"What's the deal between the Haitani brothers and Takemichi anyway? Why the hell does he keep trying to pull Takemichi to our side?"

Kisaki asks Hanma seriously right after the meeting. There's a weight in his voice, he feels like Hanma is hiding something. Hanma, realizing he's been caught, scratches the back of his head and mumbles, "Well... I'm not sure about Rindou, but Ran... Ran seems to really like Takemichi."

"Like?" Kisaki raises an eyebrow.

"Yeah, like like. You get what I mean, right?"

Kisaki's face twists into something between shock and disgust - like he's just been struck by lightning.

"Haitani Ran is gay? I've never heard anything about this. That can't be true."

He just can't wrap his head around it.

"But you heard what he said," Hanma replies with a shrug.

Kisaki lets out a dry, incredulous laugh.

"What the hell is so attractive about Takemichi that someone like Haitani would fall for him?"

Mediocre looks, zero sex appeal, nothing remotely charming.

Hanma kind of wants to disagree, but he keeps it to himself. If anyone saw that side of Takemichi, Hanma bets a lot of guys would be dying to taste those lips, trace every inch of that body, make him cry out in their arms.

But no, he can't say that out loud. People already think he's a freak - no need to sound like a total pervert. Besides, the real reason... Hanma thinks Kisaki already knows. It's who Takemichi is. The way he acts, the way he fights for people - he makes you look. Makes you feel. He pulls people in, without even trying.

"Disgusting. And all that's enough to get in my way? Izana hasn't even made a decision yet."

Hanma shrugs again, playing the powerless bystander. He doesn't tell Kisaki what really went down between Ran and Takemichi. He knows exactly what Kisaki would do if he found out. And weirdly enough, Hanma doesn't like the plan Kisaki would come up with. First time ever.

Kisaki falls into thought. That name, Takemichi, it's been ringing alarm bells in his head lately. He's had this gut feeling since last July that Takemichi knows something. Knows about him. Like he's been quietly working against him, screwing up his moves one by one. What's worse - Takemichi seems to anticipate him. Kisaki's the mastermind. He reads people like open books. But with Takemichi... it's like the tables are turning. He's the one being read.

Maybe he overreacted earlier. The Haitani brothers are still too important to confront directly. And if they do manage to bring Takemichi over to Tenjiku's side, that'd actually be perfect. Not only would Tenjiku gain the Black Dragons, especially Kokonoi, but Touman would take a huge mental blow. Especially Mikey.

Takemichi really is a juicy piece of bait. Use him while he's useful, then dispose of him quietly. Still... pulling him into Tenjiku won't be easy. Use Hinata to force him? No. Too dangerous. He doesn't wanna put her in danger. Plus, her father's a cop. That's asking for trouble. Best to wait for Izana's words first, though Izana's so unreadable.

Hanma walks off because Kisaki tells him they need to rethink their next moves. He only gets a few steps away before spotting Kakuchou heading toward him. Hanma instantly knows this guy's been waiting for him. So, what does he want now?

The strongest among Tenjiku's Four Heavenly Kings, Kakuchou always looks deadly serious, like he's leading some kind of disciplinary squad, completely opposite from Hanma. He's also Izana's most loyal dog.

"What's up?" Hanma asks bluntly.

"I wanna ask you about Takemichi and Haitani," Kakuchou says. Back in the earlier scuffle, he noticed the silent clash in Ran and Hanma's eyes. He felt something weird in the air. Something he figures Hanma might actually explain - hence, he's here.

Hanma raises a brow. Curious. Just how high is this Takemichi guy's recognition level?

"What's your relationship with Takemichi?"

"Childhood friends," Kakuchou answers, short and simple.

Hanma lets out a knowing smirk. "No kidding. Small world, huh?"

Kakuchou ignores the mocking tone.

"I want to know what's going on between Takemichi and Haitani," he repeats. "What happened between them? Why the hell is Ran acting that way toward Takemichi?"

