After that day, Takemichi gathers the captains and vice-captains of Toman, along with Inupi and Kokonoi, to brief them about Tenjiku and his plan of action.

"So let me get this straight," Mitsuya sums up everything Takemichi just told them, his voice filled with disbelief. "Kisaki - the guy who made Kazutora fight us at the Bloody Halloween - teamed up with Izana, the leader of the so-called 'Generation of Evil,' to form a gang with the goal of taking down Mikey and stealing Toman?"

Everyone falls silent. The room is thick with tension and confusion. There's too much to process all at once.

"Damn it... Mucho betrayed us," Smiley mutters, clenched fists shaking at his sides. Of all the captains, he's the one closest to Mucho. And now he looks more than angry - he looks betrayed.

"Not exactly betrayal," Inupi speaks up, calm but firm. "Mucho's always seen Izana as his king. If anything... he's just going back to where he belongs."

He's not defending him. Not really. But in a way, Mucho's loyalty to Izana deserves a certain measure of respect.

Takemichi picks up again, listing names with the clarity of someone who's memorized them by heart. "The Generation of Evil. The Haitani brothers from Roppongi. Mochizuki Kanji, ex-leader of the Shiba Faction. Madarame Shion, the Ninth Gen Black Dragon boss. Kakuchou - you might not know much about him yet, but he's crazy strong. He's the head of Tenjiku's Four Heavenly Kings. Together, they've gathered all the worst delinquents from Kanagawa. Their numbers? Around 400."

He pauses, looking around. "Right now, it looks like Kokonoi and I are their targets. They want to turn Tenjiku into a real criminal organization, and Kokonoi's money-making skills are key to that."

His delivery is sharp and focused. Too focused, maybe. He doesn't notice everyone staring at him until he finishes speaking.

"...What?" Takemichi blinks. "Why are you all looking at me like that?"

"Takemitchy," Draken says, raising an eyebrow. "Are you sure you just joined the delinquent world recently?"

That's when Takemichi gets it - they're stunned by how much he knows.

"I mean... I am the Black Dragons' leader, aren't I? Gotta keep up with the intel, right?" he says, throwing in a casual shrug.

Chifuyu and Baji try hard not to laugh. They're secretly impressed. His lying game is getting too smooth. No more sweaty palms, no more nervous stammer. Just bold-faced bluffing with a straight face. He's becoming dangerous.

Kokonoi and Inupi, on the other hand, are screaming internally. What?! They're supposed to be the top dogs of the Black Dragons and even they didn't know half of this. Inupi hasn't even told Takemichi he used to know Izana. And Kokonoi? He's still stuck on the part where Takemichi casually mentions that he's one of Tenjiku's primary targets.

Still, no matter how stormy their thoughts get, neither of them dares to question the "commander" of both of them.

Everyone else - except for Mikey, who's still out of the loop - already heard parts of this yesterday. Chifuyu and Baji know Takemichi pulled it from his last time leap. But that doesn't make it any less jaw-dropping.

They all look at him like they're seeing someone new. And maybe... they are.

"To deal with Tenjiku, I've got a plan."

Takemichi finally speaks up, revealing the strategy he's prepared with the others. The whole group - Touman, Kokonoi, Inupi - listen intently, eyes wide as they take in every word.

"Takemichi... did you see the future or something? How the hell - how can you pull this off?" Hakkai blurts out, eyes full of disbelief.

"No kidding. This isn't something to mess with," Pachin adds, clearly impressed.

"This is kinda insane, Takemichi," Kazutora says, eyebrows raised.

"When did you even do all this behind our backs?" Angry chimes in.

"Wait, is this really our Takemitchy?" Draken stares like he's seen a ghost.

"I swear, you never stop surprising me, Takemichi." Mitsuya claps twice, shaking his head with a smile.

"You didn't tell us anything, Boss," Kokonoi complains, half-stunned and half-pouting. They see each other all the time. He's right under Takemichi's command, and yet he had no clue what the guy was up to.

