~.~
"Friends can sometimes be your worst enemies..."
~.~
They were now reunited. Both Hinata and Takemichi were finally reunited, just aching to communicate with one another. Hinata's apartment was clean as ever, and the scent within her home smelt of cherry blossoms. Not to mention, the atmosphere was perfect. Everything felt perfect.
The only problem was... they couldn't utter one word to one another.
Instead, they just sat there, looking anywhere but at the person in front of them, blushing and twiddling their fingers like kindergartners.
It almost resembled a cheesy confession scene with the way they bite their lips in embarrassment.
This only annoyed Naoto as he tapped his finger on the wooden table, a vein protruding from his brow. The silence was...almost deafening, and it had been going on for almost a solid 30 minutes...!
But, almost out of nowhere, Takemichi perked up, "Hey, you know...-?" He blurted out, causing Hinata to jolt with a large tint of blush, "Yeah...?" She replied, watching as Takemichi still gazed everywhere but at her.
His throat then clears and he begins to scratch the back of his head, "-The weather lately... has been nice!" He nervously affirmed, a droplet of sweat leaking from his cheek. Hinata is taken aback by the comment and only forces an awkward chuckle, even though nothing Takemichi said was exactly 'funny'.
Naoto, on the other hand, just groaned with aggravation, "It's cloudy... and we're inside..." He added, slowly sighing to himself. It was beyond obvious that the two lovebirds weren't going to talk to each other anytime soon. Can't say you could blame them though...
They haven't really "talked" in what seemed like 12 years. Not to mention, Takemichi still doesn't have any idea about what transpired within the span of those 12 years. Nor did he have any chance to improve his communication skills.
His terrible...awful...communication skills...
And though their awkwardness was validated, it still left Naoto beyond annoyed. And soon, his patience ran low, "You two haven't seen each other in like forever...!" He argued, "You 'otta have lots to talk about...!" He grumbled, resting his face in his palm. He then turns to Takemichi, furrowing his brows, "Are you seriously talking about the weather?!"
The pair slightly flinches at Naoto's choice of words, clearly embarrassed again. "Aw, come one..." Takemichi whined, "So, I'm a little nervous...! It's hard to know just what to say..."
Hinata turns to her brother with a nod, "Mhm...yeah. It's been a long time..."
They both swallow harshly, turning to stare at the wooden table separating them. And with that, silence erupted once more. Nothing but a few sighs were released. Naoto hangs his head low with defeat before pushing himself back to his feet, "Well... I'm going home." He yelled out, resting his hands in his pockets as he pursed his lips and walked away.
Takemichi is the first to immediately switch into panic mode, flinging his entire body to Naoto's legs as even more blush painted his face, "Huh?! No, No, Naoto?!" He exclaimed, halting the black-haired male in his tracks, "You can't go?!"
Naoto only turned back with another gaze of annoyance, "Being here with you two is torture! Figure it out on your own..." His leg lifts as he struggles to take another step forward. But, of course, Takemichi wasn't letting up.
"You can't leave me here alone with her...!" He whined, "My heart will pop outta my chest...!! Are you trying to kill me or something, Naoto?!" The comment immediately makes Hinata blush with amusement. But neither man take notice.
"And you call yourself my 'best friend'!!" Takemichi whined, tugging more at Naoto's leg.
The black-haired male is only flooded with more annoyance, "I'm not your best friend..." He grumbles, balling his fists as he withheld the urge to shout. Takemichi only pouts, "That's so mean...!!"
Naoto looks over his shoulder, his patience now on a thin line, "LET GO OF MY LEG!"
"YOU HEARTLESS BASTARD!!" Takemichi dramatically cried out, once again making Hinata burst out into laughter. This time, Takemichi takes notice, turning over to Hinata with a brow raised.
"You're still the same old Takemichi." She affirmed, smiling from ear to ear. The comment only made Takemichi's eyes shimmer with hope. He now felt a wave of relief brush across his body as he gazed into Hinata's eyes. But then, they traveled down to something that dangled from her neck.
