#it’s Takemichi he’s the narrative

[starlightshadowsworld]

Mikey and Takemichi in a nutshell.

"Doomed by the narrative" is sexy and all but i think the narrative wanting to save a character who is utterly set on dooming themselves isnt as much of a thing and it's so good as a concept

[gratuiciel]

takemichi doesn't have dark impulses but he has a kisaki and that might be worse

[eyebaggz]

finally, heterobait

[crybabysunflower]

Similarities between Mikey-Takemichi (Tokyo Revengers) and Achilles-Patroclus (The song of Achilles)

I think before I start with the post I should specify that this is solely based on Madeline Miller's book The Song of Achilles which while staying close to the original source (The Illiad) has made a lot of divergence from it most particularly in an aspect of the portrayal of Patroclus. So this post is not for those who dislike this particular aspect of the book

Mikey and Achilles

"He is a weapon, a killer. Do not forget it. You can use a spear as a walking stick, but that will not change its nature"

Mikey and Achilles being this glorious fighters who are undefeatable (The Invincible Mikey and Aristos Achaeon). Both are also charismatic leaders who are able to easily change the opinions of their respective teams and motivate them, like Mikey in Tenjiku arc when Toman was losing hope and Achilles did something similar in the fourth year of the Trojan war when the soldiers were losing interest and went against Agammenon. They both are also fated to be doomed by the narrative. Because of Shinchiro timeleaping to save Mikey he was cursed with Dark Impulse which in every timeline destroyed his own and the lives of others around him. Not quite different from Achilles' rage which claimed the lives of others and eventually himself.

Despite their glory both takemichi and patroclus is everything to them. everytime they both are separated these two glorious fighters loses his humanity and becomes a monster, once again as we see Achilles' rage and Mikey killing his own gang members after Black Dragon arc for keeping him away from Takemichi.

The Song of Achilles portrays its titular hero as an easily gulliable man which also stands true for Mikey, something which is evident from how easily he had been manipulated by Kisaki in multiple timelines.

Takemichi and Patroclus

"You do not give things up so easily now as you once did,”

While Mikey and Achilles were destined to destroy ane kill, Takemichi and Patroclus being pacifists were destined to save lives.

Takemichi and Patroclus are not famed as fighters (as Chiron says he is not destined to gain glory from his fighting) but they both are still glorious in their own ways. Their glory lies in their kindness and their selfless desire to protect and save their loved ones even if it leads to their own demise or them getting hurt in some way. They both are actually more stronger than the glorious warriors because of their emotional resilience kindness and will power. They both grow from ones who easily quit to someone who do not give up quite as easily Both Michi and Patroclus also have low self esteem because of their traumatic upbringing and see themselves as "lower" beings. Even then, when they both die, everybody mourns their deaths such impactful were they in people's lives.

Both Takemichi and Patroclus followed Mikey and Achilles respectively everywhere despite how dangerous it had been (Takemichi following Mikey to Manilla, to the Bowling alley where he nearly died and back in time after being stabbed. Similarly how Patroclus followed Achilles to Mount Pelion, to Skyros and finally to the Trojan War where he meets his fate).

While Takemichi is younger than Mikey (in contrast to Patroclus being older than Achilles) they both played a role as a guiding force in the lives of their other halves putting them in the right track. Without their existence both Mikey and Achilles end up in the path of destruction.

In the last arc Takemichi dies similarly as patroclus did (being stabbed in the stomach) i dont remember if Michi was wearing mikey's Toman uniform in the last arc if so then that adds another parallel (Patroclus dying in Achilles' armour). The reason they die is also because of their other half (directly from mikey indirectly from achilles).

(While this post mainly compares the takemichi and mikey to the characterisation of the greek mythology characters from TSOA specifically, I cant help but realise that Takemichi is also quite similar to the Iliad characterisation of Patroclus

Although unlike him Takemichi is not physically strong when it comes to fighting, he matches Patroclus' sheer determination and boldness especially during the Tenjiku Arc. Takemichi's constant attempt to defy fate despite the number of times he fails is reminiscent of Patroclus climbing the walls of Troy over and over despite being pushed down by Apollo.

Patroclus mocking Hector and prophesizing the latter's death after being stabbed reminds me of two specific occasions- First, when Kisaki pointed the gun at Takemichi and the latter taunted Kisaki to shoot him and when Kisaki shot his foot Takemichi taunts him further that he is not going to die from a bullet to his foot and chases him after that. Second when Kakucho punches Takemichi and he mocks the former saying how he punched like a second grader punk)

[kokoch4n3l]

DEAD GIRL'S BEACH࿐ྂ KUROKAWA IZANA x f!oc x SANO MANJIRO

THIRTEEN — can't catch me now

"his need for control may stem from underlying fears of abandonment, leading Mr Kurokawa to maintain a tight grip on those around him."—MAYA'S ROUGH NOTES ON K.I

chapter summary: Mikey goes to the Philippines, leaving a trail of bodies behind him. Takemichi returns to the future. Maya keeps her promise to Izana.

warnings: dark content 18+, manga and anime spoilers, multiple character deaths, murder, guns, use of weapons, stabbing, mentions of suicide, blood and gore, depiction of corpses, scars, torture, depiction of wounds, unhealthy attachments, toxic and unhealthy relationships, vomiting, suggestive themes, mental health issues, depression, dark impulses, emotional manipulation, blackmail, corruption, bribery, torture, allusions to sex, suggestive themes, dehumanization, toman + draken slander, slight grandpa sano slander, non-linear narrative in one part, drug use/misuse, mention of overdose, slight emotion incest, funerals, grieving

word count: 13 593

masterlist | previous | bonus 1

The underpass looms overhead like a forgotten relic of urban decay, its walls coated in layers of graffiti and grime. Matsuno Chifuyu stands alone in the dim light, his silhouette cast long against the concrete pavement. He exhales a weary sigh, the weight of the world heavy on his shoulders as he gazes out into the empty expanse before him.

Karma, he thinks bitterly, is nothing more than a fairy tale for the weak-minded. If it were real, Kisaki Tetta would have faced justice long ago for his crimes. But life isn't fair, and justice is a fleeting illusion in a world ruled by power and greed.

Chifuyu's mind drifts back to the events that had led him here, to this empty underpass on a cold, unforgiving night. He remembers the faces of his friends, the ones who had stood by him through thick and thin, the ones who had paid the ultimate price for their loyalty. Baji, Smiley, Angry, Pah-chin, Peh-yan, Hakkai, Kazutora, and now, Maya—they were all gone, lost to him forever in a cruel twist of fate.

They were all gone and now Matsuno Chifuyu stands before Sano "Mikey" Manjiro after 12 years with the muzzle of the latter's gun pointed at him. Chifuyu's heart pounds in his chest as he faces him, his old friend turned bitter enemy. The weight of their shared history hangs heavy in the air, a silent testament to the bonds they once shared and the betrayal that tore them apart. Mikey's gaze is cold and unforgiving, his finger tense on the trigger of the gun and Chifuyu meets his gaze head-on with softness in comparison. He knows that this is the end, that Mikey holds the power to snuff out his life in an instant and he will. Chifuyu knows the cause of his friends' deaths was Mikey. It was obvious, especially with how Kazutora's body was found— stabbed in the same Baji stabbed himself 12 years ago.

Mikey stands before him in black pants, a white shirt and a brown jacket. There is a dragon tattoo on the side of his neck. The tattoo looks fresh. His hair is no longer blonde and tied back like he had it in middle school neither was it short and blonde like it was in high school. His hair is black and styled in a similar way to Baji's. A lump forms in Chifuyu's throat. He can't help but feel a pang of nostalgia for the days when they were just kids, riding their motorcycles through the streets of Tokyo with the wind in their hair and laughter in their hearts. But those days are long gone, replaced by a bitter reality of loss and betrayal.

Mikey's gaze remains cold and distant, his expression unreadable as he holds Chifuyu at gunpoint. There's a tension in the air, thick and suffocating, as the two former friends face each other in the shadowy underpass. Memories of their shared past flood Chifuyu's mind, the good times and the bad, the laughter and the tears.

But there's no room for sentimentality now, not with Mikey's finger hovering dangerously close to the trigger. For a brief moment, Chifuyu sees a glimpse of the boy he once knew buried beneath the layers of anger and resentment. But it's gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced once again by the cold, indifferent facade of the man before him. There is no need to fight. Chifuyu won't try fighting either. Sano Manjiro is here to get something and he will get what he wants like he always does.

Unfortunately, it seems that something is Chifuyu's life.

However, Chifuyu's eyes flutter down toward the necklace Mikey is wearing and his heart drops. Oh. Oh. It's now Chifuyu realizes Maya's necklaces weren't among the retrieved items from her new apartment or the car wreck. It's now he realizes it wasn't a suicide. He was too stupid to figure it out right away— too blinded by his own grief and guilt. The realization hits him like a punch to the gut, leaving him reeling with a sense of profound loss and anger. How could Mikey have done this? How could he have taken Maya away from them, erased her from their lives as if she never existed? The weight of his grief bears down on him, threatening to crush him beneath its suffocating embrace.

He wonders if Maya was tortured to death or if it was quick and painless. He hoped it was painless. Oh god—were the ashes the funeral home gave him even Maya's? Chifuyu can make out a hickey on Mikey's neck and Chifuyu's thoughts run wild with possibilities.

Was Maya alive?

Was she dead?

Why did you kill her Mikey?

There is so much Chifuyu wants to ask as he looks back at Mikey's cold eyes but it all remains unsaid. Instead, he finds himself thinking back to Takemichi and his wild tales of time travel. In their younger years, Chifuyu had found solace in the idea that maybe, just maybe, there was a way to change their fate, to rewrite the tragic events that had torn their lives apart. But as time passed and Takemichi drifted away, those hopes faded into nothing more than childish fantasies. Now, faced with the harsh reality of their situation, Chifuyu can't help but feel a pang of bitterness at the thought of what could have been. Time travel or not, they were trapped in a never-ending cycle of violence and betrayal, with no hope of escape.

In the shadow of uncertainty, with the weight of his grief heavy upon him, Chifuyu finds himself grappling with a newfound sense of acceptance. Death no longer holds the same grip of fear over him that it once did. Instead, it looms before him as a distant inevitability, an end to the suffering and turmoil that has plagued him for so long.

Takemichi's words echo in the recesses of his mind, stirring a flicker of hope amidst the darkness that threatens to consume him. For a brief moment, Chifuyu allows himself to entertain the possibility that maybe, just maybe, there is a chance for redemption, a chance to set right the wrongs of the past. But even as he clings to this fragile hope, Chifuyu knows that the road ahead will be fraught with danger and uncertainty. There are no guarantees, no promises of a happy ending. All he can do is face whatever comes his way with courage and determination.  "Got any last words Chifuyu?" Mikey asks

As Mikey's voice cuts through the heavy silence, breaking the tension like a sharp blade, Chifuyu's thoughts are pulled back to the present moment. The cold steel of the gun pressed against his skin serves as a grim reminder of the imminent threat he faces. "do you remember Hanagaki Takemichi?" Chifuyu asks, his voice shaking a little "Someday, he'll come looking for you... He'll be like how he was back then as if he'd travelled through time"

The gun still doesn't move from between his brows as Chifuyu continues. "Look closely into his eyes... His eyes never lie..."

For a moment, time seems to stand still as Mikey's finger on the trigger twitches, the weight of their shared history bearing down upon them. And then, with a final flicker of resolve, Chifuyu utters his last words, a quiet yet resolute plea with tear-filled eyes: "Trust him."

BANG

Mikey's reflection stares back at him with an unsettling emptiness, his gaze fixed on the figure in the mirror as he methodically trims his own hair. Each snip of the scissors echoes through the silent room, punctuated only by the sound of Sanzu's laboured breathing behind him.

Sanzu lies sprawled on the floor, a pool of crimson spreading beneath him like a macabre canvas of despair. His eyes, once filled with unwavering loyalty and devotion, now gaze blankly at the ceiling, a silent testament to the price of allegiance in a world ruled by power and violence.

Mikey's hands move with practiced precision, the sharp blade of the scissors slicing through his hair with a detached sense of detachment. His mind is a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, a tempest of guilt, and regret that threatens to consume him from within. Mikey's hands falter for a moment as he catches sight of Sanzu's prone form in the mirror, his reflection juxtaposed against the stark reality of the scene behind him. But the moment passes as quickly as it came, and he returns his attention to the task at hand with a detached sense of detachment.

There are no words exchanged between them, no last-minute pleas for mercy or forgiveness. Only the quiet acceptance of their roles in this cruel dance of fate played out against the backdrop of their shared history and the bonds that bind them together.

Sanzu Haruchiyo, the man— boy— he scarred as a child over a damn toy airplane. Tore the corners of his mouth and then force him to smile. Oh god, Mikey didn't deserve Haruchiyo. Maybe that's why Mikey killed him. He remembers the boy he used to be, full of mischief and laughter, before the weight of their world came crashing down upon them like a tidal wave. And he remembers Sanzu, always by his side, loyal to a fault, even when Mikey didn't deserve it. Mikey looks away and continue cutting his hair, pushing back the need to vomit when he sees Shinichiro in place of his own reflection. He trembles as he puts down the scissors and pushes his hair back into a middle part in hopes to look different than his deceased older brother.

He does. It works. Mikey doesn't bother to pick his hair off the floor or to get rid of any evidence. Mikey steps away from the mirror, his gaze lingering on his reflection for a moment longer before he turns and walks away, leaving the blood-stained scene behind him without a second glance.  The police already know it's him behind the serial murders. There was only so much Tokyo Manji Gang's influence could cover and now that he was off doing what he wanted, people were no longer listening. It would take a while for Izana and Kisaki to realize he was no longer in the country and even longer for the police to figure that out.

Mikey is in the Philippines, the air is warm in comparison to Japan right now. As Mikey steps out into the bustling streets of Manila, he allows himself to breathe, to simply exist in the present moment without the burden of his past weighing him down. The neon lights of the city flicker overhead, casting an ethereal glow over the bustling streets below.

"Hair holds memory. That's why I cut my hair after Chifuyu broke my heart. It made me feel better"

That's what Maya told him. Mikey agreed of course. After Emma died and Izana cut his hair for him, he felt better.

So now that he has murdered all his friends, Mikey cuts his hair again.

He thinks about their deaths for a moment before he leaves the motel.

First came the twins then Peh-yan, followed by Pah-chin. No one fought for their life. Or well they did but Mikey could tell they had already given up the moment they began.

Next came Hakkai. The warehouse he lured him to set ablaze with ease and Hakkai never tried to escape, simply looking up at him with nostalgia.

After that was Kazutora, he fought. Tried telling Mikey that what he was doing wasn't fair after figuring out it was he who was responsible for Maya's death. Kazutora fought back but quickly gave up, bleeding out on the floor of his apartment, staring up at Mikey with eyes filled with sadness.

Then was Chifuyu. A quick shot between the brows and it was done.

Mitsuya was next. He didn't fight much either as Mikey strangled him.

Last was Draken. Stabbed him right through the heart. Draken fought back. Kind of. But he quickly gave in.

Haruchiyo simply kneeled before him the moment Mikey pulled out the gun and pointed it at him.

All of them did.

Why?

Their life was his to keep and his to take.

For Sano "Mikey" Manjiro is the sun, the center of the universe, and like the sun, his gravitational pull is too strong for anyone to resist and too powerful for anyone to survive.

As his vision clears Takemichi looks around. The first thing he does is pat around his pockets to feel for his phone. Seeing it's an iPhone and not a flip phone it confirms he's back in the present. Wednesday, January 10, 2018, 11:47 am. He's come back 12 years to where he belongs. The last time he was here he was in jail which meant the timeline was successfully changed. So, was Hina safe? Chifuyu, Pah-chin, Peh-yan, Draken, Mitsuya? Were they all okay? "Hanagaki-kun?" A female voice says from behind him

Takemichi turns around and sees a girl. She looks familiar but he can't remember exactly where he knows her from. She bows a little. "Thank you very much for coming here during such a busy time" she stands up straight "Please this way"

Upon arrival, Takemichi is greeted by a solemn atmosphere, the weight of grief heavy in the air. His heart quickens as he tries to piece together the puzzle before him. Who is being mourned here? The receptionists look familiar, undoubtedly related to the deceased, but Takemichi's mind struggles to make sense of the situation. "Thank you for coming to my brother's" the girl chokes up "My brother's..."

The second girl takes over. "Please go inside" she directs him

Takemichi's confusion intensifies, his anxiety mounting with each passing moment. But it's when he hears their words— "Keep it together Mana!"

"Sorry Luna" —that a sinking feeling settles in the pit of his stomach.

Luna?

Mana?

Brother...

Takemichi's steps falter as he enters the funeral house, his heart pounding in his chest. And then, he sees it—the altar adorned with candles and flowers, a solemn tribute to the departed. And there, amidst the somber display, is a picture of Mitsuya Takashi.

A funeral honouring the dead.

Takemichi runs. He runs and runs down the streets pulling out his phone to find out what happened. He couldn't talk to Luna and Mana. He had to find Naoto. The internet gives him more questions than answers

Former Tokyo Manji Gang Admin Mitsuya's remains found, murder suspected

Mitsuya-san's Murdered Body Discovered, culprit unknown

The headlines blur before his eyes, each one a stab to his already shattered heart. He doesn't understand. He changed the past—everyone should be alive. But as he searches for Hinata's name, the cruel reality hits him like a freight train. He searches for Hinata's name next.

Tachibana Hinata(26) Dies in Car Accident, Motorcycle Gang Suspected

Hina died the same way. Nothing changed. Takemichi's breath catches in his throat as he grapples with the devastating truth. He's back in the same dingy apartment, the penthouse a distant dream. Something went wrong—no, Takemichi went wrong. The weight of his failure crushes him as he stares at a photo taken with the other Toman captains, a painful reminder of what should have been. His heart hurts. How could this happen? "So here you are," A familiar voice says "I've been looking for you"

Tears fill Takemichi's eyes as he sees Tachibana Naoto come through the door. He stands up and runs toward the younger boy hugging him tight. The memory of his death in the previous time makes him cry and the events of this timeline make him bawl. Once Takemichi has calmed down Naoto starts explaining this future. "You've time-leaped into the past multiple time in your attempt to save my sister. This is the worst future that's happened yet" Naoto tells him "Of course, nē-chan wasn't saved... And all the chief members of Tokyo Manji Gang have been killed"

Takemichi thinks he's going to throw up. "Killed?"

Naoto nods. "Shiba Hakkai burned to death. Mitsuya Takashi strangled. Ryuguji Ken, Stabbed. Matsuno Chifuyu, shot in the head" He pauses "Hayashida Haruki, Hayashi Ryōhei, Kawata Nahoya, Kawata Souya, Shiba Hakkai and Hanemiya Kazutora... Even Kisaki Tetta was killed"

Takemichi lets out a gasp. "Even Kisaki...? Everyone is dead...?"

"The suspect is still at large," Naoto informs him. "We don't even have a clue as to where he might be."

"What about Mikey-kun?! Was Mikey-kun murdered too?! What about him?!" Takemichi's voice trembles with fear.

Naoto hesitates, his gaze falling away. "Mikey..." He takes a deep breath before continuing. "The wanted criminal for these serial murders is Sano Manjiro."

Takemichi is going to be sick. "Could dial down the jokes a freakin' notch? There's no way he'd...!!" Seeing Naoto look away makes Takemichi confront the cruel reality presented toward him "I want to meet Mikey and talk to him"

"Takemichi-kun, I want to know the truth too. You're the one that can do that. As a former Toman admin and the only one still alive. It's only you left who can see him" Naoto tells him

Takemichi doesn't understand. What happened that caused such a great change in the timeline? Everyone was dead. Everyone. "I eliminated the two people who could have caused Toman to go evil. The Black Dragons were defeated and Kisaki got thrown out of Toman! EVERYTHING SHOULD HAVE ENDED UP FINE!!"

Takemichi and Naoto find a letter. It wasn't from Japan but from the Philippines. A conversation with Mikey he had in the past floods through his mind. It was while Mikey was teaching him how to ride the bike he gifted him. The one with the twin engine like his CB250T. Mikey said his brother found it in the Philippines. "Mikey is in the Philippines." Takemichi says firmly

Mikey's past is dotted with countless encounters with pretty girls, and numerous relationships that flickered and faded like distant stars. But amidst the myriad of faces that have come and gone, it's Kaneko Maya who holds a special place in his heart.

Maya wasn't just another conquest or fleeting romance for Mikey. There was something different about her, something that made her stand out from the rest. Perhaps it was her innocence, her vulnerability that drew him in, or maybe it was the way she looked at him with those wide, trusting eyes as if he held the world in his hands and put the stars up in the sky.

Whatever it was, Mikey found himself drawn to Maya in a way he couldn't quite explain. She brought out a side of him that he rarely showed to anyone else—gentle, caring, almost tender. With Maya, he felt a sense of peace and contentment that he had never experienced before.

Maya was gorgeous. Like a doll almost. Those expensive ones Emma used to play with. The limited edition ones with their pretty clothes and perfectly done hair. Maya's skin was perfect even with the faint freckles on her cheeks. Her skin was warm and soft to the touch. Her hair was silky smooth with fluffy curls and her eyes...

Oh her eyes.

Maya's eyes were gorgeous. They were filled with so much emotion— so much love, sadness, grief. He doesn't think he's ever seen more expressive eyes. Or well, he has but that wasn't the point right now.

The point was that he had killed the girl of his dreams. A shot through the heart and she hit the sand with a thud. She didn't move after that. Mikey had dropped the gun and he felt like his own heart was going to stop. It was an accident. He didn't mean to shoot her. She was just running and wouldn't stop after he called for her. It was stupid of him to do so. Maya wouldn't have been able to get anywhere in the first place. There was nothing for miles and just long endless stretches of beaches. He killed her and it was for nothing. 

After all, Maya's death was just the beginning. he voice in his head had whispered to him, urging him to rid himself of anyone who might leave him, anyone who might betray him in the future. And he had listened, giving in to the darkness that lurked within him.

