𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄━━━S. Manjiro

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗶𝘅𝘁𝘆-𝗦𝗶𝘅

Due to your injuries, you were excused from school for a while. Your wound has yet to heal but going to school won't worsen your condition, so you're already eligible to go.

Sitting on your seat as you watch the yellow-orange sky and the sunset from a distance inside the desolate classroom, all sorts of thoughts were inside your head as you immersed yourself with these thoughts.

'Mikey never came after all...'

Was your approach too strong? Too shameless, even?

This was the first time you've ever hit a slump such as this. Normally, no matter what the problem is, you only proceed with the most effective and efficient plan to carry out, no matter what kind of method, even if it's cruel or heartless. However, when it comes to Mikey...

Ah, why is it so hard to make a decision?

Why is it that when it comes to him, your options become limited? Becoming more considerate and worrisome, isn't it too out of character of yourself? Something like this has never happened before. When it came to dealing with Mikey, you thought that talking about the matter frankly with him and coming up with a solution that would not hurt him or anyone from the Toman would suffice.

But this time, you weren't even given a single chance of talking with him! This was too much of a shock, that for the first time, you spent the whole day blanking out just like this.

'Should I just raid him in their house and his room then?'

Perhaps, violence might just be the right answer after all...

If you think about it, you're also a gangster. This would throw off the whole organization if word came out that you attacked the president, however, if that fact doesn't come out...

Heh.

You'll gain the opportunity to meet Mikey, and you will be able to talk to him face-to-face.

Such a win-win situation, huh.

After thinking about all the possible consequences, you took your phone out and at the same time, grabbed your bag and stood up from your seat to get ready to leave the school premises. You searched for Emma's name among your contacts and immediately dialed her number. 'Proceeding with this exact plan, how laughable the fact that I've become so ruleless and reckless ever since all these time leaping happened.' But no matter. As long as this option can alleviate the tension between you and him, you'll do it.

You already left your classroom when Emma finally picked up the call. With your phone next to your ear, you spoke in a very lighthearted manner, "Emma, good afternoon." Your strides didn't stop and you only went on with your walk.

"Are you home right now?" You asked very casually. You can hear noises on the other side of the call, giving you thought that Emma might be in a public place right now. "Ah, [Nickname]? No, no, I'm with my friends right now. Ah, wait a second!"

Indeed, you waited until you reached the gates of your school. Emma finally returned to the call and asked immediately, "Sorry, [Nickname]! My friends were making a fuss about something. But anyway, why do you ask?"

"Ah, right. I'm actually planning to head to your house. Is Mikey still holed up in his room?"

"Oh...! To visit him, huh? I think so, he really hasn't left his room."

"Hm, I see."

"... Hey, [Nickname]? Did you and Mikey... Have a fight?"

You stopped in your tracks and you fell into silence for a while. Meanwhile, taking the silence as an answer, you heard Emma sighing from the phone. "I'm not really going to ask why but, I hope that the both of you will return to how you were like before..." Her soft and calm voice, as well as her hopeful wish, reached your ears. And although it's not like she'd be able to see your motion, you still nodded your head and followed with a reply.

"Mhm. I'll make sure of it, Emma."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Now standing before the traditional household of the Sano family, you steeled yourself brought your hand to the air, and stayed still for a long while. Only when you've confirmed that you're ready for the planned confrontation, you knocked and waited.

After a few minutes or so, the gates opened a bit and through the small crack, Grandpa Sano peeked. After seeing your face, he finally widened the gap of the door and let you in.

He led you inside the house, and the two of you exchanged words and greetings here and there. But you didn't mention anything regarding Manjiro. Despite that, the two of you stopped right in front of Manjiro's closed room. As if the elderly man already knew what you came for, he looked at you with a sincere approving gaze and nodded his head. And with a gentle voice, he spoke,

"Please take care of that idiot grandson of mine."

You were not even given a chance to reply back, as he only closed his eyes and walked away without any further words to say. "Ah..." You muttered blankly as you stared at the old man's fragile back. And when he's finally gone from your sight, you turn your head and look at the door.

Manjiro's room, which is inside a storehouse right outside the dojo strays a bit away from their actual household. So whatever is said and is done here, stays inside. You lowered your gaze with solemnity for a long while, contemplating what to say and not to say.

But then again...

You raised your right leg and without any more hesitation, you forced open the door with a single kick.

'Let me just repeat this... I really, really have become reckless, huh...'

"Mikey. Let's have a talk."

Happy New Year, everyone!! New year, new chapter! And so, the next time you'll be seeing me is next year again teehee!

Published: January 5, 2024