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𝟖 || 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐆𝐄?! ||

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All of Takemichi's band shirts were dirty, and when he says all of them, he means all of them.

    It was a nightmare watching his mom pack his dirty clothes in a large bag to be later thrown in a washer. His mother didn't even take him seriously! She had the audacity to laugh and snort at Takemichi's misfortune while trying to pry the small boy off her leg.

    Who cares if the band shirts were a little smelly? It's not like anyone would have noticed!

    "What am I gonna wear today?!" He asks his mom as she tries to step out the door. "Kei-Chan and Manji invited me over to the dojo!" He exclaims loudly, earning a cackle from his mama.

    "You have plenty of other clothes besides those big ass nightgowns," she counters back with a smirk on her face. "There's nothing wrong with wearing shirts that are actually your size."

    Takemichi stomps his foot on the floor (he was just squishing a bug— Not pouting). "I don't like them!" He shouts with his eyes squeezed shut. "They're not comfy! They don't smell right! They don't flow!" With every word that falls out of his mouth, tears begin to drip down his cheeks.

    His other clothes were too...tight. They don't fit him right!

    Takemichi flinches at the feeling of a comforting hand ruffling up his hair, but quickly melts into the touch after recognizing the sensation of his mother's long manicured nails scratching his scalp. The crying boy hesitantly opens his eyes and was shocked to see his mom at eye level with him.

    She smiles softly at him, her hand slowly moving from the top of his head to cup his face. "I'm sorry, but mama doesn't have enough to afford new clothes. Don't those overalls still fit?" She asks.

    They did fit, but just barely.

    Takemichi decides to shake his head no. His mother sighs tiredly.

    "I...I might have something that fits you, but I doubt you'd want to wear it."

    Takemichi tilts his head confused.

    His mother sets the bag of clothes on the ground and stands back up. She reaches her hand out for Takemichi to take and the smaller boy doesn't hesitate to clasp their hands together.

    With that, they make their way to his mother's room, a sense of excitement bubbling up inside the small boy.

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The boy with cropped blonde hair sits on the balcony right outside his apartment, idly petting his cat while watching the cars drive past below him. The sounds of the people crossing the street and kids playing on the playground, as well as his pet's soft coat, finally manages to calm him down.

    He had a rough day at school: teachers and older kids kept bossing him around like he was some servant. Apparently he doesn't know how to clean up the classroom, or talk politely to his classmates. Who cares? Why should he change the way he acts or his way of speech for kids who sneer and laugh at him?

    He hates it—people who think they have superiority over others just because they're older. His mom is constantly being bossed around and spat on just because she's a little slow at her job. It's not her fault, it's never her fault. Why would it be? If anything, she probably works longer and harder than anyone at the gas station—going as far as working extra hours.

    The blonde boy picks the cat up and settles them down into his lap where he can resume his soft strokes.

    The boy looks out past the railing of the balcony and sighs.

    It seems scratching and petting his cat wasn't really deterring his bad mood...

    Something—or someone—on the street catches his eye.

    Skipping on the sidewalk next to the playground was what appears to be a young girl, maybe around his age.

    They had short curly black hair that was decorated with hair clips. They were wearing a baby blue dress that flows and sways with every step she takes. For a split second, the girl moved her head from side to side, like she was observing her surroundings, and that's when Chifuyu got a glimpse of her face.

    Big blue eyes that rivaled the sea itself as well as a bright smile that could light up any rainstorm.

    Ba-thump!

    The blonde boy quickly feels his face turning red as he watches the girl continue to skip down the street without a care in the world.

    Who is she?!

    And...and was it ok to make her his wife?

    The boy jolts from his spot on the floor, scaring his pet cat and making the furry animal scramble out of his lap. He stands up and walks back into his apartment, trying to find his special red shoes his mom bought him for his birthday last year (they don't have a single scratch on them!).

    Right after he manages to find his red shoes and slips them on his feet, he's running to the front door, a goal set in his mind.

    "Where are you going, Chifuyu?" The boy, Chifuyu, freezes and turns around to face his mother in a robotic-like motion.

