"Can you not make that face?" Takemichi says with a weak smile. "Depression isn't something strange in Japan anymore. Anyone can suffer from it - students with academic pressure, adults trying to survive the grind. Maybe I just pushed myself too hard, that's all. I already got checked. It's mild. I don't even need medication."

He says this to Chifuyu after the day he completely shut everyone out when they came to visit. The smile has returned to his face, but there's still a shadow of exhaustion behind it.

"You're forgetting something," Chifuyu says gently. "You have dissociative identity disorder too."

DID. It's a lot worse than depression in some ways. A deeper wound to the psyche. But Takemichi doesn't respond. He just stays quiet.

He knows he needs to snap himself out of this. Reset his mindset. So he tries to think positively. His body still feels worn out, but it's getting better. No more nosebleeds. No more vomiting blood. After multiple checkups, the doctors say there's no internal damage - just severe exhaustion.

The two nosebleeds... The first one happened when he changed Izana's target. The second, after he caught a glimpse of the future and saved Kisaki. Could it be... is this the toll of time travel?

Is that really the price he pays every time he changes the past?

And then there's that dream. The hourglass. Takemichi seriously starts to wonder - could it be tied to his lifespan? A countdown to death, caused by his power? The thought of dying because of time travel keeps creeping into his mind. But he's not sure. There's only one way to find out: he needs to shake hands with Mikey. But not yet. Not now. Things in this timeline still feel unstable. There's too much left unresolved.

Still, a part of him clings to hope. Maybe those side effects were just temporary. Maybe he's not going to die. God wouldn't be that cruel, would He?

He made a promise to marry Hinata. And if he dies... what would that do to everyone?

He doesn't even want to imagine it.

Just a little longer. He'll know soon.

Come on, Takemichi. Stay hopeful.

People with smiling depression often feel guilty or ashamed of their emotions, so they never talk about what they're going through. That's why you can't push someone like that to open up. The best way to help... is simply to be there. Bring a little joy into their day, and wait. Wait for the moment they decide to let you in.

That's exactly why, despite all his questions, Chifuyu never asks Takemichi what really happened to make him like this. Instead, they go back to how things used to be - quietly looking out for him. Everyone knows that if they act too carefully around Takemichi, he'll pick up on it. And that'll only make him feel worse - more pressure, more guilt.

Takemichi has always been better at giving love than receiving it.

He stays in the hospital until he fully recovers. No one lets him leave until they're absolutely sure there's no damage left in his body. Medical bills? Not a problem for Black Dragon. Kokonoi makes sure nothing gets in the way of Takemichi's peace of mind. He books the best room in the hospital - bright, quiet, and fully equipped - with the best doctors and nurses around.

Kokonoi and Inupi want to stay by his side, take care of him. But after the recent battle, their forces have grown fast, and Black Dragon's reputation is spreading like wildfire in the underground. That means a lot of work. Kokonoi, Inupi, and Taiju take charge, handling everything before Takemichi gets discharged. They want him to rest without worrying about anything.

Takemichi tries to act like everything is fine. But ever since he was officially diagnosed with depression, the signs become more obvious.

He zones out a lot during conversations, his gaze always drifting somewhere far away. People have to call his name several times before he snaps back to reality. Normally, he's either the one starting the conversation or the most engaged. Now, he barely speaks, and when he does, it's clear he's not really interested. Even Baji, Chifuyu, and Kazutora - his usual partners-in-chaos - can't seem to pull him out of it.

He used to have a healthy appetite too. Back during the Bloody Halloween aftermath, Mitsuya cooked for him, and Takemichi ate like it was the best food in the world. But this time... he only eats a few bites before his expression changes. He still forces himself to finish, probably because it's Mitsuya's cooking. And Mitsuya notices. He doesn't say anything, just stands there in silence so it doesn't get awkward. Of course, there's disappointment - it's hard not to feel it. But Mitsuya quickly pushes it aside. He starts thinking about trying new recipes, wondering if any of them will suit Takemichi's taste now.

Takemichi sleeps a lot these days. Whole days sometimes. And when he wakes up, he still says he's tired. People drop by just to wait for him to get up, hand him a drink, or remind him to eat something.

His moods shift more easily too. Takemichi's usually easygoing - he accepts everyone as they are. But lately, he gets irritated. Snappy. The Touman guys joke that they never expected to see a version of Takemichi that's so hard to read, so hard to please.

