Work Text:
It was snowing that day
I was on a short walk down the park
And found myself gazing into dark obsidian eyes
I didn’t understand that time, why was I so attracted by those seemingly dark and lifeless eyes
He had a dragon tattoo on the side of his neck
Hair pulled back that made him look mature
But something about those eyes tells me that he was not
“konnichiwa”
I said with an awkward smile
And he turned to me with no interest in his eyes
I mean, who wouldn’t when they see someone as plain as me?
But a deep feeling in my heart tells me that I want to get to know him
And so I did.
“my name is Hanagaki Takemichi what’s yours?”
Present time:
Takemichi, 25 years old
Manjiro, 26 years old
“Takemitchy” Sano Manjiro also known as Mikey, the most wanted criminal all over Japan and some countries abroad, called for the girl in the kitchen. “do you need anything, Mikey-kun?” Hanagaki Takemichi, a normal girl, gave the man a small smile. Mikey took a while to respond but then decided to just circle his arms around the girl’s waist. Takemichi, ever the understanding girl, wrapped her arms around his neck and pushed his head to the crook of her neck where he comfortably rested his head. “Don’t leave me okay? You’re all I have left, I don’t know what I would do if I lose you too” his voice was hushed and weak, it reminded her of a vulnerable child.
“I won’t ever leave you, Mikey-kun. You are everything I have as well. You are my world. You don’t have to worry about me leaving because I would never.”
Now, many would wonder, what is a normal and perfectly sweet girl with the most wanted crime lord all over japan? It all started in a small meeting at the park on one snowy day. The sweet girl found herself oddly attracted to the man who had eyes devoid of any emotion, devoid of any hope. So, like the sweet girl she is, she felt the pull to help the man she doesn’t even know. It was stupid to think she’ll be able to help the man in just a few minutes, she wasn’t even sure if they’ll meet again but she wanted to leave something, a form of comfort for him even if it was just for a moment.
After that day, they never saw each other again, she doesn’t even know if she was able to help the man, but she knew she did what she could, still, she hoped to meet him again someday. Who would’ve thought the man himself would appear in her life again, in his own accord. He stumble into her small apartment one night, bloodied and severely wounded. Panicking, she was about to call the hospital but he told her not to. She wanted to oppose because he was shot for heaven’s sake! She can’t just let him die because she was too scared of his feral eyes. If he hadn’t told her who he was that time, she would’ve insisted.
He was Sano “Mikey” Manjiro, the leader of Toman, the biggest criminal organization in Japan, if he is admitted to the hospital, he will get arrested. Takemichi must’ve been stupid to put the life and safety of the man first before her own life because there is a high chance that she’ll die if she involved herself with Sano Manjiro even further. But she can’t find it in herself to let the man rot in jail for all the crimes he committed. So with the experience she had in fixing wounds, she tended to him.
Being friends with delinquents in her teens has been a good addition to her life experience since her friends are just a small group of wannabe delinquents who ended up being slaves to a bunch of *ssh*l*s until they reached high school. So it wasn’t that hard to nurse Mikey, the only difficult part was when she pulled the bullet on his right shoulder because she had never done it before, thankfully, Mikey decided to guide her on what to do and everything was easy after.
After that, the dangerous man stayed in her humble abode for about a week before disappearing without as much of a notice. There were many emotions she felt that day, she was angry because he just disappeared without even thanking her, she was sad because he left as if she amounted nothing, but above all, she was worried because she knew he was not completely healed and yet he went out without even thinking about his own safety.
She doesn’t expect him to come back, if he can leave like she was not important enough to be informed then it means he doesn’t even care about her. Takemichi knew she was being childish, after all, what right does she have? She was just a stranger to the man. A woman who helped him and nothing else. So imagine her shock when he appeared on her doorsteps, no wounds or bruises in sight. He was just there, with a bag of groceries in hand.
He didn’t speak, just looked at her with his obsidian eyes that looked really similar to that of a child, silently begging his parent to give him what he wanted. She knew it was dangerous to let the man in, to be further involved with him. But one look into his eyes, she finds herself opening the door wider for him to be able to enter. It was brief and not easy to notice but Takemichi saw it, the small blush on Mikey’s eyes and a brief spark of light flashed his eyes.
