Chapter Text
Warning: Mentions of death by hanging, toxic relationships, and suicide
November 18, 2017 (Timeline Two: Valhalla Timeline)
~When Mikey had died after putting his head inside the rope as was his punishment for running the most powerful gang in Japan, he didn’t know that he ‘existed’ for a long while after that. He found himself on top of his own body, looking like he had only fallen asleep.
He couldn’t feel his body, but he could see everything around him. He could see bright lights from every person that passed by him -later figuring out that those lights were souls- and he could see everyone pass by him without anyone paying any mind to him.
It was odd to say the least. No one recognized him as Mikey, the boss of Toman and it felt relieving.
His final thoughts were of Senju’s letter and wishing that he could somehow aid Shinichiro into making a better future for his alternate timeline self.
The letter that Mikey had read everyday after Shinichiro had given it to him in secret, he wished that it had somehow came along with him when he died. Unfortunately, even a small worldly possession such as a piece of paper never passed by even in death. He wondered what the police did with the letter and his precious blanket. Presumably, the burned it into the fire. Mikey was a ‘horrible person’ after all.
He was ‘horrible’ enough to kill the love of his life when she was only trying to save him from Kisaki’s manipulations.
Mikey still knew what the letter said by heart. There wasn’t any way that he would ever forget what Senju wrote even if he had died.
Dear Manjiro,
If you’re reading this, I’m probably dead and Waka-nii brought this to you. I hope that he didn’t die in the process as well. He has nothing to do with this so I pray that Kisaki didn’t kill him for doing an errand that I left over to him.
Hah… how should I start? I guess I should start with the fact that I’m so sorry that I couldn’t save you from Kisaki’s clutches. Matsuno-kun and I… we’ve been working for years. Even though it was for different reasons, we had the same goal in the end. Poor Chifuyu wanted revenge for Kei (and don’t get me wrong, I did too!) and I wanted to get you back.
Now that I think about it, all of what I’m doing right now is useless in the end. Even if I do save you, we’ll have to go on the run because you’re a wanted criminal. It’s ok. I don’t mind being on the run with you as long as you’re by my side. I saved up all of my money and the allowance Waka-nii used to give to me so we can flee off to another country. You always said that you wanted to visit the Philippines, so why not live there with me instead?
If only you could understand, Kisaki is using you for your charisma and skill. If only you listened to me, Haru-nii and the others when we told you. Even so, they followed you into the dark trail that you’ve stepped into.
I want to save Haru-nii as well, but I know that if I save you, he’ll follow you. All because of what happened on that day.
I should probably say now, I was the one that broke your plane and I’m so so sorry for lying. I’m sorry to Haru because I should have gotten those scars that day, not him.
I love you so much, Mikey. I was never able to move on after you distanced yourself from me. So many boys asked me out but I always turned them down, saying that I loved someone else.
I don’t know how much a letter can change someone, but hopefully you actually read this and didn’t just throw it into the fireplace.
-Akashi Kawaragi Senju
If only Mikey could tell her that it wasn’t because of the plane that Sanzu had obtained those scars. If only Mikey could tell her that he loved her as much as she loved him.
There were so many ‘if onlys’ that Mikey wanted to do but he knew that he would never have the chance to now that he was dead.
Not knowing how or why, Mikey floated towards the gym he, Haruchiyo, Senju, and Baji would play around in when he was young while his brother visited his fellow Black Dragon members. Going through the door, he found his brother sitting on a chair with his left leg lifted up on another, a small cast bandaged around his knee all the way to his ankle and a large scar from one end of his cheekbone to the other.
Did Takeomi really go that far as to break Shin-anniki’s leg? If Mikey could, he would go to him right now and probably give him a concussion as punishment.
But, he couldn't.
Shinichiro was cheering Wakasa on as the latter was punching on the punching bag repeatedly.
Mikey couldn’t help but laugh. His older brother was so hopelessly in love.
When he did, he felt a pair of black eyes -so much like his- look towards him.
He pointed to himself.
You can see me? He wanted to say, but his throat wasn’t letting his voice come out.
There was no one that was able to see him until now. Mikey’s luck was just that great that the only person that could see him was the older brother he felt that he shamed.
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November 19, 2017 (Timeline Three: Black Dragons Timeline)
The first thing that Mikey was able to say was the request he had asked of Shinichiro when his brother was taken hostage by his command. He was sitting on Wakasa’s bed, watching Shinichiro as he flipped through the photo albums of the past.