It was...a shiny four-leafed clover.
'Wait...is that the one...that I gave her...?' Takemichi pondered, his jaw slightly open with surprise. But, before he could utter another word, Naoto sighed.
"Hey..." He spoke, "How about we go for a drive? Maybe that'll make it a little easier..." He weakly beamed, tilting his head backward as he awaited the pair's response. And as they both nodded, Naoto quickly directed them to his car, and with that, they sped off.
~.~
Nothing.
Absolute silence now filled the car...
The only noise that started to form was the sound of Takemichi's awful whistling...
This only drew Naoto mad as another vein popped from his cheek, 'This didn't make things any easier at all...' He thought, clenching his jaw as the grip on his steering wheel tightened.
And as Naoto resumed his driving, Takemichi decided to peak at Hinata threw the rear-view mirror, basking in her beauty as his heart sped up even more. She looked so angelic, even when she was feeling awkward. But aside from that, he couldn't take his eyes off of the clover dangling from her neck.
It had to be the necklace he gave her.
He saw no other reason for her to have something like it.
But, for some reason, his mind wouldn't allow him to believe such a thing. Hinata? Still, being in love with him after 12 years? Such a thing felt almost silly— it was silly.
'I'm sure she just bought a similar necklace later on... there's no way she'd still...— not after so long...' He pondered, covering his mouth as he hid the blush that dusted across his face. With that, he released a sigh, turning to Naoto as his lips parted.
But before he could utter a question, Naoto's phone rang, and he immediately pulled over. And as he stepped out to answer the call, his expression displayed nothing but seriousness, "Yes...? Yes...I see...understood sir. I'll be there right away." He then quickly ends the call and turns toward Takemichi, leaning against the door, "Sorry, I've been called into work."
Takemichi's eyes widen, "Huh?!"
Naoto only ignores his reaction and walks over to Hinata, holding his car keys in front of her, "I'll come by and get the car tomorrow." He affirmed to her, placing the keys in her hands as she nodded. He then placed his hands in his pockets, walking off into the distance.
But before he could get too far, takemichi continued his complaining, "Hey hold on!" He bellowed, sticking his head out the window, "You're not leaving us are you?!"
Naoto just rotated with a frown, knitting his brows together, "You two need to talk things out yourselves. I believe you're both adults now...?" He murmured sarcastically. And just like that, he was gone.
Takemichi releases one final "Hey..." before sticking his head back into the car. And his eyes peered over at Hinata, watching as she stared straight at him through the rear-view mirror. Upon making eye contact, the two quickly look away, blushing once again.
How embarrassing...
~.~
As a pair of fingers dialed a particular number into their cellphone, the tall male sat in the seat of his car, watching as the tiny blue sportscar sped off into the distance, tracing their every move. And then, they hit the gas, one hand grasping the steering wheel, while the other held their phone to their ear, "Ma'am...I found them..." they murmured, listening to the sound of a sigh on the other end.
"Then what the hell are you waiting for? Follow them you moron...!" The voice growled, causing the male to swallow harshly before nodding.
"Yes ma'am. But... are you sure that—?"
"Atsushi, is that hesitation that I hear?" The voice interrupted, causing the male to freeze, "Don't you dare even think about backing out. After all...? I don't think you're loving wife would appreciate losing yet another ring finger...—"
Time stops.
"Would she?" The voice added.
The question alone sent shivers down the man's spine, causing a lump to form in his throat as his lips pursed.
"Don't forget our deal. It's either you...or your family." The male gulps again, his eyes watering with fear, "Now. Follow them. Don't forget that I'm tracking you as well. So, just remember, I'm always watching."
CLICK
The male could feel every hair on his body standing up, but, with a heavy heart, he put his foot on the gas and quickly followed behind the blue sportscar, maintaining a safe distance as the pair drove to a secluded parking lot.
