Lying is a Sin, A Sin Hanagaki Takemichi Commits Too Often

Listen To Your Brother

June 4th, 2017

"You alright, honey?" Mrs Rika asked, she was an older woman, late fifties, always ordering the same thing. A single jam scone and a black coffee, a lovely lady, always leaving a hefty tip.

"I'm okay Rika-san, I made the mistake of staying up late watching movies," Takemichi brushed off with a chuckle as he gave her change. He cursed himself in his mind for not doing a better job of hiding his eyebags and puffiness with the bottle of concealer Hina gave him a few weeks ago.

He had cried in Naoto's arms for the majority of the night before he forced himself to get over it and then spent a few hours making a bi-weekly roster for Ran and Rindou and sending them by email. Rindou would be working with him today, he wasn't scheduled for him to start until 9 am though.

Naoto hadn't even scolded him last night, which he appreciated, just held him. Perhaps that's what he's been missing for so long, someone just holding him as he cried. Naoto didn't want him to come into work today, but he couldn't really avoid it. Having the bakery closed two days a week plus also hiring two more people hadn't exactly been planned into his budget. With how much he made with the bakery, it would normally be more than enough and he would also be able to do much needed renovations on top of that. But the treatments and medications he takes aren't cheap. So everything the bakery made went into the hospital bills and electricity and water bills for the bakery and then rent for his apartment. Leaving pretty much nothing left. He supposed he would just have to split his personal pay between Ran and Rindou so that they can actually get paid for their work.

When he woke up this morning, he went through the effort of responding to everyone's messages. Except for Emma's, he just couldn't deal with that confrontation right now. He let Chifuyu, Kazutora and Baji know that he just felt a little unwell so he closed up early. He let the Haitanis and Haruchiyo know that he was okay and would be working today, as well as specifically for Haruchiyo saying he was still on for dinner tonight.

"Heya Takemitchy!" There was only one person who pronounced his name that way and with such excitement.

"Good morning Mikey-kun," Takemichi greeted before he had even turned around. Turning around though, did reveal that there was another person with him.

"Good morning Izana-kun, how much longer are you staying in Japan?"

"Just until Emma's honeymoon ends, I want to spend some more time with her before I leave again. Kakucho is also paying respects at his parents' grave. But for now, Shin's making me spend more time with this bozo," Izana replied, lazily pointing to his younger brother.

"No, it's Shin making me hang out with you, I'm awesome, who wouldn't want to be around me?"

"No one loser."

"How much longer is Shinichiro-san staying in Japan?"

"A few more months, he wants to try and make something of his and Takeomi's relationship but I think it's pointless, long distance doesn't work for them."

"But enough about my stinky brothers! How are you this fine morning, Takemitchy?" Mikey butted in, leaning forward on the counter top.

"I'm alright, just waiting for Rindou-kun so I can clean up a little out back."

"Oh, so how is it working with the Haitani's?" Izana asked, curious because from his past experience with them, they were pretty sadistic and only cared about each other.

"I mean, it's only been a day, but they were really helpful when I felt sick yesterday-" Takemichi cut himself off, slapping a hand over his mouth. Fuck. Definitely not the right person to say that in front of.

"You were sick?! Mitchy why aren't you in bed? Those bastards better not have done anything to you or I'll-"

"Mikey-kun! It's fine, and I'm fine. It was just a headache." Yeah, that's what they call brain cancer nowadays, right?

"You sure?" Takemichi whipped his head in Izana's direction, not expecting him to be the one to ask that question.

"Uh yeah, of course."

"Well then Mitchy, I'll get three strawberry and vanilla dorayaki. What do you want, Izana? I'll pay."

"Oh so gracious, but I'll just get a cheese and bacon croissant."

"Coming right up!"

.

"There's something up with your little lover," Izana mused before he bit into his croissant.

Mikey blushed at the name before rolling his eyes, "Don't call him that. And he says he's fine-"

"And you believe that? Look at how loose his clothes are, his eyes are puffy and red-"

"Takemitchy cries a lot-"

"Don't interrupt me. He looks so damn tired that he might just drop any second and you're telling me you're not worried? I mean, look at how he acted at the wedding. He didn't eat, he rushed to the bathroom to what I can only assume to be is throw up."

"He...he threw up again when he took me to his hotel room after the party. I just thought it was because he was drunk."

Izana's eyes widened, "He took you to his room?"

"Uh yeah, nothing happened, I know what you're thinking. He just cleaned me up after Baji attacked me with guac."

"Shame, you're such a wimp y'know? Can't even confess to the guy you've been in love with for years."

"Hey! I- I have my reasons. It's obvious Mitchy isn't interested in me."

"And it's obvious that you're a dumbass."

Mikey perked up, "What do you mean? You can't possibly mean that he likes me that way."

"I hate heart to heart talk with you," Izana grumbled, not planning on continuing the conversation further. But he allowed his eyes to wander over to the counter, where now Rindou stood beside a very sick looking Takemichi. Something was wrong, he knew it.