Living with Sano Manjiro was different from what people would imagine about the man. He wasn’t cold-blooded nor violent, but he was childish and just so similar t a child who is touch starved. At first, he just tugs on her sleeves or the end of her shirt. Until one particular night when they were watching a horror movie, in fright, she held his hand for reassurance. Since then, he took any chance he can get to hold the smaller and softer hand of the girl. Another night, he came back, looking more empty than the first time they met, Takemichi felt her heartbreak at the look on the man’s face. She resolved to wrap her arms around him as a form of comfort and Mikey, in turn, hugged her back. He buried his face on her tummy and wept silently on his knees. Takemichi was well aware of what happened that day because it was all over the news. How an executive of Toman called Mitsuya Takashi died after trying to escape the police. That person must’ve been important to the Toman leader for him to break like this. Since that night, Mikey would cling unto her as if she was his only lifeline. Hug her from behind. Cuddle with her on the couch. Bury his head on either her neck or tummy. It escalated when he had a really bad nightmare and crawled into her bed, right beside her, and held her as if someone would take her away if he doesn’t hold her tight enough.
Really, just like a child deprived of love.
Takemichi finds herself also wanting to be close to Mikey, fearing that she’ll lose the only person she had left. She had no friends, her parents died back when she was just a teenager, her boss at the DVD store she work at was a pervert, bless her manager for always protecting her, people around her ignored her, because she was just no one, just too plain for them to care. There were times when she wished that she was her former best friend, Tachibana Hinata, for she was blessed with a happy family, exceptional talents in both academics and sports, not to mention her good looks that can rival even models. All she had left was a small apartment she worked hard to obtain as her’s and only her’s, and Sano Manjiro who slowly became her whole world.
It didn’t take long for the both of them to become a thing, Mikey just got home from a slaughter, bathed in blood and eyes empty once again. At the sight of Takemichi, he broke down. He confessed the fact that he didn’t want her to see him like this, he didn’t want her to see how filthy he is, how evil he is. But the woman did as she always did. She tended to his wounds, helped him get clean, and tucked him to bed with the knitted blanket she made for him to snuggle on. She kissed his forehead and told him that she will love every part of him no matter how tainted he is. And things after that just became natural.
Ever since they started dating, Mikey had a habit of showering her with kisses especially her lips which makes her heart jump in joy. Besides her lips, he equally loves kissing the palm of her hands, for unknown reasons that he shyly refuses to share but she won’t pry on the matter since it makes her heartbeat loudly every time he does.
Everything was peaceful, just so perfect.
“I love you, Takemitchy” the woman swore she would have swooned on the spot after being blessed with Mikey’s handsome smile and obsidian eyes filled life, love, and devotion towards her and only her. “I love you too, Mikey-kun”
Both Takemichi and Mikey can never ask for anything else, they were contented and happy. The man still does his job as a crime boss, but the blue-eyed woman can overlook that because it was still her precious Mikey. Still, she would prefer lesser violence in her lover’s life because it was clearly destroying him inside.
“This is fine, Mitchy. With this, I’ll be able to protect you. You’re all I have, I can’t lose you too” but her precious lover believed that this is the only way to keep her safe.
She’ll still try to convince him, little by little, after all, they had all the time in the world. Or so she thought.
The doorbell of her apartment rang, she wondered who it is, aside from Mikey, she doesn’t really expect anyone to come to her house. When she opened the door, she was met with the sight of her beautiful ex-best friend along with her brother, Tachibana Naoto, a detective. She feared that the reason why he was there is that he found out about Mikey but to her relief, it was actually Hinata who wanted to meet her for some reason.
She welcomed them into her home and offered them tea and a few leftover snacks (she hopes that Mikey won’t throw a tantrum later for this). she was half expecting Hina to just want to talk to her after so many years, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
“Kisaki… Tetta? You mean the boy back in our elementary days? The really smart one?” she stopped midway from taking a sip of her tea after Hina mentioned the boy. The strawberry haired girl seemed uncomfortable talking about the guy, Takemichi can’t really blame her, the boy was rude to her when Hina introduced him to their circle of friends. “yes, do you remember the time when you told me to make friends with him because he seemed lonely?”
