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"As the snow fell from the sky, the only sound that could be heard ringing through the air was the sound of a bullet hitting someone. This was followed by silence and then a scream. A piercing scream ripped through the air. The blood dripped down onto pale white snow, drenching it in red. How could this be? This wasn't supposed to happen!"
The past never dies
Takemichi no longer remembers the day. The day he saw the news. His ex-girlfriend, Tachibana Hinata, was killed in a freak gang accident; she and her little brother, Tachibana Naoto, died on the spot. He couldn't believe it. He loved Hinata, but after high school, they drifted apart. He became a good-for-nothing, working from job to job. He could barely get by. That day changed him forever.
He remembers it vividly; it felt like years ago. He was standing on that platform, waiting for the train to arrive. The sound of chatter as he thought about his ex-girlfriend. That's before he felt a hand push him forward. His body toppled onto the train tracks. He couldn't hear anything, but when he turned, the flash of the headlights blinded him, and then there was nothing. When he opened his eyes and saw his past friends, his high school friends, he couldn't believe it. It must have been the afterlife, playing his favourite memories. It felt unreal.
When he laid his eyes on Tachibana Hinata, he couldn't have been happier. Happy that he got to see her again, one last time. Sitting in the park, he wondered when his time would pass, and then he appeared. Tachibana Naoto. The boy was getting bullied, so Takemichi had had enough and helped. He always hated bullies. He doesn't remember why, but he decided to tell the boy what he knew. He was more surprised to learn that Naoto believed him. When he shook his hand, he never expected to be back and alive; nevertheless, he saved Naoto himself. His actions altered the future, even if only slightly. That's how his story starts. A goal to save Tachibana Hinata. Only if it were that easy.
The day we met
Takemichi had no idea how he was going to save Hinata. He had a lead, Sano Manjiro and Tetta Kisaki. He knew one thing: they should never meet. They were the sole reason that Hinata was dead. His first goal. Meet Manjiro and stop him from meeting Kisaki. How hard could it be?
He almost forgot that he used to do bidding for Kiyomasa, it was years ago. However, he is getting beaten up, and it is very real. He almost forgot that this wasn't a dream but his new reality. It felt weird; he was a 26-year-old stuck in his 14-year-old body. He never stood a chance against Kiyomasa and his goons, not even now. He was pathetic. Takemichi hated how pathetic he was. He hated it. Being thrown into a fighting ring wasn't something new. He and his friends were there for entertainment. Takemichi did, however, remember this day, Naoto mentioned it. The day his friend, Akkun, stabbed Kiyomasa to death. He wouldn't let that happen. Stepping up and demanding that Kiyomasa fight, he never expected to last this long. He had something to prove. He couldn't lose. Not unless it killed him.
That's when he saw him. For the first time, he laid his eyes on him. Sano Manjiro. He was standing right in front of him. He didn't know what to say. Things were going better than expected. He managed to catch the attention of the guy he needed to meet. It's like the universe listened to him, hearing his pleas. "What's your name?" It was such a simple question. A simple question which changed his life forever. "H-Hanagaki Takemichi". "Ah, Takemitchy. You're my friend now." The nickname was ridiculous; he hated it, but after a while, he grew to like it. He never expected it to change him forever.
Moebius Arc (Battle of 8/3)
Draken was going to die. He needed to stop this fight. They wouldn't listen, though. Who would listen to the newbie, who couldn't even pack a punch? He understood Hayashida, also known as Pah-Chin; he was angry. Takemichi was angry too. What they did to his friend and his friend's girlfriend was unacceptable. They were monsters, but if this fight went on, there would be consequences, and Draken would die.
