Kisaki has eyes and ears all over the city, so there's no way a sudden meeting between two high-profile and dangerous figures in the delinquent world - like Haitani Ran of the S-62 Generation and Hanagaki Takemichi, the 11th leader of Black Dragon - slips past him. Coincidentally, Hanma is nearby at the time, so Kisaki assigns him to tail the two and figure out what exactly they're up to. The fact that the Haitani brothers help Takemichi on Christmas Eve definitely raises red flags for him. After all, they're all going to be in the same gang soon - Izana already starts making moves - and Kisaki doesn't want anyone close to Takemichi.

Hanma starts tailing them from the moment they line up to buy crepes across the street.

Okay so like... they're buying crepes?? Normal. Too normal, it's kinda sus.

Then they just walk around - nothing crazy.

But like... what is Haitani Ran even doing to Takemichi??

HELLO?? Why is he all handsy like that??

And umm - did he just toss the food?? Bro, what??

Hanma quickly crosses the street to follow them. By the time he locates where Ran and Takemichi are, he catches a scene that stirs up a whirlwind of emotions inside him.

He's seen guy couples being affectionate before, and honestly, he couldn't care less. Not his business, not his interest.

But seeing Ran force a kiss on Takemichi, hearing those wet, messy sounds from the kiss, Takemichi's choked-back sobs and pleas, and Ran's hands groping all over his body while holding him close - it sets Hanma on fire. It's a feeling more intense than watching porn.

But he's straight, goddammit. Why the hell is he getting turned on watching this?

He's not even standing that close, but in the dead silence of that dark alley, he can clearly hear the muffled, desperate noises coming from Takemichi. How can a guy even make sounds like that?

Even from a distance, he sees Ran bury his face into Takemichi's neck. Takemichi's whole body trembles, his head tilts back, one hand clutching Ran's shoulder tightly, the other covering his mouth to stop any more embarrassing noises from escaping.

Okay, no, that's enough - Hanma's junior is seriously acting up now. He curses under his breath, pissed at himself, and storms forward to yank Ran off Takemichi.

The tension in the air is thick. Hanma smirks, throwing shade at Ran: "Dude, I legit can't believe you're into this kinda shit. That's mad nasty. You down that bad? At least find someone hotter, yeah?"

"This ain't your business, Hanma. Crashing someone's intimate moment is rude as hell, you know? So why don't you f*ck off already?"

"Oh? You think I'm polite now? Newsflash - hell no."

They both look like they're seconds away from throwing punches - Until Takemichi's choked sob finally quiets, and his hoarse voice cuts through:

"Just stop. You done for the day, Ran? You happy now? Please - just get the hell away from me."

Ran freezes. That glare - he's never seen Takemichi look at him like that. The kid's always been cautious around him, even scared sometimes. But now? No fear. Just bitter fury. Ran bites his lower lip, eyes locked on Takemichi. That look stings. He knows he f*cked up. Let his craving spiral out of control. He shows too much. Now Takemichi's probably disgusted with him. Maybe he'll never want to see him again. That thought alone makes Ran's body tremble. His eyes flicker with something... off.

Hanma catches the shift and raises an eyebrow, half amused, half surprised.

"Takemichi..." Ran's voice cracks, like a kid who knows he's messed up.

Takemichi doesn't look back. Arms wrapped tightly around himself, still shaking.

"Just go. I'll pretend this never happened."

He silently begs the universe to just let him disappear. The shame is overwhelming - he's not even sure if he's more disgusted with Ran or with himself.

Ran tastes bitterness on his tongue, but part of him clings to hope. So, next time he sees him, he'll pretend everything's normal, right? He'll forget what he does to him today, and they'll go back to how things were, won't they? Not close, maybe even distant, maybe he hates him - that's fine. Just... don't avoid him.

"S..."

He starts to say sorry, but bites it back. No. What he feels for Takemichi is real. That's not something to apologize for.

"Bro, how many times does he gotta tell you to leave before you grow a brain?" Hanma snaps, rolling his eyes.

Ran glares at him, fcking asshole, but turns back to Takemichi, gaze lingering.

"Bye, Takemichi. Hope I see you again..."

He finally turns to go, teeth clenched, not even realizing he's just left Takemichi alone with someone as dangerous as Hanma.

"No f*cking way."

The scene is just too damn good. He has to tell Kisaki about it - no doubt Kisaki will be just as shocked and entertained as he is. And who knows? Maybe Kisaki will cook up some wild plan after hearing it.

A hero, forcefully kissed, begging through tears. Just thinking about it excites him.

Hanma turns to Takemichi, who still sits on the ground. He thinks this is absolutely humiliating - pathetic, really - for a guy. He wonders what kind of face a "hero" makes in a moment like this. How ugly can it get?

He gives Takemichi a light kick. The boy is hugging his knees, face buried deep.

"Looking good, huh? Takemichi, tell me - how does it feel? Having another guy do that to you?"

No response. Boring.

