As Leo slowly awakened from his slumber, he blinked groggily, his eyes fixated on the wall before him. Sensing the presence of a cozy blanket draped over him, he felt a comforting warmth envelop his body.

Pushing himself up, Leo's gaze fell upon the jacket he had clutched throughout the night. A surge of realization washed over him as he surveyed his surroundings—it was his own bed he found himself in, despite falling asleep at the foot of it the previous night.

"Shouzou must have walked in after I fell asleep," Leo concluded.

Despite the absence of restful sleep for three consecutive days, an unfamiliar sense of rejuvenation coursed through Leo's veins. His limbs felt lighter, and each breath flowed with newfound ease.

Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, Leo sat up, his attention drawn to the letter from Yuki resting on the nightstand, safely nestled back in its envelope. With a soft sigh, he rubbed his still-sleepy eyes before rising to his feet. His body definitely felt lighter.

Engaging in a satisfying stretch, Leo felt a series of gratifying cracks reverberate throughout his body, accompanied by a relieved exhale. It was as if the tension and exhaustion he had carried were finally dissipating, leaving behind a renewed sense of vitality.

Casting another glance at the nightstand, Leo picked up the letter, giving it a tender inspection before his gaze shifted to the extravagant coat he had received. In the dimness of the previous night, its intricate details had remained concealed, but now they were revealed in all their grandeur.

Examining the coat as he draped it over his shoulder, Leo couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness wash over him. This would be the final gift he would receive from someone so dear to his heart. The coat, however, seemed impossibly oversized, emphasizing the vastness of the growth he would need to undergo to live up to Yuki's expectations.

As he tried it on, the coat enveloped him completely, obscuring his hands and reaching down to his ankles. Leo knew that he had much to learn and develop before he could confidently wear such a garment. Nonetheless, he found solace in its warmth, wrapping his arms around himself, and taking in the new coat's distinct scent.

Yes, there was still a journey of growth ahead of him, a path to traverse before he could truly embody the strength and purpose the coat symbolized. Carefully removing the coat, Leo walked toward his closet, where he hung it with care. He understood that one day, when he had grown into his own potential, he would proudly wear it.

Stepping back, Leo cast one last glance at the coat, a tangible reminder of his aspirations and the growth that awaited him. With a resolute turn, he shifted his focus to the day that lay ahead, aware that there were still tasks to accomplish and responsibilities to fulfill.

Casting a curious gaze outside, Leo noticed that darkness still enveloped the world, signaling that the sun had yet to rise. A sense of uncertainty washed over him—had he slept for too long, or was it simply an exceptionally early hour? The answer remained elusive, prompting him to embark on a quest for clarity.

As Leo ventured out of his room, a distinct smell of burning reached his nostrils, causing him to furrow his brow in concern. His gaze fell upon Shouzou, who stood amid a frantic scene, desperately attempting to extinguish whatever had caught fire. Opting to temporarily disregard the chaos, Leo resolved to address it later, recognizing that his immediate priority lay elsewhere.

Navigating his way to the bathroom, Leo's senses were assaulted by the overwhelming grime that clung to his body. Three days without proper rest or cleansing had taken its toll, leaving him longing for the rejuvenation that awaited beneath the shower's cascading water. The need for a thorough wash had become a pressing necessity.

Closing the bathroom door behind him, Leo surrendered himself to the healing power of water. Each drop that caressed his skin served as a symbolic renewal, washing away the physical and emotional remnants of the past few days. The rhythmic sound of the water provided a calming backdrop, offering a moment of tranquility amidst the turmoil that surrounded him.

With each passing second, the weight of exhaustion began to lift, replaced by a renewed sense of energy and purpose. As the water cleansed his weary frame, Leo's mind started to clear, the fog of grief and turmoil gradually dissipating. He emerged from the shower, clean and fresh, ready for the day, maybe.

Stepping out of the bathroom, he resolved to confront the burning situation that had caught his attention earlier.

Stepping out of the shower room, droplets of water glistening on his freshly cleaned skin, Leo's attention was immediately drawn to the sight of Shouzou hunched over the kitchen table. A defeated expression etched across his face, he sat before a culinary creation that appeared far from appetizing, abandoned, and unappreciated.

Considering the state of affairs, Leo decided that the matter could wait until he was dressed. He walked away, sensing the weight of disappointment settling upon Shouzou like a heavy cloak.

Releasing a resigned sigh, Leo returned, draped in a towel as makeshift attire. Taking a seat opposite Shouzou, he prepared himself for the culinary catastrophe that lay before them.

Glancing into the pan, Leo couldn't help but notice the charred remnants of food clinging to its surface. It seemed that Shouzou's attempt at cooking had resulted in a blackened spectacle, while the surviving morsels were scattered haphazardly atop the unappetizing display.

"So," Leo began, his voice laced with a touch of amusement. "What do we have here?"

"Eggs," Shouzou replied, his tone heavy with disappointment.

"How many?" Leo inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Eight," came Shouzou's dejected response.

Suppressing the urge to burst into laughter or exclaim in disbelief, Leo maintained a composed demeanor. Eight whole eggs—quite the culinary feat, albeit not the desired outcome.

Surveying the burnt offering before them, Leo couldn't help but make a wry observation. "If you squint hard enough, it almost looks edible, doesn't it?"

Shouzou slumped further into his seat, a cloud of disappointment hanging over him like a heavy shroud. The failed cooking attempt had clearly taken its toll on his spirits.

"So, how did you end up trying your hand at cooking?" Leo asked, attempting to shift the conversation away from the culinary disaster. "I recall you mentioning that you're not exactly skilled in the kitchen."

