Until You’re Safe
manjiro sano/mikey x fem!reader
(ko-fi request)
in one timeline, you died before you could tell mikey you loved him, but in this one, you just might live long enough to try
tags: angst and fluff, slow burn, friends to lovers, kidnapping, takemichi time travel
a/n: omg bestie, the other night I was looking at someone's else ko-fi page full of commissions and I was like "I wish it was me" and then I woke up and saw your commission T.T I almost cried lmao, made me so happy!!! thank you a lot for it!!!! I worked on this no-stop, day and night. it's the first time I write about mikey tho, so I hope I did a good job with it and that you will like it! let me know please o((>ω< ))o
words count: 7.3k
anime m.list || ao3 || ko-fi
“Why are you always here?” Mikey asks, but his tone isn’t annoyed. It’s lazy, soft, like he already knows the answer.
You’re sitting on the sidewalk next to his bike, a popsicle in hand, watching him scroll through his phone. The sun’s setting, painting the street orange and pink.
You shrug “Because you never go anywhere without me.”
He looks up at you, one eyebrow raised, a small grin forming “That so?”
“Yeah.” You take a bite of the popsicle “You’d forget to eat if I didn’t follow you around.”
He snorts “You sound like Draken.”
“I sound like someone who cares.” you say, pretending to be serious.
Mikey laughs, a short and quiet sound. Then, without looking at you, he reaches out and gently pulls the popsicle stick from your hand. He takes a bite from the other end like it’s the most normal thing ever.
“Hey!” you protest “Get your own!”
“You didn’t finish it.” he says simply, still chewing.
“That’s not the point!”
“It is now.” He smirks, handing the stick back. His fingers brush yours, warm and careless, but your heart still jumps.
You try to hide your face by looking away “You’re impossible.”
“Mm,” he hums, leaning back on his hands, eyes half-closed “That’s what you like about me.”
You freeze. He said it so easily. Like he knows. And he does, because Mikey always knows.
He opens one eye when you don’t reply “You okay?”
“Yeah,” you say quickly “Just… thinking.”
“’Bout me?” His grin widens.
You groan “Don’t flatter yourself.”
But he only laughs again, that soft, honest laugh you’ve learned is rare.
Across the street, Draken and Mitsuya are watching the two of you talk, exchanging knowing looks. Draken shakes his head. Mitsuya smiles.
“Should we say something?” Mitsuya asks quietly.
Draken smirks “Nah. Let ‘em figure it out themselves.”
You have no idea they’re watching. Mikey leans closer, voice low “Hey, Y/N.”
“Hm?”
“Don’t ever stop coming around, okay?”
You blink “Why would I?”
He shrugs, eyes on the sky now “Just… don’t.”
The way he says it makes your chest feel warm and heavy at the same time.
You smile, small and shy “Okay.”
And just like that, you stay there… two people who aren’t dating, but definitely something.
It’s late when you arrive at the parking lot. Toman meetings always start this way, loud voices, laughter, the sound of engines cooling down. But you’re only looking for one person.
You find Mikey sitting on his bike, half-listening to Draken and smiling at something Baji said. The second he sees you, though, that lazy grin softens, just for you.
“You’re late.” he says, kicking the ground lightly.
“You didn’t even tell me we were meeting.”
“I don’t have to,” he replies, tilting his head “You always come.”
You roll your eyes, but can’t stop smiling “You sound too sure of yourself.”
“I am.” he says simply.
You’re about to answer when Pah-chin throws an arm around you “Oi, Y/N! You came! Now we can start!”
Mikey gives him a look, and Pah quickly lets go with an awkward laugh.
You laugh too “Relax, he’s just being nice.”
Mikey doesn’t say anything. He just looks away, pretending to check his phone, but his jaw tightens slightly.
Draken notices and sighs “Man, you’re obvious.”
“What?” Mikey mutters.
“Nothing.” Draken says, smirking.
Later that night, everyone’s talking about the recent fights with a rival gang. You stay quiet, listening. You don’t like this part, the bruises, the blood, the way Mikey’s eyes change when he talks about it.
“Mikey,” you say softly when everyone else drifts away, “maybe you should rest. You look tired.”
“I’m fine.”
“You always say that.”
“’Cause it’s true.”
You frown “You can’t keep fighting every day.”
He leans closer, a teasing smile on his lips “You worried about me?”
“Of course I am!” The words come out faster than you meant “You guys are always getting hurt—”
Before you finish, he reaches out and flicks your forehead gently “Don’t make that face, dummy.”
You pout, rubbing your forehead “You’re impossible.”
He smiles, but there’s something sad in it “If something ever happens to you,” he murmurs, “I think I’d go crazy, you know that?”
You freeze. He said it quietly, almost like to himself, but you heard it. He meets your eyes then, serious for a moment… too serious.
“Nothing’s gonna happen to me.” you say, trying to sound light.
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
He finally smiles again, but his hand stays on your shoulder longer than usual.
That night, Takemichi catches up to you as you walk home.
“Hey, Y/N… you’re close with Mikey, right?”
“Yeah, why?”
