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𝟒 || 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐘||

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Everything was escalating way too fast for the curly haired boy.

One second he's swinging on the swing set waiting for Baji to arrive, next he's being thrown OFF said swing by a bunch of older kids, then he's watching said kids get pummeled by Baji and a blonde with black eyes, and lastly being swept away by the two boys to a 'dojo' down the street.

He knew Baji had a few screws loose, but he never thought he'd go as far as to kidnap someone!

Actually, scratch that. In the short amount of time Takemichi has gotten to know Baji, he can definitely see the feral boy being involved in a kidnapping.

Jeez, what's Baji gonna do next? Burn a bunch of cars? Break into someone's house? Commit manslaughter?

Takemichi let his head fall on the kotatsu placed in front of him and allowed an exhausted sigh to leave his lips.

Takemichi was unable to fight against Baji and the blonde, who went by Manjiro Sano, as they pulled him into the dojo and into a side room; a kotatsu sat in the middle of the small room and was surrounded by fluffy cushions. Sano insisted that Takemichi waited in the small room while he and Baji went out to grab something.

At this point, Takemichi wouldn't be surprised if this something happened to be a knife.

"C'mere Mitchy—I need to patch you up." Well speak of the devil!

Takemichi lifted his head up from the kotatsu and watched Sano enter the room, Baji trailing not too far away from him. The first thing Takemichi noticed about Sano were his eyes—a pitch black that reminded the boy of an endless tunnel. His eyes were unique but so unsettling to look at. They were so empty, almost void of life.

Kinda like a doll's.

Sano sat down close to Takemichi and began placing bandaids with cool designs all over his face. To distract himself from the black pools of emptiness, Takemichi peered over at Baji from the corner of his eye. The boy was laid out on the ground, his limbs splayed out like a starfish out of water.

Baji groaned loudly, his voice filled with annoyance and aggravation.

"My arms are so soooooore!!! I can't feel my legs!!!" Baji whined, pouting from his spot on the floor.

"That sucks."

"'That sucks'?! It's your fault I can't move my damn body, Manjiro!!!" Takemichi quirked an eyebrow at the blonde who only shrugged his shoulders.

"Maybe you should get stronger Baji, that way you wouldn't be so exhausted." Takemichi stared wide eyed at the boy patching him up who remained oblivious to the death stare his friend was giving him.

He's so blunt!!!

Takemichi fully expected Baji to rise from the floor and jump Sano with his teeth bared and nails sharpened.

To Takemichi's surprise, Baji remained where he was on the floor and continued to groan tiredly, seemingly unaffected by Sano's words. The curly haired boy breathed out, relieved that his neighbor didn't just attack his so-called 'new friend'.

Sano leaned away from Takemichi's face, inspecting his work with a satisfied smile gracing his lips. "There you go Mitchy! Feel better?" Sano asked excitedly (if Sano had a tail, it would've definitely been wagging), but Takemichi was more focused on the nickname he was given than answering Sano's question.

'Mitchy' this.

    ' Takemitchy' that.

Is Sano saying his name wrong on purpose or by accident? Not that Takemichi minds the nickname, he really doesn't, but it was weird to hear someone saying his name wrong. Takemichi didn't think his name was hard to pronounce and so far everyone who's said it has said it right.

Well, Sano clearly being the exception.

"Um—Sano?" The blonde tilted his head, still waiting for Takemichi's answer. "It's Takemichi, not Takemitchy." Sano didn't say anything to that—his brow raised and looked at Takemichi like the boy grew two heads.

"I know. I heard you the first time Mitchy." Takemichi felt his eye twitch.

"...You said it wrong again."

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did! My name doesn't have a 't' in it!"

"Well now It does, Mitchy!"

"B-but—!"

"Just go with it, Mitchy!" Baji exclaimed teasingly while using that—that damn nickname. "Manjiro's not gonna back down, so you should just give up." (Hah, jokes on him—Takemichi doesn't know HOW to give up!)

Instead of refuting back to Baji, Takemichi stayed silent and his face scrunched up in frustration. Guess Baji's friend was just as stubborn as he is. Crossing his arms in front of his chest, Takemichi turns away from Sano, silently admitting defeat. It's not like it matters if Sano decided to pronounce his name wrong and give him a silly nickname—again—it wasn't a big deal.

