Work Text:
Baji tugged on the sleeve of his light gray jacket, trying to entertain himself as he waited.
“What’s taking that idiot so long?”
The black-haired boy let out a sigh, frustrated with the lack of an answer aside from the distant sound of honking cars. He realized that choosing a more remote part of Shibuya was not the best for quickly meeting up with someone. With nothing else to occupy his mind, Baji’s thoughts drifted towards his friends. He wondered if Mikey was out on his usual late-night motorcycle ride. If Draken was powering through some new workout routine in preparation for tomorrow’s fight. If Chifuyu-
Stop it Keisuke.
But it was too late. Thoughts of his vice captain filled Baji’s mind, shoving aside the warning his inner voice gave him. Baji longed to see Chifuyu’s bright smile. The one that could make him forget all of this madness. Take him away from Kazutora’s mad search for revenge. Away from Mikey’s monstrous new era of delinquents.
There’s no way you can see him, dumbass.
The realization pulled Baji out of his hopeful wishing. Baji lost all access to that beautiful smile when he left Toman. Any chance of trying to find that smile again was lost completely when he beat Chifuyu unconscious in that abandoned arcade. It had been all for the sake of proving his loyalty to Valhalla.
Baji wasn’t sure if Chifuyu could ever forgive him. But he would do everything in his power to try to be worthy of Chifuyu's forgiveness.
The nearby thumping of shoes signaled that Baji was no longer alone. He moved away from his position under the streetlight and stood in the middle of the sidewalk. Baji was just in time to catch the blond-haired boy racing his way through Shibuya.
“No, no please!” the blond blubbered. “I swear I don’t want to cause trouble. There’s just this one guy. He started chasing me out of nowhere and I just- I’ll give you anything, just let me go!”
“Cut it out,” Baji growled, loosening his grip on the blond’s black school jacket. “I just want to talk.”
“Wha-”
A second set of thudding footsteps reached Baji’s ears. Baji looked up. A black-blond-haired boy beamed at him, somewhat hunched over as he was trying to catch his breath.
“Told you I could find him,” Kazutora said.
“Yeah, thanks,” Baji replied.
“Now about my payment-”
“You’ll get your yakisoba soon.”
“Sweet!”
Kazutora, glanced at the blond, who was trying and failing to break out of Baji’s grip.
“Hope you beat him to a pulp. Might not look like much, but he’s fast when he needs to be. And he’s annoying as hell.”
“Mind your business,” Baji warned.
“Whatever you say, boss,” Kazutora teased.
Without another word, Kazutora turned on his heel and walked away. Once Kazutora was out of view, Baji loosened his grip and backed away from the blond. The other boy stood frozen in place, eyes full of fear. This wasn’t going to do.
“What’s your name again?” Baji asked.
Baji already knew the boy’s name. He hadn’t forgotten since the day the blond interrupted Kisaki’s promotion ceremony. But he needed to make sure the boy in front of him could talk if he was going to get any answers.
“Hanegaki Takemichi,” the blond answered slowly. “But it’s fine if you call me Takemichi. Or even-”
“Takemitchy?”
Takemichi flinched at Baji’s sudden use of his nickname. Still, he nodded before he started to wipe away his tears.
This is the crybaby Mikey cares so much about?
Baji stared at Takemichi. Upon first glance, Takemichi looked like a crying mess. Looking at him now, Baji felt something about Takemichi was unusual. Takemichi seemed like a boy who was hiding something important. Something that Baji felt oddly tied to.
“Why were you there?” Baji asked, pushing forth in his determination to find answers.
Takemichi stopped wiping away his tears. “Eh?”
“This morning. Chifuyu called and told me to meet him on the bridge. I thought that it was just going to be me and him. So why did you show up?”
“I didn’t even know the two of you were supposed to meet up. Chifuyu had me tag along kinda last minute. It’s probably ’cause we’re partners now.”
“Partners?” Baji can’t help the hint of jealousy that comes out with his question.
“I mean I’m not sure friends is a good description for it. We’re not like what you two-”
“So are you talking to him?” Baji interrupted, trying to move beyond the other blond-haired boy in his life that was currently giving him trouble.
“Yeah, we’ve been talking a bit. We’re trying to think of a way to help you.”
“Help me?” Baji scoffed.
“Yes. We know you’re spying on Valhalla. And we… Well, Chifuyu really didn't want you to do this alone.”