He hesitates “Just… stay careful, okay? I’ve got a bad feeling about the next fight.”
You laugh nervously “You sound like an old man.”
He doesn’t laugh back “I mean it. Please.”
Something in his tone makes you stop walking. His eyes, usually soft, are full of fear.
“Takemichi…”
He shakes his head “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
You nod slowly “Okay.”
He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. And as you walk away, the night feels a little colder.
Days earlier, when Takemichi opens his eyes, the world is bright again.
The future, his future, is supposed to be fixed. Toman was saved. Everyone was supposed to be happy.
He’s sitting in a small café, blinking as he adjusts to the light. He touches his face, his clothes, his phone. Everything feels… normal.
“Did it work?” he whispers to himself.
He pulls out his phone, hands trembling, and scrolls through his contacts. Mikey’s number, saved. Draken, alive. Everyone seems fine.
Takemichi smiles, tears welling up “I did it…?”
But before he can even finish the thought, his phone buzzes.
Naoto: We need to talk. Now.
Naoto looks tired when Takemichi meets him. Dark circles under his eyes, a stiffness in his shoulders that wasn’t there before.
“What’s wrong?” Takemichi asks immediately “Don’t tell me—”
Naoto cuts him off “It’s worse than before.”
Takemichi stares at him “What…?”
Naoto sets a thin folder on the table. Inside are photos, newspaper clippings, police reports.
“Toman fell apart years ago,” Naoto says quietly “Mikey disappeared after that. No one knows where he went.”
Takemichi’s stomach drops “That can’t be…! I fixed everything!”
Naoto doesn’t answer right away. He takes a breath and slides one of the papers toward him “It started after someone died.”
Takemichi frowns “Who?”
Naoto’s expression darkens “A girl. She was close to Mikey. Everyone said she was always with him.”
He flips the paper around. There’s a photo, your school picture. Smiling, unaware.
Takemichi’s breath catches “Y/N…?”
Naoto nods slowly “Twelve years ago. She died in a gang-related fight. The case went cold, no one was ever arrested for it. Her parents are still fighting for it.”
Takemichi stares at the article.
‘Giirl found dead after suspected gang violence.’
A short paragraph. A few lines about an “unidentified conflict”. Nothing about Toman. Nothing about who was responsible.
“They never found out who exactly killed her?” he whispers.
Naoto shakes his head “No. There were signs of a fight, but… no witnesses.”
Takemichi feels the air leave his lungs. He remembers you, the way you smiled when Mikey teased you, how you always stayed near him, the way you laughed at the worst times just to make him smile.
“She was always with him,” he says quietly “Always.”
Naoto watches him “You knew her?”
Takemichi nods “She’s… one of us.”
They go to find Chifuyu next. He’s older now, hair shorter, eyes dimmer, but his small smile is still there when he sees Takemichi.
“Takemichi. It’s been a while.”
Takemichi doesn’t waste time “Chifuyu, what happened to Y/N?”
The smile fades.
For a moment, Chifuyu doesn’t answer. Then he leans back in his chair, sighing softly “You really don’t remember, huh? Guess it’s complicated when you keep changing things.”
Takemichi waits.
“She was taken hostage,” Chifuyu says finally “By a rival gang. They knew how close she was to Mikey. They wanted to break him.”
Takemichi’s eyes widen “What…?”
“They thought killing her would stop the fight,” Chifuyu continues “But it did the opposite. Mikey lost it. We all did. He went after them alone. After that day, he wasn’t the same.”
Silence.
Takemichi swallows hard “So that’s what broke him.”
Chifuyu nods “Yeah. Mikey blamed himself. We all did, in a way. She was always around us, always trying to keep him smiling. They were—” He stops, a sad smile pulling at his lips “—they were both idiots. Too obvious, too stubborn to just say they liked each other.”
Takemichi looks down, his hands shaking. He can almost see it now, Mikey laughing with you, your voice teasing him, the warmth that used to fill the room when you were both there.
“She didn’t deserve that.” he whispers.
“No,” Chifuyu agrees “She didn’t.”
Naoto glances at Takemichi “You know what this means, right?”
Takemichi nods, gripping the edge of the table “This time… it’s not just about Toman. I have to save her. If she dies, Mikey falls apart. Everything falls apart.”
Naoto looks at him for a long moment before slowly nodding.
Takemichi closes his eyes, whispering to himself: “I’ll fix it. I’ll save her this time.”
After your last conversation with Takemichi, he starts showing up everywhere.
At first, you don’t think much of it. He’s nice, a bit awkward, always polite. He’s one of Mikey’s friends, after all.
But then he’s at the convenience store when you grab snacks. He’s waiting outside your classroom when you finish class. He even follows you to the Toman hangouts, always keeping a few steps behind.
You try to laugh it off. Maybe it’s just coincidence. Maybe he just likes being around people.
But it’s… weird. You didn't even talk that much before.
One afternoon, you find him standing near the river where you and Mikey usually meet. You stop a few meters away, crossing your arms “Okay, seriously, are you following me?”
Takemichi freezes “H-huh? No! I just—uh—I was passing by!”
