God... I'm so sorry..." Manjiro's tears began to spill.

His lips start to quiver as it's impossible to hold back his tears now, blurring his sight as he held your hand that is penetrated with needles and covered with plasters. He holds it tightly as if it's a fragile glass and he lowers his head as his tears dampened the hospital bed sheets.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so fucking sorry," he whispers while holding your hands tightly.

Manjiro didn't deny it now, he just accepted what was coming from him, and by that, I mean how he didn't hold his tears back. They pour freely from his puffy, reddened eyes. 

He swore he can talk to you for hours as if you were listening to him, awake.

"I'm so fucking sorry. What have I done..." he whispered as he leans his forehead on your hand, caressing it as the tears stained the white bedsheets.

He knows you're holding on for dear life.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so fucking sorry. I swear... I know it's too late, but I'll fix everything. I had years. I wasted it all. I'm so sorry." 

"Y-your stepmother offered me choices. If you stay alive, you'll be given an option if you'll be taken away from us. If you die, I'll face any consequence. Neither of those choices would make me see you again.

"That's why even if I'll face death, I accepted it wholeheartedly."

"I'm not scared of dying... at all. I was never. Never."

"The words that I want to tell is you I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry."

How about those three words? Yet the question is, does he deserve to say that to you?

His chest was like jumping, he hoped, he begged for you to respond, even if he knows it's impossible... so impossible.

Mikey's head hung low in defeat. His forehead pressed against the back of your hand.

"Ken-chin, I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry you had to hide behind that mask all because of me. I wasn't thinking when I pulled the trigger."

Mikey looked at the sunset view outside the window.

"I heard you mentioned sunsets once in your letter in the walkie-talkie."

"(Y/N) always tells me how she watches the sunset before with you. Beside that tall tree in the lake, if I'm not mistaken."

"I didn't even have the chance to tell (Y/N) if we can watch together. I'm sorry, Ken. I should've told her earlier."

"Just maybe five more minutes..."

"Who will be left behind watching the sunset alone?" Mikey grieved heavily. "Fuck it. Who else can I hold onto?"

"Will you still forgive me? Will you all forgive me?"

A tear escaped from your eye again.

"If you can hear me... Will you still forgive me?" Mikey mumbled, but why was it hard for him to form those words?

Mikey's head raised as he suddenly remembered a word.

"Ken-chin, what's this word you describe (Y/N) with again in your letter...?"

He knows that either of the people he's talking to right now isn't beside him.

"P-paraluman? Is that right? Is that how you even pronounce it?"

"I remember it so vividly... I heard it from your walkie-talkie."

"After (Y/N) visited your grave... we went home, but somehow I spotted her bringing home something. It was familiar, and I recognized it soon enough. I asked myself, why didn't I bother stopping or even asking her about it?"

"I took her away from you, and I don't want to take the only thing that you left for (Y/N), which is the walkie-talkie."

"If only you know, Ken. If only you really know how she treasured that walkie-talkie for dear life. She protected it so much."

Mikey looked at you, still not responding, unconscious, but what's important for him right now is that you're alive and breathing.

All of these can't stop Mikey from reminiscing those words that Draken told in his letter.

Oh and, her beauty is one of a kind. I describe her as your paraluman.

"Where did you even learn that word, Ken?"

FLASHBACK

"'Yo! Mask, pst! Mornin', everyone!"

Haru cheerfully greeted them as he walked inside their office. To say, he's like the sun in their workplace. He always brings smiles to the employees even if they're bombarded with stressful tasks.

It's just like another usual day, with the sounds of mechanical keyboards, coffee machine whirring, phone calls, printer noises, and literally anything you can imagine inside a typical office.

"Gahdam! Mask, you woke up early today! Coffee- want some?" Haru offered as he patted Mask's back, who is sitting in his work cubicle, doing his work.

"No need," Mask refused. "I'll palpitate."

"Aww, why? It's not even brewed, c'mon! Or how about a hot curry for lunch? I'll cook for ya," Haru insisted as he sat beside him and reached for the folders and documents, also starting his work.

"By the way. I think... I think at the end of this month, I'll go back to my country," Haru told Mask.

"Your country?" Mask's attention was piqued. "Where? So, you're not from Japan?"

"No? I'm half-blooded. I'm half Filipino. I'm from the Philippines, remember?" Haru said.

