I'm a hero after all (Alltake)
19
The Days in the Hospital
How do I say this?
I feel like I'm living in fear.
Takemichi stared at the ceiling of his hospital room, the familiar white tiles blurring in and out of focus. His hand rested on the diary hidden beneath his pillow, a constant anchor to reality.
I keep forgetting things. Small things at first—what I ate for breakfast, the name of the nurse who checks on me. But then bigger things. Faces. Conversations. The order of events I've written down so carefully.
I have to look at my diary to make sure I remember everything.
It's scary.
What if I forget everything? What if I wake up one day and don't remember why I'm here? Don't remember Hina's smile or Mikey's laugh or the way Draken's eyes soften when he thinks no one's looking?
What exactly am I gonna do then?
Takemichi turned his head toward the window. Outside, the trees were shedding their leaves, golden and brown swirling in the autumn wind. Many fell, dancing their way to the ground like forgotten memories.
Winter is coming.
That means one thing.
Black Dragon.
He looked at his diary again, flipping to the page he'd written and rewritten a dozen times.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Black Dragon
Current leader: Taiju Shiba
Current Elite Guard Captain: Hajime Kokonoi
Current Attack Squad Captain: Inui Seishu
Important! ┗|｀O′|┛
I should meet Hakkai Shiba and Yuzuha Shiba when I go on a date with Hina to the bowling alley. After that, Yuzuha will call me a sworn brother because I'm acquainted with Hakkai. Then she'll invite me to play at her house.
This is when the important part happens!
Kokonoi will come and call Hakkai, "If it isn't our young master Hakkai! ", or something in between that.
Remembering back, hearing Koko say that gives me the creeps (￣┰￣)*
Then Koko will taunt me, and Inui will come with a knife at my neck (it was quite scary—my impression of Inui was very, very bad). Then Taiju will come, and Hakkai will give up on Toman.
After that, Kisaki is going to use Yuzuha to kill Taiju, which I have to stop!
I hope things go well.
P/s: Good luck, my future self ☆: .｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:☆
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He flipped the diary closed and slid it under his bed, well-hidden from prying eyes.
I'm going to be discharged in a week. Well, let's enjoy my rest while it lasts, yeah?
Visitors - Day One
The door slid open with its familiar squeak, and Takemichi looked up from the window to find a towering figure filling the doorway.
Baji Keisuke stood there, arms crossed, looking profoundly uncomfortable. He was wearing his Toman uniform but had somehow made it look even more intimidating than usual—if that was possible. His long black hair hung wild around his face, and his eyes scanned the room like he was expecting an ambush.
"The hell is this place?" he grumbled. "So white. Hurts my eyes."
Takemichi blinked. "Baji-kun? You... came to visit me?"
"What, you think I wouldn't?" Baji stalked into the room, his presence somehow making the sterile hospital space feel smaller. He dropped into the chair beside the bed with all the grace of a falling tree. "You took a knife for me. The least I can do is make sure you're not dead."
"I'm not dead."
"Obviously. You're talking." Baji pulled something from his pocket and tossed it onto the bed. "Here. Brought you this."
Takemichi looked down. It was a taiyaki. Slightly squished, but unmistakably a taiyaki.
"Mikey said you like these," Baji muttered, looking away. "Don't read into it. I just grabbed whatever was there."
Takemichi felt his eyes sting. "Thank you, Baji-kun."
"Yeah, yeah." Baji leaned back, crossing his arms again. "So. You gonna be okay? The doctors say anything?"
"They say I'm healthy. Just... stressed."
Baji snorted. "Stressed. You get stabbed twice in two months and they call it 'stressed.'" He shook his head. "You're something else, you know that?"
"I've been told."
They sat in silence for a moment. It wasn't uncomfortable—more like two people who didn't know each other well but shared something important.
Finally, Baji spoke again. "That kid. Kazutora." His voice was rough. "He's... he's not evil, you know. He's just broken."
"I know."
Baji looked at him sharply. "You do?"
Takemichi nodded. "He needs help. Not punishment. Not revenge. Help."
Baji stared at him for a long moment, something shifting in his expression. Then he looked away again.
"You're weird, Hanagaki."
"I've been told that too."
Baji almost smiled. Almost.
Visitors - Day Two
Day two brought Chifuyu, who arrived with an entire convenience store's worth of snacks and a desperate need to apologize.
