Red lights | Mikey x reader

Chapter 23 : Bars

1st January, 2006

L/n Y/n 

Last night I ran into Mikey and he took me to his brother's grave. He often visits there. 

As Kisaki's eyes scanned the message, excitement surged through him. His mind immediately began concocting a detailed plan to create a clash between the two gangs. This time, he was determined not to let it fail. The face of his hero-turned-enemy flashed in his mind, igniting a fire of anger and determination.

"I won't let you block my way this time, Hanagaki Takemitchy," he silently vowed to himself. But before he could delve further into his thoughts, his partner's presence interrupted his train of thought. A weight settled on his left shoulder, and he turned to find Hanma leaning in, reading the text on his phone.

His golden eyes widened as he observed Kisaki's serious expression, sensing that something significant was brewing in his mind. A mischievous grin spread across Hanma's face, causing Kisaki to shift his attention towards him.

"Seems like you're already stirring up trouble," Hanma remarked, earning a boring gaze from Kisaki.

"Sometimes I wonder what goes on inside that head of yours," Hanma stated, contemplating the mysterious nature of his partner.

Kisaki responded with a silly smile, "Me too."

- 

As Takemitchi entered the visitation area of the jail, he couldn't help but feel a mix of apprehension and anticipation. The room was filled with a tense silence as him and his partner took seats before the glass screen.

He looked at his partner, noticing that he had the same composure as himself.

'I wonder how he'd be doing now...' he thought about a certain male which him and his friend had come to see today.

Chifuyu noticed him deep in thought, and gave an understanding nod, receiving the same gesture in response from the blonde boy.

The two stared at the security glass, their minds filled with memories of bloody halloween and the boy they were here to see right now. 

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the duo saw their friend being escorted into the visitation area. A bittersweet smile formed on Takemitchi's face at the sight of him. 

"Kazutora-kun.." 

Takemitchi leaned forward, his hands pressed on his knees, as he opened his mouth to speak but was beaten to it by Chifuyu. 

"We're here to fill you in about Toman and everybody." Stated the green eyed boy with a firm look on his face, a mixture of slight hatred and uneasiness filled within him. At first, he couldn't come to believe his future self had forgiven the guy that had murdered his best friend, but over time with Takemitchi, he learnt why. 

He helped him realize that Baji wouldn't have wanted him to blame Kazutora for his death and that, he would've wanted Toman to stick together like before, devoid of all these pains. Although a while of denial, Chifuyu came to understand him and accept it. And thus, his future self's actions were justified to him. 

"Why have you come here...the sight of you reminds me of that day!" Kazutora's voice erupted with a mixture of anger and sorrow, his grief piercing through his heart as he tightly clenched his jaw. The haunting flashbacks of that harrowing day relentlessly plagued his mind, leaving him overwhelmed with a surge of emotions that he hated. 

"Kazutora-kun...Baji-san didn't blame you for what happened...He forgave you and wanted you to forgive yourself too. I get it's tough...but keeping that burden on isn't going to give peace to Baji's spirit. His eyes told me in his last moments...that he wanted me to console you and pull you out of your grief and pain. He gave me the responsibility to look after all of Toman..." Takemitchi consoled the boy very cautiously, his eyes spoke volumes, reflecting the sincerity and truthfulness in his words. 

Takemitchi and Chifuyu saw Kazutora clench his fists as tears pricked at the corners of his eyes.

After a short while, his voice broke. "The ghosts of my past... they never let go. Even in my sleep, all I see is him dying... It's like a never-ending nightmare that torments me." Tears rolled down his face as he lifted his eyes up, meeting with those of the blonde haired as he continued,

"...but what kills me the most is that...I've become the person Mikey despises the most..." 

The immense guilt and regret could be felt from his from his aura as he opened his mouth to add further, but the green eyed male interjected.

"Mikey's forgiven you." Revealed Chifuyu as his voice faded, "..and so have I." 

Kazutora's expression shifted, he looked at him in disbelief and denial.

"That's true. Mikey has forgiven you and so has everyone else." Takemitchi assured in a confident tone, a soft smile breaking onto his face. He recalled the future Kazutora who saved him from Kisaki.

Flashback

With a blurry vision, Takemitchi came back to his senses. A man with long dark hair stood a few feet away in a black and white attire, with his back facing Hanagaki. Takemitchi immediately realized who it was, 

"Baji-kun..!" He gasped. The raven-haired individual turned around, his earring swaying gently as his golden eyes met the gaze of the bewildered young man. 

"Thank you, Takemitchy," he spoke, his words resonating and stirring a whirlwind of emotions within Takemitchi's mind. 

"You saved me that day... on New Year's," the golden-eyed person expressed, their voice fading with a deep sense of vulnerability. Takemitchi was taken aback, his confusion evident. 

"I... saved you?" he questioned, his voice filled with disbelief. 

"You saved me from killing myself...I had planned to put an end to myself that day...but you saved me." they uttered, a profound gratitude lacing their words as they turned fully to face him. 

"You and Chifuyu saved me.." his eyes glowed, 

"..from drowning in remorse." 

Flashback end

Kazutora's expression softened and his pupils dilated. 

"Thank you...for forgiving me." A mutter erupted from the other side of the glass. Both Chifuyu and Hanagaki gave him a soft smile, acknowledging his sincerity. 

'I'm not gonna let you fall behind, Kazutora-kun..!' he promised internally.

Takemitchi knew that this visit was just the beginning, a chance to rebuild Toman and save everyone's future. 

- 

9 pm, same day

As the members of Toman gathered outside the shrine, they couldn't help but engage in some casual chit-chat before the meeting began. They exchanged hushed whispers, discussing about the motive of this meeting.

Soon enough, their voices died down as they fixated their full attention towards their vice president who stepped forward and with a loud voice he announced,

"The year's first meeting of all the members of Tokyo Manji Gang will now begin!" 

- 

Word count - 1,171