He couldn't stop them from fighting when Moebius showed up. It was as expected, but this time, instead of Draken dying, he lived. Takemichi's warning helped, even a little. He only suffered an injury to the hand, thanks to his warning. Then, Valhalla appeared, with Kisaki as part of the group. Kiyomasa was part of this group after being kicked out of Toman. The guys were jumped, but Manjiro and his gang were on the way. During the battle, Takemichi kept looking for Draken, afraid that he would die. He noticed Kiyomasa stabbed Draken and ran away. Takemichi rushed quickly to Draken, trying to help him and get him closer to the ambulance, but Kiyomasa cornered him. Takemichi fought and won the battle. Draken was saved, and his operation was successful. Takemichi was glad that he didn't die. That's when he decided to go back into the future, believing he could prevent Draken's death and change the future. However, Takemichi was wrong; he learned that in the future, Draken was put on death row, and Manjiro and Kisaki united Valhalla and the Tokyo Manji Gang, killing Kazutora Hanma in battle. Manjiro was now violent and ruthless. Takemichi had to make sure this didn't happen; nobody should be dead. He knew this was all Kisaki's doing. He will not let this future happen. He will make sure of it.
Valhalla Arc (Bloody Halloween)
When Takemichi returned to the past, everything was different. Kisaki joined Toman, and Takemichi was not happy about this. Then Baji betrayed Toman, joining Valhalla with Kazutora. Takemichi was brought in as a witness by Kazutora as Baji beat Chifuyu, his best friend, into a pulp. This was the time that Takemichi swore to Chifuyu that he would get Baji back. Gaming is not only a partner but a best friend. The battle of Valhalla versus the Tokyo Manji gang was at stake; Toman wanted Baji back if they won.
The battle had begun, and everyone was fighting. Baji then attacked Kisaki, and the fight between Mikey and Kazutora came to an end. Kazutora noticed that Baji was helping Manjiro and took this as a betrayal. He had a knife. Takemichi doesn't remember why or when he did it, but he remembers screaming Baji's name, and then he felt pain shoot up his stomach. He was stabbed. He remembers falling to the ground as he heard Chifuyu, his partner and best friend, scream his name. He remembers vividly seeing Manjiro, furious, beating up Kazutora, stopping when Takemichi uttered his name. He felt his vision slipping away, and with his last strength, he uttered only a couple of words. "Don't trust Kisaki. Forgive Kazutora, he is your friend." When his vision went white, he knew his time was up. He was dead. At least he thought he was.
The ultimate sacrifice. What would you choose?
Takemichi doesn't know how he got there, but he feels like he was having a dream. The space was filled with white everywhere; nobody was present, just him and the echoey chamber, which went on for ages. He thought this must be the afterlife, but didn't want to believe so. That was until the creature appeared. It was a great creature with many eyes and halos. Takemichi has seen these creatures before. They weren't creatures but angels. He didn't know what to do or say. He could only stare. "Hanagaki Takemichi. You are being given a choice. It is yours to decide. Do you wish to return to the past and save everyone you love, or do you wish to pass on? It is your choice." Takemichi was speechless. This was his chance, his chance to save everyone. Without giving it much thought, he chose to save everyone. "I wanna go back, save everyone. I'd do anything." "I see. You are given a second choice. You shall save everyone, but don't forget, everything has its consequences. Do not regret this."
I did it. I saved everyone!
Takemichi remembers waking up in a hospital bed. His whole body was hurting. Reaching for the mask on his face, he took it off, taking a sharp breath in, and he coughed. He had so many wires attached to him. The monitor to his right was beeping; his heart rate was spiking. He was confused, and then he remembered his encounter with the angel. He is back. He isn't sure what time it is or what timeline he is in, but he is back. He can save everyone. Coughing as he sat up, Takemichi looked to his left. Sitting next to his bed was Hinata, his girlfriend. He felt tears well up in his eyes. He was back in the past. Reaching his hand over, he moved some hair off her face to the side. With a soft smile, he whispered a small thank you. Startled awake, Hinata looked around, confused. When her eyes landed on Takemichi, she screamed his name and ran straight at him. Her warmth wrapped him fully. He never wanted her to hold him. "You're awake. You're awake. Thank you, Lord!" Hinata was a blabbering mess, tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry." His voice was gruff from disuse, but Hinata was so glad to hear it. "Don't speak. Lay back down. I'm getting a doctor." Before Takemichi could complain, Hinata ran out of the room, leaving him by himself. Just a couple of minutes later, Hinata, a doctor and a couple of others rushed into the room.
