A/N: The fact that we're getting closer to Ichirou's backstory is making me excited, and he gets to unlock his full potential. Enjoy the chapter!

edited on september 3rd, 2022 @ 8:44pm

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𝓒𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝚁𝚃𝙴𝙴𝙽,
𝓖𝙾 𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙾 𝚁𝙴𝚃𝙸𝚁𝙴𝙼𝙴𝙽𝚃.

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"NOW ALL TW NEEDS IS an advisor and someone with some taste!" Takemichi said as the five of them were in a circle.

"Totally agree!" Inui, Ichirou, and Hakkai agreed in unison while Chifuyu gave a confused look.

"I get the advisor part, but what do you mean 'someone with taste'?" Chifuyu asked.

"Uh... that..." Takemichi trailed off. "Chifuyu... you... really don't notice we're talking about your bad sense of style!?"

"Anyways! I got a good idea who we're looking for! A person with great style, and is level headed." Takemichi spoke.

"Oh!? Are you talking about someone who I hold a lot of respect for!?" Hakkai asked.

"Exactly! I want him in our team, no matter what!" Takemichi replied. "He might be busy, but he should be able to help if we ask!"

"He definitely will!" Hakkai agreed.

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"Here?" Takemichi asked as the group arrived at an apartment.

"Yup." Hakkai replied before he let out a shout. "Taka-chan! Let's play!"

"Woah, you're loud." Takemichi commented.

"I used to call him out like this back then!" Hakkai explained.

The door opened as Luna soon appeared, shushing them. "Luna! Where's Taka-chan?" Hakkai questioned.

"Big Bro is kind of in a pinch right now!" Luna responded.

"Hm?"

"A pinch?"

"Um..."

"Eh? Japan's Fashion Design Newcomer Award?" Takemichi repeated as Luna finished explaining.

"Yea, there seems to be a competition for rookie designers. Which will be held in a week, so now he's working hard for it." Luna said.

"I see..." Takemichi said.

"But didn't Taka-chan say he hated prizes and awards?" Hakkai asked.

"Yup, he did mention that before. But the thing with Draken-kun happened y' know?" Luna answered, grabbing Takemichi's attention.

"Ever since then, my brother started to shut himself in. He keeps on designing and doesn't even get out to eat. Mana got scared, too..." Luna continued on.

"Um, Luna-chan... can I meet Mitsuya-kun?" Takemichi asked.

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Takemichi and Mitsuya were currently sitting on the swings while Inui, Chifuyu, Ichirou, and Hakkai were nearby.

"Taka-chan... you lost so much weight..." Hakkai commented in worry.

"Draken's passing must've taken a toll on him..." Chifuyu mumbled.

"Guys..." Takemichi said once everyone regrouped. "Mitsuya-kun will not be joining us. Let's support him on his dreams!"

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All of them soon met up with Mitsuya. "What's up, Chifuyu? What's with the formality?" Mitsuya asked.

"Mitsuya-san! Could you take over my role in this team?" Chifuyu asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Surely, my skills as an advisor are lacking compared to yours. Mitsuya-kun would do it better than me!" Chifuyu replied.

"Chifuyu!" Takemichi and Hakkai exclaimed.

"Okay! I'll accept your offer! Well then, I'll redesign the uniform and the team's logo on top of that! We'll have to change the team name too!" Mitsuya claimed.

"Eh!?" Chifuyu said in shock.

"Taka-chan!"

"Mitsuya-kun!"

"Hold on, I think that's a bit too... I worked hard on those..." Chifuyu began to protest.

"We're gonna face the Kanto Manji, aren't we?" Mitsuya asked. "So we gotta get serious!"

"We've been serious though!" Chifuyu argued.

"Well said, Mitsuya-kun!"

"Taka-chan! You're the voice of everyone!"

"By the way, Takemitchy."

"Yes?"

"Pah-chin and Peh-yan are joining us. I look forward to our meeting." Mitsuya informed.

"Pah-chin-kun... Peh-yan-kun..." Takemichi muttered.

"Rou and I got in touch with the Kawata brothers too." Inui spoke up, grabbing Takemichi's attention.

"Smiley flipped out to the fact he wasn't invited first." Ichirou added on.

"Ha ha!"

"We're a bunch of idiots, aren't we!" Hakkai grinned.

"Then that makes 11 of us! The founding members of Takemitchy's team!" Mitsuya holds out his fist. "We're counting on you, Captain!"

"Mitsuya-kun..."

"Anyways, are you inviting someone else?" Mitsuya questioned.

"... Yeah. I know one person that I have to invite." Takemichi replied.

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"Seishu."

"Hm?"

"Do you think I'm weak?"

Inui was taken aback by his question. "Are you asking this question because of what Koko said back when we were in Black Dragon?" He asked, causing Ichirou to look away.

"Ichirou."

"What is it?"

Kokonoi, Ichirou, and Inui were currently walking aimlessly after Taiju dismissed everyone. They had been in a lot of fights recently, but mostly with delinquents who didn't know how to keep their mouths shut.

"For being the younger brother of one of the 'living legends' you're not much." Kokonoi claimed.

"What's that supposed to mean!?"

"Nothing. Inupi used to chat my ear off about how much of a skilled fighter you are, but I don't see it."

"So you're calling me weak. Is that it?"

"Now you're putting words into my mouth. That's not what I said."

"It crossed your mind."

Inui sighed exasperatedly. "Here they go again..." He thinks to himself.

"You know Hajime, I sure hope you're still around to witness my full potential." Ichirou said as a glint was shown in his eyes.

"You'll find out quickly I can be just as much as a monster as Waka-nii is."

"You're not weak. Egotistical and cocky, yes. But you're anything but weak." Inui said. "It's like you told Koko back then, you can easily become a monster if you put your mind to it."

Ichirou sighed. "I've been trying to unlock my full potential for years. Nothing seems to be working." He stated.

Inui stayed silent for a moment. "Are you sure your decision was the best one? You're giving up your dream to become the number one detective in Japan." He said, recalling how Ichirou told him he got accepted into the best police academy in Tokyo.

"Well, that dream just has to wait a little longer. I told Shimada-sensei that I had a more important matter to take care of before I could focus on school, so my admission is placed on hold." Ichirou explained.

"And hey, if the police academy doesn't work out, I can always help you out with Draken's shop." Ichirou then added.

"Rou..."

"It's what Draken would've wanted." Ichirou told him, giving Inui a closed-eyed smile.

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A/N: Not me having Ichirou do the death smile :) Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 1064 words.