The stupid voice in his head won and now he was alone. So, he listened to the voice and killed the rest of his friends too. All the friends that left him. Even Haruchiyo because what if he left him in the future? Sure Haruchiyo stayed but what if he left later? He wouldn't stay forever according to that voice in Mikey's head so he had to kill Haruchiyo before he could leave.

But now, as he stands alone in the aftermath of his own destruction, Mikey can't help but wonder if it was worth it. Was it worth sacrificing everything he held dear for the sake of his own selfish desires? The answer, he knows, is no. Nothing could ever justify what he had done, the lives he had taken, the hearts he had broken.

His fingers curl around the necklace he pulled off her cold dead body— the necklace with the engraving of a daffodil in the pendant. How fucking fitting he took this and not the other one. Daffodils, also known as narcissus, from the Greek mythological story of a young man so beautiful he pined for his own reflection and turned into a daffodil. That whole story showed there was a fine line between love and obsession and it was fucking fitting he took this necklace instead of the one with the butterfly. Mikey was horrible. He was a horrible fucking person.

All his life had been suffering.

From the death of his dad, his mom, Shinichiro, Baji and Emma.

Each time Mikey has been suffering.

He doesn't think he properly mourned Baji or Emma. He wasn't allowed to. It was the curse of being the strongest. When you're at the top, you're alone. Everyone thinks he isn't capable of emotion but he is. Mikey swears he is. He loves everyone. He loves all of them, even the ones he killed.

He loved Maya. Oh god he loved her and she loved him back, didn't she? Mikey finds himself grappling with a different kind of anguish—the anguish of unexpressed love. Maya's absence weighs heavily on his heart, her memory haunting him like a ghost. He replays their moments together in his mind, each one a bittersweet reminder of what could have been.

He loved Maya, of that he's certain. In her, he found a kindred spirit, someone who saw past the facade of the fearsome gang leader to the vulnerable boy beneath. And Maya had shown him a love he had never known before.

But now she's gone, taken from him in a senseless act of violence. And Mikey can't help but wonder if she ever knew how much he truly cared for her. Did she feel the depth of his love, the intensity of his longing? Or did she leave this world believing she was just another casualty in the endless cycle of pain and loss?

The thought gnaws at him, consuming him from the inside out. He wishes he could turn back time, and rewrite the script so he didn't shoot her. But he knows that's just wishful thinking, a futile fantasy in a world where reality reigns supreme.

Mikey thought Izana would be angry. He really did. But as Mikey sobbed Izana had held him silently and ran his fingers through his hair. Izana simply hugged him. For all his faults and flaws, Izana has always been there for Mikey, a steadfast pillar of support in a world filled with chaos and uncertainty.

Everyone left him all while telling him that relying on Izana wasn't a good thing but it wasn't like any of them gave him any other choice. Mikey would have died years ago had it not been for Izana. So why was everyone so mad at him? They did this to him. They didn't let him mourn. They put all the pressure on his shoulders. Everyone had abandoned him, leaving him to shoulder the weight of their expectations and demands alone. They had pushed Mikey to the brink, refusing to acknowledge the toll their actions had taken on his fragile psyche. So why are they blaming him for turning out the way he did when all he was doing was trying his best?

Mikey ran that night with Haruchiyo. Left Okinawa for Tokyo and so began his murder spree. Mikey couldn't get himself to look at Izana, fearing his brother's actual reaction the next morning. What if Izana actually left him this time like he always threatened to do? Mikey couldn't have that so he ran first.

Ending up in Manila and sending Takemichi that letter was a spontaneous decision but he realized there was one more left to kill— the first to leave him.

Takemichi went to the Philippines with Naoto. The letter contained a message and an address. He knew right away it was from Mikey. There was no doubt about it. He was standing in front of the run-down building despite the dangers Naoto told him about. If Mikey killed the others, he could kill him too. But there was no guarantee Mikey was in there. However, if he is then it'll be the first time in any of Takemichi's time leaps to the present that he'll be meeting Mikey. As Takemichi walks through the ruins of the building he wonders what Mikey of the future was like. What was he going to say to him? Mikey no doubt changed after 12 years— he killed everyone so that means something. He might kill Takemichi the second they meet. Takemichi gulps at the thought. He turns the corner and remembers Mikey's words about the engine.

It was beneath a suffocating gray sky. In a building abandoned with the ceiling collapsed under a huge scrap pile.

Looking around Takemichi realizes this was the place Mikey's brother found the CB250T engines. "Takemitchy?" A voice calls startling him

Startled, he followed the sound and there he was—Sano Manjiro. Despite the years that had passed, Mikey's eyes held the same intensity. His appearance had changed—his hair was now black, cut short with an undercut, and he bore Draken's dragon tattoo on the side of his neck and a gold necklace. Mikey exuded maturity and confidence, a stark contrast to the boy Takemichi once knew. Finally, Takemichi stood face-to-face with the future Mikey for the first time since he started time leaping. "Um... Have you been well?" Takemichi stumbled over his words, unsure of what to say.

Mikey's smile was warm and familiar. "Yeah," he replied simply.

Takemichi thinks he's gonna cry. No, he just starts to cry. "I'm sorry" he cried

"Still a crybaby that hasn't changed huh" Mikey says with a smile and stands up "I brought you here because I have a favour to ask you"

"huh?"

"I came here to remember my memories with my big brother. I'm overwhelmed with many memories. When I was young I fought with many people. I learned a few things, laughed, and cried too. That's how I grew with Toman." Mikey smiles sweetly at Takemichi "It makes me nostalgic"

"Mikey" Takemichi whispers

He knew it. Mikey couldn't have killed them. No way. Not after everything. Mikey looks up at the sky. "Toman has changed a lot, Takemitchy" He says "Why did you leave Toman? I wanted us to stay together. I wanted you to stay with me like a big brother would..."

"w-what?"

Takemichi stands in disbelief as he absorbs Mikey's words, his mind reeling with confusion and guilt. How could he have left Toman in this future? The realization hits him like a ton of bricks, a stark reminder of the consequences of his actions and the ripple effect they've had on the lives of everyone around him. "I tried to fix everything by myself. Tried to save her. But I couldn't control everything. I'm never gonna be like I was in the past" Mikey says with a solemn look on his face

Takemichi's breath catches in his throat as he listens to Mikey's solemn words, each syllable weighing heavily on his conscience like a leaden burden. The gravity of the situation dawns on him with crushing force, the realization that his actions have altered the course of fate sinking in deeper with each passing moment. "Mikey, what do you mean?"

Mikey's gaze is piercing, his eyes reflecting the weight of the burden he carries. "I tried to stop you from quitting Toman but Ken-chin and Mitsuya stopped me"

Takemichi feels sick again. "That means that... Those two..."

"They were the last to leave Toman and I'm the one who killed everyone. That Toman no longer exists. The guys are... and everyone... I killed them" Mikey tells him "That's why I want you to stop me. Kill me Takemitchy. I want it to all end here"

Takemichi's mind races as he grapples with the enormity of Mikey's request. Kill him? The thought is unimaginable, unthinkable. But as he looks into Mikey's eyes, he sees the pain and anguish that he carries, the burden of his past sins weighing heavily upon him. "What are you talking about, Mikey? Stop. I don't get it," Takemichi stammers, his voice trembling with emotion. Tears blur his vision as he looks into Mikey's piercing gaze, searching for answers in the depths of those haunted eyes. "You ask me to kill you right after we meet. But me, I just wanted to see you again."

"I just wanted to see you again" Mikey repeats, his voice tinged with a macabre sort of melancholy. "Hakkai also said something like that the moment he died"

"The moment he was dying...?" he echoes, his voice barely a whisper as the weight of Mikey's words settles like a stone in the pit of his stomach.

Mikey's gaze drifts upward, his eyes fixated on the vast expanse of the sky above them. "It's hard to achieve his dream," he murmurs, his voice heavy with resignation. "Open a new era. Toman was on the right track, and suddenly everything ended like this."

"Like... this?" Takemichi's voice trembles with uncertainty as he seeks clarification, his heart pounding with apprehension.

Mikey's lips curl into a bitter smile, but there's a glint of something unsettling in his eyes. "When I killed for the first time, I didn't feel anything," he confesses, his words laced with a chilling nonchalance. "And I thought that the difficulties of this world can be fixed with murder. All is well when you eliminate those who get in your way."

The casualness with which Mikey speaks of murder sends a shiver down Takemichi's spine. Anger boils within him, fueling a surge of defiance as he confronts his former friend. "This isn't right!" Takemichi's voice rises in protest, his fists clenching in frustration. "You can't just—"

Before Takemichi can finish his sentence, Mikey lunges forward, seizing the front of Takemichi's shirt and slamming him forcefully into the rubble below. The impact knocks the breath from Takemichi's lungs, leaving him gasping for air as he stares up at Mikey in shock. "What part of this do you not understand?" Mikey's voice is low and menacing, his grip tightening on Takemichi's shirt. He presses the cold muzzle of a gun against Takemichi's cheek, the metal chilling against his skin. "Take that gun, Takemichi. If you don't kill me, you'll be the one that dies."

Takemichi's tear-filled eyes reflect the turmoil raging within him, but before he can even process the overwhelming emotions, he notices tears cascading down Mikey's face. The rhythmic pattern of tears falling on Takemichi's cheeks echoes in the tense silence, each drop a poignant reminder of the anguish they both carry. As Mikey gazes down at Takemichi, his tear-streaked face is a portrait of sorrow and regret. Despite the gravity of the situation, Takemichi remains frozen, his gaze fixed on Mikey's trembling form. The gun lies untouched beside him, a silent witness to the heart-wrenching scene unfolding before him. "We can't go back in time," Mikey's voice is heavy with resignation, the words hanging in the air like an unspoken truth.

And then, in a sudden motion, he collapses to his side, the sound of a gunshot ringing out through the desolate surroundings. "Are you okay, Takemichi?!" Naoto's voice pierces through the chaos, his concern palpable as he rushes to Takemichi's side.

Shock and disbelief grip Takemichi as he registers the scene before him. Blood stains the ground, a crimson pool forming around Mikey's motionless form. Naoto's gun trembles in his hand, the realization of what he's done sinking in. "Mikey!!" Takemichi's voice is raw with panic and desperation as he scrambles to Mikey's side, his hands trembling as he reaches out to his fallen friend.

"TAKEMICHI, DON'T GO NEAR HIM!!" Naoto's voice rings out in a frantic plea, the urgency clear in his tone. But his words hang in the air, halted by the sight of the gun that lies discarded at Mikey's side.

The safety catch remains engaged—a small detail that sends a shiver of realization down Naoto's spine. "He never... intended to kill him?" Naoto's voice wavers with horror as the implications of the situation begin to dawn on him. 

Meanwhile, Takemichi's cries echo through the desolate surroundings as he kneels beside Mikey's growingly cold body, his grief palpable in the air. "Tachibana Naoto..." Mikey's voice is weak, barely a whisper in the stillness. "Takemichi would've never been able to kill me."

The weight of Mikey's words hangs heavy in the air, each syllable laden with the weight of a lifetime of suffering. Takemichi's breath comes in ragged gasps as he struggles to process the enormity of the moment. "No, Mikey! Don't say that!" Takemichi's voice trembles with desperation, tears streaming down his face. "I can still change it. I can change the past. I can start all over again! I would do anything to change the future. I don't want to... I'm not gonna give up! Don't say such sad things."

A bittersweet smile graces Mikey's lips, his gaze distant as his strength begins to wane. "Thanks, Takemitchy," he murmurs softly, his words tinged with gratitude. "Your words comforted me. Even if you're telling me lies... I'm happy." As the cold embrace of death envelops him, Mikey's voice grows faint. "Takemitchy... Your hand is... so warm. Just like hers."

And with those final words, the chapter of Sano Manjiro's life comes to a close. On January 20th, 2018, amidst an altercation with a Japanese police officer, Tachibana Naoto, in Manila, Philippines, Sano Manjiro breathed his last breath, leaving behind a legacy of pain, regret, and untold stories.

On January 20th, 2018, Hanagaki Takemichi goes back to the past.

Now back in Japan, as Naoto sifts through the evidence, a heavyweight settles in his chest. The scene is eerily reminiscent of the others he's investigated, each one bearing the same haunting resemblance—a life cut short, a story left unfinished. Sanzu Haruchiyo's body lies in stark contrast to the chaos that often accompanies violent crimes. There are no signs of struggle, no desperate attempt to fight for survival. Instead, there's a sense of resignation, an acceptance of fate that speaks volumes about the relationship between Sanzu and Manjiro.

Naoto's mind races as he contemplates the implications of what he's uncovered. Sanzu, the most loyal of them all, had met his end at the hands of his childhood friend, Sano Manjiro. It's a grim reality that Naoto struggles to come to terms with—a testament to the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of even the closest relationships.

He remembers all the times he met Sano Manjiro as a kid, finding the older man too childish to be a leader. But now, now he can believe it. Now, the invincible Mikey lies in the morgue in the basement of the hospital, waiting for his family to come and claim his body, but not without taking a few lives before that. 

Mikey's demise was not the result of a violent struggle or a battle with a formidable adversary. Instead, it was a deliberate choice—a final act of defiance in the face of a world that had grown increasingly dark and unforgiving.

What exactly was it that made Mikey want to die so bad?

So many questions but so few answers. It's then that Naoto's eyes shift onto something glimmering among the evidence. It feels like his heart is in his throat as he picks up the plastic baggie in the tray with Mikey's wallet and other belongings. His fingers tremble as he puts on latex gloves and opens up the translucent bag and pulls the gold necklace out. Naoto's eyes drift over to the report from the Diener saying that this necklace is what Sano Manjiro was wearing. Naoto feels sick. He knows it. He recognizes it. It was hard not to since it wasn't among the evidence retrieved with Maya's body—

—so what the fuck was it doing around Sano Manjiro's neck?

Naoto's mind races with a flurry of unanswered questions as he stares at the gold necklace clutched tightly in his gloved hand. The glimmering pendant seems to taunt him, a silent reminder of the mysteries that still shroud Mikey's final moments. With trembling fingers, Naoto carefully examines the necklace, his heart pounding in his chest as he tries to make sense of the unsettling discovery. How could Mikey, the enigmatic leader of the Tokyo Manji Gang, be connected to Maya's necklace? And more importantly, what could it possibly signify?

As he scrutinizes the intricate design and delicate craftsmanship, memories of Maya flood Naoto's mind—her gentle smile, her laughter, the warmth of her embrace. But now, as Naoto stands on the precipice of a chilling revelation, he can't shake the gnawing sense of dread that grips him. There's something deeply unsettling about the idea of Mikey wearing Maya's necklace, something that hints at a connection far more sinister than he dares to imagine.

Was he right then? Was that body they mourned not Maya's but someone else's? Had Maya really been alive this whole time? 

There is a sense of accomplishment in Naoto for knowing his gut feeling had been right about Tokyo Manji Gang being involved in Maya's disappearance but he feels queasy again realizing he was right. 

Maya was alive and she had been taken by the Tokyo Manji Gang. 

The bile that rises in Naoto's throat is not just from the grim realization of Maya's fate but also from the haunting possibilities of what she might have endured at the hands of her captors. The mere thought of her suffering sends a shiver down his spine.

Sano "Mikey" Manjiro is dead and he just murdered all his friends. He doubts Maya is still alive. She may have been before but not anymore. She couldn't be. If Sano Manjiro died wearing her necklace, there was no way Kaneko Maya was still alive. Tears well up in his eyes. Naoto hadn't cried when Maya's 'body' was discovered. Back then even before he found out that her necklaces were among the belongings, perhaps he had a gut feeling that wasn't her. But now he knows she's dead. 

As Naoto grapples with the grim reality of Maya's fate, a heavyweight settles in his chest, suffocating him with a sense of overwhelming grief and despair. The thought that Maya may have endured unimaginable suffering at the hands of her captors is almost too much to bear, threatening to crush him beneath its crushing weight.

Sano "Mikey" Manjiro's death and the revelation of his heinous actions only add to Naoto's anguish. The fact that he wore Maya's necklace in his final moments serves as a chilling reminder of the darkness that had consumed him, a darkness that ultimately led to the demise of not only Maya but also all of their friends.

Tears blur Naoto's vision as he struggles to come to terms with the devastating truth. He had hoped against hope that Maya might still be alive, clinging to the faint possibility that she had somehow survived the ordeal. But now, faced with the undeniable evidence of her death, he feels a profound sense of loss and regret wash over him.

As Naoto sifts through the evidence, his mind races with questions, each one more unsettling than the last. What could have led Maya into the clutches of someone like Sano Manjiro and the Tokyo Manji Gang? Had she unknowingly crossed paths with dangerous individuals, or was there something more sinister at play?

The faded love bites and scratches on Mikey's body only serve to deepen the mystery, hinting at a tumultuous and perhaps intimate relationship between him and Maya. But the thought of Maya being subjected to such treatment fills Naoto with a profound sense of unease and disgust. It's a possibility he can barely bring himself to contemplate. Perhaps Maya had stumbled into the gang's territory by accident, or maybe she had been targeted for some other reason altogether. Whatever the case, the mere thought of her being caught up in the violent world of the Tokyo Manji Gang sends a chill down Naoto's spine.

Just what had his sister and Maya done for them to deserve death?

Takemichi comes back to the future barely a week later with news. "I see... So if Kisaki truly is a timeleaper... We have to kill him" Naoto says lowly with a dark look on his face

Takemichi had explained his theory of Kisaki Tetta possibly being a timeleaper but this surely wasn't what he expected to hear back from Naoto. "Eh? B-But Naoto—"

"There's no point in all this if he keeps messing up the things you've fixed" Naoto says seriously, leaning back in his chair "Therefore killing him in the past is the only way"

Takemichi's breath catches in his throat, his mind reeling at the implications of Naoto's words. The idea of taking a life, even Kisaki's, fills him with a profound sense of dread and unease. "No way!"

"I'm kidding" he says dismissively, but Takemichi can't shake the feeling that there's truth in his words.

"Naoto! Can you please read the situation?!"

As Naoto rises from his chair, the creak of the furniture echoes through the room, adding to the heavy atmosphere that surrounds them. Takemichi's gaze follows Naoto's movements, his heart pounding with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. The whiteboard looms before them, a visual representation of their investigation, adorned with a collage of photographs, newspaper clippings, and scattered notes. "I wonder what the hell Kisaki was aiming for..." Naoto's voice is a low murmur, barely audible above the sound of their own breathing. 

His brow furrows in concentration as he studies the array of evidence before him, his fingers tracing over the photographs and articles with a sense of purpose. Takemichi's eyes flicker across the whiteboard, searching for any clues that might shed light on Kisaki's motives. And then, amidst the chaos of images and text, something catches his eye—a photograph of a girl, tucked away in the corner of the board, connected to Mikey's picture by a drawn arrow. The girl in the photo has an ethereal beauty, with porcelain skin, piercing blue eyes, and long, black hair cascading around her shoulders. Despite the solemnity of the situation, her radiant smile seems to leap off the page, drawing Takemichi's attention like a magnet. "Kaneko... Maya...?" Takemichi's voice is tinged with confusion and concern as he points to the photograph. 

His mind races with questions, wondering who this girl is and what connection she has to their investigation since he doesn't remember meeting anyone with that name in the past. Naoto's frown deepens, his expression growing sombre as he meets Takemichi's gaze. "Just a casualty of this timeline," he replies gravely, his voice heavy with regret. "She was never a part of the other timelines, so you don't have to worry about her."

Takemichi's heart sinks at Naoto's words, a pang of sadness washing over him as he realizes the tragic fate that has befallen this unknown girl. Despite his relief that she wasn't involved in their past endeavours, the knowledge that she had become a victim of the tangled web of events in this timeline only serves to deepen his sense of despair. Takemichi's eyes dart back to the whiteboard, scanning the array of cut-outs and clippings with a newfound intensity. Among the myriad of images, another photograph catches his attention—a striking portrait of a man with an enigmatic gaze and an air of undeniable charisma. Beneath the image, the name "Kurokawa Izana" is printed in bold letters, sending a ripple of recognition through Takemichi's mind.

"Kurokawa... Izana?" Takemichi murmurs to himself, his brow furrowing in perplexity as he tries to piece together the puzzle before him. 

The name triggers a memory, a fragment of a conversation from a past encounter that resurfaces in his mind with startling clarity. He recalls the warehouse in Yokohama, the chaotic scene unfolding before him as Tenjiku's assault on Toman Division reaches its peak. Amidst the chaos, a fleeting mention of a certain Kurokawa Izana lingers in Takemichi's memory, a name uttered in hushed tones by Kakucho, as if shrouded in secrecy and intrigue. "Kurokawa Izana... Tenjiku's leader?" Takemichi's voice is laced with confusion as he speaks aloud, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to slot into place in his mind.

Turning to Naoto for answers, Takemichi seeks clarification on the identity of this mysterious figure. "Naoto, who's Kurokawa Izana?" he inquires, his tone tinged with a sense of urgency.

Naoto's response is swift, his voice carrying a note of authority as he imparts his knowledge on the subject. "Oh, he's one of Toman's top brass. I heard he was Black Dragon's leader too," Naoto explains, his words punctuated by a furrow of his brows as he contemplates the significance of this revelation.

Takemichi's confusion deepens at Naoto's words, his mind struggling to reconcile the conflicting information. "But there are no records of a gang called Tenjiku" Naoto continues, his expression betraying a hint of frustration at the lack of clarity surrounding the situation.

Takemichi feels a surge of frustration welling up within him, a sense of helplessness washing over him as he grapples with the discrepancies between the past and present. The information he possesses from his previous experiences feels obsolete in the face of this new reality. "If you're saying in the past this guy is Tenjiku's captain then it seems that he's important to investigate on" Naoto says in a serious tone and Takemichi agrees

Takemichi and Naoto part ways after that to get some clues. It's how he ended up at the Church where he fought Shiba Taiju. He was wondering what Inupi and Koko were doing and it eventually led him to said church. He met Taiju there and asked to talk to him. Takemichi called Naoto up and Naoto showed up at the Church. They end up at a restaurant Taiju owned. "listen here" Tajiu says "I don't give a shit about cooperating with the cops but through Hakkai, I too have connections with Toman. So it's an exchange of information. I want to know what the cops know as well. Whatever we discuss stays here"

"Understood" Naoto replies with a respectful nod, his demeanor serious and attentive.