Inupi, though, is glowing with pride. His eyes shimmer as he watches Takemichi. Same goes for Baji and Chifuyu - listening to the others rave about him feels like they're being praised too.

All eyes shine with admiration as they fixate on Takemichi. When they first met him, they honestly thought he was just a dumb, simple guy. But after Black Dragon - and now this - those assumptions are long gone. Their Takemichi is the real deal.

Surrounded by all that attention and praise, Takemichi starts to get flustered. A warm red creeps into his cheeks.

"Come on, guys, you're blowing this way out of proportion. It's nothing, really!"

Everyone bursts out laughing at how adorably embarrassed he is. They start ruffling his hair and teasing him more.

"Takemitchy's ours - he's number one!" Draken throws an arm around his shoulder.

"Takemitchy's unbeatable!" Mitsuya hooks his arm around the other side.

"Takemichi, I'd give my whole soul to you," Smiley declares, standing right in front of him.

That line makes Inupi flinch. Wait a damn second. That's his line. Where does this orange-haired guy get off saying that? But it's too late. He can't squeeze a word in - Takemichi's already swarmed by a bunch of clingy koalas.

Takemichi turns bright red and throws his hands up over his face, yelling.

"Ahh! Quit it already!"

The gang just laughs louder. Their Takemichi isn't just brilliant - he's ridiculously cute, too.

But not everyone joins the fun.

Off to the side, one person watches quietly. Someone who'd normally be glued to Takemichi's side.

Mikey says nothing.

His eyes stay locked on the scene, but his mind... it's still in chaos.

The meeting ends, but Takemichi stays behind with Mikey. Of course, he knows exactly how Mikey feels.

They've made a deal - around others, Takemichi still calls him "Mikey" like usual. But when it's just the two of them, he calls him by his real name.

"You okay, Manjirou?"

"Lying if I say I am," Mikey mutters, sulking a little.

Takemichi walks over and pulls him into a hug, patting his back gently. Mikey leans into his shoulder, and somehow, this kind of embrace has become their habit.

"Takemitchy, you've lost weight, haven't you? Doesn't feel right hugging you like this."

Takemichi scrunches his nose, then lets out a dry laugh. "You always got something to say, huh?"

They fall into silence for a while before Takemichi speaks again.

"Don't worry so much, Manjirou. I'll protect you."

"Who needs protecting from Takemitchy? You're weak as hell."

Takemichi can't help but laugh at the mock-offended tone. He lets go of Mikey's slumped form and lifts his face with both hands, squishing his cheeks like he always does.

"Even if I'm weak, even if I'm a crybaby... I'll still be your hero, Manjirou."

His heart pounds wildly in his chest. That smile - bright like sunlight - and those words hit Mikey like a wave. He's at his breaking point. He wants to say it. He really wants to say it.

"Takemitchy..." Mikey whispers his name, but then presses his lips together.

"What's wrong, Manjirou?"

"I... I..." Mikey stammers, the words catching in his throat. His heartbeat is deafening. He doesn't know if the heat rising in his cheeks comes from Takemichi's warm hands or from himself.

Takemichi tilts his head, curious. Mikey still can't speak. Under that gaze, he panics. So he does the only thing he can think of - he flicks Takemichi's forehead.

"Ow! Manjirou, that hurts! What the hell?"

"Because you're an idiot," Mikey grins, already turning to walk off, just like he always does when he's messing around.

Takemichi runs after him, complaining as usual.

I like you, Takemitchy.

How could I say that? When your heart already belongs to someone else.

So I won't ask for anything. Just... stay. Don't leave me.

Having you by my side, seeing your smile - that's enough. I know I'm not your happiness, but you... you're mine, Takemitchy.

Even if my heart skips a beat for someone who'll never notice, even if this feeling is carved deep inside me... it remains unknown to you. This painful, hopeless dream - when will I ever wake up?

