Toman's Little Sister

7 | The Present

You sat on the park bench with your arms crossed and your right leg over your left, looking down at Takemichi who was seated on the ground in front of you.

Could it really be...?

"Takemichi, may I ask why you are suddenly very protective of Ken-chan?"

He was silent in response.

You let out an irritated sigh and leaned forward. "I'm not mad. I just want to know."

After far too long, he finally gave in. "Draken-kun... is going to die on August 3rd. D-Don't ask how I know, I just-"

"Oh, I know."

His eyes widened and he stood up. "W-Wait, how would you know?!" He feared the answer you were going to give, but he didn't know what he would do if you simply said that you were the one who planned it.

"I saw it happen."

"H-Huh?" You patted the area next to you and he sat down on the bench. With your eyes fixated on your folded hands, you began. "In all honesty, I'm technically 24. Or... 25 if you want to be specific. I haven't really been to the present in... a while."

You looked at Takemichi. "I probably sound crazy, huh?"

"N-No! Keep going..."

"Right. Well, I was hit by a car back in my present life, and next thing I knew, I was here. With Mikey-chan and Ken-chan." I looked down. "To be honest, the main reason I'm still here is because I didn't want to leave. My life in the present... is the worst. So much of my gang was dead, the people I cared about were constantly in danger, and it was all chaos."

You paused, your voice breaking. "Ahem... and now, I'm trying to change that outcome. Mikey-chan broke after Ken-chan died. And—" You cut yourself off. You didn't want to lay too much on Takemichi at one time, especially since it seemed like he only knew about Draken dying. "And it all went down after that."

Takemichi looked at the pavement below. "I guess it was strange seeing all those things about Toman on the news."

"Yeah. I know my gang more than anyone, and I know they'd never do that. Not without reason, at least. And you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're from the present, aren't you? So why... did you decide to stay?"

Takemichi gritted his teeth. "Toman killed Hina." You suddenly put your hand over his. "No... no way, they didn't do that..."

He nodded. "They did... or at least, I think they did. But, after actually meeting them..." He chuckled painfully. "I realized that there was a bit more than Hina I had to save. Akkun became one of the admins of Toman, and was ordered to do many terrible things, including trying to kill me. And when he couldn't take it anymore..."

"Takemichi, you're crying."

Takemichi's gasped quietly and pressed on his cheeks, feeling the tears that wetted his face. A handkerchief came into view and he looked at you, seeing you holding it out to him with a comforting smile.

"So... Akkun..." You began in a whisper. You remembered seeing him that morning. He seemed like such a caring and kind person. "He...?"

"Yes.. he did. So, I'm trying to prevent all that. I'm hoping I can save everyone. Hina, Akkun, and Draken-kun."

You smiled at him. "You just met Ken-chan and you still want to save him..." You brought one knee to your chest. "I've known Mikey-chan and Ken-chan for years... Pah-chin, Baji-chan, and Tsu-chan as well. The entire gang knows who I am. I know I want to save them because they're... they're my life. It sounds cheesy, but the truth nonetheless."

You wiped away swelling tears and hugged Takemichi. "So... thank you..."