Hey besties! Let's kick off this 11-day storm fest!

BTW, totally forgot to say — this April 30th marks exactly 50 years since Vietnam's reunification!

Dropping a chapter storm during such a meaningful time for my country hits different 🫶

Can't believe this work is going global right now — so hype!!

Big thanks to everyone who's been riding with me up to this point 🥹💖

Now strap in, tighten those helmet straps, and let's ride this mega storm together!! 🚀🔥

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Thanks to a night where Baji, Kazutora, and Chifuyu try their best to talk, crack jokes, and cheer him up, Takemichi's mood lifts a little. He comforts himself - he's already twenty-six, after all. Is he really going to let this one thing make the world feel like it's crashing down? Just think of it as the first time dealing with harassment. If he can forget it, he should forget it.

But something still doesn't sit right. Deep down, Takemichi can't shake the feeling. He's not so naive that he doesn't notice Ran's feelings for him - he just doesn't understand why those feelings exist in the first place. What exactly has he done to change the flow of this timeline so much?

Takemichi has no issue with same-gender love; in the future, it's completely normal. But he's never accepted anyone's feelings except Hinata's, so this weighs heavy on him.

In the morning, he heads to school with Kazutora like usual. Kazutora tries to convince him to skip and hang out instead, but Takemichi's already skipped way too much. Hinata keeps reminding him to stay on track. He doesn't want to show how shaken he is - not when Baji, Chifuyu, and Kazutora have already been worrying enough.

"Takemichi, from now on, I'm picking you up for school and walking you home." Kazutora says seriously, his face set with determination.

"I know you're worried about me, but this won't happen again, Kazutora-kun. You do realize our houses are in opposite directions, right? And besides, after school, I usually head over to Black Dragon. It's not like I go straight home every day." Takemichi smiles gently, turning him down, though deep inside, he's truly touched by everyone's concern.

"But..."

"There won't be a next time. I'll be more careful, so don't worry, Kazutora-kun."

Kazutora's face falls, a mix of frustration and hurt showing as he tugs on Takemichi's sleeve. His eyes have that puppy-like look again. Takemichi lets out a strained laugh - he looks all tough, but always ends up sulking like this.

"That look won't work on me, you know."

Kazutora gives up and sighs. Takemichi made up his mind - no matter what he says, the guy won't budge.

"Come on, let's go to school, Kazutora-kun."

Takemichi loops his arm around Kazutora's and starts walking. Kazutora keeps his eyes on him, unable to shake off the tight knot of frustration inside. On the outside, he stays calm, but his heart is boiling with anger. All he wants is to go find Haitani Ran and teach that bastard a lesson.

Kazutora knows he isn't the only one who gives his heart to Takemichi. But if it's Baji and Chifuyu, he can share that space. He cares about them, and he understands the pain of standing beside Takemichi as just a friend - burying his love deep within. He's even the one who watches Takemichi smile happily every day next to the girl he loves.

Inside, he's jealous. It stings like a thousand ants crawling under his skin. It makes him restless, makes him ache. But still, he smiles whenever Takemichi is near. To Kazutora, even the smallest touches, the casual gestures that Takemichi thinks are just normal between friends, feel like warmth spreading through his chest - like a child being handed sweet candies. He cherishes those moments. He's jealous, yes, but seeing Takemichi happy with the one he loves... and being able to stay by his side, even just as a friend - that's enough.

At least, he tells himself it is.

But then he realizes there are others. Others who fall for Takemichi and unlike him, Baji, or Chifuyu, they won't be content with just friendship. They want to take Takemichi away.

And that fragile peace inside Kazutora starts to crumble.

Are you really okay with just being Takemichi's friend?

You see it now, don't you? Someone's already trying to steal him.

You're just a tiny piece of his world. Even without Hinata, Takemichi still thinks about Mikey the most. Then there's Touman. Baji and Chifuyu are the closest ones to him. Hell, even his classmates probably mean more to him than you do.

