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

What Will I Do? How Will I Do It? (i need to tell him, tell everyone)

August 1st, 2017

After days of being ignored by Takemichi. Everyone got the message that he wanted them to just act normal around him. And so they did. Mikey dropped by with Haruchiyo on their way to check out a new office building. That was...an interesting interaction considering Mikey didn't know Haruchiyo and Takemichi had become friends.

.

This morning was difficult. More difficult than usual to force himself out of bed. His mood had been especially darkened when he realised his pillow was covered in small clumps of hair. That then led to a mental breakdown in the shower when even more hair fell from his scalp under the pressure of the water.

He's so grateful for the beanies Miysuya made him, they were the only thing keeping him together right now. He's just...He's so tired and over it. He needs to do it. He needs to tell everyone. He's going to do it. Because he knows....he can feel it...he doesn't have long left.

Today was just him and Rindou. He had come to like the older. He has this passion even if he doesn't really show it, it reminds Takemichi of himself. Himself pre-cancer.

"Takemichi, how many cups of flour do I put in?" Rindou called out from where he was mixing cookie dough.

Takemichi tried to not to freak out when his mind went blank, like it did last time, he didn't need to be traumatising Rindou by fainting on him again, "Um...let me...just let me check."

He reached into his pocket where a small notebook was, where he had been taking down his recipes. He flicked through the pages until he found the one he was looking for.

"2 and a half. Sorry for the delay."

"It's all good, Boss. Don't worry about it," Rindou replied, offering a small smile.

Takemichi walked out to the front counter at the sound of the door chime. He didn't expect Mikey, or Haruchiyo trailing behind him. The pair's eyes lit up at the sight of him.

"Hey Mitchy!"

"Morning Takemichi."

They greeted simultaneously. Mikey spun around to face Haruchiyo, giving him a look.

"Why are you greeting him so casually?"

Takemichi pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, was he really about to witness Mikey claim him again? He remembers the time Mikey did it to Inui, saying they couldn't be friends because Mikey found him first. By that logic, Kakucho would be his only friend. Mikey liked to think it was fun to claim Takemichi as his only, and would always make a big deal whenever he discovered a new friend Takemichi had made.

"Haru-kun and I are friends, Mikey-kun. Now is there a reason you came by today?"

"Haru-kun?" Mikey grumbled in disbelief. He shook his head and planted a smile on his face, "Got any treats for me, Takemitchy?"

"Well, there's some new dorayaki flavours Rin-kun and I have been trying out. Want to be our taste tester?" Takemichi offered, trying to keep his tone light. He was going to tell him. He was going to tell Mikey. But he needed to ease into it.

"Of course, duh."

"Alright....and uh, Mikey-kun?"

"Yeah?"

"Can we talk later, privately? Maybe meet up at your place?"

Takemichi's heart clenched at how Mikey's face shined brightly, a cheeky smile spreading across his face, "Definitely, I'll pick you up after work."

Takemichi nodded, "Okay. Now, let me get you those dorayakis. And Haru-kun, anything you want?"

"Could I get one of those chocolate eclairs?"

"You got it."

.

Mikey would be here any minute, and Rindou has picked up on Takemichi's clear nervousness.

"Are you all good?"

"Not really, no. But I have to do this."

"Are you officially rejecting him or something?" Rindou asked bluntly.

A surprised chuckle escaped him, "I- no Rin-kun. But what I am telling him will break his heart the same."

Rindou nodded slowly, "I figure you're not going to tell me, so I won't ask."

"You got it. But...you'll find out soon enough. Everyone will."

Rindou tried not to think too hard, he never did, there was no point. But he couldn't help but be curious, and Takemichi was being mysterious on purpose.

The pair finally finished closing up and were now standing out the front of the bakery as Takemichi locked the doors.

"Hmm...it's just Ran tomorrow, so I'll see you Friday, okay?"

"Yep. Later, Boss. Try not to stress out too much." Rindou said before turning on his heel and heading towards his car.

Try not to stress out, huh? He didn't get time to think, because Mikey's flash car rolled in front of him. The window rolled down revealing a smiley Mikey wearing sunglasses. Mikey was too happy. He was too carefree. He was too hopeful. He was too perfect. And Takemichi loved him with every part of his being. And he hated that.

And Hanagaki Takemichi is a cruel, cruel man. So he smiles back at Mikey, albeit weak, and slides into the passenger seat with a gentle sigh and a sweet 'How are you, Mikey-kun?'. Because Hanagaki Takemichi is terrible, so terrible truly. So terrible in fact that he thinks he might just die right now in front of the man he loves. 

Very short I know, but the next chapter will be super long to make up for it.