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𝟒𝟎 || 𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐀 𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑:
𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐈 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐊𝐈 ||

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2001 - Shibuya, Japan

The paper in Takemichi's hands doesn't feel real. He tries to imagine the words changing on the piece of paper until it's exactly how he wants it to be.

    So, very childishly, Takemichi closes his eyes, counts to ten, and opens them again, only to be greeted by the same damn sight.

    There's nothing Takemichi can do about the slump in his shoulders. He can't find it in himself to feign happiness and say that everything is fine when–in reality–it's the exact opposite. The boy desperately wants to cry, to mourn for his loss, but he doesn't need the boys making fun of him again.

    "Hm? What's wrong Mitchy? Did you get any bad classes?" Mikey asks from beside the curly haired boy.

    At Mikey's words, Keisuke perks up from Takemichi's other side–he scoots closer to the boy, peering over his shoulder until he's practically breathing down his neck to look at Takemichi's school schedule. "I don't see anythin' wrong with it aside from the fact that you're not in any of my classes," Keisuke mumbles teasingly, earning a glare from Takemichi.

    Mitsuya sighs from across the group of boys, his face also showing some signs of dissatisfaction. "That ain't ever gonna happen, Baji–not with Takemichi being a year younger than us." Keisuke groans at Mitsuya's words, clearly annoyed.

    "So? That doesn't mean we can't sneak him in by shoving him in our backpacks! It'll be easy with how short and skinny he is–"

    Takemichi shoves Keisuke's body off of his own, more than a little offended by his best friend's words. "I've grown some! In fact, Yuzuha measured me the other day and she said I'm two inches taller than I was when we started dating!" Takemichi flaunts proudly, receiving a chorus of groans from the boys surrounding him (except for Pah seeing as he also has a girlfriend).

    "Get outta here with that girlfriend shit!" Draken shouts (a nickname that Ken insisted on Takemichi using a year ago) with a creased forehead, making him look ten years older.

    Mitsuya and Mikey nod along with Draken, their faces also pulled back in an ugly grimace. "Yeah, you ain't gotta flaunt your relationship status to us..." Mikey mumbles, his eyes carefully avoiding Takemichi's as the words leave his lips.

    Takemichi goes to open his mouth to refute that he isn't trying to show off his relationship status, when the schedule is roughly snatched from his hands. Snapping his gaze, he's met with Pah's scrutinizing face and intimidating figure.

    "Oi! Give it back Pah–"

    "This is what's got you all pissy? It's just a stupid school schedule Michi," Pah groans, waving the paper in the air like a flag. "Is it the people in your class? Some stupid bully? I'll get Pochi to eat them for you."

    "...I don't think Pochi will enjoy human meat, Pah..."

    "Oi! You never know, Draken! Pochi could be a carnivorous beast I just so happened to train since birth!"

    Keisuke throws his head back and laughs, disrupting the argument. "THAT DOG'S SCARED OF A FUCKING STRAP ON!!! YOU REALLY EXPECT THAT BALL OF FUR TO EAT HUMAN MEAT?!" Keisuke shouts, making Takemichi grimaces as his mind goes a few months back to when He and his friends were visiting pah's expensive manor. Keisuke had somehow snuck into Pah's parents room and found all of their sex toys. So, in Keisuke like fashion, the feral boy grabbed the closest thing to him–that happened to be a strap-on–and started chasing the boys with it.

    And, when Pochi heard the commotion, he went upstairs to where Keisuke was with the strap on dangling from his hands and also became a poor victim to Keisuke's amusement.

    Pah is suddenly up in Keisuke's face, a scowl present on his face. "OF COURSE YOU FUCKING IDIOT!!! AND SHUT UP ABOUT THE FUCKING STRAP ON!!!"

    Keisuke looks back, not backing down in the slightest. "I'LL SHUT UP ABOUT THE STRAP ON WHEN YOUR MOM STOPS PEGGING YOUR DAD–"

    Takemichi does nothing to stop Pah from launching himself at Keisuke, creating a full out brawl between the two boys. Everyone collectively ignores them and goes back to the conversation at hand–school schedules.

