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Hanagaki Takemichi was strange. Since stepping up as First Division Captain, it was as if his memories upped and ran away.
The signs were all there, really.
Chifuyu remembered. Sometimes (... or one time, he couldn’t remember exactly), Takemitchy would act differently. When it happened, it happened seamlessly. One day Takemitchy made his stupidly brave declaration to become the top guy in Toman right in Mikey’s face, and then the next day—Chifuyu caught a glimmer of confusion before the older quickly nodded along. Yes, right, uh, something ‘bout—he choked—that, uh yeah. We’re working together...
The change, upon first glance, was something hard to take note of.
Since Bloody Halloween was the biggest impression Chifuyu had on Takemitchy, from his wails and screams towards Mikey to the sight of him wearing Toman’s uniform, hollering into the night that I’ll do my best!! It was odd seeing him that way shortly after…. Well.
“I’m… First Division Captain.”
Lying on his back and eyes glued to the ceiling, Takemitchy made his comment. He sounded as if in disbelief, a hint of exhaustion clinging. Chifuyu looked over his shoulder. Peering at his now-superior curiously, this strange, borderline eerie feeling prodded the back of his mind.
Recalling how Takemitchy threw up his head and accepted the position, eyes overflowing with tears and back rigid, he waved the feeling away and nodded sagely.
“Surreal much?” Swirling around on Takemitchy’s revolving chair, Chifuyu hummed. “But I guess so. It’s the first step to becoming the top guy, ain’t that right?”
An abrupt cough wheezed out before Chifuyu heard the other clearing his throat. Now sitting up, Takemitchy rubbed the bridge of his nose, eyes squeezed shut and everything.
Like he was having a migraine.
“Y-yeah, I guess,” Takemitchy agreed weakly. Turquoise eyes stayed staring.
A beat of awkward silence passed.
“... Is,” blue eyes blinked nervously to the side, “is it okay if I invite people in...?”
Swirling around on the chair again, Chifuyu nodded. His back was facing Takemitchy when he gave his verbal response:
“Sure.”
It wasn’t that Takemitchy changed drastically. To Chifuyu, the “change” was rather unclear.
Just a bit nervous, just a bit timid. He kept his back straight, something akin to… self-persuasion, Chifuyu supposed. Yet before Takemitchy could ever find himself the time to get comfortable in Baji’s shoes, the younger delinquent witnessed it himself.
The dominos, ruthlessly, began to tumble.
Just two days after Hanagaki Takemichi became First Division Captain, the first incident occurred.
Chifuyu received a call. Gathering the Mizo Five, they met up with Hakkai who was carrying a knocked-out, heavily beaten up Takemitchy. For a moment, a cold Baji, body limp in his arms, flashed in the back of his mind, but spotting Hina, the teen quickly snapped out of it. The distressed look within Takemitchy’s girlfriend’s eyes already told everything Chifuyu needed to know. He listened carefully as Hakkai debriefed him of what happened.
Hakkai’s words were curt and short. With a grave expression, he apologized for dragging Takemitchy into this. After apologizing, he turned around and left.
Apparently, Takemitchy was on a date with Hina before the two bumped into the Shiba siblings and befriended the duo. Despite bracing himself with this way-too-serious expression (Chifuyu could understand, though), Hakkai looked like a kicked puppy as he sauntered away.
What horrible luck, the somber thought came. Taking a seat in Takemitchy’s room, Chifuyu held back a sigh.
Takemitchy, now patched up, remained unconscious in bed. After making sure Hina returned home safely, Yamagishi claimed that the best place to rest was at Takemitchy’s place. Since Takuya for some reason knew where Takemitchy’s extra keys were (Takemitchy’s keys fell out when he got jumped), they got the injured teen indoors ASAP.
“... Black Dragons, huh,” Chifuyu heard Atsushi murmuring. The Mizo Five (sans Takemitchy) killed time playing poker waiting for their captain to wake up.
“Yeah, tough stuff. They’re pretty big in the delinquent world,” Yamagishi commented. He threw down a few cards. “Our Takemichi’s luck is just terrible, huh!”
“And he just got promoted,” Takuya sighed. “From August ‘til now, when will he ever catch a break?”
Chifuyu’s lips perked into a smile.
He got good pals.
“Hnng…” All five pairs of eyes snapped to where Takemitchy stirred. Face all pinched up, Takemitchy blinked once, then twice. Exhaustion pushed away, he tried sitting up while wincing at the yellowing bruises riddling—well, everywhere.
He didn’t notice them right away. No one dared to move, from what it seemed. Staring blankly ahead, a few beats passed before—
Blue eyes began to tear up.
In hindsight, it shouldn’t be that surprising. Chifuyu was still startled, however. Taken off guard, Chifuyu was going to rise from his chair before he froze, a blur of colors rushing past him to get to Takemitchy’s side—
“Bro, does it hurt somewhere?” Makoto quickly asked. Lips bitten down, Takemitchy shook his head—motion stiff and harsh. Tears were beginning to overflow from rapidly reddening eyes.
He hiccuped. Stuffing a fist into his mouth, Takemitchy squeezed his eyes shut. Atsushi went to retrieve the tissue box at the headboard, drawing out the paper and pushing them into Takemichi’s free hand.
