"Takemichi! Grab my hand!" He heard before leaping back to 2005.
The last few minutes in the present felt straight out of a nightmare.
Takemichi was not sure what had happened.
Right before everything went to shit, he and Naoto had concluded that to save Hina, Takemichi must stop Toman from falling down a dark path.
The plan was simple. Takemichi had to stop Draken's death from happening that fateful Third of August and make sure Kisaki and Mikey never end up encountering each other.
He then recalled the glimpse of a gun in the hands of an intruder. His heart quivered at the thought of that tall silhouette and the loud steps echoing across the apartment. He saw little of who was pursuing them. It was hard to imagine that he had gotten so close to death, the mere thought of it made his knees go weak.
To think that such a dangerous individual somehow managed to track down their location. The intent of killing them had been obvious and just as terrifying. Takemichi was sure it must have been someone from Toman. Who else would make such a bold move?
He hoped Naoto was alright.
Nonetheless, he was now back in a safer place. Takemichi sighed in relief before actually putting some attention on his current situation. It was then he noticed the almost naked girl in front of him and the overwhelming scent of vanilla lingering throughout the room.
"No kissing." The girl said casually as if that was the biggest concern at that moment.
Takemichi's stomach churned, the sight making him feel ill. He had expected his past self to be home, or with friends. Not fooling around with another girl.
Takemichi was not a resentful man. He hardly held grudges and forgave with ease. However, he will curse at his younger self until the day he dies.
What else could have been on the table if kissing of all things was not allowed?
How did he even get into this sort of situation!?
It appeared they were in a karaoke room. The girl's clothes laid on the seats around them, a small detail Takemichi noticed given he refused to make eye contact with her. He sucked in a harsh breath, trying not to contemplate what must have transpired. His morality already hurt enough.
Once the girl stepped away to pick up the ringing phone, Takemichi relied on his favorite tactic, running away.
The day got worse when he accidentally met up with Hina after that bizarre encounter. It was as if the universe was playing tricks on him. Not that time travel was enough or anything.
His heart could only handle so much in one day. Even worse when Hina brought up 'adult Takemichi' and how his behavior seemed to switch so much recently (because he is 28 now, godammit, although he felt relieved that there was confirmation he had matured past his teenage years).
Resentment for his past self settled deep within his stomach. That moron had little to no moral compass and no dignity either. Takemichi promised himself that he would be better than that.
"Takemichi-Kun, you're spacing out again." Hinata pouted, a few steps ahead of him.
The sky was darkening, and fewer people were out in the street. Takemichi had no clue what exact day it was, only that it was a school day if the uniforms they were wearing were anything to go by.
"Ah. Sorry, just thinking."
With each time leap, Takemichi needed time to adjust. He had never felt any sorts of side-effects like headaches and whatnot, but the change had always been so jarring it left him in a dazed state.
