Chapter 42
The doorbell at the Sano residence rings. Emma quickly steps out from inside. As she opens the door, she sees Takemichi. He immediately greets her with a smile.
"Takemichi-kun, are you here to see my brother? He went out with Draken and Baji today. Want me to call him back?"
"No, I came to see you, Emma. There's something I need to talk to you about."
Thanks to Baji, Takemichi knows Mikey isn't home today. That's why he chooses this moment - he has something personal to discuss with Emma. She's a little surprised, not quite sure what's going on, but she still welcomes Takemichi warmly.
She brings him a glass of water and sits down. It's been a while since they last met. Looking at Takemichi now, he feels different - more mature, calmer somehow. Mikey once mentioned that Takemichi is now the leader of the Black Dragons. Maybe that's why?
"Emma-chan, I'm sure you still remember the name Kurokawa Izana, don't you?"
Emma's eyes widen in surprise as soon as he says the name.
"He's... another one of my brothers. Takemichi-kun, how do you know about him?"
Takemichi's eyes grow serious. A heavy tension surrounds him - one that weighs down the air in the room.
"Emma-chan, there's something I need your help with. It's about Izana-kun... and Mikey-kun."
Confusion begins to cloud Emma's face...
Later, Emma walks Takemichi to the gate, her expression filled with unease. Takemichi doesn't push her too hard. If she doubts him now, she'll understand in time.
"Emma, I'm not asking you to believe everything I say right away. But... could you help me remind Mikey that Izana-kun is his brother too?"
"I... I got it. I'll find a way to talk to him. That idiot - I've told him a million times already."
Takemichi gives her a gentle smile.
"Emma-chan... you'll welcome Izana-kun back into the Sano family, won't you? Even if anything happens?" Even if he doesn't share the same blood... they're still a family.
Emma snaps out of her thoughts, suddenly wide awake in the moment. She answers with determination.
"Of course I will. He's still my big brother. Even if he doesn't want to come back, I'll drag him home myself."
Takemichi smiles, reassured. He knows - Emma really is a kind-hearted girl. Whether they can bring Izana back or not... it'll all depend on her now.
Emma, please keep being Mikey's source of strength. This time, I'll be the one to protect you.
That evening, as the doorbell rings through the house, Takemichi instantly knows who it is. His face lights up with a wide grin.
"Koko-kun! Inupee-kun! You guys made it!"
Kokonoi and Inui practically shine with handsomeness - stylish clothes, a subtle hint of cologne, their hair perfectly styled. It's obvious they've put real effort into looking good before coming over. Takemichi can't help but chuckle. They look so serious, so formal. Way too much.
The two of them stare at Takemichi in silence. He's wearing an apron, eyes sparkling, face beaming with joy. He looks... warm, bright, domestic. Like a wife greeting her husband at the door.
Damn it. What the hell are they thinking?
"Come in, you two," Takemichi says, stepping aside. "I'm helping my mom finish dinner - it's almost ready."
They walk in, for some reason suddenly feeling awkward. After a round of polite self-introductions with Takemichi's parents, the boys sit properly at the dinner table, watching Takemichi bring out dish after dish.
"He usually never sets foot in the kitchen," Takemichi's mom laughs as she lays out more food. "But he said you two were coming, so he offered to help me."
Normally cold, fierce, even a little cocky, both Kokonoi and Inui now transform into perfect little gentlemen in front of Takemichi's parents. "Yes, ma'am." "Of course, ma'am." They respond so politely it's almost funny. Takemichi nearly bursts out laughing from the kitchen.
"Now that I think about it," his mom says, "besides that boy Takuya, Takemichi's never invited anyone else over for dinner and a sleepover. You two must be pretty close, huh?"
The words catch both Kokonoi and Inui off guard. But inside, something blooms - surprise, followed by joy. They had no idea. They thought maybe Takemichi often invited friends over like this, that it was just a Touman thing. But now, for the first time, they realize this is different. Special. And neither of them can hide the quiet sparkle of happiness in their eyes. Dinner's done, the place is cleaned up, and the three of them head straight to Takemichi's room. Now this is when the real sleepover begins. Kokonoi wastes no time laying out all the snacks he brought and, with a sly grin, pulls out a couple of mysterious drink packs.
"Let's go all out tonight. Boss isn't legal yet, so I got us this."
Fermented fruit juice. Takemichi recognizes it immediately. If he were actually fifteen, he'd probably be surprised and excited. But he's twenty-six, okay? A few cans of this barely count as alcohol. He can handle two or three beers easily.
"Kokonoi, I told you to get soda," Inupee says, clearly not thrilled. His Boss is only fifteen - he really shouldn't be drinking.