It's just...a tinsy bit annoying.

"Fine—but atleast try to say my name right!"

"Hmm...can't promise that, Mitchy." Of course he can't.

Takemichi tiredly slumps his head onto the table, his arms moving to rest in his lap. Now that Takemichi thought about it, this was probably the boy's first time sitting under a kotatsu. He found it strange how the table could be used to eat and sleep at, but he couldn't deny how comforting it felt. The cushion underneath him, along with the blanket draped over the front side of his body and legs, warmed the boy up—gradually getting rid of his tense shoulders.

He'll have to talk to his mother about getting one for Christmas or something...

...OH WAIT HIS MOM—

    Sano interrupts his inner panic by moving into the spot next to Takemichi—engulfing himself in the heat the cushion and blanket had to offer.

"Call me Manjiro, that's what all my friends call me," Sano insisted while staring straight into Takemichi's blue eyes with a soft smile.

Friends.

Does Sano really consider Takemichi a friend? They just met and kidnapped him after all!

But Baji kinda did the same thing, Takemichi thought grudgingly. In a way, the two boys practically declared Takemichi as their new friend in a...well...violent way.

However, after spending time and getting to know Baji, Takemichi found himself not regretting their one in a million chance encounter. Perhaps Sano would be the same way; eventually worming his way into Takemichi's fragile heart.

The two boys even went as far as to protect Takemichi from the three bullies; their movements fluid and ninja-like as they took down their opponents. The boy still remembers how starstruck he had been when witnessing Baji bulldoze one of the older kids as well as when Sano took two guys down with his flying kicks.

Then, if not shocking enough, Sano snatched Takemichi away from Baji, gave him a soft smile, and claimed himself to be the curly haired boy's new friend.

Takemichi reluctantly smiled back at the blonde next to him. Yeah, Sano was his friend now whether he liked it or not.

"Ok Manji," Takemichi said, a speck of mischievousness laced in his voice. He watched with satisfaction as Sano—nah, Manji's eye's widened, successfully catching the blonde off guard.

Baji was also caught off guard—quickly sitting up to gape at Takemichi, a betrayed look settling on his face.

"Why do you give him a nickname, but not me?!" Baji practically yelled, startling the raven haired boy. "I was your friend first! I deserve a nickname more than he does!!!" He declared, continuing to glare at both Takemichi and Manjiro.

Takemichi was speechless as he gazed over at Baji; he never would've expected this to happen! Takemichi was just trying to annoy Manjiro by saying his name wrong—he didn't mean to give the blonde a nickname.

It didn't take long for Baji to crawl towards the two boys sitting under the kotatsu, a predatory glint appearing in his pools of bronze.

"Why are you even sitting next to him in the first place, Michi?! You should be by me at all times so I can protect you!" It wasn't even Takemichi's fault that he was sitting next to Manjiro; it was the blonde who decided to take the place next to Takemichi. Also, protect? Protect him from what exactly? The lifeless stare Manjiro's been giving him ever since they met? If yes, then he was doing a really bad job at doing so.

Before Baji could reach Takemichi, the curly haired boy felt himself get pulled against a warm body. Takemichi peered over at Manjiro in surprise; the blonde had wrapped an arm around Takemichi's shoulders and kept him close, his body pressed against the boy's side. The curly haired boy shivered at the feeling of Manjiro's breath so close to his skin. The warmth that encompassed the boy's body seemed to have intensified with the extra body heat clinging onto Takemichi's small frame.

The curly haired boy could feel himself sweating; whether it was caused by Manjiro's embrace or Baji's heated glare, Takemichi didn't know. It mattered very little to the captured boy as he nervously watched the stare down between Manjiro and Baji.

"It's because he likes me more than you, duh!" Manjiro sticks his tongue out at Baji, enraging the feral boy further.

"As if! You guys just met!" Baji counters as he starts inching closer to the two boys.

"So what?" Manjiro asks, swinging his other arm around Takemichi's body, capturing him in a cage of limbs. "That just means Mitchy found someone better to hangout with! Right, Mitchy?"