    "What's so shitty about your school schedule aside from us not being in any of your classes?" Mikey asks, placing his chin on Takmichi's shoulder.

    Exhaling a huff of frustration, Takemichi grabs his school schedule that had escaped Pah's grasp when he decided to jump Keisuke. "Hakkai's not in my class this year," Takemichi explains mournfully, thinking of the tall boy with bright indigo eyes and a flashing smile. "This is the first year this has happened and–and I don't like it..."

    Mikey immediately wraps an arm around his shoulder, his body pressed flush against Takemichi's. The curly haired boy tries to ignore how close Mikey is, but with him pressing everywhere on Takemichi's body, breathing the same air as him, and just centimeters away from his face, he finds it quite difficult. Takemichi tries turning his face away from Mikey to hide the blush that's crawling across his cheeks, but Mikey promptly grabs Takemichi's chin and forces Takemichi to look at him.

    "You shouldn't let yourself mope about a stupid schedule, Takemitchy, but–since you are for whatever reason–don't let it bother you," Mikey reassures while tightening his hold on Takemichi. "You'll just have to get out of your shell and talk to new people! You can't be shy and bashful forever, Takemitchy~" He teases, making the blush on Takemichi's face darken.

    "Hey! I'm not that shy! It just feels better to hangout with Hakkai," Takemichi explains, trying and failing at turning his face away from Mikey.

    Mikey tightens the grip on Takemichi's chin and smirks.

    "Yeah? Then you can hangout with him during recess! See? Problem solved!"

    Takemichi immediately scowls at Mikey's carelessness. "You wouldn't be saying this if any of the boys weren't in your class this year. You share two class periods with Mitsuya and Pah for fucks sake!"

    Draken barges into the conversation while yanking Mikey's body off of Takemichi's. "If–how, stop hitting me you bastard! Takemichi can barely breathe with you climbing all over him!--If it makes you feel better, i don't have any classes with the boys," Draken divulges as he's manhandling Mikey off of Takemichi.

    Diverting his attention away from Mikey–who's clawing and growling like a feral animal–he stares up at Draken with a shocked expression. "Really?"

    "Well yeah–This is the first year that we're all at the same school. The chances of any of them being in the same class as me was already pretty low, so i wasn't really surprised, but you don't see me whining about it," Draken explains, lightly scolding Takemichi in the process that doesn't fail to make Takemichi light headed from embarrassment.

    "Hey! I'm not whining about it! Im just–just disappointed!"

    Draken rolls his eyes and throws Mikey off to the side, earning a strangled scream from the short blonde. The tall boy strides up to Takemichi and ruffles up his hair, making Takemichi pout.

    "Hakkai will be disappointed too, but this will be good for both of you," Draken begins, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You'll both get to meet new people and branch out, so just give it a chance, yeah?"

    Draken's words ease the anxiety that had swelled up inside Takemichi's body, turning it into a nonexistent tug that pulls at his heart. Takemichi smiles up at the blonde, feeling determination coursing through his veins.

    "Yeah, you're right! I'm gonna survive this school year and make lots of friends!!!"

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The confidence that Takemichi once had instantly washes away at the sight of his new classmates.

    They're all unfamiliar, strange, and social in ways that Takemichi isn't.

    It makes the boy hunch in on himself, suddenly feeling scared and cautious. It's like he's seven again, traveling through a new world after having adapted to such a violent environment without anyone to guide him.

    With his shoulders nearly reaching his ears, Takemichi gravitates to the corner of the room, more than content with watching the other kids play and get to know their new classmates before class starts. A wave of envy washes over Takemichi as he listens to the carefree conversations, the ease of which they go up to someone and start chatting without a care in the world. 

    How can they do that without freezing up?

    How can they do that without getting their words stuck in their throat?

    How can they do that without sweating profusely?

    Takemich grimaces the longer he observes the sea of kids playing with one another, never feeling more alone in his life.

    Why couldn't Hakkai have been in his class again? If he were here, then Takemichi wouldn't have a problem talking to all of these new kids! The tall boy is Takemichi's anchor, keeping him from turning tail and running away, but now he isn't here to push Takemichi to get better.