"It's fine, this kind of thing doesn't happen often. Let's go wild!" Takemichi joins in with a grin. He's young at heart, still burning with that fire.
So they roll out the futons, and while Kokonoi and Inupee go change into their pajamas, Takemichi looks for plates to serve the snacks. In the bathroom, the other two notice something interesting - everything Takemichi buys, he buys in sets of three. Toothbrushes, shampoo, body wash, towels... all in three different styles.
Suddenly, a question hits them. What's it really like living with multiple personalities? Is it inconvenient? Looking at Takemichi now, it's hard to tell he's even dealing with any mental illness. He has a warm family, a stable life, a home full of love... and yet he's diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder. Maybe they'll never really understand what kind of life Takemichi lives.
"Cheers!" The three clink their cans together.
"So, what should we talk about?" Takemichi starts. "Ah, right - come to think of it, I barely know anything about you two. This is the perfect chance. You guys were childhood friends, right? Did you grow up in the same neighborhood, or go to the same elementary school?"
He throws the question out casually. It just comes to mind. Back then, he used to be wary of them - thought they might be bad news because of how things played out in the future. But now, things are different. They're friends. Real ones. And yet, he doesn't know a thing about either of them. Nights like this, with just a little alcohol in the mix - perfect for a good heart-to-heart, don't you think?
Kokonoi and Inupi exchange a glance, a flicker of hesitation between them. Their past is something only the two of them truly know - like a sealed box they've both tried to keep shut. No one else has ever been let in on those beautiful, excruciating memories, the kind that linger with guilt and regret even now.
But Takemichi looks at them with such expectation in his eyes. It's not just curiosity - it's care. He wants to understand them more.
They're not sure what it is - maybe the calm, refreshing scent that fills Takemichi's room, maybe the small, quiet joy of realizing they each mean something special to him, or maybe it's the faint haze from the alcohol that makes everything feel a little looser, a little less guarded - but somehow, they find themselves talking.
They say more than they expect to. They don't even remember exactly what they tell him, but strangely, it doesn't hurt. It feels light, like they're talking about something from decades ago. The wounds haven't healed, but they don't ache tonight.
Maybe it's because Takemichi just listens. He doesn't interrupt, doesn't try to offer comfort he can't give, doesn't say things like "I understand" when he doesn't. He simply listens, with quiet, pained eyes full of sympathy he tries to hold back.
And for the first time, Takemichi hears about their past. He hears the name Akane. He learns the truth behind the burn scar on Inupi's face. He begins to understand why Kokonoi clings so obsessively to money. And he sees it - the tangled bond between them, the weight they carry.
It's heartbreaking. In their last known past, they end up walking separate paths. In the future Takemichi comes from, they're no longer even in contact. But both of them have suffered. They've stood side by side for so long. They care about each other so much.
Takemichi suddenly feels unbearably sad.
He finishes his second can of that slightly alcoholic fruit drink, and his head starts spinning. He doesn't know if it's because his tolerance is that low, or if his fifteen-year-old body just isn't used to alcohol. He's forgotten that the first time he ever drank beer, just one can knocked him out cold.
And then, without warning, Takemichi starts crying. Tears fall freely, his shoulders trembling.
Kokonoi and Inupi jolt upright.
"Boss, what's wrong with you?"
"Hanagaki, stop drinking! You're totally drunk!" They honestly had no idea Takemichi had such a low tolerance - they're both still completely sober.
"I'm not drunk, I'm just... sad," Takemichi mumbles, trying to stop his tears, his face a mess. "I didn't mean to cry..."
Is he sad... because of them? The two of them look at him, puzzled - then chuckle softly. This idiot... Who cries over someone else's story like it's their own? Suddenly, Takemichi bolts upright and throws his arms around them both. They freeze in surprise inside his embrace. A faint trace of alcohol lingers on him, mixing with the soft, gentle scent of his skin - it's dizzying, more intoxicating than any drink they've had tonight. Through the thin fabric of his pajamas, they feel his warmth - he's really warm. No, too warm. Their hearts pound recklessly at the sudden intimacy.
"I swear I'll protect both of you too, no matter what. So stay together, okay? Live happily. This time, I will make it happen."
...Huh? What's he even saying? They don't fully get it. But somehow, they feel it - the sincerity in every word. When was the last time anyone said something like this to them? "Protect you." "Live happily." Words long buried under fights, deals, and the endless chaos of survival.
Kokonoi and Inupi place their hands gently on Takemichi's back at the same time. They glance at each other over his shoulder... then smile. Together, they soothe him - hearts beating in sync, composing a quiet melody of shared peace. No more thoughts. Just a hunger for the warmth between them. Just a moment of stillness where the world doesn't matter anymore. No past. No future. Only this present - only you and me.