Away from any other witnesses.
Just as the "woman" predicted.
~.~
Upon parking in the secluded parking lot, Hinata and Takemichi decide to go for a miniature walk, basking in the night's breeze as the stars clouded the night sky. It wasn't long until they reached a bridge about 10 feet above a large body of water. It was the perfect view that almost anyone could adore. With this, Hinata walked over to the railing and took a deep breath, "You know, Takemichi...?" She spoke, "I came here... with someone I loved." She beamed, feeling as the wind blew her hair to the left.
Takemichi is taken aback by the comment and only forced a smile, "Oh... I see. So it must be a pretty special place, huh?" He asked, chuckling nervously.
Hinata only frowned as she sighed again, "This... is the break where he broke up with me..."
The comment nearly made Takemichi turn away with disgust. But instead, he just ground his teeth together, 'I don't wanna hear this.' He thought, struggling to not just cover his ears and turn away like a child.
The thought of Hinata talking about another man breaking her heart? It was too much for him...
But, even before he could do anything, Hinata resumed, "It was Chrismas eve..." She said, "and to this day...I don't understand why he broke up with me..."
You could almost hear the anguish in her voice, the way her voice lowered to what appeared to be a mere mumble, signaling her heartache. And, in a matter of moments, she turned around, "Please...please tell me..." She mumbled, revealing the tears in her coral eyes.
Takemichi softly gasped as he watched Hinata's tears prick her beautiful lids, the way her eyes glistened from the salty liquid. And yet, he couldn't help but knit his brows, confused beyond belief.
'She's...crying...?' He thought, narrowing his eyes with sorrow.
He then parts his lips, "This person you loved...the person you can't forget about...is it...—?" He immediately cuts his sentence short, swallowing the lump in his throat before he waved his hands around, "Just a second! I—I need to go to the bathroom!" He panicked, quickly turning and racing off to the nearby restroom; sweat pouring down his face.
Upon running away, Takemichi exclaims for Hinata to wait in the car, leaving her to recollect herself all alone...
Her heart now felt heavier than before, but she saw no other reason than to just turn back to the parking lot, wiping her tears while her head hung low.
She didn't even have enough time to notice a pair of eyes watching her from the bushes.
"Damn it. That coward ran off without her...!" A voice grumbled, squeezing the cell phone between their fingertips.
Despite their irritating scowl, it quickly fell as they sighed, "Whatever. Losing her will only crush him more. Can't say I won't enjoy seeing that. He deserves everything he's about to get." They smirked, licking their teeth as they descended into the bushes, waiting for the travesty to begin.
[Meanwhile]
After a few splashes of water are thrown into his face, Takemichi takes a few labored breaths, struggling to pull himself together. 'There's no way... there's just no way...' He pondered, staring up at himself in the mirror, 'I'm the one who got dumped, right? There's no way that I broke up with Hina in this world...! Is there...?'
"Even now... I still can't forget about him..."
'Does she... still have feelings for me...?' Once again, that question lingered within Takemichi's mind, only to lower in advance, 'Of course, she doesn't...' His grip tightens around the sink in the restroom.
"Damn it..." His eyes close shut, and his teeth grind, "if only...if only (Y/N) were here...! She'd be able to explain all of this crap...!" His gaze lifts toward the mirror, all he sees is his own reflection. The way his black hair looked beyond messy and uncut. And yet, he couldn't help but reenvision that small blond-haired boy.
A lump slowly forms in his throat as his brows knit, "(Y/N)...where the hell are you...?!" His frown turns to a scowl as he bangs his fist against the sink, splashing a tiny amount of water into the mirror, "The one time I need you...! You're gone...damnit..." Takemichi sighs, standing upright as he shook himself off.
'That doesn't matter right now. None of that does...!' He thought, 'After all? There's no point in being hesitant about this. Whether Hina still loves me or not... I have to face this, one way or another!'