    To be himself.

    Takemichi can't help but hope that Hakkai is also having a rough time in his classes without him around–he knows it's selfish and mean to wish for such a thing, but he refuses to be the only one who suffers from this separation!!!

    The boy crosses his arms defensively in front of his chest and continues to watch his classmates talk with eachother without a care in the world.

    Takemichi can't help but be disappointed that this is how he's gonna spend his first day in his new classroom without Hakkai next to him to gossip or chat with, but whatever. Takemichi will try to socialize another day–

    "Hey! That isn't yours! Give it back!"

    Takemichi whips his head around at the distressed voice and finds his eyes catching onto a girl with short strawberry brown hair, her eyes furrowed in frustration as a group of taller boys and girls hold a backpack over their heads, laughing at the girl.

    "Nuh uh uh! This is payback for ratting us out to the teachers last year!!!" One of them exclaims, earning a chorus of agreement from the rest of the culprits.

    The girl heaves out a frustrated groan, making the small mole beneath her lips stand out. "You guys deserved it! No one picks on Kisaki and gets away with it!" She refutes, her cheeks puffing up defensively as she once again tries snatching her backpack from their hands.

    She fails.

    The kids continue to laugh and tease the girl, lifting the backpack higher and higher until it's nearly impossible for her to grab it.

    Takemichi can hardly stand to watch another second of this go on. With his lips set in a straight line, Takemichi inconspicuously gets on top of one of the table's, trying not to grab anyone's attention.

    Then, in one jump, Takemichi pushes himself off the table, takes the backpack from the kid's hands, and kicks him hard in the center of the chest, knocking him to the ground.

    A round of gasps fill the classroom and–suddenly–all eyes are on him.

   But Takemichi hardly notices it.

    He stares down at the bully beneath his feet who's snarling and fighting to get out from underneath Takemichi's feet. Takemichi narrows his blue eyes and tosses the backpack into the girl's hands, not bothering to look in her direction as he does so. He crouches down, adding more weight onto the boy's chest, and cocks his head, hoping he looks intimidating to his victim.

    "It's rude to pick on your classmates on the first day of school, especially a girl," Takemichi scolds, watching with satisfaction as the boy's expression turns nervous. "You're never gonna get yourself a girlfriend if you keep this up. At this rate, you're gonna die alone." Takemichi reaches over and pokes the boy's nose, earning a chorus of giggles from the kids watching him. "So try to be nicer from now on, ok? My mom says dying alone is the worst thing that can happen to someone and I'd hate for it to happen to someone like you." Finally done chastising the stupid bully, Takemichi straightens himself back up and steps off the boy, finally taking notice of the kids laughing and cheering for him with excitement.

    Oh shit.

    Now how does he get out of this predicament?!

    Takemichi stares at the crowd of kids like a deer in headlights. HIs classmates begin to circle him, getting in his bubble, asking for his name, asking to be friends, and it's too much–

    "Everyone settle down and get in your seats, class will begin shortly," The teacher's voice rings out among the excited class. Everyone releases a groan and begins to head to their respective seats, leaving just Takemichi and the girl from before to stand awkwardly next to each other, still shellshocked over the events that transpired.

    Takemichi can't bring himself to move to his seat just yet, so–rather shyly–Takemichi eyes the girl out of the corner of his eye and nearly jumps out of skin to see her already staring at him with stars in her eyes.

    A thought crosses his mind, making him flush and fidget in anticipation.

    Perhaps he can befriend this girl! She seems nice enough...

    Very awkwardly, like a robot, Takemichi turns to the smaller girl and extends a hand out to her. "I'm Takemichi Hanagaki..." He mumbles, carefully avoiding her eyes in case she decides to move away and not accept Takemichi as her friend–

    A warm hand grabs Takemichi's, shaking it with excitement. "And I'm HInata Tachibana! Wanna sit next to me in class?" She asks, and Takemichi is nearly taken aback by the stars that twinkle in her pretty brown eyes.

