The clock strikes midnight. Amid the joyful atmosphere of Christmas Eve, there's still a place where tension fills the air.

It takes a moment before Takemichi finally stops his punches. In the solemn stillness of the church, a familiar, warm voice breaks the silence.

"It hurts, Hakkai. Let go of me - I'm suffocating."

The faces of everyone in Touman light up with relief. This time, it's real.

Hakkai braces himself to get a clear look at Takemichi's face. When he confirms it's truly the familiar eyes and smile of Takemichi, he bursts into even louder sobs.

"Did you beat your brother yet, Hakkai?" Takemichi's first question after coming back to his senses makes everyone pause. Even now, he still remembers the goal of helping Hakkai tonight.

"You ruined everything and still dare to ask me that?" Takemichi laughs, hearing the annoyed tone in the voice.

"Winning or losing doesn't matter with others. Tonight, you've already beaten yourself."

Hakkai nods slightly, then suddenly wraps his arms around Takemichi. Startled, Takemichi hesitates before gently hugging him back, softly patting his shoulder. Moments ago, this boy had seemed like a demon, ready to take lives. Now, he exudes warmth and care like an angel descending on Christmas night.

"You're the champion tonight, Hakkai. Well done."

"Takemichi..." Hakkai's sobs grow louder. Takemichi chuckles helplessly.

"Takemichi..." This time, it's Chifuyu's turn to cry as he throws himself into the embrace.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I should've stopped him. I should've been by your side."

Takemichi feels utterly drained as the two cling tightly to him. His body aches all over, especially the back of his head.

"All right, all right. It's not your fault, partner. Now, help me up before you both smother me, you two idiots."

With Chifuyu and Hakkai's support, Takemichi struggles to stand. He looks around the church. Baji, Mitsuya, and Kazutora give him relieved smiles, though they're all covered in injuries. Takemichi wonders if any of those wounds are his doing. His gaze shifts to Taiju, who sits on the ground with blood streaming from his forehead. Kokonoi and Inupee stand guard beside him, watching Takemichi as if he's some strange and dangerous creature. The Haitani brothers approach, their eyes filled with curiosity and confusion.

Takemichi's face shows a mix of guilt and discomfort as he offers a bittersweet smile. "I'm really sorry."

"What's wrong with you? You wreck everything and then just say sorry? Are you out of your mind?" Taiju snaps, clearly not holding back his frustration.

Takemichi winces, clutching his head. He doesn't know what to say - he doesn't even fully understand what he's done.

"Brother, let's talk about this later," Hakkai intervenes.

"We've got a report. All 100 Black Dragon members have been taken down. Hanagaki-kun, consider this collaboration a success. And Black Dragon, this is the price you pay for messing with the Haitani brothers. You'd better tone down your arrogance," Ran says with a threatening glance.

In this situation, Taiju just clicks his tongue and doesn't bother to react. From the moment his brother stood in front of him to protect him, somewhere deep down, he had already admitted defeat.

Takemichi doesn't have the strength to celebrate. He would be happy - if only he hadn't lost control and let the other side of himself surface at such a crucial moment. He's overwhelmed with confusion. He thought he had full control over himself, but clearly, he doesn't.

"Handle the cleanup. I'm feeling a bit tired," Takemichi says to the members of Touman. They look at him with concern, but for now, there are still matters that need attention.

Takemichi watches as the group gathers in one spot, talking about something. But their voices don't reach him. Slowly, he walks toward the altar of the church, standing there to gaze at the cross and the stained-glass windows on the wall. He searches for something - anything - to anchor himself, to pull back the swirling emotions inside him.

"Takemichi..." Kazutora calls softly, sensing something unusual about him. The others also turn their eyes toward Takemichi.

Takemichi slowly turns around, tilting his head slightly as he looks at them.

The ethereal light from the stained glass spreads over Takemichi's figure, as though blessing him, or perhaps separating him into an entirely different world. He appears fragile, as if he might dissolve into the light and vanish, like an angel visiting the earthly realm only briefly.

His once-clear blue eyes are now brimming with tears, shining like sapphires. They are beautiful but carry an unbearable weight of sorrow, pulling at the heartstrings of anyone who sees them. Silent tears have already started streaming down his face.

An overwhelming sense of loneliness and isolation radiates from him, infinite and profound. The scene is breathtakingly beautiful yet painfully heartbreaking. Some are stunned, unable to look away, struck by a combination of awe and a deep, aching sadness.

"Takemichi..." Chifuyu finally speaks after a long pause, but before he can say more, another visitor appears. Everyone turns to see Mikey standing at the door.

"Merry Christmas. Looks like it's over now... Take - "

Mikey stops mid-sentence when he sees Takemichi crying. Without hesitation, he strides across the room, ignoring everything else. Takemichi looks at him and can no longer hold back. Mikey pulls him into a tight embrace. Takemichi collapses against Mikey's shoulder, clutching him as he cries uncontrollably.

"It's okay, Takemichi. I'm here. Everything's fine now," Mikey whispers.

Takemichi cries because he feels utterly helpless. He had thought he could accept and control everything, but it was all an illusion. The pain he felt earlier was overwhelming, but what scared him more was the darkness that consumed him, no matter how much he struggled to escape. He's terrified - afraid of hurting those around him when all he wants is to protect them. For the first time since accepting his dissociative identity disorder, Takemichi feels it's truly a curse.

