“Hey! You there!”

Everyone froze mid-fight and looked to the end of the alley from where the voice was coming from. Jun was roughed up and his glasses were missing, but judging by the disheveled state the bullies were in, it seemed like the little feisty man managed to land a few hits of his own.

“What’s going on?” Juto frowned and pointed with his chin at them as he approached.

A quick glance around gave him a good understanding why this was the perfect spot for shady practices. The alley led to a walled crossroad, one way was a dead end and the other a staircase going up. The high overgrown canopy, with some vines hanging loose here and there, was shielding them from prying eyes from the levels above. The sunlight barely reached there, pouring in through the holes, so the hanging string lights were gently illuminating the place in its stead. The dead end was a cozy little nook at the back door of the building, furnished with a table with a radio, overflowing ashtray and playing cards scattered on it, small barrels for seats, empty bottles rolling around and more string lights hung up haphazardly overhead on knives stuck in the walls. Nothing like a cozy little spot for thugs to unwind after a long day of misdemeanors.

Before any of them could speak, Jun wrenched himself out of the henchman’s grip. “You!” He barked at the soldier, adjusted his vest and wiped blood from the corner of his mouth. “The fucking nerve of you to-” He was ready to charge at him, but an arm pulled him right back to the group. One of the henchmen raised the stolen rifle, but Juto didn’t flinch. If he could have a penny for each time the barrel was pointed at him today…

“And you are…?” The one man who stood to the side raised an eyebrow at the soldier. Unlike the others, he had no signs of scuffle on him. He wore a stylish outfit, complete with neatly combed blond hair, impeccable manicure and the air of a snob. He must’ve been the infamous Dandy that Cas was speaking about. What a punchable face… Juto thought and noticed Jun’s glasses peeking from his chest pocket. “Hmph. Not that it matters.” The snob continued. “Can’t you see that we’re busy? I suggest you leave, before-”

“Do you need some help?” Juto ignored him and turned to the guerrilla who kept struggling against the firm hold.

Before Dandy could express his complaint about being cut off, Jun blew up. “Fuck you, asshole! I can handle myself, and when I’m done here you’re fucking next!” He was furious.

Juto inhaled deeply. He gave them a long stare before clicking his tongue and shrugging. “Fine… Carry on then.” He waved with his hand halfheartedly and turned to the staircase  without a care.

The men gave each other a surprised look and started to laugh, while Jun grit his teeth, feeling a little sting of betrayal as he watched Juto’s back getting further away. Some soldier you are, talking about protecting everyone on the battlefield and all, and then this… he thought, but he couldn’t blame anyone but himself for turning him down.

“What sort of pathetic loser refuses help, when he’s clearly at a disadvantage?” Even Dandy’s laugh was annoyingly snobby. The others joined in on the mockery. “You have worms for brains or what?” One ruffled his hair.

“I have to admit, Jun, you’ve got guts, ah-hahah!” Dandy snapped his fingers, and Jun was pushed to the ground. “Maybe this will teach you once and for all to not mess with me, shortcake.” Right on cue, the other man with the rifle pointed it at Jun. The guerrilla froze in his spot.

Suddenly something whizzed in the air followed by a loud WHAM. The henchman in the back was sent flying a few feet away and dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes. It was an instant knockout. Everyone moved their gaze in the direction of the impact, eyes wide open.

“Oops, my hand slipped…” Juto skipped back and shook his left hand with a casual expression, like punching that guy at mach speed didn’t hurt at all. It did, in fact, hurt like hell, but he wasn’t going to show it. A smile crept on Jun’s face.

“Motherf-” The one that pushed Jun winded up for a right hook when Juto’s boot whizzed again and his shin struck the man’s gut, sending him against the wall. The impact made a dent in the concrete, knocking him out as well. He slid to the ground with a wheeze, a couple of forest sprites fell from the canopy above and bounced off his drooped head. Jun got up and stepped back with Dandy backing off to a safe distance as well.

“Eat shit!” The third man pointed the rifle at Juto but he swiftly ducked, grabbed it from below and pushed up, smacking his chin. The impact made a clink against the metal prosthetic, but no damage. The towering man grinned at the failed attempt and delivered a headbutt in return. Juto swayed, holding the sore spot when a flying rock hit the henchman right between the eyes. “Crouch!” Jun shouted behind the soldier. He did as told and could feel the guerrilla bouncing off his shoulder, taking it to the air and delivering a final blow on his bald head with a piece of thick wooden plank he found nearby. The man groaned as it broke in half, his eyes rolled back and he fell to the ground.

“Nice one.” Juto stood up, rubbing his shoulder.

“You’d think they’re tougher than that, huh?” Jun dusted off his hands, when they noticed someone was missing.

Dandy was running down the alley when the familiar whizz caught up to him and he felt a pull on the back of his collar. Next thing he knew was his back pinned to the wall, and Juto’s piercing glare locking in. “D-do you know who… who I am!?” Dandy was shaking, his voice breaking. Droplets of sweat formed on his forehead.

The soldier shoved the rifle’s muzzle in his mouth. “I don’t give a fuck who you are, but if I see you breathe in Jun’s direction ever again, I will haunt your nightmares for the rest of your miserable little life.” Juto said under his breath, the vocal fry reverberating in their eardrums. “Is that clear?” He got a quick nod in response.

He pulled the snob away from the wall and yanked in Jun’s direction, holding him by the collar like a cat by the scruff. “Have at it.” He smirked.

Dandy immediately covered his mouth, afraid that Juto was testing him, and he wasn’t taking any chances if that devil meant what he said. Jun hesitated for a moment. “Are you going to take the blame? He is the mayor’s son, you know?” Dandy glanced over his shoulder and nodded frantically in hopes of being released. He was sweating bullets.

“Sure, this one time.” The soldier shrugged. “Now come on, I know you want to.” He shook the man like a ragdoll.

The corners of Jun’s mouth curled in a twisted smile. “Oh, do I ever.” He said with glee. He gently reached into Dandy's pocket to retrieve his glasses and put them on, then proceeded to wind up a right hook with a little hop that Juto found adorable. Dandy released his mouth and flailed, asking him to stop, but a right hook straight in the jaw shut him up.

“Take THIS, and THIS, and THIS!” Jun’s barrage of knuckles continued, finishing off with a kick to the balls, rendering him unconscious.

Juto inhaled sharply and sighed. “Oof.” He let go of the man, dropping him on the ground. Dandy fell at their feet face first, ass comically up, a raspy whine escaping his lips. “Whew. That felt good, didn’t it?” The soldier dusted his hands and stepped over the unconscious man.

Jun said nothing, only reached out with a hand towards him.

“Hm? Guess we’re even…?” He shook his hand, when he felt a sudden pull. The guerrilla shifted his weight and threw the soldier over his shoulder. Juto’s back hit the cobblestone with a loud thud.

“Like HELL we are! I told you you’re next, fucker!” He sat on top of him with force, causing Juto to lose his breath, and grabbed the unzipped collar of the suit, shaking him violently.

This was far from over.