So much for leaving Chifuyu out of this, Baji sighed internally.
Baji should’ve known that beating Chifuyu up would draw Chifuyu further into the situation rather than pushing him away. Chifuyu was too curious for his own good. That curiosity was going to get Chifuyu killed if Baji didn’t put a stop to this conversation. To hell with finding answers.
“I’m not sure if it’s sunk in for either of you, but I’m no longer a part of Toman.”
“Mikey said you could-”
“This isn’t about Mikey! It’s about Valhalla. They’re my family now. At least I know that they won’t turn on me.”
This was a lie. Baji only trusted Kazutora. But his faith in Kazutora was starting to wear down. The Kazutora of two years ago was glued to Baji’s side, willing to do anything for Baji and Toman. That Kazutora was rarely shaken by anything. Now? Even mentioning Toman would send Kazutora spiraling back into his hatred for Mikey. Baji was lucky that Kazutora hadn't asked questions when Baji asked him to find Takemichi. Kazutora simply assumed it was all a part of Baji‘s plan to prove that Toman would never get Baji back. If Baji hadn’t been as careful as he was, he could’ve blown his cover. But Baji couldn’t let the crybaby know all of that. He needed to tell Takemichi something that would get the blond off his back.
“I can’t leave them behind. They mean too much to me. And you trying to ‘help’ me is pointless. Your beloved new era of delinquents will still happen. It’ll be an era under Valhalla’s terms. There’s nothing more to be said.”
“Then why bring me here? Why have one of your friends chase me for blocks on end if you’re trying to distance yourself from Toman?”
Baji hadn’t expected Takemichi to be so bold. And, judging by the pale growing on his face, neither had Takemichi. It was likely Takemichi’s boldness that spurred Baji to share his thoughts.
“You cried in front of me and told me not to die. And it freaked me the hell out.”
Color continued to fade from Takemichi’s face as he appeared to remember more of their earlier encounter.
“Oh yeah, I did. It’s a bit of a habit.”
“Crying for people you don’t really know? Or just freaking out people in general?”
For the first time in their entire conversation, Takemichi laughed. Baji smiled. The laughter and smile didn’t remove the awkwardness of their “random” meeting. But now it felt like both of them could be comfortable being honest.
“The crying bit,” Takemichi answered once his laughter died down. “I try not to freak people out in general. But the past few months haven't exactly allowed me to be normal. It’s been a lot trying to wrap my head around everything. I mean fighting Moebius. Trying to make sure Draken didn’t die. Seeing you leave and join Valhalla.”
“Trying to make sure I don’t die?” Baji suggested, sensing where the pattern of Takemichi’s thoughts were going. He was slightly surprised when Takemichi nodded.
Now or never, Keisuke.
Baji followed his inner voice and asked, “Is someone planning on killing me?”
And that’s when Baji got his answer. Yes, someone was planning on killing him. And, according to Takemichi, someone had killed him before.
Takemichi had the two of them sit down on a nearby bench before continuing his explanation. Takemichi was not the fourteen-year-old everyone thought he was. Apparently, he was a twenty-six-year-old man who had come from the year 2017, twelve years ahead of the present. How Takemichi had managed to return to his teenage self was uncertain. For over three months, the blond had been trying to fix the problems caused by Toman’s new third division captain, Kisaki.
Baji did his best to remain expressionless when Takemichi mentioned Kisaki. Taking down Kisaki was supposed to be a solo mission after all. When Baji asked why Takemichi was getting involved with Toman, Takemichi paused.
“Hinata Tachibana,” Takemichi admitted a few seconds later, his face reddening with a blush. “I came back to protect her.”
“The girl who hit Mikey?”
“How did you-”
“Draken mentioned it once at lunch. Not too many people have managed to hit Mikey and not get kicked by that shorty.”
“Hina slapping Mikey was something I definitely didn’t see coming when I came back to the past,” Takemichi laughed sheepishly.
Right. Baji remembered. Takemitchy’s a time leaper.
“So how exactly do you travel across time?”
“I have to shake hands with someone.”
“You shake hands to travel through time?” Baji looked at Takemichi in disbelief. “I somehow find using a handshake to time travel harder to believe than you being a twenty-six-year-old crybaby.”
“Low blow, Baji-kun. And I don’t know why it’s a handshake. It just is .”