He just wanted to cheer Shinichiro up. The former Black Dragons leader was crying so much and Mikey felt like he needed to do something! Shinichiro did so much for him and he’s still trying to save him in the end.
“Never change, Anniki.” Granted, this probably wasn’t the right time to say something like this, but it had somehow helped his brother muster on with what he was doing.
At that moment, Mikey realised that he had a body, but he couldn’t see his own reflection. He could feel the strands of his silky hair with his fingers and he could see the navy blue trenchcoat he was wearing.
If Mikey really was a ghost like how he had heard from urban tales and horror movies and Shinichiro was the only one that could hear him, then maybe his wish to help his older brother fix the timelines has come true?
Well, for whatever reason he isn’t burning in Hell at the moment, Mikey would take up the chance to uphold the wish he himself had made.
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November 29, 2017
Shinichiro sat by Wakasa’s hospital bed as he would always do, stroking his hair.
Mikey watched him silently, floating in the air with his legs criss crossed.
“So... what are you exactly? Are you a ghost? Or are you a figment of my imagination?” Shinichiro asked, making Mikey jump. It was the first time he actually spoke to the ghost. It unnerved him slightly.
Mikey tilted his head.
“Well, I don’t think I’m a hallucination. One second I was ready to die, and the second, I was floating over my dead body.” He answered. Shinichiro flinched.
“So that’s how Waka feels like when I talk about my death so freely.” He said to himself. Taking a deep breath, Shinichiro took a look at his younger brother who looked older than him only because of confusing time travel logic.
“Why are you here then? Shouldn’t you be…” He trailed off.
“In Hell, rotting? Yeah, I think I should be there considering what I’ve done. But someone has granted my wish.”
“Wish?” Shinichiro echoed. Mikey floated close to his brother and pointed to the journals lying innocently on the side table.
“To help you and Takemitchy fix the timelines. I want at least one version of me to have a happy end with the one he loves.” Mikey replied, trying to pick up the journal. It merely went through his hands.
“Oh.” Shinichiro rested his chin on his lifted good leg.
(Mikey couldn’t believe that he had broken it again! Couldn't his older brother get a break?!)
“Do you not want me to?” Mikey questioned with a hint of sadness. Shinichiro really was ashamed of him wasn’t he?
“No no! I was just thinking it would be so weird talking to you when others are around. It’s not everyday when you can see a ghost right?” The former Black Dragons member smiled. “I would never want you to leave when you stayed only to help me. You’re my younger brother. How could I even think that of you?”
Why wasn’t everyone as straightforward as Shinichiro? The world would have been a utopia if that were the case.
Mikey fought the urge to cry. He didn’t deserve to. Not after killing Senju and everyone else dear to him.
But at least he could have this small moment with his older brother.
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December 25, 2017
It’s not fair.
Mikey watched as Senju hugged his alternate self under the Christmas tree. It looked like it came straight out of a romance movie where the main lead had to leave for some kind of mission and he had returned back home into his lover’s arms.
But this wasn’t a movie, and the ghost couldn’t forget that his alternate self had kidnapped Senju for years on end in a dungeon-like cell!
Yet she still runs into his arms? Why? Mikey couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy course through him.
It was Mikey’s fault for killing Senju. But if he hadn’t killed her, he wouldn’t have realized that what he was doing was wrong.
It was like the train track dilemma. The death of a single female stopped Toman and eventually, killed the conductor of the train in the end.
Shinichiro got a phone call saying that Wakasa had woken up and Mikey disappeared from his sight as he ran off, going to see his own love.
The ex-Toman leader wanted to see Senju for some more time before he went back to his brother.
Is it possible to get jealous of your alternate timeline’s self?
Mikey creeped behind his alternate self and Senju as they sat on a bench, holding hands.
“You’re leaving tomorrow? Can’t you take me with you?” Senju begged. The Black Dragons timeline Mikey shook his head.
Mikey had met this version of himself because he was the one who gave Shinichiro the details of the prophecy they had been chasing for the past few months. He hated this version of himself.
It wasn’t cowardly to give himself to the police if it saved more lives! It was more cowardly to keep Senju in his grasp instead of letting her soar free! At least the Senju of his timeline did the career that she loved! This Senju never had the chance to do that!
Yet she still loved the bastard sitting next to her!
“Everyone is trying to find me. Kisaki is sending all of his men to hunt me down. I shouldn’t have even come here in the first place. Who knows who might snipe me from any corner?” He said professionally. It was as if he didn’t feel a single thing for the woman in front of him.
