Takemichi always feels that even in the hospital he never really gets to rest - like now, when he has to entertain visitors of this caliber.

"How's your health, Takemichi?"

Kakuchou is the first to speak, asking after him while trying to push away the thoughts and images still lingering in his mind. Takemichi steadies himself too. A moment ago he only got startled, and honestly, he has no idea why they all stared at him so intently right when he was changing clothes. Still, Kakuchou is his friend, so he quickly brightens up.

"I'm fine, Kaku-chan. My health's good now. I'm getting discharged soon."

Kakuchou smiles gently. He can see that Takemichi really does look better than the other day. He doesn't bring up Takemichi's depression either - he's heard patients are very sensitive about that.

The two of them share a warm, easy moment until a jealous voice cuts right in.

"Kaku-chan? That sounds sweet."

Always Rindou. The destroyer of Takemichi's mood. If only he had an apple right now, he'd shove it into his mouth again.

"Then do you want me to call you Rin-chan, so it sounds just as sweet?"

This time Takemichi doesn't let Rindou trample him. Smiling with his eyes narrowed into little crescents, he answers in a mock-obedient, syrupy voice.

That earns laughter from everyone. Ran, struggling not to burst out, covers his mouth with his one good hand and turns away, while Rindou flushes red and shouts at his brother.

"Aniki!!!"

Kakuchou and Takemichi, childhood friends and the same age, don't mind it. For Kakuchou, being called "-chan" by Takemichi is no embarrassment at all. In fact, it proves how close they are. He's happy about it. If anyone else dared to call him like that, he might actually hit them.

But Rindou? Not only is he older, he's also a ruthless delinquent with a notorious reputation. Out on the streets, being called "Rin-chan, Rin-chan" in such a cutesy tone would shred the infamous Haitani brother's authority to pieces.

"Enough, Takemichi. If you keep that up, Rindou will dig a grave and bury himself," Ran steps in to save his brother, though he can't resist teasing him at the same time.

Then his gaze lingers on Takemichi. The boy and the others all feel it. Some of them even know why. That kiss he forced on Takemichi that day... Ran still doesn't know how to face him after that.

Back when he was working under Kisaki's plan, he thought success was guaranteed. He thought Takemichi would be his. He imagined the boy panicking, terrified - but yielding would never be easy for him. Ran knew he'd have to use force, break him down... and then he would step in, soothe him, piece him back together. That's when Takemichi would accept being his.

But reality twists everything. He thought he was the hunter, only to find himself the prey in Takemichi's hunt.

His body still aches, his arm is in a cast. Is this punishment for daring to have such filthy thoughts about Takemichi? Or punishment for not being able to control his own desire that day?

And then came everything else. Takemichi hospitalized, unconscious - while Ran himself lay in a hospital bed. He's discharged only the moment Takemichi wakes up.

Depression. Hearing that word from Kakuchou, Ran almost can't believe it. Even Kakuchou had trouble believing it at first.

"At that time, it looked like he wanted to abandon everything. Like he didn't care about the world anymore," Kakuchou had described the Takemichi he saw that day.

Ran can't even picture it. To him, Takemichi is someone with far too many attachments to this world. He never once thinks of himself - always Mikey, always Toman, later even Black Dragon. He's always scared he's not doing enough for them.

And a boy like that... stops caring about the world?

Ran doesn't know what he would do if he ever saw Takemichi like that.

A boy who always smiles, who has such stubborn will, such a burning desire to protect others. A boy with ideals, with goals, with purpose. A boy who deserves a peaceful, happy life, who is the sunlight in everyone else's sky. And yet... depression.

That day, Ran truly doubts himself. Has he misjudged Takemichi - and his life - all along?

But like everyone else, all he can do is see what's on the surface.

Or maybe that boy is strong. So strong it becomes obsession. So strong it borders on madness. Only then can he hide the broken pieces inside and show nothing but brightness outside. And everyone else is so dazzled by that light... that they never see the darkness buried deep within.

Kakuchou notices Ran's eyes still lingering on Takemichi and decides to break the tension. That's when he realizes Takemichi's foot is wrapped in bandages.

"Takemichi, did you hurt your foot?"

Only then does everyone else notice it. Izana, who has been quietly watching without showing much emotion, finally reacts - his brows draw together slightly.

"I broke a vase and stepped on the shards, that's all. Nothing serious, don't worry."

"You need to be careful. You always end up hurting yourself," Izana mutters softly. His tone is light, yet clear enough for everyone to hear - and within it, undeniable concern. The room falls silent.

Since that day, Tenjiku has to admit Izana seems different. He shows no emotion at all - no madness, no fury - always lost in thought. And after visiting Takemichi, he slips into this restless, uneasy state.

To be honest, Izana like this frightens them more.

Takemichi suddenly laughs, breaking the heavy silence with a smile brighter than anything they've seen from him today. The reason? That rare softness in Izana's voice, that uncharacteristic gesture of concern.

"Thanks, Izana-kun. But I'm fine."