Maybe he should just hurry up and tell Kisaki. He really wants to see Kisaki's reaction. But just as he's about to leave, a weak hand tugs at his pant leg. Surprised, he turns around to sneer some more, but then - he sees the boy looking up at him. That teary, crumpled face trying hard not to cry, only to burst into loud sobs like a kid who's held it in too long.

Takemichi truly feels humiliated - shame burning through his skin. He's been hoping someone, anyone, would come. Even Hanma, the one he's afraid of and absolutely despises... even so, Hanma came. He stopped Ran. Takemichi's mind is blank. It doesn't matter who anymore. Whoever shows up becomes his lifeline - and he clings to it for dear life.

Right now, he has to cry. Cry it all out.

Hanma winces. So damn loud. Is his eyes a waterfall or something? What is he even crying for?

The sobbing is so loud, it drowns out the insult he was about to throw. Takemichi is a total mess now.

His hair's a tangled disaster. Clothes all ruffled. The white shirt underneath has two buttons ripped open, his pale chest slick with a sheen of sweat. The bite mark Ran left on his neck is provocative enough to make Hanma uncomfortable. His lips are swollen, glossy, still showing signs of being taken. And he's biting down on them - not just from anger, but from feeling so small, so wounded. It makes people want to pity him. Protect him.

This mess... this mess makes people want to do terrible things to him. But his eyes - his eyes hold it all back. Those tear-filled eyes, shining and broken. Gone is the determination and strength Hanma usually sees in him, but even like this, those eyes hold a frightening kind of power over him.

What the hell is this feeling?

Why does he freeze up when Takemichi looks at him like that?

He's not the kind of guy who gets soft over someone's tears. Compassion? Not in his vocabulary. If someone annoys him, he crushes them - no hesitation - and he enjoys the pain he causes. So what the hell is up with these stupid tears? Tears from a dude, no less. And not just any guy - but someone he literally hoped would hit rock bottom just yesterday. Why the hell does he suddenly feel... conflicted? Uncomfortable? Don't look at him like he's his goddamn hero, either. He's not saving him from sht. He's just pissed that his own dck is getting weirdly bothered right now, okay?

Ugh. This is pissing him off.

Takemichi's eyes go wide when he sees Hanma shrug off his black coat and toss it over his head.

"Better stop crying before I knock your damn teeth out," Hanma mutters.

The threat doesn't match the weird, almost out-of-place kindness of the gesture. Not that Takemichi hears a word of it - he's still clutching onto him, still crying like his heart's splitting in two.

Hanma clicks his tongue and flops down beside him. He always makes people cry, never had a clue how to make them stop. God, what a pain.

Awkwardly, he slaps Takemichi's back. Twice. Not gentle.

Takemichi glances at him - one arm propping up his head, looking off in the other direction with that "why am I here" expression - and despite everything, Takemichi lets out a shaky laugh.

Was Hanma actually trying to comfort him? Seriously? Where the hell does that thought even come from? It's Hanma.

Ah, finally he laughed. Hanma finally exhales.

Why the fck is he still sitting in this dark-ass alley doing this sht anyway?

"I'm gonna crush you eventually," Hanma says casually, voice softer than even he expects.

"And I don't f*cking want you here," Takemichi snaps back.

Hanma grins. "Big words, coming from someone clinging to his enemy's leg like a crybaby. You might wanna take a good look at yourself - you're pathetic."

Normally, Takemichi would grind his teeth and throw a fit at that. But right now? The insult kinda helps. Grounds him. Pulls him back from the fear that almost swallowed him whole.

"...But with you here... I don't feel so alone."

Hanma freezes, staring at him. What the hell did this kid just say?

Takemichi realizes it too. Hanma's never been anything but a menace in his life. And yet, here he is - doing something that actually helps. That weird flicker of gratitude slips past his defenses, and he says something he never thought he would.

What's wrong with him today?

Embarrassed, Takemichi pulls his hands back and tucks himself deeper into Hanma's coat.

Hanma covers his face with his hand.

Don't. Just don't. One more move like that, and he's gonna lose all self-control. Don't come crying to him then. Takemichi has no idea who he's dealing with - or what kind of mess he's become right now.

You don't just throw yourself into the lion's den and look like that, all vulnerable and... tempting. Don't tease people like me.

Don't look cute while you're being seductive. That's just not fair.

He's a straight guy, damn it. He wants to be all over some hot girl, not - Not like this. So stop making him want to do things to him. Please.

The sudden ring of Takemichi's phone slices through the strange tension hanging in the air. He quickly reaches into his bag and fishes out the device - it's a call from Kazutora.

Takemichi sits by the roadside, still draped in Hanma's jacket. Earlier, when Hanma hears Kazutora is coming, he throws a few mocking words at Takemichi before walking off, leaving his jacket behind like it means nothing.

Baji, Chifuyu, and Kazutora rush to him, breathless and sweating. But when they see him, their expressions freeze in horror. There are no visible injuries, but Takemichi's face looks drained, his eyes swollen from too much crying. And then there's that unfamiliar jacket on his shoulders.

