[AllTakemichi] Control

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"Hanagaki-san, I've got a few leads on the assignment you gave me. I'll do everything I can to finish it as quickly as possible."

Kimura is giving him an update on the investigation into Take and Michi.

Takemichi can't help finding the whole thing a little ridiculous. The very person Kimura is supposed to be investigating is standing right in front of him, yet he's the one ordering the investigation.

That day, Takemichi briefly considers setting up a camera in his room to see if his suspicion is right - whether those two brats really have more control over the body than he originally thinks.

But what if it's true?

And what if it isn't?

He already knows they're doing something behind his back anyway. He's even searched his own room for clues, but he still can't find anything. Then again, that's only to be expected. Those two are never the type to leave anything that easy to uncover.

"Fine. Keep digging and get me the results as soon as possible. If you're short on manpower, pull in more people."

"I can handle it on my own. Don't worry."

Seeing the confidence on Kimura's face, Takemichi merely nods without another word.

Even now, he still has a strangely good feeling about the man. Even after uncovering the unsettling things hidden beneath Kimura's façade, that feeling never changes.

Kimura is someone Takemichi simply can't see through. He can't read what the man is thinking, nor what his real objective is. Keeping someone like that close is no different from wagering everything on a high-stakes gamble.

Takemichi has no idea what Kimura wants from him.

"By the way, Hanagaki-san... may I ask you something?"

Just before leaving, Kimura suddenly stops in his tracks.

"What is it?"

"You're still a member of Tokyo Manji, aren't you?"

Takemichi freezes.

He blinks, as if he can't quite process what he's just heard. A moment passes before he finally frowns at Kimura in obvious irritation.

What kind of stupid question is that?

"What the hell are you talking about? Of course I'm still in Toman."

The question immediately puts Takemichi in a foul mood.

Kimura, however, remains perfectly calm before letting out a faint chuckle.

"My apologies, Hanagaki-san. I only asked because there have been a lot of rumors lately - both inside the organization and throughout the delinquent world. People have been saying you've left Tokyo Manji to focus on building the Black Dragons, so I thought it might actually be true.

These days you're almost always with the Black Dragons and rarely show up for Tokyo Manji anymore. And whenever you meet our business partners, you do so as the Black Dragons' President. I suppose that's why so many people have gotten the wrong idea."

Seeing the confusion flicker across Takemichi's face, Kimura adds one more sentence.

"You know... these days, when people mention you, they call you Hanagaki Takemichi - the King of the Black Dragons, not Hanagaki Takemichi - the Treasure of Toman anymore."

Takemichi simply stares at him, his face completely devoid of emotion.

"You're not stupid, so don't act like you don't know whether I'm still in Touman or not. If I ever hear you asking me something like that again, I'll cut your tongue out. Don't test my patience."