AN: Hey everyone, SPOILERS FOR CHAPTER 204, somewhat. It does directly connect to what happens, so don't read this if you don't want some sort of spoilers.
Other than that, I literally need more Tokyo Revengers content, so I had to make it myself lmao. Hope you enjoy!
After everything, this is how it ends?
He softly chuckled which sent vibrations throughout his frail body. Slumped against the wall, he avoided looking down at his battered body. Takemichi wasn't afraid to die, far from it.
Even if I die, I will not give up!
The memories that accompanied those words flew across his mind. His lips twitched as if to try and smile, but unable to succeed due to his rapidly decreasing strength. He blinked slowly in an attempt to unblur his surroundings.
Alone.
Just like the beginning, and now he has come full circle. Takemichi preferred it this way, to die in the present time, not in the past running around with only half baked plans and prayers as his source of strength. To die in knowledge that those he saved were safe from him and his fate.
His death was his fault alone, and no one would be able to do what he did. There would be no time travel to save him.
In a way, he knew that in the game that was his life, he was the loser in all scenarios. The only one with knowledge of the could-haves, would-haves. Even with those he shared the past with, they would never know the full extent. He would place that burden on anyone but himself.
The pain of watching those he knew were alive now, die in another life. The feelings of scrambling to remember the past or waking up in the future to only have faint memories of what had happened. Thinking about it all still left him breathless.
They don't need me anymore, though. I fulfilled my role.
No more missions, no more elaborate plans, no more being a punching bag till Mikey or Draken or anyone but himself came and saved the day. They were happy. They were alive, and that was enough for Takemichi.
So let me tell you this, for the last time. Please live a happy life!
He had been told by everyone that it was his turn to be happy and that he deserved it. How could he be happy whilst Mikey was suffering? His happiness could wait. He would wait for the day Mikey would join him with everyone to let himself rest.
Takemichi slowly let his eyes fall to the bloody invitation lying in his hand. The envelope was almost completely red, sticky, and destroyed.
Stray tears began to fall from his eyes as everything hit him. He had been ready to die long ago, but those around him weren't. They were still too young. Although he was now the same age as them, he couldn't say the same for himself. He felt like he lived a lifetime. He was supposed to get married in three days to the love of his life and now he was dying in an abandoned building, shot by the only one who still needed saving.
So much for being a hero.
Once the tears started, they didn't stop. Without the strength to lift his arm and wipe them away, he watched droplets roll down his arm to mix with his blood onto the envelope.
Once a crybaby, always a crybaby.
He still marveled at how he was able to lift Mikey back through the broken window. The gods granted his last wish, although he would rather have gone back in time than stay in his now doomed future. With an unknown burst of strength, he had pulled Mikey high enough to grab the edge and topple onto safe, solid ground.
Takemichi laid with his back to the ground staring at the ceiling as everything around him turned into muted noises. After a moment, he felt a hand on his arm. It gripped him, giving him warmth he didn't know he needed till now.
Seeing the hysterical Mikey before him was surreal. He had only ever seen Mikey visibly upset a few times, each one more devastating than the last.
This was the worst yet.
Takemichi longed to speak, to say anything really, but all that came out was barely whispered,
"Mikey", more lip synced than spoken.
Mikey was speaking, but the words wouldn't reach his ears. He could only blink as Mikey went back and forth from looking around and staring down at Takemichi, all while speaking something unknown.
Seeming to decide something, Mikey watched Takemichi for a moment before grabbing both of his arms and pulling him upright against the wall.
Takemichi could only open his mouth in silent agony as he was moved, the shockwaves from the pain still strong enough to be felt through his beaten body. Once sitting still, he tried, and failed, to take a few deep breaths. His eyes closed in an attempt to force his body to his will.
With his head sitting against the wall, he pried his eyes open. Mikey's frantic eyes met his glossy ones. Nothing was said as if Mikey was waiting for him to speak. Takemichi opened his mouth, having no idea what would come out.
Instead of words, a harsh cough laced with blood sprang from his mouth, leaving more trails of blood down his chin into the growing pile on the ground. Moving his hand up from the pool, Takemichi felt the paper of the envelope in his pocket, only able to clutch the outside of the material confining it.
As his eyes looked down at his pocket, he was unable to hear or see Mikey's realization at the mess of thoughts that had to be going through his head. He gently moved Takemichi's hand to pull out the slightly bloody envelope.
Mikey crinkled it as he tried to stifle his cries. Looking at Takemichi's eyes which still held a determined look and he steeled himself.
He grabbed the limp hand, holding it for a moment, before placing the envelope delicately in the palm. He closed Takemichi's fingers over it and set it back down in his lap. With his hands still lying on top of Takemichi's, he said,
"Hold onto this for me. Don't you dare do anything before I give you my answer!"
Takemichi, although not understanding what Mikey said, did recognize the words hold on. With the biggest smile he could muster up, he stopped the tears that had steadily been gathering up in his eyes from falling, for Mikey.
Wasting no more time, Mikey ran out of Takemichi's sight, probably to get help that would be too late. The smile he put on for Mikey dropped along with his hand sliding from his lap onto the pool of blood beside him.
He never liked disobeying Mikey's direct orders, but he knew that he would not survive long enough to see the next day, let alone another person. No last words to be repeated to others. No tearful goodbyes or demands to stay. No time for regrets.
In a way, Takemichi preferred it this way. His last memories with those he loved were in moments that were carefree. He was free in a way he did not remember. Only after he was able to be successful at saving everyone, did he get a taste of the true happiness he wanted for everyone. His only regret was his last moments with Mikey.
He would always try to save Mikey, even if it meant death. Even death at Mikey's hand.
He was still successful, was he not?
Mikey would be reunited with all their friends, although he wished it would be for his wedding rather than his funeral. His only wish was that no one would blame Mikey. It was his wish to save Mikey; he knew the risk, and was able to save Mikey by taking it.
The more he sat there, the more regrets actually filled his mind.
Hina.
She waited 12 years for him, and it was him leaving her again. A widow before they were even able to get married. It pained Takemichi to have to leave her, but their friends would be able to keep her afloat. Maybe in another life they could finally be happy together.
All he could do was hope.
The only sense he had left was his sight, his hearing being the first sense to fizzle followed by his body going numb. Although his body had actively stopped draining blood, it didn't look as though there was much left anyway.
As the black spots grew, Takemichi ceased his tears. It would do no good to die crying. He kept his eyes open, with the impossible hope that Mikey or someone, anyone, would barge in. They could beat up the 'bad guy' and everyone would survive another day.
Now that I saved everyone, is it too late to save myself?
Just as he saw some blurry figures up ahead, did his vision finally fail him. Going from blurry, to black dots, and finally a black void filled his sight. His eyes remained open, but the only thing left moving was the stuttering breaths, farther apart each time.
Once again, gathering the last of his reserves of his nonexistent strength, Takemichi made his body do his will one last time. He let a smile, slightly bigger than before fill his face. A final goodbye to those that had found him, something he could give them when words failed him.
And with that final thought, he breath ceased.
AN: Let me know what ya'll think! I was thinking of making a chapter 2, but incase it never happens, I just marked it as complete! I was thinking of doing some Mikey POV or something, but let me know what you think in the comments :)