One Shot
-Hey Wakasa, you’re late- Benkei complains to his partner with a bit of annoyance, Wakasa has just arrived for the meeting of the‘Triumvirate’of the Black Dragons.
Wakasa for his part keeps his face bored and expressionless -Yeah, whatever- The captain of the gang’s Special Attack Unit exclaims nonchalantly, obviously irritating the responsible (yet hot-headed) Benkei.
Although Wakasa and Benkei were friends since their gangs came together (leading to the formation of the Black Dragons), there were obviously still some rivalries and problems due to their different personalities...
This was already normal for Takeomi, the first president of the Black Dragons (nicknamed“God of War“), who ignored as usual the small fights of his friends and sought to initiate the meeting of the executives of the gang... But then Takeomi noticed how the others’ eyes were looking at something particular (while Wakasa and Benkei were focused on each other).
Takeomi had just realized that there was something, rathersomeone, behind Wakasa.
-Wakasa, who is that?- Takeomi asks surprised.
-Oh?- Wakasa exclaims, taken by surprise, although his face hadn’t really changed much.
The captain moves a few steps and everyone can see who was behind him, itlookedlike a 13-year-old boy, with blue eyes and wavy black hair. The most surprising thing about that boy is that he was in a very bad condition, with his face red and full of bruises, plus some large tears coming down from his eyes and dirty or torn clothes in various areas.
-This is Takemichi. Now he’s my recruit- Wakasa calmly proclaims.
-Hey, that’s a decision you should have told us about- Benkei exclaims.
-Where did you find it? He looks like shit...- Takeomi mentions his friend with some concern -You didn’t kidnap him, did you?-
-I did not kidnap him, I just found him today- Wakasa explains calmly -He was getting a beating from some wannabe delinquents and he caught my attention- The captain finishes, thinking that he didn’t need any more explanation.
-Okay, I guess you can keep him- Takeomi proclaims, as if Takemichi was a lost pup that Wakasa found on the street.
Except for Takeomi and Wakasa, the rest of the members were quite worried about the injured and crying boy (now sitting next to Wakasa).
In their first meeting the boy seemed very scared, which was not a surprise, he was about 3 or 4 years younger than the rest of the people in that meeting (Benkei, Takeomi and Wakasa for example were 16 years old, but they already had a reputation and intimidating appearance), but soon Takemichi Hanagaki could always be seen behind Wakasa...
*******
-I’m part of a gang now- Takemichi reveals to her best friend, Akane Inui, who is caught off guard by the comment.
-What?! How?!- Akane exclaims.
-Cool!- Seishu mentions admiring Takemichi with bright eyes.
-That isn’t cool Inupi! It’s dangerous- Akane promptly scolds her younger brother.
-Remember when I was defending you from some bullies in the park and this long-haired guy intervened?- Takemichi asks Akane, who of course nods -Well... his name is Wakasa, and he’s one of the captains of the gang. He recruited me-Takemichi explains to his friend that she can’t believe what Takemichi just got himself into.
-Why?- Akane exclaims worried that people will try to take advantage of Takemichi.
-In part, they think I’m a boy- Takemichi mentions.
Akane was silent for a few moments -What?-
-Yeah, they think I’m a boy. Probably because it was full of wounds and dirt- Takemichi explains still with some disbelief.
Takemichi wasn’t very feminine in appearance, she wasn’t ugly but she didn’t care about looking or being perceived as pretty either. So, she could pass as an effeminate boy or a ‘normal’ girl, and the Black Dragon perceived her as the former (a boy still with a high-pitched voice and effeminate features).
-Surely you can do something to get out... Right?- Akane proposes with concern, but soon Takemichi had shrugged her shoulders and resignation...
The next time the Inui family saw Takemichi, she was wearing clearly masculine clothing and had trimmed her hair a little shorter, now dyed blonde (although it kept its wavy shape).
-Takemichi? What did you do to your hair darling?- Mrs. Inushi exclaims worried about the usually well-behaved and innocent Takemichi, who now looked like a delinquent.
Akane hid in her smile how she wanted to hurt the Black Dragons.
While the young Inupi experienced butterflies in his stomach.
-Hey Takemichi, fire- Takeomi orders and with a simple word, Takemichi took out a lighter and lit the Black Dragon president’s cigarette.
Takeomi had started smoking at a relatively young age, ever since he got into the gang world... at first he did it for the appearances, but then it became somewhat of a vice.
Takemichi walks away a bit, since (s)he really can’t stand the smell of cigarettes very well. The reaction causes a small smile from Takeomi.
