#drakenmichi

Title: i tasted life

Summary: He could say thousands of words laced in silky threads of affection and sweet encouragement. But he wasn’t made that way. Words were not his forte.

Character/s: Ryuuguugi "Draken" Ken, Hanagaki "Takemitchy" Takemichi, Kawaragi Senju

I tasted life

- Emily Dickinson

His jet-black jacket glistened sharply under the moonlight as they traversed back to their residences after that meeting with the Brahman. Takemichi was uncharacteristically silent as he stared straight ahead on the road. The normally bubbly and boisterous blond was reticent as he walked beside Draken who had his hands in both of his pockets. Takemichi was still processing the earlier events that had happened at that meeting which frankly looked like an underground fighting ground that reminded him of that unsanctioned street fighting led by Kiyomasa during their middle school years.

After the official announcement made by Senju about him now being a member of the Brahman, that’s when it finally hit him. He really was risking everything on the line including his life again to make Mikey’s future great and peaceful along with them. Nevertheless, Takemichi didn’t feel any anxiety or doubt within himself. He felt that he was doing the right thing and everything was falling into the right pieces.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling that wanted to crawl outside of his being.

“Oi. Takemitchy.”

Draken’s familiar deep and baritone voice jolted him out of his thoughts and looked up at him. Those sharp yet concerned obsidian irises were trained on him as if trying to decipher his innermost feelings and thoughts with that single gaze alone.

A warm feeling started to creep inside his chest and Takemichi resisted the urge to smile like an idiot in front of him.

“Yeah Draken-kun?” Takemichi gazed back at him curiously.

“You okay there? I can almost hear your loud, running thoughts you know.” He commented noncommittally but there was a tinge of concern beneath his nonchalant tone.

It made Takemichi chuckled slightly, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “Ah, sorry about that Draken-kun. I got lost in my head again. Sometimes.” He smiled sheepishly at him.

It made Draken paused and just stared at Takemichi’s figure who was now walking past him. But the blond had noticed that he stopped walking and turned back to him.

“Draken-kun?”

Draken didn’t know what kind of face he was making but Takemichi looked at him with his tender, blue eyes that were devoid of malice and were just watching in genuine predilection and goodwill.

It made something inside of him break. He could say thousands of words laced in silky threads of affection and sweet encouragement. But he wasn’t made that way. Words were not his forte.

But what he lacked in words made up for the simplicity of his actions and for him that was enough.

He walked quietly towards Takemichi and stopped right in front of him. Before the other could react, his arms enveloped him in a firm yet gentle hug.

“You’re wearing that kind of face once again Takemitchy. For once, I gotta tell you to stop looking like that cause you’re not alone in this fight. Not anymore. We’ll save and bring Mikey back together. Understood?” His whisper was a gentle caress around Takemichi’s being that promised a brighter future and a dazzling ray of hope.

However, why did it feel different for Takemichi?

Why did it feel like a veil of a passing bell under the gloomy skies hung around them?

“Yeah…” Takemichi choked out a response, trying to swallow back his tears but his eyes glistened slowly. He could only return back his hug tightly as if he was afraid to let him go.

Takemichi couldn’t afford to break down and cry now even if he was on the verge of wailing like a lost kid. He promised himself that he wouldn’t lose his resolve and would just keep on fighting to make things better for all of them. Although he felt like his entire being was drowning away in quicksand, just being in Draken’s arms and firm grip seemed like a strong foundation that he can lean on.

“Thank you Draken-kun…” He whispered back and the other could only hug him back tighter in response.

“No. Thank you Takemitchy. For saving me and everyone. I’ll make sure that this will be your last mission for us.”

Takemichi’s heart quavered loudly inside his chest at his response and he wasn’t sure if it’s a good or a bad thing.

Takemichi inserted his keys into the keyhole of the front door of his house and turned on the knob. After his brief but lingering moment of respite with Draken on the road, exhaustion finally crept inside of him. All he wanted to do was to fall back on his bed and sleep the night away since he knew that he had to be prepared for the next day to come. He went inside and turned on the lights, flooding the living room with a brilliant spark of the white light.

The silence was deafening inside his house but it was nothing new.

He got used to living alone and greeting no one since his parents were busy with their own careers and lives to pay attention to him anyway.

