Summary: If the word captivating would be in the form of a person, it would be in the form of Imaushi Wakasa.

Characters: Hanagaki "Takemitchy" Takemichi & Imaushi Wakasa

“Have you seen him walking earlier at the school corridors?”

Takemichi heard one of the female students gushing at her classmate as Takemichi passed them by. He paid no attention to them as he kept walking ahead with his backpack slung on his left shoulder.

“Yeah! He looked kinda hot in that varsity jacket that he was wearing not gonna lie.” Her fellow classmate gushed back in a high-pitched voice which made Takemichi grimaced slightly.

“I mean this is Wakasa we’re talking about. You know one of those guys who just won being the prom king during our school prom last month and now being chosen as the face who will represent and advertise the seniors of this school in our school website.” Another female voice piped up from their conversation.

It made Takemichi paused in his tracks. But only briefly. He went back to walking again, going to his designated classroom.

Right. Imaushi Wakasa being the hot topic once again in their school for more than 2 years now. Ever since Wakasa transferred in their school as a sophomore high school student more and more people took notice of him and his presence became more visible. Takemichi was only a year under him so he was still a freshman back then when his popularity arose. Even if the guy himself was not that extraverted and conversed pleasantly with the other people, it’s his comely looks and intense yet alluring aura that pulled the attention on him. His glistening and short flaxen locks always held a gravity every time he walked, and his intense, mauve eyes held a glint beneath them that would make person crumble because of his penetrating gaze that could bore right through your soul.

But the most attractive part of his face was his smile. His damn smile that could raise some hell and heaven simultaneously.

Most of the time it was his lopsided grin and devious smirk that would make his fangirls swoon in delight and gushed like some mindless drones in high pitched voices because it added to his notoriety and reputation in school as the resident bad boy and his devil may care attitude.

Nevertheless, it was his winning smile that would made people flocked over to him like bees. It always worked especially in the advertisements of the school where his face was the chosen one to grace their website and urged people to enroll or even join their extra-curricular activities. Just a simple curved of his lips upwards and his entire face would transform into an ethereal beauty. His eyes would also crinkle and light upon his face. And no one could resist that features who beckoned them to try whatever he was advertising on.

If the word captivating would be in the form of a person, it would be in the form of Imaushi Wakasa.

And Takemichi had decided a long time ago that Wakasa was way out of his league and he probably didn’t know he existed as well.

Not that he minded of course. He was content with being a nobody in the school and he was still surprised that Hinata Tachibana, a popular classmate of his as well decided to confess to him ages ago.

And he had the audacity to reject her. He felt guilty with it. But what could he do? He wasn’t attracted to her and it doesn’t feel right to accept her feelings if he doesn’t feel the same way towards her.

He was still an ordinary high school student in the school although his junior years were now filled with strife with other students because of how the news spread that he rejected Hina and it wasn’t taken well by some of her classmates who clearly adored the school resident’s sweetheart.

He just thought to himself that he was going to graduate soon after he passed his junior and senior year with flying colors and he would be away in this place soon and start a new life all over. And it does help that his best friend Chifuyu was here to accompany him and made his days brighter and more bearable.

This was one of his days that was supposed to be ordinary, peaceful…and a bit boring to say the least.

But it wasn’t.

Since Takemichi had a bad habit of being ensconced inside his head when he was deep in his thoughts that the noises around his surroundings dwindled into nothing.

Chifuyu had warned him in the past that it’s a dangerous habit of his because it can land him into unnecessary situations or even accidents.

But would it make this an accident if he just landed right into the arms of the notorious bad boy into their school and slotted his lips directly against his own?

Takemichi will never forget this day. Because this marked the highest level of his stupidity and clumsiness.

In broad daylight at their school corridors, he tripped over his loose shoelaces and was on the verge of landing unceremoniously into the ground when someone caught one of his arms just in time making him automatically pulled that person down with him for support and leverage.

But only it didn’t.