-I already told you to stop doing that in front of Takemichi-Wakasa mentions with a slight annoyance, and Takeomi can’t help but laugh in response.
-I’m sorry, I just enjoy doing it- Takeomi admits, he liked to give Takemichi orders as a way to annoy his friend Wakasa, who in a short time had taken a liking to his young recruit.
Takemichi was now officially a member of the Black Dragons, but unlike most new recruits, Takemichi rubbed shoulders with the gang’s leaders.
The boy seemed to still be the same crybaby as the first time the Black Dragons sawhim, and (s)he always had some injury, but the personality of Takemichi was quite endearing...
-Takemitchy-senpai!- Suddenly, children’s voices are heard, interrupting the four members of the Black Dragons.
Benkei, Wakasa, and Takeomi were taken aback by the sudden blush on their subordinate, now surrounded by a few children around 6 or 7 years old (one was 10, but he was the exception).
-Senpai?- Takeomi asks in surprise, getting up from his seat to look Takemichi in the eye, who for a moment trembled in fear.
-Yes...These are the children I take care of- Takemichi exclaims nervously -I don’t know if you remember, but I recently started working as a babysitter- Takemichi exclaims, promptly muttering (some children were legitimately taken care of by Takemichi as a babysitter, but in some cases Takemichi just had taken responsibility of caring for the infantsandtheir friends - in essence, Takemichi actually cared for more children than the ones in contract).
-I remember- Wakasa and Benkei exclaim promptly, leaving Takeomi in evidence...
-Whatever! ... Aren’t you going to introduce us to your‘kouhai’, Takemichi?- Takeomi promptly indicates to his subordinate.
-Of course!- Takemichi promptly agrees, motioning for the children to introduce themselves. At first the children had trouble ordering themselves and they all tried to introduce themselves at the same time, luckily Takemichi seemed to be able to put some order...
-I am Izana Kurokawa- exclaims the oldest of the group of children, a boy of 10 with slightly darker skin and violet eyes.
-Kakucho Hitto- A boy with a scar appears behind Takemichi.
-I call him Kaku-chan- Takemichi murmurs pampering little Kakucho, a little embarrassed by the gesture (the Black Dragons laughed, but the rest of the children were a little jealous of Takemichi’s attention towards Kakucho).
-Oi, I’m Baji- a black-haired boy exclaims as he devours a bag of snacks (Takemichi had learned that a hungry Baji was...troublesome).
-I’m Chifuyu Matsuno, my pleasure- A boy with a few cat scratches introduces himself politely.
-Kazutora...- A boy behind Baji and Chifuyu introduces himself, looking at the Black Dragon with almost feline eyes...
-I’m Takashi Mitsuya, Takemichi-senpai also takes care of my two sisters- Mitsuya exclaims at his introduction.
-Haruki Hayashida...better call me Pah-chin- Pah introduces himself.
-I’m Manjiro!-A boy with bleached hair introduces himself excitedly next to his brother, who kept his hair black. They both had dark eyes, but they seemed friendly enough.
-I’m Shinichiro Sano, this is my brother Mikey- The black-haired brother introduces himself politely, pointing to the previous boy as “Manjiro Sano” or simply Mikey.
-How’s it going? I am Ken Ryuguji- A fairly tall boy introduces himself from behind the Sano brothers.
-Wow, you have a mini-army- Takeomi mentions with some surprise from so many children. Right now you could count 10, but apparently there were more...
-And who are you?!- Mikey asks quickly as he took Takemichi’s hand, but his gaze was still fixed on the Black Dragons.
-Mikey, control your tone- Izana insists to his younger (adoptive) brother and Shinichiro (Mikey’s biological brother) supports him in this.
-I’m your senpai’s senpai, brat- Takeomi mentions annoyed to little Mikey’s, who was looking at him defiantly.
-Are you going to fight a child?- Benkei asks, he is not really surprised.
-Hey, I’m Takemichi’s captain- Wakasa insists.
-And I’m your boss Waka, Takemichi is also my subordinate- Takeomi promptly discusses‘priorities’with Wakasa.
Benkei rolls his eyes -I’m Keizo Arashi, but everyone calls me Benkei- The man mentions calmly, although he was undoubtedly intimidating the children a bit because of his appearance and size, he seemed at that moment somewhat more reasonable than Takeomi or Wakasa.
-So they study in the same place as you or...?- Izana asks Takemichi curiously.
-Well, no. We are in the same ‘group’ so to speak. They are my superiors- The blonde indicates to the oldest of the children.