Hanma doesn't answer right away. He plays dumb instead.

"What for? You care? Want to protect Takemichi from the Haitani brothers or something?"

Kakuchou says nothing, but the dead-serious look on his face says it all. Getting tangled with the Haitani brothers... yeah, it never ends well.

"Haha, how sweet of you. God, spare me, this is hilarious. Look at you now. In a situation like this? You and Takemichi are enemies, man. You're Izana's loyal mutt. Even if you shield him from the Haitanis now, if your precious boss says, 'Kill Takemichi,' you'd do it without blinking, right? So what's the point in caring?"

Kakuchou's expression sinks. His voice drops slightly, awkward, conflicted.

"If possible... I don't want to hurt Takemichi too much."

"If possible?" Hanma nearly laughs out loud at that.

If Takemichi were the kind of guy they could just go easy on and everything works out, he wouldn't be Takemichi.

That stubborn streak, the way he clings to his ideals and drives everyone nuts - It always leaves Hanma stuck in this weird limbo, wondering: should he go soft on the guy... or just crush him once and for all?

"So I guess you want Takemichi to join Tenjiku too, huh? But let me tell you something first, Takemichi is way crazier than anyone here gives him credit for. His loyalty to Touman? It's no less than yours for Izana. If you're willing to kill for Izana, then Takemichi's ready to die for Touman. That idiot over there says he'll do whatever it takes to make Takemichi switch sides, what a joke. Even if you beat him half to death, it won't change a damn thing. I've seen it with my own eyes."

Kakuchou has heard bits and pieces about what Takemichi's done for Touman. But hearing it from Hanma - someone who usually couldn't care less, always grinning like a madman, speaking now with a strange mix of resentment, admiration, and genuine respect - still manages to throw him off. He really is still that incredible... his hero.

"If I could, I'd drag Takemichi over myself. But if I can't, there's only one path left - destroy him. And if you ask who wants to see that hopeful look in his eyes vanish, who wants to crush that unbreakable spirit, I'll proudly stand at the top of the list."

Takemichi always pulls in the strongest and craziest bastards in this whole underworld. Even the ones who like him can't seem to help themselves - they want to see him fall. They want to break him. That hunger to conquer someone like him... it's not something you can talk people out of.

"Kakuchou, you better watch out for Ran. Hell, watch both Haitani brothers. If you let Takemichi near those two, they'll eat him alive. Not long ago, Ran already forced himself on Takemichi - just a taste, but still. If I hadn't stepped in, things would've gone way too far."

Hanma sees the way Kakuchou freezes, a shock plain as day on his face. Of course he's surprised. And if he knew that the Haitanis aren't the only ones harboring twisted feelings for his childhood friend... Hanma wonders how much worse that expression would get.

"I guess you get it now, right? Do what you want, buddy."

Hanma turns and walks off, leaving Kakuchou standing there like he's been struck by lightning.

Yeah, things are about to get real interesting. Hanma can feel it. A storm's coming, and it's going to paint his world in a thousand new shades. And you, Takemichi... what kind of color will you bring? Make it something unforgettable - just like you always do.

The next day, just one day before the small party for him, Inupee, and Kokonoi, Takemichi tells his mom about it and asks if she can make a few good dishes. She's more than happy to help.

That night, Sanzu shows up again at Takemichi's house, unannounced. The moment Takemichi picks up his call, he gets the feeling that the final gear in his plan is falling into place. Quietly, he sneaks Sanzu up to his room near midnight. This time, Sanzu acts like he owns the place. He casually takes off his mask, plops down on Takemichi's bed like it's his own, and makes himself comfortable. That strange tension from when he was first dragged here, bound and unwilling, seems completely erased. Should Takemichi compliment him on how fast he adapts?

"I'm guessing this is about Muchou. He's contacted Izana already, hasn't he?"

"It's Izana," Sanzu replies. "He reached out to Muchou first. I don't know the full details of their talk, but it sounds like Izana's digging around for info about you. He wants to meet you. Muchou asked me to find out where you usually hang out."