“Passing by the same spot three times in one day every day?”
He opens and closes his mouth like he wants to explain, but can’t. His eyes dart around, desperate “I just… wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“Okay?” you repeat, confused “Why wouldn’t I be?”
He hesitates, then smiles nervously “No reason! Just… y’know… being careful.”
You tilt your head “You’re weird, Takemichi.”
He laughs too quickly “Weird? Me? No way!”
You stare at him for a long moment, then sigh “Fine. Just don’t creep around like that, alright? You’re starting to scare me.”
He nods fast “Right! Got it! Sorry!”
You walk away, shaking your head.
That evening, you’re sitting with Mikey outside the shop, sharing a bag of chips. He’s quieter than usual, staring at the empty street.
“You’re thinking again,” you tease “That’s dangerous for you.”
He doesn’t smile “That guy. Takemichi. Why’s he always around you lately?”
You blink “I don’t know. Maybe he’s lonely?”
Mikey frowns “He’s lonely and follows you? Not his girlfriend, no Draken or anyone else?”
You laugh “Jealous?”
He looks at you, half-smirking, half-serious “Should I be?”
You throw a chip at him “Stop that.”
He catches it in his mouth and grins “You didn’t say no.”
You roll your eyes, but your heart beats a little faster.
Still, you can tell he’s bothered. Every time Takemichi shows up after that, Mikey’s expression tightens slightly, his jaw set, his smile thinner.
A few days later, you’re walking to the meeting spot again when Takemichi appears out of nowhere “Y/N!”
You jump “Takemichi! You scared me!”
“Sorry! I just… wanted to walk with you!”
You squint at him “You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
“Being weird.”
He opens his mouth, closes it, then sighs “I’m sorry. I can’t explain right now, but… please, just be careful, okay? Don’t go anywhere alone.”
You laugh “You sound like Mikey.”
“Good,” he says softly “Then maybe I’m doing something right.”
You frown, ready to ask more, but he suddenly spots someone behind you and stiffens.
It’s Mikey.
He walks toward the two of you, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.
“Oi, Takemichi,” Mikey says casually, but his voice carries an edge “You planning to steal my best friend or something?”
Takemichi laughs awkwardly “No! Of course not! I was just… making sure she got here safe!”
“She’s been getting here fine for years,” Mikey says, stepping closer “You can relax.”
The silence stretches. You look between them, unsure what’s going on.
Then Mikey suddenly grins, breaking the tension “C’mon, let’s go. Toman’s waiting.”
You follow him, but as you glance back, Takemichi is still standing there, his face pale.
You don’t understand his fear, his strange protectiveness, but you feel a chill crawl up your spine anyway.
Later, while the others are laughing and talking, Mikey leans close enough for only you to hear.
“You don’t have to talk to him if he bothers you.”
“He doesn’t bother me,” you say, though you’re not sure if that’s true “He just… acts like something’s wrong.”
Mikey hums quietly “Then if something is wrong, I’ll handle it.”
You smile faintly “Always the hero, huh?”
He shrugs “Only for you.”
You laugh, but deep down, you know he means it. And maybe that’s why the look in Takemichi’s eyes keeps haunting you, because whatever he knows, it’s something that scares even him.
Something that might hurt you.
The trouble starts on an ordinary afternoon.
You’re walking home when someone calls your name “Y/N? Hey!”
It’s a classmate, one of the quiet ones who always sits near the window. You stop, smiling “Oh, hey!”
You talk for a bit about teachers and boring homework, nothing important. The wind picks up and blows dust into your face.
“Hold on,” he says, leaning closer “You’ve got something here.”
He reaches out, thumb brushing your cheek.
Before you can even blink, a voice shouts “Hey! What do you think you’re doing?!”
Takemichi bursts out from behind a parked car, eyes wide and wild. He grabs the guy’s wrist and shoves it away from you, stepping between you like a shield.
“Don’t touch her!”
Your classmate stumbles back, shocked “W-what’s your problem, man? I was just—”
“Back off!” Takemichi snaps, his voice shaking but firm.
You grab his arm “Takemichi, stop! He’s my classmate!”
Takemichi freezes. You can see the realization dawn on his face, followed by pure embarrassment “I…I thought—”
“Yeah, clearly you didn’t think.” you cut him off, cheeks burning.
You turn to your classmate and apologize to him “I’m really sorry. I’ll see you in class, okay?”
Your classmate looks between you two, confused and wary “Y/N, are you sure it’s okay to leave you with… him?”
You force a small smile “It’s fine. Sorry about that. Really.”
He hesitates, then nods and walks away.
As soon as he’s out of sight, you turn on Takemichi, anger bubbling up “What the hell is wrong with you?”
He opens his mouth to explain, but you don’t let him.
“Don’t you have a girlfriend already? Why don’t you just go to her instead of following me around like a stalker? It’s damn creepy!”
He flinches “I didn’t mean—”
“And you’re friends with Mikey,” you continue sharply “I don’t want to tell him and make you fight, so please just stop. Leave me alone.”
You don’t wait for his answer. You just walk away, heart pounding, still half-angry and half-confused.