“So we could shake hands right now and you’d go right back to your time? Like poof , nothing ever happened?”
“Oh no, I’d know that something had happened. I use my memories that I have from the past to get a sense of what could happen in the future. Plus, there’s always some kind of change when I go back to my time.”
“Like a butterfly effect?”
Takemichi nodded, looking surprised that Baji knew of the effect. Baji had several afternoons spent reading manga with Chifuyu to thank for that knowledge. Thankfully Takemichi grabbed Baji’s attention again before the latter could go back to worrying about Chifuyu.
“Back to the first part of the question. I’m not sure if it would work. I've only relied on one person to help me get between my time and your time. I didn’t really think to try it out with someone else.”
“How about sending someone into the future? Did you ever think of doing that?”
A serious look passed over Takemichi's face. “Most of my time travel has been to correct things to save my girlfriend and keep Toman from devolving into one of the worst crime organizations in history. So no, not really.”
“Would you ever want to try it?”
“Maybe tomorrow. We can meet up, shake hands, and see how it goes. Y’know, if you live.”
“Wow, thanks for the confidence.”
Takemichi laughed off Baji’s comment. Baji stood up from the bench.
“Thanks Takemitchy,” the black-haired boy said, glancing over at Takemichi. “I can tell that Toman’s in capable hands now that you’re here.”
“They’ll be in more capable hands if you do decide to come back.”
Baji chuckled. At least Takemichi recognized that Baji wasn’t planning on running back to Mikey or Toman any time soon. Baji agreed with Kazutora. Takemichi shouldn’t be underestimated. And if Baji wasn’t more careful, he might have been swayed to come back to Toman right then and there. Especially if it meant making amends with Chifuyu. But Baji still needed to make sure Kazutora was going to be ok. His internal war with himself got Baji thinking.
“Takemitchy, can you promise me something?”
“I can try.”
“I know you’re able to watch over Toman. So, instead I’ll ask you to keep an eye on Chifuyu… and Kazutora.”
Takemichi didn't say anything right away. Baji knew that asking Takemichi to look after the boy that had chased Takemichi around for what felt like hours was a big request. Still, Baji was sure that Takemichi was the one person that could do this important task.
“I won’t lie, Kazutora is a piece of work. But I’ll do my best to look after him for you,” Takemichi finally replied, getting up from the bench. “And I’ll make sure Chifuyu’s ok. Just know that he still cares about you. It would mean a lot if you talked to him.”
“Yeah. Maybe I'll talk to him tomorrow.”
Baji and Takemichi glanced at one another one last time. The serious look in the blond’s eyes confirmed that he would look after Chifuyu and Kazutora, no matter what. And the somewhat fearful one in Baji’s eyes almost gave away the black-haired boy’s final thought before they parted.
Maybe I should try to live for Chifuyu and Kazutora.
Once Baji finished putting on his Valhalla jacket, he made his way downstairs. He paused on the second floor and looked at the row of doors before him. Baji met the gaze of a black cat. Chifuyu’s cat, Peke J. The black cat wasted no time running over to greet Baji. Baji knelt down to give Peke J a few head rubs.
Baji looked back up to see if someone had let out Peke J. All there was to see was a silent, empty walkway. Baji stopped petting the cat and stood up. He realized that Chifuyu probably forgot to close his bedroom window, allowing Peke J to easily escape. Since no one was running to find Peke J, Baji assumed that Chifuyu was gone. It made sense to Baji. They both had things to do. Still, it was disappointing that Baji couldn’t get a moment to talk to Chifuyu. Maybe even get some things off his chest.
“Oi, Baji! You ready to go yet?”
Kazutora’s yell pulled Baji out of his disappointment. Baji waved goodbye to Peke J before joining Kazutora downstairs.
“Do you really have to pet every cat you see, Baji?”
“Do you have to have those stupid banana-looking highlights?”
“You’re the worst,” Kazutora huffed, punching Baji in the arm.
“So are you,” Baji teased as he punched Kazutora back.
They laughed each others’ comment off, sensing it was a part of their usual joke fights. Kazutora slung his arm around Baji’s shoulders, leading the two of them away from the apartment complex towards Valhalla’s hideout.
