March 2006.
Grandpa Sano lets you and Chifuyu in after explaining that Mikey left something for you before he left home. The old man looked especially sad. It was clear Mikey didn't give the poor man a warning before running off.
"That boy always ran away during times like these," he tells you.
The three of you sat at the kitchen table. He wanted to chat with you for a bit. Both you and Chifuyu stayed quiet, letting the old man have his words out first.
"Manjiro... He's always been hard-headed," Grandpa Sano starts, "Too stubborn to ask for help and too stubborn to allow himself to be weak." He sighs, "This could be my fault."
"I trained him harder than all my students," Mr. Sano continues, "He was my grandson. I wanted him to succeed the most. My method, however, wasn't gentle."
Grandpa Sano explains that his goal was to have a predecessor for the Sano dojo. It was initially supposed to be Shinichiro, but he wasn't interested in it at all. When Mikey was only a toddler, he already had the control and agility of a martial artist. At 4, he was able to kick a bottle cap without the bottle falling over.
Mikey surpassed all of the older kids who studied in the dojo. Grandpa Sano took pride in him. So much so that he would praise his efforts and degrade other students. Comparing Mikey's talents to the others'.
As he talks, you couldn't help but feel how awful the other students must've felt. It's almost like Mikey was just born great. Those who worked or trained hard must've felt inferior.
I see now, you think. Mikey's perception of strength must've been built from training. And it was solidified at such a young age... No wonder he can be so arrogant at times.
"The only time I've seen the boy cry was when he was still a baby," Grandpa Sano says. "He never shows himself when he's vulnerable. Viewing it as weak. When his mother was pronounced dead and the doctors let us say our goodbyes. The boy ran away. I was the first to notice. The boy went out to cry alone."
The man frowns, "He couldn't hide his red eyes and nose. Even when Shinichiro died, he ran. I wouldn't doubt if the boy did the same when Emma..." The man starts to sob, "When he found out Emma was gone too..."
"He... Never cried in front of you...?" You asked quietly, in disbelief. The old man nodded.
Back in August, when Draken's surgery was a success. You were the first to notice Mikey leaving. And the only one who went after him. You could tell that was abnormal for Mikey. He expected to be left alone. You began to realize how vulnerable Mikey was with you. You wondered if you were the only person to see him cry at all.
As blessed as Mikey was with strength and skill, he was definitely cursed. A father dying in a car accident. A mother taken from a terminal illness. Both blood-related siblings dead and even Izana, who he wholeheartedly accepted as his family. A life like that... Anyone would've grown up bitter. Resentful... Hateful.
The boy who smiled and comforted everyone that it was okay was the one who needed the comfort the most. It was clear he tried to help himself. His whole life, he's been trying to help himself through this darkness he's facing.
After the fight with Black Dragons, he said he wanted to speak with Takemichi privately. You wondered if that was a call for help. For Takemichi to 'guide him' like a big brother would. Like he told you before.
"Yeah, I see him as a brother too. He's actually super similar to Shinichiro!"
Now that Takemichi left, how can I help Mikey now...
You stood up from your seat, surprising both Chifuyu and Mr. Sano. "I promise you that I will bring back your grandson!" You said ambitiously. You bow in front of the old man, "Please, train me!"
Grandpa Sano was shocked. He would've never guessed you wanted to train under him. Especially after what he's told you. "I'm not physically as capable as Mikey and I don't think I'll ever reach his level," you admit, "But I want to get stronger!"
You raise your head up, "I need to get stronger!"
Grandpa Sano's eyes widened for a split second. His face then softens and he smiles at you fondly. "You must love Manjiro, don't you?"
Your face warms up at his question. "I'll give it some thought," the old man tells you, "I'm old. I haven't taught in years."
"Take as much time as you need," you bowed again. Thanking him for his consideration.
-
"So this is Mikey's room?" Chifuyu comments, looking around.