    With a red face and a determined look in his emerald green eyes, he pumps his fists in the air.

    "I'M GOING TO CLAIM MY BRIDE!!!"

    "W-What—"

    Chifuyu doesn't get the chance to hear what else his mother had to say when he's already whipping open the door and running down the halls of the apartment complex in hopes of catching up to the black haired girl to declare his undying love for her.

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It doesn't take long for Takemichi to reach the dojo owned by the Sano family. He skips right up to the door, absolutely obsessed with the way the dress his mother gave him sways and flows with every step he takes. He doesn't feel constrained or stiff, but free!

    He couldn't believe his mom didn't think he would want to wear this! Not to mention that it was very...cute?

    After seeing that Takemichi liked the baby blue dress, his mother went on a whole spree, digging into her drawers to find hair clips to pin his hair back. She squealed and fawned over the boy, nearly suffocating Takemichi in her right embrace.

    He was lucky to have escaped his mother when he had the chance. Takemichi doubts she would have left the young boy if he hadn't reminded her of the clothes that needed to be washed. It was then that he finally slipped away from his mother and started skipping towards the dojo, his current location.

    With a bright smile plastered on his face, he rings the doorbell, playing with the hem of his dress as he waits for someone to let the curly haired boy in.

    Not a moment later does it open to reveal—huh?

    A small girl, about the same size as Takemichi, opens the door. Her sandy blonde hair is tied back in a ponytail and her honey colored irises stare holes into Takemichi's head. Takemichi couldn't help but tighten his hold on his baby blue dress.

    "Who are you?" She asks curiously (and...cautiously?), narrowing her eyes ever so slightly.

    Takemichi is quick to recover from stumbling upon the stranger and beams at her with his bright smile. "Takemichi Hanagaki! I'm here to hangout with Manji and Kei-Chan!" He exclaims happily while waving at the blonde girl.

    (Her cautious facade cracks for a second, but it swiftly puts itself back together.)

    She raises a brow. "...ok. Come on in I guess," she relents, stepping aside to let the dark haired boy in. After Takemichi steps into the dojo she closes the door and leads the curly haired boy through the dojo.

    He's only been inside the dojo about three times, but he still manages to get lost! He's glad to have this girl guide him down the many halls and rooms. He sneaks a glance over the blonde and gulps. Her face was carefully blank and unreadable as they continue to walk through the building.

    Her eyes are very pretty...

    Takemichi smiles softly to himself before swallowing his nerves.

    It's now or never!

    "So," Takemichi starts, catching the girl's attention. "What's your name?" He asks, tilting his head slightly. The blonde just stares at him for a moment, her lips pursing together in thought, and heaves out a sigh.

    "I'm Emma Sano."

    Takemichi's eyes widened.

    "Woah! Isn't that a foreign name?!"

    "Yeah."

    "That's so cool!!!" Takemichi exclaims excitedly, already loving the way 'Emma' sounds in his head.

    Emma Sano—How amazing is that?

    ...wait, Sano?

    "...Are you Manjiro's sister?"

    "...yeah."

    "Huh?! Why haven't I met you before?" Takemichi questions while eyeing Emma with a puzzled expression. Surely he would have already met the girl if they were siblings!

    Emma sighs again and rolls her eyes at Takemichi, making the curly haired boy drift his gaze to the floor guiltily. Was he prying too much? Asking too many questions?

    "S-sorry!" Takemichi apologizes. "I just—um—want to get to know you, I guess."

    Takemichi doesn't expect to feel a small hand rest on his shoulder, so he jumps slightly. Looking over at the girl, she smiles giddily at the boy's reaction.

    "You're really silly, Takemichi."

    "...Huh?"

    The blonde stifles her giggles with the back of her hand and tightens her grip on Takemichi's shoulder. It was comforting and warm, causing the curly haired boy to walk closer to her. (Was he doing the right thing?)

    "Shinichiro and Manjiro are my half siblings. I...I've only been with them for a week," Emma explains with her eyes downcast towards the floor. Her face was back to being blank and expressionless as they make their way down the halls.

