Breezeblocks Part I

[Word Count: 2637]

----------

November 10th, 1984

In the early hours of the day, as dawn painted the sky in soft hues, a symphony of chirping birds filled the air, their graceful flight adding a touch of serenity to the bustling city below. Amidst the crowd, people hurriedly navigated the labyrinthine streets, each lost in their own world.

Yet, unbeknownst to them, this seemingly ordinary day held a touch of despair waiting to greet them.

A shiver ran down Yuki's spine as she stepped out of the car, the winter's icy grip clawing at her exposed skin. She wrapped her arms around herself, desperately seeking warmth, while her breath formed misty clouds in the crisp air. It was a bone-chilling cold that seemed to penetrate to the core, making her momentarily question her decision to brave the elements.

"Brrr, it's too cold," Yuki exclaimed.

Undeterred by the biting wind, Yuki, accompanied by Leo and Shouzou, approached the antique shop. Each step forward was met with resistance as if the very air around them conspired to dissuade their journey.

Yuki's eyes watered slightly as the gusts of wind tugged at her hair and whipped against her cheeks. She stole a glance at Leo and Shouzou, both steadfast in their resolve despite the unforgiving cold.

As Yuki and her companions approached the antique shop, the door swung open, revealing Takeshi's looming figure standing at the entrance. His plain face and outstretched hand invited them in, a beacon of warmth in the frosty air.

Yuki quickened her steps, her eagerness to escape the clutches of the biting cold evident in her hurried movements. She practically leaped across the threshold, grateful for the sanctuary of the antique shop. Takeshi gently closed the door behind them, effectively shutting out the wintry gusts that nipped at their heels.

Yuki, still recovering from the chill, tapped her feet on the shop's floor, shaking off any lingering snow that clung to her shoes. Turning to Takeshi, she expressed her gratitude for his gesture, a hint of relief visible on her face. With a sigh, she shed her coat, feeling the weight of the cold weather lift off her shoulders.

However, Yuki's momentary respite was abruptly interrupted as the door swung open once again, a blast of frigid air rushing in, causing a shiver to run down her spine. She visibly recoiled, her annoyance evident as she glared at the newly arrived Leo and Shouzou. Their nonchalant expressions and casual shrugs only fueled her frustration.

As they joined her inside, kicking off the snow from their shoes, Yuki's pout deepened, an angry glint in her eyes. She wasted no time in expressing her dissatisfaction, unleashing a tirade about their lack of consideration and thoughtfulness. Her words carried a mixture of frustration and a touch of playful scolding, an attempt to mask her true feelings of being left in the cold.

Together, they made their way toward Yuki's office, the atmosphere tinged with a hint of playful reproach.

Arriving at her office, Yuki settled down at her desk, diligently signing off on paperwork, the stack slowly dwindling as she worked through the day's tasks. Meanwhile, downstairs, Shouzou kept himself occupied with various tasks, his footsteps occasionally echoing through the busy building.

Leo, on the other hand, found solace in the corner of Yuki's office, idly watching the television that sat perched on a stand. The room was filled with the faint sounds of the game show's cheerful contestants.

Amidst the routine of the day, Yuki would occasionally take short breaks to stretch her limbs, the monotony of paperwork taking its toll on her body. During one of these breaks, she made her way to the couch where Leo was seated, drawn to the amusing spectacle on the screen. They both settled comfortably on the couch, their attention divided between the absurd challenges on the show and their lighthearted conversation, the stresses of work momentarily forgotten.

However, their carefree moment was abruptly shattered as the ground beneath them began to tremble.

"An earthquake?" Yuki questioned.

Yuki's initial confusion was quickly replaced by concern as the tremors intensified. At that moment, instinct kicked in, and she swiftly guided Leo under her sturdy desk, seeking shelter from the escalating quake.

The tremors grew in intensity, shaking everything within the office violently. Appliances rattled and toppled, papers flew through the air, creating a whirlwind of chaos. Yuki held onto Leo tightly, seeking solace in each other's presence amidst the unsettling turmoil.

After what felt like an eternity, but was likely only less than a minute, the earthquake gradually subsided, leaving behind a scene of disarray. Yuki, covered in a thin layer of dust, composed herself before carefully inspecting Leo for any signs of injury.

Concern etched on Yuki's face, she anxiously asked, "Are you okay?" Her worried inquiry was met with a nod from Leo, his assurance bringing a sense of relief that washed over Yuki like a soothing balm. Taking a moment to collect herself, she let out a sigh of relief.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, the office stood as a testament to the unexpected disruption, appliances displaced, and papers scattered haphazardly.

Yuki let out an exasperated click of her tongue as she surveyed the aftermath of the earthquake. The office was a disheveled mess, with papers strewn across the floor and toppled furniture creating obstacles in every corner.

