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There's this new transferee.
Takemichi first heard of this person from Akkun, who heard it from Takkun, who heard it from Makoto, who heard it from the gossip-monster that is Yamagishi.
They say this person is pretty. As pretty as Tachibana. At first, Takemichi couldn't believe it — who can be as pretty as his closest friend Hinata? Then he saw the person, and well..
They truly are pretty. Very much so.
Long blonde hair, eyes the colours of green and blacks mixed in a way meant to enrapture people. This person moves with an air of confidence and assurance. Like they can handle anything thrown in their way, like they're so in command of their fate.
And maybe they are — after all, they're hanging out with the Kazutora Hanemiya. One of Toman's pillars.
(Tokyo Manji: a gang that stands alongside Black Dragon and Yokohama's Tenjiku. What's crazier? It's that the three gangs' leaders are all brothers.)
If this person is confident enough to swing their arm around Kazutora-senpai, laugh at and with him, steal his lunch and dorayaki (like, all of Kazutora-senpai's sweets too) and hang around him all day then.. Wow they really have the guts huh.
Takemichi had no plans whatsoever to approach this transferee (he's not risking being put in Toman's radar, thank you very much!), sure, he may have been developing a crush on the person just by watching them from afar (like a creep, his mind says. He shuts his mind up) and just admires the way they carry themself. But that's it. A crush. Takemichi never really had a serious one before, and it's basically like his first time liking someone that way — but! The point is, that person is waaaay beyond his league.
C'mon, he can't risk his first crush to be such a heartbreak, right?
Besides, he doesn't even know their name yet! Yamagishi doesn't know. None of them are willing to approach and ask. Because, you know, Kazutora.
None, maybe except Tachibana. Sweet courageous Tachibana.
"T-Takemichi-kun..." Hinata looks so lost, like she just saw the genie manifest in front of her, eyes sparkling in a way that makes him a little iffy. Like there's something bad that's gonna happen. "You like someone?!"
They're in the school's cramped cafeteria when Hinata swings by their group. Akkun slides over and lets Hinata sit right across Takemichi. They were talking about school stuff — like Akkun and Makoto asking for a group study at Takemichi's place, with a little whine from him and a shut down from Takuya.
("Why is it always my place?"
"Shush, Takemichi, your place is the biggest.")
When Yamagishi, the loudmouth that he is, blurted out about his teensy little crush.
And there it goes: Hinata's very loud outburst that had heads turning towards their table. Curse this cramped cafeteria where everyone can eavesdrop on anyone. Curse his dumb luck.
Maybe the senpai didn't hear?
Takemichi steels his will and sneaks a glance at Kazutora-senpai's table.
Regret. Regret! Abort mission! AaaaaAA!
The moment he turns and throws his glance — that person is already staring at him (not at the others, only him!!! ) with their brow raised. When their eyes meet, for more than a few beats since Takemichi got entranced by their beauty, this beautiful senpai gives him a lopsided smile. He's definitely being teased.
(Why do they look so — goddammit! is this how a crush feels like?! It's like a roller-coaster but it's all loops!)
He immediately whips his head back, feeling beads of sweat form on his nape and several gazes on him. He clamps his mouth shut, biting his lip until it's bright red.
Pretend you didn't see them. Pretend you didn't see them. You didn't see them. They looked so pretty—
Akkun and the others — those bastards. They're just laughing at him. Laughing!
"Well, that's your answer." Takuya giggles, "What do you think?"
Hinata smiles her sweetest smile, and that just spells trouble for him. Endless troubles. He wishes the ground would swallow him up there and then.
"It's Takemichi's first crush! We can't let this crash!" Hinata declares as valiantly as she can.
Takemichi groans and buries his face in his hands. "Please don't talk too loudly.."
"Oh, by the way, that's a lousy pun, Hina-chan." Makoto chimes.
"Shush!"
"Hey, Tora," Mikey props his elbow on the table, his head leaning on his palm as he swings the lollipop he has around in little circles, "That kid, who is he?"
They're hanging out in Mikey's house, with Emma ogling at Ken-chin work, and Ken-chin letting Emma ogle at him. Lovebirds.
"Which one?" Draken glances at him, brow raised.
His question has people looking at him. Draken, Baji, Mitsuya, Emma.
"The one that looks like a doll."
"Eh?" Kazutora only blinks at him quizzically. Pausing his pestering with Baji. His earring clinks at every movement.
Snapping his fingers, Mikey sighs, did Kazutora not know him? That's a pain. "You know, yellow hair looking like it captured all the sunlight on a summer day, blue eyes looking like skies?"
Silence drapes over them...
Then Emma's rushing out to get her phone. Pah and Draken dropped their tools they were holding since they were fiddling with some bike parts. There's a noticeable silence from Kazutora, and Baji — damn Baji is guffawing his heart out.
Mikey pouts. He should've worded his sentences better. Everything just flew out his mouth though, his head is filled with that cute blond.
"Shin-nii?! Shinichiro-nii?! Yes! You would not believe what Mikey just said!"