Admit it, Kazutora - you want Takemichi to be yours.

"Kazutora-kun, what's wrong?"

Takemichi's voice pulls Kazutora out of the echoing noises inside his head. He looks at Takemichi, startled. Sensing something off, Takemichi leans in, his face drawing close with concern. Kazutora instinctively leans back at the sudden closeness.

"Kazutora-kun, are you sick or something?"

The gentle, worried gaze, the warmth in Takemichi's voice, and the way their faces are only inches apart - Kazutora can feel his breath. His heart starts racing, refusing to behave. He quickly raises a hand, covers Takemichi's face, and pushes him away.

"Wha - hey! Kazutora-kun, what's your deal now?"

"You're way too close, Takemichi! Who sticks their face that close to someone else's like that?!"

"Well, you looked super weird just now!"

"I'm fine. You're the weird one, dummy."

He drops his hand. Takemichi narrows his eyes at him, suspicious. He's clearly trying to figure out what's wrong, but in the end, he gives up and keeps walking toward school.

Kazutora chuckles and follows. His eyes stay locked on Takemichi's neck. It's annoying. So annoying, it drives him crazy.

He tugs at Takemichi's collar, wraps an arm around his waist from behind, and presses his other hand against the nape of his neck. Then, without warning, he leans in and brushes a kiss over the back of his own hand - right where it touches Takemichi - before the boy yelps and squirms out of his arms, shivering from the sudden cold against such a sensitive spot.

He has no idea what Kazutora just did.

"Kazutora-kun! That was cruel! Your hands are like ice!"

Kazutora licks his lips and grins like he just pulled off the best prank of the day. If he could, he'd leave a real mark there. One that's truly his.

Meanwhile, Baji and Chifuyu... neither of them are headed to school. The two are waiting at a children's playground instead.

"Why the hell did you suddenly call us here?"

Inupee and Kokonoi walk in, both dressed in casual clothes. Chifuyu thinks he made the right choice exchanging contact info with Inupee. If not, finding them now would be a pain.

Baji is already sitting on the swing, eyes fixed on them but silent. Chifuyu is the one who speaks first.

"I'll keep it short. We need you two to assign someone to secretly watch over Takemichi. Don't let him know."

What happened yesterday can't just be brushed aside. But they can't be with Takemichi 24/7. Chifuyu understands Takemichi - if he finds out they're overly worried about him, he'll blame himself, feel guilty, and he's definitely going to refuse.

Chifuyu doesn't want to force him. If not for that, they wouldn't even consider asking the Black Dragons. But now that the Black Dragons are part of Toman under Takemichi's command, they're the most suited for the job.

Kokonoi and Inupee frown. It's not like the idea hasn't crossed their minds. Mikey has already warned them, and they themselves suggested Takemichi should have someone tailing him, but he turned it down. Whenever Takemichi heads home late, Inupee quietly follows him. The night Sanzu attacked, Inupee showed up just in time. Takemichi found out and told them he doesn't like being watched. So they stopped. Since then, he only lets them walk him home after night meetings.

Now, with Chifuyu and Baji suddenly bringing this up again, the two sense something's wrong. Could it be - Takemichi got attacked?

"Something happened to Hanagaki?" Inupee asks, concerned.

"Was he attacked?" Kokonoi adds.

Both of them notice the frustration written all over Chifuyu and Baji's faces. It takes Chifuyu a moment to calm down before he replies. He points at his neck, face stoic, but his eyes burn with rage.

"He was attacked, but not in the way you're thinking. Yesterday, Takemichi ran into Haitani Ran... and he left a bite mark right here. I hope you get what I mean."

Kokonoi and Inupee freeze. They stare at Chifuyu, then glance at each other. Haitani Ran, bite mark?

"...You mean - " Kokonoi, for the first time, feels like his genius brain turns to sludge.

"We don't want to talk more about it. Just keep an eye on Takemichi. He's still scared. Still shaken."

