The Way I Loved You || manjiro sano - yandere au

chapter four

"you're not mad at me, are you?"

MIKEY SAYS SOFTLY, head comfortably laying on your lap as your brush away any stray strands on his face. He blinks slowly, avoiding your eyes and playing with the hem of your skirt.

"For the last time, I'm not." You told him. School ended an hour ago and now you were at a park with Manjiro, who insisted you were mad at him for taking action without your knowledge.

He's been rather clingy too when he gets the feeling that you're upset with him. He just couldn't bare the thought of you being mad at him.

There were times before when the two of you would fight, very rare but it happened. The reason behind it would always be due to his childish nature which lead to immature fights between the two of you.

He'd give you the silent treatment that would only last for a few hours because he realized that you were incredibly decent at the quiet game than he was and for the fact that he couldn't go about another hour without your affection.

Mikey made an oath to never upset you or even fight with you, knowing that he'll suffer from your silent treatment and lack of much-needed affection.

Mikey hummed softly as you untangle his hair with your fingers, he scoots closer and now his nose was pressed against your stomach.

"You like being treated like a baby." You laughed, amused.

It was funny how differently Mikey acted towards the people he is close to. He acts like a lost puppy, following you and begging for attention but when it comes to his gang, he turns into an entirely different person who leads Toman with an iron fist.

"(Name)?"

"Hm?"

"You won't leave me right?"

You paused at the sudden question, not because you had some doubts but because of how out of place it was. Taking a moment to think, you remembered that Shinichiro's death anniversary was nearing.

You felt your heart ache when you remanence the beautiful times you've spent with Shinichiro. The topic of his late older brother was often light-hearted and full of warm memories of your youth together but remembering how he passed away was nothing but a stab through the chest.

August 14 a date that will forever be engraved in Mikey's mind. The day when he lost his brother and a best friend.

"I won't, I will never." You finally said. The atmosphere was thick with build-up tension. It wasn't like this a few moments ago but you believed it was because Mikey had brought up his deceased older brother.

You may be both thinking of the same thing. Not memories of joy but the familiar painful recollections of the events that transpired on that day and the times that followed.

"I'm scared that you will." He admitted.

Looking down at Mikey, you saw how hard he tried to void his face of any emotion but he was only human, he still held desolate feelings as he should.

"Because.." he paused, looking up at you before smiling sadly. He takes this as a chance to admire how you're looking down at him with such fondness that never fails to make him feel at ease and his heart happy.

"Because I don't know what I will do without you."

If you leave him, who will pester him about talking with his mouth full or make sure he brushes his hair? Who will be there to patch him up when he gets bruises and cuts?

Who will he rely on when he's feeling down? What will he do if you're not there? Will he visit the places that remind him of you or beg you to come back? Most important, will he cry?

Mikey never talked about this to anyone else but his greatest fear is not getting injured during a fight or losing a prized possession. His greatest fear in life was losing you.

He couldn't even imagine losing you. How many tears he'll shed or hours he'll spend in regret?

In times like this, he's truly grateful that you're still with him. He doesn't have a reason to be afraid of losing you, but why does he have this gut feeling that you will?

Everyone else will leave, right? His mother, and brother. Who will the deities take away from him next?

Mikey's eyes widen when you suddenly leaned down, closing the distance from your faces down to mere inches. Your hair tickles the sides of his face but Mikey barely notices it, caught by the surprise.

He turns red from fluster, feeling your warm breath pressing on his skin. He realized how close the two of you were.

"I will never leave you Manjiro." You said. You firmly supported this idea, for you've already made up your mind. You're not going anywhere where Mikey wasn't.

It's always been him. You've always been by his side and you weren't planning on leaving him, and by then death would have to separate the two of you.

-

AROUND FIVE IN THE AFTERNOON, you were walking back home after buying snacks from the grocery store in your area. Mikey had said goodbye an hour ago after dropping you off at your house.

The sun was setting, flooding the streets of Japan with its ever so divinely hue and warmth. The sunset never ceased to amaze you and you take a moment to admire the way it kissed your skin.

You flinched at the sound of a metal bat hitting the concrete wall and you almost dropped the plastic bag you were holding. You turned to your side, which was a dark vandalized alleyway.

Covering your nose, you distinctly caught wind of the familiar thick scent of nicotine. Around ten men were sitting in the alleyway, seemingly doing nothing but further causing havoc on the silent street.

You recognized them to be delinquents because of their hairstyles and choice of tasteless red clothing. Their behavior gave it away in all honesty. They carried weapons and cigarettes, further adding to your idea.

"Izana? What's wrong?"

Most of them glared at you but some stared at you with intrigue, wondering what the reason behind their boss suddenly bringing his attention over to you.

"I just saw someone familiar." A man with white hair that was styled in a center-parted undercut said. He had mesmerizing purple eyes that would appear kind, if not for the detest he carried with him.

Two large Hanafuda earrings dangle from his ears as he walked over to you, making you unconsciously grip your plastic bag.

The man sported a black shirt and matching black pants. He carried a menacing air as he stepped closer to you with a small sly smile.

"How can I help you?" You raised your brows, briefly glancing at the group of men behind him before turning your attention back to the man you came to know as Izana.

You've most likely heard that name before, you believed. But you couldn't point out where exactly nor did you have the time to fully indulge in your thoughts because any minute he could attack you.

You dropped your plastic bag as you were already feeling threatened and you wouldn't go down without a fight if that's what he's looking for. Amused, he chuckled at your tense reaction and stopped in front of you.

"I'm not going to hurt you, idiot."

He steps forward and pulls out something from his pocket. His eyes linger on you for far too long, a stare that held deep curiosity. He wonders why his so-called brothers were attached to you, especially the younger one.

A muzzle of a gun is firmly pressed against your forehead. "I just need to talk to you."