"So... You want to know about Kurokawa Izana and the Black Dragons right?" Taiju asks

"Kurokawa Izana is the captain of Tenjiku isn't he?" Takemichi ventures, seeking clarification on the matter "Why did he become Black Dragons Captain and how did he end up in Toman?"

Taiju's laughter rings out, accompanied by the soft glow of his cigarette. "You're mistaken"

Takemichi cocks his head like a puppy in confusion. "eh?"

"You got it in the wrong order" Taiju blows out a puff of smoke "First let's start with Black Dragons. I was the commander of the 10th generation, you remember that much right?"

"yes"

"Do you know who created Black Dragons?" Taiju asks and takes another drag of his cigarette

"Who?" Takemichi is going to be honest, he didn't know much about gangs, not even the one he was in

"The first-generation captain is Sano Shinichiro," Taiju reveals, his voice tinged with a note of reverence as he speaks of the gang's origins. "The one that started it all was Mikey's brother."

Takemichi's eyes widen in astonishment at the revelation, his mind racing to process the implications of Taiju's words. "Mikey's brother?" he echoes, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to fall into place in his mind.

As memories of Mikey's anecdotes about his brother flood his thoughts, Takemichi finds himself grappling with the weight of this newfound knowledge. "The first generation of Black Dragons was legendary," Taiju continues, his voice tinged with a sense of reverence for the gang's storied history. "The second and third generations continue to hold that. Eventually, the baton was passed down to Kurokawa Izana, the eighth-generation captain."

"The eighth generation... That means he was there before you," Takemichi observes, his mind racing to connect the dots between the past and present.

Toman was formed when the ninth generation was around, which meant the eighth generation predates the gang's inception. "So, Kurokawa Izana must be older than you," Takemichi concludes, his tone tinged with a sense of realization as he pieces together the timeline of events.

"Yup, two years older, the S62 generation," Taiju confirms, his voice carrying a note of authority as he elaborates on the gang's hierarchical structure.

The mention of the S62 generation triggers a flicker of recognition in Takemichi's mind, a realization dawning upon him with startling clarity. "S62? Tenjiku's members!" he exclaims, his eyes widening in realization as the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.

"Kurokawa Izana retired from Black Dragons and made Tenjiku three years later," Taiju continues, his voice tinged with a note of solemnity as he recounts the events that shaped the gang's tumultuous history. "Fucked Toman over, and then the Kanto Incident happened."

Kanto Incident. Kisaki said that to him at the beginning of Tenjiku's ambushes 12 years ago. "Who won, Toman or Tenjiku?" he inquires, his voice tinged with a sense of trepidation as he braces himself for the answer.

Taiju's response is grim, his expression clouded with a shadow of regret as he recounts the outcome of the fateful confrontation. "You should know since you were there, but I'll answer your question anyway," he replies, his tone tinged with a note of resignation. "Tenjiku won. As a result, Sano Manjiro at the top, Kisaki Tetta as number two, and Kurokawa Izana as number three..."

The revelation sends a chill down Takemichi's spine, his mind reeling with the implications of Taiju's words. "But yeah, Kisaki is dead," he interjects, a note of uncertainty creeping into his voice as he attempts to reconcile the conflicting reports surrounding Kisaki's fate.

Taiju's response is cryptic, his gaze lingering on Takemichi with an intensity that borders on scrutiny. "Is he really dead, Tachibana Naoto?" he muses, his words laced with an undercurrent of skepticism.

Naoto's expression tightens, a flicker of unease crossing his features as he weighs his response carefully. "I've investigated things about Kurokawa Izana," he begins, his voice measured as he addresses the looming spectre of uncertainty. "He somehow has a huge amount of influence in the police. Kurokawa is much bigger than we first thought."

Taiju's chuckle is mirthless, a sardonic twist of his lips betraying his amusement at the irony of the situation. "Kisaki was made to be dead, right?"

"Murder, assault, theft. Kisaki was alleged with various crimes, so he escaped overseas. It seems there was a body prepared to pose as Kisaki," Naoto explains, his words punctuated by a nervous gesture as he rubs his palms against his trousers.

"S-so Kisaki is..."

"Alive" Taiju confirms, his voice devoid of emotion as he extinguishes his cigarette in the ashtray with a decisive flick of his wrist.

With a heavy sigh, Takemichi absorbs the weight of this revelation, his mind swirling with a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. "Sano is dead. Kisaki is overseas, and therefore Toman's top is now Kurokawa Izana" Taiju concludes, his tone matter-of-fact as he summarizes the current state of affairs.

Takemichi's fingers tighten around the photograph of Kurokawa Izana, his features contorted in a mask of anger and frustration. "Why him?" he demands, his voice tinged with a note of incredulity as he struggles to comprehend the inexplicable allure of this enigmatic figure.

A dark look passes over Taiju's features, a shadow of regret clouding his expression as he contemplates the question. "I don't know," he admits, his voice tinged with a note of resignation. "But Sano trusted Izana more than Ryuguji Ken."

Takemichi's mind reels at the revelation, his thoughts swirling with confusion and disbelief. Mikey trusting someone over Draken? It sounded inconceivable, a betrayal of everything Takemichi had come to believe about the unshakeable bond between the two friends. As he grapples with the implications of Taiju's words, Takemichi is left to ponder the enigma of Kurokawa Izana—a figure shrouded in mystery and intrigue, whose influence extends far beyond the confines of Toman's hierarchy. Just who the hell was Kurokawa Izana, and what role did he play in the tangled web of alliances and betrayals that defined the world of gang warfare? "Well, well, well!" A familiar voice rings out, drawing the attention of the trio. "If it isn't both my former bosses? Having a private conversation, are we? That sucks."

It's Koko and Inupi, their presence igniting a spark of tension in the air. Taiju's anger simmers just beneath the surface at their unexpected intrusion. "You fuckers bringing Toman's minions into my place! What do you want?!" he growls, his voice laced with a palpable edge.

Inupi's voice remains devoid of emotion as he delivers their ominous message. "Under Kurokawa's orders, we've come to seize you all," he states matter-of-factly, his words carrying the weight of authority.

Koko, on the other hand, wears a smug grin, his eyes gleaming with malice. "There's a sneaky rat from the police sniffing around, I see... Sitting face to face with my former leaders" he taunts, relishing in the discomfort he elicits.

"You guys are prying into Kurokawa Izana, and therefore, you are all Toman's enemies" Inupi declares, his tone betraying no hint of sympathy or remorse.

Taiju's laughter cuts through the tension like a knife, his sadistic grin sending shivers down Takemichi's spine. "You guys, my enemies?" he scoffs, his voice dripping with disdain. "The guy who has clung onto Black Dragons and Black Dragon's wallet! Does Izana meet your requirements, Inui?! And are you still Toman's fucking wallet, Kokonoi?!"

The situation feels dire, with so many men from Toman surrounding them. Takemichi knows that fighting and winning would be impossible. If what Naoto said about the police being corrupted by Kurokawa is true, then calling for backup would be futile as well. "Hanagaki, escape from the back door..." Taiju's voice cuts through the chaos, his gaze flickering to Takemichi "Tachibana Naoto, please tell me the truth about Hakkai's death. I don't believe Sano did it. I don't know how he ended up at Sano's hideout, but I'm sure Izana was behind it. Please clear Hakkai's regrets."

Takemichi's heart clenches at the plea in Taiju's words, a surge of determination coursing through his veins as he resolves to uncover the truth behind Hakkai's demise. With a nod of affirmation, he meets Taiju's gaze, silently vowing to honour his request and bring closure to the lingering shadows of the past. "Taiju," Takemichi calls out over his shoulder as Naoto begins to pull him away, a sense of gratitude swelling within him. "Thank you for everything."

Taiju's response comes in the form of a gentle smile, a silent acknowledgment of their unspoken bond. "It's my debt to you," he replies, his voice carrying a weight of sincerity that resonates deeply with Takemichi.

With a nod of appreciation, Takemichi and Naoto break into a sprint, their footsteps echoing through the empty alleyways as they make their way towards Naoto's car. But amidst the rush of adrenaline, Takemichi's mind churns with thoughts and revelations. The mention of Black Dragons and their enigmatic leader, Kurokawa Izana, triggers a sudden realization within Takemichi. Inupi and Koko, with their ties to Toman and the underworld, could hold the key to unravelling the mysteries surrounding Izana and the Kanto incident. "NAOTO!" Takemichi's voice rings out, cutting through the heavy breaths of their hurried escape.

Naoto halts, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. "What's wrong, Takemichi?" he inquires, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.

"I think we should go back," Takemichi declares firmly, his eyes ablaze with determination. "They both know more. I want to know more about the Kanto incident. I'll go back."

Without waiting for Naoto's response, Takemichi pivots on his heel and races back towards the fray, his heart pounding in his chest with a newfound resolve. Naoto's voice cuts through the air, halting his sprint. "Takemichi..."

The glint of metal catches Naoto's eye first, a chilling premonition of danger. Reacting on pure instinct, Naoto lunges forward, pushing Takemichi out of harm's way just as the trigger is pulled. The deafening crack of gunfire fills the alley, followed by a sharp cry of pain as Naoto takes the bullet intended for his friend, his body jolting from the impact before collapsing to the ground. "Takemichi..." Naoto's voice wavers, strained with agony, as he lies in a growing pool of crimson, his strength ebbing away with each passing moment.

Takemichi's heart clenches with fear and despair at the sight of his injured friend. "N... Naoto," he whispers hoarsely, his voice choked with emotion as he rushes to kneel by Naoto's side, cradling him in his arms.

"Hang in there!" Takemichi pleads, his hands trembling as he desperately tries to stem the flow of blood.

But Naoto, his face contorted with pain, offers a weak smile. "Run" he grits out through clenched teeth, his voice barely a whisper.

Takemichi's eyes well up with tears, his heart breaking at the sight of his friend's suffering. "No, I can't leave you!" he protests, refusing to abandon Naoto in his time of need.

However, Kisaki's cold laughter echoes through the alley, a sinister presence looming at its entrance. "Hmph," he sneers, his expression twisted with malice. "That was a bad choice."

With Naoto's limp form cradled against his chest, Takemichi braces himself for whatever horrors await them, his resolve steeling as he prepares to face the looming threat head-on. Amidst the chaos of the alleyway, a new voice slices through the tension like a knife. "Oi, oi, oi," it rings out, masculine and unfamiliar. "Tachibana Naoto was mine to kill."

Takemichi's heart pounds in his chest as he turns to face the source of the voice, his eyes widening in disbelief. Standing before him is a figure shrouded in darkness, exuding an aura of menace that sends shivers down Takemichi's spine. White hair frames a face etched with malice, and piercing eyes gleam with a predatory light. This must be Izana, the sinister force behind the chaos that has engulfed their lives. Kisaki's laughter cuts through the tense atmosphere, his voice laced with amusement. "Sorry, Izana," he replies casually. "This fucker pushed Takemichi out of the way."

The mention of Izana's name sends a chill down Takemichi's spine. This is the man who is responsible for so much suffering. "You guys killed my Mikey" Izana growls, his voice dripping with malice.

Takemichi's blood runs cold at the mention of Mikey, his mind reeling with disbelief. "My Mikey?" he whispers, the words barely escaping his lips.

But before he can process the implications of Izana's words, another figure emerges from the shadows. It's Kakucho, his presence commanding and authoritative. Takemichi's heart sinks as he realizes the danger he's in. "Kill him" Izana commands, his voice devoid of emotion as he turns away, leaving Kakucho to carry out his orders.

Tears well up in Takemichi's eyes as Kakucho levels his gun, the weight of his impending doom crashing down upon him. "Kaku-chan" he chokes out, his voice trembling with fear and desperation.

In the face of imminent death, Kakucho hesitates, his resolve momentarily faltering at the unexpected nickname. But duty compels him forward, and he pulls the trigger without hesitation. Pain sears through Takemichi's body, a white-hot agony that threatens to consume him. "I'm sorry, Naoto," Takemichi gasps, his voice choked with pain and regret. "I'm sorry."

Naoto's gaze is steady, even as his life ebbs away. He begins to speak, his words heavy with finality. "When I first found you in the future timeline, you got me depressed," he admits, and Takemichi's heart clenches at the confession. "I thought to myself, can this pathetic wimp really commit to all this?... I thought about how my sister could fall in love with you."

Takemichi listens, his heart breaking with each word, but he finds no anger in Naoto's honesty. Instead, there's a strange sense of acceptance, a recognition of their shared journey. "Now that I think of it," Naoto continues, "no matter how much you failed, you always came back to me. That's how a hero would act like... You never gave up when you've failed so many times."

Tears stream down Takemichi's face as he listens to Naoto's final words. "Takemichi-kun," Naoto says, his voice growing faint. "You are my pride."

"Naoto..." Takemichi whispers, his voice choked with emotion.

"This is our final handshake," Naoto says, reaching out his hand.

Takemichi grasps Naoto's hand tightly, his fingers trembling with grief and determination. This wouldn't be the end. He would rewrite this tragedy, undo the pain and suffering that had brought them to this moment. He would save Hina, Mikey, Mitsuya, Draken, Chifuyu, and everyone else.

With a silent vow, Takemichi swears to himself that he will rewrite this fate, even if he must endure endless cycles of suffering to do so.

As Takemichi travels back to the past, Naoto is still clinging to his last few breaths. Kisaki, Kakucho and Izana are still there in the alleyway talking amongst themselves, probably waiting for the clean-up crew. "W-What did he want with her?" Naoto choked out, trying to lift his head off the ground to look at them

It didn't take a genius to understand he was talking about Maya. Izana grins and steps out of the alleyway, standing over Naoto's body. Something slides out of the front of Izana's coat. Maya's other necklace dangles over Naoto's face as it was strung around Izana's neck. Oh. Oh no. Naoto feels tears well up in his eyes. What he was thinking earlier was nothing compared to reality. "She was cute. That's all" Izana says with a lazy tone "It's too bad she had to die"

He feels sick. So so sick. Something way worse happened to Maya than he thought. "She was adorable, Tachibana. Had her with me while you were running around like an idiot looking for her" Izana taunts as he crouches down over him and pulls the necklace off, dangling it over his face "Sweetest thing I've ever met"

Thing. Izana was talking about Maya like she was an object. Naoto can't do anything but breathe heavily like he just ran a marathon. He's dying. The gunshot wound in his torso is hot and his clothes are quickly soaking with his blood. Maya had been alive this whole time and with the way Izana is talking about her it seems she died recently. Izana leans closer and whispers "made the sweetest sounds when I fucked her too... Would've loved to take her virginity but it's too bad Matsuno beat me to it."

Naoto's eyes widen. Oh god. He feels like he'll vomit. "it's too bad my little bunny died" Izana says then stands back up, fastening the necklace around his neck again 

Izana walks away from him and as Naoto takes his last breaths he hopes that this time, Takemichi is successful.

Izana's first memory of the Sano house was of meeting Sano Mansaku. The short old man simply raised a brow and asked who he was. Izana just shrugged and told him his name and the old man scoffed and told him Mikey was in the shed. Izana couldn't help but roll his eyes at the man before heading over to the shed. It had been months since the Kanto incident back then and there was no sign of Mikey since Emma's funeral. Tokyo Manji Gang was currently under the supervision of Draken who hadn't even bothered to come to the Sano residence to check up on Mikey. Izana thought that was fucking stupid. His plan couldn't come into action if Mikey was missing. So he showed up at the Sano residence and immediately felt sick at the thought of Emma running around the yard he was currently walking in and Shinichiro sitting on the deck smoking. 

As he made his way into the shed he felt gross. The shed was turned into a room with a vibe too old for someone 15. Everything in the shed belonged to Shinichiro. Izana without a word made his way over to the lump beneath the blanket on the twin-size bed and pulled the covers off Mikey to a sight he hadn't expected. Mikey had gotten significantly skinnier, looked like he hadn't showered or eaten in ages and his blonde hair was matted and tangled. Izana remembers feeling sick to his stomach as he forcibly pulled Mikey out of bed. Izana had to stop himself from shaking when he felt how frail Mikey was. This was not the Invincible Mikey he watched take Shion down back during the reign of the 9th gen Black Dragons. No, this was a weak sad kid who looked like he was seconds away from death. 

As much as Izana hated him, he couldn't let him die either. That would mean he came this far for nothing. So as he drags Mikey into the main house he sees Sanzu who's cooking, probably to coax Mikey to eat. Sanzo goes wide-eyed at the sight of him and Mikey and Izana just pushes Mikey into the bathroom and has to bathe him. After that Izana spends time to try and fix Mikey's hair while Sanzu sits in front of Mikey and feeds him by hand. His hair was way too matted and barely salvageable. He cuts off what he can't untangle and Mikey ends up with short hair and throws up what he ate at the sight of himself in the mirror. It seems Mikey kept his hair long for a reason. He couldn't bear to see Shinichiro staring back at him the mirror even if it was with different coloured hair. 

It wasn't hard for Izana to whisper suggestions into his ear and even easier for Mikey to listen and merge Tenjiku and Toman together. 

What Izana hadn't expected or realized was that Mikey genuinely saw him as his big brother. It made Izana sick to his stomach but also gleeful. 

How easy it was going to be to make him suffer.

The members of the Tokyo Manji Gang made it even easier. One by one, starting from that little shit Hanagaki Takemichi, they started leaving Mikey after absolutely berating him. 

Mikey of course was devastated. Bawling his eyes out in Izana's chest each time someone left. Mikey was completely dependent on him and Izana loved it. All he had to do was act like a loving older brother and Mikey would do whatever he asked. Only, Izana hadn't expected Mikey to barge into his room in the middle of the night looking for comfort because he could still feel Emma taking her last breath and her heart stop. 

Mikey would cry in his sleep— sob, whimper and beg. Sometimes it was for Shinichiro but most of the time it was for Emma to wake up. It was hard for Izana to ignore it. He wasn't sure what to do. Kakucho told him he needed to comfort Mikey so Izana did. Izana told Mikey he would never leave him but simultaneously told Mikey to listen to him or else he would leave. Of course, Mikey complied, clinging tightly to Izana in fear he would actually leave. 

As Mikey grew older he really started to look like Shinichiro, even though at first Izana liked it. He liked that he got his big brother back in some form. Mikey dyed his hair black, the same shade as Shinichiro's too. But eventually, it started making both him and Mikey sick. So when Mikey started growing it out again and wearing it all messy in front of his eyes, Izana didn't stop him nor tell him to fix his hair. After all, it wasn't healthy for Mikey to keep throwing up every time he looked at himself in the mirror. 

Perhaps over the years, Izana began to actually become fond of Mikey. Listening to him mumble a little "I love you Aniki, good night" before bed and ask for random things. Izana had become fond of him. Izana wonders if Mikey knew that he had in fact begun to love him and didn't see him as a simple tool. But there was no point in that now because in front of him sat both Sanzu Haruchiyo and Sano "Mikey" Manjiro's photos, surrounded by too many flowers for Izana's liking. There's incense burning between both photos and Izana can feel his eye twitch. 

He often dreamed of this day when he was younger. 

The death of Sano "Mikey" Manjiro. 

He thought it would bring him happiness. He'd have Shinichiro all to himself as well as Emma. Then he'd even convince Shinichiro to adopt Kakucho as well. But now there is no Shinichiro, no Emma and no Manjiro. There was no one. No family except Kakucho.

Manjiro's death didn't bring Izana the satisfaction he thought it would. Instead, he felt empty. 

"KUROKAWA IZANA! YOU FUCKING BITCH!"

A familiar voice yells from the entrance of the funeral hall. Izana already knows who it is. Some of his minions are holding her back. "Should I get rid of her?" Kakucho asks lowly as the other members of Tokyo Manji Gang here to mourn Manjiro and Haruchiyo start to look confused as well

They're sitting at the front of the hall, Kakucho next to him. Haruchiyo had no family. He had long denounced Akashi Takeomi and Kawaragi Senju as family. Kakucho told him Mikey would have liked it if they did both funerals together so, they posed as Haruchiyo's family as well. "no" Izana says and gets up off the mat "I'll talk to her"

He walks over to the entrance toward the screaming woman also in an all-black mourning outfit like his own. She probably just got back from Tachibana Naoto and Hanagaki Takemichi's funeral. His men are holding her back from entering the hall and they step aside as soon as Izana walks over. She's about to lunge at him but Izana simply grabs her wrist and drags her out of the hall. She's still yelling even as they stand at the back of the building. "You never shut up do you, Yuzuha?" Izana says as he leans against the wall

Yuzuha's jaw drops at his words. "is that really what you have to say right now?" She's angry, rightfully so "Mikey may have killed my brother but I know it was you that killed Naoto and Takemichi"

Yuzuha is clenching her fists, visibly resisting the urge to punch him and Izana is resisting the urge to get a cigarette. Maya told him he wasn't supposed to smoke. "So what? What's done is done" Izana shrugs

Izana isn't even sure why he's entertaining this. Oh man, he kinda wishes Manjiro killed this bitch too. "What done is done?" Yuzuha repeats and takes hold of his black suit jacket, tugging harshly at the lapels "Everyone is fucking dead Izana! All because you're a selfish bitch"

Okay, now she was going too low. Izana holds her wrists and stares at Yuzuha with darkened eyes full of anger. But just before he could say anything, she saw the necklace. "This is..." Yuzuha's eyes widen in horror as her eyes shift between him and the gold butterfly pendant necklace looped around his neck "You killed her too?"