A deep sigh escaped Shouzou's lips as he contemplated his answer. "You're right, I am terrible at cooking. I suppose I just wanted to give it a shot, see if I could surprise myself."

Leo raised an eyebrow while picking through the burnt mess looking for something edible "Well, maybe next time you could start by reading a cookbook or following a recipe."

"God damnit," Shouzou muttered, smacking his forehead in frustration at the oversight

Reacting swiftly, Shouzou retrieved the pan from Leo's grasp, preventing him from unwittingly consuming the inedible concoction. Disposing of the burnt remnants, he returned to the kitchen, rummaging through the cabinets in search of a solution.

"Yuki doesn't own any cookbooks," Leo informed Shouzou.

Shouzou turned to face Leo, his expression one of incredulity. "Then how does she know how to cook?"

A touch of nostalgia laced Leo's voice as he recalled Yuki's explanation. "She mentioned taking a cooking course in college."

Shouzou's face darkened, realizing the insurmountable gap in his culinary skills. He stood no chance against Yuki's expertise.

"Why the sudden interest in cooking anyway?" Leo asked.

Shouzou's gaze shifted to the ground, his voice softening. "...I wanted to make a lunchbox."

Leo hummed thoughtfully. "Well, depending on what you're planning, some dishes benefit from being prepared a day in advance and left to marinate overnight in the fridge."

Looking up at Leo, Shouzou wore a skeptical expression. "Wait, you can cook?"

Leo shrugged nonchalantly. "I dabble."

Deciding that it was time to get properly dressed, Leo rose from his seat, feeling a chill in the air.

After donning his uniform, Leo returned to the living room, his eyes immediately drawn to Shouzou, who was pouring himself a bowl of cereal. As he glanced at the calendar on the wall, he noticed that the 10th was still circled, a poignant reminder of the fateful day.

"Shouzou," Leo called out, his voice carrying a tinge of introspection.

"Hmm?" Shouzou responded, setting the milk back in the refrigerator.

Curiosity gleamed in Leo's eyes as he posed a question. "What day is it today?"

Shouzou paused, considering the question for a moment. "It's the fourteenth," he replied, his tone tinged with a touch of solemnity.

Leo nodded in acknowledgment, his expression reflecting the weight of the passing days. Without a word, he reached for a marker, the tip hovering over the calendar. With deliberate movements, he began to cross off the preceding days, one by one. Each stroke of the marker was a small act of closure, a visual representation of time moving forward.

With one final stroke, Leo crossed out the thirteenth.

As the sun's gentle rays spilled into the neighborhood, illuminating the streets of Japan, a new day unfolded, signaling the dawn of hope amidst the recent chaos.

The aftermath of the Gun Devil's devastating attack and the subsequent fires that ravaged the nation had left a profound impact, like scars etched upon the collective consciousness of the country. It was a time when Japan craved respite, a momentary reprieve from the relentless storms that had battered its shores.

However, the inexorable march of time beckoned Leo toward the obligations of the present. The weight of missed school days hung over him, a testament to the sacrifices he had made, the messages he had sent to the Yakuza through the flames that consumed homes and warehouses

The days ahead loomed with relentless busyness for everyone within Yuki's faction. In the wake of her passing, Leo found himself thrust into a role he may not have sought, tasked with carrying forth her ideals and leading the group.

Whether he felt ready or not, the impending future demanded his presence, and the weight of responsibility settled upon his shoulders. The power vacuum left by Yuki's and the three big families' absence would attract opportunistic vultures, seeking to assert dominance over Tokyo.

Leo knew that the days to come would require him to navigate treacherous waters, employing a calculated balance of cunning and ruthless violence to maintain order and protect what Yuki had fought for.

Straightening his tie, Leo prepared himself for the following days.

As Leo made his way toward the door, a sudden cry from Shouzou halted his steps. Turning to face Shouzou, he spotted him holding a bowl of cereal.

Confusion furrowed Leo's brow as he shrugged, unsure of what Shouzou wanted. The older man gestured towards him with the bowl, trying to convey a message. Leo's perplexity lingered until he pointed to himself, seeking clarification. Shouzou nodded vigorously in response.

A bemused smile tugged at Leo's lips. "Nah, I'm good," he assured Shouzou. "I'll grab something from the corner store."

Disbelief flashed across Shouzou's face as he glanced at the discarded cereal bowl. Grumbling under his breath, he made his way to the sink, turned on the garbage disposal, and disposed of the unwanted breakfast.

"I'm more than capable of taking care of myself, you know," Leo voiced his independence, feeling a need to assert his autonomy.

Shouzou let out a sigh, his actions betraying his concern. Approaching Leo, he extended a set of keys and a key card, placing them in his hands.

"Undoubtedly, Yuki would scold me for leaving you alone," Shouzou admitted, his voice laced with a hint of remorse before putting a hand on Leo's shoulder. "But I don't want to burden you. However, don't think for a second that I'll let you face your challenges alone."

With each word, Shouzou's grip on Leo's shoulder tightened, conveying a silent promise of unwavering support.

Leo met Shouzou's gaze, finding sincerity and determination in his eyes. A chuckle escaped his lips as he playfully bumped his fist against Shouzou's chest. "In that case, Shouzou, I'll be counting on you."

Shouzou's stoic expression softened into a smirk, a hint of warmth shining through. He huffed in response, his gruff demeanor belied by the underlying camaraderie. "Count on it, brat," he retorted, reaffirming his commitment.

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