Chapter Text
The underground fight club was nestled beneath the city's surface, an illicit sanctuary for those who sought the adrenaline of combat. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and anticipation, the crowd's murmurs barely containing their excitement for the next match.
Mikey, Draken, and Takemichi made their way through the dimly lit space, the occasional cheer or groan from the crowd guiding them toward the ring. Mikey's steps were light, almost skipping, his eyes shining with the thrill of discovery. "I heard about this guy, Y/n," Mikey said, his voice barely above the noise but clear to his companions. "He took down a gang leader like it was nothing. Now everyone wants a piece of him."
Draken, his arms crossed, nodded, his gaze scanning the crowd, "Yeah, and we're gonna see if he's worth the hype."
Takemichi, trailing behind, felt a strange sense of déjà vu. In his mind, he was piecing together fragments from the future, wondering where he had seen or heard of Y/n before. His heart raced with the possibility that this moment could alter the timelines he knew.
They found seats close to the ring, just as the announcer bellowed, "Next up, the one they call the Monster of the underground, Y/n!"
Y/n stepped into the ring, his presence commanding silence from the crowd. He had short, dark hair that was slightly growing out into what could be the beginnings of a mullet, giving him an air of both ruggedness and mystery. His dark gray eyes were pools of calm, revealing nothing of his thoughts or emotions. He wore simple, dark attire, moving with an ease of motion that spoke volumes of his confidence.
His opponent, a burly man with a reputation for breaking bones, stepped forward, cracking his knuckles with a confident sneer.
The bell rang, and the fight began. Y/n moved with a precision that was almost surgical, his movements fluid yet devoid of any unnecessary flourish. He dodged a heavy swing, countered with a body shot that seemed to knock the wind out of his opponent, followed by a series of quick, calculated punches that left the opponent staggering.
Mikey's eyes gleamed with each strike, his grin widening. "Look at that, Draken! He's not even breaking a sweat!"
Draken grunted in acknowledgment, his respect for Y/n's skill evident in his focused gaze.
Takemichi watched, his mind racing. There was something about Y/n's fighting style, his stoic demeanor, that tugged at his memory. He whispered to himself, "Where do I know you from?"
Y/n's opponent hit the ground, defeated, with Y/n standing over him, not even breathing heavily. The crowd erupted, but Y/n's expression remained unchanged, his eyes scanning the crowd before settling on nothing in particular, as if he were looking through everyone.
Mikey clapped his hands, turning to Draken and Takemichi with a childlike excitement. "We need him in Toman! I want him as my friend, someone who can keep up with us, right, Draken?"
Draken chuckled, "If he's as good as they say, he might just fit in. But it's up to him."
Takemichi, still deep in thought, nodded absently, thinking silently to himself, 'Yeah, but there's something... I feel like I've seen him before. In the future, maybe?'
The fight ended, and as Y/n turned to leave the ring, Mikey stood up, his decision made. "I'm gonna talk to him. Let's go!"
Draken and Takemichi followed, the latter still piecing together the puzzle of his future memories, wondering how this encounter might shape not just the present but all the futures he'd seen. As they approached Y/n, the future seemed to hinge on this moment, on the choice of a man who fought not for glory but out of necessity, a man whose path could now intertwine with theirs in ways none could predict.
The crowd dispersed after Y/n's match, the underground fight club returning to a semblance of quiet, the energy of the fight lingering in the air. Mikey, with his characteristic enthusiasm, led Draken and Takemichi through the back alleys, catching up to Y/n as he was about to disappear into the night.
"Hey! Wait up!" Mikey called out, his voice echoing slightly in the narrow alleyway. Y/n paused, turning with a look that could freeze time—dark gray eyes, fierce yet dead, lacking any spark of interest. His hair, slightly overgrown into a small mullet, framed his face, adding to his rugged presence.
Mikey, unfazed by Y/n's calculating stare, introduced himself with a bright smile, "I'm Toman's Mikey. This is Draken, and this is Takemichi."
Y/n gave a cautious nod, his voice monotone as he introduced himself, "Y/n." His gaze flicked over the trio with mild disinterest, as if they were just another part of the night's scenery. His eyes lingered on their gang uniform for a few seconds before looking up to meet Mikey's eyes, knowing where this was going.
"You're strong. I like that. I want you to join-"
"I'm not joining your gang."
Without further ado, Y/n turned to leave, his body language screaming disinterest in any gang affiliation. His steps were measured, his back to them showing a man who had no desire to be entangled in the world of gangs.
Mikey's face fell into a pout, his usual charm not working its magic. "He's not interested in gangs, huh?" he murmured, more to himself than to anyone else.
Draken, with a facepalm, shook his head, "You were too upfront, Mikey. Give the guy some time. He's clearly not one for the usual gang life."
Takemichi remained silent, sweatdropping at Y/n's cold demeanor, his mind racing with thoughts of how this standoffish fighter could play a role in the timelines he'd experienced. He was both amused and concerned by the interaction, knowing how pivotal these early encounters could be.
As Y/n turned a corner, Mikey yelled after him, his voice carrying through the alley, "I'll make you my friend, Y/n! Just wait!" His determination was palpable, his voice a mix of hope and challenge.
Y/n, hearing the shout, shook his head slightly, a flicker of disbelief crossing his otherwise stoic face. "Crazy," he muttered under his breath, continuing on his way, the night swallowing him up.
Back with his friends, Mikey crossed his arms, a new fire in his eyes. "I won't give up. I've decided, Y/n will be part of Toman."
Draken chuckled, clapping Mikey on the back, "Well, if anyone can do it, it's you, but maybe next time, don't just hit him with everything at once."
Takemichi, still silent, pondered over the encounter. Y/n's presence was a wild card, his future unclear in Takemichi's visions. But one thing was certain, Mikey's determination to befriend him could alter the course of many events, whether Y/n wanted it or not.
The night continued, the trio leaving the alley with different thoughts but a shared destination, back to the world above where the stars were hidden by city lights, much like the hidden potential of the man they had just met.