Just as she's about to touch the pendant Izana pushes her away. She struck a sore spot. "Shut the fuck up" Izana hisses "I may have gotten my men to get rid of Hanagaki and Tachibana but not her"

Yuzuha looks confused but then she starts to laugh— hysterically, like he said something funny. Izana is really resisting the urge to shoot her right now and make Shiba Taiju mourn another sibling. How dare she accuse him of killing Maya? His Maya. His bunny. He would have never killed her. She was never meant to die. His little brother made a mistake and that was fine, he forgave Manjiro but never in his life would he want to kill the girl that brought him so much joy and excitement and— "Mikey killed her didn't he?" Yuzuha asks with a grin like it is funny 

"What's so fucking funny about it?" Izana asks annoyed

Yuzuha laughs even more. It seems grief has turned her crazy. Can grief make you crazy? "You never wanted her dead. You love her and Mikey killed her"

"It was an accident" He surprises himself by saying that

Izana had no reason to be defending Manjiro right now but it just happens. "an accident? You sure it wasn't because you fucking ruined his life?" Yuzuha spits back taking a step forward

Oh, now he was mad. "I ruined his life? I did? Are you so fucking sure about that?" 

Izana takes a step forward and forcibly grabs Yuzuha by her upper arms and pulls her against him. She flinches and tries to pull away but Izana holds her even tighter. "Remind me just how long Ryuguji Ken took over Toman after Emma died? Remind me how long it took any of you to even fucking notice he wasn't around?" He's a few decibels away from yelling in her face "If it weren't for me, Manjiro would have died"

Yuzuha looks scared. Good. She should be. She should learn to think before she speaks. She should have looked at the facts before accusing him of some bullshit. "I got Manjiro out of bed, I stopped him from starving himself to death, I fixed him up, I fed him, I kept him alive..." Izana says angrily "Tell me Yuzuha, just in what way did I ruin him?"

"His friends—"

"They left on their own and you know it too" Izana cuts her off immediately 

Yuzuha is speechless. "Everyone left him and I was the one that stayed" He continues and finally loosens his grip on her arms to let her go "I may have been the villain but I was still his big brother..."

Never in his life would Izana thought he'd be saying that to someone willingly. Never in his life did Izana think he'd call himself Manjiro his big brother in such a manner that wasn't patronizing or for a cruel game. 

Can grief make you crazy?

When Izana flips open his wallet the first thing he's met with in the clear pocket is a Polaroid picture. Among the Black Cards and cash is a Polaroid picture of him, Manjiro, Maya and Kakucho. They're sitting on the beach and Izana has an arm around Maya and Kakucho and Manjiro is sitting on the other side of Maya, arms around her waist. Maya is kissing Izana's cheek hard in an attempt to annoy him. 

Nothing about that moment had been annoying. He's smiling widely in the picture, tugging her and Kakucho close and by extension, Manjiro too. The only bad thing about it was that Maya wasn't sober. She was high off a whole bunch of drugs and to date, months after her and Manjiro's deaths, he still doesn't understand how she didn't die of overdose. Oh well, it seems he'll never know. 

The people are gone and now all he'd got left are pictures and the stupid necklace he's wearing. 

It had been months and he was avoiding coming back to the beach house. It was something he had bought for Manjiro. His little brother loved the sea and what better to buy him a place that was far from anyone else and safe for him to leave without any security? Manjiro loved this place and at one point so did Izana. But now he hates it.

Izana can still smell Manjiro's cologne and body wash on the sheets, his clothes are mixed in with his and there are even a few pieces of his hair still lying around here and there. It seems no matter how many times he gets the place cleaned up, hair still shows up somewhere. It makes him sick.

Sometimes it feels like his lungs are rejecting air. It seems that he'll die before he ever learns how to breathe without Manjiro again. 

But it wasn't just Manjiro's things that were bothering him, it was Maya's too. Her makeup, her clothes, her hair ties, her scent— it's everywhere. She stayed in that house, even though unwillingly, for only a month and a half and her traces were everywhere. There are still footprints too small to belong to his other men in the sand and fingerprints on the glass of the windows and doors. Sometimes he can still feel her skin under the tips of his fingers and her scent on his clothes. It was like her essence had woven itself into the fabric of the house.

It's like she's everywhere and he can't get rid of her. Maya kept her promise and now she was haunting him in the worst way possible.

(Sometimes he hears Manjiro's laughter and Maya's drunken giggles. Other times he hears Manjiro gagging and sobbing, whimpering out Emma's name and Maya's pitiful moans and breathy whimpers, pleading to go home)

Izana is sitting at the front of the house rather than at the back of the deck facing the beach. He's sitting on the porch, tapping his fingers against his knee, now craving a cigarette more than ever. "Kakucho you have—"

"no" Kakucho shuts him down immediately 

Even after her death, Kakucho hasn't forgotten that Maya told him smoking isn't good for a recovering addict. Izana can't help but curse at Maya for that. She's probably doing the same. Or maybe not. 

Part of Izana hates Manjiro for killing her. But the other part doesn't blame him. When so many people in your life have left you, of course, the last straw would end up with you doing something drastic. Manjiro didn't mean to kill Maya. Izana should have stayed up that night and held Manjiro as he slept. Then maybe he wouldn't have gone on a killing spree and ended up getting shot in the head by that stupid Detective Tachibana. Izana should have stayed awake that night and maybe that was one of his biggest regrets next to just taking Manjiro to Tokyo with him for the deal in Tokyo and leaving Shion and maybe Rindo and Ran with Maya at the beach house. 

Maybe Izana should have never let Kisaki kill Emma in the first place...

He feels bitter and angry. He hates this stupid beach house with its walls filled with Manjiro and Maya's laughter and he knows Kakucho hates it too because he's visibly itching to leave. Manjiro and Maya's shoes are still there by the front door and Izana can't help but curl his fingers around the butterfly pendant necklace he's wearing. 

Sano Manjiro and Kaneko Maya at one point belonged to him. They were both his. But now they've gone so far. Too far. There was a bitter irony in it all, a cruel twist of fate that mocked his earlier assurances to them. He had once promised Manjiro that he would always follow, that their paths would remain intertwined no matter where life took them. And to Maya, he had sworn that he could always catch her no matter how far she ran from him.

But now those promises rang hollow, mere echoes of a time long past. Manjiro had ventured into the depths of darkness, consumed by a path that Izana could not follow. And Maya, with her promise to go so far he wouldn't be able to catch her, had slipped away like smoke in the wind, leaving nothing but memories in her wake. Manjiro and Maya had slipped through his fingers, venturing into realms beyond his reach

How stupid it was for Izana to be grieving the brother he once upon a time wanted dead and the girl he tortured and somehow fell in love with. 

Izana stares at the patch of rotting daffodils under the tree across the beach house on the other side of the road and laughs hysterically while Kakucho watches in silence.

Perhaps grief does make you crazy.

—fin

notes: thank you for reading Dead Girl's Beach, I hope you enjoyed! Both bonus chapters release soon.

thank you to my university profs who went on strike in february all the way to the end of the semester, I would have never finished this fic this fast otherwise(mfers give me back my money).

chapter title from can't catch me now by olivia rodrigo

special thanks to: @highpri3stess @mysouleaten @yaya4thawin @piroporopo @reiners-milkbiddies @bontensbabygirl @tenjikusstuff4 @fairey555 @haikyuusboringassmanager @firstdivisiongirl @bakuhoethotski @xoxowhateveroxox @maraya-007 @dolfiins-art @short-cxke @milky-aeons @asirensrage @blueblazecrusade @brisssaaa009

extra special thanks to monika for all the detailed reviews you left after each chapter. I genuinely appreciated it. Thank you ♡

[kingofanemptyworld]

idk how to start but wbk fandom should accept that nii sensei might not give Sakura detailed backstory like the others. Wakui gave us everybody's backstories except Takemichi's. Yeah, we got snippets of his past and all, but we never saw anything much about his home life and so on. And HE'S the MC . Same thing can happen to Sakura!

I had to google who Takemichi is because I’ve never read or watched Tokyo Revengers, but. I don’t think nii-sensei is going to just. completely ignore sakura’s background. I personally don’t mind, which I’ve said multiple times, however I know that’s not the case for most people reading this manga. and one instance of a mangaka doing this isn’t indicative of it being like, a standard for the industry? or whatever. I’m sure we’ll get a more detailed breakdown of sakura’s past at some point when the narrative really calls for it, or when sakura is in a place in his character arc where it’s appropriate. I think everyone should just… chill. a little bit. about his backstory. we’ll get there in due time, man, no need to stress so much

[salbertwolf]

THIS FOR MY DANGANRONPA TALENT SWAP FOLLOWERS BECAUSE I NEVER POSTED THIS YOOOOOOOOO

(Additional sketches of ideas under the context-)

I actually haven't played Ultra Dispair Girls I'm sorry-

Komaru Naegi - Makoto's Hostage -Was the second in command to Makoto's gang, the Lucky Clover's, however when he left for Hope's Peak she very much became the new leader. Definetly not having a good day right now.

-Could probably kick your ass and not even try.

-Nobody tell her about Makoto.

-"G-girls? Pretty???" Komaru probably

Yuta Asahina - Aoi's Hostage -Lucky Clover's 3rd in command, wears an eyepatch just because he thinks he looks cool.

-Sees the Naegi's as family, and in turn it led to Hina and Makoto having friction's for a while in Hope's Peak (reason for her murder in case 2 of THH)

-Joins Komaru waaaay earlier, and spends a bit of time with her until he DIES (y'know, for plot!)

-Misses his sister so much

Takemichi Yukimaru "Defectokuma" - Escapee -Due to Daiya being alive and taken as Mondo's Hostage, Takemichi managed to escape, barely, and when the Remants attack the city, Takemichi is captured and locked into a Monokuma head, however it appears the artifact doesn't work properly, as he doesn't attack and seems to appear just out of it. Komaru encounters him in the camp, and becomes a companion for a while.

And now context on what the fuck is happening Sal

So UDG still follows Komaru, however she's trying to figure out what happened to her brother unsure if he's even alive (he's not), along the way she'll help to capture the Remnants of Despair and save the other hostages (if she can)

"But Sal the children!!!" I don't like children dying ngl, they got babysitters that day and were at home yw.

MORE SKETCHES

POSSIBLE DUO(s)? Sayaka is still the one that saves Komaru at first (Byakuya's role remember), so I thought about having Mukuro survive THH and join Komaru, but then Chihiro...

While thinking of this, it also occured to me of making DR2 Talent Swaps as well, and leaving it to fate (random numbers, I have the list dw) actually led me to having probably THE most narratively perfect swaps I could ever wish, maybe I was the lucky student all along...

Anyway Ibuki switched with Kazuichi, and I quote:

Consider, Ibuki and Komaru knew from before because she did modifications to Komaru's bike -Me YOU TORTURE KOMARU YOU MAKE HER SAD - My good friend beans

Anyway that's all guys ily let me know what you think these drawings are so old lmao

Part 1 <-

Part 2 <-

Part 3 <-

Part 4 <-

[trashymichi]

i really don’t understand how you could like takemichi that much XD he constantly pissed me off throughout the whole show and was so hard to watch without yelling at the screen. i could never see myself doing half the fuckery he was doing so its hard to defend him. 🙅‍♀️🙅‍♀️ but all the power to you i guess!

the thing is…..i don’t watch shows with how *I’d* personally handle the story in mind. what I would do doesn’t matter, because it’s not a story about me, it’s a story about what a washed up, spineless high school drop out would do.

I think about this instead. How does Takemichi, a man who can barely take care of himself and has the education level of a nineth grader, save all these people from their fates? How does Takemichi, being the way that he is, drive the narrative forward, and how does this set up the central conflicts of the story?

If he has an inability to fight in a setting where physical prowess is crucial, and doesn’t have the smarts to make up for that, what does he do and how will he achieve it?

so for me, it was hard to hate him or be mad at his actions because I was genuinely interested on how he was going to succeed lol

also i feel like i understand him on a molecular level

[ang0sgl4sses]

I just read M O T H by streetcat and need to yap about it

I needed a Kokonui fic, and streetcat delivered, the whole narrative just felt like accurate poetry to the escenary of the plot. (maybe another time i would actually write about the way the writing makes you feel the atmosphere)

it is placed in the bonten timeline, so you know its gonna have angst, but what i really liked was the different interactions Koko and Inupi had with Mikey, Sanzu and Draken.

i've been thinking about the ending a lot (i adored it, dont get me wrong), but mainly about the posibilities it had of the relationships that were built over the plot.

Case 1: Sanzu and Mikey

i think that to fully dive into their relationship we have to consider the manga, we know that part of the loyalty that Sanzu has for Mikey is because he knows about the first timeline, he knows about what shinichiro did and the consequences it had. Sanzu is loyal bc hes Mikeys childhoold friend, and knows the impact of everything Mikey has lost. His loyalty is a double edged sword; Sanzu cannot defy his king, he cannot stop him from selfdestructing, but if a better path is open, he will sugest it and defend his point until it's taken. Sanzu chose staying and being the one Mikey tainted with his dark impulses.

Sanzus derangement and volatile personality is a show of his original self and the tainted version of the timelines.

so, in MOTH i think is interesting how he will follow orders, almost killing koko and inupi without a second thought bc that was his order from his king; being uncomfortable when confronted with his own values and interests ; admiring kokonui relationship from afar and talking to inupi about it (like his friendship with koko during boten, sharing what he knows from what was said during high conversations), offering an alternative to Mikey of a plan that wouldnt risk Koko, and Mikey listening to him. Mikey has never doubt of Sanzus loyalty

Case 2: Mikey and Inupi

it is said along the story that inupis boldness towards Mikey was gonna get him killed, and true, he did put himself in riskier situations but he also knew what to share. From what he remembers from his teens, to what hes heard from Takemichy and Draken, he knows that Mikey was idolized, and to some extent that was one of the steps he needed to dehuminazing himself, the fact that everyone thought Mikey was unreachable made him believe it.

Inupi realizes that Mikey is in a situation similar to kokos (at least in the MOTHverse) and he confronts him, and Mikey listens mostly because of Draken.

he didint kill inupi because draken asked him to, but he helped inupi to save koko because he saw the same drive draken had for saving him, only that he cannot allowed it

Case 3: Mikey and Koko

Overall i think they dont have many interactions, bc at the beginning Mickey is hunting koko for being a traitor, but when the time comes, he pardons kokos and inupis lives. when Mikey questions koko for his choice and answers that he just wanted an excuse to be killed bc he was fucked up and tired, thats when he decided to let him go, because unlike mikey , when someone offered a hand to help koko, he accepted it

Case 4: Sanzu and Inupi

i loved that there was a point were inupi was like "oh, hes crazy crazy" and he was so angry for what Sanzu did to koko (beating him up and have all the intentions of killing inupi infront of him), and he was just trying to find safe ground, questioning the severness of his actions and the meaning of his loyalty

but then koko disappears and turns out that Sanzu is the only one inupi knows that could help him

Sanzu laughs at knive point bc he was genuinly surprised by inupi, and hes willing to go with whatever hes asking bc it was interesting, even if it didnt concern him, Sanzu listen to what inuppi had to say.

Also, I think that Inupi starts to give him some slack after Sanzu tells Mikey that there's a way to save Koko without the risk of killing him, thats when he realizes that genuinely, Sanzu follows orders, but he ain't stupid, he has his own criteria of what it is worth speaking up for, your not supposed to understand that criteria.

Case 5: Sanzu and Koko

we know that they spent time together because of bonten, but in MOTHverse, they are the closest they have to friends. They've shared things, so they know each other; that's why Sanzu knows he has to hunt for Inupi, and Koko knows that he's just following Mikeys orders, thus, it's useless trying to talking him out of killing them, but he tries nonetheless.

Sanzu is aware of this, and he convinces himself that he's okay with any outcome, because its his kings will, but we see, when he and Inupi talked, that he had some kind of affection for Koko, for all the years that they have known each other

[anemic-kazutora]

No one mourns the Wicked

If you like Kisaki, I automatically like you, just so you know.

I wanted to make a point about how, to me, it is obvious that his thinking isn't actually healthy, that there is something we are forced to overlook because of the narrative that makes Kisaki's reasoning about Hina make sense in his own head. By this I mean that there is no way someone as smart as Kisaki would pursue the plan he concocted if not for the need to desperately fight against something, which, I argue, would be loneliness, and the feeling of worthlessness that comes when you realize that your efforts mean nothing if there is nobody to acknowledge them.

Kisaki liked Hina, she was his childhood crush, but also so much more than that, because she was the first kid to ever treat him nicely and not like he was some subhuman weirdo because of his aptitude in school. She was the only one who showed the willingness to accept and welcome an outcast like him, not in spite of his perceived weirdness, but because of it- and this is where I argue that Kisaki is most likely neurodivergent, whether one agrees or not. She's a lovely person, she is everything that is good (I love her very much).

It feels to me like Kisaki is a number of things: - a "gifted child"/"genius", the type that adults love and kids despise, the type that has no friends because of it, the type that decides their own worth based on their successes or failures because their talent is all they are and ever will be to anybody who meets them; - plagued by the need to fit in, be accepted and recognized without actually changing himself in ways that betray his core values/what he thinks makes Kisaki Tetta Kisaki Tetta (which is something that is, I think, shaky and hazy to himself also. He's his brain and his smarts, but what else...?); - convinced that he's inherently unlovable and worthless unless he has tangible proof of his own successes (which is why he confesses to Hina only after realizing his 10 year plan) while also thinking, constantly, somewhere in his brain, that he's above everyone, that he just needs to show them just what he can do, that he's so much more than any normal person could hope to be; - unable to see others' affection as anything but transactional (something he can earn like a medal, something he has to trade for); - unknowingly (to a degree) desperate for genuine human connection (which he finds in Hanma despite not realizing it, because he's 13-14, they are both too young and neither really realizes that death can happen to them, too, and that they probably never could make it clear that they genuinely did care for one another); - deeply lonely and envious of everyone who isn't and is naturally a people magnet (Takemichi, Mikey, for instance).

To me, he was simply a boy who wanted to prove that he could do something great just by himself and on his own terms, that he was enough as a person for others to look up to and acknowledge, that he was worthy of the same love Takemichi could effortlessly get, just by being his naively heroic self. But he got caught up in the idea that Kisaki Tetta was what everyone else told him he was: a weirdo one should stay away from. He made that his strength, he became exactly what they said he was, because his admiration for Takemichi turned sour when it became clear that his charisma meant there would be nothing left for him. He mentions that a gang leader needs to have the looks to be successful in the part. He has resigned himself to the spot of those who lack every quality he values (outside of his own smarts), but he never stopped hoping that he could stand where the others, the "good" ones, like Takemichi himself, stood. He wanted to be like him, and be liked like him. But he couldn't, because he wasn't Hanagaki Takemichi, he was only Kisaki Tetta.

The end of the manga proves that simply having a friend who understood him from the start would have allowed him to become the fulfilled person he was always meant to be, that he was never inherently evil. He was just suffering through what Takemichi describes as the most painful thing. He was alone.

He was alone and he died alone. At 14, on a February night, on the asphalt, alone, under the horrified gaze of someone who had just had the thought that he would have deserved to die, someone whom he looked up to, despite everything, who had just told him that now everyone knew what he was up to and that nobody would ever listen to him again. He died alone and the only friend he had was too far away, and came too late. He died alone and the only one who could truly miss Kisaki Tetta was Hanma himself, while Takemichi belatedly realized that it shouldn't have ended that way and that it still wasn't right, that Kisaki was just like him: weak and only powering through by sheer force of will. He died alone, and he was the only one who died thinking and saying that he didn't want to.

He never got to be graced with forgiveness like Kazutora and Izana. Nobody even tried to understand him, save for Hanma and Takemichi.

No one mourns the Wicked. Yes, goodness knows The Wicked's lives are lonely Goodness knows The Wicked cry alone Nothing grows for the wicked They reap only what they've sown.

[zaenaris]

Thinking about how Inupi and Koko were introduced in an ambiguous way to make us think they were the bad guys and how their queerness was introduced ~after~ revealing they were positive characters and not to emphasize there was something wrong with them

I binge read the story from vol.9/ bloody Halloween to Senju’s introduction but ig that it must have been quite a journey to read chapters weekly and to see, step by step, how 🐶🈁,that were introduced as secondary characters, ended up with a quite surprisingly evolution, considering they’re not even main characters and that (beside’s Inupi’s connection with BD) their own tragic past isn’t related to the main plot.

Before their backstory, we see in both the presents TL (besides the final one) that when they’re together, they’re criminals...

and even Takemichi’s enemies in Manila TL.

Before the kidnapping, if we pay attention, the info we have about 🈁🐶 are that

they’re introduced as executives in the 1st Bad Toman TL-Inupi being protective ok Koko

they’re executives in Taiju’s BD

there’s a promise involved, but it’s unclear what it’s about

🐶 asks twice to 🈁 what he wants to do and Koko confirms he will stick with Inupi (fruity)

turns out it was 🐶 that wanted to recreate the BD (but we still don’t know why) and that 🈁 helped him introducing him Taiju

🐶🈁 join Takemichi’s division after the Christmas battle

once again are Toman’s dirigents in Manila TL, Taijusays somethin about Inupi's past with BD and Izana and Koko's being the gang wallet

bonus point, the homoerotic af inner cover of volume 14, where it seems like they're gonna kiss (and for a reason!)

At that point, readers/watchers have no reason to trust them and, beside the “promise/sticking with you” scene that implies something more, we knew nothing really “personal” about them.

So when they’re ambushed and for a moment the narration makes you think they’re the traitors, trying to blame Michi;the reader, just like Takemichi, has doubts, (love how Wakui drawn Inupi in such an ambiguous way lol) only to be immediately contradicted.

🈁🐶 genuinely have no bad intentions, they’re just trying to live without being used by others.

🐶 wanted to recreate the BD because (we learn later) Shin was his hero and the founder of BD (we already knew that from 2017!Taiju), but Taiju wanted 🈁 money making ability--->🈁 only listens to🐶(ch.141) and things finally makes sense,

🈁 sacrifices himself to save 🐶 and 🍀. In their hideout,🐶confirms he didn’t want BD to degenerate like that but it happened anyway, he himself got used to Izana's violent methods. He confirms he would die for 🈁 that has always been by his side even if he considers himself useless and 🍀 (and he readers) understand that 🈁🐶 are good kids at heart. Now it’s established they’re with “the good guys”, Takemichi even compare his and Hina relationship to 🐶🈁, we get they care very much for the other. The queer aspect starts being prominent from here.

