MIKEY STOOD UP FROM HIS SPOT. His face was serious again as he moved to where Kiyomasa was, still bowing. Kiyomasa looked at his leader approaching warily. Mikey asked if he was the one who organized the "fighting ring" Kiyomasa looked hesitant to respond but had no choice. After Kiyomasa responded "Y-yes." There was a silence. Mikey gave a brief smile with his eyes closed before straight up kicking Kiyomasa in the face. Mikey then grabbed the third years face and punched it and finally bringing his head up to make eye contact. The presidents face was completely different, his eyes were wide looking like a complete maniac.

"Who the fuck are you?" He squished his fist in Kiyomasas whole face. "Huh?"

No fair Mikey was able to beat him up before me. Ryo pouted. Draken noticed this and lightly bumped the side of her head with his hand. "Don't worry you, you'll have your turn soon." He simply said. She merely hummed in response. She didn't need to speak for him to understand what she was thinking. Mikey let one final kick towards Kiyomasa before dropping him to the ground completely with his foot placed on his face. Kiyomasa got completely humiliated there was no going back from this.

Mikey turned his head with a smile, blood spots on his face acting as if he didn't just beat someone to a bloody pulp. Ryo had to admire his duality at times, she doesn't know how he does it.

"Shall we go home Kenchin and Ryo-chan?" Ryo checked her watch, it was about that time. She had to get home so she could get started on dinner for her siblings. Her mom was working late. She shrugged and tore up a paper from her notebook and grabbed a pen from her pocket. Draken began following Mikey to leave. "Don't do things to ruin the name of Toman." He warned the crowd. He looked back at Ryo who was writing something, Mikey did too in curiousity.

"Don't worry i'm right behind you guys." She reassured them in her usual monotone voice. She finished up the rest of her writing. And began following them. Stopping at Kiyomasa, Ryo stepped on his back to use as a brief walkway. Because she was petty like that and stopped in front of him. Kiyomasa grunted, the back of her shoes were painful, and for someone who looked so light she was pretty heavy.

Ryo dropped the paper right in front of him and said to him coldly. "Your resignation Kikyosama." With that she walked away ignoring the looks from everyone. Mikey grabbed her hand happily and gave it a gentle squeeze before turning to look at Takemichi once more.

"Takemitchy, see you later." He told the blond second year who was still trying to process everything. Ryo looked at him too and gave him what looked like a peace sign but before he could catch it she lowered her hand and his eyes met her back. He noticed that Mikey and Ryo were still holding hands and narrowed his eyes.

Are they possibly?... His thoughts were cut off by Drakens loud deep voice. "You guys don't just stand there day dreaming, go away!" He commanded. Everybody was still standing, confused.

ONCE THE THREE OF THEM were away from the crowd. Mikey turned his head to look at Ryo again, a smile appeared on his face. "Ryo-chan how have you been I feel like I haven't seen you forever!" He whined while shaking her shoulders.

"You saw me two days ago, Mikey." She deadpanned. She had to say he looked adorable when he pouted. Like a cute puppy.

"But that was too long. I got tired of hanging out with just Kenchinnnn!"

"Oi!"

"Well I'm here now. These two days apart paid off. I got enough information to gather about Kiyomasas fight club." Draken scoffed.

"Who did he think he was, trying to hold this right under our noses. I'm surprised we didn't figure it out sooner."

"Kiyomasa may look dumb on the outside, but the guy was actually pretty clever. He knew how to work around us, his biggest mistake is that he let his guard down." Ryo explained.

"To think he thought that was what Toman represented, he was so wrong." Mikey added skipping in front of the two.

"But you know who did understand?" Mikey continued with a small smile on his face. "Takemitchy that boy really is something."

"Ahhh yeah that Takemitchy, I can't believe that a weak ass kid like that had more balls then the rest of them combined." Said Draken.

"What do you think about him Ryo?" Mikey asked her. Ryo pondered in her head for a moment. What did she think about this strange boy. She never thought that a boy like him would ever go against somebody clearly stronger than them. He knew it too but he still kept going and didn't care if he got hurt. She wondered where exactly did the motivation come from. Or has he always carried it. Although there was one thing that kept her thinking. How could she had missed him. There was no indication that she had written anything on him in her file. Not even a page about him. She always made sure to keep track of everyone in her middle school. It intrigued her even more, she would have to keep an eye on him.

"Stupid." Draken hummed in agreement to her answer. "But also very brave. The guy had no strength to help him but he managed to hold his own. Thats something I can respect." Mikey looked content with her answer and gave her a pat on the back.

"You said it perfectly Ryo! Good Job!" He was his cheerful self again.

"Eh its what I do." Ryo said simply not wanting the attention to come back to her. Draken nudged her shoulder. "Hey take a compliment sometime will ya?" Ryo shrugged. Not knowing what to say. She was never good at expressing her thoughts. She mainly would focus on the task at hand and could never keep up with a conversation even when she wanted to. But Mikey and Draken always understood and never judged her for it, they knew it was just how she was.

Her phone chimed and she opened it to see a new message from one of her siblings, Himari the second oldest of the bunch.