The numbness inside his heart was growing but he chose to ignore it and just headed straight to his room upstairs when he paused all of a sudden, blinking a few times when he heard a noise.

A shiver ran down Takemichi’s spine before he steeled himself and continued making his way upstairs cautiously.

As he got nearer, he could hear someone singing. It’s like a song being played. Was the radio on?

A long, long time ago

I can still remember how that music

Used to make me smile

And I knew if I had my chance

That I could make those people dance

And maybe they'd be happy for a while

It was a smooth voice of a male singing an English song that Takemichi knew nothing about. But the tone of the song had a funny yet melancholic vibe to him for some strange reason.

He was now standing in front of his doorstep to his room.

But February made me shiver

With every paper I'd deliver

Bad news on the doorstep

I couldn't take one more step

I can't remember if I cried

When I read about his widowed bride

Something touched me deep inside

The day the music died

Takemichi swallowed thickly. His heart was hammering wildly inside his chest as his hand reached out to turn the knob of the door to open it and what greeted his line of sight made him froze and mind blanked out for a second.

So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry

And them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye

Singin', "This'll be the day that I die

This'll be the day that I die"

In front of him was a phonograph, playing a vinyl.

And a blond male sitting in a chair with his wide eyes open and his mouth dripping with blood that went through his shirt and painted it a dark shade of crimson.

It was him.

He screamed and shot up from the bed all of a sudden. Takemichi looked around. He’s inside his own room and in his pajamas. There’s no phonograph that sounded like a death knell.

And there’s no dead doppelganger in front of him.

He was awakened from his nightmare which was dressed like a daydream.

“Hanagaki!” Senju hollered at him when he successfully tackled her on the ground and shielded her away from the bullets that the masked man shot in front of them.

“Are you alright Senju?” He asked worriedly.

“Eh?” Senju could only look up at him, still taken aback by what he did.

“I can’t let you die.” Takemichi said determinedly, staring at her intently which made the other gawk at him in silence, a slight blush marring her cheeks.

“Die Hanagaki!” The masked man screamed at them and shot at them again with his gun.

Takemichi could only close his eyes tightly as he waited for the bullets to land on his body.

But it never came.

“You good Takemitchy?” Draken drawled out as he glanced at him before approaching the masked men who grew fearful of him and dropped their guns, running away.

It made Takemichi opened his eyes and stared at Draken with wide eyes.

“Thank you so much Draken-kun…” There was gratefulness behind his voice.

Draken smiled wryly before he kicked the gun away. “They got the nerve to attack with such dangerous weapons.”

After Takemichi made sure that Senju’s completely okay, he went towards Draken’s spot and quickly leaned closer to his ear to whisper something.

“Let’s keep us it between us, but… Just now, I was able to foresee the future.”

It made Draken’s eyes wide for a fraction of a second.

“In that future, I saw Senju protecting me. I’ve prevented that outcome.” Takemichi continued to whisper seriously to him.

Meanwhile, Senju was looking at both of them with a curious yet perplexed expression on her face.

“What are you guys whispering about?” She asked.

“It’s all thanks to you Draken-kun. We’ve successfully changed one future!”

“Is that so…” Draken had a wistful smile on his face afterward. “Then I’m glad.”

“Hey, I think we gotta go! We’ll be in trouble if someone gets here!” Senju cut off their whisperings towards each other with a worried reminder.

Takemichi immediately sprang into action. “Ah, you’re right!”

They’re both running now when Takemichi noticed that Draken was just standing there and not doing anything.

“Draken-kun?” He paused and called out hesitantly.

His back was still turned to him when Draken spoke his words. “Takemichi… Please tell this to Mikey…”

“Huh?”

“Don’t cause too much trouble…”

“What are you talking about?! You tell him yourse-.”

He stopped midsentence when Draken crumpled down to the ground like a ragdoll.

Takemichi felt like a cold bucket of water was spilled on him as his eyes grew wide as saucers and stood frozen for a moment.

“I’ve done all I can do.” Draken murmured with a peaceful smile on his lips as his eyes watched dazedly on the raindrops that pelted on his body.

I started singin', bye-bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry

Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye

Singin', "This'll be the day that I die

This'll be the day that I die"

Summary: One shot sequel to, "of glamorous appearances and intrigues"

“So that’s Hanagaki.” Senju fixed him with an attentive look as if witnessing something foolish yet radiant at the same time.