That's all Chifuyu says before he and Baji turn to leave.

"Take care of him when we're not around," Baji adds without looking back, leaving them still stunned. He's always wanted to protect Takemichi with his own hands. But right now, this is the best move. He has to do what's best for him.

The uneasy, heavy feeling they carry doesn't lift until late in the afternoon, when Takemichi shows up at their base. And by then, it's no longer unease they're feeling. It's something far worse.

Takemichi barely steps into the room and flashes them a bright smile when Inupee rushes over, grabbing his wrist and pulling him toward the sofa. There's urgency in his every move. He pushes Takemichi down, and even though Takemichi's face shows clear panic, Inupee doesn't stop. He starts unbuttoning Takemichi's shirt - something completely unlike him, the one who always notices even the smallest shifts in Takemichi's mood, the one who usually treats him with such tenderness.

"Inupee-kun, what the hell are you doing?! Let me go!"

Takemichi struggles, but he can't fight off Inupee's grip. His body is pinned, and his collar is yanked open by someone else's hands. The mark he's tried so hard to hide is about to be exposed. That shame and fear he thought he'd buried since yesterday - they come crashing back.

Inupee and Kokonoi both freeze when they see it. A bite mark. Like someone's claimed him.

And just like that, the questions they've been harboring find their answer.

Inupee feels Takemichi trembling beneath him. His eyes lift slowly to Takemichi's face.

Both he and Kokonoi go still. Takemichi's expression is filled with fear. His lips are pressed tight, and tears stream freely from his wide eyes. Inupee instantly lets go and steps back.

Takemichi curls up in the corner of the couch, hugging himself.

That helpless feeling returns - the one from last night, when Ran's hand trails down his body and his eyes look at Takemichi like a predator sizing up prey. If Hanma hadn't appeared... would he have been - raped?

Even though he's already twenty-six, Takemichi is still a virgin and he's straight. He's clueless when it comes to sex - he's only ever kissed Hinata, and even that was just a peck on the lips. Yesterday was the first time he felt something remotely sexual - and the worst part is, it came from another guy. Maybe to someone else, it wouldn't mean much, but to him, it means everything. He's not okay. The pressure building up inside these past few days finally hits its breaking point.

Takemichi breaks down, sobbing. Loud, ugly sobs he can't hold back anymore. Inupee is shaken, panic setting in. His heart twists painfully at the sight of Takemichi trembling, curled up like a wounded animal.

"I'm sorry, Hanagaki. I..."

He doesn't know what to do - so he just pulls Takemichi into his arms. He's already messed up. He knows. He never wanted this. Please, just... don't hate him.

Kokonoi stands nearby, his face tight with pain. But he's not like Inupee. He doesn't dare touch Takemichi. Doesn't even speak. Something strange is building up in him, something he doesn't want to acknowledge.

Takemichi recoils at first, not wanting anyone near him. He tries to shove Inupee away, but Inupee refuses to let go. His arms wrap tighter around Takemichi, as if afraid he'll disappear.

"I'm sorry, Hanagaki, I'm so sorry," Inupee keeps whispering over and over, begging for forgiveness.

It takes a while, but eventually, Takemichi clutches him back - and then cries out, loud and raw. Inupee's eyes brim with tears too as he holds Takemichi even closer, not letting him go.

He doesn't know how long they stay like that. Minutes? Hours? When he finally releases him, Takemichi is drained. Kokonoi silently steps forward, gently wiping Takemichi's face with a towel. He doesn't say a word.

Takemichi stays silent. The two of them leave him to rest inside while they step out for some fresh air, hoping it clears their heads. Neither says a word for a while - until Inupi finally speaks up.

"I didn't mean to. I wasn't planning to do that. I didn't want to hurt Hanagaki."

Kokonoi keeps his calm. "You should've stayed quiet. Why push it? Even that guy from Touman said the Boss is scary as hell."

