Again.” Wakasa repeated with more superiority. Takemichi did so with the same amount of energy and when he looked back at Wakasa again he said the same thing. The process repeated until Takemichi knelt down, now punching his bloody fists onto the ground, sobbing.
Shinichiro was about to run over to him but Wakasa held up a hand, telling him to stop. Having his mouth mid-open, Shinichiro sat back down and Wakasa took a few steps towards the younger adult. He put a hand on Takemichi’s right shoulder.
“I know how it feels.” He said soft enough for Shinichiro to hear.
And he couldn’t do anything about it.
Shinichiro hated feeling useless. That was the reason why he wanted to rise up to the top. So that he could help his fellow peers and the people who need assistance.
He’s never felt this vulnerable since he saw Akane die. Shinichiro didn’t count his own ‘death’ as a vulnerability. If he was to die on August 14, 2003, then so be it. It was fate for it to happen and Shinichiro couldn’t have changed it.
But we have a chance to change everything now. We will rewrite fate.
“I’ve seen my best friends die in front of me and my cr-” Wakasa stiffened as he looked at Shinichiro. “-commander decided to just up and die to pliers on the head. I guess even someone as emotionless as I am resorts to the same coping mechanisms as someone who is so emotional as you are.”
Shinichiro’s head turned slightly. Waka did not mean to say ‘commander.’ What did he mean to say then?
Takemichi didn’t say anything, but only stared at his hands.
“How do you deal with it?” He whispered. Wakasa scoffed.
“Why does it matter to you? You can time travel back to see the people you’ve lost and save them. It’s hitting two birds with one stone.” With that, Takemichi’s tear glands burst as drops of liquid fell onto the concrete ground.
Shinichiro’s heart couldn’t help but warm up at the scene. Ever since Wakasa met Takemichi, he almost gave off a cold exterior towards him only to teach him because the ex-leader begged him to.
He smiled, despite the current situation at hand.
I’m glad you’ve finally made a friend other than me, Waka.
卍
Shinichiro closed the door behind him silently as he took one last look at Takemichi, who was sleeping in the ex-delinquent’s bed. Takemichi was clutching onto the navy blue blanket with his bandaged hands as if it were January.
Once he closed the door, Shinichiro headed towards the kitchen where Wakasa was reheating their coffees. He handed Shinichiro his cup wordlessly and split up the granola bar he was about to eat before they realized Takemichi was in the gym. With a silent ‘thanks,’ Shinichiro took it and they sat by the table next to each other.