"I'm sorry!" Chifuyu bowed so low his forehead nearly touched the floor. "I should have seen Kazutora coming! I should have protected you! I'm the worst vice-captain in history!"
Takemichi stared at the top of his blond head. "Chifuyu... get up."
"Not until you forgive me!"
"There's nothing to forgive. You didn't stab me."
"But I should have—"
"Chifuyu." Takemichi's voice was firm. "Get up and eat some of those snacks before I steal them all."
Chifuyu peeked up. "You're not mad?"
"I'm tired. Not mad. Big difference."
Chifuyu finally straightened, though he still looked guilty. He settled into the chair—which was becoming known as "the visitor throne"—and opened a bag of chips.
"You know," he said between crunching, "the whole gang's been talking about you. Like, a lot. You're kind of a legend now."
Takemichi choked on air. "A what?!"
"Legend. Hero. Whatever you want to call it." Chifuyu shrugged. "You jumped in front of a knife for Baji-san. You stopped Mikey from killing Kazutora. You saved Draken during the Moebius thing. That's like... three major saves in two months. People notice that stuff."
"I'm not a hero. I'm just—"
"An idiot?" Chifuyu grinned. "Yeah, I know. But you're our idiot."
Takemichi couldn't help but smile.
Visitors - Day Three
Day three was chaotic.
The door burst open, and suddenly the room was full of people.
Smiley bounced in first, his perpetual grin somehow even wider than usual. "TAKEMICHI-SAN! We heard you were awake! We brought presents!"
Angry followed more slowly, his expression as flat as ever, carrying what appeared to be an entire watermelon.
Behind them, Mitsuya ducked through the doorway with practiced ease, carrying a bag that smelled amazing.
"The nurses almost didn't let us in," Mitsuya said, setting the bag on the bedside table. "Smiley may have promised to behave. I say 'promised' loosely."
"I'll behave!" Smiley protested. "I'm always well-behaved!"
Angry looked at him. Said nothing. Looked away.
"OKAY, sometimes I'm not well-behaved. But today I will be!"
Takemichi watched this exchange with growing amusement. "You guys didn't have to come."
"Of course we did!" Smiley plopped onto the edge of the bed—earning a sharp look from Angry—and beamed. "You're Toman's baby! We have to protect our baby!"
Takemichi's brain short-circuited. "Toman's... baby?"
"Oh, you haven't heard?" Mitsuya's lips twitched. "That's your new nickname. 'Toman's baby.' Because of your baby face and smooth skin."
"And because everyone wants to protect you!" Smiley added. "Like a precious little sibling!"
"I'm not—I don't—that's—"
Angry spoke for the first time. "It suits you."
Takemichi buried his face in his hands.
Smiley laughed. Angry almost smiled. Mitsuya pulled out the food he'd brought—actual homemade food, not hospital garbage—and suddenly the room felt warm in a way it hadn't in days.
"You know," Mitsuya said quietly, "what you did at Bloody Halloween... it meant a lot. To all of us. You didn't have to get involved. You weren't even supposed to be there. But you were. And you saved people."
Takemichi looked at his hands. "I just... I couldn't let them die."
"I know." Mitsuya's voice was gentle. "That's why you're Toman's baby. Not because you're weak. Because you have the biggest heart of any of us."
Takemichi's eyes stung again.
Stupid hospital emotions.
Visitors - Day Four
Day four brought an unexpected pair.
Takemichi was dozing when the door opened, and he woke to find two figures standing in the doorway—one tall and composed, the other slightly shorter and vibrating with barely contained energy.
Rindou Haitani stood there, holding a bouquet of flowers so large it obscured most of his face. Behind him, Ran leaned against the doorframe with a smirk that could only be described as delighted.
"Takemichi," Rindou said stiffly. "You're alive."
"Uh... yes?" Takemichi blinked, trying to process why the Haitani brothers were in his hospital room. "Rindou? What are you—"
"We heard you got stabbed." Rindou walked forward and thrust the flowers at him. "Again. These are for you."
Takemichi took the bouquet automatically, staring at it. It was beautiful—a carefully arranged mix of sunflowers and something delicate and white. "Thank you? But how did you—"
"We have our sources." Ran sauntered into the room, his violet eyes dancing with amusement. "My little brother here has been beside himself with worry. You should have seen him. Pacing. Muttering. Checking his phone every three seconds."