Like always, they easily moved into talking about anything and everything. Kazutora didn’t really ask about Baji’s meeting with Takemichi. Instead, the black-blond-haired boy was rambling on about some motorcycle he saw in a magazine. Looking over at Kazutora brought a smile to Baji’s face. Baji had missed finding the slight gleam in Kazutora’s eyes when he got really excited. Missed hearing the higher pitch that Kazutora’s voice had when he talked about something he was very interested in. Missed seeing wide smile Kazutroa had when he was truly happy.
Kazutora made Baji feel the same unique way Chifuyu did. And it was killing Baji that he couldn't define or say anything about his feeling.
“Can you believe it?” Kazutora asked, glancing over at Baji.
Baji had not processed a single word Kazutora said and went with the first thought that came to mind.
“It definitely rivals Mikey’s bike.”
Baji nearly cursed as he processed what he said. There was a slight falter in Kazutora’s smile. But the blond-black-haired boy was quick to plaster back on a wide grin.
“Yeah, for sure. Might have to tell him that when we see him today.”
Both of them knew that no such conversation was going to happen. If the three of them were going to talk today, it would be done behind raised fists, swift punches, and unforgiving kicks. As Kazutora fell silent, Baji started worrying about Kazutora’s true intentions for today’s fight. He had a strong feeling that Kazutora was determined to kill Mikey, no matter what. Baji knew he couldn’t change Kazutora’s mind. And Baji knew that he shouldn’t show how much he still cared for Mikey if he wanted to keep Kazutora’s trust. Still, it didn’t stop Baji from trying to set Kazutora on the right path.
“Kazutora, can you promise me something?”
“What are we, five?”
“Shut up, I’m trying to be serious.”
“You and ‘serious’ don’t fit in the same sentence.”
Baji stopped walking. He knew that keeping Kazutora away from battling Toman was his only hope at getting Kazutora’s attention. And it worked.
“Alright, alright,” Kazutora sighed, finally removing his arm from Baji’s shoulders. He turned to face the black-haired boy. “What’s up?”
“Promise me you won’t do anything you’ll regret.”
“That’s it? Not much of a standard to live up to, but I’ll do it.”
“If it’s so easy for you, then I can come up with something else.”
“Baji, that’s not fair,” Kazutora whined.
“I never said I was fair. I was saying that I want you to make me a promise. A promise that you can’t just half-ass.”
“Why would you even bring this up now? It’s not like we’re going anywhere.”
Baji paused. He knew that he didn’t have much time left. That in a matter of hours, he’d no longer be able to see the confused boy who stood before him. Telling Kazutora that he was going to die would be too much for Kazutora to handle.
“You’re right,” Baji started. “I think I just care about you too much. The last thing I’d want is for either of us to get hurt. So I'm telling you to be smart. I’ll look out for you and you can look out for me. But really, look out for yourself. That’s what I meant when I said live without regrets.”
Kazutora gave Baji a blank look. Baji started to think that Kazutora hadn’t heard a single thing he’d said. But Kazutora’s response proved otherwise.
“Baji, I don’t think me and ‘smart’ fit in the same sentence.”
Baji let out a loud laugh. Kazutora gave him a small smile before putting on a more serious look.
“I’ll try for you. You just need to promise me something in return.”
“What?”
“Kick as much of Toman’s ass as you can today.”
“Of course,” Baji agreed without hesitation.
The rest of their walk towards Valhalla’s hideout went by silently. Kazutora was back to planning his vengeance against Mikey. And Baji was trying not to think too hard about how his final moments were going to go.
After reaching the hideout, Baji and Kazutora checked in with the head of Valhalla, Hanma. Valhalla then made its way towards the abandoned car lot where they would fight Toman. Before Baji knew it, Kazutora was meeting with Draken to discuss the terms of the fight. Baji had no time to process the fact that Kazutora knocked out the fight’s overseer over the thought of losing Baji. He simply raced into the all-out melee Kazutora had called for seconds ago.
Baji made his way past the boys surrounding him. Occasionally, he made a couple of jabs at Toman members to avoid getting caught up fighting. All the while, he was looking for Kisaki, the key to ending this fight. After what felt like twenty minutes, Baji sensed the boys around him pause. He was confused, not sure why they were halting their punches. Baji then followed the boys’ gaze to a particular pile of cars. Mikey was sitting on his knees, slightly hunched over, near the top of the pile. Further down the pile, Kazutora was sprawled out, not moving.
That idiot, Baji’s inner voice growled. Already breaking his promise in a day.