The boy in question could only gape open mouthed at the absurd accusation because whAT IN THE WORLD?! Did Manjiro get kicked in the head or something when he went into the dojo to grab Takemichi band-aids? Like Baji said, they just met!

Baji seemed to be thinking the same thing as he gritted his teeth—sharp fangs shining under the ceiling light.

"Why would he wanna hangout with you and your massive forehead, HUH?!"

Oh SHOOT!!!

Manjiro gasped loudly, his protective hold around Takemichi tightens in response to Baji's insult. "What did you just say to me?!"

"You heard me—That's probably why you cover up that big five-head of yours!!!" Baji exclaimed, smirking at Manjiro's reaction.

"My forehead is fine, you blind dog!"

"Don't lie to yourself! Your nose will get even bigger if you do, Pinocchio!"

"SHUT UP!!! DIDN'T YOU GET YOUR HEAD STUCK IN YOUR CHAIR TODAY IN MUSIC CLASS?!"

Baji's face reddens; Takemichi wasn't sure if it was from embarrassment or anger. Probably both.

"THAT WASN'T MY FAULT, BLOCKHEAD!"

"Oh really?! Then who's was it? The teacher's?! You're the one with the fat head, not me!!!"

"WHY YOU-"

Just as Baji was about to pounce on both Takemichi and Manjiro, the door to the room slid open—stopping Baji from attacking the blonde-haired menace. Takemichi looked over at their visitor, immediately taking note of the stranger's black fancy uniform. He was pretty tall, almost the same height as the doorway. As Takemichi's eyes traveled up the mysterious figure, he felt his blood run cold when he spotted two, very familiar, pools of black. His eyes were just like Manjiro's. However, unlike Manjiro, the stranger's hair was black—not blonde—and styled upwards in a pompadour.

The stranger's face was pulled into a grimace, making Takemichi shrink into himself, unconsciously leaning into Manjiro's embrace.

"The hell are you guys yellin' about in here?" The stranger asked, leaning his side against the entree way as he eyed the smaller boys occupying the room. His dark hues lingered on Takemichi a few seconds longer than the others; the curly haired boy immediately averted his gaze elsewhere, finding interest in a random spot on the floor.

Instead of answering the visitor's question, Manjiro raised his hand as a greeting and smiled at the stranger. "Sup bro!"

Bro?

Manjiro wasn't the only one who greeted the stranger with a wave and a smile.

"Hey Shinichiro!"

    Shinichiro?

Well, thanks to Baji, Takemichi now had a name to refer to the man as.

Takemichi doesn't move from his spot in Manjiro's arms as he watches the man known as Shinichiro take a step closer into the room, seemingly unaffected by the younger boys greeting.

"I don't care who, but someone better step up and explain why I heard you guys screaming from outside the dojo," Shinichiro demanded, making Takemichi's stomach drop. One look at the other two boys made his face turn pale, as he watched Baji and felt Manjiro fidget nervously in their spot.

Takemichi slowly inhaled and exhaled, trying to recount his mother's instructions if he ever felt himself slipping away.

He wants to run away from here.

He wants to go home.

He wants his mama.

He wants to wrap himself in a warm blanket and fall asleep.

But what would happen to Baji and Manjiro?

Takemichi sighed, knowing what he had to do.

Running away wasn't an option.

Despite being confined and fussed over immaturely by two demonic beasts, Takemichi didn't want them to get in trouble. It was his fault they were fighting afterall, and what friend would he be if he let the other two boys get punished for his wrongdoings? They helped protect Takemichi today at the playground, so it was only fair the curly haired boy returned the favor.

"U-Um..." Takemichi's small voice caught everyone's attention and the trembling boy quickly felt three pairs of eyes on him. "I-It's my fault t-they're fighting..." Shinichiro doesn't say anything. His blank expression was impossible to read, but Takemichi attempted to continue regardless—trying to ignore the pointed looks he was receiving from the two boys.

Cmon think, Takemichi, THINK!

"...I m-made Manjiro call Baji a—uh—stinky g-gorilla!"