"I don't know," Inupi says, shaking his head. "I don't know why I needed to see it with my own eyes. I wasn't thinking straight. I was just... angry. And scared. When I saw that mark - I lost it. I was furious. I hated it. I couldn't stand the fact that Hanagaki has that thing on his body. You know what that mark means. It's like it's screaming at me - someone's gonna take Hanagaki away. And there's no way, no way, I'm letting Hanagaki belong to anyone else."

Kokonoi freezes.

He should've realized it sooner.

Inupi is... just an innocent boy in love. Clueless about his own emotions, fumbling through feelings he doesn't fully understand. Kokonoi always thought Inupi just admired Takemichi, respected him, treated him like a superior - or maybe a close friend. That's all.

But that outburst, those words... they're not coming from friendship. Not even close.

Even Inupi?

A mess of emotions stirs inside Kokonoi. Why does hearing Inupi admit he has feelings for Takemichi make his chest tighten like this?

His reaction to the mark Ran left on Takemichi - was it really any different from Inupi's?

He only acts calm because he's denying what's brewing inside him.

No. No way. There's no way he has any feelings like that for Takemichi. He gave his heart - his whole life - to Akane. His love died with her.

That's enough. Just stop. He's going to lose it.

It's almost half an hour before Takemichi finally comes out. His voice is small when he calls them in to talk. His eyes and nose are still red, tears barely dried, and his voice is hoarse. He fidgets nervously, unable to keep still.

"Who told you about that...? Was it Chifuyu?"

"Yeah, he came and reminded the two of us to quietly keep an eye on you."

Damn it. Inupi clenches his fists, blaming himself. He's ruined everything by acting impulsively. He should've played it cool, pretended he knew nothing, and just watched over Takemichi from the shadows. Wouldn't that have been better? Why is he such a fool? Why can't he control himself like he used to?

Takemichi rubs his head, confused and frustrated. He didn't realize everyone would get so worried over this. He just wants to protect them - not the other way around.

Damn it. He hates being this weak. If he'd known things would turn out this way, he never would've let them find out.

"Boss," Kokonoi says, "I think you should reconsider what we suggested before. You're the leader of Black Dragon now. Back then, even Taiju always had two or three guys with him."

Takemichi might've agreed to lead the Black Dragons, but he still wants to live as normal a life as possible. Still, with how things are going, "normal" isn't really an option anymore.

"Fine. Do what you want. Just... don't let it affect the people around me too much. And there'll be times I've got personal stuff to handle - I don't want anyone following me then."

"I'll tell them to keep their distance," Kokonoi nods. "Just go about your life like usual."

"Alright." Takemichi dips his head. He's been avoiding their eyes this whole time. Inupi notices, and it makes his chest tighten.

"Hanagaki-kun... I'm sorry about earlier."

Takemichi finally looks at them. Seeing both of their faces heavy with guilt makes him feel even worse. They don't deserve to carry that. He forces a sheepish smile.

"It's nothing. I'm fine. Don't look at me like that. I just panicked earlier. I'm okay now."

Kokonoi and Inupi stare at him, unmoving. Takemichi's always like this. Always saying he's fine - when he's the one hurting the most. Always thinking of others before himself. Even if he lashed out, no one would dare blame him. What kind of person is Takemichi...? How can someone like him survive in this violent world?

It's been a long day.

Takemichi finally gets home and collapses on his bed, drained. His mind's a mess, heart even more so. Damn these headaches - they're starting again. He clutches his head.

Not now. Not when Tenjiku is about to move. Not when Emma's in danger. Just this once - if he can save Emma this time, then everything will be alright.

He'll save them all. He won't have to witness another death, another tear. No one will need to entrust him with their dying wishes anymore. He won't have to torture himself, won't have to suffer through the nightmares.

Those two sides inside him - they'll disappear too.

Mikey will be happy. Everyone will be happy.

Takemichi, you've got to hold on. You've got to keep going.

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Note from me:

- Ugh, poor thing, my heart breaks for them 😢