Takemichi Angst Prompts

8) "I thought I wanted this"

Sano Shinichiro was well loved. His family loved him, his friends, his gang and even his opponents. They respect him. They love him.

So when he died, his little brother, Mikey, went on a rampage. His old dream of making a new era for delinquents went down the drain along with his mental health. Now, Mikey is known for being the cruelest and most terrifying man in Japan. No one dared to go against him. The government and the police are on his side. Either out of fear or greed.

However, there was one thing holding him back from further collapse into darkness. A man with black hair and blue eyes. A crybaby Mikey met during the innocent days of Toman. His crybaby hero: Hanagaki Takemichi. Mostly known as Takemitchy.

People thought of him as Mikey's lover. Or his toy and other dehumanizing names.

But that's not what he's there for. Mikey and his upper echelon thinks of him as a replacement for the one and only Sano Shinichiro.

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Takemichi was not the strongest or the smartest but he was blessed with great friends. Even when it was just him and the Mizo Mid. They were lame wannabe delinquents and early 2000s fashion was cringe, he was still glad to be part of them. None of them kept in touch in the future but going back, he can't help but appreciate the support of his friends.

And then he met Mikey and Draken. This changed the entire course his life. He went to the past to save Hina, and then Draken, and then Baji and Kazutora, and then Emma and then Izana and so on. He doesn't really get it but they keep flocking towards him like he did something great. He did save their lives but hey, this is Takemichi, and he's too much of an idiot to figure out why they would like a weak person like him.

"You're just like my big brother."

"You remind me of Shinichiro-san."

These were the words he kept hearing. Mikey went to him one day. He pinched the ends of Takemitchy's hair and inspected it. It's been awhile and his hair has gotten longer. His natural black hair started to be seen from his roots.

"I wanna see you in black hair," Mikey said.

"Really?" Takemitchy asked in confusion.

Mikey gave him a close-eyed smile. "I'm sure you'll look great."

Takemitchy smiled innocently in return. "Okay!"

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"Partner!" Chifuyu called as he placed his arm on the time leaper's shoulders.

Takemitchy laughed wholeheartedly. He looked at Chifuyu with soft eyes. This was the boy who stuck with him through thick and thin. He helped him save everyone. Takemichi was really grateful that it was Chifuyu who he told his secret to.

Baji and Kazutora followed closed behind. Takemichi looked at them in relief. He managed to save them from death and juvie.

Unbeknownst to Takemichi, these three Toman members were looking at him as if he was an angel sent from the heavens.

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Takemichi sat with Inupi in Shinichiro's old shop. He was telling him of the times when it was the golden days of the Black Dragons. The four founding members of the gang were the reason why it thrived. Inupi expressed his disappointment when the next generation of leaders tainted the name that Shinichiro built.

"That's why I'm grateful that you're the new commander." He smiled at Takemichi who was still crying from hearing the story.

Inupi cupped his face. Takemichi was in front of him but the longer he looked, Takemichi's face blurred and all he could see was an image of Shinichiro-san's face. The black hair definitely isn't helping.

"Inupi-kun?" He asked, confused.

Inupi snapped out of it. His heart ached, knowing this was not Shinichiro-san. Was this how Koko felt when he looked like Akane?

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Wakasa, Benkei, Takeomi met the 11th generation leader of the Black Dragons. They were surprised at the uncanny resemblance. The black hair, the bruised face and the weak aura that surrounded him. The most evident resemblance are the eyes. They were kind, strong and determined. Just like what Shinichiro was like when they first founded the Black Dragons.

Nostalgia flooded through them as they thought about their weak yet strong friend.

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Mikey invited Takemitchy for a sleepover. Mikey for some reason wanted to sleep in the same bed. Takemitchy could only sigh as he never had the guts to say no to his commander.

That night, they fell asleep with Mikey being his usual clingy self latched onto the time leaper. He tried to get him off of him as gently as he could as to not wake him.

"Aniki," Mikey mumbled, still asleep.

Takemichi stilled. He looked down at Mikey and he was crying. Takemichi have known that Mikey saw him as Shinichiro. Inupi said the same thing. Baji said the same thing. Mostly everyone had said the same thing. It seemed a lot of people saw Shinichiro in him. Perhaps this was why Mikey wanted Takemitchy in black hair. Just like his brother.

"I'm here." He whispered.

Did he say this to soothe Mikey or did he say this because he, Takemichi, was here?

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Years have passed and Takemichi was getting tired of it. He sat on the ledge of an abandoned building. His body language screamed exhaustion.

He didn't know that pretending to be someone you're not, doesn't feel good. Not one bit.

He thought he wanted this. Maybe he did want this. At one point...

Don't get him wrong. He was happy for everyone. They were happier when he was around, looking like Shinichiro-san. But hey, Mikey was the one who had the most improved behavior.

But sometimes, he just needs some rest. His darken sunken eyes closed. He took a deep breath as he used his remaining strength to stand up. He opened his eyes. He teared up a bit. His watery eyes twinkling from the lights of the buildings in front of him.

What a beautiful view.

He smiled softly.

It's time to sleep now.

Takemichi closed his eyes and leaned forward, imagining himself falling face first on a soft comfy bed.

Thud!