[AllTakemichi] Control

Chapter 56

Takemichi always feels that even in the hospital he never really gets to rest - like now, when he has to entertain visitors of this caliber.

"How's your health, Takemichi?"

Kakuchou is the first to speak, asking after him while trying to push away the thoughts and images still lingering in his mind. Takemichi steadies himself too. A moment ago he only got startled, and honestly, he has no idea why they all stared at him so intently right when he was changing clothes. Still, Kakuchou is his friend, so he quickly brightens up.

"I'm fine, Kaku-chan. My health's good now. I'm getting discharged soon."

Kakuchou smiles gently. He can see that Takemichi really does look better than the other day. He doesn't bring up Takemichi's depression either - he's heard patients are very sensitive about that.

The two of them share a warm, easy moment until a jealous voice cuts right in.

"Kaku-chan? That sounds sweet."

Always Rindou. The destroyer of Takemichi's mood. If only he had an apple right now, he'd shove it into his mouth again.

"Then do you want me to call you Rin-chan, so it sounds just as sweet?"

This time Takemichi doesn't let Rindou trample him. Smiling with his eyes narrowed into little crescents, he answers in a mock-obedient, syrupy voice.

That earns laughter from everyone. Ran, struggling not to burst out, covers his mouth with his one good hand and turns away, while Rindou flushes red and shouts at his brother.

"Aniki!!!"

Kakuchou and Takemichi, childhood friends and the same age, don't mind it. For Kakuchou, being called "-chan" by Takemichi is no embarrassment at all. In fact, it proves how close they are. He's happy about it. If anyone else dared to call him like that, he might actually hit them.

But Rindou? Not only is he older, he's also a ruthless delinquent with a notorious reputation. Out on the streets, being called "Rin-chan, Rin-chan" in such a cutesy tone would shred the infamous Haitani brother's authority to pieces.

"Enough, Takemichi. If you keep that up, Rindou will dig a grave and bury himself," Ran steps in to save his brother, though he can't resist teasing him at the same time.

Then his gaze lingers on Takemichi. The boy and the others all feel it. Some of them even know why. That kiss he forced on Takemichi that day... Ran still doesn't know how to face him after that.

Back when he was working under Kisaki's plan, he thought success was guaranteed. He thought Takemichi would be his. He imagined the boy panicking, terrified - but yielding would never be easy for him. Ran knew he'd have to use force, break him down... and then he would step in, soothe him, piece him back together. That's when Takemichi would accept being his.

But reality twists everything. He thought he was the hunter, only to find himself the prey in Takemichi's hunt.

His body still aches, his arm is in a cast. Is this punishment for daring to have such filthy thoughts about Takemichi? Or punishment for not being able to control his own desire that day?

And then came everything else. Takemichi hospitalized, unconscious - while Ran himself lay in a hospital bed. He's discharged only the moment Takemichi wakes up.

Depression. Hearing that word from Kakuchou, Ran almost can't believe it. Even Kakuchou had trouble believing it at first.

"At that time, it looked like he wanted to abandon everything. Like he didn't care about the world anymore," Kakuchou had described the Takemichi he saw that day.