"Takemichi, were you attacked?" Kazutora grabs his shoulders, searching his eyes for answers.

Takemichi falters. Isn't that a kind of attack, too? Just as his tears have barely begun to dry, they threaten to fall all over again. He can't say it. He doesn't want to admit that another boy has just done... those things to him. Under their worried gazes, the words stick in his throat.

Baji senses something's off. Without a word, he brushes the jacket from Takemichi's shoulders - and in that moment, all four of them fall into stunned silence.

Then, fury.

His clothes are rumpled, shirt buttons undone, and a clear bite mark blooms on his neck. The three of them can hardly breathe as Takemichi flinches, tears spilling over as he curls into himself. So it is that kind of attack. Bastard. Bastard! Who? What exactly did that monster do to him?

Chifuyu pulls him into a hug, whispering, "It's okay, Takemichi. You're safe now. We're here." His lips press into a tight line to hold back the storm of questions clawing at his throat. Now isn't the time to ask.

Baji doesn't just worry for Takemichi. He watches Kazutora, whose entire body is trembling with something dangerously close to breaking. Baji grips Kazutora's wrist, steadying him. His eyes say it all: Focus on Takemichi. He comes first.

They take him to Chifuyu's place. Takemichi doesn't want to go home - not now. He can't tell his parents, and he doesn't want to be alone in that room.

While he showers, scrubbing himself clean, the three sit in silence. Something sharp and unfamiliar twists in their chests - a feeling they've never had before, or maybe just never noticed. It isn't just anger. It isn't just worry. It's something darker, heavier... the gut-wrenching fear of losing something precious to someone else.

Jealousy?

The sound of the door opening echoes softly. Takemichi walks in, now clean and a bit more composed. All three boys immediately spring to their feet. Chifuyu lent him some clothes, but the bite mark, instead of being hidden beneath the collar, lies fully exposed. The sight of it burns in their eyes, their frustration simmering dangerously close to a boil.

"Come here, Takemichi. Let me dry your hair!" Chifuyu waves him over to sit on the floor. He starts towel-drying Takemichi's still-drenched hair. Takemichi forces a small smile.

"Thanks, man."

He bows his head slightly. Silence creeps into the room. Takemichi shifts nervously, his hands restless. He opens his mouth, then bites his lip shut. It takes a moment - Chifuyu stops drying his hair - and only then does Takemichi begin to speak.

"Ran Haitani came to see me when I was heading home," he says, eyes fixed on the floor. He doesn't dare look up. He already imagines their shocked expressions. "He brought up the Black Dragon incident... said I owe him a favor. So I invited him out for food. Then..."

Takemichi pauses, drawing in a deep breath.

"He forced a kiss on me. And... left this."

He raises a hand to the sting on his neck. He's seen it in the mirror earlier - his face flushed with shame, rage bubbling beneath. He can't bring himself to go into detail. He keeps his head down. But he hears the curse slip out of Baji's mouth, then a loud thud - something, or someone, being punched. He's not sure if it's Baji or Kazutora.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone with him. I didn't know Ran would do something like that... to another guy."

Silence, again. The air grows heavy. Takemichi starts to feel tense and afraid, their heavy breaths ringing in his ears. Then, a warm hand gently rests on his head. He looks up. Baji is smiling at him.

"No one's blaming you for this. But next time, be more careful, alright? Don't go anywhere alone unless it's with someone from Touman or Black Dragon. You're safe now, Takemichi."

"You should stay here tonight. I'll call your mom and let her know," Chifuyu says, tilting his head from where he sits on the bed.

"We'll all crash here with you if you want," Kazutora adds with a soft smile, stepping forward and placing a caring hand over Takemichi's.

Takemichi's eyes well up. He takes a deep breath, willing the tears to stay put, and musters the brightest smile he can manage - trying his best to seem okay.

"Then stay with me tonight, yeah?"

Right now, he just needs someone by his side. And they've all reached out to hold him. Takemichi feels it deeply - gratitude blooming in his chest. He's lucky. So lucky to have them.

Baji heads upstairs to his place to shower and change. Kazutora also needs to grab a few things if he's staying the night. Chifuyu offers to ask Takemichi's mom for permission and goes out to buy some snacks for the evening. Takemichi, drained, decides to nap for a bit.

All three boys walk away with the same storm churning inside them. Slowly, they're beginning to realize a feeling that's been growing inside for a long time - something they've buried beneath friendship and gratitude. Life's been calm enough until now for them to convince themselves it wasn't real. And even if it is... none of them dares to say it aloud.

Because the boy they're falling for - the one desperately trying to save their lives - he's in love with a girl. And they're just boys. Who in this day and age would accept that?

They can't ruin everything with their selfish desires. So they lock those feelings away, deep in their hearts.

But today, someone else - an outsider - forces that truth into the open, mercilessly. It's not just Touman boys anymore. Out there, others have also started to fall for their boy.

They can't keep pretending.

Jealousy... is the whisper of love.

But what can they do, with a love this quiet and one-sided?