The doctor came to his side, looking at his vitals. "Mr Hanagaki, how are you feeling?" Takemichi's side hurt, but aside from that, he felt great. "Never been better. Where am I?" The doctor looked at him. "Can you tell me what you remember, Mr Hanagaki?" Takemichi blinked the memories of Bloody Halloween popping up. "I was stabbed. I remember my friends. Then it went white. I saw this creature, an Angel. It told me I was given a second chance." The doctor looked at him and smiled. "What date do you think it is, Mr Hanagaki?" "November? The last date I recall is October 31st. It was Halloween. How long was I out for?" The doctor looked at Takemichi with a timid smile. "That's correct. Your injury happened on Halloween. However, you've been in a coma for quite a while. It is December 23rd." Takemichi sat up, coughing. "What? That makes no sense. I remember the conflict. There is no way." The doctor smiled. "I understand this is shocking news, but you need to understand. Just you being awake is a miracle. You were not breathing. The machines had to breathe for you. I don't know how to say this, but you were supposed to have been taken off life support tomorrow. It is a miracle you woke up." "I was given a second chance..." Takemichi mumbled under his breath. Hinata must have caught it because she teared up. Coming to his side, she hugged him. The doctor performed a couple of additional checks before leaving, giving Hinata and Takemichi some space.
"Takemichi, I can't believe you're awake. Thank God. He saved you." Takemichi smiled. Then, a white flash passed through him, and a memory surfaced, causing him to wince. Hina grew worried, but Takemichi quickly sat up, looking at her. "I need to go!" Hina was worried when Takemichi tried to get up from the bed. Pushing him back down, she yelled. "Stop it, you stupid boy! You only just woke up." Takemichi hated to see Hina cry, but he needed to go. If his memories serve him right, then tomorrow, it will be the Christmas showdown. Taiju will be killed, and Hakkai will become the new leader of Black Dragon. He cannot let that happen. "Hina, I need to go. If I don't, my friends will die!" "Or you could die! I almost lost you, I can't do this anymore!" Wiping away her tears, Takemichi kissed her cheek. "I know, I'm sorry, Hina, but I need to do this." Sobbing, she hugged Takemichi tightly. "I'll come with you." He shook his head, wiping away her tears and then kissing her forehead. "I'll be back before you know it."
Christmas Conflict
Nobody expected to see Hanagaki Takemichi walking up the stairs to their meeting spot. A member of Toman noticed him they rushed towards him. "You cannot be here. Go, before something happens to you." Takemichi only rolled his eyes as he made his way past the boy. The boy put a hand on his shoulder, trying to stop him, but Takemichi had had enough and slapped his hand away. "Get off me!" The boy was startled and let go. Takemichi made his way up until he reached the end of the stairs. When he was up, he noticed a meeting in full swing. Mikey was discussing the conflict between Black Dragon. He was saying not to interfere. Takemichi got closer. He could hear some members protesting. He spotted Hakkai, who looked relieved.
"Why are you hesitant?" The voice echoes through the space. Everyone turned their heads towards the voice. Takemichi was looking straight at Manjiro, who raised his head. He was going to say something, but stopped himself when his eyes met Takemichi's. "Meeting is over!" The command was definite, and nobody could argue. All the members walked past Takemichi, leaving only the founding members. Just then, Takemichi felt someone run straight into him and wrap him in a hug. Looking, he noticed it was Chifuyu. "Takemichi, you're alive. What are you doing here? How are you awake?" So many questions were thrown at him, but Takemichi needed to say this before it was too late. "Mikey, you need to stop Hakkai. He will try to fight Taiju by himself. Taiju will die, and Hakkai will take over Black Dragon. We cannot let that happen. It will cause a horrible future."