Baji dug his fingernails into his palms, trying to stay in the moment. Now wasn’t the time to get angry at Kazutora. As Baji planned his next move, some Valhalla members surged towards the car pile. They were led by a blond wearing a dark hoodie and black face mask who was determined to take out Mikey. Baji followed them without hesitation.
Where there’s Mikey, there’s going to be Kisaki .
Baji followed his intuition and kept pace with the Valhalla members sprinting behind the masked blond. When he was a few meters away from the bottom of the car pile, Baji veered to the right, still trying to keep a low profile. He watched as the boys struggled to climb the tall stack of cars. It seemed that a few were close to getting rid of the so-called Invincible Mikey. The masked blond got especially close, leaping towards Mikey with a baton in hand.
A quick flash of black and a swift left hook dashed all hopes of defeating Mikey while he was down. The hood-wearing blond spun in the air before landing hard on the roof of a car. The black-uniformed boy kept the hoodie-wearing boy in place with a singular white boot. The same white boot that was a part of Toman’s uniform. Looking up confirmed Baji’s suspicions and sent a rush of anger racing through Baji’s veins.
There stood Kisaki. Baji grimaced at Toman’s newest third division captain.
No. Not a captain. A fraud .
Baji looked around the car pile as cheers rang out among Toman. He quickly armed himself with a nearby pipe he found while trying to find a way towards Kisaki. Fueled by adrenaline, Baji bounded up the car pile. He effortlessly made his way past the Toman members that tried to stop him. Nothing else mattered to Baji except the promise he made to himself.
Keisuke, take down Kisaki, no matter what.
Seconds after he reached the top of the car pile and hit Kisaki with the pipe, Baji was sent flying by Kisaki’s vice captain. Baji quickly turned to his side to soften the blow of bouncing off of car roofs. He winced at the pain that flared through his right side. Yet Baji didn’t stay down for long. Remembering who he was fighting against helped Baji find the strength to get back up.
“Bring it on Kisaki!” he yelled.
The grin spreading across Baji’s face grew as he noticed a faint bit of red on the side of Kisaki's head. Kisaki wasn’t as untouchable as he tried to make himself. And Baji was more than ready to prove that. Baji met Kisaki’s steady gaze, waiting to see which of them was going to make the next move. He was ready to act either way. But what Baji wasn’t ready for was the sudden arrival of the one boy he’d longed to see earlier.
Chifuyu bounded onto the car in front of Baji. The blond spread out his arms to stop Baji from moving forward. It was clear that Baji wasn’t going to be able to take down Kisaki without talking to Chifuyu.
“What are you doing Chifuyu?”
“What are you doing Baji-san?”
“You’re in my way,” Baji said, ignoring Chifuyu.
“And it’ll stay that way until you think things through. Taking down Kisaki right now isn’t right. If you do, you’ll go against Mikey, against Toman-”
Chifuyu didn’t get to finish his thought before Baji hit him with a left-hook. Baji willed himself to ignore the fear and disappointment he saw in Chifuyu’s face when he punched the blond. He forced himself to tune out the sound of Chifuyu landing on the hood of a car with a thud.
See this through first. Chifuyu doesn’t matter.
“I never asked what you think,” Baji said, keeping his eyes focused on the cars in front of him. “And I’ve never cared about what you thought. I only kept you around because you could fight. Now shut up and let me leave.”
Baji moved away from Chifuyu. Each step he took, the heavier his legs felt. Baji could feel his body rejecting what he said. And it seemed that someone agreed that Baji was wrong.
“Bullshit!”
Chifuyu’s scream rang out through their side of the car lot. Baji opened his mouth to respond back. No words came to Baji, so Chifuyu continued.
“The Baji I know cares for his friends. Valhalla’s goal isn’t to start some ‘new era.’ It’s to hurt Toman, your friends. And I know that you didn’t keep me around to be some backup in your fights. We care for each other. It’s what friends do. And as your friend, as your vice captain… As a person who cares for you no matter what, it’s my responsibility to protect you. So as long as you try to hurt yourself, I’ll fight you with all I’ve got.”
Baji turned to face Chifuyu. The blond’s patchless eye looked back at Baji with determination.
“Then do it,” Baji dared.
Baji waited for Chifuyu to move. Baji fixed his stance on the car he stood on, ready to block or counter Chifuyu. Seconds passed by as Chifuyu just stared at Baji. Chifuyu’s heaving shoulders and panicked breathing showed Baji that Chifuyu hadn’t frozen. Chifuyu was hesitating.