And then ofc, the kiss.

But before that, just a reminder that, for a long time, queer coded villains had been a thing, especially when it wasn’t suitable to have explicit queer characters but you had to show they were evil, so you make them queer coded because it was not the norm (see many Disn&y villains); ofc in the story of literature/media there aren’t only examples of evil queer coded characters, there are positive characters too, it’s just an example and it happens also in Asian medias obviously.

It could have been “easy” for another writer or in different historical period to show the queerness of their relationship immediately, in one way or another to show, according old narrative styles, that we couldn’t trust them, only to subvert it later. But I really appreciate it was decided to give just a very small hint (promise/stick with you) and then later, once we are sure that’s they are good guys, another layer was added to their story, making us understand how traumatic, visceral and complicated their relationship is. Regardless of anyone’s personal interpretation, the queer factor in their subplot cannot be denied. There are 2 couple that kiss on screen, one is the male protagonist and his female love interest (granted, no one is surprised) and the other is kokonui.

🈁 was well aware of what he was doing and WHO was kissing. We see all of his torments, we understand why 🐶🈁 relationship is so complicated, why 🐶fears Koko doesn’t see him as Seishu but as Akane and why 🈁fears that Inupi is using him for money and his personal interest like everyone else.

Their kiss is treated by the narration with utmost respect and it essential to understand these characters (their official characters songs emphasize the importance of this moment as well). And it’s important to humanize them, to add a layer, to give them complexity, not to vilify them. They realize that, even if they’re ready to do anything for the other, it’s getting impossible to be together, too many traumas and misunderstandings piled up Turing the years. They part still wishing the best to the other, which, considering they’re 16 and their traumatic past, is still more emotionally mature then many breakups between adults.

Do we want to talk about how the “characters having a moment in the rain” is literally a romantic trope? Besides Bonten, where it’s implied they never saw each other again, in the last/Kanto Manji arc, it’s enough to see each other once (because in the end, 🈁 needed help and the person he trusts the most is still 🐶even after 2+ years they had no contacts) for 🐶 to understand that 🈁 is not okay.

For how rushed the final arc is (on a human level, I get that Wakui was burn out and had to finish asap), I really appreciate that he still found time to give a conclusion to 🐶🈁 sub plot that, more than any other secondary characters, was given the chance to evolve during the years and to reach a conclusion that was also a new beginning, because these traumas aren’t solved in a day, but now we know the elephant in the room has been faced, 🈁admitted his problems and decides to stay with 🐶 because that’s what he really wants. They have all the time to mend their relationship, this time with no fears nor misunderstandings

[chaoticdelinqueerwithglitter]

Chokehold

(Sanzu/Takuya in bad Toman Takemichi timeline)

(drabble)

(link to ao3 in case some one preferes to read it there)

This song goes perfect with it:

Warnings: The Dove Isn't Dead But Is Not Looking Great. Dubious Consent. Substance Abuse. Angst. No smut at all, just angst.

(Mikey's existence haunting the narrative, also called background unrequited HaruMai. The cursed name joke is totally pun intended, if you know you know)

Notes: Well... This is a total surprise. I saw a fanart of Sanzu wearing red high-heels next to glow-up Takuya and my brain got possesed. So like always with rareships, I was suddenly starving and had to create something about them.

Also, I know @lucifugousart will provide us with some art of them sooner or later, the images are now hunting your brain. 😌

(English is not my first language, so be nice please 🙈)

Takuya wakes up feeling like shit. The sun is burning his eyes, too bright for his hangover brain, to not feel his head hurting with it. His mouth feels dry and his throat scratches when he tries to swallow. To be honest, there isn't a part of his body that isn't aching right now, but his neck and his mind are the worst of it.

He doesn't remember too much, but the flashbacks try to flood his mind. A maniacal laughter, stabbing pain on his thighs.

He looks at the man sleeping next to him, pink strands scattered on the pillow. Is not the first time this happens, but Haruchiyo is still a mystery for the blonde. No, Sanzu. Takuya has to correct himself, something that is starting to become an habit lately. Is difficult to not get attached, to remember how dangerous this man is. Even for Toman's standards.

Blood. Red high-heels pressing his neck. A poisoning tongue licking every mark, hands playing with his choker. Ripping it off with hungry eyes.

Sanzu's job inside the organization is unclear for anyone who isn't a high ranked member. The only thing everyone knows, whispers with fear, is that he's the one that deals with traitors. His loyalty is unquestionable, he never disobeys a direct order even if he tends to have his particular way of follow them (always more violent, more loud). At the same time, he doesn't seem to be on the claws of Kisaki, not totally at least (Takuya envies him so much for that, he has seen on his friends the price of being mere puppets).

They were both completely intoxicated and he can't find the will to hate the other. No matter if the memories makes him want to throw up, if the violence really scared him this time. He doesn't blame him, no more than he blames himself.

One of the fews that actually still talks with Mikey, that always knows where their boss is, like an obsessive shadow. Maybe that's the point, Sanzu's true loyalty is to the one who was once called Invincible (he suspects that's also where the pinkette's heart is, even if he'll never dare to ask).

He wonders if he would've allowed Sanzu to do all that to his body if he had been sober. If Sanzu would've done it if he had also been sober. He shivers, not wanting to know the answer to that.

Sometimes, Takuya feels there is two different people inside that damaged man. The unhinged criminal, the psychopath, the mask he shows to the world (like an irony of the one he used to wear back then).

Possessive, controlling, the one that fucks him raw without mercy. Always demanding more, craving every piece of him.

And Haruchiyo,the one that breaks in his arms when he's too high to contain all that pain. His vulnerability feels even more raw, too honest, too broken. Takuya wonders who is Haruchiyo looking when he tears up, caressing his blond locks with an affection that feels too deep for being directed at the younger boy.

Another flashback hits him, sweet voice on his ear, a complete opposite to the actions on the rest of his body. A name repeated on a loop, making him finally try to resist, to complain. Not that the other cares, who knows if he even realizes, too deep in his delusion. In that cursed name. “Mikey, Mikey, Mikey...”

“...Morning, pretty neck.”

Finally, a voice mumbles next to him, aquamarine eyes staring at his neck when he turns around. Haruchiyo touches the marks, guilt crossing his face when he does it.

“Last night... Shit. I'm sorry.”

Is just a whisper, so weak that he almost misses it. But it's full of shame and remorse, feelings that Takuya know too damn well (that are engraved in his body deeper than any mark or bruise the other could do to him).

“It's fine, we were both high. Don't worry about it.”

He tries to shrugged it off and kisses him softly, showing the same sweetness he learned to hide inside of Toman. Earning a faint smile in return, a couple of arms suddenly clinging on to him. Haruchiyo buries his face on the mistreated neck, exhaling loudly with relief. Deeply inhaling his scent right after, almost like it was oxygen.

Is difficult to not get attached and Takuya finds less reasons to resist every day. And it's fine, right? Everything is just fine.

If it wasn't for his body remembering, everything could be fine.

[mulletmitsuya]

I hated the tr ending so badly. Not because it was rushed or anything. Wakui could have fleshed out the last timeline so thoroughly and logically and I would still hate it because the ending itself goes against what I felt the story stood for in the first place. He replaced all the characters for fakes, none of the characters we were intoduced to had happy endings because they either are totally different people or re lived their life to avoid healing. The ending basically proved izanas last words right "there's no saving me" yeah I guess not if the only way to help everyone is to make sure their lives never happened the way it did. Horrible I hate it so much. Also one ship I hate is rinzu or ranzu because they don't even interact once and it's so popular for no fucking reason other than "its hot" and tbh they would prolly hate eachother like petty bitches, they would NOT get along at any point. Also Koko and amane ship because if people actually read the manga with their eyes open it would not make sense. Anyways thanks for letting me be a hater in ur askbox, I love your blog btw

This is long, also tw for typical tokrev themes and sa

I think you're the first person who has the same opinion as me lmao😭. I also didn't believe it should have had an ending like that at all because of the themes that had been set up during the entire story. I understand people's perspectives of "It's Wakui's manga and it's his ending he can do what he wants" but media is supposed to be talked about, discussed and even criticized at times. That's like, the whole point of publishing stuff. As an enjoyer and supporter of Wakui's manga, I feel like I have the right to question some inconsistencies and contradictions (not directly attack him tho, that's never okay. like people who send death threats over ships and stuff that's messed up) that showed up in the ending. I also believe lots of people didn't really take it seriously as a manga idk. It had some very serious topics that people seem to forget about. For example: suicide, abuse, abandonment, child neglect, substance abuse, extreme violence, rape, prostitution etc, and I think people just kinda see it as a silly manga that has cool characters they like. And that's okay. It's okay to not take a piece of media seriously and enjoy it for the sake of enjoying it, not everything needs to be critically analyzed, but stop shitting on the people who take it seriously enough to question why the fuck it ended how it ended. Lots of the discourse took place between critical analysers who wanted an author to finish the manga by sticking to the themes and messages he has set up the entire time versus casual enjoyers who just wanted everyone to be happy for the sake of liking the characters. And I completely agree with the Izana thing!!!! You cannot claim to have saved someone by rewriting their entire life!!! Takemitchy was not supposed to be god!! Also, isn't the moral story of time travel that you should never ever do it? Because you win some, you lose a whole lot fucking more. I thought Draken dying was setting up that narrative. That saving Mikey, was gonna fuck up a whole lot. Isn't that why Chifuyu broke down?

Idk about you guys, but dark impulses being a curse disappointed me quite a bit. I thought it was supposed to be a symbol of Mikey being deeply mentaly ill. And that he had to deal with it head on and not run away all the time (this was Takemichi's entire storyline basically and the the main theme of TR). I just feel like it sucked because the message of the ending, whether Wakui intended it or not, was that you can't be fixed without magical time traveling. Although the story had some fictional aspects, it was realistic at least. I thought they'd deal with everything that wasn't time travel realistically.

Any ship with Sanzu and the Haitani's is hilarious to me and although I don't ship any of them seriously, the fanarts fun to look at some time (and you're right I think they look good together cause they're hot😭). You are completely correct about them not liking each other tho. It's actually canon. Idk if you remember during the three deities fight when Ran hit Haruchiyo with his baton? Nothing but pure malice between their eyes😭. The Koko and Akane ship actually triggers me because one thing about me? I'm not comfortable with large age gaps. Akane was 5 years older than Koko💀. And I didn't know people took what she said to him seriously. I thought she was just trying to not hurt his feelings? Koko and Inupi were around 7/8 when the fire happened. Meaning Akane was like 12/13. Uhhh Idk bout y'all but I don't think a 13 yo would be attracted to someone that young. And waiting for them to be of age is...😶. Be fr.

[just-sp-in-inginthevoid]

Kisaki and the pursuit of love to fill the lack of it

Manga spoilers

When Takemichi finally gets to confront Kisaki ; he gets his answer as to why Kisaki did all of what he did. And like Takemichi, we get angry and confused. Is this selfish childish reason really why he did all of that ? And the answer is yes, obviously. But it’s not that shallow, nor is it Wakui being lazy.

He wanted Hinata’s love.

Did he ? From what we learn from his and Hinata’s flashbacks, Kisaki was considered ‘creepy’ and ‘heartless’ by other children. Hinata was the only one to talk to him (and willingly!) and saw him as a good kid – even after they stopped seeing each others. She wholeheartedly believes Kisaki is a good person and that he and Takemichi would get along and is shocked when Takemichi tells her Kisaki’s part of a gang, saying “No way ! It doesn’t suit him !”. Which is the direct opposite of how Takemichi, and we the readers, react. “Kisaki, a good guy… ? There’s no way. He’s the inhuman bastard that killed Hina. “

Kisaki’s “Hinata would definitely liked a prodigy like me” isn’t that much an implausible way of thinking (for a child lacking love). Why would Hinata interact with him if she didn’t love him ? It couldn’t be just because she was a nice person, nobody else interacted with him. It didn’t seem like it was out of pity either. They even walked home together and were neighbourgs. It’s a very simple-minded thought – but Kisaki didn’t know better, and never got to. After all, he’s antagonized since the start by most characters, including the protagonist whom we readers follow, and the narrative. For good reasons, yes. But instead of trying to stop everything he planned, it would’ve been a lot more effective to learn about him, to get close to him, and not as to gain informations to use later to win, but in a way to actually form a deep, meaningful, true friendship with him. Because Kisaki doesn’t have friends. Mikey’s a pawn. Hanma’s a pawn. Izana’s a pawn. And they all know it – they accepted Kisaki’s scheems because they had something to gain for it. They’re all relationship built on a deal : I gain something I want and you gain something you wish in return. Mikey wants darkness to consume him, and wants Kisaki to be that part of him (his moon – which btw, good nod to the Pierrot/Kisaki comparaison) whereas Kisaki wants to be Japan #1 delinquent and he needs Mikey’s charisma to do so; Hanma wants his world to stop being so dull and Kisaki gives him that, he makes Hanma’s life as colorful as a circus (once again, the Pierrot/Kisaki comparaison never stops, Wakui really wants you to know his vilain is a clown) and Kisaki needs a pawn who would do everything he asks – and a pawn he can put the blame on ; Izana needs Kisaki to ‘satisfy his heart with his malice’ and to gift him a depressed/grieving Mikey he can ‘tame’ whereas Kisaki needs Izana to get to Mikey even after the Christmas incident and Emma’s murder. So yeah, not friends. Acquaintances ; business partners at best. Hinata then remains the only person who willingly went to talk to him out of kindness and nothing else, she didn’t have any motives.

So Kisaki clings on her. The idea of her. Somebody being nice to him. When nobody else does, nobody else ever did. Does he do anything to deserve kindness ? Why would he need to deserve kindness ? Since when is kindness deserved ? He plans a lot of messed up things, but until Baji’s death, none of them succeeds. Then again, would’ve being kind to him prevented all of what he plotted ? And again, he started being a delinquent solely because Takemichi was one.

Stalking Takemichi already wasn’t a good sign, but that didn’t necessarily mean Kisaki would one day become a merciless murderer. But then Takemichi said he’d be the top delinquent in Japan which prompted Kisaki to research about them and what it meant to be one. Because if Hinata loves Takemichi and Takemichi plans on becoming Japan #1 delinquent, then Kisaki becoming Japan #1 delinquent will make Hinata loves him. She has to. He believes in it so hard, he doesn’t even try to reconnect with her even as a childhood acquaintance during the years it takes him to reach to the top. No, he reaches the top and straight away go ask Hinata in marriage. And the moment she rejects him – even though he’s Japan #1, even though he did everything to undoubtedly gain her love, even though Takemichi isn’t there anymore – he has her killed. Because the only person in his life who has been kind to him, wasn’t anymore and he, after a decade of doing everything he thoughts he has to do to gain her love, couldn’t deal with it. That’s how Takemichi ‘betrayed’ him – Takemichi became his model, a hero, and yet he took the only thing good in his life away (without even being aware of it).

Kisaki doesn’t see himself as a victim – he’s very aware of everything he does. He manipulates, he kills, he doesn’t have an ounce of remorse about it… Yet, he still calls himself a Pierrot. And Pierrot is defined by his unrequited love for Columbine who herself loves Harlequin (who loves Columbine back) which makes him a sad clown. Pierrot is also naive, light-hearted and trustworthy. Which is definitely not Kisaki as a delinquent, but may have been Kisaki in his childhood.

Takemichi only starts to think of him as a human being and not an ‘inhuman bastard’ after his death. Takemichi wants to face him again, because he actually wants to get to know Kisaki. Even if he hates him with everything he has. The talk they had was too short.

At the end of the day, does that change the fact it was incredibly selfish and childish ? No. But Tokyo Revengers is based upon relationships and the impact people have in other people’s life so for it to have its main antagonist have no meaningful relationship at all, and it being the reason why he turned out that way, makes perfect sense. (it’s also the same with Izana who didn’t think he had anyone until the end where he realizes he did, he does, Taiju who thought he only had his siblings to realize he actually technically didn’t have anyone, Hanma whom we don’t see close to anyone but Kisaki (and that means something), Kazutora who found himself with only Baji at some point, and even Sanzu who obsesses over Mikey because in his mind he can’t rely on anyone else anymore – but all of them at least had someone in some way)

Edit: In the Final Timeline, this lack of meaningful relationship that Kisaki has ceases to exist. He becomes friend with Takemichi, Mikey, Toman.. And so he has no reason to obsess over Hinata

His vision of Hinata and their relationship most likely came from his idea of how reality works - a very stereotypical one. They're both childhood friends and then they'll fall in love and he'll go to work and she'll be a housewife and he'll be like everyone else, he'll achieve what everybody else has and/or he will copy his parents/what japanese society (and not only it) deemed a 'normal family'. They'll have one or two kids and it'll be the way it has always been.

Kisaki doesn't know much about interpersonal relationships, so he has a very stereotypical vision of them

[seijorhi]

Hihi Rhi :))

ART&RCSW - Special Edition

This week (??) I'll talk about two fics, because I absolutely have to talk about Tailspin <33 And since I'm talking about that, it'll be a Tokyo Revengers themed week I guess

Firstly, The Shape of Your Name?? I have a thing for Kazutora, 100%, and it's like, partly your fault tbh

Anyway, I love this fic so so much, because it's 100000x more painful than any normal soulmate fic you've written, and that's saying something

I love Baji so much and this poor boy just does not get a break, not to mention his poor soulmate

And the twisted way Tora is drawn to the reader just ticks all the right boxes, not to mention how his sense of indebtedness towards Baji translates towards the reader - because obviously, as much as he seems to like her, she is still an extension of Baji, the only one he still has

Just, the entire fic is so mouthwateringly delicious <33

Now, on to the star of the show

Tailspin <33

I like how this fic is centred around Chifuyu and the fact that he remembers - that he's trying to do the right thing and still fails miserably

I do have a question before I get into it - did he kill Takemichi to get the time leaper power?? Or??

Anyway, the way he tries to keep Baji and Kazutora away from the reader, all for it to amount to absolutely nothing in the end - also the fact that we read it from his pov and see how much it strains him to stay away, it almost seems like he was being punished for not taking the reader when he had the chance - she died because he went against the grain and all that

It's like one big cosmic joke because he tried to do the "right" thing

Also the reader's piece of shit boyfriend?? Man, him getting beat up was satisfying as hell, thank you for that Rhi :))

It was such a beautiful fic, and I loved the attention to detail, and the idea that he remembered bits and pieces from previous timelines

Also, I'm curious about Baji and Tora's reactions to him kidnapping this random girl - obviously they were happy and went along with it, but like, what was the process?? Did they ever question how and why Fuyu noticed her and decided to kidnap her??

Anyway, I loved this fic so much, I love all of your writing <33

Sorry again for being a bit late, but by this point, I guess we're both used to it - I hope you've had a good weekend :))

See you (maybe??) on Thursday for another round of fangirling over your writing <33

art, bby, i adore you <33

okay so y'all know (or maybe you don't idk) but tora, baji and chifuyu are my absolute faves in tokyo revengers ... hence why at least half of my tokrev fics features at least one of them hehe

i will gladly take the blame for any Kazutora love, he deserves it all and i am just a vessel to share that with you guys.

the shape of your name is i think the first time i've written a non-soulmate pairing in a soulmate fic? cuz that's such a fun concept to play with, especially when it's yandere, and especially when it's someone clearly fucking unhinged <33

but yes. tailspin :))

YES! HE! MURDERED! THE! FUCK! OUTTA! MICHI!!

again there was gonna be a full scene but i kinda liked the idea of leaving it more up to y'all imaginations as to whether he went and 'asked' or picked the less noble path which involved a pipe but uhhh, in my mind he definitely went with the latter. more because it was a, i guess, sort of proven method? there was no guarantee that even if takemichi agreed to give him the power that he'd know how to do it, that it'd work properly.

and takemitchy wouldn't have given it to him anyway.

but yeah, the universe i guess has it out for the reader fhjdekfhjrek

it wasn't all that intentional, but i never really loved (from a narrative side) the whole 'everyone lives and we're all happy best friends forever uwu' ending that we got. ofc i was thrilled my faves got a second chance, and draken and emma got together and takemichi saved his friends yes, but... life doesn't work that way.

i also liked the idea that certain things are just set in stone within that universe, and yes, maybe chifuyu trying to stray too far from that inevitably made things a thousand times worse for everyone involved.

as far as ginji goes.... gbfhdjkjhvfjdks after getting in trouble for making oc's that you guys liked and then putting them through hell i decided to go the opposite direction. initially when i started the fic he was gonna be a loving, good bf but... where's the fun in that? >:)

chifuyu operates on the belief (or at least tries to convince himself) that the reason they did what they did with the reader in the past was that they were essentially broken people. they lost their way, they lost their friends, and as sad and as sick as it was a kind of coping mechanism. they were beyond healthy relationships, and while they loved the reader, that dependency and the fear that she'd be taken from them too made them go to those lengths.

therefore, in this new, shiny timeline where they're all better people without mental illness, trauma and ptsd who don't kill their friends and beat people to death for the fun of it, they should be able to have a fresh start and be better versions of themselves.

unfortunately for him, they're just broken, fucked up people to begin with, there's no changing that.

i think i sort of explained it badly in the earlier ask, because it wasn't like 'oop, there's this pretty girl and we've noticed you stalking her, but hey if you wanna keep her down here that's cool with us as long as we get to share :))' fghdjkdjhvfjdks

in the original timeline they clock on pretty quick – almost from the get-go in tora's case – that something is up with chifuyu and the reader, and when he starts to spiral... they piece things together. they're both incredibly perceptive, even in canon.

between him leaping back and actually physically abducting the reader, months pass. he sort of leaves a trail of breadcrumbs, waits to see the reaction they'll have to that. i refuse to believe that none of them knew anything about the time leaps, even if they didn't remember anything like fuyu does. there is no way loudmouth, awkward as fuck takemitchy (or mikey) at no point said some weird shit that twigged something between their friends.

it isn't difficult to put chifuyu's strange behaviour and his 'sudden' obsession with this girl together with what they know – or at the very least suspect – and come up with some interesting conclusions. chifuyu wouldn't come right out and blurt the whole story, but over time he'd let things 'slip'.

but i also don't think they're all that interested in pushing him for reasons or justification. if chifuyu wants to keep his secrets, fine.

it's not like they don't feel that draw towards her. it's not like they don't have those same, dark, selfish impulses lurking beneath their skin.