Ah, the ever so sweet Takemichi that time, was sad when she saw how lonely the boy was but couldn’t really approach him because she was such a shy girl that time, so she told Hina to befriend him instead. “ …I remembered, but why are you asking? Did something happen, Hina-chan?” she tilted her head, not knowing where this is all coming from but she had the feeling that it wouldn’t be pleasant.
Hina released a shaky sigh and Naoto placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, showing his support that whatever she was about to say, he will be there for her. And it was all that she needed. “ the truth is, he proposed to me last week…”
Takemichi frowned, unsure if she should be happy about Hina getting married to the rude guy, heck, she is even sure there was nothing between the two of them back in both middle school and high school. Hina must’ve noticed the look on her face and smiled sadly. “the proposal was out of the blue, we didn’t date nor had we seen each other after our elementary days. I asked him why me and he said that I was the only one who was nice to him back when we were younger, that I was the only one who wanted to be friends with him” Hina explained slowly, hesitant to relay the news to the girl.
“The reason why he proposed was that he thought I was the one who wanted to make friends with him that time, Takemichi-chan” after hearing that part, Takemichi finally understood what the other is trying to say. A foul feeling filled her gut, the man must’ve thought that everyone hated him because of the memory of his childhood and had filtered the thought that maybe, there are still other people out there who are willing to befriend him. Maybe that’s the reason why he was so rude to their group of friends when Hina introduced him. Now it made sense a bit more.
“I told him that it was actually you, who wanted to be friends with him but was too shy to initiate a conversation. Obviously, I rejected his proposal… and it didn’t really end well.” worry aroused in Takemichi after Hina’s brief description of the ending. “did he hurt you? did he do something bad?”
Hina shook her head but the sad smile remains on her face. “no, he didn’t raise his hand at me, but he didn’t want to believe that it was you and not me. He couldn’t accept the fact that I was just one of those people who doesn’t care about him after years of believing that I was the only one who likes him” well okay, that she can understand. It was a good thing that he didn’t raise a hand on the kind Hinata who has done nothing but good to everyone around her.
“so I’m assuming that you wanted me to meet him?” Takemichi sighed, already knowing that this will be a huge headache based on the memory she had with the boy who didn’t hesitate to show his distaste towards her. “I’m sorry Takemichi-chan but if you don’t want to it’s fine. You and he aren’t really on good terms back then. It’ll be nothing but awkward for you. I can just tell him that you can’t meet him due to reasons. “ Hina said in a flustered tone, different from the usual composed Hina she remembered in her younger days. Takemichi can tell that something about Tetta put the strawberry-haired girl on edge, not to mention…
Her eyes shifted towards the younger brother who seems to want to voice his opinion but couldn’t. “do want to say something Naoto-kun?”
The younger man jolted when he was called. The blue-eyed girl smiled at him kindly which caused a blush to appear on his cheeks. She briefly remembers how she used to play detective with Naoto when they were younger, to think he became one, Takemichi can’t be any more proud of his achievements.
Naoto was hesitant at first, similar to how Hina was. But he steeled himself and spoke maturely. “I advise that you should be more careful of him, Take-nee. In my opinion, you shouldn’t meet that bastard at all” ah, that nickname, Takemichi loved the nickname he gave her and he never fails to address her as big sister, as if she was part of their family.
She tilted her head, a serene smile on her face, trusting whatever the man wants to say. “and why is that?” naoto pursed his lower lip. “that man is part of Toman, the worst criminal organization in Japan. And he is not just any normal member, he is hailed as Sano Manjiro’s advisor and right-hand man. If he willed it, he can ask Sano Manjiro to force you into being his just like what he said to threaten nee-san into involving you in this matter. “
at the mention of Toman and her precious Mikey, Takemichi stiffened but only for a moment and listened for what Naoto wanted more to say. “ Nee-san was adamant on not letting you two meet but that Kisaki was insistent. In the end, he lost patience and threatened us, that if we don’t arrange a meeting for the two of you, he won’t hesitate to have Toman force not just us but you as well. “ he clenched his fist in anger. Hina was also angry but her expression was more sad and regretful that she wasn’t able to protect the blue-eyed girl who had an unreadable expression on her face.
A few minutes passed before Takemichi spoke one again. “I’ll meet him” hearing this, the Tachibana siblings had violent reactions, clearly not wanting her to actually meet the man. “I know it’s dangerous, but he won’t be able to hurt me. I can assure you that.”
