[AllTakemichi] Control

Chapter 41

"What's the deal between the Haitani brothers and Takemichi anyway? Why the hell does he keep trying to pull Takemichi to our side?"

Kisaki asks Hanma seriously right after the meeting. There's a weight in his voice, he feels like Hanma is hiding something. Hanma, realizing he's been caught, scratches the back of his head and mumbles, "Well... I'm not sure about Rindou, but Ran... Ran seems to really like Takemichi."

"Like?" Kisaki raises an eyebrow.

"Yeah, like like. You get what I mean, right?"

Kisaki's face twists into something between shock and disgust - like he's just been struck by lightning.

"Haitani Ran is gay? I've never heard anything about this. That can't be true."

He just can't wrap his head around it.

"But you heard what he said," Hanma replies with a shrug.

Kisaki lets out a dry, incredulous laugh.

"What the hell is so attractive about Takemichi that someone like Haitani would fall for him?"

Mediocre looks, zero sex appeal, nothing remotely charming.

Hanma kind of wants to disagree, but he keeps it to himself. If anyone saw that side of Takemichi, Hanma bets a lot of guys would be dying to taste those lips, trace every inch of that body, make him cry out in their arms.

But no, he can't say that out loud. People already think he's a freak - no need to sound like a total pervert. Besides, the real reason... Hanma thinks Kisaki already knows. It's who Takemichi is. The way he acts, the way he fights for people - he makes you look. Makes you feel. He pulls people in, without even trying.

"Disgusting. And all that's enough to get in my way? Izana hasn't even made a decision yet."

Hanma shrugs again, playing the powerless bystander. He doesn't tell Kisaki what really went down between Ran and Takemichi. He knows exactly what Kisaki would do if he found out. And weirdly enough, Hanma doesn't like the plan Kisaki would come up with. First time ever.

Kisaki falls into thought. That name, Takemichi, it's been ringing alarm bells in his head lately. He's had this gut feeling since last July that Takemichi knows something. Knows about him. Like he's been quietly working against him, screwing up his moves one by one. What's worse - Takemichi seems to anticipate him. Kisaki's the mastermind. He reads people like open books. But with Takemichi... it's like the tables are turning. He's the one being read.

Maybe he overreacted earlier. The Haitani brothers are still too important to confront directly. And if they do manage to bring Takemichi over to Tenjiku's side, that'd actually be perfect. Not only would Tenjiku gain the Black Dragons, especially Kokonoi, but Touman would take a huge mental blow. Especially Mikey.

Takemichi really is a juicy piece of bait. Use him while he's useful, then dispose of him quietly. Still... pulling him into Tenjiku won't be easy. Use Hinata to force him? No. Too dangerous. He doesn't wanna put her in danger. Plus, her father's a cop. That's asking for trouble. Best to wait for Izana's words first, though Izana's so unreadable.

Hanma walks off because Kisaki tells him they need to rethink their next moves. He only gets a few steps away before spotting Kakuchou heading toward him. Hanma instantly knows this guy's been waiting for him. So, what does he want now?

The strongest among Tenjiku's Four Heavenly Kings, Kakuchou always looks deadly serious, like he's leading some kind of disciplinary squad, completely opposite from Hanma. He's also Izana's most loyal dog.