☆ ⨾ letters to toman

[10]

[ II. Epilogue ]

￣￣ さかゆめ ⨾

(( Strong language is used in this chapter—
though only briefly after "//". if you don't like it,
skim over it, it won't last the entire chapter!! ))

     A few years had gone by, Takemichi continuing on and on with his one sole mission and, at some point in time, he had succeeded. He had finally been able to give everyone the best future he could possibly have given them. Even Mikey seemed to be happy, which Takemichi was thankful for.

But not all things were rainbows and sunshine. Why? Because Takemichi had ended up exactly the way he had said in his letter to Chifuyu. He had ended up on the bad end of a gang fight. It was one of the final ones, the last one— the one that would guarantee a good future for everyone.

There was something in him. Something deep inside that said that this was for the best. That his sacrifice wouldn't be in vain. Perhaps it was never anyone else who was the problem, he was. He always meddled, always changed things, and at that exact moment where the second generation of the Tokyo Manji Gang and the Kanto Manji Gang were going to collide, he knew this was it.

He wasn't upset about it. He wasn't afraid, strangely enough. There were no tears in his eyes as he was being held by Chifuyu, the boy screaming words that he couldn't quite make out as he was slowly slipping out of consciousness for the last time. It was all a blur for Takemichi, but he had seen that final blow coming to him. Yet he didn't move. It started with him, and it all ended with him. That's what he truly believed, and maybe he was right because everyone was content.

But Takemichi never did forget about the letters he wrote for everyone. So, he had told Hina that, if anything were to happen, she should gather all the original members of Toman and hand them the box. And thankfully, she had remembered that conversation the two of them had because he watched from above as everyone met up, both confused yet curious over what exactly it was that Hina had to give them all.

//

     Anger. It was clear as day in Chifuyu's eyes. While everyone else felt something akin to sadness because of the words written by their deceased friend, Chifuyu felt nothing but rage.

     "Selfless. Always so selfless. He's so stupid! Bastard! Asshole! Dumbass! Fuckwad! I hate how he left me behind! He's terrible! He knew! He knew something would happen to him! I hate him! Why would he do this! God! Fuck! Dammit!" His words flowed into the air as everyone stared at the fuming blonde with nothing but shock. He was never known to have such colorful language, he rarely ever cursed so much in one whole sentence.

     But that wasn't what surprised them. What surprised them were the words he had said afterwards.

     "You don't hate him Chifuyu, we all know that. And so do you." Came Mitsuya's calming words. He was right, he always was. But just because he was right didn't mean Chifuyu wanted to necessarily take back those words.

     "He knew. Everything he did, he knew there would be some consequence."

     "You need to stop being so vague, just spit it out already." Draken's voice, sharp and stern.

     "He was a time leaper. Always kept coming back in time to save us because we kept dying. He wanted nothing but the best for us, yet he didn't think of himself. He never did. Stupid selfless asshole. I could have helped him! I could have done something! We're partners, he was supposed to tell me everything! Why didn't he— Why..." Tears rolled down Chifuyu's cheeks as the paper in his hand began slowly crumpling under his now closed fist.

     There was a silence. How would any of them respond to what they had just been told? Takemichi, a time leaper? But even then, it all made sense to them. How desperate the boy was to continuously save everyone. The determined look in his eye whenever he faced someone tougher than him. The way he never backed down because if he did, things would be worse for someone other than him who was just getting a few punches to the face.

     Warm hands found their way around Chifuyu's trembling body. Whose arms were those? Who was hugging him? He didn't bother to look, ultimately burying his face deeper into whoever this person was, shedding more tears until he felt like he was done.

     When he looked up, he was met with Mikey. Mikey, the man who had changed drastically over the years time and time again. Who changed once more for the better after Takemichi had died. Chifuyu could see his former leader's eyes were bloodshot. The man had been crying. When did that happen?

     "We should be thankful to Takemichi." Mikey started, voice low as if he was working up to getting it to sound louder. "He put up with all of our stubbornness, our pride, our highest moments and our lows. He's stuck around despite the bad decisions I've made. Despite how unbearable I was, even to myself. Takemichi may have been an idiot to not include himself in this future where everything is good, but that doesn't mean he still isn't here. I know he's watching over us. I know he's probably offended over the many things Chifuyu called him, but he won't mind because he gets it. We don't have time to be upset, because Takemichi still thought about us even when he knew he might not be here. These letters are proof. No matter what, he will always be our Crybaby Hero." He turned to Chifuyu once more, "He wouldn't like us lingering too long on him. But that doesn't mean we can't visit him every now and then."

     It seemed like the tears everyone else had been trying to hold back had finally broken through. There was a silence as everyone shed the large amount of tears they had been keeping at bay. Because in truth, they would miss Takemichi. The way he would always be so encouraging, or his facial reactions whenever he was confused about something. There were many things that Takemichi had implanted into their hearts that they would never forget.

     An hour had passed after the whole ordeal, everyone deciding that they should head somewhere to eat and hang out. To catch up. Life had been busy for them all, and perhaps this was all planned by Takemichi too— writing letters to bring them all together again.

     When at the restaurant they all agreed on going to, the group had left one chair empty. A chair for Takemichi. They had gotten a few questionable stares, but it didn't matter. No one may have shown up physically, but everyone could sense the ever bright presence of the boy they had all grown so fond for.

     Each of them held up a small shot cup containing sake. "To Takemichi." Chifuyu said, his small smile containing something bittersweet that everyone could see.

     "To Takemichi!"

//

Hi !! Here's the epilogue that I finally got the chance to write ! I wasn't too sure about posting this because I feel like maybe it wasn't too good to actually post, but in the end i just decided to do it anyway. sorry if it isn't as good as you expected it to be, but i hope you enjoyed it regardless !! thank you for sticking around and reading "Letters to Toman" it means the absolute world to me <3

Until next time !