Takuya was rubbing circles into the blonde’s back. Trying to coax the teen away from biting his fist, Takemitchy’s childhood friend frowned.
“Takemichi….”
“I-I’m sorry,” struggling to breathe, Takemitchy hiccuped again. His eyes widened slightly, as if finally registering that his friends were all here with him, but the overwhelming emotions probably came crashing down again. “I’m sorry. It’s just—”
“Take it easy, take it easy,” Yamagishi said softly. Takuya continued to rub circles.
Breaking down into sobs, Takemitchy buried his face into his knees.
At that point, Chifuyu should’ve known. Settling back down onto the chair, turquoise eyes watched with pursed lips.
Takemitchy’s sobs continued for a few more minutes. He choked sometimes—Takuya elbowing Makoto to go fetch some water (Chifuyu went to do that instead, stumbling around Takemitchy’s kitchen). By the time Chifuyu returned, he could see how red Takemitchy’s face was.
Tears continued to fall.
It was obvious at that point. Despite them just being teens, with each incident catching up to their toes…. On Takemitchy’s shoulders, there was this heavy burden. A burden that Chifuyu should’ve noticed the gravity of much, much sooner.
But during this instance, for a moment, Takemitchy resembled nothing of the guy who stood his ground, taking thousands of hits but refusing to back down. He resembled nothing of the guy who threw himself at Mikey, yelling at him to stop. Even though he was crying all the same, this was…. Different.
Chifuyu came to a different conclusion.
Takemitchy, Hanagaki Takemichi, was just a kid as well. He was a kid who got pummeled by Shiba Taiju, the maniacal and evil Black Dragon’s tyrant. There was no wonder why he would break down like this, and as invisible as it was... the weight was undeniably real. Not just the weight of Baji’s position as Toman’s First Division Captain. It was that, combined with the oversized coat that Takemitchy, a fourteen year old kid, was forced to wear.
The coat that Chifuyu failed to notice, along with the bolts that began nailing down bruised feet.
The Toman admin meeting a few days later wrapped up with a sour note. Watching as Mitsuya left to talk to Taiju, Hakkai, with tightened fists, following closely behind, Chifuyu considered what he could do about this situation.
At this rate, this was going to be like with Baji.
During the meeting, Takemitchy had stood with his back pressed against the farthest wall. It was as if he was trying to blend in with the shadows, a weak attempt with his striking bleached hair. The other executives didn’t seem to bat an eye on that, however. They let him be despite his weak posture.
Arms crossed, Chifuyu stood next to his captain. Whether the others would approach Takemitchy about getting jumped—be it out of concern or to ask what the hell was going on, why were you acting so pathetic—with the memory of the older’s previous breakdown, Chifuyu stayed glued to his side.
He must still be shaken.
The thought did come, though. Maybe Takemitchy wasn’t built for this.
But when the thought arrived, so did the guilt. Because Chifuyu was the one who nominated Takemitchy, and while Takemitchy was owning up to his own words—seeing what kind of idiot he was, he himself might be ignoring… well. Whether his mental state could handle it or not, Chifuyu supposed.
… Right, he recalled Takemitchy slugging Kisaki in the face. There’s also that.
Takemitchy had seething hatred towards Kisaki, and yet….
Meeting adjourned, Mikey hopped off of his throne of piled rubble. Draken immediately stuck with the commander, and while a small glance flickered at Takemitchy’s direction, dark eyes in a moment of… curiosity, the duo left the abandoned lot with their usual relaxed strides.
Maybe curiosity was the wrong word. Worry? Draken was one thing, but Mikey didn’t openly show that. At least not often.
Chifuyu, softly, told Takemitchy that they could go now. As the two were about to leave, they crossed paths with Kisaki. They weren’t able to kick the guy out yet, but in time…. Chifuyu steeled himself.
But then—he wasn’t sure if he was seeing things, but Kisaki, he was… looking. At Takemitchy. Harmonious, almost, how he averted his glance, talking with Hanma about meaningless things.
But Chifuyu noticed.
He noticed, and if he were to describe it, it would be as if—
A snake lurking, preparing to strike the helpless.
Cold sweat dappled. He quickly herded Takemitchy out of the room.
Chifuyu wasn’t able to protect Baji, but he wasn’t about to leave Takemitchy (shaken, scared, tired) by himself. However, the teen already forgot—or more like, he wasn’t close enough to the other guy to realize. Takemitchy, different or not, was as reckless as he was scared. He seemed to be always on the edge of running away, but something (Chifuyu wasn’t sure what) nailed his feet to the ground, preventing him from escaping.
Looking back, maybe it would’ve been better had Takemitchy run away.
The next time Chifuyu visited the older, the latter somehow looked even paler than the previous day. Blue eyes wide, this twisted version of determination called tunnel vision, and lips slightly parted, he was silently murmuring to himself—
“I have to do this, I have to do this. I can do this.”
“Pal?”
Takemitchy didn’t respond.
Swallowing, Chifuyu tapped the other’s shoulder. At the touch of Chifuyu’s hand, Takemitchy jolted—as if he got burned.
“Y—yes?! ” He blinked wildly. Meeting Chifuyu’s gaze, Takemitchy let out a small breath. “Oh, Chifuyu.”