Takemichi grabs another fistful of water and splashes it on his face, feeling the cold liquid as it moistened his fair skin. 'That's something you would've said, right... (Y/N)...?'
"I gotta change. I still owe her that." He uttered, turning toward the restroom's exit, one foot marching in front of the other, "So? I'm gonna ask Hina out...!" His words hung off his tongue as he made his way down the hallway and toward the outside. The sound of his own footsteps was all that filled Takemichi's ears as he reached the dark outside once more.
'Of course...I know it probably won't go well...' He pondered, clenching his fist with every step he took, 'But this is a chance to change who I am... I promised that to—'
His feet halt as his eyes landed on a large chest that was blocking his path to the outside. Takemichi halts as his breath catch. His eyes then travel upward, almost seemingly traveling for hours until they reached the owner's face. And his heart stopped.
He couldn't tell if it was out of fear or confusion, but something immediately made every hair on his neck stand up. He then releases a low hum, "Huh...?" He murmured.
The person in front of him looked oddly familiar, and yet so...fancy?
It was a man, about 6'4, with black and golden hair gelled upwards and combed to the left along with shiny new golden glasses to compliment his expensive-looking suit. And lastly, he wore a long earring hanging from only his left ear.
Takemichi's first thought was to excuse himself but the man spoke before he could even utter a sentence, "Hm...you were supposed to be in the car..." The male said, sounding rather disappointed and monotone.
Takemichi is taken aback by the comment and is immediately filled with more confusion. But, once again, before he could speak, the man turned to walk away, grumbling under his breath, "This sucks... she worked so hard to set this up." He murmured, reaching up to scratch the back of his head.
As the tall male continued to mumble to himself, Takemichi took a few steps forward, finally exiting the restroom with his brows knitted, "What was that about...?" He mumbled, "What a weirdo...—"
"You know..." The male spoke, "Her and I... were hoping to take care of both of you... at once."
That statement alone sent unknown chills down Takemichi's spine, but his confusion didn't stay for too long before his eyes squinted. Just before the man could disappear into the night shadows, Takemichi took one last scan at the man's attire, making sure to catch every single detail.
Then, he saw it.
Just when the man had scratched the back of his head, Takemichi saw a familiar tattoo resting on the back of the man's right hand. It was the words 'sin' written in Japanese.
It was Hanma's tattoo.
'Hanma?!' Takemichi's heart begins to race, and his fists clench out of fear, 'Why's he here?! And...wait—'
"You were supposed to be in the car."
"The car...?" Takemichi repeated. Then, almost immediately, Takemichi's heart drops. And something possesses him to race back to Hinata, the words that Hanma uttered just replaying within his mind. Based on Hanma's words, Takemichi couldn't help but pray for his feet to move faster than light.
~.~
Upon finally reaching the sportscar, Hinata leaned back in her seat, sighing to herself as she wiped her tears, 'I tried to tell him... but he still didn't catch the hint...' She pondered, gazing off to the side as her cell phone rested in her lap.
"And after I worked up all that courage..." She sighs again, lifting her phone once more as she felt it buzz. She then squints as the bright light from the device burned her eyes. She then realizes that she had received a message from an unknown number. Her brows knit as she opens the message.
Her eyes then carefully read the text.
"I told you to leave. You've given me no choice..."
Hinata softly gasps to herself. But before she could utter a sentence, the sound of an engine filled her ears. It couldn't have possibly been from her car due to it being off. And soon, a set of headlights turned on, the bright daze nearly blinding her in an instant.
And just as Takemichi had raced back to the parking lot, he also noticed an all-black jeep full-throttling toward Hinata. His jaw drops, and his eyes grew wide. As of now, everything felt like it was in slow motion, and just as Takemichi reach his arm out, he shrieked at the top of his lungs.
"HINA NO!!"
And just like that... in an instant, the jeep crashed into the blue sportscar, flattening it like a bug.
