Keep Fighting

𓊈卍 𝟗𝟓 卍𓊉

Takemichi walks along the street, his hands stuffed in his pockets, eyes fixed on the orange sky above him. His mind is clouded with thoughts, the most worrisome ones. He doesn't know anything about this future. All his friends lied to him, his sister and friend are missing, and the only person with answers is a complete stranger.

(L/n) (Y/n). That's a name he doesn't recognize. He hasn't met them in the past, so he has no idea if they're worth trusting. The only interaction he had with them was at Nakano's funeral yesterday. They said he would leave him be, but offered him answers before he left.

His body is on autopilot as he turns onto the next street. He snaps out of it when he accidentally bumps into someone. "Ah... Sorry." He tries to walk past them, but they grab onto his shoulder. However, he isn't having it today. "Oi! I'm in a hurry-!"

"Didn't think I'd be running into you so soon."

He recognizes that voice. Takemichi gets a better look at the person and relaxes once he realizes who it is. "(L/n)-san?"

(Y/n) looks just as surprised for a moment before composing themself. "Good timing."

"Huh?"

"I'm meeting up with my informant. C'mon."

Takemichi has no time for questions as (Y/n) walks off, beckoning him to follow. He does without hesitation, desperate to find answers. He's doing his best to have patience and hold onto hope, but after all the futures he's seen, they just keep getting worse and worse.

"There he is." (Y/n) says as they point towards a dark alleyway.

Takemichi squints to get a better look at the person hiding in the dark, but when he gets a better look, his eyes widen. "Naoto?" Takemichi calls out to him in shock at seeing him here.

(Y/n) shoves Takemichi into the alleyway and puts a finger up to their lips before whispering, "You know him?"

The brother of his fiancee turns to him, eyes widened before he narrows them back at (Y/n). "Why did you bring him here?" he hisses under his breath.

"His sister is the one who's missing," they answer blatantly, unfazed by the harsh tone of the cop's voice. "Whatever you know, you will tell him as well."

"Tell me what?" Takemichi demands when he stops beside them. "Where is my sister?"

"First," (Y/n) intervenes, "Tell me what you learned."

"I can't when he's here," Naoto continues to argue.

"The more time we waste, the more likely the two big crime organisations will continue to compromise civilian safety."

Takemichi feels himself snap to attention. "Crime organisations?" His head turns to direct his widened eyes to Naoto. "When the hell were you going to tell me this?! Don't tell me Toman got involved in all that again!"

(Y/n) rolls their eyes. "For the love of God, keep it down. Just tell him, Naoto."

Naoto sends a glare toward them, before letting out a defeated sigh. "Toman isn't involved this time. It's two different crime organisations trying to take control in Tokyo, and the underground battle is starting to affect innocent civilians. Crime rates have gone up, including money laundering, illegal gambling, all the way to kidnappings and murders. The authorities have been trying to fight back, but these gangs are ruthless."

"It's been growing since the last decade, give or take," (Y/n) adds, "I've lost so many allies and friends, Nakano being one of them. But I have an idea of where she went."

"Really?" Takemichi tenses, part of him knowing what they're about to say. "She got herself involved, didn't she..."

"Yes, but I don't believe she's dead," (Y/n) says. "Do you know about Bonten?"