“You have ten seconds left. Don’t disappoint me.”
Baji counted down the seconds. He didn’t look away from Chifuyu. With each number, Baji saw Chifuyu’s resolve wavering. Saw the blond’s confidence in bringing Baji back to Toman declining.
“Zero. Unless you’re going to kill me, I’m leaving.”
Baji turned his back to Chifuyu before saying, “It’s a shame that no one keeps their promises anymore.” He stepped forward, ready to meet his fate and die trying to fight Kisaki. And Baji would have moved up the car pile if the pair of arms wrapping around Baji hadn’t stopped him. Baji looked down and nearly cursed out the Toman member holding him in place.
“C’mon Chifuyu!” Takemichi yelled. “We can’t give up on protecting Baji-kun. We’ve got to stop him.”
Baji struggled to escape Takemichi’s death grip. And the black-haired boy was finding it hard to understand why Takemichi had stopped him. They were fighting the same enemy. Letting Kisaki carry out his plan to get closer to Mikey would be dangerous for both of them. And they both knew that Baji was going to die soon. So why would Takemichi hold him back?
“Takemichi… I can’t.” Chifuyu’s voice wavered as he tried to hold back tears.
Baji was glad he wasn’t facing Chifuyu. If he saw Chifuyu crying, Baji knew he would forget Kisaki and Mikey and almost everyone else around him. Baji would've run back to Chifuyu and told him the truth. He would’ve admitted that Chifuyu and Kazutora were the ones that mattered most to him. That he didn’t want to leave them behind. Was scared to leave them behind, but had no other choice.
“If you can’t, I will.”
Neither Baji nor Chifuyu knew exactly who Takemichi was speaking to. Both were caught up watching as Takemichi grabbed ahold of Baji’s right hand.
“Takemitchy what the hell are you doing?” Chifuyu screamed.
Takemichi looked up at Baji and gave him a knowing look.
“I’m keeping a promise.”
Before Baji could tell Takemichi to stop, the blond shook his hand.
“Look for them, Baji-san,” Takemichi whispered. “Live.”
Baji tried to step away, but Takemichi tightened his grip on Baji’s hand, keeping Baji close. For a second, Baji doubted that there had been any change. The next second, Baji felt a wave of electricity rush through his right hand. Slowly, Baji’s eyes closed.
“Baji!”
Through quickly closing eyes, Baji was able to see two people calling out for him. Chifuyu reached out to Baji from the right, still stuck in place on the car roof he landed on minutes earlier. On Baji’s left, Kazutora was desperately running towards him. Baji noticed that Kazutora was armed with a knife and had a murderous look in his eye.
So, Death. We’re finally meeting .
With that final thought, Baji’s world went dark.
Baji hadn’t expected the afterlife to look like a convenience store. He looked at the shelves of snacks near him. Their arrangement reminded him of a store that he visited frequently when he was still alive. Even the smell of the place matched that store.
“That’ll be five hundred yen.”
“Five hundred yen?” Baji asked, facing the woman that spoke to him. It was the same woman he saw running the cash register all the times he bought snacks at the convenience store he frequented. Except this time, she looked older.
“Well if you’re here to buy two times your usual amount of peyang yakisoba, yes.”
Baji gave the cashier a confused look before looking down at the counter. Right in front of him was a plastic bag containing two packs of his favorite peyang yakisoba.
“Can I really buy more than one thing of peyang yakisoba here?”
“Uh yeah. This is a store after all. And it’s your money.”
“Huh. This afterlife might not be so bad after all.”
“Afterlife?”
“Yeah. I mean one minute, I was out in some car lot and the next thing I know, I ended up here.”
“You must’ve had a long walk to get from that car lot to here.”
“But I didn’t walk here. You should know that as some sort of spiritual being. I shook hands with that crybaby. Then I blacked out, got stabbed by Kazutora, and woke up here.”
“Right…” The woman let out a sigh. “Listen, I don’t know what kind of act you’re putting on, but you can drop it. Either you pay for your stuff or you leave it here and go.”
Baji let out a deep sigh, frustrated that the cashier wouldn’t hear him out. He reached over to his left arm to open his jacket’s zipper pocket for his wallet. Except there was no pocket on the left side of the jacket he was wearing. And the fabric he felt was very different from that of the Valhalla jacket he was wearing earlier. Looking at his left arm showed that Baji was now wearing dark blue jean jacket.
