[AllTakemichi] Control

Chapter 67

After the two finish crying in each other's arms, they both grow awkward, their eyes red and their noses still sniffling. Neither of them knows what to do next except lie there on Takemichi's bed, staring up at the ceiling. The lights are still on. They just lie there like that for a while before Takemichi finally speaks.

"If Baji and Chifuyu find out we hugged each other and cried like that, they'd laugh their asses off at us."

"Probably. Chifuyu would be the one laughing the loudest right in my face."

Kazutora chuckles as he replies.

In truth, both of them know the opposite would happen - they would worry about them instead.

"You actually came to see me because of something, didn't you?"

Kazutora stiffens slightly when he hears that. But in the end, the reason he comes here is because he wants to ask Takemichi directly. Their relationship should be built on honesty. And if the other person doesn't want to talk, then he should respect that too.

"Takemichi... you, Baji, and Chifuyu are hiding something from me, aren't you?"

The room falls silent. Kazutora doesn't look at Takemichi, and he knows Takemichi isn't turning to look at him either.

Kazutora hesitates before continuing.

"If you don't want to say it, that's fine. Sorry... I just... when I see you three sharing a secret and I... I'm the only one who doesn't know... I..."

He can't finish his sentence. Because he's afraid that if he says it out loud, it will sound like he's blaming them. And what right does he have to blame them? He's the one who hurts them the most. For a moment, Kazutora wants to back down. His emotions are getting the better of him, and it feels like he's only putting pressure on Takemichi.

"There is a secret. If I tell you, can you promise you won't tell anyone else?"

Takemichi answers in an unexpectedly light tone. He turns to look at Kazutora just as Kazutora turns toward him in surprise. Takemichi raises his pinky finger in a silent promise.

"Promise me."

Their little fingers hook together, sealing the pact. Only then does Takemichi smile faintly and turn slightly toward him.

"I come from the future, Kazutora. From twelve years ahead."

Kazutora's eyes widen in shock. Then Takemichi continues, explaining everything the same way he once told Chifuyu. And as Kazutora listens, each word feels like something out of a dream, so unreal it almost doesn't feel real at all.

But no matter how unbelievable it sounds, if Takemichi says it, then it must be true. And everything lines up perfectly with the questions Kazutora has been carrying.

"I've seen so many terrible futures. I've gone back so many times. I... honestly don't even know how to explain it. I never want to become who I am right now, but I can't escape it either. All I want is to live happily with everyone. I never once imagined I'd turn into this kind of person on this journey. Sometimes when I look at myself... it feels like I've lost who I am."

These are the thoughts Takemichi keeps buried deep in his heart. Even he doesn't know why he's telling Kazutora now. Maybe it's simply because the weight has become too much for him to carry alone.

Kazutora grabs Takemichi's hand and pulls him into a tight embrace. His already reddened eyes begin to fill with tears again.

His hatred really does bring misfortune to the people he loves. His hatred really does make him lose everything. And he almost repeats that same mistake again.