But the ghost knew that wasn’t the case.
At least I have emotions. Mikey thought.
…Even if they came too late.
“At least give me your phone number so we can talk.” Senju took out her silver phone and handed it over to Mikey’s alternate timeline self after unlocking it.
I think I’ve seen enough… Mikey looked away from the ‘couple’ and floated in the direction his brother ran to, leaving one last gust of wind towards the two trying to show that he was there and what they are trying to keep was supposed to be broken long ago.
He wasn’t sure if they got the memo or not.
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January 23, 2018 (Timeline Four: Manila/Tenjiku Timeline)
This version of Mikey was the most tragic one yet. The ghost could feel the sadness emulating from him.
Apparently he knew of the other timelines. He knew of Mikey’s own failure of trying to fix his timeline.
“Death row couldn’t take me in, but I’m sure if the time leaper does me in, this curse would break… right?”
Thanks for reminding me that I’m an utter failure, alternate me. The ghost had thought despite the depressing mood.
In the end, it wasn’t Shinichiro nor Takemichi who had done his alternate self in, it was Naoto. Mikey could try to thank the detective for putting his alternate self out of his misery but it would have been no use.
Takemichi had taken it well (well, as well as seeing your close friend die in front of your eyes could ever be.), but Shinichiro didn’t. Mikey could visibly see his older brother’s usually bright soul dim out to almost nothingness.
Shinichiro’s screams still rang in Mikey’s mind.
It was his fault that he gave himself in. But it wasn’t his fault that this timeline’s Mikey wanted to die.
But even so, two Mikeys had died even when Shinchiro vowed that he wouldn’t let anyone else die.
Mikey couldn’t help but feel bad for him.
He had tried to cheer Shinichiro up when the two were alone in the room but the former leader didn’t even speak to him.
It was as if he couldn’t see the ghost floating right next to him, wanting to help his big brother out.
But Mikey knew he could because he would never pass through the ghost and instead, walk around him.
What do I do? At this rate, Anniki is going to kill himself! All because of me!
(An alternate version of himself, yes, but himself nonetheless.)
Takemichi must have thought the same thing as he was the one in the end to cheer Shinichiro up enough for his soul to light up. It wasn’t how it was like when the ghost had re-met Shinichiro, but it was a start.
He felt useless. Wasn’t it the younger brother’s job to help his older brother when he was in need? Wakasa was dead in this timeline, and the only friends Shinichiro had was a detective, a nearly broke part time worker (who Mikey still respected) and a ghost. There wasn’t a lot of people Shinichiro could talk to.
But Mikey had to feel grateful for the time leaper. It was someone who was going through the same ordeal that could help Shinichiro out.
“Thank you, Takemitchy. You yourself aren’t in your best mental state, but you’ve manage to comfort Anniki. I owe you one.” Mikey said, expecting no one to hear him but Shinichiro.
But did Takemichi’s head turn towards his direction?
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Date: ??? (Timeline: Final)
This is it. Mikey had given his goodbyes and he was in peace that he was going to burn in Hell. A sky blue trail appeared in front of him as soon as he disappeared from Shinichiro’s sight for the last time.
He had done his wish, there was going to be a happy version of himself in a timeline where Shinchiro could live happily as well.
He only wished he could apologize to his timeline’s Senju for killing her even though he didn’t want to.
Mikey walked along the trail, his coat flowing along with the wind.
He didn’t want to burn in Hell. It sounded painful and there was a reason why he was invincible for the longest time. Mikey hated pain.
(Even though pain was the only thing he had received his entire life.)
As he was walking, he felt someone touch his shoulder. Knowing exactly who it was, Mikey didn’t stop walking. He wanted to ignore the person (or Reaper to be specific) who had caused all of this suffering for everyone.
“Hey! It’s rude to ignore a God y’know.” He heard Hanma say from behind him. Mikey put his hands in his pockets.
“You’re not a god, you’re a Reaper. I only give respect to those who deserve it.” Mikey said nonchalant.
Hanma caught up to him and pouted.
“Mean.~ I had good news for you too! Or do you not want to hear it?” He asked.
Good news?
“Just tell me and leave then.” Mikey didn’t even bother to look next to the lanky figure trying to catch his attention.
“I won’t tell you if you don’t be nice to me.” Hanma crossed his arms like a child.
Mikey stopped and sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Fucking- fine. What is it?” In front of him, the sky blue trail turned into the sky and the trail changed into a red carpet.