The cashier cleared her throat, a sign that she was quickly losing patience. Baji stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He felt an unfamiliar leather wallet in the right pocket. In record timing, Baji pulled out his wallet, threw the exact amount onto the counter, grabbed the bag, and sped out of the store.
Stepping into the late afternoon street life further confused Baji. The street across from him was lined with stores decorated with Halloween decorations.
Why the hell would the afterlife look like Shibuya during Halloween?
Not sure where to go, Baji walked across the street to examine the shops’ displays. Baji spotted a stuffed animal cat wearing a pumpkin outfit in a toy store display. The outfit reminded Baji of Peke J and Chifuyu. He felt a wave of nostalgia when he glanced at a building that looked exactly like the arcade where he met Kazutora. When Baji reached the end of the block, he paused.
Baji had long given up the theory that he had died and was in the afterlife. Since he recognized the convenience store and arcade, Baji felt safe in assuming that he was still in Shibuya. But seeing some unfamiliar car models and advertisements for movies he’d never heard of led Baji to conclude that he wasn’t in the Shibuya he was familiar with. Baji was left with one conclusion.
“Baji-kun!” a familiar voice shouted.
Baji glanced over his shoulder. Speeding towards him was a black-haired man wearing a red hoodie, black jeans, and white sneakers.
“Take… mitchy?”
“I’ve been trying to catch up to you,” Takemichi said, slowing down into a walk. “I thought we agreed to meet outside the store. Didn’t expect you to go wandering off.”
“Takemichi… is that really you?”
Takemichi’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Realization spread over his face seconds later.
“Yeah. It’s me.”
“You haven't changed much. You just let your hair go back to its natural color. Plus, you look older.”
“Hey! It’s only been twelve years. I’m not a grandpa yet.”
“Twelve years. I thought I was making it up. Then that means-”
“It worked,” Takemichi confirmed. He patted Baji on the shoulder. “Welcome to the future, Baji.”
Takemichi explained what happened twelve years ago as he and Baji walked through the streets of Shibuya.
Baji had passed out after shaking hands with Takemichi. Chifuyu was spurred into action after seeing Baji slump into Takemichi’s arms. The blond first division vice captain had blocked Kazutora’s attack on Baji and fought with Kazutora until Mikey noticed them. Mikey had called out to Kazutora and taken Kazutora’s attention away from killing Baji. Around the time Mikey and Kazutora were about to restart their fight, Baji came to and intervened. Baji had told the pair about his investigation into Kisaki. and how Kisaki was not to be trusted. By the time Baji revealed Kisaki’s role as the head of Valhalla, Kisaki had managed to leave mostly undetected. Seeing that the fight was going nowhere, Valhalla had agreed to merge with Toman.
Toman had continued to clash with several other gangs. As Toman expanded, Baji, Takemichi, and other Toman members had worked together to piece together the cause of these clashes. As they suspected, the common thread was Kisaki. In the end, Kisaki’s grand scheme came to a halt at the end of Toman's fight with Tenjiku. While he was distracted, Kisaki had been hit by a truck and died minutes after being hit. Sometime afterward, Toman had disbanded. While Takemichi didn’t explain the cause of the disbandment, he assured Baji that everyone was doing well.
“I had to admit there were some days where I kept closer tabs on Mikey than I did Kazutora or Chifuyu. But I didn’t really have to worry too much. You and Draken have done a pretty good job making sure Mikey’s doing ok.”
Baji slowed his pace beside Takemichi as he contemplated asking his only remaining question.
“What happened to Chifuyu and Kazutora?” Baji soon willed himself to ask.
Takemichi looked over at Baji with a smile.
“I’m not sure you’ll believe me if I tell you.”
“Takemitchy, I managed to travel across time through a way I first thought was absolutely stupid. And you’re the most honest person I know. I’ll believe you.”
“I really think it’s better if I show you. We’re not too far, after all.”
Baji followed Takemichi for another two blocks until they reached a red-bricked building. Baji recognized that it was a pet store as soon as he laid eyes on the display window. Black and orange lights framed a group of kittens sleeping in the large case at the front of the store. Baji moved to get a closer look. The kittens were all snuggled around a black cat that was snoozing in the center. He soon recognized the cat was none other than Peke J.