“How can you be so sure?! he had the whole Toman backing him up. If he wants you to be his, he will do anything to make you his!” Naoto strongly disagreed with her decision. He can just ask help from the police, the Ministry of defense would be more than happy to aide them against Toman.
“naoto-kun, I have a question.” she smiled at the siblings mysteriously.
“w-what?”
“who is more powerful in Toman, Sano Manjiro, or Kisaki Tetta?” the detective raised a brow at this, the question was out of the blue. “like I said, Kisaki is only an advisor, he is a schemer and the brains behind all of Toman’s illegal activities. But his schemes are ineffective to Sano Manjiro’s influence in Toman. No matter how much he schemes, he can never replace Sano in being the king of Toman. “ he explained.
Takemichi pondered for a while, the two Tachibana's wished she is changing her mind regarding the meeting with Kisaki Tetta. They waited patiently for her to make up her mind when someone spoke darkly behind him. “ go and meet him, Takemitchy” the siblings turned in shock but their blood ran cold when they saw who the person was.
“S-Sano M-Manjiro” Naoto immediately went to shield Hina and was about to take Takemichi but the ominous glare from the Crime lord made him freeze in fright. “what are y-you-”
“Mikey-kun please don’t scare them, they’re important to me,” Takemichi called the man if he doesn’t have the power to kill them in one snap of the finger. Mikey stared at her with a conflicted expression before speaking. “are… are they more important than me, Mitchy?”
‘Mitchy?!!!!’
the blue-eyed woman smiled affectionately at Mikey and said, “you know that you’re the most important to me, right?” her eyes gaze at his black eyes with utmost sincerity and love that made Naoto’s gut twist, he doesn’t like where this is going. When he saw the look on Mikey’s face softened, that' when he knew that the relationship between the two of them is not normal.
“Take-nee?” the said girl smiled at her two friends and gestured the man to sit beside her and he obediently sat down, wrapping his strong arms around her small waist and rested his head on her shoulder, sharply and wryly looking at the trespassers(in Mikey’s mind, the two are trespassing his beloved safe haven so he believes that they are trespassers). Takemichi, who was well aware of what was going on in the unpredictable mind of Sano Manjiro, shook her head with a helpless smile on her face. She turned to the utterly confused Tachibana siblings before giving them the widest smile she has ever given after 12 years of being alone. “Hina-chan, Naoto-kun. Meet Sano Manjiro, my lover” she said, voice laced with so much love and happiness, she swore she felt Mikey shudder with a small blush on his cheeks.
She already expected the two’s violent protest, especially Naoto, who is a detective. But nothing they say will make her change anything between her and Mikey. “I know you don’t support my relationship with Mikey-kun but that won’t change anything in our relationship. Please, at least understand.” she looked at them pleadingly and both pursed their lips, eyes telling her that they still doesn’t accept. But Takemichi does not care about them. What matters is her life and future with Mikey. After this, she expects her lover to make her move into his house in Toman’s base to keep her safe and so that the police won’t try and take her away from him. And she won’t hesitate to follow him. A life without her Mikey is worst than living in isolation.
“There is no need for you to worry about my Mitchy, all she needs is me. You might be her friends of some sort but that is in the past, you have done well in informing her but leave everything to me from here on, I’ll protect her. Mind your own business and don’t involve yourselves with her from now on” Mikey said, being merciful to these people who are trying to help her. As her lover, he should at least show appreciation towards the people who were once important to Takemitchy.
That day, Tachibana Hinata and Naoto left with heavy hearts and almost lost their lives to Mikey if it weren’t for Takemichi who pleaded with the man to let them go.
“Takemitchy, my beautiful Mitchy” Mikey tenderly kissed the palm of her hand, she was sitting on his lap, one of his arms around her waist while his free hand holds her’s to his lips. “don’t worry, Mitchy you can just meet him and reject his sorry ass, don’t think about what would happen next and let me handle everything. I’ll take care of everything.” he reassured her.
Takemichi had her worries, but she decided to put her trust in her Lover who was holding her tightly but not too tight to hurt. She responded by wrapping her arms around her neck.
Everything will be alright, as long as she has Mikey, she can never ask for anything else.