As she took in the chaos around her, a hurried step reached her office, signaling the arrival of Shouzou, concerned and eager to assess the situation.

With a resigned wave of her hand, Yuki acknowledged Shouzou's inquiry. "Yeah, just..." Her voice trailed off as she gestured towards the disarray, the state of the room speaks volumes about the recent tremors.

As if mocking the tumultuous events, the television in the corner emitted an unexpected noise, miraculously undamaged by the quake. Yuki's bitter laugh escaped her lips as she walked over to the TV, her footsteps accompanied by the crunch of fallen debris. She turned up the volume, and an emergency broadcast filled the room, replacing the silence with urgent information.

"A bit late, don't you think?" Yuki remarked wryly, her words met with a snort of agreement from Shouzou, who stood nearby, surveying the wreckage.

Before the news anchor could appear on the screen, the emergency broadcast abruptly shifted to live aerial footage, capturing the extent of the devastation. Yuki's breath caught in her throat as she watched in disbelief.

The footage revealed a trail of demolished buildings, an eerie testament to the havoc wreaked by forces beyond their understanding. The wreckage seemed to stretch endlessly, the camera's perspective shifting to showcase the ravaged countryside, further amplifying the scale of the disaster.

"Oh my god," Yuki gasped, her voice laced with horror, her eyes glued to the screen as the scenes of destruction unfolded before her.

In the presence of such unprecedented devastation, Yuki and Shouzou stood frozen, their eyes widened in shock. A title card appeared at the bottom of the screen, the words stark against the backdrop of chaos.

The message conveyed a chilling truth: "Due to a currently unknown devil attack across Japan, it is requested that people stay indoors as Public Safety investigates this matter." The gravity of the situation sank in as the message repeated, its urgent tone resonating with the weight of the unfolding crisis.

The broadcast continued to relay a series of shots, each frame capturing the shattered remnants of what was once familiar and thriving.

Yuki took a step back, her hand instinctively covering her mouth as her eyes welled up with emotion. She glanced over at Leo, whose expression revealed a surprising sigh of relief amidst the chaos. Curiosity and concern filled her heart, prompting her to close the distance between them.

Closing the physical gap, Yuki gently wrapped her arms around Leo, enveloping him in a comforting embrace. Her touch exuded warmth and understanding, a tender connection that spoke volumes without the need for words.

"It's scary, isn't it?" Yuki's voice was a soft whisper, her fingers slowly gliding through Leo's hair. "Life can change in an instant, turning everything upside down. But remember, amidst the chaos, we must keep moving forward. Life doesn't stop being funny when someone dies nor does it stop being serious when someone laughs, remember that."

Leo let her words sink in. At that moment, he realized how vulnerable he really is, how easily the Gun Devil could have upended his entire life. After all the time he had spent adjusting and forming connections, he couldn't afford to lose everything now.

Stepping back, Yuki looked up at Leo, admiring his increased height that now reached her shoulders. A playful giggle escaped her lips as she pinched his face gently.

"You've grown taller," Yuki teased, her eyes shining with affection. "If you want to get a little taller, try indulging in some hope."

Taking a step back, Yuki playfully ruffled his hair, signifying a shift in their focus.

"Now," Yuki declared, her voice filled with determination. "Let's clean this place up, it's a mess."

Working side by side, Yuki and Leo began to clear the wreckage, their movements synchronizing as they swiftly organized and tidied the space. With each item they picked up and every surface they restored, a small semblance of normalcy started to emerge amidst the remnants of destruction.

Hours passed, and the antique shop began to regain its former charm. Shouzou, who had been overseeing the process downstairs, joined them in the final stages of restoration. Together, they stood back and admired their collective efforts.

Yuki's eyes gleamed with pride as she looked at the transformed space. "See? We can always find a way to rebuild, to create something beautiful again," she said, her voice filled with determination.

Calling her cleaned office beautiful was a stretch, but it was certainly rebuilt with their combined efforts and determination.

However, as the day neared its end and they prepared to head home, an unsettling stillness enveloped the surroundings. The biting winter wind intensified, and the sun's descent cast an eerie glow over the deserted streets. The gravity of the situation became palpable as fewer people ventured outside, heeding the seriousness of the earlier broadcast.

As they walked towards the car, time seemed to stretch out for Leo. A sense of foreboding settled deep within him, an unexplainable dread creeping up his spine. Yuki, growing impatient with the cold, started lightly jogging towards the car, unaware of the turmoil building within Leo.

In a sudden surge of instinct, Leo kicked off the snow and rushed towards Yuki, his words catching in his throat. "Wai--"

But it was too late.