"Oh." Mask blinked. "Philippines, huh?"

"Yeah! So that's why before I go back to the Philippines, I want to see what you look like under that mask," Haru told.

Draken's smile drops under the mask he's wearing. He sighed as he just nodded, reassuring his friend Haru. "Yeah, sure." Even if he knows that it's impossible.

"Mask... What a goofy silly name. Pfft! HAHAHAHA!" Haru laughed.

"Unlike you, who has the same nickname as our boss Sanzu Haruchiyo. Imagine having the same name with a lunatic crazy animal," Mask bantered.

"Well—! It's Haruki! Not Haruchiyoww!"

"It's still Haru."

"Yeah. Watch out because I'll know your real name soon," Haru threatened with his eyes dramatically twitching.

"It's Mask."

"Funny how you think I'd believe that. Who would name their child 'Mask'? Bro, where yo mama at?" Haru scoffed.

"Anyway, why did you employ in a criminal organization?" Haru whispered as he inched closer to Mask, making sure no one hears it.

"Stop asking random questions out of the blue."

"Eh? By the way, do you want me to teach you some Tagalog words?" Haru cheekily grinned.

"No."

"Aight aight— Putangina mo means I love you," Haru grinned as he raised his brows.

"I said no," Mask muttered, "and stop tricking. I know that It's a fucking curse word. I heard it from Mikey—"

"Huh?" Haru looked at him. "What? Did you just say, Mikey?"

"No—" Mask cursed himself in his head. "Fucking slipped."

"Holy shit! Is our Boss Sano also Half Filipino—?!" Haru's jaw dropped.

"Never mind, I forgot that he's dumb," Mask sighed in relief.

"Uhh... what else? What Tagalog words did I learn—? OH! Bobo means greetings," Haru told.

"It's another curse word," Mask said in a bored tone.

"Well damn," Haru blinked. "Why are you so hard to trick..."

"Probably because your tricks are shitty."

"Oh! I know a good one! I'm sure you don't know this! Hehehe..." Haru grins devilishly and widely as if he's a scientist who succeeded in making a weird-ass concoction.

"What?" Mask sighed, just going with the flow.

"Puday means goodbye."

"The fuck is a puday?" Mask scrunched his nose.

"Eyy! You don't know that! HAHAHAHA! It means goodbye, nothing else. See, it even rhymes! Puday is goodbye."

"Alright. Puday, Haru," Mask said as he stood up from his chair. "I'm going to eat lunch."

"HAHAHA! Goodbye—! I mean puday, Mask!"

"Wait— MASK! I remembered another word from my grandma!" Haru shouted as he pulled Mask's strap on the back of his mask, almost revealing his face.

"Hey!" Mask grumbled as he quickly fixed his mask. His heart pounding ten times quicker. "You almost removed my fucking mask."

"Oops, sorry. Heh," Haru held back his laugh.

Mask reclined back in his chair, attempting to secure his mask's strap behind his head; however, he was unaware that it was tilted in the front, slightly peeking, exposing the tattoo on the side of his skull to Haru.

Haru's eyes widened as he looked at it, "WOOOW! Holy shit! Your tattoo is cool!"

Mask's eyes widened as he immediately shut his mouth. "Quiet down, shh!"

"Oh, alright alright," Haru lifted his hand in front of his chest.

"So, do you know paraluman?" Haru asked.

"No?"

"So like... before I proceed-" Haru cleared his throat, "I heard you like this (Y/N), huh?" He raised his brows cheekily.

"What?" Mask's brows furrowed.

"Isn't she the girl that works here in our office too before? But what happened? She's not attending anymore. I'm a little worried. Plus, what's her relation with Bonten? Our bosses always take her out to places. Is she one of their girlfriends, or maybe a sugar baby? No? None of the above? Alright." Haru scratched his head. "Did that sound dumb?"

Mask just kept silent.

"Well, even so. Do you like (Y/N), Mask?"

"I'm well aware that I'm only here to watch over her," Mask replied, slightly curtly. 

"Huh? Hey! Are you a stalker or something?!" Haru gasped.

"Wha— no?! The fuck? The way you worded it. Oh my God," Mask heavily sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose in stress. "It's not like that."

"Then what? Look— Mask, I don't get you sometimes. What exactly are you doing in a criminal organization's extremely clandestine, secluded location? Do you realize how dangerous it is to work here? Even if we're only handling their paperwork? It's still a crime because this is illegal."