Takemichi's heart began to race and he didn't even realize that he had been hyperventilating. All he could do was clench his fists as his legs carried him over toward the crushed vehicles.
"HINA!!!" He cried out, ignoring the way his voice cracked. But just as he inched toward the sportscar, another voice called out to him.
"Takemichi... is that you...?"
Was that...Akkun?
Takemichi's feet halt as the familiar voice rang in his ears, "H-Huh?!" He gasped, his jaw still dragging itself along the ground. And as he turned, he was met with a familiar wine-haired male, now bloody from the impact of the crash.
It was indeed Akkun.
"W-why...aren't you in the car...?" He groaned, resting his head on the steering wheel as blood oozed from his temple. "I-it ruined everything...if you aren't inside the car...!" His bloody fists clench, "It means...I failed her...I failed...(Y/N) again..."
Takemichi's heart nearly collapsed to the ground as that name slipped from Akkun's lips. And as he parted his mouth to utter a word, all that came out were stammers and pants, "(Y/N)...? (Y/N) p-put you up to this...?" Tears sting the edges of Takemichi's lids, blurring the man's vision.
Akkun only frowns at this, averting his friend's gaze, "I don't know...how it got like this..." He groaned, "But I'm just...another one...of Kisaki's soldiers..." A tear rolls down his face, "I thought...if I pleased her...this hell would end...! But no...everyone...in Toman has to...obey Kisaki...!"
Takemichi's brows knit with realization, 'He's said these things before...' He thought; his blood now boiling with rage. "But why?! Why would you two do this to Hina?! Especially you, Akkun?! You cut hair now!! You've got nothing to do with Toman anymore!!" He roared, his heart racing more and more.
Akkun pauses for a moment, a large lump in his throat, "I was scared...just so scared... of Kisaki...and (Y/N)..."
Takemichi couldn't believe what he was hearing, he couldn't believe anything right now. Akkun crashing into Hinata, him being sent by Kisaki and (Y/N)?! None of it felt real.
With a huff, Takemichi dug his nails into the palms of his hands, struggling to pull himself together, "Don't say that...! Don't say that! You've said all of this before!!" He bellowed, sniffling as snot ran down his nose.
Another tear rolls down Akkun's nose as it dripped onto the steering wheel, mixing with his large pool of blood, "Save (Y/N), Takemichi...You have to save her...from him...!" He whispered, his eyes growing heavy.
Takemichi takes a step forward, holding his hand out, "Save her from who?! Kisaki...?! Mikey?!"
Akkun doesn't respond as he listens to the beats of his heart fade, "You...have to...save everyone...our crybaby...hero..." With that, Akkun's grip on the steering wheel loosens, and his entire body went limp; he then released a low sigh as he took his final breath.
Takemichi isn't even given time to grieve before an electrical wire came in contact with a puddle of gasoline, causing a big explosion that sent him flying backward, hitting the concrete in an instant. He groans, pushing himself up slowly as more tears flood from his eyes.
He then gazed up at the large mountain of flames, watching as they grew bigger than ever. Then his gaze fell upon the sportscar, which had yet to be engulfed. His breath catches as he stood to his feet and raced toward the blue vehicle.
"HINA!" He called out, peering through the window his eyes immediately landed on the pink-haired woman, her eyes were closed but her breathing was clearly visible.
She was still alive.
Takemichi is immediately filled with relief as he backed away, "Hang on, Hina! Imma get you outta there!" He vowed, rubbing his sweaty palms against his shorts before grasping the broken door handle. But it didn't budge that easily.
Takemichi could feel the flames grow closer as sweat leaked from his pores, he then grunted as he tugged at the door, and to his luck, it budged. Just a little.
'Shit. COME ON!!' He thought, using his foot to give him more strength to pry the door open, and once it had worked, he crawled into the tight space; huffing with relief, "Hina!" He panted, turning toward the woman with his brows knitted.