That makes Takemichi almost laugh. Last time they just kidnapped him straight from his house - quick and direct. And now they're doing research? That doesn't sound like Izana at all.

Still, it's a sign. A sign that things are going exactly the way Takemichi hopes. He grins too brightly, too weirdly and Sanzu suddenly feels the urge to punch him in the face. He doesn't like this shift. He doesn't like how Takemichi has turned from a clueless idiot into something... harder to read.

"What's with that sewer rat face of yours?" Sanzu's expression tightens. "Watch it."

Takemichi laughs it off, all easygoing. "Nothing, nothing. Let's stay on topic, yeah?"

"What do you want to do? Izana's already making moves on you."

"Let him," Takemichi says without hesitation. "If Muchou wants to know where I usually go, I've got a few suggestions for him."

Sanzu immediately frowns, narrowing his eyes. "You want Izana to find you?"

Takemichi answers calmly, "That's right."

"You said he's dangerous. What the hell are you planning?"

"Nothing," Takemichi says, a little too smooth. "But it's not like I can run away, right?"

Sanzu doesn't buy that "nothing" for a second. That look Takemichi gave earlier... it's exactly the kind of thing that sets him on edge. He's said it before, he hates not knowing what's going on inside Takemichi's head. Even if he knows it's all for Mikey.

Sanzu immediately pulls a face, his voice low and rough. "What the hell are you trying to do? Don't pull some dumb stunt. You say you wanna protect Mikey, but then you throw yourself into danger? What kind of logic is that? Stop making Mikey worry his damn head off over you."

Don't do anything like that Halloween bloodbath again.

Takemichi grins, eyes squinting with amusement. "Oh? Sanzu-kun, are you worried about me?"

The words hit Sanzu square in the brain. His mouth snaps shut, and he grits his teeth. "Hell no! Don't flatter yourself. I just don't want an idiot like you screwing things up."

Takemichi finds it hilarious. He hates being insulted, sure, but riling Sanzu up like this? It's become his new favorite game. He doesn't even know when it started, but "teasing the guard dog" is now a pastime.

"Alright, alright, I get it."

"Say one more word, I'll deck you."

Sanzu turns away, trying to hide the pink rising in his cheeks, cursing the idiot under his breath.

"Don't worry," Takemichi says, voice soft, eyes calm. "If I haven't protected Mikey yet, I'm not about to let myself get taken out."

There it is again - that feeling. Like Takemichi's standing in a world far removed from Sanzu's. Something distant in his eyes. Sanzu straightens up, watching him closely. Takemichi raises an eyebrow at the sudden seriousness.

"What? Something wrong?"

"You..." Sanzu starts, then exhales sharply and looks away. "Nothing."

"Well then, sounds like we've got a busy time ahead."

They chat a bit longer, tossing around plans. By the time they finish, it's already past midnight. Honestly, Takemichi's just relieved Sanzu didn't actually punch him tonight - only threatened to.

When everything's settled, Takemichi's stomach growls. He suddenly perks up and suggests cooking up some instant noodles.

Sanzu shoots him a look full of judgment. Seriously? He came over just to end up eating noodles? Does this guy talk like that with everyone? This is only their second real conversation, and here he is acting like they're old friends. Too damn casual. Has he ever heard of caution?

Still, in the end, someone gives in - and it's not Takemichi. The two of them end up in the kitchen, lights on, slurping noodles. This time, it's Sanzu who does the cooking. He even adds sausages and a sunny-side-up egg. Takemichi watches from the side, wide-eyed with admiration. He didn't expect it, but Sanzu actually looks pretty good at it, cracking eggs like a pro.

Watching Sanzu tie up his long hair, his delicate face fully revealed, Takemichi squints again like he's being blinded. He has to admit it, again. As unbearable as this guy is, his looks are no joke. Boys or girls, anyone could fall for that face.