Izana blinks in surprise. The boy in front of him looks relaxed, without the cold, merciless hostility he showed in battle. Relief softens Izana's body. His furrowed brows ease, the corners of his lips lift into a faint curve. Kakuchou catches it - Izana is genuinely happy.

So that's it. He was afraid Takemichi would treat him coldly, or worse, scold him.

"Your face..."

Takemichi reaches out, in front of everyone, and touches Izana's battered face. Both Izana and the others are caught off guard, staring at him.

Looking at the damage he inflicted, Takemichi feels part pity, part satisfaction. Three parts ache, seven parts relief. Serves him right. And this is still light. If Takemichi truly unleashed all the grief and torment Izana put him through, this wouldn't even scratch the surface.

After a moment's daze, Izana quickly grabs Takemichi's hand. He leans in, pressing his face into the boy's palm, nuzzling gently against that small hand.

This hand - he wants it on him more. He wants it to caress him, to warm him. These days he misses that warmth desperately. Even if it's never meant for him. Even if it only brings chaos into his dark life. Even if it deceives him. Still, he clings to it. The boy lets him feel it for just a few fleeting moments, and he's already trapped.

Like a moth drawn to the flame, he knows that light never belongs to him - yet he can't stop. His greed won't let him.

Izana's voice turns fragile, almost pleading, as his eyes - wounded, vulnerable - look straight into Takemichi's, silently begging for comfort.

"You hit me really hard, Takemichi."

"Serves you right. You should've listened to me."

The four others look utterly betrayed by life itself. Ran and Rindou scowl, jealousy prickling inside them. If they ever tried something like that with Takemichi, he'd probably smack them harder. Their entire image with him doesn't allow such closeness - they're always teasing him, after all.

It's unfair. Completely unfair. They want that too.

Izana casts a glance at Kakuchou. He instantly understands what Izana wants, then signals the Haitani brothers and Mochi to step outside. Not a single objection or question follows. Everyone in Tenjiku knows - that's the king's command.

The Haitani brothers only show a trace of reluctance. They barely got to exchange a word or two with Takemichi, but of course priority must go to the king. So they leave, waiting out in the hallway. Mochi still wears that same face of eternal suspicion at life itself.

"So that brat is the one who crushed us so badly?"

"Exactly! Cute, right?" Ran says with a proud smirk that nearly makes Mochi speechless. Wasn't this the same guy who had his arm broken so bad he couldn't even tie his own hair and had to let it down like this? Back when they were stuck in the hospital together he kept whining about how ruthless the kid was. And now, after just a short meeting, he acts like nothing ever happened.

"He doesn't look like much, but what he does - yeah, that kid's something. Right now the whole delinquent world is stirred up because of him. He alone commands three hundred fighters, skilled and profitable. Even Shiba Taiju bows to him. The underworld will have to be reshuffled after this, because a new king has shown up."

Takemichi, still stuck in the hospital, has no idea how "terrifying" his reputation in the delinquent world has become.

After the war with Tenjiku, people dig back into the fight with Moebius - how he broke an enemy's arm, lost control and beat even his own allies, nearly killing someone. Then the story of him defeating Taiju gets blown out of proportion - now they say he single-handedly crushed Taiju and forced him into submission. Strong, ruthless, cunning, sly, hiding beneath the mask of a harmless boy - that's what they call him now.

They even place Takemichi on the same level as the "invincible" Mikey and Izana, king of Tenjiku. Hanagaki Takemichi - the king of the Black Dragons.

Rumors spread further: Takemichi harbors ambitions to climb to the very top of Tokyo's delinquent world, plotting step by step. First, he wins over Toman to secure his foothold. With that backing, his next target is the Black Dragons - a gang tied up in history and territory disputes with Toman. Toman would never suspect, might even help him.

But once he has the Black Dragons, he refuses to share power with Mikey. Instead, he exploits his status as Draken's savior and Mikey's trust, so he alone can hold both the power and wealth of the Black Dragons. That's why, they say, even though the Black Dragons are labeled as Toman's Sixth Division, they act completely separate. Their uniforms never changed. They don't attend meetings. Mikey has no authority over them.

From there, the gossip grows darker. Some claim Draken's stabbing was Takemichi's scheme. That he and Kiyomasa were actually partners, and his public expulsion of him was nothing but theater.

Because of this, delinquents across Tokyo begin to fear Takemichi. They call him too calculating, too deep, too manipulative - deceiving Toman's core members and the invincible Mikey into trusting him, following him like fools, paving his road. Some even whisper that one day he'll seize Toman itself, turning the entire gang into his chess piece on his rise to the top.

Mochi might have half-believed these stories - if not for the Haitani brothers and Kakuchou scoffing in disgust.

"Sure, Takemichi might be smarter and sharper than I thought, but if he were that devious, we'd all be dead by now." Rindou shakes his head.

