𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍~ 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐎 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐈𝐑𝐎

♡chapter-6♡

Your point of view.

The slanting rays of the setting sun bathed the sky in a warm orange hue, signaling the approaching night.

The four of us were riding a bicycle along a grassy path, the gentle breeze carrying the faint chirping of birds. I sat behind Draken on the same bicycle, the rhythmic clicks of the pedals the only sound breaking the serene silence.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the quiet, lost in their thoughts until Takemichi finally broke it.

"Um, Mikey-kun."

"Hm?"

"Well... why did you take a liking to someone like me?"

"What a stupid question." Mikey responded flatly, not even turning his head.

"Ahh.. I'm sorry." Takemichi mumbled, continuing to pedal awkwardly. But Mikey didn't let the silence linger for long. "I have a brother ten years older than me. He's dead, though."

My eyes widened slightly, catching the sudden shift in his tone. I glanced at him, noticing the subtle softness in his expression.

"He was a reckless guy." Mikey continued. "He'd pick fights against people stronger than him like it was no big deal."

"Ohh.. he sounds like a cool person." Takemichi replied sincerely.

"You're like my older brother, Takemitchy!" Mikey suddenly said with a big grin.

"Ehh? N-No, I'm not as cool as him!" Takemichi stammered, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks.

"Well, true. He wasn't as lame as you."

"That's mean..."

I couldn't hold back the small laugh that escaped me.

"Y/n-chin, I heard that! Don't try to hide your laugh from us." Mikey teased, turning to face me with a playful grin. I rolled my eyes, trying to shake off the embarrassment.

"Whatever."

He chuckled a bit louder.

The bikes came to a stop near the riverbank. Mikey and Draken walked ahead while the rest of us trailed behind. The grassy edge overlooked the calm waters, the sky now a deepening orange with streaks of purple.

"People call delinquents 'lame' in this era, don't they?" Mikey spoke, his voice unusually calm. We stood watching him, his figure outlined by the fading sunlight. "There were a lot of bosozoku back during my brother's era." He said, his eyes reflecting nostalgia. "They'd ride through the streets with their loud pipes... Everyone acted tough, and all they did was fight. But they always took care of their own mess."

His words tugged at something buried deep within me. I balled my fists, grinding my teeth as a bitter memory surfaced.

Mikey sat on the grass, his voice steady as he declared. "That's why I'm going to create an era for delinquents. You should come with us." My eyes widened at his words. An era for delinquents? It sounded like a dream, one I never thought I'd hear out loud.

He stood, facing us with conviction. "I like your guts, Hanagaki Takemichi."

Draken chimed in, his voice firm. "There are plenty of guys who are good at fighting, but there aren't many who'd stand up to anyone."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Mikey approaching me. I straightened my posture, turning to meet his gaze. "You don't like delinquents, do you?" He asked, his tone soft but piercing.

My breath hitched, and I froze. How did he find out? Was I that obvious?

"I-I..."

Mikey stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I don't know what happened to make you hate us, but that doesn't mean I'm going to give up." He leaned in slightly, his words sending a shiver down my spine.