"Ran." Rindou's voice was a warning.
"I'm just saying! He even asked me what flowers you should bring to a hospital. Me! The brother who's never been in a serious relationship in his life!"
Rindou's ears went crimson. "You said you wouldn't—"
"I lied." Ran grinned. "This is too entertaining."
Takemichi looked between them, utterly lost. "I... thank you for the flowers? They're really beautiful."
Rindou made a strangled sound.
Ran laughed outright. "Beautiful! He called your flowers beautiful, Rinrin! That's basically a marriage proposal!"
"It's NOT—"
"And he's holding them so gently! Look at that! Like they're precious!"
"I will end you."
"In a hospital? In front of your crush? How scandalous."
Takemichi's face went red. "Crush?!"
Ran's grin widened. "Oh, you didn't know? My little brother has been absolutely gone for you since that day in the alley. Talks about you constantly. 'Takemichi this, Takemichi that, oh look at his cute hamster cheeks—'"
"I NEVER SAID THAT!"
"You thought it. I could tell."
Rindou looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him whole. Takemichi looked like he was short-circuiting.
"I... we... he..." Takemichi stammered.
Ran patted his brother's shoulder sympathetically. "There, there. Your secret's out. But look on the bright side—he didn't immediately throw the flowers back in your face. That's a good sign!"
Rindou buried his face in his hands.
Takemichi, despite his confusion, felt something warm bloom in his chest. Rindou had come. Rindou had worried. Rindou had brought him flowers.
"Thank you," he said again, softer this time. "Really. It means a lot."
Rindou peeked through his fingers. "You're not... weirded out?"
"I've been stabbed twice, had my heart stop four times, and been in the hospital more times than I can count. A friend bringing me flowers is the least weird thing that's happened all month."
Rindou's ears were still red, but something in his posture relaxed.
Ran watched the exchange with barely contained glee. "This is the best day of my life."
"No one asked you," Rindou muttered.
"You never have to. I'm your big brother. It's my job to embarrass you."
Takemichi laughed—a real laugh, bright and warm—and Rindou's heart did something complicated in his chest.
Stupid beautiful hamster. Stupid beautiful smile.
Visitors - Day Five
Day five brought Mikey.
He arrived without warning, appearing in the doorway like a ghost. For a moment, he just stood there, looking at Takemichi with those obsidian eyes that always seemed to see too much.
Then he crossed the room in three strides and climbed onto the bed.
"Mikey-kun?!"
"Scoot over."
"There's barely any room—"
"Scoot."
Takemichi scooted. Mikey wedged himself against his side, dropping his head onto Takemichi's shoulder like a cat claiming a warm spot.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Mikey's voice, muffled against Takemichi's hospital gown: "I was really scared."
Takemichi's heart clenched.
"When I saw you on the ground. When I saw all that blood." Mikey's hands gripped the fabric of the gown. "I thought you were dead. I thought—" His voice cracked.
"Mikey..."
"I can't lose you, Takemitchy. You're the only one who makes the darkness quiet."
Takemichi's eyes burned. He lifted his free hand and gently stroked Mikey's hair—the same way he had that day by the river, the same way he always did when Mikey needed comfort.
"I'm not going anywhere," he whispered. "I promise."
Mikey was quiet for a long moment. Then, very softly: "You broke your promise already. You said you'd be careful."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry. Just... don't do it again."
"I'll try."
Mikey lifted his head, those dark eyes searching Takemichi's face. "You know I love you, right? Like... really love you. Not just friend love. Not just family love. Love love."
Takemichi's heart stopped. "What?"
Mikey's ears went pink, but he didn't look away. "I've been thinking about it. A lot. In the hospital waiting room. And I realized... when I thought you might die, the thing that hurt most wasn't losing a friend. It was losing you. Specifically you. The way you smile. The way you play with my hair. The way you look at me like I'm worth something."
"Mikey-kun..."
"You don't have to say anything back. I just needed you to know." He rested his head back on Takemichi's shoulder. "In case you almost die again."
Takemichi was quiet for a long moment.
Then, softly: "I love you too, Mikey. Just... not the same way. I'm sorry."
Mikey shrugged against him. "It's okay. I'll take what I can get. As long as you stay."
"Always."
They sat like that for a long time, two broken people holding each other together.