Wakasa still looked apathetic and disinterested at the unfolding events in front of him. But he knew that upon hearing Takemichi’s resolute words and clear objectives, it made him want to laugh at his idiotic brazenness yet he can’t tear his eyes away from the compelling beauty of his bravery hiding underneath his gawky and jittery appearance.

—Or how they’ve looked at Takemichi like he brought out the shining light to a dark place of chaos beyond them.

Characters: Takemichi H., Draken R., Senju K., I. Wakasa

In the middle of the impending war and traffic jam, Takemichi decided that he needed to put a stop to this mess. Or maybe he unexpectedly started it since Terano was looking at him like he wanted to crush an insect while the other gangsters surrounding them gaped at him as if he had lost his goddamn mind.

“I have no interest…Neither in Brahman, nor Rokuhara Tandai! I am only here to defeat Kantou Manji Gang’s leader, Sano Manjirou!” Takemichi bellowed with a determined look on his face. His blue eyes shining in temerity and boldness.

Whispers and murmurs erupted from the onlookers around them.

“I see. So that’s why you’re here.” Kakucho stated calmly.

“Are you insane?! Are you trying to interfere with the three deities?! A small fry like you?!” Terano yelled at him furiously, blocking his path with his imposing stature and wrath.

Takemichi kept his firm stance in front of him even though Terano’s imposing figure made him want to back down and stepped away out of reflex.

A punch suddenly went flying into Terano’s direction where the latter barely managed to dodged it with his arm blocking his body. But the sudden punch still sent him flying into the other side of the path.

Did he just got hit?!

“If you want to get to Takemitchy, you have to go through me!” Draken shot a proud smile at Takemichi’s direction before regarding Terano with a challenging yet mocking grin on his face.

“Come on, let’s begin round two!”

“Viiivo!” Terano yelled with a wide grin on his face before he ran towards Draken’s direction.

However, the loud sirens of the police cars halted their movements and looked around sharply.

“The cops?!” Takemichi cried, his eyes widening in surprise and panic.

“Tch. Let’s settle this some other time, Draken.” Terano stated in half disappointment and a matter of fact voice.

“South! I had left the old me in the Tokyo Manji Gang! I’ll never join Rokuhara Tandai!” Draken bellowed.

Terano didn’t deign him with a response and continued walking away from him.

‘You never change Draken. Your heart will always be with Toman.’ Takemichi inwardly thought with a small smile on his face.

As Draken and Takemichi watched Kakucho and the other members of their gang followed Terano away, Akashi called Draken’s attention and went towards his direction.

“Akashi?”

“Sorry for just standing quietly.” Akashi uttered as he patted Draken’s shoulders lightly before walking past him.

Draken watched him go although he could sensed Takemichi’s surprised and bewildered look into their direction.

He inwardly sighed. One of the reasons why he didn’t tell Takemichi earlier about his involvement with the Brahman gang was that he didn’t want Takemichi getting into another dangerous fray again. Knowing Takemichi, he wouldn’t hesitate to jumped onboard into the dangerous world of delinquency again once he knew everything. It’s already alarming itself that Takemichi still wanted to find and save Mikey despite him warning that Mikey had already changed and won’t hesitate to kill him if he decided to interfere and be a nuisance towards him.

But he guessed that Takemichi doesn’t operate like the other people. He was stubbornly firm about his beliefs and actions especially towards the people that he cared about the most. And maybe that’s one of the reasons why he’s also fond of their crybaby hero regardless of him being an awkward, lanky lad.

As Mikey had noted in the past, he may not be dexterous in a fight but he doesn’t give in easily to his opponents. He’s strong in his own way. And Draken wanted to protect him.

Takemichi had already saved his life in the past and now was the right time to return the favor to him and protect his future.

His short, wavy locks danced along the soft breeze of air. In the midst of the growing chaos around them, Senju was transfixed to the unflinching blond in front of them.

Takemichi was spouting some bold claims of not joining either of the two gangs and instead has the goal of defeating Manjirou Sano, the leader of the Bonten gang and one of the three deities.

“So that’s Hanagaki.” Senju fixed him with an attentive look as if witnessing something foolish yet radiant at the same time.

Senju didn’t know whether to laugh or raised an eyebrow at that imbecilic yet strong-willed goal of the blond.