"...what...?" Shinichiro asked while covering half his face with his hand, hiding his reaction (the curly haired boy swore he heard a snicker).

The other two boys weren't as successful though.

Baji openly gawked at Takemichi with his jaw nearly hitting the floor—bronze colored eyes bulging out of their sockets. Manjiro, on the other hand, shoved his head into Takemichi's shoulder and felt his body shaking, trying to contain his laughter.

Takemichi gave the feral boy across from him a look that screamed 'Play along,' but sadly, Baji was too stupid to decipher it.

"EH?! YOU THINK I LOOK LIKE A GORILLA?!"

Welp, they're doomed. So long world.

Might as well see this till the end.

"Y-Yeah! That's w-why I had M-Manjiro call you o-one! R-Right, Manji?" Takemichi asked, trying to get the blonde's attention and snap him out of his fit of laughter. Maybe it was the nickname that did it for the blonde; Manjiro lifted his head from Takemichi's shoulder, making the scared boy heave out a sigh of relief.

Finally! Maybe they'll make it out alive after all!"

"Yep!" Manjiro confirmed, thankfully playing along with Takemichi's lie. "—And he told me that I'm his new best friend!" An offended gasp echoes the small room.

Ok, Takemichi takes it back. They're—no—he's done for..

"WHAT?! HOW DARE YOU MICHI?! I TRUSTED YOU!"

BAJI WAS GONNA KILL HIM!!!

Upon seeing Baji's predatory snarl, Takemichi attempted to flail his arms and body around to somehow escape Manjiro's cage of limbs. His hold on Takemichi tightens significantly, nearly making the raven-haired boy suffocate.

Manjiro has the nerve to laugh at Takemichi's suffering; he was a true demon from hell. "Hm? What's wrong Takemitchy? Did I say something wrong?"

Man, if only Takemichi had the strength to strangle Manjiro right now...

Takemichi chose to ignore the blonde and focus back on Baji who was five seconds away from pouncing on him.

"Don't listen to him Baji! He's lying, I swear!"

"No I'm not! Mitchy whispered it in my ear earlier!"

Is Manjiro trying to get Takemichi killed or something?!

Takemichi's vision began to blur as tears started to gather in his blue irises. He could do nothing but watch Baji launch himself towards Takemichi, his arms reaching to tear the smaller boy's body to shreds.

This is it: Takemichi's tragic death.

And he didn't even get to tell his mother goodbye. Talk about rude.

Just as Manjiro released Takemichi, the curly haired boy felt Baji's body collide with his own. Takemichi was fully prepared for the incoming beating, the ruthless punches and kicks that were used to take down kids who are both taller and stronger and—

A high pitched squeal was punched out of Takemichi as Baji attacked his sides with both rough and featherlight touches.

W-W-WHAT WAS HAPPENING?!

Takemichi was unable to form any coherent words when laughter was the only thing that erupted from his lips. The tears that were once gathering in his eyes were now streaming down his face as he hollered in ecstasy. Takemichi wasn't given enough time to gulp in more air as Baji's tickle assault continued, forcing out more giggles and laughter from the curly haired boy.

Takemichi could faintly hear the other people in the room laughing at his expense, but he was too delirious to do anything about it.

He never thought it was possible to die at the hands of a tickle attack, but there's a first for everything.

The electrifying touches were getting too much for Takemichi when he found himself not able to take in air. The boy swung his arms around, trying to get Baji off of his body.

"S-STOP!" Takemichi hollered in between giggles. "I-I C-CAN'T BREATHEHABAHAHA—"

Baji's hands were abruptly taken away from his sides, finally giving the withering boy a chance to breathe. Laughter still surrounds the room but this time it wasn't coming from Takemichi. The curly-haired boy sprawls out on the floor—his eyes red from newly shed tears and body slightly heaving after being deprived of some much needed oxygen.

Takemichi could practically feel his soul ascending into heaven. All he had to do was simply close his eyes and Takemichi would wake up in the arms of some holy angel.

But then the scary face of his mom flashed in his mind. Takemichi quickly shook the thought away, knowing how enraged his mama would be if he left her.

After a few moments of just laying on the