"Oh, if he really had that kind of ambition, I wouldn't even mind being his pawn. I'd even drag Izana to join in. Right, Kakuchou?" Ran adds, teasing, while Kakuchou finds the very idea laughable.

"Calling Bakamichi that kind of person makes more sense than saying the sun rises in the west."

Mucho just nods in agreement. He knows Takemichi isn't as simple as that goofy smile suggests, but he also knows the boy's heart always points toward Mikey and Toman. One look at those eyes, filled with love, treating Toman as his most precious treasure, and you can tell.

And Mucho believes if Toman ever heard people spread those lies, they wouldn't let it slide. After the Bloody Halloween, anyone in Toman who doubted Takemichi was punished by Baji and Chifuyu. A few idiots outside bad-mouthed him, and Mikey overheard. The result: Mikey himself beat them so badly they ended up in the hospital, and Draken stood by without stopping him. All that violent punishment was kept secret from Takemichi.

Mucho remembers that atmosphere well - bloodlust heavy in the air, every member radiating a cold, terrifying aura, none of the warmth or laughter they showed when Takemichi was around. And the one who chilled him the most - Mikey. Those eyes were a black hole, devouring light itself.

The truly terrifying ones hiding their true nature - that's Toman.

But public rumor has never been something anyone can control. Stories keep spreading, swelling, twisted further and further into whatever people want to believe. The rumors grow, embroidered with each retelling, until those without clarity can't help but be led astray.

They keep chatting while waiting.

"By the way, Kisaki and Takemichi had some kind of grudge, didn't they? Ever since that day, he's vanished. I heard the Black Dragons are still hunting him down." Rindou crosses his arms, voicing his suspicion.

"Seems like it. Remember when the Black Dragons barged into Toman's turf looking for Takemichi because he saved you? Word is, Shiba Hakkai helped hide him. But Kisaki was the one who paid to have someone snitch and point the finger at Takemichi. Back then Takemichi said he nearly got beaten to death by Taiju." Ran picks up where his brother leaves off.

"And during the planning, wasn't Kisaki the one who insisted from the start that Takemichi should be eliminated?"

"Not to mention, Kisaki had Takemichi tailed before he even joined us."

"All in all, both Kisaki and that freak Hanma - I can't stand them. They only ever act for their own ends, never really fit with us. Makes me curious though... at Shibuya, I wasn't there. What exactly happened between Kisaki and Takemichi that day? Takemichi ended up in the hospital right after. Was that Kisaki's doing?"

Mochi and Kakuchou listen closely. Kakuchou starts turning it over in his mind, doubts stirring. Then they hear footsteps, and all of them glance toward the sound.

A girl with peach-pink hair walks alongside a boy with dark hair, both about the same height. Hinata and Naoto arrive, coming to visit Takemichi - and freeze at the sight of the intimidating group before them.

Both sides stare, tension sparking.

"You're Takemichi's friend?" Ran asks politely first.

"Yes... that's right," Hinata answers timidly. "And you're Takemichi-kun's friends too?"

"Exactly. But, little lady, you'll need to wait a bit. He's talking privately right now. We're waiting as well." Ran smiles, disarmingly friendly.

"Then we'll wait too," Hinata nods.

But she thinks maybe it would be safer to head down to the lobby than linger near these dangerous-looking men. She had no idea Takemichi had so many friends wrapped up in danger. And besides - she's certain she just overheard something troubling, something that leaves her unsettled.

Ran glances at her for a moment before speaking again.

"Tell me, are you Takemichi's girlfriend?"

That single question makes even Rindou, who had no interest in joining the conversation, and Kakuchou, who usually stands silent, both turn to look at her.

"Yes, I am Takemichi-kun's girlfriend," Hinata admits shyly, but with a bright, genuine smile.

"I see." Ran's tone shifts just slightly.

The air suddenly grows heavy, dark. Ran keeps his faint smile in place, nothing about his face changing - but his eyes radiate a pressure that makes Hinata's skin prickle, cold sinking into her spine. Both she and Naoto sense it instantly, as the others' eyes fix on them. Naoto, uneasy, tugs his sister's sleeve.

"Let's go. We'll come back later. Excuse us."

They bow politely, still respectful, before retreating down the hall.

Ran's smile vanishes in an instant, his face turning ice-cold. His fist clenches tight, veins standing out.

"That brat's girlfriend... she's cute."

Mochi blurts the honest thought aloud. Then he glances over, only to see the Haitani brothers snapping their heads his way, glaring with visible irritation.

"What? You two-"

"Tell us. Who's prettier, us or her?"

"Are you insane? How do you even compare men and women like that?"

Mochi shoots them a look of sheer contempt, at a loss for words with these two bizarre brothers again. That question, to him, is peak stupidity. Did someone hit them on the head too hard, scramble their brains?

Meanwhile, Kakuchou watches down the hall where the Tachibana siblings disappeared, his eyes carrying a trace of sadness. Takemichi's life, since he left, has grown colorful. So many people stand by his side now.

So then... are they, being here, nothing but unnecessary?