Nevertheless, he finally got to witness one of Takemichi’s display of firmness and relentless attitude. No wonder the people around him always compared him to the late Shinichiro Sano. He’s physically weak in fighting but he’s great at drawing and motivating the people around him with his firm words and actions. Takemichi’s charisma was showing when the situation needed him to be determined and unyielding to the pressure in front of him.

While Draken was still busy defending Takemichi against Terano, he made his way towards the rattled blond and looked at him in the eye.

Takemichi yelped and he almost fell down to the ground since he was taken aback by Senju’s sudden appearance in front of him. But he quickly regained his footing and stood firm on his spot.

“E-excuse me?” Takemichi stammered, a complete opposite of his resolute self a while ago.

Senju’s lips curled upwards, his eyes dancing in hidden amusement beneath his penetrating gaze. Before Takemichi could backed away and protest, he leaned closer and whispered something into his ear.

“How bold of you Hanagaki to expressed a brave claim like that. You don’t fail to surprise people and mess with their heads.” His voice came out low, deep and throaty with his warm breath fanning against Takemichi’s senses. It made the blond’s eyes widen briefly and his heart sped up quickly.

“Eh? W-what do you m—?” His words were cut off when Senju pulled away and walked past him like it was nothing.

Senju had a feeling that this was not the last time that he’ll encounter the interesting blond and he will look forward to it.

Takemichi could only stare at his retreating form, unable to form a coherent sentence with the sudden close encounter with him. He was still trying to calm his stuttering heart inside his chest.

Why did Senju never failed to make him feel like that?

In spite of his small stature and seraphic features, he has the power to intimidate and draw the attention of people to him. His charisma and power reminded him of Mikey. The only difference was that he was sporting a calm and placid expression most of the time, he didn’t really see him sporting another expression on his face aside from the mild annoyance that he felt towards Shion earlier when the man questioned his presence there contemptuously.

He was a complete mystery to Takemichi.

Yet at the same time he felt like he was also figuring him out.

Takemichi just watched him go, unable to say anything in spite of his own heart wanted to tell otherwise.

Wakasa still looked apathetic and disinterested at the unfolding events in front of him. But he knew that upon hearing Takemichi’s resolute words and clear objectives, it made him want to laugh at his idiotic brazenness yet he can’t tear his eyes away from the compelling beauty of his bravery hiding underneath his gawky and jittery appearance.

His bored gaze slide through Senju who whispered something to Takemichi that made the blond shaken not out of fear but out of surprise and incredulity.

Senju can be that dramatic sometimes. Nevertheless, Wakasa narrowed his eyes at their proximity and the blond’s flustered reaction towards him, making him fold his arms across his chest and lips turned into a thin line.

He’s not the only one who can make him feel like that.

After watching Terano and Draken’s anticlimactic end of almost brawling with each other with a bored expression on his face, Wakasa sauntered towards Takemichi’s direction who’s panicking again at the thought of cops making their way to them.

It’s both exasperating and amusing really. His reaction is akin to an ordinary citizen living here. He’s definitely an oddball to their world of delinquency.

“Yo, Takemichi.” He drawled out lazily as he played on the lollipop stick at the side of his mouth.

“Oh, h-hey.” Takemichi smiled nervously at him.

“You got some guts making a speech like that earlier. You busted your head or something?” He tilted his head to the side and looked at him casually.

“Ah, that one. I guess it can’t be helped since I’m not exactly sure on how to de-escalate the situation without resorting to something crazy.” Takemichi rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

Wakasa put both of his hands into his pockets before he leaned closer and looked at him straight in the eye. “Hmm. Just to let you know Takemichi, our goal is still to get you onboard before anything else and we won’t give that up easily until you say yes got it?” His penetrating gaze bored into his soul.

“W-well you s-see—.”

“We’re leaving too!” Akashi announced loudly, making Takemichi stopped midsentence as it caught his attention.

“Tch.” Wakasa stepped away and flashed him a lazy smirk before he turned around and retreated back with Akashi and the other members of their gang.

Takemichi swallowed thickly and watched Wakasa go away with wide eyes.

What the hell was that all about?

That guy’s a damn ninja. Takemichi swears that one day he’ll have a heart attack just because of Wakasa sneaking up on him.

Wakasa is the epitome of trouble and silent disaster but Takemichi couldn’t bring himself to backed away from him completely.