“... Want some yakisoba?” Chifuyu decided to offer. Takemitchy shook his head sheepishly, a weak smile on his lips.
“I’m…. I’m not hungry, but thanks.”
“... ‘Kay.”
By December, 2005, the bolts nailing Takemitchy’s feet were all bloody.
Christmas was spent with a distant gaze. By the time Chifuyu turned around, it was already too late.
Hakkai killed Shiba Taiju. Hakkai, eyes dark, was now the new commander of the Black Dragons. Hakkai’s sister, Shiba Yuzuha, went missing. Toman’s Second Division cracked, falling apart piece by piece.
Just like the Third Division, Chifuyu realized.
Somehow, things managed to turn worse. Everyone could only watch as Mikey’s throne became flooded with crimson, scared turquoise staring at a heavily, heavily messed up Takemitchy.
Takemitchy, with a shaking hand, gripped the necklace that hung around his neck. He gripped it, hard, and…
Eyes puffy, he seemed to have already cried today’s quota. It was a horrible sight, still.
New Years passed. It was 2006.
No matter how good a person was, the chances of turning evil never dwindled.
Hanagaki Takemichi was no exception. Turquoise gaze watched as his partner slowly became tainted by the Toman that changed. Excruciating, almost, seeing it happen.
This might have started from that Christmas.
Chifuyu, with the Mizo Five, went to investigate. Something was odd—he couldn’t exactly place his finger on what, but trusting his instincts, he went to search for Shiba Yuzuha.
However, it was really as if she disappeared from existence. Yamagishi grumbled as he dug around some more, listening for a rumor—a clue.
Chifuyu tried asking Mitsuya. Mitsuya was as clueless as he was, this underlying fury behind lilac eyes.
So he tried asking Takemitchy. Takemitchy’s lips were sealed. Asking how he got beaten up again, the teen refused to say a single word. Frustrating, really.
Aren’t we partners?
Blue eyes teared up.
Please, depend on me a bit.
The one who put a stop to their investigation was Takemitchy himself.
“D-don’t search, for her,” he had whispered. Everyone immediately whipped their heads towards their division captain. Face contorting, the blonde covered his face.
Chifuyu, shocked, furrowed his eyebrows.
“Takemitchy…?”
“Hakkai’s… doing his best. Searching for her will only put more pressure on him, so. So please.”
“Then tell us,” Chifuyu gripped the other’s shoulders. “Tell us what’s going on, Takemitchy. You can tell us.”
Takemitchy’s face contorted even more.
But then—he opened his mouth. Wordless, and—like a broken dam, the tears began flooding out once more.
“I’m scared.”
Face damp, Takemitchy trembled.
“I’m, scared.”
What are you scared of? Chifuyu wanted to ask. Blood rusted, the bolts were impossible to pull out now.
“It’s my fault,” Takemitchy cried. In a sudden burst of strength, he pushed Chifuyu away, Chifuyu’s hands pulled away from the other’s shoulders—
“It’s my fault!! I’m pathetic—the only thing I do is mess things up!!”
The Mizo Five whiplashed at his words.
“No!” Yamagishi stood up immediately. “You’re wrong, Takemichi! That’s not true—!!”
“You got us out of Kiyomasa’s torment,” Takuya said, voice strained calm and eyes impossibly wide. “You saved me and won.”
“ But if it weren’t for me believing Masaru’s bluff to begin with, we wouldn’t have been Kiyomasa’s slaves!! ”
“And you stood your ground!!” Makoto cut in. “ You got us out!!! You earned Mikey and Draken’s respect, you saved Draken !!”
“I don’t know,” eyes squeezed shut, Takemitchy shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, I don’t remember!! ”
“Takemichi!!”
There was an odd look on Akkun’s face.
Hesitantly, he approached their shaking friend.
“Takemichi,” Akkun repeated. Takemitchy shook his head again.
Sitting beside him, Akkun tried to take his hand. Takemitchy immediately pulled away, however. He was completely closed off.
Even so, Akkun kept trying.
“What happened?”
Takemitchy never answered.
Then, it happened. Tenjiku’s attack.
The Mizo Five were ambushed. Hearing the news, Chifuyu immediately went to go search for Takemitchy after phoning Draken. A Toman-hunt seemed to be going down. Everywhere, people in red slugged those in black.
Then, the absolute worst happened.
“Emma got attacked?”
Takemitchy looked horrified.
Draken—Chifuyu couldn’t even describe the look on his face right now.
“She got attacked,” Mikey whispered, bangs over his face. “She’s in the hospital, no signs of waking up.”
But she was still alive. As Toman continued to fight against Tenjiku, with his back towards everyone else, the commander said out loud:
“We need money.”
“Huh?”
“We need money,” Mikey repeated. He showed no signs of explaining.
Kisaki pushed up his glasses.
“The Black Dragon’s Kokonoi is a genius money-maker.”
And Hakkai, the former Second Division Vice Captain, was the Black Dragon’s current leader.
“Mitsuya,” Mikey voiced. Mitsuya straightened his back.
“Go contact Hakkai.”
“... Yes.”
Then, Chifuyu saw Kisaki walking past Takemitchy. Everyone else was busy handling the situation with Tenjiku, but seeing that—his heartbeat quickened.
Chifuyu strained his ears.