You don't need to do anything, Takemichi. Just... think of us sometimes. Somewhere in that chaotic mind of yours. Even if I selfishly wish to be the one you care about most - This... this is enough. So stay with us, okay? Please?
Takemichi messes around with the two of them for a while longer before finally falling asleep. He lies in between them. Inupei can't help it - drawn to Takemichi's warmth, he wraps his arms around him, reluctant to let go. He lowers his gaze, eyes lingering on Takemichi's slightly flushed cheeks. The boy sleeps so soundly, so adorably, like a little kitten. Inupei's heart still refuses to calm down. He leans in and places a gentle kiss on Takemichi's forehead, then smiles tenderly and nuzzles into that soft, fluffy hair that smells faintly of mint. He's definitely addicted to that scent now.
Kokonoi says nothing. He just silently watches Takemichi's back. His fingers reach out - just barely graze against it - then pull away. He turns over, facing away, and clutches his chest tightly, trying to contain the ache that twists deep in his heart.
Akane-san... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I couldn't stop this heart of mine. I... I've fallen for him. I've really fallen for him, Akane-san...
Tears slip from Kokonoi's eyes, soaking quietly into the pillow. Tears of guilt. He still loves Akane-san - he loves her with everything he has. Her image never fades. He knows he'll never forget her. But he can't lie to himself anymore. No matter how many times he tries to deny it, to push those feelings down - every time he sees Takemichi, talks to him, touches him - he can't do it.
Still, this is as far as it goes. Nothing more. This is enough. I'll stay by his side... as a friend. Just that. That way... it'll be okay, right, Akane-san?
Happiness intertwines with heartbreak, tangled and raw. But for now, they let it all go. They hold onto the quiet moment. And together, the three of them drift off into sleep.
Tonight, for the first time in a long while, Takemichi sleeps peacefully. No nightmares come. No deaths play out before his eyes. No final messages to carry. No weight pressing down on his shoulders. No regret. No sorrow. No despair.
Nothing at all.
Somewhere else, in a dark and chilly room, the white-haired boy seems to be trapped in yet another nightmare. At first, it's a beautiful dream. Izana is walking beside the person he loves most in the world - his older brother, the one who chased away the loneliness, who gave him the warmth of family he's never truly known. But then, the dream shifts. The bright scenery fades to darkness. That person turns away from him, walks off without a word. Izana screams, begs him to come back. But all he gets is a gentle smile - so familiar, so beloved - before the figure disappears into the shadows. He collapses, knees hitting the ground as if his heart shatters in his chest. Tears stream down his face - raw, helpless, broken.
"The most terrifying, painful thing in this world... is being alone."
A voice speaks right in front of him. Izana lifts his head, and there - he sees a pair of eyes as blue as the open sky. Clear. Bright. Full of fierce hope. The boy's smile is soft and radiant - just like his smile used to be. That boy reaches out to him - And Izana jolts awake. Sweat beads across his forehead. His breath comes in harsh gasps. As he realizes what he just dreamed, he covers his face with one hand and starts to laugh - a laugh that sounds completely unhinged.
"Crazy. This is insane. Why the hell did that freak show up in my dream? I must've lost it..."
But the laughter cuts off. Mikey. It's because he's like Shinichiro, isn't it? That's why you listened to him. That's why you cared. You even took him to your brother's favorite place... Hanagaki... and Shinichiro?
No. It's not Mikey. It's you, isn't it... Hanagaki Takemichi?
The next morning, Takemichi gets woken up by Kokonoi and Inupi. Groggy and grumbling, he complains about a headache - courtesy of last night's alcohol - and refuses to get out of bed. Kokonoi and Inupi throw up their hands in defeat, but they can only laugh fondly and patiently indulge him. It's only when Takemichi's mom knocks on the door from outside, yelling that lunch is almost ready and he's still not up yet, that he finally sits up. The room is spotless - Kokonoi and Inupi cleaned it up the night before. Takemichi flashes them a thumbs-up in praise. This way, his mom won't find out he secretly drank alcohol. The three of them head to the bathroom to brush their teeth. Breakfast is light - just some toast with jam and milk - before Takemichi sees them off at the door.
Around noon, a message pops up on his phone. It's from Emma. She tells him she's reminded both Izana and Mikey - about everything. If she actually brought up the letters Izana used to exchange with Shinichiro, then yeah... Takemichi knows exactly what Mikey's doing right now. Riding his bike around town. Thinking. That idiot's probably trying to shove all his emotions somewhere no one can see. It's fine, let it be for now. It'll work out.
Then, he makes another call.
"Everything handled on your end?"
A deep, gravelly voice answers from the other side.
"Everything I do is flawless, brat."
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