After that day, you start avoiding everyone. No more late-night hangouts. No texts. No waiting by Mikey’s bike.
At first, you tell yourself you just need space, but the truth is, you’re scared of what you saw in Takemichi’s eyes: that mix of fear and desperation that made no sense at all.
You can’t explain it, so you hide it.
Mikey notices immediately. You dodge his calls, show up late and leave fast, laugh less.
He tries to play it cool, but it eats at him. He’s used to you always being there, your voice beside him, your hand tugging at his sleeve when he forgets to eat.
Now there’s only silence.
One evening he finds you near the vending machines.
“You’re hard to find lately.” he says, voice light but eyes sharp.
“Just busy…” you murmur.
He leans over your shoulder, stealing a sip from your can “Busy avoiding me?”
You turn, startled “It’s not like that.”
“Then what’s it like?”
You hesitate, words stuck in your throat “Please… don’t ask right now…” you whisper, brushing past him.
He watches you go, jaw tight.
And that night he corners Takemichi instead.
“Since you kept following Y/N,” Mikey says, tone deceptively calm, “you know what happened to her?”
Takemichi freezes “W-what do you mean?”
“Don’t play dumb. She’s avoiding everyone… even me.”
Takemichi stammers, “I didn’t mean to mess things up.”
“Then why won’t you tell me what’s going on?”
“Because I can’t explain it!” Takemichi blurts “Not yet.”
Mikey’s patience cracks “That’s not good enough.”
“It’s my fault,” Takemichi says quietly “I thought she was in danger. I was just trying to protect her. I never wanted to come between you two.”
Mikey studies him for a long, silent moment. Then he exhales through his nose, eyes cold “If she’s in danger, I’ll handle it. You stay out of it.”
Takemichi nods, guilt flickering across his face “I know that… but this time it’s different.”
Mikey narrows his eyes “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Takemichi shakes his head “Nothing. Just… don’t let her walk home alone anymore.”
The next day, Mikey finds you sitting alone on the sidewalk, knees tucked close, lost in thought. He drops down beside you “You hiding something from me?”
You force a smile “No.”
“Then stop running away.”
“I’m not—”
“You are.” he says softly “Whatever it is, I want to know. I can handle it.”
You look at him, the concern written all over his face, and your chest aches. You want to tell him everything, but you can’t.
“I’m fine, Mikey.”
He stares at you for a long time, then sighs “You’re a terrible liar.”
You laugh weakly “Guess I am.”
He smiles back, but his eyes stay troubled. Neither of you notice Takemichi watching from across the street, whispering under his breath, “Please… don’t let it happen again.”
The next day, Mikey changes.
He doesn’t say anything about it, because he never does, but you notice. He’s there when you leave school. He’s there when you grab lunch. He’s even there when you stop by the convenience store, leaning against his bike like he owns the place.
The funniest part? He doesn’t even try to hide it. He wants people to see.
At first, you think he’s joking “Mikey, are you seriously following me?”
He grins, holding up a bag of taiyaki “Nah. Just happened to be going the same way.”
“For the fifth time today?”
He shrugs “Guess we have the same schedule.”
You roll your eyes, but you’re smiling too.
Somehow, it becomes routine. Wherever you go, Mikey’s a few steps behind. When you’re with your girl friends after class, they whisper and giggle the moment they spot him standing near the school gate.
“Y/N,” one of them says, grinning “Your boyfriend’s here again.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.” you protest automatically.
They all laugh “Right. Sure he isn’t.”
You look over your shoulder. Mikey’s leaning on his bike, eating an ice cream and watching you with that lazy smile that always melts you a little.
“Fine,” you mumble, cheeks warm “I’ll go see what he wants.”
Your friends giggle again as you wave goodbye and walk over.
“You’re scaring my classmates.” you tell him.
He looks completely unbothered “They’ll live.”
You sigh, but the truth is, you don’t hate it. You actually like how easy it feels with him, how you don’t have to pretend around him.
When he walks beside you, you always feel safe. When he’s near, everything feels lighter.
So even if he’s clearly following you, you let him.
Takemichi watches from afar, hands buried in his pockets. He still worries, he always will, but seeing Mikey there beside you, calm and smiling, gives him a small flicker of hope.
He checks the date on his phone and thinks “The day she’s supposed to die is near…”
But you’re right there. Laughing. Alive.
For the first time in weeks, he lets himself breathe. Maybe, he changed it.
Still, until the day ends, he stays alert. Because Takemichi Hanagaki has learned that fate doesn’t give up easily.
Later that week, Draken corners Mikey “So you’re just gonna keep following her around like a lost puppy?”
Mikey looks up from his snack “Not following. Protecting.”
Draken smirks “Right. Protecting. You realize everyone at her school thinks you’re dating now?”
Mikey shrugs, but there’s a small smile tugging at his lips “Let ‘em think what they want.”
“Even Y/N?”
“She can think whatever she wants too.”
Draken shakes his head, laughing “You’re hopeless.”
Mikey just leans back, eyes half-closed, remembering the way you smiled earlier that day when you caught him waiting for you again.