“... You know,” Kisaki’s slow murmur was heard. “With everything that’s happening…. It’s not hard to imagine that anyone could be sent to the same hospital room, don’t you think?”
Oh.
Oh.
He recalled Baji’s words.
Kisaki’s the enemy.
“Let’s do our best to not let something like that happen, Takemitchy.”
A pat on the shoulder.
Kisaki walked away.
Chifuyu’s mind raced. Takemitchy had already gotten caught in Kisaki’s ploy. What was it? Blackmail? Threats? Definitely threats. Chifuyu didn’t hear wrong.
Ploy.
Kazutora.
Kazutora, Baji had grinned, you won’t be the one to kill me…!!!
The memory of Takemitchy crying out resurfaced.
It's my fault.
Hakkai’s… Doing his best. Searching for her will only put more pressure on him, so, so please.
Since when? When did Kisaki approach Takemitchy?
It was getting harder to breathe.
Shit.
Shit…!!
Three months passed. Emma was still in a coma. Toman now formally merged with the Dragons, they managed to somewhat push Tenjiku back. However, Tenjiku still had the worst generation, and Kurokawa Izana—that guy was terrifying. With Draken’s mind constantly drifting off, tormented in concern and anger and worry, a huge part of Toman’s firepower dented.
Psychological warfare, Chifuyu realized. Eyes dead, the Invincible Mikey stooped forward.
Beside Izana, there was a man named Kakucho.
Chifuyu couldn’t even see Takemitchy’s face, now.
Toman absorbed Tenjiku.
Emma woke up.
Stuck in a wheelchair, auburn eyes failed to glimmer. It didn’t matter how many times everyone called her name, held her hand, or anything. Emma couldn’t respond.
Draken stayed right by her side.
But at least, Chifuyu thought, she’s still alive.
“Takemitchy.”
Takemitchy straightened his posture.
Mikey’s hand was over Emma’s. Back facing everyone, it occurred to Chifuyu—how long had it been since they saw their commander’s eyes?
“Protect Emma.”
Takemitchy’s face paled.
He opened his mouth, as if to say “no,” but then—
A certain snake’s gaze.
Takemitchy nearly shook.
Steeling himself, he nodded.
“Okay.”
Their commander barely turned around, but the side of his face could be seen. There was a small smile—something weak.
Mikey became obsessed with money.
Anything to fix Emma, be it murder, shakedown, violence, violence, violence—
Chifuyu didn’t want Emma to end up like Baji as well.
By the time he realized, Chifuyu’s hands were covered in crimson red.
But even during a typhoon, a silver lining could be found. Walking in clouds, the fog suddenly parted.
Yamagishi found Shiba Yuzuha.
Since Taiju’s murder, Yuzuha vanished from the radar. As if she was on the run, Chifuyu realized, and at that thought, the truth became more evident. Taking the train, he followed the directions written quickly in pen.
Be careful, Yamagishi warned. Whoever’s behind this, they got eyes everywhere.
Chifuyu tugged his hood down a bit more. The trip took a while, but he finally found her. Rather, Yuzuha let herself be found.
“What happened during Christmas?” Chifuyu immediately asked.
Yuzuha gave him a side glance. Then, she turned away.
There were distinct lines under her eyes. After Chifuyu swore to not say a word about what she was going to reveal outside this room, unsmiling, she began to speak. Perhaps she was waiting for this moment—for someone to finally know.
“I killed Taiju.”
Her voice was very rough.
“I messed up.”
Going into more detail, Yuzuha explained what happened during 2005’s Christmas day.
“I had to protect Hakkai. He was going to get himself killed. And I… I was tired, I guess. Kisaki Tetta, you know him? He approached me, gave me the opportunity. I took it, went through it, and now….”
A small smile formed. It didn’t reach her eyes.
“And now Hakkai took the fall. Kisaki promised that I’ll be safe, as long as Hakkai did Kisaki’s bidding. Returning the favor, right? Everything went smoothly, just as Kisaki promised.”
She lowered her head.
“But it’s not just that. I’m just…. You know that kid, Takemitchy?”
Chifuyu, slowly, nodded.
For a moment, Yuzuha remained quiet.
Then, she continued.
“He tried to save us.”
Her voice turned louder.
“That stupid kid, he played hero and tried so damn hard to save us…!! ”
She was openly crying, now.
“He’s like a little brother to me!! I couldn’t let Taiju kill Hakkai and him!!! Takemitchy shielded Hakkai, he’s so small and yet—!! Even now, I still remember how terrified he looked—I didn’t know what to do, I had to save them! I hate this!! I hate this so much!! I don’t regret killing Taiju, but—!!
“Now Hakkai and Takemitchy are never free!! Because of me!!! ”
… It was much clearer, now.
It really was.
Eyes lacking light, Yuzuha slumped down.
She began muttering.
“If I turn myself in, then Hakkai no longer has any reason to follow Kisaki. But I have a feeling. It won’t just end like that.
“Kisaki’s plans are thorough. Even if I’m out of the picture, even if I’m dead, he will still….”
She hugged herself.
“I’m scared. I’m really scared.”
Chifuyu was scared, too.
On the way back home, he began to think. It would be hard to keep in contact with Yuzuha, and while possible, Chifuyu didn’t dare to risk any innocent bystanders’ safety. He had to make sure no one could trace him back to her and vice versa, all to ensure that Kisaki wouldn’t dare use it against Hakkai and Takemitchy.