“Oh, it looks like the higher ups are already on it then!~ Guess what? Unfortunately, you won’t be burning in Hell and associating yourself with the devil -he’s such a nice guy by the way- you’re going to bore yourself in Heaven with your family members. Ugh. You really do deserve better.” Mikey raised his eyebrows and for the first time in years, his eyes welled up in tears.
Did he really deserve to cry? After all of the struggling he’s been through, after everything his family has been through…
He killed the love of his life!
Fuck it.
Mikey turned his head towards the carpet and ran.
“Wha- hey!” Hanma called out. But Mikey didn’t care. He wanted to go and see his friends that he’s betrayed and his family that has been waiting for him for so long!
At the end of the carpet was a girl with lilac hair waiting for him. Behind her, was a large pearl colored gate. Mikey felt his age revert and he knew his jacket had turned to his Toman uniform from his middle school days.
The girl wore a black hoodie with flowers embroidered on the sleeves.
“I’ve been waiting for so long… Manjiro. We all have. You did well.” The girl breathed out with a smile.
Mikey sniffled, pulling Senju into a hug.
“I’m so sorry! Please forgive me!” He cried into her shoulders. Senju reached up and patted his head.
“I forgave you already. It wasn’t your fault. Though, I don’t think that you would ever believe that.” She chuckled and let go of the former ghost, holding his hand tightly as if to show that she wasn’t going to leave.
“Ed and Shin-nii have been waiting forever for you! They’ve been watching you even before I did! Shin-nii wants to know all about his alternate self as well as everyone else.” Senju dragged Mikey through the gate.
To most, being dead would be the worst ending one could ever encounter.
But to Mikey, it may have been the best.
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April 19, 2018
Everyone is happy.
Shinichiro watched Mikey flip a water bottle only for it to fall as if he had placed it regularly. Next to him was Draken and Baji and by the looks of it, they were having a friendly banter with Emma trying to hold Draken back and the same happening with Baji and Chifuyu. Senju and Hinata laughed together, knowing that if things came to worse, Senju would be able to stop all of them.
Haruchiyo sat along with Ran and Rindou, doing some pranks of their own. From the looks of it, they were trying to spike the juice in the jug with some beer until both Wakasa and Benkei noticed them and stopped them from pouring it.
Shinichiro looked around his shop. It was as if he had never left. He had to give Inupi and Draken credit, they did an amazing job keeping it maintained. He couldn’t wait to start working along with them.
From a distance, Takemichi gave him a small wave with a plate of cake in his hand. Shinichiro chuckled, motioning him to come over.
When Takemichi did, he gave the plate to Shinichiro. The former leader looked at the cake in awe. It was chocolate with vanilla frosting.
“You actually made this?” He asked in shock. He knew that Takemichi enjoyed baking, but whenever he was in the future, he never put his hands on it.
Then again, they were always busy trying to save the timelines so Shinichiro would understand if he just simply didn’t have time. (It also didn’t help that Takemichi’s old house was a wreck.)
“Yeah. Apparently in twelve years, Hina and I opened a bakery. Our wedding is in a few months by the way. I came to personally invite you.” Takemichi replied. Shinichiro forked the cake and took a bite.
Wow, this is actually amazing!
“So, can you tell me what’s been happening with everyone else since you’ve been here longer? What kind of career does everyone else has?” Shinichiro said. Takemichi smiled.
“Well, for starters, Toman got disbanded by our last year of highschool after Senju-chan’s gang, Brahman and Toman came into an agreement and an alliance. Mikey-kun has taken over your Grandfather’s dojo much to Izana-kun’s disdain. Mikey-kun and Senju-chan’s wedding is next week so expect Mitsuya-kun to come over to you soon to get your measurements. Izana-kun and Kaku-chan both opened up an orphanage while Baji-kun and Kazutora-kun opened up a pet shop. Chifuyu became a pilot but he’s more at home than he is at work.” Shinichiro nodded.
“And Haruchiyo?” He questioned.
“Haru-kun’s career surprised me the most! He became a train engineer because apparently, he’s been interested in trains ever since he was a child. I think he’s dating Rindou-kun at the moment, but both of them don’t know that yet. Mucho-kun has been trying to get them together for ages according to what Chifuyu told me.” Takemichi explained.
Shinichiro did remember Haruchiyo having a small train track when he was a child. It was nice to see his childhood dream come true.