[kokoch4n3l]

DEAD GIRL'S BEACH࿐ྂ KUROKAWA IZANA x f!oc x SANO MANJIRO

ELEVEN — what was i made for?

"There's a chilling sense of control in Mr.Kurokawa's demeanour, as if he's always one step ahead, anticipating the reactions of those around him. It's as if he views the world as his own personal chessboard, with everyone else merely playing their roles." —MAYA'S ROUGH NOTES ON K.I

chapter summary: Izana gets carried away and Kakucho and Maya do damage control, bringing them right back to the start.

warnings: dark content 18+, character death, depiction of corpses, corruption, slight religious themes, suicide mention, suicide attempt, suicide ideation, self-loathing, slight hanagaki takemichi slander, scarring, bite marks, implied relapse, drug use/misuse, mentioned drug addiction, withdrawal symptoms for unnamed drug, possibly unrealistic/inaccurate withdrawal care, possessive!izana, betrayal, mentions of past torture methods(noncon drugging, waterboarding, noncon, noncon waxplay, first degree burns), emotional manipulation, mental health issues, MAJOR dubcon, unprotected sex, no prep, piv, making out, nipple play, hair pulling(m), multiple orgasms, tummy bulge, creampie, implied cockwarming, implied dissociation, aftercare, possessive!manjiro, noncon, mirror sex, coercion, forced orgasms, hair pulling(f)

word count: 13774

masterlist | previous | chapter 12

Naoto often thinks about Maya. When he starts thinking about her, he doesn't stop. He thinks about her death, goes through the evidence over and over and doesn't stop till Hinata tells him that it was enough. But just how was he to explain to his sister that things didn't add up with Maya's death when the only answer he'll get from Hinata is: "You're looking too deep into it... I know you liked her but you're feeling guilty... that's all"

His poor sweet sister. Hinata had no idea she was hanging out with people that are affiliated with the gang that caused her death in 5 other timelines. Naoto is frustrated and there is no one he can confide in. Alone with his thoughts, Naoto finds himself consumed by a sense of helplessness, a gnawing frustration at his inability to uncover the truth and protect those he cares about. Maya's memory haunts him, her death a stark reminder of the dangers lurking beneath the surface of their seemingly ordinary lives.

As Naoto meticulously pores over the evidence from the scene of Maya's supposed suicide, his keen eyes catch a crucial detail that sends a chill down his spine. In the photographs of Maya's charred remains, one glaring absence stands out—a distinct lack of the necklaces she always wore. Furrowing his brow, Naoto zooms in on the images, scrutinizing every pixel for any sign of the delicate chains that adorned Maya's neck without fail. But no matter how closely he looks, there's no trace of it, not even a glimmer in the ashes.

It's a discrepancy that can't be ignored. Maya cherished those necklaces— they were real gold. She wore it every day, never once removing it so why wouldn't it be here or in the evidence or among her stuff recovered from the apartment she booked? Maya fucking loved those necklaces so there was no way she wouldn't be wearing them.

The realization hits Naoto like a ton of bricks. This isn't just an oversight—it's a deliberate omission, a glaring inconsistency that casts doubt on the official narrative surrounding Maya's death. With a sinking feeling in his gut, Naoto realizes the implications of this omission. If Maya's necklace isn't among the evidence, then it's possible that her death wasn't a suicide at all—it could have been staged.

As he sifts through the photos once more, Naoto's mind races with possibilities. Was Maya's death orchestrated to look like a suicide? And if so, who would go to such lengths to cover up the truth? The pieces of the puzzle start to come together in Naoto's mind. Kurokawa Izana was discharged the same day the hospital director of Sunshine Grove reigned and disappeared off the face of the earth, the other employees resigning and disappearing as well and that day being the last Maya is seen. But who would benefit from Maya's death, and why?

Could Kurokawa Izana be connected to Maya's disappearance? And if so, what role did he play in her supposed death?

But as Naoto considers the pieces of the puzzle, a new, daring possibility takes root in his mind. What if Maya isn't actually dead? What if she's still out there, waiting to be found?

The idea ignites a spark of hope within Naoto, driving him to redouble his efforts in unravelling the truth behind Maya's disappearance. With determination burning in his heart, he sets out to follow this new lead, determined to uncover the fate of the woman who has captured his thoughts and haunted his dreams.

(At this point, no one could be trusted. Not even Matsuno Chifuyu and Hanemiya Kazutora. Anyone wit affiliations with the Tokyo Manji gang, whether present or past, was now a threat.)

Maya's mother was a surgeon and her father was a mechanical engineer. They weren't exactly religious either. Maya wonders if they were, would she be going through this?  As Maya ponders her parents' professions and lack of religious affiliation, a wave of nostalgia washes over her. Memories of her childhood flood back, painting vivid scenes of her family's home and the moments they shared together. Her father, with his tinkering tools and inventive mind, would regale her with tales of his latest engineering projects, sparking her curiosity and igniting her imagination. Their home was a sanctuary—a place of warmth, love, and acceptance. Maya was free to explore her interests, pursue her dreams, and chart her own course in life. It was a far cry from the dark and twisted world she finds herself trapped in now. But as Maya reflects on her upbringing, a sense of longing creeps into her heart. She yearns for the safety and security of her parents' embrace, for the comfort of their words and the strength of their presence.

She feels worse as she realizes she no longer remembers what their faces looked like or how their voices sounded. It had been so long since her father's passing and her mother's suicide. She was 13 then and now she's 22. As Maya grapples with the weight of her memories, a profound sense of loss settles over her like a heavy blanket. The passage of time has blurred the lines between reality and remembrance, erasing the sharp edges of her parents' faces and the cadence of their voices from her mind. She closes her eyes, trying in vain to conjure up their images, to recall the sound of their laughter and the warmth of their embraces. But all she finds is an empty void— a void filled with echoes of the past, faint whispers of a time long gone. At this point, she might as well have been an orphan all her life.

But her parents loved her of course.

Her father loved her.

Her mother loved her.

But her mother didn't love her enough to stay alive after the passing of her husband.

Maya had never been enough for anyone— not even her own parents. Part of her hates Chifuyu. Just why did he have to be at the park the evening she was going to kill herself? Dying would have saved her from a whole bunch of pain. She wouldn't have lost her virginity to Chifuyu and been rejected, she wouldn't have been drugged, and she wouldn't have been kidnapped out of her fucking workplace, waterboarded, tortured, burned, and then betrayed by a false saviour.

No one in this stupid beach house had made anything easier for her. Not Izana, not Mikey, not even Kakucho.

Kakucho had seemed like a healer at first— reviving her after Izana drowned her, constantly patching her back together, helping her with the burns on her back. But at the end of the day, he was still a gangster, he was still Izana's closest aid, and he was still the dark knight. Not her knight in shining armour but Izana's dark knight with dented and bloody armour.

Kakucho is not a friend and might as well be someone involved in Izana's ploys of breaking down her spirit and betraying her. Maya could care less about who Kakucho thinks she's like. She isn't that guy. She's her own person. She refuses to let Kakucho's nostalgia for whatever childhood friend he lost shape her future or how and why she runs from Mikey and Izana. That other guy that ran just seemed like a damn coward. Running because he didn't like where Tokyo Manji Gang was headed, running even though he had so much influence over Sano "Mikey" Manjiro, running when there was no actual threat to his life.

Maya hates him.

She hates him, Kakucho, Izana and Mikey.

Fuck all of them.

Fuck that motherfucker, fuck Kakucho, fuck Izana, fuck Mikey, fuck Chifuyu, fuck Kazutora, fuck the Tokyo Fucking Manji Gang. She hates all of them and hopes they all go to hell. She hates them all for making them feel this way.

She always had so much love but nowhere to put it. It's as if she's been searching for something or someone to share her love with, but each time she reaches out, she's met with rejection or betrayal. Whenever there is someone to love, they suck it out of her greedily. Just keeping taking and taking and taking till there's nothing left to take. Maybe it's her own fault. She wore her heart out on her sleeve and just gave love to everyone that wanted it. Why did being kind and loving only give her pain in return? Why did everyone like to only take from her?

Why is it that she never learned her lesson after getting he heart torn out over and over.

"Maya..." Kakucho is at the door of the master bedroom

It's early in the morning, about 9:30 am, she feels like actual shit even after showering. The bite mark on her shoulder from Izana has healed but it will scar. "Yes?" She asks

Mikey was still out with Sanzu for some business thing. Apparently, he'd be returning either today or tomorrow. "Uh well..." Kakucho looks nervous and stressed

His hair is a mess and he's wearing his glasses. He wasn't even dressed yet. "So uh... Izana is having withdrawals..."

Maya's eye twitches in annoyance, her inner doctor coming back after so long. "and who's amazing idea was it to give drugs to a recently recovered addict?"

Kakucho just shifts uncomfortablely. "please can you just... can you come help me? You're a psychiatrist and you helped him before at the other hospital... You can do it now too"

Maya's muscles tense as Kakucho's words sink in, her frustration bubbling to the surface. Dealing with Izana's withdrawals is the last thing she wants to do, especially after the ordeal she's been through herself. But she knows she can't ignore Kakucho's plea, no matter how inconvenient it may be. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Maya meets Kakucho's gaze with a resigned expression. "Fine," she concedes reluctantly. "I'll help."

As they make their way towards Izana's room, Maya can't shake the feeling of dread settling in her stomach. Dealing with Izana in this state is bound to be challenging, to say the least. But Maya knows she has to do whatever it takes to prevent the situation from worsening. Maybe she doesn't like him but as a doctor, she has an obligation. As she steps out of the master bedroom she realizes this was the first time she had been out of the room. The house was decorated similarly to Mikey's bedroom with huge windows displaying the beach outside and just an overall homey feel. She never thought a place like this would be her prison. Kakucho leads her to Izana's room and Maya hesitates. She could run now. She really could. There was no one else here but her poor weak heart would just feel too much guilt.

stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid she keeps thinking as she enters Izana's room. The blinds and curtains were drawn and the lights were off. There is a lump under the covers and if she looked close enough Maya could see it trembling. She hadn't been present for the start of when Izana was admitted into Sunshine Grove. She didn't know what his withdrawal symptoms were or how he was doing through it. She was only there during the detox. This right here, was new territory. "what are his symptoms?" Maya asks quietly to Kakucho

"um... similar to yours but no hot flashes. Just cold and he's got really bad mood swings" Kakucho says looking really nervous "Headaches, he threw up earlier... Uh... He was hungry..."

Maya nods and reluctantly walks over to Izana and kneels on the bed next to the lump under the comforter he is under. She feels a knot form in her stomach as she realizes the weight of the situation she's stepping into. This isn't just about providing medical care; it's about navigating the delicate balance of emotions and power dynamics that exist between her and Izana. Gathering her resolve, Maya gently pulled back the covers to reveal Izana curled up beneath them. His breathing is shallow and uneven, his face drawn with discomfort. Despite her own reservations, Maya can't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him in this vulnerable state.

Oh god did she feel so stupid.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Maya reaches out to brush a lock of white hair away from Izana's forehead. His skin feels clammy to the touch, and she can sense the tension radiating from his body. "Hey," Maya murmurs softly, her voice barely above a whisper

Izana's response is a low, guttural groan as he shifts restlessly beneath the covers. Maya sighs inwardly, steeling herself for the challenges that lie ahead. This won't be easy. She flinches when he suddenly grabs her hand and presses it to his cheek. He shudders and mumbles something unintelligible under his breath. Maya watches as he curls into himself, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Had she been like Izana, she would have made him beg like he did to her. But she isn't like Izana so instead she asks "Does your head hurt?"

As Maya waits for a response, she can see the struggle playing out on Izana's face. His brows furrow in discomfort, his teeth chattering slightly as he curls tighter under the covers. She senses his agitation, the chill seeping into his bones and exacerbating his withdrawal symptoms. Finally, Izana manages a hoarse denial, his voice strained. "N-No," he stammers, his breath coming out in shaky puffs. "I'm f-feeling really f-fucking c-cold."

Maya's heart aches at his words, her empathy for him warring with the lingering resentment she harbours. Before Maya could say anything, Izana suddenly sat up and pulled off his hoodie, throwing it to the floor and leaving him in just a white undershirt. "Izana what are you—"

Before Kakucho can even finish his sentence, Izana is pulling Maya down onto the bed, laying on top of her. "H-Hey—" she tries to say

"Shut up" Izana mutters, his face buried into the crook of her neck "You're warm"

Maya's initial instinct is to push him away, to resist his sudden closeness, but she finds herself frozen in place as Izana's weight presses down on her. His warmth envelops her, a stark contrast to the coldness that had gripped him moments ago."Izana, this isn't—" Maya tries, but her protest is cut short by another one of Izana's hushed commands.

His words send a shiver down her spine, but she can't deny the underlying vulnerability in his tone. For a moment, Maya hesitates, unsure of how to respond to Izana's unexpected gesture. A big part of her wants to push him away, belittle and humiliate him the same way he did to her but... Maya was too weak. She couldn't get herself to do that to him and Maya hated herself for it. Instead, she avoids Kakucho's gaze and pulls the blanket further up Izana's shoulders, covering his bare arms and his exposed shoulders. "Do you... Need anything?" Kakucho asks slowly

"No..." Is all Maya says

Kakucho nods and leaves. A shudder goes through Izana as he clings to Maya tight. She goes stiff when his hands slide under her shirt and rest on her ribs. His skin is cold to the touch. Maya wants to belittle him. She wants to make him beg. She wants to humiliate him. But she can't get herself to and it's probably the worst feeling ever. She was never an eye for an eye person. She wasn't like that. Maya was too nice for her own good, even at her own expense. So instead of doing all the horrible things she wishes to do, Maya wraps her arms around Izana's shoulders, running the nails of one hand up and down the back of his neck. Izana sighs and just rests all his weight on her.

In the quiet of the room, Maya finds herself grappling with conflicting emotions. She's torn between the desire to protect herself and the innate compassion that compels her to offer comfort to Izana in his time of need. It's a battle she's fought countless times before, and yet, each time, it leaves her feeling conflicted and uncertain. But as she feels Izana's breath steady against her skin, his grip loosening ever so slightly as he starts to fall asleep on top of her, Maya finds herself relenting to the quiet intimacy of the moment. With a heavy heart, Maya resigns herself to the role of reluctant caretaker, knowing that she's bound by duty to tend to Izana's needs, even as she struggles to reconcile her conflicting emotions. And as they lie entwined in the darkness, Maya can't help but wonder how they ended up here, bound together by threads of fate and circumstance, their destinies intertwined in ways they never could have imagined.

She's just there, in his bed, crushed under all his body weight, pinned between him and the mattress with his cold hands under her shirt looking for warmth and face in the crook on her neck. She shifts slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position beneath him, but his grip remains firm, holding her in place against the mattress. The intimacy of the moment hangs heavy in the air, the warmth of their bodies mingling in the confined space of the bed. Maya can feel the steady rhythm of Izana's breath against her skin, the soft brush of his lips against the curve of her neck sending shivers down her spine.

Despite the tangled mess of emotions swirling within her, Maya finds herself instinctively running her fingers through Izana's hair, the strands soft against her touch. With each gentle stroke, she feels a strange sense of calm wash over her, a fleeting moment of peace amidst the chaos that surrounds them. Izana lets out a low, contented sigh at her touch, his grip on her softening ever so slightly. His breath tickles the sensitive skin of her neck as he nuzzles closer, seeking solace in her warmth. It isn't long till the shivering stops and he has fallen asleep, completely lax on top of her and crushing her with his weight. He's pressing down on her ribs and it's hard to breathe but Maya doesn't dare complain.

They come back a full circle.

Izana as the patient and Maya as the doctor.

This time, there was no pristine white doctor's coat, secure rooms with magnetic locks, CCTV cameras or security guards— only this time, she knew what was wrong with him.

There was just Maya and Izana and her all-too-soft heart.

"Why did you cut your hair?" Izana asks, lazily twirling a short curly strand of Maya's hair between his fingers

Hours later he was awake and was making no move to get off her. Maya hesitates for a moment, caught off guard by the unexpected question. She shifts slightly beneath Izana's weight, the pressure of his body against hers a constant reminder of their closeness. "I... I needed a change" she replies softly, her fingers still idly tracing patterns on the back of his neck.

Izana hums in response, his grip on her tightening ever so slightly. His other hand is still under her shirt, no longer cold thanks to her body heat. "Is it 'cause Matsuno broke your heart?" He asks casually "I heard girls cut their hair when they get their heart broken"

Maya's breath catches in her throat at the mention of Chifuyu. She hadn't expected Izana to bring him up, especially not in this vulnerable moment. How is it that Izana is still vying for control even while he's so vulnerable? She closes her eyes briefly, gathering her thoughts before responding. "Yes..." there was no point in lying to him when he already knew the truth— having forced it out of her weeks ago "I wanted to forget everything Chifuyu said about me so I cut my hair... Someone once told me hair holds memory so I cut it and then I felt better..."

Maya's admission hangs heavy in the air, the weight of her words settling between them like an unspoken truth. Izana's fingers pause in their gentle exploration of her hair, his gaze searching hers with a mixture of curiosity and something else she can't quite decipher. "I see," he murmurs, his tone neutral but his eyes betraying a hint of something deeper "But I have to admit, I liked your hair long much better. It suited you. I was pretty disappointed when I saw you cut it so short"

Maya's heart flutters nervously at Izana's unexpected confession, his words stirring up a whirlwind of conflicting emotions within her. She hadn't anticipated him expressing any sentiment about her appearance, let alone disappointment over her haircut she did herself weeks ago. It's a strange sensation, hearing him speak so candidly about something as trivial as her hair when there are far weightier matters hanging between them. "Sorry to disappoint," Maya murmurs, a faint hint of sarcasm lacing her words as she avoids meeting his gaze or just looking down at him in general while he's lying on her chest

She's acutely aware of the warmth of his body pressed against hers, the way his fingers linger in her hair, and it's all she can do to keep her composure in the face of such unexpected intimacy. Izana chuckles softly, the sound sending a shiver down Maya's spine. "No need to apologize," he replies, his tone light but tinged with something that feels uncomfortably like possessiveness "but don't cut it again, alright? I want you to grow it out long"

That wasn't a suggestion but a demand. Maya's heart sinks as she recalls the promise she made to Izana, the weight of it settling heavily on her shoulders. She had vowed to be his, to submit to his desires, and in that moment, it felt like there was no escaping the hold he had over her. With a resigned sigh, she nods slowly, her voice barely above a whisper as she agrees to grow her hair out. "Okay," she murmurs, her tone heavy with defeat as she concedes to Izana's demand. "I'll grow it out."

Izana's grip on her hair loosens slightly, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips as he leans back, his gaze lingering on her with a possessive gleam. "Good girl" he purrs, his words sending a shiver down Maya's spine

She wonders just how absolutely shameless this guy could be. Just hours before he was shivering and trembling, desperately curling into her arms for warmth and now he was being a little shit again as if none of it happened. Izana shifts himself more so he's fully on top of her again, crushing her ribs, knocking the breath out of her lungs, his thigh pressed between her legs. "You're so sweet to me, y'know that bunny" Izana murmurs, his face in Maya's neck again, lips brushing against her skin "Came here to take care of me... So sweet"

Maya's breath catches in her throat as Izana's weight presses down on her, his closeness suffocating yet strangely comforting. She can feel the heat radiating off his body, the tension in his muscles palpable against her skin. Despite the discomfort of his position, Maya finds herself unable to push him away, her resolve weakening under the weight of his words. "I... I just want to help," she stammers, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggles to maintain her composure.

The intimacy of the moment leaves her feeling exposed and vulnerable, her heart racing with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. Izana's lips brush against the sensitive skin of her neck, sending shivers down Maya's spine as she tries to suppress a gasp. His touch is both electrifying and terrifying, a potent reminder of the power he holds over her. "You're so good to me, bunny," he murmurs, his voice low and husky against her skin. "So sweet."

He goes still again after that. His lips just rest against the curve of her neck. They're both silent again and if it wasn't for Izana's fingers rubbing circles into her ribs, Maya would have thought he was asleep. Izana's hands ignite a firestorm inside her. Had this situation been any different, she would have craved it— craved him. But it's not an ideal situation, this danger. "Hey bunny..." Izana murmurs

"Yeah?"

"How did you feel when Matsuno broke your heart?"

It's an odd question, something she didn't expect him to ask her. "I was sad"

"Yeah fuckin' obviously. But what did you feel?" Izana moves himself, his hands on either side of her head as he's now hovering over her face

She's staring up at him. He isn't his usual golden-tanned colour due to the utter shit he was going through due to the withdrawal. His breath is hitting her lips. He isn't so close to her face but it feels like he is. "I felt like shit... I didn't wanna come to work that day but they wouldn't give me a day off" Maya says quietly

Izana brushes a curly strand away from her forehead. "hm... So you came late that day 'cause you got your heartbroken...?"

"Would you want to come to work if the person you liked for years broke your heart?" Maya counters back

Izana's gaze softens, his fingers tracing a gentle path along Maya's jawline as he considers her question. "No, I suppose not," he admits, a hint of vulnerability creeping into his voice. "But I don't have the luxury of letting my emotions dictate my actions. I have responsibilities."

Maya can sense the weight of Izana's words, the burden of his role as the number 3 of the Tokyo Manji Gang weighing heavily on his shoulders. She knows all too well the pressure he faces, the constant need to maintain control and uphold his image of strength and authority. Even being in a gang is hard work she supposes. "I understand," she replies softly, reaching her hands up, her fingers threading through the strands of his hair as she tries to offer him comfort.