But now that Chifuyu knew of the truth, he could… begin formulating.
Counterplans against Kisaki.
He could.
Gulping down the heavy lump in his throat, Chifuyu took in a shuddering breath.
But where to begin?
Peach colored hair flowed past his vision.
Tachibana Hinata, the young adult registered. It had been a while. The university student immediately recognized him, just as Chifuyu recognized her.
They exchanged greetings. Her hair was longer than what Chifuyu last remembered. Thinking about it, the last they met…. A few years already, no?
There was a familiar necklace around her neck. Silver glittering, turquoise eyes squinted.
… That was….
Oh, that was right. Takemitchy had something like that, right?
“... Is Takemichi still in that gang…?” Hinata asked. Her hands were folded together, voice soft and quiet.
Toman’s name was infamous. Now a criminal syndicate, the organization kept growing, becoming something untouchable.
“... Yes.”
Hinata closed her eyes. Then nodded.
“Stay safe, okay? You two.”
Chifuyu couldn’t promise her that.
Eyes meeting, Hinata’s smile was thin. Knowing. Understanding.
Buying her a warm drink, Chifuyu walked Hinata home. Then, he made a u-turn and stepped down the road.
A three hour drive.
He pressed the doorbell. Five beats later, Takemitchy, rubbing his eyes, opened the door.
“Oh, Chifuyu…” Takemitchy slowly blinked. As usual, his eyes were red from crying. Opening the door wider, the older reluctantly let the other in. Chifuyu was only three steps into the house before he revealed:
“I know what happened.”
A torrent of emotions ravaged behind blue.
Stepping back, the clover necklace around his neck dangled with the motion.
“I know what happened, Takemitchy.”
Takemitchy broke into sobs once more.
“Chifuyu.”
Chifuyu stepped forward. Wrapping his arms around the other’s shaking shoulders, he rubbed circles into the trembling back, just as Takuya did before.
“I’m still your partner,” he said softly.
Before Emma, who sat unresponsive in her chair, their knees met the ground as Takemitchy wailed louder.
Glassy auburn watched.
So please.
Let me help you.
“If you can only save one person,” hair combed back, Takemitchy asked blandly, half-lidded eyes staring out of the penthouse window, “who would you save? The one who has the means to protect themself, or the one who can’t. One will definitely die, though. No doubt.”
“... The one who can’t,” Chifuyu replied.
Takemitchy made a dry smile.
“Ain’t that right.”
Extravagant infrastructures established with dirty money. Top class bags, high grade watches, an air of indifference combined with blood stained notes.
“He’ll lose trust, won’t he,” Takemitchy murmured. “Either way, Kisaki will win in the end.”
But Emma could still live.
“What is the meaning of this,” Ryuguji Ken loomed over Hanagaki Takemichi.
“Where is Emma. What happened to her.”
His former blue gaze was now a shade of gray. Eyes rolling, Takemitchy sighed.
“I doubt you’d want to see her mangled body,” he drawled, “Ryuguji.”
A fist came diving in.
Back against the wall, Takemitchy’s eyes remained close. His cheek throbbed—something definitely broke.
“Chifuyu,” Takemitchy ordered. “Hand it to him.”
Chifuyu handed his superior the card.
Eyes dark, Draken turned away.
A series of heavy footsteps were made. At last, the door slammed shut behind their old friend.
The ex-Black Dragons were Mikey’s left hand. With the ever growing wealth, perhaps a way to “fix” Emma would be uncovered. No, he left no room for failure. Emma must be fixed.
Then the news of Emma’s death arrived.
With a single motion, Matsuno Chifuyu became Mikey’s right hand.
“She’s alive.”
Impossibly pitch black eyes bore blankly into the other’s soul.
A head of blonde tilted forward.
“I see.”
He stood up.
“If you lied, I’ll kill you myself.”
Chifuyu recalled a memory. They had just entered adulthood, only a single layer of blood painting their fingertips.
Walking together, Chifuyu noticed Takemitchy slowing down. Half-lidded eyes were staring at something. Looking over the other’s shoulder, Chifuyu noticed a small CD rental store, just around the corner.
“... Wanna go in?” Chifuyu asked. Takemitchy, vacantly, shrugged.
It was a place Takemitchy began frequenting more often.
Sometimes, things got worse. Chifuyu still remembered how his partner would tremble, clutching himself and nails digging into raw skin. It was reminiscent of Yuzuha—at the time, Chifuyu was still figuring out how to help her.
I’m scared, Takemitchy had cried.
I don’t know what to do, but if I don’t do this, Hakkai will…. Yuzuha will… Hina will—!!!!
Takemichi was in a complete daze.
… Hina will die.
I have to protect her.
There were bloodstains.
Years passed. Toman grew, and grew, and grew.
Toman changed because Mikey changed. No matter how good a person was, the chances of turning evil never dwindled.
For a moment, even Chifuyu lost sight of his own world. Making one last visit at Yuzuha’s, he cut their connection once and for all.
“Take care of Emma.”
Yuzuha nodded.
Hair no longer blonde, blue gray eyes looked lazily out of the window. Takemitchy clicked his tongue.