But deep down, none of them are laughing.

They really don't know how he's doing anymore.

The first person to bear the brunt of Takemichi's irritability is Mikey. He simply wants to take Takemichi for a walk around the hospital courtyard - anything better than lying in bed all day, letting his body grow more sluggish by the hour.

"I'm tired, and I want to sleep. Stop bothering me, Manjirou."

Takemichi snaps. Sharp. Cold. He doesn't even glance at Mikey's stunned face, doesn't notice the disappointment, the confusion. He just turns his back and drifts off like none of it matters.

Mikey doesn't leave. He waits silently at Takemichi's side until he wakes up again. And only then, when his head clears, does Takemichi realize how harsh he's been. He apologizes. But the air between them still feels off - awkward and strained - no matter how softly Mikey smiles and says it's okay.

That's when Takemichi's eyes begin to water.

"I'm sorry," he murmurs. "I don't want things to be like this. I don't even know why I'm acting this way."

He truly feels awful. Everything feels like it's unraveling around him, and it's all his fault. His current condition doesn't allow him to fix the root of the problem either. The confusion, the unease - it all weighs heavy on his mind. He has no idea what to do next.

He's just... exhausted.

"It's okay, Takemitchy," Mikey says softly. "You can be mad. You can cry. Yell at me, hit me, whatever makes you feel better. If it's you... I'll take it all. I just want you to smile again."

Takemichi hears those words - and he can't hold it in anymore. His tears spill over, falling fast and hard. Mikey wraps his arms around him immediately, pulling him close. Takemichi buries his face into Mikey's chest and cries - loud, unfiltered sobs.

He cries not just because he's overwhelmed, but because of how gently Mikey treats him. The kinder Mikey is, the more terrified Takemichi becomes. The more real the fear of death feels. If he dies... he'll leave Mikey behind. He'll leave everyone behind. Death itself doesn't scare him. It's the pain of those left behind that he fears. And no one understands that kind of pain better than Takemichi.

Mikey holds him tighter, as if trying to shield him from everything - grief, fear, guilt. He kisses the top of Takemichi's head, and feels the wet patch spreading across his chest. Every shaky breath, every broken sob from Takemichi stabs right through his heart. Mikey never wants to see the one he loves like this.

Back during the Tenjiku battle, when he first heard Takemichi had collapsed and been rushed to the hospital, Mikey felt the darkness inside him surge. The fear gripped his entire being. He blamed himself for not being there. It always happens - whenever Takemichi slips out of his sight, something terrible follows.

It's happened so many times, and yet... Mikey never learns. He trusted too much. Relied too much. Because Takemichi is his hero, he always believed Takemichi would protect him.

So when Baji, Chifuyu, and Kazutora blame themselves for not noticing Takemichi's pain, Mikey blames himself even more.

He knows. He knows Takemichi never once complained, because he didn't want Mikey to worry. He hid his injuries, afraid of hurting others. He smiled through it all - for Mikey's sake.

Takemichi always cared too much about him. Always put on a brave face. And Mikey... Mikey was too greedy. He loved Takemichi's warmth too much, trusted those smiles too much - never once stopping to wonder if any of them were forced.

He depended on him. Loved the comfort Takemichi brought. So much that he forgot to take care of the boy behind the smile.

But not anymore.

Now, Mikey promises himself... he'll make things right.

Mikey leans down slightly, brushing his nose against the curve of Takemichi's delicate neck. His hand glides up the smaller boy's back, fingers gently stroking the nape of his neck before slipping into his soft hair. He twirls a few strands between his fingers, his touch tender, savoring the familiar scent that clings to Takemichi's skin - something that completely intoxicates him.

His warm breath fans across Takemichi's neck, making him shiver. Still sniffling, Takemichi pushes against him.

"Manjirou, what are you doing?"

Mikey just smiles. And the chill that crawls down Takemichi's spine is instant. It's that look again - the one he saw back at Mikey's place. The one so deep and unreadable, it feels like it could swallow him whole. That gaze... now it's wrapped around every inch of him.

"Takemitchy," Mikey says softly, "I'll do anything to make you smile again. If there's something you want - anything at all - just tell me, okay?"

He cups Takemichi's cheek with one hand, his thumb brushing gently across it.

