Chapter Text
Enjin still vividly remembered Kyouka's visit to headquarters, and how Corvus had preempted her by sending Rudo to Canvas Town on a mission. Hell Guards visiting the Cleanup Team's headquarters wasn't unusual, but the fact that the Hell Guard leader herself came certainly wasn't just for a routine damage report that wasn't yet due. And Kyouka's subsequent greeting confirmed the close (hostile) relationship Kyouka had with Enjin.
Enjin was lost in a hazy stream of thoughts. After the battle with Mymo, things had become far more complicated. While he was still unconscious after being blown away by Mymo's attack, Zanka had to face the monster alone and take its full damage. He failed to protect Zanka. That's why Enjin was speechless when Kyouka refused to let him see Zanka after Goka brought the boy back to the Nijiku clan in a severely injured state.
Nearly two months passed, and on an inspiring night, Enjin decided to take a stroll through the streets or enjoy a good drink at a bar. He wanted to find someone to keep him company, until Semiu's voice rang out from his choker:
"Enjin, the Hell Guards have arrived at our headquarters. It seems Kyouka, by some miraculous means, has allowed you to meet Zanka. They said you must go to the Nijiku mansion if you want to see Zanka, and they only agreed to let you meet him tonight."
Enjin was slightly surprised before replying to Semiu:
“I understand, Semiu, I’ll go straight to the Nijiku family mansion.”
“No, they said they’ll escort you from the Cleaner headquarters, Enjin. Is that alright? Clearly, they’re not just simply ‘escorting’ you to meet Zanka. The Hell Guards are clearly trying to interrogate you in detail about the battle with Mymo in their territory.”
“It’s alright, no matter how much they want to interrogate me, that kid has probably already had enough before me. Now I just want to see Zanka.”
Semiu was silent for a moment, then she simply replied:
“…I understand, but remember, you didn’t do anything wrong in this matter at all, and if anything happens, the Cleaner team will always be on your side.”
“I know, thank you very much, Semiu.”
As the choker fell silent, Enjin still held it and stood for a long time in front of a shop in the street. The lights from the late-night eateries and the colorful signs cast a kaleidoscope of hues onto the street, making the surroundings lively and vibrant even in the evening. But Enjin stood against the light, and his eyes seemed to be looking at something that didn't belong there.
Enjin stepped out of the car and followed the two guards through the inner gate. Although he had known for a long time, one thing Enjin had to admit was that the Nijiku family was truly an extremely wealthy family. From the car he was escorted in, to this ridiculously extravagant, ostentatious gate. This was his first time at the Nijiku family mansion. Thinking about the barrage of interrogations Kyouka would soon throw him off balance, Enjin felt a pang of dread. But the thought of finally seeing Zanka again after nearly two months of separation softened his heart a little.
He wondered if Zanka was okay, if he could walk and move normally again? Was he eating enough, getting enough sleep, or was he throwing himself back into training as soon as his wounds started to heal?
He wondered if Zanka wanted to return to Cleaner headquarters?
Would he miss him the way he missed the boy?
The two guards conferred with the four Hell Guards manning the gate. After one of the Hell Guards entered and confirmed their permission, the gate opened, allowing the two guards to lead Enjin inside.
Behind the massive gate lay a scene completely different from the outside; no longer a paved road of bricks and stones, but an endless expanse of lush green grass, along with a small stone-paved path leading to the mansion in the distance. Around Enjin, either large Japanese yew trees were planted, or stylized, decorative stones were placed for decoration. Enjin looked around and silently marveled; this place resembled a manor more than a simple mansion. Everything here exuded an air of luxury and sophistication, yet still retained a strong sense of tradition and antiquity.
Enjin felt as if every little detail in this place carried Zanka's presence. That boy had truly been raised like a real nobleman; perhaps that's why, unconsciously, every action and gesture of Zanka carried a calmness and maturity beyond his years, even though he was just a young boy.
Enjin's lips curved into a slight smile as he thought of Zanka, though he didn't seem to realize it himself.
Two guards led Enjin to his designated spot, then said someone would be coming to guide him shortly. After saying that, they returned to their original positions.
Enjin looked rather uninterested. Being ordered around and forced to stand still made him feel restless. Enjin fumbled in the sleeve of his yukata, intending to smoke a cigarette to pass the time, but then he reconsidered, thinking that letting himself smell of cigarette smoke in front of Kyouka wasn't a good idea at all. At the very least, he wanted to maintain a respectable image in front of Zanka's sister. Perhaps a part of him wanted to show that he was capable of taking responsibility for Zanka? All he knows is that the cigarette that touched his lips was put back in his sleeve before he lit it.
Just as Enjin turned around, he felt a strong force grab him from behind, almost knocking him forward. He turned to look and was surprised to find it was Zanka embracing him. Zanka buried his face in Enjin's shoulder, murmuring against his ear, "Why didn't you come to visit me... don't you miss me?"
Enjin felt a warm sensation in his chest. He reached out and stroked the messy hair that had settled on his shoulder, teasing Zanka, "You've recovered, so why didn't you go back to HQ? Have you changed your mind and want to inherit the family business now?"
Zanka became furious upon hearing this, raising his head and grumbling, "You know I didn't intend to do that. As soon as I woke up, I asked if I could return to HQ, but Kyouka… didn't agree…"
Zanka's voice trailed off as soon as he mentioned his terrifying older sister; if he hadn't buried his face so close to Enjin's ear, Enjin certainly wouldn't have heard what he was muttering.
Enjin chuckled, seeing Zanka become lively again. It seemed Zanka's recovery was going more smoothly than he'd expected, although he suspected that if the first thing Zanka did upon waking up was to ask to return to headquarters, the red-thorned queen wouldn't have simply "disagreed." Zanka would surely have been torn to shreds by Kyouka for the second time right here.
"Where's Kyouka? Are you the one she sent to pick me up?"
“Kyouka isn’t here right now. I’m the one who sent the HellGuards to pick you up.”
“Huh?”
And Enjin was sure to be the next one Kyouka would tear to shreds.