Hopeless? Maybe. But he doesn’t care.
By the end of the week, it’s like the whole city knows. You and Mikey walking side by side, sharing snacks, him dropping you off at school, it’s impossible to miss.
Everywhere you go, people whisper:
“Are they dating?”
“They look perfect together.”
“They always have been, haven’t they?”
And yet, somehow, you and Mikey are the only ones who don’t realize it.
To you, it just feels normal, like breathing. To him, it feels like peace, something he hasn’t felt in a long time.
And somewhere in the distance, Takemichi watches the sunset, whispering to himself, “Just a little longer… please stay safe, Y/N.”
Mikey waits where he always does, leaning against his bike outside your school gates, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a popsicle he doesn’t even taste.
The final bell rings, and the crowd of students spills out. Laughter, chatter, the sound of shoes on pavement.
He scans the faces automatically. You always come out last, usually smiling when you spot him, waving like you’re still surprised he’s there.
But this time, you don’t appear.
He stays there as the group thins. Minutes stretch.
Finally he walks toward a cluster of your classmates still talking near the gate. They quiet immediately when they see him.
“Where’s Y/N?” he asks.
No one answers at first. He isn’t angry, but his presence is heavy, calm and sharp.
One girl finally speaks, voice small “Uh… she was called out by her family during class. She took her things and left.”
Mikey’s stomach twists “When?”
“About two hours ago.”
He doesn’t reply. The popsicle drops from his hand, forgotten.
He turns, already running for his bike.
The ride to your house feels endless. His thoughts spiral. Maybe she’s fine. Maybe her family really called. Maybe she’s home right now, safe and laughing at how dramatic he’s being.
Still, his grip tightens on the throttle.
When he stops in front of your gate, he barely kills the engine before knocking.
Your mom opens the door, surprised but smiling warmly “Oh—hello! You’re Mikey, right? Y/N’s always talking about you.”
Normally that would make him grin, maybe tease you about it later, but now his pulse is too loud in his ears “I’m sorry, ma’am, but is Y/N here?”
She looks puzzled “No, she probably just finished school. She should be home any minute. Do you want to wait inside?”
For a heartbeat, everything goes still. If she left school two hours ago…
His heart stutters.
“No,” he says quickly “It’s fine. I’ll see her later. Excuse me.”
Before she can answer, he’s already turning back, running to his bike.
The engine roars, echoing down the street as he speeds away, the unease in his chest growing heavier with every turn.
He drives through every place he knows you love, the park where you always stop for taiyaki, the arcade, the small bridge near the river where you like to sit and watch the water.
Nothing.
Every street feels emptier than before. Every minute, heavier. He parks for a second, breathing hard.
Where are you?
If you’re not at any of your favorite spots, then there’s only one person who might know what’s happening.
Takemichi.
The Toman hangout is loud when he gets there. Laughter, voices, the usual noise of boys pretending life isn’t as messy as it really is.
The door slams open.
Everyone turns.
Mikey walks in fast and doesn’t answer any of the greetings. Draken, sitting on the couch, frowns immediately.
Takemichi stands near Chifuyu, halfway through a sentence, when Mikey grabs him by the arm.
“What happened to Y/N?”
The whole room freezes.
Takemichi blinks, confused “What… what do you mean?”
“She’s gone.” Mikey snaps “You followed her for days saying she was in danger, and now she’s gone! What the hell is going on?”
His voice cracks at the end. Not anger this time, but fear.
Takemichi goes pale. His throat feels dry. The world starts spinning because he knows. He knows this is how it started before.
“M-Mikey, I—”
“Don’t play dumb!” Mikey shouts, grabbing him by the collar, pulling him close. The room is so quiet now that everyone can hear Mikey’s breathing.
Takemichi stammers, eyes wide “She… she got taken.”
The words hit like a punch.
“What?” Mikey’s voice drops, deadly calm.
Takemichi forces himself to continue, each word trembling “By that gang we were planning to fight. They want to hurt you. They think if they have her… Toman could stop fighting.”
No one moves.
Mikey’s fingers tighten on Takemichi’s collar “Anythink else?”
“I don’t know exactly…” Takemichi says quickly “Just, please, we have to go now.”
Mikey lets him go, turning toward the door “Then move.”
Chifuyu’s already grabbing his jacket “I’m coming.”
Draken stands too “You’re not going alone.”
Within seconds, half of Toman is following. No one needs orders. Everyone knows Y/N. Everyone knows what she means to their leader.
Outside, engines roar to life. Mikey’s already ahead, eyes cold, knuckles white on the handlebar.
Takemichi rides behind him, his chest tight with guilt. He leans toward Chifuyu, voice barely a whisper over the wind “We have to find her today, before it’s too late.”
Chifuyu glances at him, understanding everything he can’t say.
“I know,” he replies, serious now “We won’t let it happen again.”
Takemichi stares at the road ahead, the fear burning in his chest. He thought he’d fixed it. He thought this time would be different. But fate, it seems, still wants to test them.
The smell of smoke and metal fills the air as Toman storms the rival gang’s hideout. Engines fade, replaced by the crash of fists and the echo of shouting.
