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

Can The Cards Change Our Fate?

June 28th, 2017

Hanma has decided that he is no longer afraid of the police. He also decided that he is no longer afraid of Takemichi's friends seeing him. He's convinced himself of that, right? So why is he so hesitant to enter the bakery in broad daylight without his face covered? He found out it was Takemichi's birthday a few days ago and he had set it upon himself to get him a gift. He didn't really know what to get Takemichi, or how to face him. After what happened that night, when he discovered Takemichi in a distressed mental state. And when....Mikey and Draken discovered them in that incriminating position. He didn't want to, but he decided to stay away for a bit after that.

Now, it's been almost three weeks since he has seen him. Three long, slow, lonely weeks. He knows he should get over it. Get over Takemichi, because their relationship will never progress. But he can't. He can't help but hold on to the affection Takemichi gave him. But it wasn't just that. Takemichi made him feel human, and reminded him that he wasn't just a monster adrenaline junkie. He was more than that, Takemichi told him.

In his hoodie pockets were one, a pack of cigarettes, and two, a packet of tarot cards. Now, the gift might seem a little strange, but when Hanma was trying to think about what to get Takemichi, he thought back to a conversation they had one time. It was the only time they had ever had a conversation that wasn't just surface level.

"Hanma-kun, do you...do you ever freak out about the future?"

Hanma glanced over at Takemichi, he had been jittery tonight. Going through cigarettes quicker than usual, his thighs shaking as he repeatedly tapped his foot against the floor.

"Hmm, sometimes. Not really though, the future hasn't happened yet so I can do whatever I want to change it."

Takemichi stared at him, nodding thoughtfully, "But sometimes the future can't be changed, what do you do then?"

"Play around with tarot cards, see what they tell me."

Takemichi chuckled at his response and Hanma's heart squeezed at the smile that spread across the younger's face, "I'd love to try that sometime then."

"Then we will, let's play with them together and see what the future holds."

The door chimed as he entered the bakery, it was pretty empty, as it usually was in the late afternoon. However, he didn't expect to see Haitani Ran manning the front counter. No, he wasn't going to say anything. He was just going to ask where Takemichi was so he could give him his gift.

When Ran saw Hanma Shuji approaching him, he was going to say something similar to when Haruchiyo had come in. But then he remembered how Takemichi had reprimanded him, so he held back. Instead, he smiled.

"The great Mr Hanma, how can I be of assistance today?"

"What the fuck is wrong with you, why are you talking like that?" Hanma asked, that was the last thing he had expected to come out of his mouth.

"I'm tryna be polite here. Especially since Takemichi likes to befriend all kinds of weirdos."

"Have you looked in a mirror lately?" Hanma spat.

"Oh you-"

"Ran, stop," Rindou said as he walked out from the kitchen adorned in a baby blue apron, Hanma almost lost his cool at the sight. "Are you here to buy something or see Takemichi, Hanma?"

"I um, to see him. But I'll buy something too," Hanma remembered how long it has been since he's tried Takemichi's delicious treats, "Can I get the chocolate soufflé?"

"Ok, Ran you ring that up for him and I'll ask Takemichi if he wants to see Hanma right now."

Rindou didn't really know what to think when Takemichi had given him a long list of names filled with people he 'really didn't want to see right now'. He thought perhaps something had happened and Takemichi needed his distance. He knew that Hanma's name wasn't on the list, because frankly he had no idea the two were close. It was an unusual friendship, but he couldn't really judge since he'd like to think himself and Takemichi have become friends too. And he's pretty weird too.

Kakucho had stormed out not too long ago, but not before stopping and turning to look at the brothers saying, 'Look after Michi, please.'

It was obvious that all of Takemichi's friends were really worried about him, and perhaps that's why he gave him that list, to keep away the overbearingness of his friends. But he was really worried about Takemichi, he had been ever since Takemichi had a mental breakdown and passed out in front of him. He knew Ran was concerned too.

Rindou knocked on the door to Takemichi's office, he had been sitting in there a lot lately, writing letters from the looks of it. He doesn't push for why because he doesn't want Takemichi to lie to him. It did make his heart swell with pride that Takemichi trusted him enough with baking most dishes.

"Come in."

Rindou entered and sure enough, Takemichi had a pen in hand, pieces of paper beneath him, "Hey, um, Hanma is here to see you."

Takemichi's eyes widened a fraction, "Oh, really?" Rindou nodded.

He really didn't think Hanma would ever want to see him again, after how he broke down in front of him, embarrassing himself as he asked for cigarettes and sex. He also thought that Mikey and Draken's surprise appearance would have scared him off.

"Bring him in."

.

.

.

"Hey Takemichi."

"Hey, Shuji."