Visitors - Day Six
Day six brought Draken.
He didn't say much—he never did. He just sat in the visitor chair, arms crossed, watching Takemichi with an intensity that should have been uncomfortable but somehow wasn't.
Finally: "You're an idiot."
Takemichi smiled. "I know."
"Three times now. Three times you've almost died for us."
"I know."
"Why?"
The question hung in the air.
Takemichi looked at Draken—at the braids, the tattoo, the eyes that had seen too much. At the man who would have died in another timeline. At the friend who had become family.
"Because you're worth it," Takemichi said simply. "All of you. You're worth dying for."
Draken's jaw tightened. For a moment, his composure cracked—just a flash of emotion before he looked away.
"You're going to make me cry, you idiot."
"Sorry."
"Don't be." Draken stood abruptly. "I have to go. Emma's waiting." He paused at the door. "But Takemichi?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For saving me. For saving all of us." He didn't turn around. "You're worth dying for too."
Then he was gone.
Takemichi stared at the empty doorway, eyes burning.
Visitors - Day Seven
The day before his discharge brought the strangest visitor of all.
Kazutora.
He stood in the doorway like he wasn't sure if he was allowed to enter. His face was still bruised, his jaw still wired shut, but his eyes—those fractured, haunted eyes—were fixed on Takemichi with an intensity that made the room feel smaller.
"Kazutora..." Takemichi breathed.
Kazutora took a step forward. Then another. Then he was at the bedside, sinking into the visitor chair, his hands gripping the armrests like he might float away if he let go.
For a long moment, he didn't speak. Couldn't speak—not with his jaw wired. But his eyes said everything.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Takemichi reached out and took his hand.
Kazutora flinched. Then froze. Then, slowly, his fingers curled around Takemichi's.
"It's okay," Takemichi whispered. "I forgive you."
Kazutora's eyes filled with tears.
"I know you didn't mean it. I know you're not a monster. I know you're just hurt." Takemichi squeezed his hand. "And I'm still here. Still your friend. Still not going anywhere."
A tear slipped down Kazutora's bruised cheek.
They sat like that for a long time, holding hands in the quiet hospital room.
No words needed.
Discharge Day
The day finally came.
Takemichi walked out of the hospital in his own clothes, breathing in the crisp November air like it was the finest perfume in the world. Freedom. Actual, real freedom.
His phone buzzed immediately.
Mikey: TAKEMITCHY!!!! When You're out!!!! Come to the meeting!!!!
Mikey: We're deciding divisions!!!!
Mikey: YOU HAVE TO COME!!!!
Mikey: ╰(°▽°)╯
Takemichi sighed, smiling.
Takemichi: Today is my discharge day, Mikey. Give me a rest.
Mikey: Ugh
Mikey: Fine
Mikey: But what division do you want to be in?!! I need to know for the meeting!!!!
Takemichi hesitated. His thumb hovered over the keyboard.
Takemichi: I actually plan on not joining Toman right now. Sorry.
For a moment, nothing.
Then:
Mikey: ┳━┳ ノ( ゜-゜ノ)
Mikey: (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
Mikey: WHYYY???!!!
Takemichi: No reason.
Mikey: THERE HAS TO BE A REASON!!!!
Mikey: IS IT ME?! DID I DO SOMETHING?!
Takemichi: Mikey, calm down. It's not you.
Mikey: THEN WHAT IS IT?!
Takemichi: I just... need some time. To figure things out. To heal. To be normal for a little while.
Mikey: ...
Mikey: Okay.
Mikey: But you're still coming to meetings, right? As my wife-friend?
Takemichi: (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄)
Takemichi: I'll think about it...
Mikey: YESSS!!!!
Mikey: ○( ＾皿＾)っ Hehehe...
Takemichi laughed, pocketing his phone.
Normal. He just wanted a little bit of normal.
Later, Takemichi would hear about what happened at that meeting from Chifuyu, who called him immediately afterward, still laughing.
"You should have seen it!" Chifuyu's voice crackled through the phone. "Mitsuya and Baji got into a full-on FIGHT about which division you should join!"
"What?!"
"Seriously! Mitsuya wanted you in Second Division. Baji said you belonged in First. They were literally yelling at each other! Mitsuya—the calmest guy in Toman—was RED IN THE FACE!"
Takemichi pinched the bridge of his nose. "That's ridiculous."
