[AllTakemichi] Control

Chapter 39

Hey besties! Let's kick off this 11-day storm fest!

BTW, totally forgot to say — this April 30th marks exactly 50 years since Vietnam's reunification!

Dropping a chapter storm during such a meaningful time for my country hits different 🫶

Can't believe this work is going global right now — so hype!!

Big thanks to everyone who's been riding with me up to this point 🥹💖

Now strap in, tighten those helmet straps, and let's ride this mega storm together!! 🚀🔥

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Thanks to a night where Baji, Kazutora, and Chifuyu try their best to talk, crack jokes, and cheer him up, Takemichi's mood lifts a little. He comforts himself - he's already twenty-six, after all. Is he really going to let this one thing make the world feel like it's crashing down? Just think of it as the first time dealing with harassment. If he can forget it, he should forget it.

But something still doesn't sit right. Deep down, Takemichi can't shake the feeling. He's not so naive that he doesn't notice Ran's feelings for him - he just doesn't understand why those feelings exist in the first place. What exactly has he done to change the flow of this timeline so much?

Takemichi has no issue with same-gender love; in the future, it's completely normal. But he's never accepted anyone's feelings except Hinata's, so this weighs heavy on him.

In the morning, he heads to school with Kazutora like usual. Kazutora tries to convince him to skip and hang out instead, but Takemichi's already skipped way too much. Hinata keeps reminding him to stay on track. He doesn't want to show how shaken he is - not when Baji, Chifuyu, and Kazutora have already been worrying enough.

"Takemichi, from now on, I'm picking you up for school and walking you home." Kazutora says seriously, his face set with determination.

"I know you're worried about me, but this won't happen again, Kazutora-kun. You do realize our houses are in opposite directions, right? And besides, after school, I usually head over to Black Dragon. It's not like I go straight home every day." Takemichi smiles gently, turning him down, though deep inside, he's truly touched by everyone's concern.

"But..."

"There won't be a next time. I'll be more careful, so don't worry, Kazutora-kun."

Kazutora's face falls, a mix of frustration and hurt showing as he tugs on Takemichi's sleeve. His eyes have that puppy-like look again. Takemichi lets out a strained laugh - he looks all tough, but always ends up sulking like this.

"That look won't work on me, you know."

Kazutora gives up and sighs. Takemichi made up his mind - no matter what he says, the guy won't budge.

"Come on, let's go to school, Kazutora-kun."

Takemichi loops his arm around Kazutora's and starts walking. Kazutora keeps his eyes on him, unable to shake off the tight knot of frustration inside. On the outside, he stays calm, but his heart is boiling with anger. All he wants is to go find Haitani Ran and teach that bastard a lesson.

Kazutora knows he isn't the only one who gives his heart to Takemichi. But if it's Baji and Chifuyu, he can share that space. He cares about them, and he understands the pain of standing beside Takemichi as just a friend - burying his love deep within. He's even the one who watches Takemichi smile happily every day next to the girl he loves.

Inside, he's jealous. It stings like a thousand ants crawling under his skin. It makes him restless, makes him ache. But still, he smiles whenever Takemichi is near. To Kazutora, even the smallest touches, the casual gestures that Takemichi thinks are just normal between friends, feel like warmth spreading through his chest - like a child being handed sweet candies. He cherishes those moments. He's jealous, yes, but seeing Takemichi happy with the one he loves... and being able to stay by his side, even just as a friend - that's enough.