Take a chance | mikey

23

The school day flew by, and after dropping Emma off at her place, I headed toward the train station. That's when I noticed a familiar figure trudging down the street, looking like he'd just come back from the worst day ever. Takemichi. The guy was practically dragging himself along, head down, hands shoved deep into his pockets.

"Takemichi!" I called out, picking up my pace. He flinched, snapping out of whatever heavy thoughts had him trapped.

"Oh, Yuri-chan," he mumbled, trying for a smile but failing miserably.

 I frowned, catching up to him. "What's with the zombie walk? You okay?"

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck like he was holding onto a secret he didn't want to share. "It's... the Third Division Captain ceremony. It was today."

The ceremony?" I repeated, my interest piqued. "What happened?"

Takemichi let out a huge sigh, like he'd been holding it in forever. "It's Baji-san. He... he left Toman. Joined up with Valhalla."

My heart skipped a beat. "Wait, what? He left Toman?" I blinked, trying to process it. Baji, who practically lived and breathed Toman, just... bailed?

"Yeah... and Kisaki is the new Third Division Captain," he added, his voice thick with frustration.

"Wait, who's that?" I asked, trying to keep up with Takemichi's string of revelations.

He glanced at me, eyes widening slightly. "Kisaki Tetta. He's... well, he's not exactly the best person, to put it lightly. I don't trust him, and I'm not the only one."

The name didn't ring any bells, but judging by Takemichi's reaction, this Kisaki guy wasn't good news.

"Why would Mikey make him a captain, though?" I asked, frowning. "Doesn't he see what's going on?"

Takemichi shook his head, frustration written all over his face. "I don't know. I think he has his reasons, but... it's just a bad feeling, y'know?"

"Then can't you convince Mikey?" I pressed, worry creeping into my voice. "Tell him why Kisaki's not good news?"

Takemichi sighed, running a hand through his hair, looking helpless. "Ah, I can't. I don't know how to explain it... He hasn't done anything bad. Yet. But I just... I know he's not a good person. He killed hi—" He cut himself off, like he'd almost said too much, and looked away, shaking his head. "Never mind. I don't even know how to convince anyone about it. "

I could tell Takemichi was really tangled up in his thoughts, the frustration leaking through in his words. He seemed like he wanted to say more, but didn't know how. I felt a bit lost myself, trying to make sense of everything he'd said. It was like he was caught in some whirlwind he couldn't explain.

I gave him a reassuring smile, though I wasn't even sure if it was for his sake or my own. "It's okay, Takemichi. It'll work out. Mikey will figure it out."

He looked at me, his expression softening just a little, like he appreciated the optimism, even if he didn't share it. "I hope so, Yuri-chan."

While waiting for the train, I couldn't stop thinking about Baji. Like, this guy I'd only started getting close to through tutoring, suddenly ditching Toman? 

I stared out the window, the lights flashing by, zoning out. Baji had this side to him most people didn't see, the goofy guy who'd laugh about the dumbest stuff or sneak in little jabs about how I explained math. And yeah, it was kinda weird how I'd started looking forward to it, to him just being... Baji. Not "Toman's big scary first division captain" or whatever, but this dude who'd somehow become a friend.

But now he was with some other gang.  And I had no clue what was going on with him, or if he'd ever be the same.

This whole situation was a mess, and if it felt that way to me, I could only imagine what it was like for Mikey.

I mean, I hadn't known Mikey that long, but I could tell right away he wasn't one to take things like betrayal lightly. He might act like nothing phases him, but he's loyal to a fault, especially with friends he's known forever. And now, with Baji jumping ship to Valhalla? That had to sting.

I pulled out my phone, staring at the blank screen. The idea of texting Mikey popped into my head, then immediately felt... weird. I realized I'd never actually texted him before. Not once.

I mean, sure, we'd talked a lot in person, but this felt different. Typing out a text felt oddly formal, like breaking some unspoken rule. 

I opened Mikey's contact, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. My mind started racing with a million things to say. Something casual, but not too casual, right? I typed, Heyyy, how are you? then cringed immediately. Too many y's. Too desperate. I erased it.

Then I tried again. Hope you're doing okay. Ugh, too formal, like I'm emailing a professor or something.

I sat there, biting my lip, before laughing at myself. Why was I making such a big deal out of this? It's just Mikey. The same guy who once stole my last piece of takoyaki and didn't even blink.

Rolling my eyes at myself, I finally settled on a simple, Hey, you okay? and hit send before I could overthink it any further.

Texts:

me: hey, you okay?

mikey: yeah? why?

I stared at my screen, fingers hovering. I heard about Baji was what I almost sent. Then I panicked and backspaced it in a flash. My thumbs were practically stuttering.

me: uhhhhhh

mikey: what?

me: just... checking in, y'know? 

mikey: oh lol i'm good tho.

me: alright...

mikey: yuri being a worrywart again huh

me: what? noooo

mikey: yeah, yeah

I hesitated for a second, then another message popped up.

mikey: hey, wanna go for a ride?

I blinked at the screen, completely thrown off. A ride? Out of nowhere?

me: yeah sure, where to?

mikey: just around. where are you?

me: train station, waiting for my train back home.

mikey: oh, so you're leaving?

I paused, fingers hovering, then quickly typed back.

me: yeah, but it's okay. let's hang.

A quick response.

mikey: stay there. be there in five.

I waited, trying to ignore the weird fluttery feeling in my stomach. What was wrong with me? It's just Mikey. Just a ride. Nothing else. Totally chill. 100%. Cool as a cucumber. Or whatever.