"You wearing a mask all the time is such a waste,"

Takemichi blurts out. If he remembers right, the guy stops wearing it later on - though by then, he's already a full-blown yakuza and pretty or not, still just as awful. Especially when he's got a gun pointed at Takemichi's head.

The contrast between his childhood self and now is jarring.

Sanzu, frying eggs, takes a deep breath. His face tightens, voice low and tense.

"Can you just shut up?"

"Jeez, chill out. I'm just saying what I see," Takemichi lifts his hands defensively, his expression all innocence.

"Someone told me the scars draw annoying attention. So I cover them. It's somehow handy, got used to it," Handy to hide his thoughts that way, too.

"I think your scars look kind of... cool, actually."

Sanzu freezes, glances sideways at Takemichi. His lips part slightly, unreadable expression flickering but then he just clicks his tongue.

"Why the hell are you talking so much? Mind your own business."

This idiot wouldn't get it anyway. Always playing the nice guy. Sure, maybe Touman gets swayed by that dumb kindness, but not him. Can't he see how fake it looks? What a pathetic sewer rat.

"Sanzu-kun, it's getting kinda burnt."

Takemichi peers into the pan, then looks up at Sanzu, tilting his head, blinking innocently. And just like that, Sanzu feels his face heat up.

"I like it this way. Move. Where's the noodle bowl?"

Takemichi hurries to grab the bowl without noticing how red Sanzu's face has gotten. Why? Why does facing this sewer rat make him act so... off? He has to hold himself back, has to hide his thoughts and feelings. He can't let anyone read him.

Takemichi still has no clue why Sanzu always seems so grumpy around him. Eating noodles with this guy feels like going into battle. The noodles are good, but man - this atmosphere's too intense.

After finishing the noodles, with nothing else left to do, it's time to go. Seeing Sanzu dressed rather lightly - just a leather jacket over his shoulders - Takemichi asks if he wants a scarf. The wind is pretty strong tonight.

As always, there's that familiar look of disdain on Sanzu's face. "I don't fcking need it." That line plays automatically in Takemichi's head. Still, he opens the closet to look for one of his scarves. The noodles were good (even if the atmosphere was a bit tense), and he wants to show some appreciation.

While he's searching, Sanzu's gaze shifts to the two paintings on the wall - one of the ocean, the other a field of flowers.

"A guy like you hangs stuff like this in his room?" Sanzu's voice drips with sarcasm.

"What, bitter much? They're pretty, so I put them up."

In truth, he hung them up because of Take and Michi. One loves the sea, the other flowers. So he bought the paintings and hung them there for the two of them.

Takemichi hands the scarf to Sanzu, who takes it without hesitation, casually, like that look of contempt never existed. Takemichi doesn't really mind. Instead, he glances up at the paintings with him.

"Peaceful, right? Sometimes I just wanna live somewhere like that. Watch the sea, look at the flowers... it sounds so peaceful. Tokyo's so suffocating sometimes."

Sanzu stays quiet. Yeah, Tokyo really is suffocating.

"Alright, time to go, big bro."

"No need to kick me out. I don't wanna stay here anyway."

"You showed up on your own."

"Shut it."

The bickering continues quietly between them until Takemichi walks Sanzu to the gate. With the coffee-brown scarf wrapped around his neck, Sanzu walks for a bit, then takes off his mask. He tucks his chin slightly and rests his cheek against the soft, warm wool. Takemichi's scent still lingers faintly on the scarf.

"Smells like a damn sewer," Sanzu mutters, not realizing the corners of his lips are curling up on their own.

The next day, Takemichi walks alone to the riverside - the place he used to hang out with Mikey and Draken. Ever since he took over Black Dragon, things have gotten busier. He barely has time to hang out anymore, and the guys at Toman understand, so they don't invite him out as much, don't ask him to show up all the time. When he has more time, he tells himself, he'll make it up to them. Beach trips, walks around town, small parties - it's New Year's and he hasn't even stopped by anyone's place to light fireworks yet. So many things to do, so many places to go.