Grandpa Sano granted the two of you permission to enter the garage. "This must be it!" You point at a gift back that sat on the L-shaped couch.
You opened it up and it was a My Melody plush. The same one you pointed at when you two went to the arcade back in October. Chifuyu found it slightly anti-climactic. You set the plush aside and dig in the bag. There was an envelope. You opened it up and there was cash as well as a letter.
─────────
To [Y/N],
I'm writing this because I can't bring myself to give you a proper goodbye. I hope you forgive me. As well as forget about me.
It's clear to me that I'm a hopeless cause. I feel that I'm meant to be alone. I know I won't be pleasant to be around anymore. Please don't try to stop me from leaving. Going down this path is my own decision. I no longer want to burden you or anyone with my troubles. It's my fault you were caught up in Toman's messes. And my fault you were abducted.
I got you that plush you wanted as well as your money back for the parfait you bought back in October. The last thing I owe you is a happy, trouble-free life. Which is why I'm leaving.
Do not follow me. I am unworthy of you.
- Mikey
─────────
"Damn..." Chifuyu muttered. You continued to stare blankly at the letter. Unsure how to react. Judging by the last vision you saw of him, he was right. Mikey wouldn't be pleasant to be around at all.
You wanted to grant his wishes. You felt like you couldn't blame him for wanting to leave. But did you really want to just let him go?
How can I live a 'happy, trouble-free life' without you...?
You put the letter down, "He's an idiot if he thinks I'll listen to him!" You put the stuff back in its bag. "You're really sure about this?" Chifuyu asked. "You walked closer to the boy and roughly place your hands on his shoulders. "Chifuyu! This is our Sasuke retrieval arc!"
"OUR WHAT?!" He blurts out. Not expecting that sentence to come out of your mouth. "Oh? I'm the weirdo?!" You raise your voice in offence to his disbelief. "That whole 'girls like polka-dots' bit you did was just as weird!"
"So what? You're gonna start saying 'datebayo'?" Chifuyu teases, chuckling between his words. You lightly punch him on the shoulder and he laughs more. "I'm just trying to use references you can understand!" You say in embarrassment.
The two of you walked out of the garage, you took the bag with you. You said goodbye to Grandpa Sano before leaving the gates.
You sit behind Chifuyu on his bike. He starts to drive. "It's clear he's not asking for help anymore," you said. "Mikey's downright refusing it. I feel like he thinks he doesn't deserve it. So he's letting himself go down a dark path."
"So we have to knock him down to his senses," Chifuyu replies. "Do you really think you can face him?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"By no means am I implying that you're weak!" Chifuyu frantically clarifies. "Back in October. When I was against Baji during our fight with Valhalla. I couldn't even bring myself to hit him. Even when he let him."
You think more about it. Going up against Mikey in the state he's in terrified you. He was unpredictable. You didn't even foresee him recruiting people like Kokonoi and other Tenjiku members. But how can he promise a happy life for you if he can't live one for himself?
"I'll find a way," you replied. "Maybe I don't have to fight him. I could just... I could just talk to him! He'll listen."
"If you're confident, then I trust you," Chifuyu says. "Let me and the other guys handle him first though. I'd be pretty pissed if you went to confront him and got hurt," the blonde admits.
You smile. "How sweet," you comment. Chifuyu blushes at your compliment. "If that's the case, then I'll watch over you during the whole thing with my foresight," you tell him, "So I can act as quickly as possible!"
Chifuyu parks in front of your apartment. "Is your plan B still to fight his new gang?" He asks. You get off his bike, "I mean... What else is there to do? I'm not just going to give up on him." Chifuyu smiles softly, "I understand."
You reach your hand to the blonde, "I'll see you!" Chifuyu takes your hand, "Can't wait."
You clasp each other's hands, hooking thumbs. You loosen your grip but Chifuyu's hand lingers as you pull your hand away. Like he wanted to continue holding you.
Chapter fifty-four, end.