[AllTakemichi] Control

Chapter 21

"Multiple personalities?"

Before going to the Musashi shrine for the gang meeting, Chifuyu explains the reason to Baji. Baji is stunned when he hears about it. Chifuyu explains that simply put, multiple personality disorder is when a person has different personalities inside them that the main personality cannot control. When Baji hears the cause of this condition, he's lost for words and lowers his head.

"Takemichi's time-traveling journey must have been filled with a lot of painful events that tortured his mind; he couldn't have just developed a psychological disorder out of nowhere."

"Takemichi has always been normal, right? But when you got stabbed by Kazutora, Takemichi lost control and became that violent person."

The more Chifuyu speaks, the more he believes his theory is correct.

"Always smiling like that, how can you tell if he's really okay or not?"

It is rare for Chifuyu to be the one urgently wanting a gang meeting, but since it involves Takemichi, everyone gathers quickly. When they arrive, they see Chifuyu, Baji, and even Kazutora there. There is a slight hesitation, but the past is behind them. They act normally with Kazutora, although he remains a bit withdrawn. They understand that it will take time for Kazutora to reintegrate, and it can't be forced.

"Chifuyu! Is something wrong with Takemitchy?"

Mikey sits in his usual spot, feeling much better after meeting Takemichi. Chifuyu hesitates a bit before speaking, as he is trying to figure out what to say. Takemichi had told Chifuyu not to tell anyone else about his being from the future.

"I can explain why Takemichi acted so strangely during the fight with Valhalla," Chifuyu says, revealing what he had told Baji and their theories about the situation. Although it's bad news, there is a silver lining.

Kazutora, who had believed that Takemichi truly wanted to kill him, now realizes that it wasn't Takemichi but another personality. Takemichi never wanted to kill him, which brings a small sense of warmth back to Kazutora. The others also feel relieved, as they had been worried about seeing a different side of Takemichi. Despite their time together, they had started to doubt whether Takemichi was hiding his true self and pretending with them.

But Takemichi isn't hiding his true self; he is hiding his pain. Hearing this makes them feel guilty for doubting him.

"I feel both relieved and worried," Mikey says, clasping his hands together. "Takemitchy is still the Takemitchy we know, but I realize that I'm not close enough to understand what he is enduring. I've always seen the weight on his shoulders but never understood why."

Chifuyu and Baji know the reason and therefore feel pity for that little guy, as he bears the heavy responsibility of saving everyone's future. But knowing doesn't mean understanding fully, which makes it even more frustrating.

"I really want to do something for him, he is our benefactor," Mitsuya says.

"Takemitchy saved me once, this time I have the chance to repay him," Draken says with a smile.

"I like Takemichi too, so I want to help him," Smiley adds.

"Me too," Angry chimes in.

"Me as well," and then each person speaks up.

Mikey smiles, "Takemitchy is a treasure of Touman, we will do everything for him."

Everyone nods in agreement with what Mikey says.

"His condition shouldn't be known by anyone outside of us. Takemichi hasn't seen a real doctor yet, and I'm afraid he will feel ashamed," Chifuyu warns everyone. Moreover, if this information leaks, someone might use it against him.