What happened instead was they both came tumbling down into the ground with that person enclosing his arms on his body as if to protect him from the impact of the fall with Takemichi closing his eyes tightly and leaned clumsily on him making him smacked lips accidentally right into the other that made him froze in an instant.

The other guy stilled in his arms as he felt his warm lips slotting perfectly against his own.

With heart beating wildly inside his chest, Takemichi slowly opened his eyes only for it to widen for a fraction of seconds as he realized on who it was.

Those familiar amethyst orbs that could penetrate your soul with just a single, intense gaze. And those signature, messy golden locks of his that added a hint of alluring sensuality to his captivating face whenever he threw those mischievous grins along their way.

Imaushi Wakasa. The popular senior student in their school.

“Mmphh…!” Takemichi felt like his entire body shuddering in his arms as he felt the tight yet gentle grip on his waist.

Wakasa’s intent gaze was focused on Takemichi as Takemichi stayed trapped beneath him. He wasn’t moving away but he could feel Wakasa’s soft and warm lips synchronizing against his own, his hot breaths sent a dizzying sensation through his veins that almost made his senses drunk and dazed because of that delicious sensation spreading all over his body.

The faint murmurs of the people surrounding them and the snapping sounds of the camera jolted him out of his haziness and felt as if a cold water had been doused on him.

Takemichi broke away from their ‘accidental kiss’ and pushed Wakasa away, quickly standing up and dusting himself off while his face was burning in mortification.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

‘Why did this have to happen?!’ Takemichi’s mind was racing with mortifying thoughts as he tried to ignore the stares of the students and the snapping of photos right in front of him. He felt like a goddamn celebrity who’d been caught in a scandal with a high-end star.

Except that he wasn’t.

And he was already preparing a poor excuse of having a fever so that he can take an absent for the whole week just to save the remaining pride and dignity within him.

Even though he felt his knees were weak and jelly, Takemichi tried to keep them firm and was prepared to leave when Wakasa’s bored yet firm baritone voice made him stopped on his tracks and looked at him with wide eyes.

“Oi. Everyone shut up and stop taking pictures.” Wakasa eyed the unexpected audience in front of them disinterestedly but his expression told them on how serious he was.

The students automatically shut their mouths and quieted down as they put their phones and cameras away.

Well damn. Wakasa’s authority can rival that of their class president or even a principal.

That’s how charismatic he was.

Wakasa’s full attention was now trained on Takemichi which made him swallow thickly as he stayed there rooted on his spot as the other approached him leisurely.

“You okay?” His voice was airy and light which was in stark contrast on how authoritative he was earlier with the audience.

“Ah y-yes…” Takemichi wanted to slap himself for stammering like an idiot.

‘Damn it. Save some dignity for yourself you moron!’Takemichi berated himself inwardly as he tried in vain to stop himself from blushing even deeper.

“That’s good. You should be more aware of your surroundings next time so that you won’t end up getting into an accident. But still, I’m sorry for that unexpected kiss. Didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” Wakasa replied soberly.

Takemichi quickly waved his hands away. “Ah no! No! you don’t have to apologize! It’s an accident as you say. Nobody wanted it to happen. Also, thank you for saving me from that fall…” Takemichi rubbed his nape sheepishly.

“I see…” Wakasa nodded before walking past him but not before stopping midway and whispered something in his ear that sent a jolt of delicious electricity on his nerves and heart hammering loudly inside his chest.

“But those lips of yours really felt heavenly against mine. Guess it’s my lucky day after all.” Wakasa shot him a devious smirk and a playful wink afterward leaving Takemichi dazed and stupefied.

Maybe Takemichi’s day wasn’t so bad after all. And this was one of those few times that he was thankful for his stupidity and clumsiness because it landed him to the arms of the captivating blond where it feels right.

Takemichi: I’m going out tonight. I’m going to meet the Mizo Mid Gang at the bar.

Hina: Bring protection.

Takemichi: Pardon?

Hina: Bring protection, Michi. Like a knife or I dunno a bat. You need to protect yourself there’s strange people there at night.

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.