"No," Takemichi murmurs, shaking his head. "It's fine like this. I don't need anything else."

Mikey tilts his head at him. Then, suddenly, he leans in and presses a light kiss to Takemichi's forehead.

Startled, Takemichi jerks back, both hands flying up to cover his forehead.

"Manjirou, what the hell are you doing?!"

Why the hell did he just kiss him?!

"That's my stamp," Mikey says, smug. "Means Takemichi's mine now."

"Huh?!"

Takemichi blinks. Still stunned. Still very much not processing.

Meanwhile, Mikey laughs - loud and absolutely unashamed, clearly enjoying this way too much.

"God, your face is priceless, Takemitchy. Now I'm curious what'd happen if I kissed you for real."

His eyes flicker to Takemichi's lips. He even licks his own, all mock-sleaze and mischief. Takemichi yelps and slaps his hands over his mouth, cheeks flaring red-hot.

"Manjirou, stop it, you're being so annoying!"

"Ooh, say my name like that again," Mikey grins. "Makes me wanna kiss you even more."

Takemichi grabs the nearest pillow and smacks him with it.

"Pervert!"

"Wow, is that the first time you've ever yelled at me? Do it again! You're so cute when you're mad."

"Manjirou!!" Takemichi practically wails, totally overwhelmed. What is even going on with him today?!

But Mikey's already made up his mind.

He's going to make sure Takemichi leans on him. Thinks of him first. Seeks him out whenever something feels wrong. He won't let Takemichi hide anymore - won't let him throw himself into danger behind his back, or suffer in silence until he breaks like this again.

He's going to protect him.

His sun.

His hero.

His love.

No more pain. No more hiding.

So he's going to make Takemichi his.

Forever.

You're mine, Takemitchy. You always will be.

The day after that meltdown, Takemichi feels a little better. Sometimes, crying it all out really does help ease the heaviness inside.

But that sense of calm doesn't last.

The moment Kimura shows up, his mood crashes again.

The next day, Kokonoi, Inupi, and Taiju arrive at the hospital with Kimura in tow to report on Black Dragon's current state during Takemichi's absence.

They've already told him how the battle went. Tenjiku suffered a crushing defeat - everyone they sent through Shibuya was completely taken out. And because Takemichi had said, "Go as hard as you can," none of them are in any condition to move; they're still recovering at home.

Kisaki and Hanma haven't been seen since that day. Izana and Kakuchou are busy trying to reorganize what's left of Tenjiku. After that failed attempt to visit him, they promised they'd come see him again once they've straightened things out. According to Mikey, Izana seems... calmer. Still cold, but at least stable. He even met with Emma for dinner, something no one would've expected weeks ago.

Good news. But none of it helps Takemichi suppress the burning anger rising in his chest.

He asks the others to leave the room - he wants to speak to Kimura alone.

"Kimura," he says, leaning back against the headboard, voice eerily calm, "mind telling me what the hell made you think it was okay to try and kill Kisaki?"

Kimura stands silently in the center of the room, head lowered.

Takemichi sighs. The air turns heavy. Tense.

Then, without warning, Takemichi hurls the porcelain flower vase beside his bed.

It slams into Kimura's head with a crack, then crashes to the floor in pieces - water, petals, shards flying everywhere. Blood drips down Kimura's temple, but he barely reacts. He flinches slightly, then returns to his frozen silence.

Freak. Absolute freak, Takemichi growls inwardly.

"I never told you to kill him. Who gave you the right to act on your own?!" Takemichi snaps, voice rising. "You think staying silent's gonna make it all go away?!"

He kicks off the covers and jumps down from the bed - doesn't even bother putting on his slippers. Barefoot, he storms toward Kimura. His foot lands squarely on a jagged shard of porcelain, but he doesn't even blink.

Kimura's eyes widen in panic. His composed expression cracks as he rushes forward, trying to crouch and check Takemichi's foot.

"Hanagaki-san, you're bleeding! Please, calm down - "

Takemichi shoves him hard, sending him tumbling back onto more broken shards. His palm scrapes against one, drawing blood. The loud commotion draws Kokonoi, Inupi, and Taiju rushing into the room - and the moment they see the scene, their faces pale.

"Boss, you're bleeding!"

But Takemichi ignores them.