-I definitely don’t like your ‘superiors’ Takemitchy-senpai- Mikey promptly insists, and with him a few children formed a barrier between their senpai and the Black Dragons. Benkei sighed calmly while Takeomi and Wakasa were clearly upset.
-Mmm... Decided, now you’re also going to take care of my younger siblings Takemichi- Takeomi orders to his subordinate.
-...Okay- Takemichi calmly accepts -You’re going to pay me right?...Right?-
-Takemichi, I’m your boss. Aren’t you going to do me a favor?- Takeomi mentions almost offended.
-Penny pincher- Wakasa and Benkei exclaim at their friend’s behavior.
*******
-Look at my uniform- Takemichi exclaims wearing her new Black Dragons jacket to her friend Akane, who was with Inupi and the latter’s friend, Kokonoi (or Koko) -How does it look?-
-Fine?- Akane exclaims, she’s not really convinced that her friend should continue in the Black Dragons. After all Takemichi doesn’t really know how to fight and many times she has come up with troubling wounds for Akane...
-Just fine? It looks wonderful- Inupi exclaims excitedly.
-Thank you very much Inupi- Takemichi says to his friend’s younger brother, patting the young man’s head (who was also taken care of by Takemichi on occasions -in fact, this is why Takemichi became a nanny, as a part-time job).
Takemichi’s true gender was a secret for at least 1 whole year, where the Black Dragons had simply accepted Takemichi as a girly boy. There was no problem with this, since Takemichi practically won over the whole gangand a few admirers...
Not so much because of appearance (although that was certainly a factor), but because Takemichi had a personal vigor that drew people around its person.
A will to never give up inspired the Black Dragons in every battle (s)he participated in.
But eventually the secret had to come out.
The first to know was Takemichi’s captain, Wakasa Imaushi (now 17, while Takemichi was 14).
Wakasa had found out that Takemichi was in the hospital, but not because of a fight (as usual). It turns out that Takemichi had entereda fireto save the Inui family’s daughter and son.
The captain of the Special Attack Unit was not surprised at the bravery of his subordinate, but he was worried about its health.
-Hey, Takemichi- Wakasa greets with his seemingly carefree face, finding a hospital room with four people.
One was Takemichi and the other three were, as Wakasa would later discover, Akane, Inupi and Koko.
-Wakasa!-Takemichi greets smiling seeing the captain, greeting him politely.
The room was quite strange, Akane was looking at Wakasa with some annoyance (she still remembered him and hear of him a lot...), Inupi was looking curiously at Takemichi’s superior from his bed with some bandages covering a part of his face (where a scar would form...) and Koko was indifferent (although he preferred to be cautious around captain Wakasa).
The captain of the Black Dragons sat down next to Takemichi, who was with some bandages and scrapes, but well enough to be sitting between Akane and Inupi’s hospital beds -Do you know them?- Wakasa asked, the captain knew firsthand Takemichi’s ability to self-sacrifice but it angered him that(s)hewould risk its life so much if it was formerestrangers.
-Yes- Takemichi replies with a brief blush on the cheeks as the captain stares atherface tooclosely.
-I see...-Wakasa mentions calmly.
-I think you remember Akane, she was there the day we met- Takemichi insists pointing toherfriend. There is a brief exchange of glances and Wakasa shakes hands with Akane, who is still silent.
Thanks to Takemichi’s actions and Koko’s help, Akane and Inupi were in relatively good condition -This is my captain, Wakasa Imaushi- Takemichi exclaims speaking familiarly of its superior.
-Michi-chan has told us about you- Akane mentions still with some coldness, fortunately the parents of the Inui family were out of the house (doing various things) during the fire and Akane could afford to act with some freedom.
-Good to know, I don’t think Takemichi ever mentioned a girlfriend or anything...Michi-chan?- Wakasa exclaims nonchalantly at first, but then he’s taken a bit by surprise. The nickname of his subordinate gave him a certain grace...
Takemichi was nervous, but she couldn’t stop Akane -Oh, you really don’t know...Takemichi is a girl- Akane reveals to Wakasa.
-...What?- Wakasa asks.
Kokonoi is surprised that the Black Dragons executives hadn’t noticed it yet, but like Inupi, he was silent.
Wakasa was quiet, he kept his face calm most of the time, but now he was clearly thoughtful or in disbelief as Takemichi tried to explainherself. Akane for her part was staring at one of the Black Dragons captains, waiting for some particular reaction.
-Impossible, I don’t believe you- Wakasa mentions, almost in denial. He had known Takemichi for 1 year and had doubts that Takeomi, Benkei or him hadn’t figured out Takemichi’s gender.