“Damn Kisaki. What business does he have with me, now?”
Standing up, the top Toman admin sauntered out. Yamagishi and Takuya loyally followed suit. Chifuyu stayed behind to organize a few reports.
Single handedly murdering the leftovers of Tenjiku, the people who “killed” Emma, Draken went on death row. Mikey, on the other hand….
He disappeared.
There was a whisper about “Kurokawa Izana.” To this day, the name sent shivers down Chifuyu’s spine.
Kisaki became the acting leader.
“Our commander is just having a vacation.”
Lies.
Lies, lies, lies.
Mitsuya pressed his fist into Chifuyu’s palm.
“Sorry,” he murmured. “Save Toman.”
Chifuyu wore the earring.
“Stay safe, Mitsuya.”
Mitsuya smiled smally.
The most difficult part about this was the fact that there was no one you could really trust.
The ex-Black Dragons knew more about Mikey’s whereabouts than the old Toman members. Everyone in Toman obeyed Kisaki, and that was the thing. Chifuyu imagined that Kisaki already had his eyes on Takemitchy’s childhood friends. Having the old Mizo Five in on this spelt four tickets across the riverbed of death.
Even so, that didn’t mean all was for naught.
Takemitchy, whose jaded charisma brought the former First Division to impossible heights, had no choice but to follow Kisaki’s orders. Chifuyu, on the other hand.
“Long time no see, Kazutora. Need a ride?”
Hanemiya Kazutora stood before him. Lips parted, his eyes were wide in shock.
Fuel burning, Chifuyu hit the lights and turned the wheel.
“Toman started to go bad,” he explained. The green lights began to change color. “They’ve become a criminal group that not even the police can touch.”
The other man was taking it rather calmly. Wordlessly, the older waited for Chifuyu to continue.
So he did.
“... Let’s get Toman... back to the way it used to be.”
An exhale through his nose. Eyes turning back to the road, there was a moment of silence before Chifuyu saw the motion of a nod.
Black hair swayed. Chifuyu’s heart clenched.
“I’m with you, Chifuyu,” Kazutora said.
As if preserved for a decade, Hanemiya Kazutora manifested as the old flames of Toman.
Chifuyu gathered information. Anything he could get his hands on, he grabbed firmly and secured away. Careful enough to not leave any traces, he made sure that the intel was safe and updated. When Kazutora joined in, the next steps could finally begin. Seeking out trustworthy connections, Kazutora did the rest of the work.
A few bases were busted. That was good. Also dangerous, because if more hideouts get discovered, Kisaki would grow suspicious. They had to be careful—for now, they’d play it safe. To find out a way to corner that devil, they had to act accordingly.
Taking out Kisaki and cutting off the ex-Black Dragons’ money. Before Mikey went missing, he gave the okay for Chifuyu to handle Kisaki himself.
As the commander’s right hand, Chifuyu knew. Mikey didn’t care whether Kisaki was here or not. This was just the dregs of a former deal that Sano Manjiro surprisingly honored—
The deal he made with Takemitchy.
Go ahead and get rid of him.
But don’t you dare cut off Emma’s lifeline.
Because the Black Dragons were Emma’s only hope of recovery. If they handled Kisaki carelessly, then that group would stop providing Mikey money.
Hakkai was just a puppet leader. As Yuzuha warned, the Black Dragons’ loyalty was with Kisaki.
But in the end, as Kazutora agreed.
To save Toman, they had to cut it off. The bloodstained wealth.
Mikey.
The memory of an eighteen year old Takemitchy, sitting silently beside Emma.
Have you even visited Emma once, for the past decade?
They could do this.
They had to.
Because Emma was still alive.
Not like Baji.
Chifuyu held his breath. He could not let any emotion slip.
Almost, just almost.
Camera set, he made sure the device was out of sight. He hid it carefully behind the leaves, somewhere inconspicuous and hard to spot. The door clicked open. As Takemitchy entered the office, Chifuyu bowed in greeting.
Then, Sendo Atsushi followed.
“Hot as hell today. C’mon, have a seat.”
Akkun, standing stiff, didn’t move.
“I didn’t want to call you up here for this,” Takemitchy drawled, “but it’s an order from high up…. Can you really blame me?
“Anyways. I called you here for one reason. I was a certain someone to be wiped out. I got no clue who or what they are, but it doesn’t matter. What’s important here… is that they’re getting in Toman’s way.”
A fist was brought down to the table. Unknowingly to them all, it was the gavel that sealed the fate of two individuals.
Gaze low, Takemitchy continued.
“I didn’t want to make you do this, but if it’s not done… Kisaki’s gonna be on my ass. Am I clear, Atsushi?”
Some time ago, hesitantly, Atsushi approached Chifuyu.
Maybe the former found him trustworthy enough. Regardless, Akkun risked his life revealing what had been stirring in his head for over a decade, since the day Takemitchy broke down:
“Don’t you think, maybe… Takemichi….”
A small tremble.
“He could time travel?”
Perhaps Akkun, as well, was pushed to the edge. Delusional, the man laughed at his own joke. His eyes were wide with shaking suspicion, however. Suspicion and terror. The eyes never lied.
“Sorry,” he choked up. “That’s such a weird question.”
August 10th.
Chifuyu never thought that the last evidence was…
This.