Blood begins to pool beneath his foot, but his focus is on Kimura. Eyes locked.

"Who the hell are you, really? What's your goal joining Black Dragon? Are you here to sabotage us? What the hell's going on in that head of yours? Speak now, or I'll expel you myself."

Kimura's face twists in fear.

"Hanagaki-san, don't you remember me? I joined Black Dragon because of you! I swear - I never meant to sabotage anything. I just... I was afraid Kisaki might stand in the way of your rise in the underground. I thought if I eliminated him, I'd be helping you. I didn't expect you'd be so angry..."

Takemichi's brow furrows. His head spins trying to process what he just heard.

Before he can even respond, a strong pair of arms lifts him off the floor like he weighs nothing. Startled, Takemichi lets out a yelp and instinctively wraps his arms around Taiju's neck.

"Taiju, put me down!" he snaps, glaring at him.

"I don't know what kind of mess just happened here, but this isn't the place for you to go around punishing people like some pissed-off gremlin. That's enough."

Takemichi struggles, wriggling and squirming in Taiju's arms, but there's no escaping. The man's built like a tank - muscle and sheer power. No matter how hard he fights, it's like trying to wrestle a brick wall.

To Taiju, holding Takemichi right now is like cradling an angry little cat. Light as air. Honestly, he's appalled at how poorly Touman and Black Dragon have taken care of their so-called boss. One tantrum and the kid's already winded. And this is the same punk who once dared to stand toe-to-toe with him, looking him dead in the eye like he didn't know fear. Even punched him, for god's sake.

He's not sure Takemichi's ever been good at anything except getting under his skin.

Fuming, Takemichi starts punching Taiju's chest in frustration - but the hits are laughable. More like gentle taps. He glares at Taiju, face flushed red from frustration.

Taiju looks down at him, still holding him with ease.

Same bratty look in his eyes. Same attitude. Same useless punches.

And yet, this time... instead of anger, Taiju just finds himself amused. Watching Takemichi huff and puff like an indignant kitten makes him want to mess with him even more.

He smirks, mocking.

"Still weak as ever."

"Put me down!!"

"Kimura, go home. Kokonoi, call a nurse to bandage that brat. Inupi, start picking up the bigger shards before this one steps on another and bleeds out."

Taiju ignores Takemichi's shouting completely, giving out orders like he hasn't got an angry human burrito in his arms.

Kimura grits his teeth, bows his head, and quietly exits the room.

Kokonoi, visibly concerned about Takemichi's injury, rushes off to get a nurse. Inupi stays behind - clearly annoyed, not just by the situation, but by the fact that Taiju is still holding Takemichi like that. And that he keeps calling him "brat." He's not sure why, but something about the way Taiju says it - it sounds weirdly familiar. Like a nickname. Like something personal.

"Hey," Inupi says sharply, "could you not call Hanagaki a brat?"

Taiju raises a brow. "I used to be your boss, remember? You switch sides fast, huh?"

"My heart only has space for Hanagaki, alright?" Inupi shoots back without hesitation. "I don't like the way you talk to him."

All traces of former hierarchy go straight out the window.

"Oh my god, are you two seriously arguing about this?" Takemichi finally sighs, still being carried like a sack of rice.

"He started it," they both mutter in unison.

Takemichi narrows his eyes. Big babies. Giant man-baby idiots.

Taiju decides to drop it. He walks over and gently places Takemichi on the bed. But the boy is still glaring at him, looking every bit like a ruffled cat ready to claw his face off. Babysitting is exhausting.

His mind drifts for a second - to that day. That dumb kid who clung to him and cried, who pouted and demanded to be comforted. Exhausting, sure, but... kind of adorable too.

Since then, Takemichi acts like he doesn't remember how clingy and whiny he was. But Taiju can't forget. The warm weight of him. That soft, fresh scent. The muffled sobs. The needy little voice asking him not to go. And that look - the aching, vulnerable one, full of longing.

Damn it. Just remembering it makes something heat up inside his chest again.

What the hell is wrong with me?

Taiju exhales hard and kneels down on one knee. He pulls a handkerchief from his pocket, carefully lifts Takemichi's foot, and presses the cloth against the cut to stop the bleeding. His touch is strangely gentle.

He looks up at Takemichi, voice low. "Does it hurt?"

"No," Takemichi snaps, still angry.