    The sounds of children chanting and yelling get louder the more they travel through the building. They must be getting close.

    "Now I have a few questions for you, Takemichi!" Emma says suddenly, nearly scaring the curly haired boy to death.

    "Um—ok?"

    Emma tilts her head to the side and holds her chin in thought as she eyes the boy with a piercing gaze.

"Are you a boy or a girl?"

    Takemichi almost chokes on his own saliva. He stares wide eyed at the blonde, hoping Emma will start laughing and exclaim that she was joking, but she just continues to stare at him thoughtfully.

    She—was she being serious?!

    Takemichi's face reddens in embarrassment.

    "I-I'm a boy!"

    "Then why are you wearing a dress?" She asks, a bit confused as her eyes trail up and down Takemichi's figure.

    "B-Because I can!" He defends with his fists balled up beside him. "Got—got a problem with it?!" He accuses incredulous, feeling his face getting hotter and warmer by the second.

    The blonde scoffs at the question and places both her hands on Takemichi's shoulders, like she was trying to help calm him down. Her touch was oddly calming and got rid of the tension in his shoulders. He allows himself to relax despite wanting to put a guard up.

    "No—You look cute in the dress!"

    Takemichi freezes. Was—that was a compliment, right? She wasn't making fun of him?

    "Wait, really?" Emma nods her head with a smile.

    A burst of joy explodes within Takemichi. Before Takemichi could thank the blonde, she snatches his hand and drags the boy down the dojo.

    "W-where are we—"

    "We're going to my room!" Takemichi almost trips over his own feet, but Emma's there to help him.

    "W-why?"

    "Because you're my friend!"

    "But what about-" Emma cuts Takemichi off with a sigh of exasperation. She tugs the boy closer to her as they go in the complete opposite direction of the shouts and chants of fighting children.

    "Who cares about the boys? They're busy hitting stupid bags anyways. Let's just play house or something!" She exclaims loudly with a pout forming on her lips as she guides the boy through a hall he's never been down before.

    Is—is this where he dies?! In the room of a girl he just met?!

    They then reach a door covered in pink flower stickers and hearts.

    "Behold—My room!!!"

    Takemichi gulps nervously as he's forcefully pushed into the room.

    (Who knew Sanos were so good at kidnapping people...)

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Kids that Keisuke doesn't bother to talk to, slowly file out of the dojo after a long day of punching, kicking and blocking.

    Keisuke scans the now empty dojo and frowns at the absence of a certain blue-eyed crybaby. He clearly remembers Manjiro inviting him over to the dojo while they were playing on the playground, so why wasn't he here?

    Keisuke looks over at a familiar blonde who took to sulking on the floor. Manjiro seemed to be taking the boy's absence harder than Keisuke, not that he could blame him.

    Despite being straightforward and very impulsive, Manjiro was a little...shy around Takemichi. Yeah. Shy. The great Manjiro Sano was shy when placed next to Takemichi.

    It's not very noticeable, in fact, it took Keisuke four weeks to notice his change in behavior when they hung out with Takemichi.

    Manjiro's a very touchy person and always feels the need to be clinging onto someone. Keisuke doesn't really mind this feature of his—it's actually pretty comforting in a way.

    Manjiro's the type of person to demand piggy back rides, hugs, a hand to hold, and so on (hell, he's even made Keisuke give him a peck on the cheek!), but he's never placed those wants onto Takemichi, not once.

    He'll do it quietly and sneakily without anyone really noticing; an arm slung over his shoulder, and hugs that could easily be broken out of.

    What really helped confirm Manjiro's shyness around Takemichi was the way he would ask Keisuke to invite the smaller boy to play with them for the blonde. How stupid is that? The powerful Mikey being too scared to ask someone to hangout?

    Very, very stupid.

    Keisuke voiced his thoughts to him yesterday which earned him a very prominent bruise on his arm as well as the cold shoulder.

    ...but it was enough to encourage Manjiro to ask the boy to hangout.