Baji was so caught up in staring at the display that he nearly jumped at the sound of the pet store door opening. He was getting ready to explain himself when the words died on his lips. While twelve years may have passed, there was no mistaking that the two people standing in the doorway were the ones Baji had been waiting to see
“We were wondering when you were going to show up,” Chifuyu said.
“Takemichi took so long bringing you back that we made a bet about what you were doing,” Kazutora added. “I bet you were late because you found another cat you wanted to take in. Please tell me I’m right, I bet my life savings on this.”
Chifuyu glanced at Kazutora in disbelief.
“Kazutora, three hundred yen is not life savings material.”
“Well, I have no idea where you and Baji are putting my salary. It’s all I have on me, so I’ll call it life savings if I want to.”
“Fine drama queen. Shut up so we can figure out where he was.”
Two pairs of eyes met Baji’s. Baji quickly blinked away the happy tears that were forming in his eyes. He cleared his throat before saying, “I was just catching up with an old friend.”
Baji nodded in Takemichi’s direction. Takemichi mumbled a greeting seconds before Chifuyu and Kazutora returned to their bickering. Apparently, neither of them had guessed correctly. Now, Chifuyu and Kazutora were trying to come up with another bet one of them could win. Takemichi walked over to Baji and joined in on laughing at Kazutora and Chifuyu.
“Thanks for helping me find them, Takemichi,” Baji said.
“I’m always happy to help a friend,” Takemichi replied. “Especially when it comes down to being there for the people you love.”
There was the word that Baji had been looking for. Love . Once again, Baji was realizing that Kazutora had been right all those years ago. Takemichi was not one to be underestimated. Especially when Takemichi was capable of detecting that someone he’d barely known for a few months had two crushes a long timebefore that same person came to realize it.
As Baji tried to control his growing blush, Takemichi glanced at his watch. He cursed to himself.
“Everything ok, Takemitchy?” Chifuyu asked.
“Yeah. I just forgot about the Halloween get-together Hina planned. She’d be really pissed if I got there late.”
“You better head out then. The next train’s supposed to be leaving in fifteen minutes and we’re ten minutes out.”
With getting back to his girlfriend as a top priority, Takemichi shouted a quick goodbye before running off towards the nearest train station.
“Sooo, did you get the peyang yakisoba?” Kazutora asked after moving out of the doorway to stand to Baji’s left.
Baji raised the bag he’d been carrying. “I wouldn’t have come back if I didn’t.”
“This is the thirteenth Halloween where we’ve had peyang yakisoba for dinner,” Chifuyu sighed, now standing to Baji’s right. “Old habits die hard after all.”
“Speaking of the number thirteen," Kazutora began. "Have you reconsidered my suggestion for Halloween movie night?”
Chifuyu groaned. “For the last time, we are not watching Friday the 13th or any of its sequels.”
“C’mon! It’s Halloween! The day for watching horror. Can’t we just watch ten minutes of it?”
“Give him ten minutes and he’ll get us to watch the whole thing,” Baji teased.
“Baji?!" Kazutora gasped. "Whose side are you on here?”
“The rational, not wanting to be scared shitless side,” Chifuyu answered.
“Ah yes, the same side that thinks Hocus Pocus is a good Halloween movie,” Kazutora shot back.
“You better take that back right now,” Chifuyu warned.
“How about we pick a movie after we have dinner?” Baji suggested, trying to remain neutral and avoid another fight between Kazutora and Chifuyu.
Kazutora and Chifuyu looked at Baji. Seeing Baji’s smiling face led the two of them to throw aside their bickering.
“Alright,” Kazutora agreed. “The two of us can outvote Chifuyu and pick a super scary horror movie after we have some peyang yakisoba.”
Chifuyu responded by linking arms with Baji and leading Baji away from the pet store. Kazutora yelled at the two of them as Baji and Chifuyu made their way down the street. Chifuyu simply shouted for Kazutora to hurry up, grab Peke J, and finish locking up the store. Soon enough, the trio were walking side by side and heading home.
“I’m glad to be here with both of you,” Baji said softly.
Chifuyu and Kazutora both sensed the three words Baji was struggling to say. And even though Baji didn’t say those three words, Chifuyu and Kazutora could tell their beloved Baji Keisuke loved them with all his heart. They leaned in closer to Baji, saying those three words in a way to match Baji.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better person to be with.”