"Draken.. I heard him right, right? You know I'm kinda slow sometimes.. Did he just say—"
"Eeeh? Haaah?!"
Baji sounds like a dying seal, he's slapping whatever surface his hands land on too.
"Yes, he said that, Shin-nii! I'll tell you more details later, I gotta call Iza-nii."
"Pah, did he just say.."
"Mikey, are you.. Did you eat well? Want some dorayaki? Taiyaki? It won't be my treat but let's get some?"
Baji's lying down on the couch—nevermind, he fell down. Bastard's still dying with laughter and rolling on the floor.
Mikey frowns deeply, crossing his arm across his chest. He should've just asked that pretty blue eyes himself. It would've been fun seeing him cutely squirm around, he blushes so easily too. The problem is those people hanging around him all the time. What if one of them recognizes him? He's not sure if the blondie would bolt away the moment he hears he's Invincible Mikey.
Ah. The pains of being famous.
It takes them minutes — minutes!! — before Baji calms down and Emma stops rambling to their brothers. Kazutora is beside him, looking like he's unsure of what to do, he might cry soon. Draken marches up to him, he would've looked menacing if he didn't look so out of his mind.
Mikey stares at them with a pout.
"Who are you talking about?" Draken is losing his mind, unlike his cool, composed self. His braid is whipping around as his head turns left and right. It would've been a funny sight if only they didn't react that way to his words.
"Kazutora, who is he talking about?"
"Are you sure you're Mikey?"
"Hah, wait, Emma-chan, can you take a video of this?" It's Baji who said that.
"Of course! I gotta show Shin and Iza-nii too."
Tsk.
"Tora, give me his name." Tora only blinks at him. Did he break him? Damn it.
"This is gold." Someone snickers.
"Toraaa?" Mikey pokes his friend's cheek, no response. Tsk. "Fine, I'll ask him myself!"
"That's right, Mikey is making the first move!" Baji hoots. He's enjoying this way too much.
He glances at the room, and sees Mitsuya staring at him. Mitsuya, the only sane person in the room beside him. He sends him a pleading look.
"Hey, guys. Stop it." His saviour sighs, holding on Baji's shoulder. "Tora, snap out of it, we need the name."
"But.."
"It's not 'we', only I need the name. You guys don't need to see him."
"Fuck that, you haven't shown anyone a drop of interest since.. Since Toman has been established! You didn't even react that much when Shinichiro-san said that Izana-san is your brother!"
Draken looks massively alarmed, "And now you're asking about a kid? And you described him like you're some lovesick poet? Who's this?! Is he some big-name delinquent?"
Mikey huffs, "I'm curious, okay? Just curious." That person looked so pretty. He blushed so adorably. Maybe he just wants to poke some fun at him? He doesn't really know yet, he just wants to know that guy's name for now. Maybe observe him for a bit?
"Kazutora," Mitsuya makes Tora flinch by pressing a cold glass of water against his cheek, "Name. So we can investigate the guy."
"Huh, alright.." Tora blinks at Mikey, "Hanagaki Takemichi. He doesn't belong in any gangs whatsoever. He's..normal."
"So that's Mikey's type!"
"Shut up, Baji!"
Hanagaki Takemichi.
Mikey takes the lollipop in his mouth again, it tastes sweeter this time. He stands up and shoves his hands in his pockets. He ignores his friends who are losing their minds behind him and goes to his room, locking the door behind him.
Hanagaki Takemichi..
Suffice to say, distinct shades of blue and yellow occupied Mikey's mind all night.
"Akkun.."
"Yes, Takemichi?"
"Why are you styling my hair?"
"Because you don't know shit about styling hair."
Takemichi bites his lip, "Okay, that's true, but why is Yamagishi polishing my shoes?"
Yamagishi upon hearing his name, sends a thumbs up to him. "You need to look your best!"
"For what?" He croaks. It's too early in the morning — half past six — and his friends has already made themselves at home in his house. He's still blinking blearily and yawning when Takuya bursted in and ironed his uniform — like, why?
Makoto is choosing his 'best tie' which is ridiculous by the way — all their uniform's ties look identical. Takuya moved on from ironing to cooking breakfast (smells like bacon and eggs), as mentioned, Akkun and Yamagishi are also pampering him.
He'd almost feel touched by the caring actions. But he isn't. Instead, he feels a pit in his stomach, like his friends are planning something that will absolutely decimate his pride as a teenager. Like he's being groomed to walk to his death by shame.
What's worse is that he can't stop them.
"Alright, all done!" Yamagishi so gently placed his shoes in front of him, even kneeling, "Now, be very careful on the way to school, don't get mud on it!"
Akkun finishes too, leaving Takemichi's hair down and looking fluffy, less unruly, it's swept to the side too.
(He admits, it does look good)
"Okay, Takemichi looks more like a pretty sunflower than a pisshair now!" Akkun beams as if he didn't just send arrows of insults to Takemichi. "Okay, now go eat!"
With no choice but to obey, Takemichi trudges down his own house, feeling like every step draws him closer to doom.
And... Would you look at that? He's freaking correct!
