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Shibuya, Japan - 2005

Three days after, Kiriko is officially discharged. The moment she stepped outside the family hospital. She was greeted by motorbikes, completely covering up the whole front of the facility.

"Kiricchi!" She heard the very familiar childish tone approaching her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and snuggle his face over her neck.

"You are finally free!" Mikey said excitedly almost jumping for joy as Draken tries to stop his friend, constantly reminding him about the wounds that might get reopened because of Mikey's rashness.

Kiriko felt comfortable with Mikey snuggling himself into her. Draken looked at them with a question running through his mind; since when did these two start to act like they are in a relationship?

"So, what did I miss?" she asked Draken who has his scowled and disgusted face. Kiriko facepalmed, "You know what if you want some snuggling and cuddles I can call Emma."

Right on cue, Draken's face is now bright red.

"Shut the fuck up!" satisfied with the beanpole's reaction she let out a well-pleased smirk that only made Draken feel even more embarrassed, "You better be thankful that you are in a recovery state," he grumbled and let her teasing slide. While Kiriko is thinking about how to relay this to the Sano girl.

"How are you feeling?" the mother of the gang, Mitsuya asked the girl, pushing Draken to the side.

Kiriko slightly move her hips, "I feel better." she answered only to be corrected.

"Nah-uh-uh, Kiri-chan. You are prohibited from doing any excessive actions. No fighting, running, sprinting, jumping, and if possible don't work for a while." Shinobu said behind her making Mikey gasp really loud.

"What?! I am bringing you back here, Kiricchi!"

"What the---! She is just kidding, Mikey!"

Mikey attempted to carry her back inside the facility. Making Shinobu giggle quietly. She admits that this scene is amusing to watch. Of course, it did not get past Kiriko's eyes.

"Shinobu-san is just exaggerating things!"

"She is the professional! We need to listen to the professionals!"

"Since when did you start listening to others?!"

"I do listen!"

"As I asked, SINCE WHEN?!"

Before the resisting becomes more aggressive. Knowing that Kiriko currently has no restraint. Shinobu claps her hands to call their attention, "How cute. But jokes aside, I am serious that you are not allowed to do any excessive actions in the meantime until your wound patches up. I know you are a responsible young girl who will do what the doctors say, right?" she is smiling but it feels like there is a hidden threat behind her words and kind smile.

Kiriko sighs, "I understand."

Shinobu smiled genuinely, "Great." if the girl says that she understands. Then she has nothing to worry about being reckless and thoughtless doing the opposite. She turn her gaze towards the little pomeranian-looking boy with his arms still wrapped around the girl. She couldn't help but stitch this scene on her head as she might never have a chance to catch sight of this.

"As for you young man. I am counting on you to take care of our dear Kiri-chan."

Mikey stood up straight and saluted to the woman, "I will not let her get away from my sight."

Shinobu felt warm, "Thank you." she watches the group of teenagers now driving away with their motorbikes. Laughing so sincerely and full of youth. Her eyes followed the amethyst-eyed young girl. Who seemed to be like a normal teenager, having the best time with her circle of friends.

However...

"The soiled hands will never be clean again..." she could only mumble under her breath. Everyone who is connected to the underground society threw away this innocence.

Her mind now wanders to the two certain boys who somehow got into their mess.

"But that aside... Kiri-chan still has the Decimo to convince him about this addition." sighed exasperatedly and confirmed that the kids are no longer in her sight. She goes back inside to finish her remaining work.

Back in Kiriko's current situation, which is being dragged by the Toman high-ranking members.

"I know this is late to ask... but why are you fetching me more than my cousins?" she asked curiously. Other than Milim who would love to be the one to welcome her back--- who couldn't because of confidential (mafia-related) matters. The people who she expected to welcome her is not the Toman, but her triplet's cousins.

Draken was the one who answered it, "They are supposed to be with us. But they said that something came up."

Kiriko could only hum in response. She has a lot of questions building in her mind. The top question would be: How and when did they acquire a dying will flame?

It couldn't be... she doesn't want to overthink it. But it can only mean one thing.

"Now that you are officially discharged. Let's have Kenchin treat us dorayaki as a celebration!"

"Hey! Don't decide things without my consent!"

Mikey drove faster towards the nearest dorayaki place. Draken follows them while the others simply watch their leaders have a chase game, with the poor girl getting dragged inside of it.

Out of their knowledge. There is a figure of a man, with a dark long braid looking at a certain raven-haired girl with his watchful eyes.

He smiled gently as he mumbled, "The triplets successfully prevented it, huh."

Now that the life of his granddaughter is out of danger. He disappeared in thin air. Thinking of going back now that their mission has been accomplished.

Or so they thought it is.

Sicily, Italy - 2017

Fon opened his eyes after experiencing the familiar spiral abyss. The pathway that the Bazooka has to travel in the future, or now in the past after some revisions.

"Welcome back, Storm Arcobaleno."

He heard Irie Shoichi, sitting beside his capsule where his body and soul materialized after time leaping. 

"The triplets?"

"They are still not back," Shoichi replied.

They are not yet back? Why is that? Knowing the triplets. After doing a mission, they head back to the headquarters. Just in time the door opened and a very familiar man entered the secluded room.

"I am glad to see you back, Fon. But I am afraid our celebration must cut off."

The seriousness is evident in Decimo's tone. Fon immediately sensed that something serious has happened.

"I suppose the celebration could wait."

I apologize for such a long hiatus. I am now planning to start a few drafts before I continue this story. Rest assured that I am working on it. Thank you so much for all the support and patience you have given for this story. You guys are the best! I hope you will continue to reach till the end ^_^