"Calm down, will you?" Taiju says, keeping his voice soft. "You're not in a state to be getting this worked up over everything. If I'd known that bastard was going to upset you, I wouldn't have let him come."

Inupi, mid-cleanup, freezes. What the hell...?

What is he seeing right now?

Taiju - Taiju - on his knees, tending to Takemichi like he's some kind of fragile treasure. When has that ever happened before? He's always been the guy others kneel to, not the other way around.

This can't be real.

The way he's cradling Takemichi's foot, the weird softness in his voice... Has he even noticed how unrecognizable he's acting?

And then there's the real question - in all that time the two of them were off moving troops in Ginza... what exactly happened between them?

"You should keep an eye on that guy," Takemichi grumbles under his breath. "He's seriously weird."

"Alright, alright," Taiju says, like he's soothing a kid. "Let's get you patched up first. Once you're out of the hospital, I'll interrogate him for you, yeah?"

There's that gentle tone again.

Taiju doesn't even think about it. Maybe it's because of the whole mental health thing - he figures he shouldn't be too harsh with Takemichi these days. Or maybe... after that day, he's just gotten used to talking to him like this.

Whatever it is, he's a fast learner.

He's never spoken like this to anyone else.

And somehow, Takemichi is the only one he's ever bothered to practice it on.

Takemichi takes a deep breath, trying to collect himself. Lately, he keeps losing control of his emotions. His eyes drift to Inupi, still quietly cleaning up the shattered pieces of the broken vase. Guilt creeps in again - those flowers were from Hinata. And now he's caused trouble for everyone, again.

Takemichi slumps, visibly remorseful.

Taiju notices and gives his thigh two firm pats, like a silent reassurance.

"You look way too down," he says. "That's not like you. Kimura went against your orders - getting mad at him is normal. If it were me, the guy wouldn't be walking right now. Smash what you want. They'll clean it up. But seriously, don't hurt yourself like that again."

Takemichi glances at him, then nods quietly. The pouty kitten becomes a docile one.

"Yeah... I'm sorry."

Taiju chuckles, reaching up to ruffle his hair. He doesn't even realize how gentle his eyes are when he looks at him.

Right then, Kokonoi walks in with a nurse - and immediately freezes. Taiju is still kneeling on the floor like some kind of penitent knight. It's a visual jump scare. Before he can process what he's seeing, Inupi - still in the middle of cleanup - casually grabs a shard of ceramic and slices his finger.

"Ah - bleeding!" he yelps, not even pretending it's an accident. With the most wounded-puppy look he can muster, he turns toward Takemichi.

"Inupi-kun? What happened?" Takemichi blinks, startled.

Taiju turns slowly, one brow raised, looking at Inupi like he just pulled the dumbest stunt on Earth.

"Hanagaki... I cut my hand," Inupi says pitifully, holding up the bleeding finger for inspection. Taiju inwardly rolls his eyes. That scratch? Pathetic.

"You've got to be more careful," Takemichi frets, already leaning forward. "Come here."

Inupi wastes no time crossing over, instantly taking Taiju's spot next to Takemichi - shoving him aside like a seasoned pro.

"Make space," Inupi says, all innocent. "The nurse needs to treat both of us."

And just like that, he sits himself next to Takemichi, putting on an exaggerated grimace like he's in immense pain. And Takemichi, of course, falls right into it - guilt-ridden over having made Inupi clean up in the first place. Now that Inupi's injured too? Total emotional breakdown. Takemichi grabs his hand gently in both of his, inspecting the cut with teary concern.

Inupi beams.

If he had a tail, it'd be wagging uncontrollably. The pained expression is completely gone, replaced with glowing joy. Takemichi's touch, his attention - mission: complete.

And all the while, Inupi keeps casting smug glances at Taiju, silently mouthing: Checkmate.

Taiju stares, utterly baffled. The hell is this guy's problem? It's not like I'm trying to compete to be Takemichi's pet.

Kokonoi, rubbing his temples, sighs. He was gone for like - what? Five minutes?

Turning to the stunned nurse, he says with a resigned smile, "Please treat both of them."

Then he wedges himself in next to Takemichi too, firmly claiming space.

"This is my spot. You go stand over there," he tells Taiju.

Whatever. As long as someone is next to Takemichi.

Taiju: "..."

These guys are hopelessly obsessed.