[AllTakemichi] Control

Chapter 29

Thanks for the hype, y'all! Love reading your comments, but all I can do is drop a thanks or a like. Hope that's cool! Keep 'em coming though - makes my day!

Quick note before the story: See the image for this chapter? It's the first cover the author used! The title 'Control' made me wonder back then: does Takemichi control his destiny, or is he controlled by the pain of fate? Funny how I only noticed when translating it into English. What do you think? Which meaning do you prefer? Anyway, this chapter really shows that. Enjoy the read!

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On December 25, 2005, snow covers all of Tokyo in white. The freezing winter air cannot extinguish the fighting spirit of an unusual team.

"Haitani-kun, Kazutora-kun, and Chifuyu will handle the 100 Black Dragon members outside with Koko-kun and Inupee-kun. Baji-kun, Mitsuya-kun, and I will take care of Taiju inside the church."

Takemichi doesn't expect that one day he leads a team like this. Touman and the S62 generation, even though he is the one who gathers them, he finds it strange.

Rindou and Kazutora glare at each other, clearly unhappy.

"I'm cooperating only because of Takemichi, so stay out of my way," Kazutora snaps. Rindou retorts, "I should say that to you, the guy Takemitchy almost beat to death."

Takemichi tries to smile, has to smile for the cooperative atmosphere... ignoring the fact that this Rindou guy still loves to tease him like crazy.

"Stop arguing! If you want, settle it after this is all over," Takemichi warns with a glare.

Rindou sticks out his tongue and looks away, while Kazutora feigns a hurt expression. Beside them, Ran grins with amusement as he watches Takemichi. Meanwhile, Touman looks visibly annoyed. Why does someone as notoriously cruel and arrogant as Rindou behave so oddly toward Takemichi? If anyone else had said that to him, Rindou would probably have broken a few bones. Even his older brother, Ran, just watches with a curious expression.

They suddenly realize that the Kawata brothers' frustration last time was not because the Haitani brothers harmed Takemichi but because they seem to have some shady intentions toward him.

Takemichi tilts his head to signal Chifuyu, reminding him to keep an eye on the Haitani brothers. Takemichi does not fully trust them and worries they might do something unusual halfway through.

With the roles assigned, the team moves into position as planned.

The ancient church stands in solemn silence, its grand and sacred space leaving a lasting impression on Takemichi. Inside, Hakkai waits for everyone, ready to face Taiju. The quiet and solemn atmosphere of the religious place seems to make the air even tenser.

The church doors creak open, and Taiju strides in with an imposing presence. The sight of the group, along with his younger brother, catches him off guard. His expression remains terrifying, and his deep voice echoes in the stillness:

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Amen."

"What are you all planning to do here?"

Takemichi steps forward. "Shiba Taiju, the 10th leader of the Black Dragon, we're here to defeat you."

Taiju lets out a mocking, arrogant laugh. "You piece of trash, bringing your little gang here and trying to corrupt my brother? Letting you live was clearly a mistake. I'll fix that mistake today. You'll die here, garbage."

He takes a step forward, but Mitsuya and Baji immediately block his path: "You'll have to get through us before you even think about touching Takemichi, you bastard."