Despite everything, she can't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for him, a glimpse of the vulnerability beneath his tough exterior. Izana leans into her touch, his eyes closing briefly as he savors the warmth of her embrace. "Thank you, bunny," he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper. "For being here."

Her eyes widen at his words, not at all having expected him to say that. He's saying that as if she choose to be in this damn beach house. No wait. Izana mean thanks for taking care of him. It's odd. Seeing him suddenly be so vulnerable. Just what did he want from her this time? What stupid trick was he playing on her? But she doesn't ask, and instead says "how are you feeling now?"

His skin isn't that cold anymore but he's still very clearly feeling like shit. "I've been better"

She isn't too sure what else to say, going stiff when his thigh presses against her crotch. "D-Do you want me to make you something to eat?"

Izana presses his forehead against her's and sighs quietly. He takes one of Maya's hands and laces their fingers together, pinning it down beside her head. He's acting sweet. Izana has been acting this way ever since he revealed that Mikey was lying to her— since the day Maya promised to be his. Maya's heart pounds in her chest as Izana's actions send a jolt of unease through her. She can't shake the feeling that there's something more to his sudden change in demeanor, something lurking beneath the surface that she can't quite grasp. She watches as Izana's eyes search hers, a hint of vulnerability shining in their depths. "Izana..." Maya begins, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggles to find the right words.

But before she can say anything else, he leans in closer, his lips hovering just inches from hers. "Stay with me," he murmurs, his breath warm against her skin as his forehead stays against hers. "Just for a little while longer."

With a silent sigh, Maya relents, allowing herself to be drawn into the web of Izana's embrace once more. He's being sweet, somewhat, he won't be like this for long. Maya can't help but wonder— if Izana had played the long game with her the same way Mikey did, would she have felt just as betrayed as she did when finding out what Mikey had done? Would Maya have felt her heart shatter the same way? She isn't able to look away from his orchid eyes as she brings her free hand up to his hair, tangling in the white strands. After a while Izana moved his head back away from her so he could look at her face properly then said "You're gorgeous. Have I ever told you that?"

That was unexpected. Her fingers stay tangled in his hair. "Well... You call me a lot of things"

"I feel a lot of things for you too" Izana admits

She's silent for a moment, her nails gently scratching against his scalp. "Is that why you won't let me go?"

"Yes... I'm greedy... I want you for myself"

"I know" Her voice comes out as a small, breathless whisper before she says "Would you like something to eat? You need something to be eating properly while recovering"

Izana takes the hand he's holding and kisses the back of it. Maya isn't too sure how to react. These were the things Mikey did to her, not Izana. Izana was calculated words, control, the need for dominance and control, he was fear and terror and uncertainty. Maya didn't know Izana could be like this and she isn't sure if she likes it better, especially after Mikey. Oh god, Mikey didn't even know that she knew yet. He hadn't been back home since Izana revealed the truth to her. "Yes... I'd like that" Izana says then moves off her

Izana is no longer crushing her ribs but it still feels like she can't breathe.

The sun is shining through the large windows of the beach house. Maya is cooking, stirring the pot of soup. Kakucho is sitting on the bar stool in front of the kitchen island with an unknown expression on his face. Izana on the other hand, is standing behind her, arms around her waist and his chin hooked over her shoulder. He's holding her like he's her lover and Maya really isn't sure how to feel. Maya can feel Izana's warmth enveloping her, his presence both comforting and suffocating at the same time. She tries to focus on the task at hand, stirring the soup with more force than necessary, trying to ignore the way his arms tighten around her waist. Kakucho's gaze flickers between Maya and Izana, a mixture of concern and uncertainty evident in his expression. He opens his mouth as if to speak, but then closes it again, seemingly unable to find the right words to say. As the silence stretches between them, Maya can't help but feel a sense of unease settling over her. This domestic scene feels foreign and surreal, a far cry from the chaos and violence that usually surrounds her. She wonders if this is just another one of Izana's games, another way to exert his control over her. "I fuckin' hate vegetables so this better be good" Izana mutters, his hands slipping under her shirt to rest on her bare lower stomach

She can feel the heat of his hands against her skin, his fingers tracing idle patterns on her stomach, sending a shiver down her spine. His skin is no longer cold but it might as well be with the way he's making her feel. "It will be... You can take my word for it" Maya replies quietly

Kakucho shifts uncomfortably in his seat, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Uh, maybe I should help with something else," he suggests, looking for an excuse to leave and not be a third-wheel

But before Kakucho can make a move, Izana tightens his grip on Maya's waist, his touch bordering on possessive. "No, you stay right there," he says, his tone laced with a hint of warning.

Maya's heart sinks at the possessive edge in Izana's voice. With a heavy sigh, Maya focuses on stirring the soup. "U-Uh Kakucho you can take out the bowls" she says, in hopes of making the situation a little lighter

Kakucho nods, grateful for the chance to escape the palpable tension in the kitchen. He quickly stands up, grabbing a few bowls from the cupboard and setting them out on the counter. "Sure thing," he says, his voice a bit strained as he busies himself with the task.

Meanwhile, Izana's grip on Maya tightens slightly, his fingers digging into her waist possessively. "You're mine, aren't you?" he murmurs, his breath warm against her ear.

Maya's heart skips a beat at his words, a mixture of fear and uncertainty swirling inside her. She doesn't know how to respond, torn between the promise she made to Izana and the lingering doubts in her mind. "I... I don't know," she admits quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Izana's hold softens slightly, his touch gentler as he leans back to look at her. "You said you are," he says, his gaze intense as he searches her eyes for any sign of resistance "You told me you'd be mine so are you still mine?"

Maya's heart pounds with conflicting emotions as Izana's grip tightens around her waist. She felt the weight of her promise pressing down on her, the words she uttered in a moment of weakness now binding her to him. Despite the uncertainty swirling in her mind, she knows that she can't go back on her word. "I... I am," Maya whispers, her voice barely audible above the sound of her own racing heartbeat

The admission feels like a betrayal to herself, but she knows that denying Izana now would only lead to more pain and turmoil. Izana's expression softens slightly, a hint of satisfaction flickering in his eyes as he leans in closer. "Good girl," he murmurs, his breath warm against her ear. "You belong to me, bunny. Don't ever forget that."

Maya just hums, not knowing what else to say. Izana presses a kiss to her ear and she resists the urge to shiver. "Uh... Sanzu texted. Said he and Mikey will be here tomorrow morning" Kakucho says

Maya's heart sinks at the mention of Mikey's impending return, a mixture of apprehension and uncertainty swirling inside her. She knows that his presence will only complicate things further, adding another layer of tension to the already fragile dynamic between her and Izana. "Great," Izana mutters, his tone laced with irritation, burying his face in Maya's hair "Just what we need..."

Maya's stomach churns at the thought of facing Mikey again, her mind flooded with memories of their complicated history together. She knows that their reunion will inevitably bring up painful emotions and unresolved issues, and she's not sure if she's ready to confront them. She doesn't know if she'll be able to pretend that she doesn't know he was lying to her. Oh god, Maya thinks she'll be sick.

Soup was soon ready and Maya finished eating first. She excuses herself and goes back to the master bedroom— Mikey's room. Alone in Mikey's room, Maya sinks onto the edge of the bed, her thoughts swirling with a tangled mess of emotions. The familiar surroundings offer little solace as she wrestles with the conflicting feelings that weigh heavily on her heart. She stares at the view of the beach in front of her and stands up. She stands in front of the double doors, staring at the beach past the deck. The waves crash against the shore. Unconsciously, her hand comes up to the doorknob. She knows it's probably locked but just as she's about to twist it, the door swings open, revealing Kakucho standing there, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he steps into the room, closing the door behind him. Standing beside Maya, he joins her in staring out at the beach, the rhythmic sound of the waves filling the room. "you okay?" Kakucho asks as Maya lets go of the doorknob

Maya nods stiffly. "Yeah... 'm fine"

A moment of silence washes over them but only for a moment. "Maya about what I said to you..." Kakucho starts "About running..."

She looks at him. "yeah?"

"Stay."

She furrows her brows in confusion. "W-What?"

Kakucho rubs the back of his neck, a look of guilt in his eyes. "Stay with Izana. Stop trying to run"

Maya's heart sank as Kakucho's words hit her like a heavy blow. The sense of betrayal wells up inside her, mingling with frustration and confusion. Just a few days ago he told her he believed in her that she could get away just like that guy that did years ago. So why did he change his mind? "Why?" she asks, her voice trembling with emotion.

Kakucho meets her gaze with a solemn expression, his eyes reflecting a mixture of regret and concern. "Izana wants you and... and you're good for him"

"But what about me?" she demands, her voice cracking with emotion. "What about what I want?"

This wasn't fair. This wasn't fucking fair. Why was this happening to her? It felt like she was being robbed of her agency, forced to sacrifice her own desires for the sake of someone else's happiness. It wasn't fair. None of this was fair. Kakucho's expression softens, his gaze filled with empathy as he reaches out a hand to gently touch Maya's shoulder. "I know it's hard, Maya. But sometimes, we have to make sacrifices for the greater good" he says softly, his voice tinged with sadness.

Maya pulls away from his touch, her fists clenched in frustration. "And what about my happiness? What about what I need?" she challenges, her voice trembling with emotion "There is no greater good in this situation, just a fucking sociopath that wants a pet and that pet happens to be me"

Kakucho's eyes widened, a conflict evident in his expression as Maya's words pierced through him. He took a deep breath, mustering the courage to speak. "Maya, I... I can't let you leave," he admitted, his voice wavering with uncertainty. "I care more for Izana than I do for my own morality."

Maya's heart sank at his confession, feeling the weight of his words bearing down on her. She struggled to comprehend how someone she trusted could prioritize the well-being of another over her own autonomy. "So, what? I'm just supposed to sacrifice my happiness for yours and Izana's?" she retorted, her voice tinged with bitterness.

Kakucho's gaze faltered, guilt flickering across his features. "I know it's not fair to ask this of you," he began, his tone heavy with remorse. "But Izana... he's not in a good place right now. He needs you, Maya. And I... I need to protect him, even if it means making difficult choices."

Maya's fists clenched at her sides, frustration boiling inside her. She felt trapped, suffocated by the weight of Kakucho's expectations. "That's not fair... That's not fucking fair" Maya says angrily "I got drugged and kidnapped right out of my workplace, drugged again, waterboarded and drowned—"

"Maya" Kakucho tries cutting her off but she just keeps going

"—drugged till I was addicted, went through withdrawals, taken against my will multiple times"

"Maya"

"got hot wax poured down my back, had first-degree burns on my back all while I was going through withdrawals," She says, her eyes teary now "Just why should I stay for him, when all he's done is hurt me?"

Kakucho's expression softened, his gaze filled with sorrow as he listened to Maya's anguished cries. He reached out a hand to gently touch her shoulder, offering what little comfort he could in the face of her pain. "I'm sorry, Maya," he murmured, his voice heavy with remorse. "I know it's not fair, but Izana... he's not well. He needs help, and you're the only one who can give it to him."

Maya shook her head, her heart heavy with the weight of her suffering. "But what about me?" she whispered, her voice barely above a sob. "What about my pain? Who's going to help me heal?"

There was a moment of agonizing silence as Kakucho struggled to find the words to comfort her. He knew there were no easy answers, no simple solutions to the pain she had endured. All he could do was offer his support and hope that Maya would find the strength to persevere. "I wish I had an answer, Maya," he admitted softly. "But all I can offer you is my support. I'll be here for you, no matter what."

"no, you won't Kakucho..." She whispers

He doesn't answer after that and only sighs. Maya watches Kakucho reach into his pocket and pull out a key. Maya watches in silence as he puts it into the keyhole and she hears it... lock? Her heart drops at the realization that the door has been unlocked this whole time. "W-What?" she whispers

Her freedom was right there. It was right there and now it was... gone. Her freedom was right there. It was within reach, tantalizingly close, and now it was slipping through her fingers, lost to the cruel whims of fate. The realization hit her like a wave crashing against the shore, overwhelming her with a sense of helplessness and despair. "It was unlocked this whole time?" she choked out, her voice trembling with emotion.

Kakucho's gaze remained fixed on the door, his expression unreadable. "I'm sorry, Maya," he murmured, his voice heavy with regret. "I can't let you leave. Not now."

Maya's heart pounded in her chest, panic clawing at the edges of her consciousness. She felt trapped, suffocated by the confines of the room, with no escape in sight. Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to contain the flood of emotions threatening to consume her. "Please," she pleaded, her voice barely audible. "Let me go."

But Kakucho remained silent, his gaze fixed on the locked door, his decision final as he left the room. And as Maya sank to the floor, her spirit broken and her hope extinguished, she knew that her fight for freedom had come to an agonizing end.

"what cha' thinkin' 'bout?" Izana asks

He's lying on top of her again, his weight pressing down on her ribs, not letting her breathe properly. Maya's heart skipped a beat as Izana's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the suffocating reality of the present moment. She swallowed hard, her throat feeling dry as she struggled to find the right words to respond. "Nothing," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes fixed on the ceiling above.

But Izana wasn't one to accept evasive answers. He shifted slightly, his weight bearing down on her even more as he leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. "You're lying," he accused softly, his tone tinged with amusement.

Maya tensed beneath him, the weight of his body pressing down on her making it difficult to think. "I... I was just... thinking about everything," she admitted reluctantly, her voice barely audible. "About... about how we got here, I guess."

Izana hummed in response, his fingers idly tracing patterns on her stomach. "You're mine now, Maya," he murmured, his voice sending shivers down her spine. "And I'm not letting you go."

Maya's heart sank as she heard Izana's possessive declaration, his words a stark reminder of the chains that bound her to him. She closed her eyes, a heavy weight settling in the pit of her stomach as she whispered softly "I know."

A short silence washes over them, Izana's face resting in the crook of her neck again. He had a headache earlier which made him pretty fucking irritable but now it was gone. "Izana..." she says quietly

"hm?" his lips created a slight vibration against the curve of her neck

"What if I didn't come to work that day? What if I just stayed home that day and didn't show up to the hospital?" Maya asks him, her fingers tangled in his white hair

Izana's response is a low, contemplative hum as he shifts slightly, his breath warm against Maya's skin. "If you hadn't shown up that day..." he begins, his voice trailing off for a moment as he gathers his thoughts. "Well, things would've been different, wouldn't they?"

Maya's heart clenches at his vague response, a flood of uncertainty washing over her. She had expected him to offer some reassurance or clarity, but his words only served to deepen the sense of unease gnawing at her conscience. "Different how?" she presses, her voice tinged with apprehension.

Izana's grip on her tightens slightly, his fingers tracing idle patterns on her back as he considers his response. "I suppose we'll never know, bunny," he murmurs cryptically, his tone betraying a hint of amusement. "But even if you didn't show up, I would've brought you here anyway... Would've dragged you out of your little house."

Maya's breath catches in her throat at Izana's words, a chill creeping down her spine at the realization of just how little control she had over her own fate. She had always suspected that Izana's intentions toward her were far from benign, but hearing him admit it so casually sent a shiver of fear coursing through her veins.

"You would've... dragged me here?" she echoes, her voice barely above a whisper, her mind reeling with the implications of his words.

Izana's grip on her tightens even more, his touch bordering on possessive as he presses his lips against the sensitive skin of her neck. "Of course, bunny," he purrs, his breath hot against her skin "It wouldn't have been as fun as chasing you through the hospital but you would've been here with me"

Maya doesn't know why she expected a different answer from Izana when she already well knows how this crazy bitch thinks. After all, she's seen firsthand the lengths he's willing to go to get what he wants. But knowing doesn't make it any easier to accept the reality of her situation. "It was cruel of you to do that all that the same day I got my heart broken" Maya mumbles, trying to lighten the situation

Izana chuckles softly, the sound sending a shiver down Maya's spine. "Cruelty is my specialty, bunny," he replies, his voice dripping with amusement. "Besides, it's not like I planned for Matsuno to break your heart that day. It just happened to work out in my favour."

Maya forces a weak smile, trying to play along with Izana's twisted sense of humour. "Lucky me" she mutters under her breath, her attempt at levity falling flat in the oppressive atmosphere

A thought passes through her head and then she asks "What about Mikey?"

"Manjiro? What about him?" he replies, fingers tracing circles on her ribs again

"What will he think about all this?" Maya clarifies 

Izana's fingers pause their motion, his expression turning slightly contemplative at Maya's question. "He's got his own world to worry about," he replies nonchalantly, his touch resuming its gentle circles on Maya's ribs. "Trust me, he won't mind."

Maya's brow furrows in concern, uncertainty gnawing at her. "why won't he mind?"

Mikey seemed like the possessive type— even more than Izana was. So just why wouldn't he mind? Izana chuckles softly, the sound carrying a hint of amusement as he meets Maya's gaze with an enigmatic smile. "Because, bunny, you're mine and Manjiro is mine too"

Maya's brow furrows further, confusion evident in her expression as she tries to decipher Izana's cryptic words. "What do you mean, we're both yours?" she asks, her voice tinged with uncertainty

But that's when it hit her. Izana saw her as a pet, a possession. Something to own. She was a toy for him to play with. Izana saw Mikey the exact same way. Mikey was a toy for Izana to play with, the same way Maya was a pet for him. As the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, Maya's heart sinks with the weight of understanding. Izana's twisted game becomes clearer, his manipulation extending beyond just her. She recalls faint memories, fragments of conversations heard through the haze of drugs and confusion. Izana's whispers poisoning Mikey's mind, turning him into a pawn in his cruel game. The realization hits her like a punch to the gut. Izana saw them both as objects to manipulate, to control, to possess. Mikey, his own brother, is reduced to nothing more than a pawn in his relentless pursuit of power and dominance. Anger simmers beneath the surface of Maya's composure, fueled by betrayal and indignation. How could Izana be so callous, so cold-blooded, to toy with the lives of those closest to him? And how could Mikey, blinded by loyalty or perhaps ignorance, allow himself to become ensnared in his brother's web of deceit? Mikey may have lied to her but what if she wasn't looking deeper into it? What if there was more to Mikey's lies that Izana hadn't told her about? But she holds back these thoughts, feeling even more sick as she keeps thinking and decides to change the subject. "Why did you take drugs again?" She asks looking at the back of his head "You recovered didn't you?"

Izana hums into the curve of her neck, seemingly accepting the topic change. "yeah... I dunno... I felt like I needed it and I got carried away without Kakucho noticing and then this happened"

Maya listens to Izana's response, a mixture of frustration and concern bubbling inside her. "But you were doing so well," she murmurs, her voice gentle, not wanting him to think she was in any way disappointed because she wasn't— Maya knows and has seen how hard it is recovering from addiction "Why would you risk everything by taking drugs again?"

Izana's grip on her tightens slightly, his breath warm against her skin as he shifts his weight. "I don't know, bunny," he admits quietly. "Sometimes, it's just hard to resist the temptation."

Maya's heart aches at his words, the complexity of Izana's struggles weighing heavily on her mind. Despite everything, she can't shake the feeling of empathy towards him, even as she grapples with her own conflicting emotions. "You know you can talk to me about these things... I'm still technically a psychiatrist..." she says softly, her fingers gently stroking his hair

Izana chuckles softly, a wry smile playing on his lips as he turns to face her. "You're a persistent one, aren't you?" he teases, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of amusement and affection. "But I suppose that's part of why I keep you around."

Maya feels a little stupid for being this way with Izana after all he's done. Maybe it was because not once he had lied to her. Because he had been truthful the entire time. She feels stupid for unconsciously looking for affection in such a violent place and from such a violent person. Yet, there's a raw honesty to Izana that she can't ignore. He may be brutal and ruthless, but he's also authentic in a way that few others are. In a world filled with lies and deceit, his transparency is both refreshing and unsettling. But Maya knows she can't continue to delude herself. She's playing a dangerous game, dancing on the edge of a cliff with Izana as her partner. Maya is about to say something until she feels one of Izana's hands start to trail up higher on her ribs, the tips of his fingers grazing against the band of her bra. "lace?" He murmurs "lemme see"

Maya's breath catches in her throat as Izana's fingers linger on the edge of her bra, sending a shiver down her spine. The gentle touch of Izana's fingers against her skin ignited a firestorm of conflicting desires. "I-Izana" she mumbles nervously as he lifts himself off her, hovering over her body

Izana's lips curve into a knowing smile as he leans in closer, his breath warm against her skin. "Don't worry, bunny," he murmurs, his voice low and seductive. "Just wanna take a look"

But Maya can't shake the feeling of vulnerability that grips her, the sense of being caught in a web of desire and deceit. She knows that she should resist, that she should push him away and reclaim control over her own desires. But as Izana's lips brush against her neck, igniting a spark of desire deep within her, she finds herself unable to resist the pull of his magnetic presence. With a trembling sigh, Maya surrenders to the intoxicating allure of the moment, allowing herself to be consumed by the passion that burns between them. At that moment, she knows that she's playing with fire, dancing on the edge of oblivion with Izana as her partner. But for now, she chooses to embrace the flames, surrendering to the tumultuous whirlwind of desire that threatens to consume them both. "Arch your back" he mumbles

Maya's heart races as she complies, arching her back in response to Izana's whispered command. Every nerve in her body tingles with anticipation, her senses heightened by the intoxicating proximity of his touch. She can feel the heat of his breath against her skin, sending shivers of pleasure coursing through her veins. As she arches her back, Izana's hands slide gently along her sides, tracing the contours of her body with a feather-light touch. His fingers dance over her skin, leaving a trail of fire in their wake, as he explores the curves of her body with a tender reverence. Izana slides his hands under her back and with one movement lifts her off the bed like she was a child. She's now in his lap, straddling his thighs, chest pressed against his. Maya gasps as Izana effortlessly lifts her off the bed, her body instinctively wrapping around him. She looks into his eyes, searching for any hint of hesitation or doubt, but finds only a smouldering intensity that sends a thrill of anticipation coursing through her veins. "can I?" Izana whispers softly, a look of vulnerability in his eyes "Will you let me this time?"