"Come on, we gotta get outta here!" He mandated, scanning the tired expression on the girl's face. And though his words reached her ears, Hinata showed no sign of moving. All she did was pant.
"Take...michi..." She murmured, but Takemichi wasn't having it, "Not now! We have to get you outta this thing before it blows up both sky high!" He rang, reaching over to the female. But, for some unknown reason, Hinata didn't budge.
"Thanks for...trying..." She squeezed out, staring ahead as her eyelids grew heavy.
Takemichi is still refusing to listen, "You can tell me that once we get you outta this thing—!!"
"My...legs..." Hinata interjected, cutting Takemichi's sentence short in an instant. Then, he finally scanned Hinata's entire figure. And upon doing so, his heart shattered. Though Hinata's upper body didn't take much damage, her lower half was completely impaled and crushed.
Even if she were to escape the car... there's no telling that she'd even survive being impaled...
"I can't...feel my legs anymore...I can't..." She groaned, her breathing increasingly getting more labored.
This predicament... Takemichi couldn't fathom what was even happening anymore. But what made him feel worse was that...Hinata was going to die any second now.
The mere thought just made him climb into the car and pull Hinata into a tight embrace, cradling her soft head into his chest as she softly gasped with surprise, "In the future...in the past... always and forever..." He lifts his head, sobbing harder than before, "I'll love you..."
These mere words that appeared to be cheesy...warmed Hinata's heart as tears fell from her eyes. And just as she lifted one arm to return the embrace, she realized what had to be done. Knowing Takemichi, he'd be too stubborn to leave her like this, meaning... they'd both die.
Hinata refused to let that happen.
"I'm so glad to hear that..." She weakly beamed, nuzzling her nose into Takemichi's warm arms, "But you have to go...—"
"No!" Takemichi interjected, squeezing Hinata even tighter.
"Please..." She begged, "Please go...You're so important to me...I don't want you to die here too..." Takemichi shakes his head, his sobs growing louder. "No!!" He shuddered, causing Hinata to look up as the flames grow larger, nearing another puddle of spilled gasoline.
Upon noticing this, her brows knit and she took a deep breath. Then, with the last ounce of strength she could conjure, she shoved Takemichi out of the vehicle, "Go now, Takemichi!!" She bellowed.
Takemichi then collapses to the cold concrete again, quickly turning back to scan Hinata's expression. She appeared calm, smiling despite the salty tears falling from her cheeks again. And, with an arm extended, Takemichi couldn't utter a word before the sportscar burst into flames; the explosion was so powerful that it sent Takemichi flying farther than before.
With another groan, Takemichi slowly looked back at the carnage, watching as the flames engulfed everything near it, including Hinata...
And as his fist collided with the cold concrete, Takemichi cried at the top of his lungs, feeling the pain in his lungs as they burned hotter than the flames scorching behind him. He felt helpless, betrayed, and defeated.
And, once again, it was because of Toman, because his friends turned evil...
It wasn't just about saving people in the past anymore, it was about stopping the evil at its source.
Stopping Toman, once and for all.
Another hiccup is released as Takemichi wobbled back to his feet, ignoring the pain in his fist and knees, then he huffed. "I'm still going to save you, Hina!!" He bellowed, clenching his fists as more tears spilled from his eyes like giant waterfalls, "No matter how many times I fail? I'll just keep trying over and over again!!! Until I reach the future where you're finally safe!!"
Such a vow almost appeared childish and stupid, but Takemichi meant every word. And as he stared into the core of the rising flames, his tears dried, and his anger grew. Then, with a turn of his heel, Takemichi walked away from the flames, his fists still clenching with anger.
"Who are you, Takemichi?!"
'(Y/N)... I've finally made up my mind.' He thought, wiping his tears as his teeth clenched; his anger now skyrocketing through the roof.
"Now? I'm going to be the head of Toman."
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