Mikey is already in the middle of it, fast, ruthless, eyes darker than anyone has ever seen them. Every hit he throws is fueled by fear, by the image of you somewhere inside this place, alone, scared.
Takemichi and Chifuyu fight their way through behind him, yelling to each other between punches.
“She has to be here!” Chifuyu calls.
“She is!” Takemichi shouts back, breathless “We just have to get to her before—”
Before he can finish, a voice cuts through the chaos “STOP! OR I’LL KILL HER!”
Everything freezes and the noise dies like someone hit mute.
Mikey’s chest rises and falls fast. Slowly, he turns toward the sound.
At the far end of the hall, under a flickering light, the rival boss is standing. His grip is tight around your arm. Your arms and feet are tied, your mouth covered with a piece of cloth.
Your eyes are red and wet. When they meet Mikey’s, you shake your head desperately, silently begging him not to move.
The boss presses a knife to your cheek, grinning “Take another step, and she dies.”
Mikey’s body goes rigid. The silence burns.
Draken moves slightly forward, but Mikey lifts a hand, just one small gesture that means don’t.
“Let her go.” Mikey says, voice low and deadly calm “She has nothing to do with this.”
The man laughs “Nothing to do with it? She’s everything to do with it. You care about her, right? That’s why this works.”
Mikey’s fingers twitch. His heart pounds so loud it hurts. He can feel the edges of that dark impulse creeping up, the same one he’s been fighting for years.
Takemichi sees it too.
“Mikey,” he whispers, “wait, don’t.”
But Mikey’s already stepping forward.
The man presses the knife closer “One more step!”
You shake your head again, eyes wide, tears streaming down your face.
“Mikey, please—” Takemichi grabs his arm, voice cracking “If you lose it now, she dies. That’s what they want!”
Mikey’s breathing is uneven, wild “I can’t just stand here—”
“You can,” Takemichi says, louder this time “Because she’s still alive. We can save her.”
Mikey’s jaw tightens. He’s shaking, torn between rage and fear.
Takemichi takes a deep breath, stepping forward slowly, hands raised “Listen,” he says to the boss, forcing his voice steady “You think you’re winning right now, but you’re not. You’re surrounded. You hurt her, and you’re done.”
The man laughs, louder now, but his grip falters just a little “Big words for someone shaking.”
Takemichi keeps going “You wanted to prove something, right? That you could beat Mikey? Then fight him. One on one. Leave her out of it.”
That makes the guy hesitate “What?”
“Fight him,” Takemichi repeats “If you really think you’re strong, you don’t need a hostage.”
For a second, the man actually thinks about it. Then he scoffs “You think I’m stupid?”
Takemichi’s eyes narrow “No. I think you’re scared.”
The insult lands. The man’s pride snaps. He pushes you roughly toward one of his men to hold you while he steps forward, knife still raised.
The instant the knife leaves your skin, Mikey moves. Fast. Silent. Precise.
He’s on the boss in a blink. One kick. Two. The man collapses before he even knows what hit him.
Toman swarms forward. Draken grabs the man holding you, knocking him out in one swing. Chifuyu rushes to untie you.
Takemichi stumbles toward you, shaking but smiling with relief.
You fall into Mikey’s arms before your knees can give out, sobbing against his shoulder.
He wraps you up tight, like he’s afraid you’ll vanish if he lets go. His voice is low, trembling “You’re okay… you’re okay.”
Takemichi watches, heart pounding, whispering to himself. Not again. Not this time.
He did it. You’re alive.
The first thing you see when you open your eyes is a white ceiling and the soft beeping of machines. Then voices.
“Sweetheart? Y/N?”
Your parents.
You blink until their faces come into focus. Your mom’s eyes are teary and your dad’s hand is already holding yours.
“You scared us to death…” your mom says, smiling through the tears.
“I’m okay” you whisper, throat dry. Then, almost without thinking, “Where’s Mikey?”
Both your parents look at each other, then laugh softly. Heat rushes to your cheeks.
Your mom points to the other side of the room “Right there.”
You turn your head and there he is, standing quietly near the wall, hands in his pockets, as if he didn’t want to interrupt. His eyes meet yours for a second, and the tension in his shoulders melts.
Your mom clears her throat “He never left your side. Not even for a second.”
You blink fast “He… didn’t?”
“Nope,” she says with a wink “Your dad and I are going to tell the doctor and your friends that you’re awake, okay?”
Your dad starts, “I’ll stay—”
But your mom tugs his arm “No, you won’t. Give them some privacy.”
The door closes behind them, leaving you and Mikey in the quiet hum of the hospital room.
You glance at him, cheeks warm “Sorry about them.”
He gives that lazy smile you missed so much “They’re cool. Your mom told me a lot of things you said about me.”
“Like what?” you ask cautiously.
He smirks “Didn’t know you fangirl over my hair.”
Your face goes red immediately “Wha— I don’t!” You hide under the blanket “Leave!”
He laughs, a real, soft laugh, and gently pulls the blanket down from your face. His hand is warm against the fabric.