"IT GETS BETTER! Kazutora—who's still in the hospital, by the way—sent a message saying you should be his vice-captain in Sixth Division. Mikey and Draken both punched him. Through MESSAGE. They punched him THROUGH THE PHONE."
"How is that even possible?"
"Anger makes the impossible possible, Takemichi." Chifuyu was definitely enjoying this too much. "AND THEN Kisaki offered you the vice-captain position in Seventh Division."
Takemichi's blood ran cold. "Kisaki?"
"Yeah! And get this—Mikey actually AGREED! Can you believe it? He said Kisaki might be able to keep you from doing 'idiotic things.' Draken looked like he wanted to argue, but Mikey overruled him."
Takemichi's mind raced. Kisaki. Wanting him in Seventh Division. Wanting him close.
What is he planning?
"Takemichi? You still there?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm here." He took a breath. "What happened in the end?"
"Nothing yet. Mikey said the decision could wait until you're ready to join. So for now, you're just... Toman's baby. Everyone's favourite crybaby hero."
Takemichi groaned. "That nickname is never going away, is it?"
"Nope!" Chifuyu sounded far too cheerful about it. "Embrace it, Captain Baby-Face."
"I hate you."
"No, you don't."
"...No. I don't."
The nickname proved its accuracy almost immediately.
The day after his discharge, Takemichi decided to visit the Musashi Shrine—partly to see everyone, partly to prove he was okay. He arrived early, before most of the gang, and found himself alone with a few lower-ranking members he didn't recognise.
One of them was eating takoyaki.
Takemichi's eyes locked onto the food. His stomach growled.
"Whoa!!" The exclamation escaped before he could stop it.
The Toman member froze, takoyaki halfway to his mouth. He looked at Takemichi—at his baby face, his smooth skin, his wide blue eyes fixed on the food with unmistakable longing.
"That looks delicious," Takemichi murmured, practically drooling.
The member's brain short-circuited.
Takemichi caught himself, blushing furiously. He started fidgeting with his fingers, looking anywhere but at the takoyaki. "Um... could I... maybe have one? Just one? Please?"
His blue eyes fluttered up—innocent, hopeful, absolutely devastating.
THWANG.
An invisible arrow pierced the member's heart.
How could this be?! It's too cute!!
"Y-YEAH!" The member scrambled to his feet, nearly dropping his food. "We'll buy more for you! Lots more! ALL the takoyaki!"
Takemichi blinked, stunned by the enthusiastic response. "Wait, I didn't mean—"
But he was already being gently but firmly guided to a seat, and within minutes, three other members had materialised from nowhere and were running toward the nearest takoyaki stand.
Twenty minutes later, Takemichi sat surrounded by eight boxes of takoyaki, completely bewildered.
"Um... thank you?" he offered weakly.
The members beamed at him like proud parents.
"Anything for Toman's baby!"
"Eat up! Get strong!"
"We're here for you!"
Takemichi looked at the mountain of food, then at the earnest faces around him, and felt something warm bloom in his chest.
Maybe this nickname isn't so bad after all.
At least I get free food....
October 2005. The sound of crashing pins filled the air.
Takemichi found himself in a bright, noisy bowling alley, the familiar scent of rental shoes and fried food wrapping around him like a blanket. And standing right next to him, looking radiant in a casual sweater and jeans, was Hina.
"Wow! Another strike, Takemitchy!" Hina cheered, clapping her hands. "You're on fire today!"
Takemichi blinked, looking at the fallen pins, then at his own hands. He had been bowling on autopilot, his mind elsewhere, but apparently his body remembered what his brain had forgotten.
He turned to look at Hina—at her bright smile, her coral pink eyes, the way her hair caught the fluorescent lights—and suddenly the tears came.
"Takemitchy?!" Hina's smile vanished, replaced by concern. "Why are you crying? Did you hurt yourself? Are you okay?!"
Takemichi quickly wiped his face, forcing a smile through his sobs. "It's nothing, Hina. I'm just... I'm just really happy right now."
Hina's expression softened. She stepped closer, cupping his face in her hands, and gently wiped away his tears with her thumbs.
"You're such a crybaby," she whispered, but her voice was full of love. "But I love you anyway."
"I love you too," he managed. "So much."
She kissed his forehead, quick and warm. "Now stop crying and bowl! You're on a streak!"