Mikey doesn't fully understand why Takemichi is crying so much. He assumes it's because of the Black Dragon, and his mind flashes back to his promise: if they hurt Takemichi, they would pay.

Takemichi pulls away from Mikey's embrace, his face streaked with tears, and forces a weak smile. Mikey frowns. Don't smile now, Takemichi. You don't need to act strong.

"Mikey-kun, why are you here? I told you not to come," Takemichi says softly.

"I just wanted to check on everyone," Mikey replies, gently wiping away Takemichi's tears. "The Black Dragon is taken care of, but Takemitchy, are those three the ones who hurt you?"

Mikey's expression darkens, and Takemichi immediately understands what Mikey intends to do.

"Mikey-kun, no, it's not them!"

"Not them? Then why are you always protecting our enemies, Takemitchy?"

Takemichi shakes his head vehemently. "Listen to me, Mikey. It's not like that!"

But Mikey doesn't seem to hear him. He tenderly caresses Takemichi's face, his smile soft, but his eyes say otherwise. "I won't forgive anyone who hurts you."

He means what he says - he won't forgive anyone who causes him pain.

With that, Mikey turns toward Taiju, Inupee, and Kokonoi. Baji and Chifuyu quickly step in to block his path.

"Baji, Chifuyu, step aside," Mikey commands.

"Calm down, Mikey. Takemichi doesn't want you to hurt them. We've already settled everything."

"But Takemitchy cried because of them. I won't forgive anyone who makes him suffer - they're the enemy," Mikey retorts, his gaze shadowed.

Baji looks alarmed. "Mikey..." The tension in the room escalates. Takemichi, afraid that Mikey and Baji might come to blows, rushes to stand in front of the Black Dragon members, spreading his arms protectively.

"Mikey-kun, I want the Black Dragon. I want them under my command. So they're not enemies. Don't touch them."

Inupee and Kokonoi stare at Takemichi in disbelief, their eyes wide. Taiju, still defiant, stands up and scoffs.

"I don't need you to protect us, kid. Stop acting high and mighty. This mess is your fault," Taiju sneers.

Takemichi glares at Taiju, his voice resolute. "Then I've beaten you, and now the Black Dragon is mine. Stop thinking your violence is strength because you were defeated by a kid. If you can't even protect the people around you, don't stand here opposing me," he declares sharply.

Just moments ago, Takemichi had been sobbing in despair. Now, he stands firm and determined, his gaze unwavering. When it comes to protecting what matters to him, he becomes unyielding.

Inupee watches him intently, while Taiju looks conflicted - his usual arrogance tinged with unease and frustration.

Takemichi takes a deep breath and turns to Mikey. "Mikey, you said you'd listen to me, didn't you? Today, I'm leading this fight, and I'll decide everything here."

"Mikey, just this once, listen to Takemichi," Baji adds, supporting him. "He's worked so hard for this moment. Don't let him down."

Mikey grits his teeth and looks away in frustration, like a child sulking. The members of Touman realize that things are finally under control.

Takemichi softens his tone, but he knows he has to get Mikey to leave before his own strength runs out.

"Mikey-kun, today, I'm the main character. Go home now. Tomorrow, we'll hold a gang meeting to report everything. After that, I'll come find you," Takemichi says firmly.

"No! I want to wait for you," Mikey protests.

"You can't. You didn't even listen to me when you came here today. Go home."

"I don't want to."

"Mikey-kun... tomorrow, I'll make it up to you. You can do whatever you want, but go home now. It's late."

Takemichi wants him to leave. Even though he doesn't want to, Mikey finally gives in because Takemichi insists. He knows he can't win against Takemichi in situations like this. Both of them know how to make the other listen. Takemichi gently pushes Mikey out the door, and after confirming the sound of Bob's engine roaring away, Takemichi's smile disappears.

Everyone exhales in relief. The tension that Mikey's arrival had brought is gone, and they are grateful that he listens to Takemichi.

"Takemitchy is truly someone who always brings surprises; I will never fully understand him," Rindou says.

So, the strange feelings rising in his heart must be curiosity and fascination, right? Because his heart beats so fast when he sees Takemichi. Today, he feels jealous - jealous that Takemichi hugs Hakkai and comforts him, jealous when Takemichi cries weakly in Mikey's arms, and jealous because Takemichi tries so hard to protect the Black Dragon. He also wants Takemichi to treat him that way. It's that thirst again; it really makes him suffer.

Bang! A loud noise comes from the door. Takemichi falls down, and everyone's faces immediately fill with panic and worry. Ran, who is the closest to him, quickly rushes to catch him.

"Hanagaki... Hanagaki..." He holds Takemichi's head and feels something wet. His eyes widen in horror - his hands are covered in blood. Hakkai looks at the spot where he pushed Takemichi down and sees blood on the edge of the chair. That's when it happened. Hakkai is terrified.

Takemichi has two wounds on the back of his head, but he still manages to stand up until now. He stays conscious but doesn't realize who is holding him.

"Absolutely... don't let Mikey-kun find out."

"You..." Ran is at a loss for words. Takemichi has been enduring this whole time, trying to push Mikey away, and it's all for the Black Dragon. No one understands what he is doing. Today was supposed to be about revenge on the Black Dragon, but in the end, he's protecting them.

Takemichi, I will never understand you, and I also can't figure out why I can't take my eyes off your strange self. Right now, I find myself truly worrying about someone other than my own brother.