In which Takemichi is sick, very sick and in fear or worrying everyone he keeps it a secret. And of course when things happen before they should, unprepared confrontation appears.
"I lied to everyone...but I told the biggest lie to you."
"H-how? I k...
Super short, but the next chapter will be really long, this is just the lead up to it
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June 25th, 2017
He woke up with a headache, but what's new? His alarm blaring in the background, he slowly got out of bed and switched it off before rubbing the sleep from his sore eyes. He struggled to sleep last night, he couldn't shake this awful feeling nor could he identify the reasoning. Three short knocks at the front door drew his attention away from the thought, he pulled on a pair of pants and headed to the door. Behind it was Chifuyu, a surprise. He only just realised now how little they've interacted recently, it was pleasant to see his friend, but he didn't know why he was here.
"Uh morning Chifuyu," he mumbled.
"Happy birthday partner!" Chifuyu cheered, swinging his keys around his index finger.
"Birthday...? Wait, it's Tuesday?"
"Yep, of course you'd forget. Well, I know you have work today but I'm going to give you a lift so we can chat."
Takemichi nodded slowly, still feeling the effects of his shit sleep, "Ok, I need to get dressed...why are you here so early? I don't start work for another two hours."
"So I can take you out to breakfast on the way, we haven't hung out in forever, now chop chop!"
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So perhaps this was that strange feeling last night, it's his birthday today. Today is the last birthday he'll ever have and he doesn't like how that makes his gut churn. Each day that goes by just feels like a day marked off on the calendar, getting closer and closer to a particular date that is circled in red proclaiming his death. But he doesn't know that date, all he knows is that it is soon and nearly every single person in his life is completely oblivious to it.
"Takemichi! You look fine, no need to stand in front of the mirror for twenty minutes," Chifuyu called out, attempting to get out the door quicker.
He doesn't want to leave. He doesn't want a bunch of people wishing him a 'happy' birthday when all he can think about is the guilt that is dragging him down.
"I'll be out in a second!" He sighed heavily, grabbing a dark blue beanie and pulling it over his hair. He can do this, right? Just smile, smiling makes everyone think you're okay. Just have breakfast with Chifuyu, work with the Haitani's, reply to the birthday messages and come back home to drown himself, not in alcohol or he won't wake up the next morning, but rather by looking through his photo albums of the past so he can reminisce in the great life he has had so far.
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"Naoto, I mean, I know this is a nice gesture, but is it really something Takemichi would like?" Hina asked her brother.
"He really needs a chance to relax and be happy one last time," Naoto replied.
"Ah fine, so what's the plan for this afternoon?"
"Hanemiya-san is picking him up from work and will come up with a reason for why they're not driving straight home, and bring him to the property where everyone else will be waiting to surprise him."
"God we don't want to give him a heart attack Naoto, also, why would he agree for Kazutora-kun to drive him? Wouldn't he have driven his own car to the bakery?"
"Matsuno-san drove him to work this morning, so he would need a ride back anyway."
"Jeez, you've really thought this out. Why don't you put this effort into your job?"
"I totally do!"
"Well you've never had a promotion so..."
"So cruel to me. Anyway, I have a really big additional surprise for him too, I think it will help him with how he's feeling mentally."
"Oh, what is it?"
"Secret."
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Ahh, I also forgot that I made this so I never ended up putting it in the specific chapter, but here is a Emma coloured panel I made a little while back.
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