Takemichi laughed wetly and turned back to the lane. As he picked up his ball, he noticed someone in the lane next to them.
A tall figure. Buzz cut. Distinct scar on his lip.
The stranger also scored a perfect strike, turning at the same moment Takemichi did. Their eyes met.
"Hey, nice one." The stranger grinned—relaxed, friendly, completely at ease. "Looks like we're perfectly in sync, huh?"
Takemichi's heart began to race.
The stranger stepped closer, offering a hand. "I'm Hakkai Shiba. Vice-Captain of Toman's Second Division. You're Takemichi Hanagaki from the First Division, right? I've heard a lot about you."
Before Takemichi could respond, a girl appeared at Hakkai's side—long hair, sharp gaze, protective stance.
"Don't just go around talking to strangers, Hakkai," she said flatly. "You're bothering them."
Hakkai winced. "Yuzuha, I'm just being friendly..."
"Your 'friendly' is annoying."
Takemichi watched the exchange, a strange sense of déjà vu washing over him.
This is it. This is where it starts.
Despite his nerves, Takemichi found himself genuinely enjoying the game.
Hakkai, it turned out, was an absolute extrovert. He cheered for Takemichi's strikes, groaned at his spares, and generally acted like they'd been friends for years rather than minutes.
"You're pretty good at this, Takemitchy!" Hakkai exclaimed after another synchronised strike. "We're like total soulmates!(aka future wife)"
Takemichi choked on his soda. "S-soulmates?!"
"Yeah! Look at us! Same score, same timing, same everything!" Hakkai threw an arm around his shoulder. "This is destiny!"
Hina giggled from the seating area. Yuzuha sighed heavily.
"Sorry about him," Yuzuha said to Takemichi. "My brother is a complete idiot when it comes to people. He attaches way too fast."
"It's okay," Takemichi managed, still recovering from the soulmate comment. "He's... enthusiastic."
"That's one word for it."
As the game continued, Takemichi noticed something interesting. Whenever Hina tried to speak to Hakkai—just normal conversation, nothing flirtatious—the tall boy froze. Like, literally froze. His face went blank, his body went rigid, and he stared straight ahead like a statue.
"Hakkai?" Hina waved a hand in front of his face. "Helloooo?"
No response. All that Hina could see was Hakkai turning into a ripped tomato
Yuzuha sighed again. "He can't talk to girls. I'm the only one he can behave normally around. Pathetic, right?"
Takemichi watched Hakkai's frozen form and felt a laugh bubbling up. "That's... kind of endearing, actually?"
"Wait until you have to live with it. Then tell me how endearing it is."
Takemichi laughed at the last statement. It was truly a delightful experience meeting Hakkai. This way again is a blast!
After bowling, the group decided to walk through the city together. Hakkai had recovered from his girl-induced paralysis and was back to being the world's friendliest giant.
"I've heard all about what you did during Bloody Halloween," Hakkai said, his voice full of genuine admiration. "You're the First Division Captain now, right? That's amazing! I'm just the Vice-Captain of the Second Division, so you're technically my senior!"
Takemichi blinked. "Ah, I haven't actually agreed to take that position. Besides, Baji is still here. Why bother changing the captain? It would only cause trouble."
Hakkai's eyes went wide. "You... you'd turn down being captain? Just to avoid causing trouble?"
"It's not about turning it down. It's about doing what's best for everyone. Baji's a great captain. The First Division doesn't need me."
Hakkai stared at him like he'd grown a second head.
"Wow," he breathed. "You're so... down to earth. Like, genuinely humble. Most people would kill to be a captain."
"I'm not most people."
"No kidding." Hakkai's admiration somehow increased. "You're awesome, Takemitchy! We're totally like brothers now!"
"Brothers?"
"BROTHERS!" Hakkai declared, throwing an arm around him again. "From this day forward, we're sworn, brothers! Nothing can come between us!"
Takemichi looked at Hina for help. Hina just shrugged, smiling.
Yuzuha watched the interaction with sharp eyes. Something in her expression shifted—calculating, considering.
"Hey, Takemichi," she said suddenly. "Since you're apparently my brother's new best friend, you should come over sometime. Play games. Hang out."
Takemichi's heart rate spiked.
This is it. This is the invitation.
"I'd like that," he said carefully.
Yuzuha nodded, satisfied.