"I met (Y/N) years ago, even before I was employed here," Mask finally admitted, making Haru's eyes widen.

"It was all a blur. It was complicated. I never had any romantic relationship with her. Never. Though it was hard to grasp a proper relationship with (Y/N) because of a deceased person that has been engulfing in my mind ever since."

"Until it reached the point that I was fueled. (Y/N)'s stepmother got into the hospital. I visited her with (Y/N), but my emotions got ahead of me. I admitted a bitter thing to (Y/N)."

"I never felt so guilty in my life."

"The least I could do is to fulfill my promise that her stepmother delegated to me, and that is to protect (Y/N)."

"Even if it costs my life."

Haru was sitting on the corner, bawling his eyes out like a toddler with snot running down his nostrils, as if he was the one experiencing Mask's story.

"The hell you cryin' for? Dramatic as fuck," Mask grunted.

"HuwAaaH~! T-that was— (Y/N) and you should r-really get together!" Haru sniffled while wiping his tears and snot.

Mask shook his head, "Even if I wanted to, I couldn't."

"Huh—" Haru suddenly stopped crying. "So... you really wanted to be with her? You didn't deny it."

"You know what? Whatever. Just teach me some Tagalog words. You sound less dumb when doing it," Mask said as he was finally done fixing his mask.

"Uhh o-okay... Let me think what word was it again, hmm...." Haru thought. "Gahdam! I easily forget."

"Oh! I remember it now!" he exclaimed as he jumped.

"Calm down. Boss might come in any minute, or worst, one of Bonten higher-ups," Mask said.

"Okay okay, the word is paraluman," Haru said.

"Paraluman?" Mask tilted his head. "What's that? It better not be some another curse word, or I might actually use it."

"No no, it's a beautiful word...!"

"What does it mean?"

"It's like an epitome. Paraluman can mean many things in Tagalog, but usually, it describes a muse, a beautiful woman. Well for me, I like to describe paraluman as a paradise, a beautiful paradise with a sunset."

Mask was intrigued with the meaning of that word. To say the least, it was fascinating.

"Paraluman, right? Is that how you properly pronounce it?"

"Yeah, so that's why remember me, Mask! I'm the one who taught you that Tagalog word. Make it memorable! That way, whenever you hear the word paraluman, it'll remind you of me! Your one and only best friend!" Haru said enthusiastically.

Draken melancholy smiled under the mask. "Yeah."

It was hard to admit, but Haru only reminds Draken of Mikey.

Just like how (Y/N) reminded Draken of Emma before.

"So, Mask. Who's your paradise? Rather, who's your paraluman?"

END OF FLASHBACK

It's late afternoon, but Haru already wants to fall asleep.

Haru, on the other hand, is unable to sleep due to all of these thoughts. It's steadily building up inside him, and he's afraid he'll burst at any minute.

Mitsuya, Haru, and Hanma are still inside the hospital room where Hanma is still confined. 

Mitsuya is seated in the corner of the room, scrolling through his phone, while Hanma is sleeping. Haru is lying on the couch next to the huge window, which overlooks breathtaking scenery and a stunning sunset.

But Haru winced because of the view. He hates it.

"Close the blinds," Haru told Mitsuya, since he's the one closer to the blind's roller.

Mitsuya only raised a brow.

"I hate sunsets," Haru muttered.

Haru started to hate those beautiful sunsets he once called paradise after that day.

While Mitsuya stood up to close the blinds and curtains, he left his phone screen open behind Haru, causing him to look at it inadvertently.

Mitsuya's phone is in the gallery app, and it shows memory photographs and videos of Chifuyu, his deceased best friend, and him. Haru's chest tightens, and Mitsuya is in the same situation as him. They're in the same boat.

The two men know that they're both mourning their best friend's death.

Haru looked at the sunset for the last time before the blinds finally closed. The last glimpse of the sunset he used to call paradise. A word he also despises because it's his term for paraluman, the word that he taught Mask. The only word that is a remembrance of him.

Do sunsets really signify the end and a paradise will be the destination?

A/N: vacation has finally arrived, so hopefully I'll be quick with updates soon. I think I already said this, but the ending for Hasty Feisty is already decided. I'm starting to write it piece by piece, and no, there are no alternative endings. ONLY ONE that will bring proper closure to the book :)