[AllTakemichi] Control

Chapter 71

Ever since the battle with Tenjiku, after Takemichi wakes up about a day later, Sanzu sends him exactly one text.

"Don't contact me for a while."

And that's it.

From that day until now, neither of them reaches out to the other.

Part of it is because Takemichi isn't in the right headspace. Another part is because he understands. Kisaki and Izana aren't idiots. If the two of them are still working together, they'll definitely suspect there's a mole inside Tenjiku. Otherwise, how could Kisaki's plan fall apart so easily?

And even if Mucho trusts Sanzu, a guy who transfers over from Toman is naturally going to attract suspicion. So for now, staying out of contact is the smartest move.

Logically, Takemichi knows all that.

But emotionally...

It still pisses him off a little.

Everyone around him checks in on him, asks how he's doing.

Everyone except that bastard.

Fine, they aren't supposed to keep in touch. He gets it. But since Sanzu already breaks the silence to send one message, would it really kill him to add one more line? You okay? Is typing some extra words really that much work?

But no.

Not a single word.

And this is the same guy who tells him before the battle that he should take better care of himself.

Liar.

Figures. He never really believes those words come from Sanzu's heart anyway.

What annoys him even more is that he can't figure out why he's so irritated over Sanzu in the first place.

...What?

Does he actually want Sanzu to worry about him that badly?

The thought alone irritates him even more.

So out of pure spite, Takemichi completely ignores the damn jerk from then on.

Whatever Sanzu is doing, he couldn't care less.

He doesn't even bother asking whether Sanzu manages to track down Kisaki.

He'll handle everything himself.

Serves that asshole right.

Now that he thinks about it...

There's still the barbecue party.

He asks his mom if they can hold it this weekend instead, treating it as a celebration for his discharge from the hospital. Mrs. Hanagaki happily agrees -

Right until she hears how many people are coming.

"You seriously think our yard can fit that many people?"

"...Uh... no."

Definitely not.

His house is completely out of the question.

Which means he'll have to look for a campground or somewhere nearby that allows barbecues. The problem is, he doesn't know many places, and hosting it outside comes with its own set of hassles. Not knowing what to do, Takemichi brings it up while he's in the Black Dragons' office with Taiju, Inupi, and Kokonoi.

"You can use my place if you want."

Taiju drops the offer so casually that the moment the words leave Takemichi's mouth, all three of them - Takemichi, Kokonoi, and Inupi - freeze in disbelief.