And why is that?

Was it because of his laidback yet strong stature? His lazy yet sinister voice? Or was it those eyes that could penetrate his soul and bring him into a void?

“Takemitchy! Inupi! We’re leaving as well!” Draken called over their attention, cutting off his wandering thoughts and raced back towards Draken and his motorcycle.

For now, Takemichi decided not to think too much about his encounters with the powerful members of the Brahman as he had more pressing matters that he needed to focus on such as Draken suddenly dropping a verbal bomb in front of him while they we’re driving away.

“Takemitchy, I’m sorry. There’s something big I gotta tell you. I’m currently a member of the Brahman.”

Takemichi’s thoughts grinded into a screeching halt and stared at him like he had grown two heads.

“Huh?”

It wasn’t even the end of the day and the unexpected turn of events kept surprising him.

Nevertheless, he knew that Draken’s got a lot of explaining to do and he’d welcome it no matter how long it was.

Summary: One shot sequel to crystal clear.

Takemichi’s brain short circuited at the sight that greeted his eyes.

When Akashi mentioned to him yesterday that he should be prepared, he wasn’t expecting this kind of surprise.

Characters: Takemichi H. Draken R. & Senju K.

Takemichi swallowed thickly and clenched his fists as he watched the growing tension between Draken, Akashi and Senju.

While he understood and appreciated Draken’s overprotectiveness and not wanting to involve him in the world of delinquency again, Takemichi also realized that joining the Brahman will make him reached his goal faster of defeating Mikey and preventing him of going down the path of the terrible ending that was waiting for him in the future.

He can’t be indecisive now.

‘If I don’t make any decisions now, then nothing will change!’ Takemichi thought firmly.

“Draken-kun. I’ll join Brahman!” He announced resolutely.

“Huh?!” Draken looked taken aback by his decision.

Draken just took a one look at his face and he knew that he can’t really stop Takemichi no matter what he does. He’s just as stubborn as Mikey. Or even more so. This was what he actually fears when Takemichi knew everything. Takemichi will join the fray regardless if its dangerous or not. He knew that Takemichi was an adult that can make his own decisions but fuck, he didn’t want him to risk his life for Mikey or anyone of them ever again.

There’s a great future waiting for him back there but he still chose to go back here into the past to fix everything. Again. He just hoped that it’ll be all worth it in the end.

“Draken… As much as Brahman wants to stop Kantou Manji Gang…”

Akashi’s voice cut off his racing thoughts and looked pensively on the ground. “There’s no way we want to fight Mikey.”

“That’s why we need both of you, the very people whom Mikey trusts. Facing him without getting in a fight would be for the best. Please understand.” Akashi replied seriously.

Draken pondered over his words.

The pelting of the raindrops from the above had ceased and the sky grew clearer afterwards. It didn’t go unnoticed by Senju who moved his umbrella from the side and stared up at the sky.

“Oh, it stopped raining.” There was a certain look into his eyes as he stared up at the small puffs of white clouds that’s beginning to show itself. Funny, how the sky grew clearer and the weather became calmer after Takemichi had accepted their offer of joining their gang.

Was he a secret weather magician too? Takemichi could spread his sunshine and brightness even to the gray clouds beyond them. A slight curved of his lips turned upwards at the mere thought.

Draken sighed in defeat as he looked over at Takemichi’s determined face. “Well, that’s Takemitchy for ya. Keep in mind that the only reason we’re cooperating with Brahman is because of our aligning goals.” He said firmly.

“…Got it.” Takemichi replied.

“Don’t you forget about that. Welcome to Brahman, Takemitchy.” Draken smiled at him and offered his hand in front of him.

Takemichi took his hand, enveloping it in a gentle yet firm handshake. “I will definitely bring Mikey back!”

Draken could feel the callouses on his hands, a sign of the hardships that he already went through in saving all of them. And yet he could also sensed the warm sincerity beneath them, engulfing him in a state of reassurance and trust. He may have to risk again in putting of his faith in Takemichi. And that’s the one thing that he won’t hesitate in doing so now.

If there’s one thing that Takemichi’s well known of, it’s his keeping and fulfilling his promises to them and not giving up.

Draken shook back his hand firmly and smiled warmly at him. This was one of the rarest times when he can put his walls down and expressed what he actually felt for the other.

“Alrighty! I’ve decided.”

