Chihiro Hanagaki

Chapter 2

Chihiro Hanagaki, that was her name now. At first, she could only think that it was a dream. She had died and was reborn in Tokyo Revengers as Takemichi Hanagaki's younger sister. It took her six years to believe that this was truly happening. The only thing she knew was this was her life now. Despite knowing everything, she's never been happier.

*Story Begins*

Six-year-old Chihiro stood in front of her mother's full-length mirror, braiding sections of her long raven hair. She wore a white karate gi with an orange belt. In her past life, she was already a black belt. 'I should be higher, but my teachers don't want me to get a big head,' she thought bitterly. "Why do you want to learn how to fight so bad?" her brother asked. He had been sitting on their parents' bed, watching her silently for the past fifteen minutes.

She looked at him through the mirror, "Mom and Dad won't always be there to protect me." Takemichi frowned at this, "Hey!" Chihiro rolled her eyes, "That includes you too." Karate was something she always loved doing. It kept her body in shape, and knowing how to defend herself was great. "But girls shouldn't fight," he insisted. She glared at her brother, puffing her cheeks, "Like I care."

*19 Years Later*

Before Chihiro knew it, she was once again twenty-five. She shared an apartment with her brother and worked at a Bakery. Chihiro tried convincing Takemichi to get a better apartment, but he insisted on this one. She was just thankful that the apartment wasn't in the same sorry state it had been originally. She was sure that it was only because she kept the place clean. Chihiro was busy getting ready for work while her brother lounged in his futon. Chihiro was pinning her crown braid in place when she heard the news.

"Now, a news break. The escalating dispute between the Tokyo Manji Gang and its rivals are believed to have claimed several additional innocent victims. Within the many victims, there were two fatalities. Those two are twenty-five-year-old Naoto Tachibana and 26-year-old Hinata Tachibana." The news anchor announced. Chihiro's mouth went agape, causing the bobby pins in her mouth to clatter on the bathroom floor. Her eyes widened, 'How could I forget?!' This whole time, Chihiro didn't realize that this day would happen. How could she forget? Chihiro knew this day would come, but Chihiro still didn't know what to do.

She didn't like the idea of someone messing with her life, even if it was her brother. "Is it possible to go back in time as well?" she mumbled. Chihiro didn't have much time to wonder when she noticed the time. She quickly made a break for the entrance, "I'm going now, Take!" Her brother gave a noncommittal grunt as she made her way outside. She left much later than usual, so she was surprised she made it in time. Aoki Bakery is a well-known bakery owned and run by the Aoki family. Chihiro started working at this bakery five years ago.

Ms.Aoki's parents retired three years in, leaving the family business to her. She did her best to help her and Todo with orders, but her position had a higher demand. So, Chihiro was shocked to see Ms.Aoki come from the back. "You're here, Chi!" she exclaimed, looking too happy. "Chihiro, I need you back here!" called Todo. A tall man with unruly black hair and grey eyes poked his head out of the back of the shop. "That bad huh?" Chihiro sighed. For him to come out immediately after she just got here only meant one thing. Ms.Aoki always had trouble refusing some orders customers made.

Her bad habit led to long shifts and sometimes long nights to finish those orders. Todo already had bags under his eyes and flour and powdered sugar all over his uniform. On the weekends the store is usually closed so they can finish orders. Chihiro had asked for the weekend off to visit her mother. Todo and her were the only bakers/decorators employed currently. That meant only Todo and Ms.Aoki were there to do the orders. She must haven't moved fast enough for his liking since he snapped, "Let's hustle!"