Takemichi then went to say that Mitsuya became a fashion designer and Hakkai, a model to stay by his side. Taiju had rekindled his relationship with his siblings and now, they were on ok terms.
“What about Waka? He hasn’t come to me face-to-face yet.” Shinichiro pointed to his boyfriend and he could see Takemichi trying to hold in a laugh.
“It was him that told me to go get you. He said to meet you in the backrooms when you’re done with that cake.” He motioned to the half eaten cake slice on the plate.
Shinichiro blushed.
“T-tell him I’ll be right there.” He stuttered. Takemichi chuckled.
“If we didn’t work with each other for so long, I would think that you were nervous.” He teased.
“I’m not!” Shinichiro was quick to answer. “I’m just relieved that everyone is here!”
Takemichi nudged his elbow onto Shinichiro’s arm.
“Sure. Keep telling yourself that, Shin.” He joked. With a single word, Shinichiro turned over to Takemichi, stuffing his face with the cake.
“You stopped with the formality?” He said after swallowing his food. Takemichi beamed.
“Well, everything is done now and we’ve been through more than anyone else has in their entire lives. Do you not want me to stop the formality?” He said, polite as ever.
“No. I’m just shocked that you of all people could talk without adding a suffix in the end, Takemichi.” Shinichiro returned the grin, purposefully not adding ‘-kun’ in the end of his sentence as well.
The former time leaper left, wanting to talk to Hinata (relishing the fact that she’s alive) and Shinichiro was alone once again. He quickly finished his cake and threw away the paper plate in the recycling bin, giving a single look towards Wakasa before walking to the back room of the shop where -when he used to work at least- the employees would take a break or bring any important guests.
Wakasa came not even three minutes later.
“How do you feel?” Shinichiro was the first to break the strain of silence between them. Wakasa held his hand.
“Tired mostly. Training Ran and Rindou on how to run a gym is exhausting. It doesn’t help when Mitsuya wants them to model his clothes as well!” Wakasa complained but Shinichiro knew that he didn’t really mean it.
“I mean about this.” Shinichiro motioned the shop and everyone in it. Wakasa raised an eyebrow. He sat next to Shinichiro but didn’t let go of his hand.
“What do you feel about it? You’re the one who’s been going through every single timeline to save them.” He replied to his boyfriend with a question.
“Hrm.” Shinichiro rested his free hand on his cheek, trying to avoid the scar. He noticed the burn marks on Wakasa’s wrists from the Black Dragons timeline.
He wasn’t sure how those wounds transcended throughout timelines and honestly, Shinichiro didn’t want to see Hanma anytime soon despite the lingering questions he still had.
“I guess I’m happy? I still somehow think that I’m in some kind of perverse dream if you ask me. In the end, the Reaper’s motives were way too simple.” He leaned his head against the wall.
“Love isn’t simple. You were the one that taught me that. If I were him, maybe I would have gone the same lengths for you.” Wakasa’s voice went as low as a whisper. Shinichiro’s ears turned bright red but despite that, he knew exactly what to say.
“I guess I’m lucky you aren’t a God then, Ichi-chan.” His tongue rolled out the new nickname he had for Wakasa and since the latter didn’t protest, he continued. “If you were, I would pity all the human lives you would have taken for my sake.”
Wakasa let go of Shinichiro’s hand only to lean his forehead on Shinichiro’s, touching his face with his soft hands.
“I would fight the Reaper of Time himself if he ever crosses paths with you again.” He said. Shinichiro scoffed.
“Didn’t you do that already?” He teased.
“I would fight him again and again. Until you are safe by my side just like you are now, Shin-chan.” Shinichiro felt the atmosphere becoming tense.
I think it’s time for us to kiss?
They were about to touch lips when suddenly, the couple heard a fake vomiting noise from the doorway.
“Ew! Haven’t you heard about PDA, Anniki?” Jumping from the scare, Shinichiro stood up and found Mikey pointing to his mouth like he was gagging.
“It’s my shop, asshole! I can do what I want!” He yelled.
“Oh shit! Mikey, you should run!” Haruchiyo called out from the background and the former Toman leader didn’t need to be told twice before he bolted out of the room. Shinichiro shook his head slowly before chasing after his brother.
“Get back here! I know I taught you better than this, idiot! Just be lucky I’m not as immature as you otherwise I’ll walk in on you and Senju-chan too!”
“Liar! You would do that!”
Wakasa laughed, also standing up from where he and Shinichiro were sitting.
This was normal even if it was chaotic. Shinichiro wouldn’t trade it for anything else.