    So, on the playground yesterday, with just the three boys present, Manjiro invited Takemichi to hangout at the dojo to which the curly haired boy gladly accepted.

    (The blonde was so ecstatic that he ended up giving Keisuke a piggy back ride around the block.)

    Too bad his efforts were in vain with Takemichi nowhere in sight.

    The smaller boy wasn't the type to ditch the two, that's just not who he is. Maybe he was busy or had to stay home because of his mom or something. He looked so excited to come over to the dojo that Keisuke just couldn't believe that Takemichi just wouldn't show.

    The fanged boy crouches down next to Manjiro, reading to consult and comfort him, when a scream rings throughout the dojo. A familiar one at that.

    Both Manjiro and Keisuke snap their heads to the source of the high pitched scream coming from one of the hallways near the dojo. The two boys quickly get to their feet and run out of the main area. Right as Keisuke enters the hallway, a smaller figure tramples right into the fanged boy, successfully knocking him onto his ass.

    Ready to absolutely obliterate the idiot that was stupid enough to run into him, Keisuke lifts his head to berate and punch the shit out of his new victim.

    Words immediately die on his tongue.

    The small figure was Takemichi—

    AND WHY WAS HE WEARING A DRESS?!

    AND WHY DOES KEISUKE'S FACE FEEL TEN TIMES HOTTER?!

    Takemichi seems to have finally lifted his head and was staring at Keisuke with the same amount of bafflement. Before Keisuke could utter a sound, Takemichi stuffs his face in his chest while his arms wrap tightly around the boy's body. Keisuke peers up at Manjiro, just to make sure that he was seeing the same thing he was, and wasn't surprised to catch the look of bewilderment on his face.

    Well at least Keisuke wasn't going crazy...

    How long as he been here for?

    Takemichi starts sniffling, his hands fisting the fabric of Keisuke's gee. "Y-YOU GOTTA SAVE ME!" The boy pleads with all his heart, refusing to lift his face from Keisuke's chest.

    "What's going on?!" Manjiro asks, whipping his head around for any sign of danger. Keisuke, on the other hand, was trying to pry takemichi off his chest so he could question the curly haired boy better.

    Takemichi, however, ignores Manjiro's question and tightens his hold around Keisuke.

    "H-HEY! LET GO-"

    "SHE'S GONNA CATCH ME!" Takemichi exclaims, completely cutting the fanged boy off.

    "Who is?" Manjiro asks with a tilt of his head.

    They were quickly answered by the familiar, sweet voice of a little girl from down the hall.

    "Michi~ I found you~!" Emma, Manjiro's new sister, sings pleasantly as she skips down the hall with a venomous look in her honey colored eyes.

    She was wearing one of Manjiro's black shirts and a cut out picture of a bow tie was taped to the shirt, making her outfit look like a tuxedo. Emma was also wearing a pair of jeans that appeared to be a little too big to be worn by the small girl.

    What was happening?!

    She continues to skip down the hall with a devious grin plastered on her face.

    "You can't run away from our wedding—that's not in the script!"

    ...wedding?

    "I DON'T WANNA BE THE WIFE!"

    "But you're the one wearing the dress, silly!" Emma explains with a pout, finally reaching the three boys.

    Manjiro scoffs loudly, catching everyone's attention.

    "You don't have to marry Emma if you don't want to, Mitchy," Manjiro says while smiling down at the shivering boy in Keisuke's arms.

    Ignoring the complaints that came out of Emma's mouth at Manjiro's words, Takemichi hesitantly looks up from Keisuke's chest.

    "R-really?"

    "Yeah!"

    Manjiro then offers a hand to Takemichi. For some reason, the sight of Takemichi taking Manjiro's hand makes Keisuke grit his teeth. He was the one Takemichi ran to when he was in trouble, so why was he suddenly turning to Manjiro for help?!

    Manjiro lifts the boy up to his feet and, surprising everyone else around him, he clasps Michi's other hand. The blonde pulls Takemichi close to his body with a mischievous smirk on his face.

    "You can marry me instead~♡"

    "HAH?!"

    They spent the rest of the afternoon in that dojo