Takemichi lets his mind drift with the cold breeze brushing past. The quiet river flows on before him, soft sunlight filters through layers of pale clouds. He hopes this peace - this calm - lasts forever.

He's lost in thought until he hears something beside him. A boy, just about his size, stands there. Tanned skin, white hair, and a striking hanafuda earring. He faces the vast open sky ahead, and then... their eyes meet.

Still the same cold, empty gaze.

If there's anyone Takemichi doesn't want to run into right now, it's Kisaki - and Izana comes second. Ironically, they're also the two people he knows he must face. Especially Izana. Every time Takemichi sees him, he's reminded of Mikey from the future. And it breaks his heart - for both of them. He pities Izana for his past, but that doesn't mean he forgives him. Not for standing by and letting Kisaki kill Emma.

People are strange. They never cherish what's in front of them until it's gone. But even in death, Izana never understands - he doesn't only have Kakuchou. He never sees how badly Mikey wants to save him. And if Emma were still alive back then, she would've welcomed him with open arms. Shinichiro would've been happy too.

Why is he looking at me like that? Izana can't make sense of the eyes in front of him. There's something in them - something he can't name. It stirs his curiosity. So this is the guy everyone talks about? The one Mikey treasures like a rare gem. The one the Haitani brothers are dying to get their hands on. The one Inupi trusts enough to hand over the Black Dragons he poured his soul into. Why? What's so special about him? Izana wonders.

Takemichi smiles. A bright, sweet smile. His eyes shine so much it's almost irritating. That kind of light... only kids who've always been loved can have eyes like that, right? They wouldn't know what pain even means.

The air grows quiet. All Takemichi hears are the distant hum of traffic, the soft breeze brushing past his ears, the gentle mix of sounds from a world in motion. But to him, it feels like time stops.

"What do you think is the scariest thing in the world?" Izana speaks. His voice flat, detached. He doesn't look at Takemichi.

It's not even a real question - just something that pops into his head. He doesn't expect an answer. He's only here out of curiosity. This guy - Hanagaki Takemichi - has been a constant irritation. A name no one knew suddenly becomes the center of attention in the delinquent world. Everyone seems interested. Like gravity, it pulls Izana in too. He wants to know. The guy Mikey cares about. The one Inupi trusts. The one who might get in the way of his plan to empty Mikey out completely. Why does Mikey care about him? If I kill him... how much would that hurt Mikey?

Screw Haitani. Izana wants to know for himself. Maybe that's enough for this boring little meeting. He sees nothing special in the guy.Izana turns to leave. As he walks past, Takemichi suddenly speaks up.

"The scariest... and the most painful thing in this world is loneliness. It took me a long time to realize that."

Izana freezes. Takemichi turns to face him, that same bright smile still on his lips. Izana feels a jolt - something weirdly familiar in that smile. It looks just like... Even he's caught off guard by the thought.

"Ani..."

The word almost slips out. But he clamps his lips shut. His empty eyes spark with something wild, something furious. His violet pupils dilate. His heart pounds out of rhythm.

In that one fleeting moment - He sees him. The person he loved most in this world. The one who left him behind, taking all the warmth and love with him. Leaving only pain. And loneliness. That loneliness became his power. The same yearning that fuels his desire to burn Mikey down, to remake him into a new Shinichiro. Someone he can keep close. Someone who'll fill the void in his chest.

But how...?

His gaze turns mad. Even though Takemichi has seen that look before - Even though this isn't the first time - It still scares him. That gaze... Last time, it was meant for Mikey.

But this time - Takemichi wants it on him.

Izana, look at me. Not Mikey. Me. I'm the one who carries Shinichiro's shadow.

Get it now? Why I matter to Mikey?

I'm the one meant to burn. To become the perfect Shinichiro.

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I gotta say this: You can totally tell something's off with him in this chapter😭