Everything unfolded in agonizingly slow motion. Leo could only watch, his heart pounding, as the explosion enveloped Yuki's silhouette. Piece by piece, her form disappeared into the destructive force, consumed by the exploding vehicle.

BOOM!

The force of the blast sent Leo flying back, his body skidding across the snow-covered ground. His eyes remained fixed on Yuki, even as she was carried through the air by the explosive fury. The flames danced and flickered, briefly illuminating the darkness that had descended upon their lives.

The deafening sound of the explosion reverberated through the block, leaving a disorienting ringing sensation in Leo's ears. Stopping his momentum, he pushed himself off the ground and sprinted toward Yuki's landing spot.

Falling to his knees, Leo reached her, his pants tearing against the unforgiving ground, leaving his knees bloodied. Desperation and fear coursed through his veins as he frantically examined Yuki's body. The aftermath of the explosion marked her skin, remnants of the devastation scattered across her form, but she was still breathing, a faint sign of life.

The ringing in Leo's ears gradually subsided, replaced by the cacophony of distant voices calling for an ambulance. But his focus remained solely on Yuki, her serene expression with closed eyes etching itself into his memory.

Time seemed suspended at that moment as Leo watched over Yuki, flashing lights of the approaching ambulance pierced the darkness, and a glimmer of hope ignited.

Time lost all meaning as Leo and Shouzou found themselves in the hallway outside the emergency room. The sterile environment offered no solace, its clinical ambiance only amplified their anxiety.

Shouzou slumped onto one of the chairs, his face buried in his trembling hands. The weight of the situation bore down on him, his fingers gripping onto the threads of hope that threatened to unravel.

Leo stood at the center of the hallway, his eyes fixed on the closed doors of the emergency room. The sound of the heart monitor seeped through the barrier, a haunting reminder of Yuki's fragile state. He could hear every time she flat-lined, only to be followed by the desperate struggle to revive her fading pulse.

Silence enveloped them both, suffocating them with its oppressive presence. The minutes stretched into hours, a relentless passage of time that mocked their helplessness. It was in this stifling stillness that their shared anguish thrived.

They despised this waiting game, the uncertainty gnawing at their souls. It felt like an eternity trapped in a purgatory of fear and unanswered questions. Every second dragged on, an agonizing reminder of the precious moments slipping away.

"Shouzou," Leo uttered, breaking the heavy silence.

Shouzou lifted his gaze from his trembling hands, his eyes red and swollen from tears. He met Leo's unwavering stare, seeing a reflection of his anguish mirrored in his eyes. The weight of their shared sorrow hung heavily in the air.

Leo's voice dropped to a hushed tone, barely audible in the suffocating stillness. "Let me use your phone."

Shouzou clenched his fists, his jaw tensed with pent-up frustration. He looked down at the floor, his inner turmoil etched on his face. With a shaky breath, he reached for his phone, silently acquiescing to Leo's request.

Leo closed his eyes, momentarily averting his gaze from the emergency room doors. He directed his steps towards Shouzou, standing before him as a pillar of strength amidst their shattered world. Accepting the phone, he retreated a few paces, his fingers dialing a number with deliberate precision.

"Hello?" Andy's voice greeted on the other end.

"We're following through with Tanaka's spa tomorrow," Leo's voice resonated with a dark resolve.

"Yeah?" Andy's tone held a note of inquiry.

"Yeah," Leo confirmed, the weight of his decision heavy in his voice.

"Okey dokie," Andy responded before ending the call.

Leo's eyes returned to the emergency room doors, their imposing presence haunting him. The emergency light flickered off, casting a shadow over his weary heart.

Meanwhile, Shouzou's attention was drawn to the doors as they slowly swung open. His breath caught in his throat as he witnessed the doctors emerging with somber expressions etched upon their faces. Overwhelmed by grief, he buried his face in his hands, allowing silent tears to stream down his cheeks.

The realization hit hard—Yuki was gone.

Leo's gaze remained fixed on the closing doors, capturing a fleeting glimpse of Yuki's serene form lying on the operating table. His hands tightened into fists, his knuckles turning white with tension. Ignoring the doctor's gesture of comfort, Leo felt a storm raging within him as he fought against the crushing weight of despair.

With the news delivered, the doctors quietly departed, leaving Leo and Shouzou alone in the desolate hallway.

Leo's gaze lingered on the sealed doors for a moment longer before he released a trembling sigh and turned away, his steps heavy with resignation.

"She wouldn't want this," Shouzou's voice wavered, breaking the silence.

Leo's movement faltered, his eyes drifting downwards to the cold floor. "I know."

Summoning his strength, Leo took a deep breath and took another step forward, his determination resolute.

"But I want this," he whispered, leaving Shouzou behind in the hallway.