    "I–Yeah! If that's ok with you–"

    Tachibana scoffs and drags Takemichi to a pair of desks. "Of course it is, my blue-eyed hero! You did get rid of those bastards, y'know?" She giggles, finding her own comment humorous and Takemich can't help but join in.

    As the two kids sit down, Takemichi is overcome with relief at the thought of making a new friend.

    Hopefully Hakkai is faring as well as he is...

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Takemichi's surprised to find that talking with Tachibana is as easy as talking to Keisuke or Mikey.

    While sitting next to each other in class, they began talking–sharing their likes and dislikes and, while she's still very much a stranger to Takemichi, he can't help but feel like he's known her his whole life. The small girl carries herself with kindness and comfort–the kind that reminds Takemich of his own mother.

    Or maybe a sister?

    Takemichi will have to ask Mikey if this is what having a sister is like–

    "Hey! Hanagaki! Stop spacing out!" Tachibana scolds, grabbing his attention by nudging him with her elbow.

    Takemichi shoots up in his seat, eyes wide and confused as he switches his gaze from Tachibana to the teacher teaching. "Huh–what? Did I miss something?" He whirls his head around, trying to piece together what he's missed since he was dozing off, and is promptly tugged back by Tachibana.

    "The teacher wants us to do an All about you project where you introduce yourself to the class using posters," She explains, a light flush decorating her cheeks. "I was–You don't have to agree to this–but I was just wondering if you wanted to work on it together after school?"  She suggests, her voice uncharastically quiet.

    And Takemichi lights up.

    "Yeah! Absolutely!" He says excited, already thinking about all the cool designs and pictures he could put on his poster after school after his date with Yuzuha–

    Takemichi stops his train of thought immediately.

    Yuzuha.

    Takemichi had promised to take her out on a date after school today.

    The boy slumps his shoulders and grudgingly turns back to Tachibana. "Sorry Tachibana, but I just remembered that I have a date with my girlfriend after school..." Takemichi apologizes, watching in disdain as Tachibana's face turns sour before going back to its default expression.

    Tachibana waves him off with a smile, but Takemichi can see how strained it is against her lips. "It's ok! If I were your girlfriend, I wouldn't want to be stood up either!" She says playfully, but Takemichi can see through the facade like clear glass.

    "We can still work on the project together–after my date– if you want!" Takemichi adds, hoping to lighten the damp mood he had put Tachibana in.

    Her brown eyes widened, surprised by Takemichi's suggestion. "Eh? Won't she get upset that you cut your date short for–for me?"

    Takemichi giggles at the question, thinking of the time Yuzuha had complained about how many times the boys have interrupted their dates only to get all excited when they include her in their adventures around Shibuya. "Of course not! Besides, I think you guys can become good friends if you two meet! She keeps talking my ear off about how all the girls in her school are scared to be friends with her..."

    "Are you sure?"

    "Absolutely!"

    "...Ok then." Tachibana then pulls out a piece of paper, scribbles on it, and hands it to Takemichi. "This is my address. You and your girlfriend can come over whenever after school," She explains, the light finally returning to her eyes.

    Takemichi smiles back and stuffs the paper in his pocket, more than a little excited about introducing Yuzuha and Tachibana.

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As promised, Takemichi meets Yuzuha at their usual spot: the abandoned swing set.

    In his hands is a picnic basket of food Wakasa helped him prepare the night before along with some sodas he bought from the corner store. From afar, Takemichi can see Yuzuha approaching rather hastily, carrying a red and white blanket and a kit full of beads and strings to make bracelets and necklaces.

    When she approaches Takemichi, the boy greets her with a warm smile. Setting the stuff down on the ground, Takemichi goes up to her and hugs her with all his might, immediately stuffing his face in the crook of her neck. Yuzuha giggles in his embrace and tries to get him to let go, making him laugh and giggle against her exposed neck.

    "Hey! Let me set my stuff down first, Michi!!!" She scolds despite the happy giggles lipping past her lips.

    Takemichi tightens his hold and smiles. "No way! I missed you so muchhhh!!!"