For the last twelve years, there was this coat over Takemitchy’s shoulders. The attire was made out of black cloth, threads embroidered with gold. Rusting bolts prevented him from running, the screws being the safety of everyone he loved.
Hina. Hakkai. Yuzuha. Emma. Perhaps even his parents, schoolmates, anyone. Just like with Hakkai, who knew what more was shoved into his plate.
What else did Kisaki threaten you with?
The necklace became something akin to a noose.
Another crash.
Grabbing the monitor, weak limbs lobbed it to the wall, plastic shattering at the impact.
Another scream. Another yell.
“Takemitchy—stop it!!”
Chair slammed against the carpet ground, wood splintered and scattered everywhere.
“SHUT UP, SHUT UP!! ”
Another cry.
“KISAKI!! HE’S THE DEVIL!! HE SET ME UP, GODDAMMIT—!!!”
Takemitchy fell onto his knees. Nearly everything in the room of the penthouse was broken.
Everything, including the owner of the room.
“I didn’t know,” Takemitchy choked. “I didn’t know the one killed would be… her.”
After Tachibana Hinata’s death, a detective approached Chifuyu and Kazutora. He was the late Hinata’s younger brother, Tachibana Naoto.
Chifuyu stared at the USB in his hand. Holding it close, he closed his eyes. All the other intel was handed over to the detective. The investigation, without any doubt, had begun.
I’m sorry, Kazutora.
One by one, Toman businesses were exposed.
“He’s gone to that rental store again,” Makoto said over the line. “Third time this week. More often than before.”
“I see,” head heavy, Chifuyu replied.
It was an improvement compared to last month—but Chifuyu was aware. This could just be another obsession in disguise. Moving on autopilot since Tachibana’s death, Takemitchy fulfilled his executive duties without a single care of his own health. So this… while definitely more healthy, Chifuyu gave Yamagishi’s group the order to keep a close eye.
Takemitchy hadn’t been very responsive.
Calling him again, the second in command was left with silence. It was worrying. Very worrying. Chifuyu hid the concern behind a well-trained mask. Gazing out of the window, he stared at the district’s cityscape.
Not to mention that we have an admin meeting this soon….
Mitsuya was still missing from the radar. Without any doubt, he was already killed.
Chifuyu had a feeling on what the meeting was going to be about.
The elevator’s ping sounded. All gang members bowed at Takemitchy’s presence.
“Hello!! Thank you for having us!!!”
Chifuyu, silently, sighed.
“Answer your phone, Takemitchy.”
Turning around, turquoise eyes were about to glare until—
… Huh?
“Chifuyu!!”
Blinking slowly, Chifuyu inwardly drew back. Takemitchy was wearing some casual clothes, hair slicked back as usual, but… something about him….
“Chifuyu, thank goodness!!” Takemitchy laughed brightly. Brightly. What. Deities above. Did he finally snap?
“I got no clue what’s goin’ on here!”
“Huh?” Chifuyu’s mouth was running on its own. “What the hell’re you talkin’ about?”
Stiffly, he moved past his partner.
“We got an admin meeting…. Let’s go.”
Takemitchy blinked dumbly.
“Admin meeting? Who does?”
“... C’mon, partner!!” Please don’t let this be stress-induced amnesia. “Who else but you? Tokyo Manji Gang’s top admin, Hanagaki Takemichi.”
Takemitchy was looking more and more shocked by the second.
Kami.
During the admin meeting, Takemitchy was acting even more weird. He didn’t say anything when Pah-chin and Peh-yan started wrecking havoc. Didn’t make a snide comment even when Nahoya and Mucho joined in, the ex-Black Dragons throwing in their own two cents.
He just sat there stupidly, gaping at the scene as it unfolded.
The tips of his toes cold, Chifuyu only prayed. He stood behind Takemitchy as if a guard, sticking right by his side.
Don’t do anything stupid. Don’t do anything stupid.
That was when Pah-chin commented.
“What’s up with Mikey, anyway?”
There was genuine concern in his voice.
Continuing to chomp down his food, Hakkai snorted.
“As if he’ll come to see a loser like you.”
“... Huh?”
Raising his spoon, the ex-Black Dragon leader continued.
“The second anything happens… you oldies are all like, Mikey! Mikey!! What are you, goldfish crap?”
A chair went crashing into the ground.
Fuming in searing fire, Pah-chin glared down at Shiba Hakkai.
Hanma was the one who ceased the banter.
It was as expected. As Hanma continued, it was clear—the meeting was in concern of the recent police search. Within the same time frame, many businesses Toman managed were exposed.
Tachibana Naoto was quick at work.
“Someone ratted us out,” Hanma concluded. Chifuyu kept his breathing even.
“Like hell any of us would do that!” Pah-chin growled. “Even if some of you are shit, I’d never snitch on my own gang!”
Another argument began to spark, but before it could go any farther—
Kisaki Tetta entered the room.
Almost immediately, everyone stood up and bowed.
Everyone, but Takemitchy.
“Good evening, sir!!”
Eventually, Takemitchy noticed his slip up. Quickly mimicking the others, he got up and bowed his head. Kisaki made a pleasant smile.
“Takemichi, Chifuyu. Could I have a moment of your time?”
He knew. He really knew.
“Takemichi… Chifuyu, What do you think of me?”