Draken and Mitsuya stand not too far away, waiting for the two of them. They don't know what Takemichi and Mikey are talking about - they only see the way they touch, the quiet affection between them.

"Honestly, sometimes I get jealous of Mikey, y'know," Mitsuya admits, voice low and sincere.

Draken finds it strange that he isn't surprised by that. Maybe because... he feels the same.

"Truth is, I kind of feel that way too," he replies.

They don't understand why. It's just... something vague. Something neither of them can quite put into words.

"Draken-kun! Mitsuya-kun! You guys still waiting?"

Takemichi comes running up to them, cheerful and chirpy like a little bird. Without meaning to, they both smile - soft, fond smiles just for him. But that moment of peace is shattered by a piercing feline glare behind him that makes both of them flinch.

"Oi, you two! This is our alone time. Why're you standing around watching?" Mikey says as he steps up behind Takemichi and wraps his arms around his neck, possessive as ever.

Their smiles freeze. A vein twitches.

"This damn chibi hugs people all day - were you a koala in your past life? Even if you were, Takemitchy's not a freakin' tree!" Draken steps forward and peels them apart, launching into a familiar argument.

"Kenchin, admit it - you're just jealous Takemitchy's not hugging you," Mikey shoots back.

Takemichi, like always, stands off to the side, helpless and used to this brand of childish chaos. Mitsuya chuckles, then takes Takemichi's hand with a smile.

"Let those two idiots yell it out. Let's head home, Takemichi."

Before Takemichi can respond, Mitsuya tugs him and they start running. Behind them, the two top dogs of Toman - the leader and vice-leader - freeze as they realize what just happened.

"Mitsuya, that's a dirty move. You totally took advantage of the situation," Mikey calls out.

"Oi! Hey!" Draken yells. This guy - who was just sympathizing with him moments ago - has the nerve to steal a head start?

Mitsuya laughs as the two fools shout behind him. His grip tightens around the hand in his. He glances at the boy running beside him - who looked so lost at first, but now laughs freely.

That smile. It's beautiful. Every time Mitsuya sees it, he just wants to see more. And those eyes - the color of the sky. He wishes they'd look at him more often.

So what if his feelings are vague? He doesn't care what they are. All he knows is - being close to this boy makes him happy. Really happy.

That afternoon, Takemichi drops by Chifuyu's place. Kazutora and Baji are around too, but the two of them complain they're starving and head out for some Peyoung. Now it's just Takemichi and Chifuyu in the room. It's been a while since Takemichi last came over. As usual, he leans against the bed frame, while Chifuyu lies up top. They're both reading manga together.

In the middle of a page, Chifuyu pauses and glances over at his partner. It's been a few days since he last saw Takemichi. With all the meetings earlier, he's only now getting a good look.

"Hey, partner... Have you lost weight?"

That's the second time Takemichi has heard that today.

"I don't know. Mikey said the same thing earlier."

"How could you not have? Your mochi cheeks are gone," Chifuyu says as he pinches Takemichi's cheek.

"Have you been eating and sleeping properly? You were complaining about insomnia before."

"I mean... food's kinda meh lately, but I still eat. Some nights I can't sleep at all, and then sometimes I get super sleepy outta nowhere."

Chifuyu frowns. "Did you ever go for a follow-up after the whole Christmas incident?"

"Koko-kun took me a week later. Everything's fine. The doctor did say there might be lingering effects, though."

"Still, you better take care of yourself. You're probably overthinking that Tenjiku mess again, huh?"

"Of course I'm worried. This is the decisive battle. If we can stop Izana and Kisaki this time, I know Mikey and everyone will have a better future. Then I can finally go back with peace of mind. Once I'm back, I'm gonna marry Hina. I'm not breaking my promise to her again."

Takemichi clenches his fist, eyes shining with resolve. You can see the hope brimming in them as he says it.

Chifuyu, though he tries not to, feels that familiar bitter ache stir in his chest.