The lighthearted mood shifted abruptly as they turned a corner into a specific neighborhood. The air grew cold. The streets became quieter. The buildings seemed to close in around them.
Suddenly, they were surrounded.
Men in white uniforms with distinctive embroidery emerged from every alley—Black Dragon members, at least a dozen of them. Their expressions ranged from sneering contempt to barely restrained violence.
"Well, well..." A voice dripped with mockery. "Look who it is."
A figure stepped forward—long hair, calculating smirk, eyes that gleamed with something predatory. Hajime Kokonoi.
"The 'young master' of the Shiba family is hanging out with Toman trash?" Koko's voice was silk wrapped around steel. "How disappointing."
Another figure materialised beside him—a shorter, scarred face, radiating pure killing intent. Seishu Inui. His eyes were fixed on Takemichi with cold focus.
"Toman," Inui said flatly. "You're dead."
Hakkai stepped forward, placing himself between Takemichi and the Black Dragon members. "He's with me. Leave him alone."
Koko's smirk widened. "Defending Toman now, young master? What would your brother say?"
At the mention of his brother, Hakkai flinched.
And then a new presence entered—massive, overwhelming, terrifying.
Taiju Shiba.
He seemed to materialise from the shadows themselves, his sheer presence making the air heavy. His eyes—cold, cruel, utterly without mercy—scanned the group and settled on Takemichi.
"Toman," he said, and the word was a death sentence. "In our territory. Interesting."
Hakkai's voice cracked. "Brother, please—"
"Brother?" Taiju laughed—a horrible sound, devoid of warmth. "You think that word means anything to me?"
He moved.
Fast.
Too fast for someone his size.
His fist connected with Takemichi's stomach—a blow that lifted him off his feet and sent him crashing into a wall. Before he could slide down, Taiju had him by the throat, holding him against the brick.
"Outsiders who step into our home," Taiju murmured, "pay in blood."
"STOP!" Hakkai grabbed his brother's arm, desperation in every line of his body. "Please! He didn't know! He didn't know about the territory!"
Taiju glanced at him—just a glance—and backhanded him across the face. Hakkai stumbled, blood appearing on his lip.
Yuzuha moved to help, but Taiju's eyes flicked to her, and she froze.
"Don't," he said softly. "You know what happens when you interfere."
Her face went pale, but she didn't move.
Takemichi struggled in Taiju's grip, clawing at the hand around his throat. Spots danced in his vision.
This is him. This is the monster. This is—
"Let him go."
The voice was quiet. Calm. But it cut through everything.
Everyone turned.
Hakkai stood there, his expression transformed. The friendly "bro" was gone. In its place was something grim, something resolved.
"If you stop hurting him," Hakkai said, "I'll do it. I'll do what you want."
Taiju's grip loosened slightly. "Oh?"
"I'll quit Toman. I'll join Black Dragon. I'll come back to the family and do whatever you say." Hakkai's voice didn't waver, though his hands shook. "Just... let him go. Don't kill him. He is innocent"
Taiju stared at his younger brother for a long moment.
Then he laughed.
"You'd leave Mitsuya and your little Toman friends for this piece of trash?" He shook Takemichi slightly. "This crybaby who can't even fight?"
"Yes." Hakkai met his eyes. "If I join you, you have to promise to leave Takemichi and the others alone. This is between us."
Taiju considered.
Then, slowly, he released Takemichi.
The boy crumpled to the ground, gasping for air.
"Fine." Taiju smiled—a horrible, satisfied smile. "Welcome back to the family, little brother. We have much to discuss."
He turned and walked away, Black Dragon members falling into step behind him.
Koko paused, looking down at Takemichi with something like curiosity. "Interesting. Very interesting." Then he followed his leader.
Inui was last. He stared at Takemichi for a long moment, those cold eyes unreadable. Then he, too, was gone.
Takemichi lay on the ground, coughing, gasping, his mind racing.
This is it. This is where it starts. The deal. The sacrifice. Hakkai is giving up everything for me.
He looked up at Hakkai—at the tall boy who now stood alone, his future traded away for a friend.
And he made a silent vow.
I will save you. Both of you. No matter what it takes.
A surprise chapter before im gone anddddd, I also find my story to be too quick-paced so would you like some more interaction between takemichi and the others to build their relationship or just the main plot?
Please do tell me your opinion!
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