-It’s true, you just mistook me for a boy...- Takemichi admits with small tears coming out of her eyes.
-...Can Icheck?- Wakasa asks still skeptically, but as soon as he says that Akane slaps him.
Takemichi stepped between Wakasa and Akane, stopping the battle between the two through tears and determination(which made a few Inupi and Koko’s heartbeats skip).
Finally Wakasa had discovered (and accepted) that Takemichi had always really been a girl...
After this Wakasa became much more protective around Takemichi, Wakasa was already quite attached to his subordinate before, but now he treated Takemichi like a younger brother (actually sister).
Trying to prevent the rest of the Black Dragons from taking too much notice of Takemichi, helping him with bigger clothes and other methods to hide his gender, further defending him in fights and the like...
Wakasa had become an everyday part of Takemichi and Akane’s lives (although she still didn’t like Wakasa at all).
-Hey Takemichi- Benkei greets the dyed blond young man.
-Hello!- Takemichi greets back, finding Benkei calm while Takeomi and Wakasa were arguing -What happens now?-
-Mmm...Tell me Takemichi, between the three of us, who is your favorite?- Benkei asks Takemichi directly, taking Takemichi by surprise and attracting the attention of Wakasa and Takeomi(whose eyes pierced Benkei’s back).
-...Wakasa-Takemichi answers.
-Waka?! How are you going to choose Wakasa?- Takeomi asks to Takemichi with annoyance, while the aforementioned goes to hug Wakasa (who smiles almost devilishly at his boss).
-Wakasa is the older brother I never had- Takemichi admits as(s)hecontinues to hughersuperior.
Benkei calmly sighs as Takeomi and Wakasa fight after Takemichi’s favoritism, soon Benkei and Takemichi were calmly talking about other matters.
At 16, Takemichi’s secret was impossible to hide.
Wakasa couldn’t do anything, Takemichi soon became curvier and developed more in diversity of places (body and mind), no one could counter-argue or think that she was a boy with delicate features...
Wakasa gathered Benkei and Takeomi at Takemichi’s house, along with Akane, to present the truth to his comrades regarding Takemichi.
Takeomi and Benkei were also incredulous that after years, they were just realizing Takemichi’s gender (when her figure was already impossible to hide...).
-...Takemichi, fire- Takeomi orders, and soon they repeat the ‘order’ they have been doing for a few years, with Takemichi lighting the cigarette of Takeomi (now a 19 years old)-...Yeah, I think I can get used to it to this. Takemichi is definitely going to stay with the Black Dragons- The God of War ends, with Takemichi crying tears of joy.
-Thank you very much boss!- Takemichi exclaims politely, with Benkei proceeding to go through some apologies and formalities.
Wakasa sighed calmly, knowing that he could keep Takemichi in his division... but Wakasa and Akane didn’t feel too sure, seeing how Takeomi looked at Takemichi out of the corner of his eye during that meeting.
Everything seemed to be going well, anyone who crossed the line with Takemichi had problems and everything seemed to follow its natural course...
Until the youngsters that Takemichi had cared for since their childhoods became teenagers, who founded their own gang.
It is the year 2008, and the criminal-gang world of Japan was undergoing certain transformations... some time ago the Black Dragons practically became a yakuza organization (the leaders reached 20 years of age and led the Black Dragons to the big leagues of the criminal world).
This was the culmination of the golden age of the Black Dragons, who were practically untouchable and acted with increasing impunity.
To defend their members and protect the interests of the group, members now had greater freedom to use weapons and illegal activities (removing the previous impositions that limited violence and weapons within the Black Dragons).
However, the old place of the Black Dragons as a gang began to be occupied as someone else, whose growth towards criminality was now beginning to be a thorn in the side of the Black Dragons...
In 2005 at the age of 18, Izana Kurokawa and his adoptive brothers Shinichiro and Mikey (15 years old at the time) founded the Tokyo Manji Gang or simply ”Toman" which began to cause a stir in Tokyo and beyond as it defeated or absorbed other young/minor gangs. Now in 2008 this young Toman evolved into a proper criminal organization.
It was curious, but legitimately all the young people taken care of by Takemichi ended up in criminal groups...
*Kurokawa and the Sanos founded Toman, which soon included Kakucho, Ken Ryuguji (now more known as Draken), Pah-chin, Baji, Mitsuya, Kazutora, and Chifuyu (and more) among its top executives.
