[AllTakemichi] Control

Chapter 49

"Hey Hakkai, why the hell did your brother agree to help Takemichi anyway?"

That's the question everyone in Touman keeps asking. Even Kokonoi and Inupi can't believe their old boss actually sides with Takemichi.

"I called him to ask, and this is what he said," Hakkai says, putting his hands together like he's praying, mimicking his brother.

"The Lord has blessed him and shown him the way, so I shall follow whatever he does."

Mitsuya frowns, looking half amused, half confused.

"I don't get a word of that religious crap your brother's spouting."

"Yeah, me neither," Hakkai shrugs, shaking his head.

"But honestly, that sounds just like your brother... and yet not quite like him at all, you know?"

Hakkai thinks for a second, then mutters, "When he said it, he sounded super serious. Like, the way he talks when he's in church or something."

They both fall silent. The noise of the fight ahead dies down, snapping them back to reality. Mitsuya chuckles and changes the subject.

"Anyway, if we're calling Takemichi a blessing, I'm on board with that."

"Takachan's right," Hakkai nods eagerly, catching Mitsuya's meaning.

Honestly, it's better not to think too hard about it. The more you think, the weirder it gets.

"Wonder how the others are doing," Hakkai says.

"Third Division's handling Madarame Shion. Peyan's got him - should be no problem. Fourth Division's got Mucho, and Smiley's been dying to beat the crap outta him. But the craziest ones are the First Division - Baji, Chifuyu, Kazutora - they all insisted on taking on the Haitani brothers."

"I'll call and check later. We're pretty much done here anyway. This guy's tougher than he looks," Mitsuya says with a smile, glancing at the pile of Tenjiku members sprawled on the ground, their leader Mochi among them.

"Sorry for playing dirty, but Takemichi says we've got to beat you into the hospital."

Hakkai, who just landed a blow to the back of Mochi's nape while he's focused on attacking Mitsuya, speaks up with an apologetic tone - but his face is lit up with a grin. Mochi lies on the ground, teeth clenched, unable to get up. Something feels broken - he's not even sure where, because his whole body aches. They've only just set foot in Shibuya when his crew gets ambushed by Touman and the Black Dragons. Didn't the Black Dragons already leave Shibuya? Why are they still here? And how the hell do they know where his men would show up and strike in advance? Damn it. Now it's clear. Their whole plan - everything his side laid out - has been completely exposed. No, more than that. They've walked straight into a trap Touman laid out from the start.

The first squad, led by Baji, with Chifuyu and Kazutora, chooses to ambush the Haitani brothers. Of course, they pick those two. They still hold a grudge over Ran's stunt of forcing a kiss on Takemichi last time - not a day goes by they don't think about it. And with Takemichi's blessing to go all out, they know their moment has come. No way they're letting this chance slip by.

"Don't look so surprised, you bastards. This is the little gift Takemichi's prepared for you," Baji sneers, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he faces the bewildered Haitani brothers. Ran's smile falters, cracks completely. The sight of Black Dragon - who's supposed to be far, far away - makes the balance of power tip sharply against them.

"Our little sweetheart's really given us one hell of a present, huh," Ran says with a bitter laugh. Damn it, Rindou was right. Takemichi always brings chaos with him. Always. And Ran suddenly hates that truth more than ever.