With trembling hands, Maya reaches up to trace the contours of Izana's face, her touch gentle yet filled with fierce longing. She feels a surge of electricity shoots through her body at the contact, every nerve ending alight with sensation. Izana's hands roam freely over her body, igniting a firestorm of desire that threatens to consume them both. Their breath mingles in the air, hot and ragged, as they lose themselves in the dizzying ecstasy of the moment. "Is that a yes then?" He murmurs, a small smile playing on his lips

With a soft exhale, Maya nods slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes," she breathes, her fingers still tracing the contours of Izana's face, her touch a silent affirmation of her consent

Oh god did she hate herself for this. But maybe she was too tired. Too tired after fighting, too tired after realizing there was no one on her side. Izana's smile widens, a glimmer of satisfaction dancing in his eyes as he leans in closer, his lips hovering just inches from hers. "Good"

Maya's heart races as Izana's lips draw closer, anticipation mingling with trepidation in her chest. She feels a surge of conflicting emotions—desire warring with self-loathing, longing battling against resignation. Their lips meet in a searing kiss, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through Maya's veins. It's a whirlwind of sensation, overwhelming and all-consuming, as they lose themselves in each other's embrace. In that fleeting moment, there is no past, no future, only the raw intensity of their connection, binding them together in a fiery passion that defies reason and logic. "now lemme get a look" Izana says, pulling away from the kiss

Izana pulls her shirt off with ease, throwing it to the side, and falling onto the floor. He sighs softly, his thumb brushing over the baby pink lacy strap on her shoulder. Maya's cheeks flush with heat as Izana's gaze roams over her exposed skin, his eyes tracing every curve and contour with a hunger that sends shivers down her spine. She feels exposed under his intense scrutiny, vulnerable yet strangely exhilarated by the raw intensity of his desire. "Beautiful," Izana murmurs, his voice low and husky as he reaches out to caress her cheek with gentle fingers

She leans into his touch, her own fingers trailing lightly down his clothed chest, tracing the lines of his muscles with a reverence born of awe and longing. Izana's gaze shifts to her shoulder to the scar from where he had accidentally bitten her too hard. Maya feels a surge of mixed emotions flood her being as she watches him study the mark with a mixture of regret and a weird look of fascination. "I'm sorry," Izana murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper as he traces the scar with gentle fingertips

Maya isn't too sure if he actually means it though. But she doesn't feel like doubting it right now. Maya doesn't want to feel like shit anymore. She's tired of feeling that way. "It's fine" she mumbles, thumb tracing over his jaw "It'll fade"

Izana sighs, leaning down to press a kiss to her scarred shoulder. "I've hurt you so much, hm..." She knows he's not just referring to the physical scars but also the emotional wounds he's inflicted upon her. "I'll make it up to you, bunny... Promise"

And so Izana kissed her again, all tongue, licking desperately into her mouth like he was starved. Maya's mind swirls with conflicting emotions as Izana's lips meet hers once more, his kiss desperate and hungry, as if trying to erase the pain of the past with the intensity of the present. She can feel the raw desire coursing through him, his touch igniting a firestorm of longing within her. Izana is being oddly sweet for someone who waterboarded and burned her. 

Oh well.

He unclips her bra with ease, throwing it in the same place he threw her shirt. She's soon lowered back onto the bed. He's kissing down her throat, ending at her sternum, sucking love bites into her skin while her fingers tangle into the thick white strands of his hair. Izana sighs against Maya's skin and she shivers then he shivers too. "Fuck... I'm cold again" he groans, his fingers digging into her waist

She forgot he was still going through withdrawals. Izana is going through another cold flush like earlier. She can feel the chill emanating from his skin, a stark contrast to the fire burning within her own veins. With a mixture of concern and tenderness, she reaches out to caress his cheek, her touch gentle yet filled with an unspoken promise of comfort. "It's okay, Izana," she murmurs soothingly, her voice a soft whisper against his ear. "I'm here. I'll keep you warm."

Izana's grip on her tightens, his fingers digging into her waist with a mixture of desperation and longing. "I need you, Maya," he confesses, his voice raw with emotion, using her name for the first time in a long time 

At that moment, Maya knows that she can't deny him what he seeks, no matter how temporary or fleeting the relief may be or how much she hates him. With a silent nod, she pulls him closer, enveloping him in the warmth of her embrace, determined to offer him solace in the midst of his torment. So their clothes scatter and Izana pushes in, slowly, inch by inch, knocking the air out of her lungs. "f-fuck" a whimper leaves Izana and Maya lets out a shuddery breathe, squeezing her eyes shut

Her nails dig into his shoulders and her legs go around his waist, not sure if she wanted him closer or further. Maya is breathing heavily and shaky, her head up in clouds from the stretch caused by the lack of preparation from both herself and Izana. "god, you're so warm" Izana moans, his face pressed into the crook of her neck

He hasn't moved his hips yet, probably being nice for once and trying to let Maya adjust to him first. She wraps her arms around his neck and sighs, fingers tangling in his hair. "I can be on top" She offers, voice shaky

Izana's teeth graze against her throat. "as much as I'd love the view bunny, I wanna be on top... I'm trying to make it up to you remember" He hisses a little, mumbling how tight she was 

Maya's heart flutters at the intimacy of their exchange, a mixture of desire and uncertainty coursing through her veins. She hesitates for a moment, torn between her own desires and Izana's request. But ultimately, she nods in silent agreement, trusting him to lead them in this dance of passion and a twisted kind of redemption. "Okay," she breathes, her voice barely above a whisper, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his back. "I trust you, Izana."

Honestly speaking, no she didn't. Just because Izana was truthful to her didn't mean she had to be truthful to him. She could lie to him as much as she wanted. She had no reason to be honest. So as Izana start to thurst she whimpers out his name over and over. It felt good. So fucking good. The drag of his cock against her walls and each time his pelvis brushed against her clit. It felt so fucking good. "I-Izana" she whines as he thrusts in slow and lazy

His lips meet hers in a just as lazy but desperate kiss. Maya didn't know Izana had the capability to kiss like that— soft, full of passion, desperation and eagerness. Fuck it felt good. Being treated that way by someone who's only ever treated you violently felt so good. She whimpers into his mouth as his fingers find her nipples, lightly rubbing against them before pinching. Her legs tighten around his waist and her fingers tug at his white locks. Izana begins kissing down towards her jaw now, till her throat, collarbones, and sternum and then Maya feels him smile against her skin before he takes one of her nipples in his mouth. A shuddery breath leaves her lips at the feeling. He sucks at it, soft, but his teeth graze against it almost threateningly. Maya feels like she's having an out-of-body experience when he tugs at her other nipple and his free hand goes down to rub at her clit. There's so much going on at once that she already feels so overstimulated and comes from the sheer feeling of all of it. Izana chuckles as she comes down from her high. He stops thrusting momentarily as he presses his forehead against hers. "so sensitive, hm bunny..." Izana sighs softly "Wish I took your first..."

He doesn't give her a chance to respond as he starts thrusting again, this time rougher, harder. Her eyes roll back as he pulls his head away from her. "oh fuck..." Izana mutters as he slows down but keeps going just as hard "Look at that"

Izana is looking down at her stomach, right at the small bulge on her lower tummy every time he thrusts into her cunt. He fucking giggles, like it's something cute, like he's not practically fucking her guts. Oh god, she should be horrified but it just turns her on even more. A sob-like moan leaves her when Izana speeds up and presses down on her lower stomach. She feels good. Everything feels good and even if it's only momentary, Maya wants it so badly to last. No matter how overwhelming, no matter how sensitive. Because it seems that only during sex is when the pain truly stops. "please" Maya whimpers desperately, pulling him in as close as possible when he pounds into her cunt 

"Please what, hm?" He asks, the tips of his fingers pressing bruises into her waist "wh-what-f-fuck... what do you want bunny?"

Izana's voice is shaky as he speeds up even more, feeling himself getting closer. "a-ah~ want more" Her moan sounded more like a sob 

Izana smiles, his eyes dark with lust as he leans down, capturing her lips in a rough messy kiss. It's all teeth and tongue and eventually, they're both just breathing heavily into the other's mouths as they come at the same time. Izana doesn't pull out after that though. He simply shifts their positions so they're both lying on their side and keeps his cock buried in her using the excuse that he was still cold. That was probably his first lie but Maya was too tired to say or do anything so she just complies. She's tucked away in his arms. Izana is holding her tight and close like he's afraid she'll slip away at any moment. Maya on the other hand can't focus on anything other than the feeling of him still inside. "One thing I adore about girls like you is how prettily you suffer." Izana whispers as his fingers trace along her spine "How could anyone want to comfort you when you look this fuckin' pretty when you're miserable?"

Mayas closes her eyes and just falls slack in his arms. It's dark out now. "You're gorgeous, you know that my pretty bunny? Everything about you is breathtakingly beautiful" He whispers and she opens her eyes to look at him

Maya doesn't say anything to Izana. Everything just felt too good for her to really even try to speak or move. "You're so pretty... The way you suffer is so pretty too so I just can't help but hurt you..." Izana murmurs and presses a kiss to her cheekbone

After a while, he pulls out with a small hiss, leading her silently to the shower. As the water cascades over them, washing away the physical remnants of their encounter, Maya's mind drifts into a haze of numbness. The weight of their tangled emotions hangs heavy in the air, suffocating her as she struggles to make sense of it all. Izana's words echo hollowly in her ears, his attempts at reconciliation falling on deaf ears as she retreats into the depths of her own thoughts. In the midst of the steam and the warmth of the water, Maya feels a profound sense of emptiness, a hollow ache that gnaws at the edges of her soul. She can't shake the feeling of being adrift, lost in a sea of uncertainty and despair. Each drop of water that falls against her skin feels like a reminder of the tears she's shed, the pain she's endured, and the scars that mar her body and soul alike.

As they step out of the shower, Izana gives her a pill, his voice a distant echo in the recesses of her mind. Maya accepts it mechanically, her movements robotic as she goes through the motions of getting cleaned up. She doesn't bother listening to Izana's words anymore, the pretty lies and empty promises ringing hollow in her ears. Wrapped in a towel, Maya allows herself to be led back to the bedroom, the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders. She lets Izana hold her naked body against his chest, but the embrace offers little comfort, a fleeting illusion of solace in a world devoid of warmth and light.

As he kisses her forehead and murmurs empty reassurances into her ears, Maya can't help but feel a sense of profound sadness wash over her. This moment of tenderness feels like a cruel mockery of the pain and suffering that has brought them to this point. She knows that no amount of physical closeness can erase the scars that mar their relationship, nor can it mend the broken pieces of her shattered heart.

One can only dream, she figures.

Mikey is back the next morning. She ignores him as best as she can. Maya didn't want to even look at him after knowing he had been lying to her this whole time— giving her false hope that he'd convince Izana to let her go when Mikey might as well be an accomplice. The air in the beach house feels heavy with tension as Mikey's presence looms over Maya like a dark cloud. But despite her efforts to ignore him, Mikey's presence is an ever-present reminder of the lies and deceit that have plagued their relationship or whatever twisted relationship they had in the first place. 

She doesn't know how to face Mikey, how to confront the betrayal that cuts to the core of her being. All she can do is bury her pain deep within her heart, shielding herself from the raw vulnerability of her shattered trust. But even as she tries to push him away, a part of Maya longs for answers, for closure to the questions that have haunted her since the truth came to light. She knows that confronting Mikey won't undo the damage that has been done, but she can't help but yearn for some semblance of understanding in the midst of the chaos that surrounds her. "Thanks again, Maya" Kakucho says with a smile "Really."

Izana had fallen back to sleep after breakfast, still needing a lot of rest. Thankfully this time the detox process shouldn't take too long since he wasn't in that damn shitty hospital with shitty care. "It's nothing" Maya mumbles dismissively

She was still mad at Kakucho. Almost as much as she was mad at Mikey. Maya had the right to be mad after all. She resents his gratitude, feeling as though it's a hollow gesture in the wake of his betrayal. But beneath her anger lies a deep well of hurt and confusion, emotions that threaten to consume her if she lets them. The lies, the deceit, the manipulation—all of it weighs heavily on her heart, dragging her down into a pit of despair. She can't shake the feeling of betrayal that gnaws at her from within, leaving her feeling lost and alone in a sea of uncertainty. "really though... thanks for helping him" Mikey says with a soft smile

Maya resists the urge to sneer at him the same way she would at Izana when she was first brought here. Mikey had been lying to her, giving her false hope. That was probably worse than Kakucho going back on his word. "Sure" Maya replies tersely, her voice lacking the warmth that once coloured their conversations

She can't bring herself to meet Mikey's gaze, her eyes fixed on some distant point in the room as she struggles to contain the storm of emotions raging inside her. Mikey's smile falters slightly, a flicker of concern crossing his features. "Hey, is everything okay?" he asks, his voice laced with genuine worry.

Maya's jaw clenches as she fights to keep her composure, the urge to lash out at Mikey almost overwhelming. But she knows that giving in to her anger won't solve anything, and won't change the past. So she forces herself to take a deep breath, to push aside her hurt and frustration, if only for a moment. "Yeah, everything's fine" Maya replies, her tone flat and devoid of emotion

She retreats to the master bedroom. Bad idea honestly speaking. It wasn't her own room, it was Mikey's. Stupid idea for her to try and hide from him in there because he just followed her inside. "no... everything's not fine. What's wrong?" Mikey asks with a frown, his black hair tied back in a messy ponytail

Maya's heart skips a beat as Mikey enters the room, his concerned voice cutting through the heavy silence that hangs between them like a suffocating fog. She can feel the weight of his gaze on her, a silent plea for her to open up and share her burden. But Maya remains silent, her emotions roiling beneath the surface as she struggles to find the words to articulate the storm raging inside her. "It's nothing, Mikey," Maya finally murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I need some time alone."

Mikey's frown deepens, his brows furrowing in concern. "You can talk to me, Maya," he insists, taking a step closer to her. "Whatever it is, we can work through it together. I told you I'm here for you"

Maya shakes her head, heading for the bathroom to get inside and lock the door so she can get some alone time but Mikey gets inside before she can even get the door closed. "don't avoid me" He speaks more demandingly this time "You haven't even been looking at me since I got back! Didn't you miss me, baby?"

The petname which used to make her heart flutter is now making her stomach churn. "Mikey, I really don't wanna do this right now" Maya says, digging her nails into her palms, feeling a mixture of panic and anger fill her

"Maya, please," Mikey pleads, his voice tinged with desperation as he reaches out to gently grasp her arm. "I just want to understand what's going on. You've been avoiding me ever since I got back, and I can't shake this feeling that something's not right."

Maya's heart pounds in her chest as she feels the weight of Mikey's gaze on her, his eyes searching hers for answers she's not ready to give. "I really don't want to talk to you right now"

But Mikey's grip tightens on her arm, his expression filled with determination as he refuses to let her pull away. "No, Maya," he says firmly, his voice tinged with frustration. "We need to talk about this. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."

With a heavy sigh, she meets Mikey's gaze with a sense of resignation, steeling herself for the difficult conversation that lies ahead. "Okay," Maya whispers, her voice barely above a whisper as she takes a deep breath, preparing herself for the storm that is about to come. "Let's talk."

Mikey nods and gestures for her to continue. "You're lying to me" she says

He furrows his brows. "what?"

"you were lying to me" Maya repeats trying to sound more angry than sad "You told you asked Izana to let me go when you really didn't. You want to keep me here too"

Mikey's expression shifts from confusion to determination, his features contorted with earnestness at Maya's accusation. "Maya, you've got it all wrong," he protests, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation. "I know it may seem that way, but I was only trying to keep you safe. I asked Izana to let you go, but he's unpredictable. I was worried about what might happen to you if you left."

Maya meets his gaze with a mixture of skepticism and sorrow, wrestling with the conflicting emotions swirling inside her. "Keeping me safe?" she echoes, her voice heavy with disbelief. "By keeping me prisoner with you and your sociopath brother? How is that supposed to make me feel safe?"

Mikey steps closer, his eyes pleading for understanding. "I know it's hard to see it now, Maya, but believe me, I was only trying to protect you," he insists, his voice tinged with genuine concern. "I didn't want you to get hurt. I thought I was doing what was best for you."

Tears well up in Maya's eyes as she grapples with the painful realization of Mikey's deception. She had put her faith in him, believing that he had her best interests at heart. But now, as she stands before him, the truth laid bare, she can't help but feel a profound sense of betrayal. Mikey takes her face in his hands as she's standing with her back against the counter. "Baby, it's not just all that, hm... I wanted you and there was no other way to make you stay" he completely shifts his point now "It's so dangerous out there for you and I wanted you anyway so making you stay was the best option"

Tears start to run down her cheeks. "You watched what I went through... This isn't fair" Maya whimpers sadly

Mikey's expression softens, his features contorted with a feigned sympathy as he steps closer to Maya, reaching out to gently wipe away her tears. "I know, baby, I know," he murmurs, his voice dripping with false sincerity. "But you have to understand, I did it because I care about you. I couldn't bear to see you in danger out there, not when I knew I could keep you safe here with me."

Maya's heart aches at his words, torn between the desire to believe him and the nagging doubts that linger in the back of her mind. "But you didn't have the right to make that decision for me," she whispers, her voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and anger. "You took away my freedom, Mikey. How can you expect me to forgive you for that?"

Mikey's gaze hardens, a flicker of frustration crossing his features as he takes a step closer, his hand tightening around Maya's arm. "Because I did it out of love, Maya," he insists, his voice tinged with possessiveness. "I did it because I love you and I can't bear the thought of losing you. Can't you see that?"

She sniffles, trembling a little now after his sudden love confession. "Why couldn't you have just told me the truth?"

"Would you have stayed if I did?" Mikey asks lowly

Maya's breath catches in her throat, her heart pounding with the weight of Mikey's question. His words hang heavy in the air, suffocating her with their implication. "I don't know," she whispers, her voice quivering with uncertainty. "But I deserved to know the truth."

Mikey's expression hardens, a glint of possessiveness flashing in his eyes as he takes a step closer to Maya, his hand reaching out to grasp her arm firmly. "You would have run, Maya," he says, his voice low and commanding. "And I couldn't let you go. You're mine."

Maya recoils at his touch, her eyes widening with a mixture of fear and disbelief. "Mikey, please..." she pleads, her voice trembling with emotion. "This isn't right. You can't keep me here against my will."

But Mikey's grip tightens, his fingers digging into her skin with a painful intensity. "I'm doing this for your own good, Maya," he insists, his tone tinged with desperation. "You're safer here with me. You belong with me."

Tears well up in Maya's eyes as she struggles against Mikey's hold, feeling trapped and powerless. "Let me go, Mikey," she begs, her voice choked with emotion. "Please, just let me go."

But Mikey's expression hardens further, his resolve unyielding as he stares down at Maya with a possessive gleam in his eyes. "You're not going anywhere," he declares, his voice dripping with determination. "You're mine, Maya. And you're staying right here where you belong."

It was weird. Just weeks ago she had the same conversation with Izana and now she was having it with Mikey. Just like then, she's weak. Weak as Mikey turns her around to face the mirror in front of the bathroom sink, weak as takes her right there in front of it. "so fuckin' pretty" He moans as he watches her through the mirror "Takin' me so we-well, baby"

There's a thin coat of sweat on her forehead and her hair is sticking to her skin. Mikey keeps running a hand up and down her spine, seemingly enjoying the way it arches as he thrusts into her. He's being rough, moaning, mumbling praises. All Maya can do is take it, grasping desperately at the counter, her moans breathless and whimpers pitiful. Once again she hates how good it felt. One of the things that wasn't fair was how good Mikey knew how to make her feel. She almost regrets letting him take the time to get to know her body, to let him know all those other nights what she liked and what she didn't because now it was her downfall. "You're mine, hm?" He grunts "Yeah baby?"

She's gasping, trembling as he's forcing a second orgasm out of her while rubbing on her clit. "I-I... 'm yours" 

It's too much. Way too much as he just keeps going. "say it. say my name"

"Mikey"

"again"

"M-Mikey"

He forces the third out of her. Mikey grabs Maya by her hair and pulls her till her back is pressed to his chest while he fucks her. "look at you" He murmurs shakily into her ear "so fuckin' pretty..."

Had this situation been any other, she would have agreed. God, she looked so damn hot being fucked by him like this. Mikey is holding her so tight against him. Her eyes are glazed over and her hair sticking to her skin. She's trembling, biting at her already red, bruised lips, her fucked out expression looking so damn pretty. "Who do you belong to?"

"Mikey..." She gasps breathlessly

He finishes inside her finally. Her head is a mess when Mikey turns her back around to face him. He's hugging her tight, right up against his chest as if to try and keep her together. Maya can feel his cum dripping down her inner thighs. The feeling is odd. She shivers and just lets him remove all her clothes so they can shower together. She feels boneless and exhausted. He's whispering apologies into her ear for being too rough, asking her where the scar on her shoulder had come from then tells her he'd tell Izana to be more gentle with her. Maya answers each, quietly and shaky. She's so tired and it's only 12 pm. "I love you... okay?" Mikey murmurs as they stand beneath the shower

"I love you too" she murmurs, her voice barely audible over the sound of the running water

There isn't much she can really do about it now. All the roads to freedom have been blocked off and there was no longer a way out. Maya is exhausted and now she just wants to stop fighting. 

But the question remains:

Just when will Mikey and Izana be done taking from her?

notes: oh my god we have 2 more chapters left for the main story. The next chapter explores Maya's forgotten memories and a means to an end. lol good luck everyone, all of us will need it.

Idk if the smut with either Izana or Mikey is even good but yeah, that's there.

link to character analysis and headcanons

likes, asks and reblogs are greatly appreciated!

special thanks to: @highpri3stess @mysouleaten @yaya4thawin @piroporopo @reiners-milkbiddies @bontensbabygirl @tenjikusstuff4 @fairey555 @haikyuusboringassmanager @firstdivisiongirl