*Inupi, Koko and the Shiba brothers (Taiju and Hakkai) on the other hand joined the Black Dragons, being the subordinates of the now vice-captain Takemichi.
The Toman was causing problems in the territory of the Black Dragons, whose now 27-year-old leaders could not allow this confrontation...
-Please, don’t hurt them- Takemichi exclaims before Takeomi, Wakasa and Benkei.
-Are you defending them?- Takeomi seriously asks his subordinate.
-... Takeomi, they are still very young- Takemichi, now 21 years old, insists before his boss. Some tears fall through the blue eyes of the black-haired woman.
-That’s true, but we can’t let his recent actions go without consequences...- Wakasa and Benkei try to argue between Takemichi and Takeomi.
-Very well, then let’s talk to them- Takeomi finally concedes, if these young people were reasonable, they would submit to the Black Dragons...
-Takemichi, fire- Takeomi orders his black-haired subordinate, who promptly lights her boss’s cigarette.
Takeomi Akashi smiles internally, seeing the annoyed looks of several members of the Toman, during their youth they all had a kind of crush on the girl (now a woman) with blue eyes and it seemed that their feelings still burned to some extent.
At that meeting, among the members of the Black Dragons were Takeomi, Wakasa, Takemichi, Benkei, Taiju and Hakkai, Inupi and Koko, among some minor members.
Among the members of the Toman were Izana, Mikey, Shinichiro, Kakucho and Draken, among some minor executives such as the Haitani, Baji, Chifuyu and others.
The meeting actually seemed to come to a standstill, Izana and Mikey refusing to give up territory in front of Takeomi, Benkei and Wakasa, who naturally weren’t going to allow themselves to receive orders or demands from the newcomers.
However, everything was really broken because of Shinichiro...
-Takemitchy, would you go on a date with me?- Shinichiro excitedly asks the raven-haired woman, who is caught off guard by the 18-year-old’s request.
-Sure?- Takemichi agrees still a bit confused, but she is quite happy to see Shinichiro’s smile.
Hell literally broke loose in that room, as all the people obsessed with Takemichi fought each other.
-I can’t believe you accepted a date with the enemy- Takeomi exclaims annoyed.
-I don’t think Shinichiro is our enemy, he’s too sweet...he just has bad luck with women, and I think he deserves a chance- Takemichi assures to her boss with a little sweat falling from her forehead. Shinichiro had some fame as the‘heart’of the Toman, he was able to lead the Toman in combat through his personality and charisma...but he was unable to fight or get a date (rejected at least 20 times...).
Actually Shinichiro and Takemichi were very similar...
-Likewise, I refuse!-Takeomi insists before his subordinate, being supported by Wakasa and Takemichi’s subordinates.
-But what if this helps us avoid a conflict with the Toman?- Takemichi exclaims trying to reason with his boss.
-I’d rather go to war than use one of our own as a sacrificial calf. Especially if that sacrifice is about leaving you alone with one of the leaders of the Toman- Takeomi responds simply, and his word seems final...
*******
One of Takeomi’s hands ran down the back of Takemichi, who was spiraling into Takeomi’s lap while she was ”serving" him.
A brief shiver occurs in the black-haired woman, who for a moment lets out a moan that is higher than the rest.
Takeomi smiles briefly and continues to lower his hand, stopping at Takemichi’s hips. Takeomi’s fun is disturbed only because someone opens the door, Inupi was there...
The boy with the scar stops, while Takeomi looks at him out of the corner of his eye and Takemichi stops, on the verge of tears at the embarrassment of that moment.
-...She really loves you and them very much. Later you are going to accompany her to her appointment with Shinichiro- Takeomi orders the boy with the scar, while he leaves a reddish mark on the back of the black-haired girl -Maybe after I give you a turn if you behave- The boss affirms.
-I’m so sorry you had to see that, Inupi- Takemichi sniffles into Inupi’s shoulder.
The young man with the scar was next to his superior in a corridor, hugging her while no one was looking.
-...Takemichi, you don’t need to apologize- Inupi assures taking the dark-haired girl’s hand and kissing it, as if it were the most delicate thing in the world.
Takemichi definitely didn’t feel worthy of that at the time... Before the date she brought about a sort of ‘peace’ between the Toman and the Black Dragons, but Inupi knew it was a false peace.
-I offer you my life, now I want to protect you- Inupi insists while he continues to grab Takemichi.
Takemichi sobbed into the young man with the scar a little more -It’s not necessary, nobody has to sacrifice for me- The black-haired woman assures trying to smile at Inupi, but in reality he does not accept Takemichi’s smile, not this time.