When he sees you pout, his smile fades into something gentler “I’m glad you’re okay now.”
You sit up, still flustered, and pat the bed beside you “Sit.”
He hesitates, then sits where you motion.
“Thank you for saving me.” you say quietly.
He looks away “It was my fault you were in danger. No need to thank me.”
You frown “Mikey?”
He turns and you lean forward, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek.
He freezes, eyes wide.
“Thank you.” you repeat softly.
He blinks, speechless, then turns away again, ears red “...Yeah.”
To change the subject, he points at the cabinet near your bed “I brought you some food. You should eat something.”
You nod, smiling, and start eating. After a minute you notice the flowers on the cabinet “Who brought those?”
“The boys.” he answers simply.
You nod again “And that cutie?” you ask, pointing at a small plush toy sitting beside the vase.
Mikey looks away, embarrassed “…Me.”
You giggle “Pass it to me. I wanna cuddle it.”
He gets up, grabs the plush, and hands it to you. You hug it tightly, eyes closing, smiling like a child. Something in his chest stirs, a strange mix of warmth and panic at how much he loves seeing you like that.
But when you open your eyes again, you notice his expression has turned sad.
“What happened to that man?” you ask quietly.
He doesn’t meet your gaze “He got arrested.”
You nod, even though he’s not looking. Then, without warning, you move and hug him, hard enough to pull him halfway onto the bed.
“Hey—!” he starts, trying to free himself, but his hands barely push. He’s not really trying.
You just keep hugging him until…
Ahem.
You both freeze.
At the door stand Draken, Takemichi, Chifuyu, Mitsuya… and Emma, right in front of them. All of them staring, eyes wide.
For a long second, no one speaks. Then Emma recovers first, turns to the boys, and says, “She’s awake, we saw her. Let’s go.”
They start to protest.
“Out!” she insists, pushing them all back through the doorway.
“Wait, Emma!” you call, but she just winks and closes the door.
Silence. Again.
You and Mikey sit side by side, both red to the ears.
After a few seconds, Mikey breaks it first, voice low “I really thought I lost you.”
You look at him, smiling softly “But you didn’t.”
He turns his head toward you, eyes serious “Do you want to go on a date with me once you’re out of here?”
You freeze.
He just said—wait—he actually said…
Mikey… asked you on a date.
Mikey. Asked. You. On. A. Date.
Your brain stops working.
He’s still watching you, waiting “So?”
You open your mouth, no sound coming out, then finally manage to whisper, “...Yeah.”
A tiny grin appears on his face “Good.”
He leans back in the chair beside your bed, arms folded, pretending to look relaxed. But his ears are still red.
You hide your face in the plush toy again, heart racing, and the world feels peaceful again.
The air smells like spring again. It’s been a week since the hospital, a week of your phone constantly buzzing with messages from everyone making sure you’re okay. But today is quiet. Just a knock at the door, gentle and careful.
You already know who it is.
When you open it, Mikey’s standing there, hands in his jacket pockets, hair a little messy from the wind. He doesn’t look like Toman’s leader right now. He looks… like the boy you’ve always known.
“You ready?” he asks.
You nod, even though your heart’s already racing “Yeah.”
He takes you to the park you always used to hang out in, the one with the creaky swings and the vending machines that always eat your coins. You both walk slowly, side by side, and for the first time in forever, neither of you really knows what to say.
He’s thinking: She’s really here. Alive. Breathing. Smiling. With me.
Every glance he sneaks at you feels like proof that the world hasn’t stolen you away.
You’re thinking: Is this really a date?
Because everything feels exactly the same, comfortable and familiar, but your chest won’t stop fluttering every time your shoulders brush.
You sit on the swings. The metal chains squeak softly. Mikey drops a small paper bag in your lap “Brought you something.”
You peek inside and see taiyaki “You remembered.”
He grins “’Course. Can’t have a date without it.”
You bite into one, still warm, and he watches you with a quiet smile. The silence stretches, but it’s not awkward anymore. It’s peaceful.
He kicks the ground lightly, swinging a little “You know,” he says, “this feels weird.”
“What does?”
He looks at you “Calling it a date. We’ve done this a hundred times.”
You laugh, the sound light “Yeah, but this time it counts as a date.”
That earns a small smile from him, the kind that reaches his eyes, the kind you didn’t realize you missed so much.
The sun’s low now, throwing gold across the park. You watch the light catch in his hair and think about how close you came to never seeing it again. You grip the swing’s chain tighter.
“Mikey” you say softly.
He hums, eyes still on the sky.
“I’m glad it’s you.”
He turns, confused “What do you mean?”
You shake your head “Nothing. Just… glad.”
He doesn’t answer, but the small curve of his lips says everything.
After a while, you both get up and walk to the vending machine. He buys two sodas, your fav for you, lemon for him, and hands yours over without asking what you want. He always remembers.
You sit on the low stone wall nearby, close enough for your knees to touch. It’s quiet except for the sound of the can opening.
You look at him from the corner of your eye. He’s pretending to look relaxed, but you can see how his fingers twitch a little, like he’s nervous.