Kisaki Tetta was evil. His pleasantries were all a joke.
“You hate me, don’t you?”
Alcohol swirling in his glass, Kisaki leaned back in mocked nostalgia.
“It was around this time, twelve years ago, when Baji died…. That was all my fault.”
As if in a confessional, Kisaki continued.
And then, he bowed.
A joke.
A joke.
A joke.
Chifuyu knew.
But similar to how Takemitchy wouldn’t pick up his phone, maybe, just maybe, Chifuyu was tired as well.
“To Baji,” Kisaki raised his glass.
“Let’s drink.”
Had Chifuyu handed over the USB, the last evidence, this might not have happened.
But he couldn’t.
He really couldn’t.
He could already imagine the look on Kazutora’s face, the older man exasperated—
Why?
Why, Chifuyu?
Face bloody and bruised, Chifuyu opened his mouth.
“I did it,” he admitted. “I’m the snitch. Takemitchy got nothing to do with this.”
So let him go.
He’d been doing your bidding for the last twelve years, wasn’t he?
Your loyal puppet?
There was no reason to remove Takemitchy.
Takemitchy could not die.
Don’t kill him.
Don’t.
With one swift motion, a lackey brought over Kisaki’s pistol.
“I get to decide whether he’s involved or not,” the devil drawled.
Bang.
A bullet, straight through Takemitchy’s left thigh.
The moment Takemitchy started screaming, something shattered.
No, no no—
“I said Takemitchy had nothing to do with this!!” Chifuyu yelled, arms pulling against the horrible, horrible duct tape—“ He doesn’t know a goddamn thing!!! ”
Kisaki, annoyed, combed back his hair.
“Shut the hell up. We’re friends, right?”
Poison seeped.
“You sick fuck….”
Dull with adrenaline, Chifuyu’s mind raced. Takemitchy’s screams were all he could hear—this was a horrible nightmare pulled into reality. He needed to do something. He had to do something. Chifuyu knew: Takemitchy was fighting a losing battle since the beginning. Despite being his advisor, his partner, Chifuyu couldn’t do anything to stop the corruption—he was too late.
Since the day Hanagaki Takemichi picked up Baji’s mantle, the bolts were already in place.
“Now then,” Kisaki raised his gun, “any last words?”
Chifuyu stared ahead.
He stared.
And stared—
All for one, and one for all.
A sad, watering smile.
I died on my own.
No.
He took in a shaky breath.
No. They weren’t too late.
They weren’t.
They were both—both alive.
“Takemitchy….”
They were still alive.
Takemitchy continued to scream.
Chifuyu swallowed hard. Even though the cold muzzle was right between his eyes, they were alive—
So he hollered.
“TAKEMICHI!! ”
The screams, finally, cut short.
Now, there was only the hoarse intake of breath, these painful wheezes with tears.
“Listen up,” Chifuyu’s voice shook. “Takemitchy.
“These are my last words.”
Eyes wide, he continued forcefully between pants.
“A lot happened over the last twelve years. Mikey disappeared.”
It hurt.
“Draken got the death penalty.”
It hurt.
“Before I knew it,” Chifuyu breathed, “I got involved in some real foul shit. We’ve done… a lot of horrible things.”
Akkun, Hina. Yuzuha. Hakkai.
Emma.
Every crime, every horrible, goddamn crime—
Back then, Chifuyu had thought.
During that instance when Takemitchy first broke down, for a moment, the teen resembled nothing of the guy who stood his ground, taking thousands of hits but refusing to back down.
He resembled nothing of the guy who threw himself at Mikey, yelling at him to stop. Even though he was crying all the same, this was…. Different.
Chifuyu was mistaken.
“BUT DEEP DOWN, WE HAVEN’T CHANGED!! ”
Since this morning, the look within dull gray eyes…. They were different. Since this morning, Takemitchy was different.
Different, but still the same.
Chifuyu remembered clearly.
Inside that house, an eighteen year old Takemitchy sat beside Emma. Quietly, he unclasped the necklace around his neck, wrapping the little thing with Emma’s fingers.
He placed his hand over Emma’s—
—And hummed a small, wavering tune.
It would be better if I was just a nobody.
A nobody who works in a random CD rental store.
Blue eyes still had an ember.
But I won't back down, Chifuyu.
I can't.
Watching Takemitchy tear himself apart, gray eyes possessed no light. The wavering flames were doused so brutally with Hina and Akkun’s blood—the very lives he tried to preserve. He tried his best. He really did. Chifuyu remembered the crash of each piece of furniture. The screams and shouts that cried endless, excruciating pain.
For the last twelve years, Takemtichy never saw Hina.
Similarly to Mikey, who never looked at Emma again.
Takemitchy might as well be dead. Everyday, painfully, was a slap to the face. From Takemitchy’s hurt to Chifuyu’s own failures, each and every step.
But now….
But now.
It was okay.
Turning his head, wide turquoise met a sky blue.
… His eyes.
Chifuyu.
Blue as that day’s skies.
Yes?
I’d kill for some peyoung yakisoba right now.
… I’ll go buy you some.
We’ll split it, right?
…
A grin.
Thanks, Chifuyu.
It was like he reverted in time.
Takemitchy.
“I leave Baji’s will… And Toman, to you.”