"So I've gotta wait twelve more years for you again, huh? I don't even know how I managed to wait that long the first few times."

He wonders - how did he do it before? How did he stand waiting twelve whole years? It's such a long time. He reaches over and runs his hand through Takemichi's messy blond hair. Twelve years of waiting... only to see him walk down the aisle with the girl he loves.

Chifuyu can already picture it - his dumbass partner grinning so wide his face practically splits in half. He'll look stupidly happy, no doubt about that.

A sadness pools quietly in Chifuyu's eyes. He wonders... When that day comes, what will he feel in his own heart?

Twelve years... Will these feelings fade by then?

Maybe.

And after that, he'll genuinely congratulate Takemichi. Because seeing the person you love happy... that's supposed to be enough, right?

Chifuyu watches Takemichi, who's leaning forward, completely absorbed in his manga. The golden sunlight spills through the window, warming the room, casting soft rays that seem to dance across Takemichi's face and hair like playful spirits.

It's the kind of scene that shows up in every shoujo manga ever. And Chifuyu loves those panels - because they're the moments that stir your heart, the ones that make readers ache just from how beautiful they are. When he reads them, they usually make him feel light, quietly happy. But now... now they just make something twist in his chest. It's uncomfortable. Restless. There's even a strange sense of emptiness.

Takemichi is right there. So close Chifuyu could just reach out and touch him. But somehow, it feels like there's an ocean between them. A distance carved not by space, but by something deeper - because no matter how close he gets, Chifuyu knows his feelings will never reach Takemichi's heart.

Takemichi feels Chifuyu's gaze and turns to him, tilting his head slightly. His hair shifts gently in the sunlight, and his smile - his damn smile - it's warmer than the light itself.

"What's up, partner?"

Chifuyu blanks out for a moment, then feels his heart clench, just a little.

"Nothing, man," he says with a smile. His hand moves on its own, ruffling Takemichi's hair again like it always does.

Partner... when that time comes, how much courage will I need just to smile and tell you I'm happy for you and Hina? I'm honestly terrified that... I won't be able to do it.

Kazutora and Baji head back to the room carrying four boxes of Peyoung and some tea. The four of them dig in again, and of course, Kazutora and Chifuyu start bickering over random little things - then over food. Baji just sits in the middle, laughing his head off, and only steps in to break it up when it looks like punches might actually get thrown.

Takemichi chuckles helplessly. He genuinely loves moments like this. Loves being with them.

But even in these happy scenes, a quiet anxiety sneaks into his heart. Can he really protect them? Will he succeed this time, make sure they all have a future they can smile about? The more happiness he feels now, the heavier that fear becomes - the fear of not being able to hold onto it.

Upstairs, Baji and Chifuyu watch Takemichi and Kazutora walk away. Just before turning the corner, Takemichi waves back at them. They laugh and wave in return.

"Chifuyu, you got something on your mind?"

Baji asks out of the blue once Takemichi's out of sight. He's noticed something off ever since they got back from the store. Chifuyu doesn't even look surprised. He knows Baji's sharp like that - no matter how hard he tries to act normal, Baji always sees through him.

"Takemichi said... once this is over, he's going back. Back to his future - twelve years from now."

Baji falls quiet for a moment, but when he speaks, his voice stays steady.

"Then he should go back. That's where he belongs."

"Yeah... He said when he gets back, he's gonna marry Hinata. Said he won't make her wait anymore."

The air goes heavy. The kind of heavy that sinks into your chest. It takes a long while before Baji says anything again, and when he does, there's a quiet sadness in his tone.

"Takemichi's been fighting so hard... for our happiness. So I really hope, when all this is done, he gets some of his own."

Chifuyu looks at him. At Baji's face, at the eyes that try so hard to look okay. He lets out a soft, almost mocking laugh - for both of them. Words come easily - but the truth in their hearts, that's something neither of them dares to admit.

"Guess we'll have to learn how to stop loving him... these next twelve years without him, huh, Baji-san?"