He’s thinking: If I reach for her hand now, will she pull away?
You’re thinking: If he takes my hand, I might actually forget how to breathe.
And then, finally, his hand brushes yours, slowly and testing. When you don’t move, his fingers slide between yours, and it just feels… right.
You glance up at him “Smooth move” you tease.
He grins, but his ears are red “Took me long enough.”
You laugh softly “Yeah, maybe a year or two… or three.”
You start walking again, not really knowing where you’re going. You talk about random things, how Draken nearly broke his bike again, how Mitsuya’s making Emma a new outfit after she begged him for weeks, how Takemichi cried after seeing you in the hospital but pretended he didn’t. You’re laughing so hard by the end that your stomach hurts.
And then it hits you: This is it. This is love.
It’s not dramatic or loud. It’s just this… walking beside him, your hands brushing, feeling safe.
You stop.
He turns, confused “What?”
You step closer “Nothing. Just…”
Before you can overthink it, you lean in and kiss him. It’s soft and short, just a heartbeat, but it feels like time stops.
When you pull back, you’re both blushing, both smiling like idiots.
He clears his throat “Guess that makes it official, huh?”
You nod, still smiling “Yeah. Finally.”
He squeezes your hand “Then we better not waste time anymore.”
“Deal.”
Across the street, Takemichi watches quietly. He doesn’t move, doesn’t interrupt. Just stands there, hands in his pockets, smiling.
He can feel it, the air around you is different now. The tension that haunted the future is gone, replaced by something lighter.
“You did it,” he murmurs “You really changed it.”
He turns away, letting the two of you walk off together under the orange sky.
And for once, the world feels like it might finally stay kind.
EPILOGUE
The news spreads faster than anyone expects. It’s been two days since the date, and apparently someone saw you and Mikey holding hands at the park. By morning, all of Toman knows.
When you and Mikey arrive at the hangout, everyone’s already there and waiting. That’s your first warning. The second is the collective smirks.
Draken’s leaning against his bike, arms crossed, looking way too calm. Chifuyu’s whispering something to Mitsuya, who looks like he’s trying not to laugh. Takemichi, of course, looks guilty, like he accidentally started this.
And Emma’s standing front and center, grinning like she’s been waiting for this moment all her life.
You stop at Mikey’s side, suddenly unsure “Why are they all smiling like that?”
Mikey shrugs, pretending not to notice “Dunno. Maybe they finally lost it.”
Emma gasps dramatically “Oh my god, did you just say that?”
She marches right up to her brother and pokes him in the chest “You, the king of pretending-not-to-have-feelings, finally got a girlfriend!”
“Emma.” he warns.
She ignores him completely and turns to you with a huge smile “Y/N, I’m so proud of you! You managed to do the impossible!”
The rest of Toman bursts into laughter.
Mikey groans “You’re all acting like it’s a national event.”
Draken smirks “Well, it is. We’ve been waiting for this longer than the next bike race.”
Chifuyu adds, “Man, I was starting to think I’d have to lock you both in a room until you confessed.”
Takemichi raises his hands defensively “They were so cute holding hands…”
Everyone looks at him.
He sweats. Mikey sighs, clearly trying to look annoyed but failing because the corners of his mouth are twitching upward. Then Emma crosses her arms, tilting her head “So? When’s the wedding?”
You choke on air “Wha—?! We literally just started dating!”
“Details, details,” she waves you off with a grin “Just saying, I call maid of honor!”
Draken chuckles “Slow down, Em.”
Mitsuya smirks “Nah, she’s just planning ahead.”
You hide your face in your hands “You’re all impossible.”
Mikey puts an arm around your shoulders, pulling you a little closer. He looks around at the group and says calmly, “You done?”
“Nope.” Chifuyu says immediately.
Draken smirks “Not even close.”
Emma beams “Never.”
Mikey sighs again but doesn’t push you away. In fact, his hand stays on your shoulder, steady and soft. When you glance at him, he’s smiling, not his usual cocky grin, but something smaller, lighter. Real.
“Guess they’re happy for us.” you whisper.
He nods “Yeah. Annoying, but… kinda nice.”
You laugh quietly “Yeah. Kinda.”
Later that evening, when everyone finally stops teasing you long enough to eat, the whole group ends up sitting around, telling stories. You’re between Emma and Mikey as she keeps nudging you every time he looks your way. At some point, you lean your head against his shoulder without thinking.
He looks down at you, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
Draken notices but doesn’t say anything. Chifuyu notices and definitely says something under his breath, to Mitsuya, who just grins. And Takemichi, sitting quietly across the room, just watches.
For the first time in a long time, he sees Mikey laughing without that heavy shadow behind his eyes. You’re there beside him safe, smiling, real.
And in that small, noisy, love-filled room, he thinks to himself: This is how it was always meant to be.
Emma stretches and says loudly, “So when’s your next date? I’ll come spy!”
Mikey throws a cushion at her. Everyone bursts out laughing again.
And in the middle of it all, you and Mikey exchange a glance that says it all: Home isn’t a place anymore. It’s this. It’s us.