Senju’s sudden cheerful voice broke the fragile moment between the two of them and Draken resisted the urge to twitch his eyes and sigh in annoyance.

What a great timing.

Takemichi pulled his hand away from Draken and turned around, seeing an offered umbrella to his direction by Senju. He casually accepted it with a bewildered expression on his face.

“An umbrella?” He blinked a few times.

“From now on… You’re my gofer!” Senju announced happily.

“Huh?” Takemichi looked taken aback, but he wasn’t sure if it’s from Senju’s words or the cheerful expression on his face. It was strange seeing the happy look and cheerful smile painted on his face since his usual default of facial expression was mostly blank and serious. But he couldn’t deny that it made his seraphic features softer and younger. And he couldn’t tear his eyes away from him.

Senju looked like a beautiful, fallen angel from the sky.

Senju leaned closer with that everlasting smile still present on his face. “Let’s meet tomorrow, 3PM at Harajuku!”

Takemichi tried so hard not to blush at his proximity and the cuteness that was laid out in front of him. What’s with Senju and the other members of their gang invading his personal space?!

“Eh? Wait—”

“Senju’s interested in you, Hanagaki!” Akashi cut him off cheerily.

What. Takemichi’s line of thought came into a screeching halt.

“Just be prepared.” Akashi flashed him a smirk before he waved goodbye to him and Draken.

‘What does that mean?!’Takemichi thought frantically as he could only watched Akashi leave and Senju walking beside him with a spring to his steps.

The Next Day, 3PM Harajuku…

Takemichi tried to be punctual this time even though he wasn’t the exact model employee back at the DVD shop that he was working for back then. He simply didn’t want to shatter any good impression and standing that he currently had with Brahman now especially with their leader since Akashi said that Senju was interested in him. Which still weirded him out. Yet it brought a warm feeling spreading through his chest. And he didn’t even know the reason why he was feeling like that in the first place.

Nevertheless, he took Akashi’s words with a grain of salt and didn’t delved deeper on it further. Maybe Senju was always like that when he found something that caught his eye or when his goals are actually met. Their leader’s unpredictability still caught him off guard sometimes. It reminded him of Mikey.

At the mere thought of the blond, Takemichi’s mood went pensive for a bit before he fought it back with a resolute determination. Of course, he was firm in his decision to save him regardless of what method he had to undertake to achieve it. If he had to join the Brahman to reached that goal faster then so be it. He’s ready for any consequences that he needed to face if necessary.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Hanagaki!”

A voice cut off his wandering thoughts and the noise among the crowd that made him paused and turned around to the source of it.

Takemichi’s brain short circuited at the sight that greeted his eyes.

When Akashi mentioned to him yesterday that he should be prepared, he wasn’t expecting this kind of surprise.

“Let’s go.”

A young lady dressed in a female school uniform stated calmly and looked casually at him like everything wasn’t out of the ordinary.

But it isn’t.

This was Senju.

Dressed in female clothes.

Senju.

Who is now a she instead of a he.

Female clothes and features.

And had a nice rack.

Takemichi internally screamed at himself. Now this wasn’t the time to be thinking like that! There was a right time to admire the beauty in front of him. And now isn’t the right time to do it. Since when did Senju became a woman?! His brain felt like melting along with his common sense.

“Huh? Who?” Takemichi replied intelligently as he gaped at Senju’s transformed existence in front of him.

Senju just stared at him blankly before she raised a hand to cover her mouth and stifled her giggles. “Hanagaki you never failed to amuse me sometimes.”

“Eh? But h-how…?” Takemichi stammered.

“Did you hit your head or something Hanagaki? I told you yesterday to meet me here at 3pm right?” Senju answered playfully as she now tugged on his arm and pulled him along the bustling crowd of the city.

Takemichi let him get swept away by Senju’s hold and actions, his mind was still racing with rapid thoughts at this newfound discovery that made him have an internal midlife crisis. He wanted to ask so many things… but for now he just let her be as he was also tantalized by her rare sunny disposition and her ethereal features in front of him.

Of course, Senju knew the reason why Takemichi was being confused and having a meltdown in front of him. But she chose to blatantly ignored it and willfully play the ruthless card of feigned innocence. She was having fun of making him bewildered and flustered.

And she also found it cute and adorable anyway.

This was going to be an interesting day ahead.