He's feeling uneasy all morning, but nothing happened then, no, his best-worst nightmare happened at lunch.
It starts with the sweetest girl herself, Tachibana Hinata.
And his crush — who's now face-to-face with him, smiling.
Mikey is looking forward to going to school. (Shin called it a miracle).
But at the same time, he's not.
Only Baji and Kenchin had the guts to sneak into their school. They didn't even frigging change uniforms, they just went to his and Tora's school with their flippant personalities. (Mikey admits, he'd do the same)
Baji is, well, not blending in, but he's actually studying. Kenchin stands out, obviously, but no one dares to approach because they know of the dragon tattoo. Also Kenchin was really polite and said that he'd just really want to learn.
He calls out their bull. Baji and Draken don't care.
He's all too excited to actually meet Hanagaki Takemichi, but he can't actually do that when these two are hovering around him — Baji would roll on the floor laughing because he's a little shit like that. Kenchin would interrogate him, probably. Or maybe he'd also like Takemichi's cuteness. (Mikey cannot have that)
So he's planning to spend lunch on the rooftop, away from Takemichi's group.
But then, there's this—
"Uhm.. Excuse me?" A soft voice calls, it's the girl who was with Takemichi.
"Hello! I'm Tachibana Hinata," The girl stares at them before bowing politely. She looks quite confused, skeptical, but she's not wavering. "Uhm.. Excuse me.. Miss.."
Tachibana's looking straight at Mikey.
Miss?
She blinks at him, biting her lower lip as her fingers fiddle.
Everyone's confused too.
"Tachibana-san," It's Kenchin who speaks up, "There's no 'Miss' here, we're all males."
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
A tense silence blows over them.
Baji snorts, then cackles.
Mikey's slowly realising it..
What. The. Fuck.
"You're not...a girl..?"
A tight smile forms on his face, "I'm wearing slacks, aren't I?" Mikey seems calm, but he's losing his shit on the inside, "And I hang out with—" He motions to a dying-guffawing Tora and Baji, and a barely composed Kenchin, "Them. Toman. Of course I am a male. What would even make you say—"
"You look really pretty! And besides Takemichi—" Hinata chokes on air, her hands covering her mouth before she could even spill the juiciest information, "I'm so sorry!"
She apologizes about fifteen times more, blushing in embarrassment. If it was any other person, Mikey would've roundhouse kicked them.
But instead he's left in horror.
'Oh fuck, I look like a girl?' He thinks. Takemichi — he might think he's a girl.
That's just.. That's.. That actually opens up possibilities.
He elbows Baji to make him quit laughing, poor Tachibana is still basking in her shame.
"Wanna make it up to me?"
Tachibana nods instantly.
"Introduce me to your pretty blue-eyed friend," There's a wheeze from Baji. He ignores him. "Don't mention that I'm a man though, I'll deal with that."
Hinata is a bright girl, she catches on pretty quickly. That's nice, maybe he'd introduce her to Emma some other time.
"Alright!" There's a kinda evil smirk that pulls on her lips. "Can I ask for your name first though?"
Mikey holds out his hand, it's like a beginning of an alliance. "Sano Manjiro — you can call me Mikey."
There's a snicker from behind him, "No, please, call him Mimi.. Since he's a girl to—"
Mikey elbows Baji. Again. That shuts him up.
"So, Hanagaki-kun, this is Sano Manjiro, also known as Mimi!"
There's a choking sound from behind Takemichi, and someone hits their knee against the table, but he's too focused on not melting under.. Mimi's gaze.
(He doesn't notice Yamagishi reaching out to him, nor does he notice Draken's glare of warning to Yamagishi. Nor does he hear Kazutora and Baji coughing awkwardly when the word 'Mimi' was uttered).
"Can we talk on the rooftop?" Mimi asks sweetly. Takemichi nods, but really, what can he do except nod? He feels like this is not real and every nerve in him is tingling.
If he was calm, he might have noticed Hinata's evil grin as she waves her sweet 'bye bye!'
They climb the stairs silently, with Mimi's steps light and carefree. She's wearing slacks — but that is now allowed in school, so Takemichi assumes that she's really athletic. Maybe she runs?
"We're here!" Mimi announces, "So, Takemitchy,"
Takemichi squeaks out, "Yes?" That nickname, he'sgonnalosehismindaaahhh!
"You like me?" Takemichi feels like he blew a fuse. His head's light.
"Uhm, uh. Well." He sputters, Mimi is unfazed though. In fact, she looks like she's enjoying it more.
"Go on, it's fine, confess~"
"I.. Do..? Uh, is it alright?"
"Of course! Now ask me out on a date~"
Is he dreaming? Takemichi gulps. "Can I ask you out on a da—"
"I'm a male and I'm Toman's commander."
"..." Takemichi's face goes blank.
"..." Mimi — who? Is smiling sweetly, too sweetly that it spells trouble.
"Eh?"
"Yep! I agree by the way, let's get to know each other! You can call me Mikey." Mikey hooks their arms together, "From now on, no running away from me, Takemitchy~!"