From:Himari

Ryooooo are you almost home? Mama said she will be working late and we're all starvinggggggg I don't know how long I can keep the younger ones in check. I need you big sis!

Ryo hummed to herself and put her phone in her bag while also reaching for her wallet. She was going to stop by the grocery store to get some stuff for dinner. Mikey glanced at her. "Was that your sister?" He asked, she nodded in response.

"Your going to the grocery store?"

"Yes."

"To get some food for dinner right?"

"Yes."

"Are you by chance making some Takoyaki?"

"Mikey just say you want to join them for dinner." Draken sighed.

"Actually yes I am, how did you know that Mikey?"

"I'm just good at guessing everything!" He bragged putting his arms above his head an arrogant grin on his face. Ryo lightly 'boinked' his head. Silly silly Mikey.

"Well if you help me pick out the ingredients, then yes you can join us for dinner." Ryo compromised. Mikeys face lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Ryo- chan you really are the best I don't deserve you!" He fake cried and then pulled her in a side hug his cheek meeting her own. Draken rolled his eyes and made a barfing sound.

"Get a room. Both of you."

"Draken would you like to join us aswell?" Ryo offered him ignoring his comment. But he just waved his hand.

"Its okay R I know with your Mom working late and Mikey being an addition, your hands will be tied. I'll sit this one out. Save me some left overs though?" Ryo nodded.

"Yeah for sure I'll save you some."

"Awesome."

The three of them eventually parted ways due to Drakens area being in the opposite direction of the grocery store. Ryo was followed by Mikey who was whistling to himself. She could tell he was happy about eating more food. Surpringly the store wasn't as crowded and Ryo was able to get almost all the ingredients she needed without a problem.

After getting everything she needed. Mikey helped with carrying the bags and they walked semi-silently to her house. This was always a common occurrence Mikey would always be the one to take her home and she obliged. Even though she wasn't as talkative she always enjoyed his energy, made her feel less alone. It was like that at home. So many kids, so much energy but she enjoyed it. He was telling her about some things that happened before meeting her at the school and she listened nodding occasionally when he asked her a question.

"Mikey calm down on the fidgeting we're almost there." Ryo reprimanded him.

"Ryo-chan why is your house so far!" Mikey complained.

"Because we didn't take the bikes today, Mikey. You guys walked." Mikey huffed putting his hands in his pockets.

"Draken made us walk today, something about exercise." He pouted.

"Well you do need it once in awhile."

"I'm the leader of Toman. I get enough exercise from just that." Ryo boinked his head playfully with her finger causing him to gasp childishly.

"Silly silly Mikey."

"Ryo chan your so mean!"

"It's all out love don't worry." She deadpanned.

"Of course I know that dummy!" He then put his arm around her shoulder smiling cheekily when their eyes met. Ryo still had a serious composure but secretly wanted to laugh at her friend.

"Ryo-chan you don't have to hide it in front me you know?" She knew he was talking about her expressing her emotions. She felt that as a leader of Toman she needed to stay serious and not go off track. She needed to try and support Mikey as much as she could even if she had to play the role as the "Ice Queen" to do it.

"What exactly am I hiding?" She asked as if she had no clue. Mikey gave her a knowing look.

"One day I'm going to see that smile again."

"Its going to be a long time before you see it."

"Is that a challenge?"

"I don't know, you tell me?" Mikey laughed at that and on their way to her house it was just that. Bantering back and forth. Ryos sarcasm and Mikeys boisterous laugh with both of them not having a care in the world if people were watching.

THEY WERE MET BY A EXHAUSTED Himari who was currently holding the youngest Takagi in her arms. Kaori widened her eyes in happiness when she saw the two of them and clapped her hands. Himari set her down so that she could take the bags from Ryos hands. She offered to take some from Mikey but he smiled and gestured that he had it. Himari nodded gratefully to him before turning to Ryo.

"I'm sorry Ryo! I know you already prepared me on what to do if you were not here but it was just so crazy and distracting. Like Anzai and Emiyo were fighting, Junichi was crying, Yuki was being no help..as usual, Hachiro was hiding somewhere and Kaori was singing really off key and-." Ryo cut her sister off raising her hand. "Its okay Himari, it was my fault in the first place I should have let you know as soon as I got the message from Mom that she was working late. I apologize." Ryo patted her sisters head in reassurance.

"Whats important is that I am here now." She took the lead entering the living room side stepping some toys that were scattered in the room. Clapping her hands as loud as she could to get the attention of her siblings. Mikey leaned against the wall watching in amusement. He loved the chaos that ensued in the Takagi household, there was something always happening and watching Ryo calm down her siblings was fun to watch. Especially the way they would immediately listen to her when she got serious.

"Okay Anzai, Yuki, Emiyo, Hachiro and Junichi! I need you all to stop what you are doing and to come foward. We're doing this the civil way!" Ryo commanded. Anzai and Emiyo quickly stopped fighting once they heard the strict voice of their older sister. Their hands were both tugging Anzai's green DS. Ryo figured Emiyo wanted to play with it but Anzai wouldn't let her. Junichi was crying in the corner he was sitting on his blanket and was holding his toy train. The tracks ended up being separated which probably made him upset because he didn't know how to fix it. Yuki was just sitting on the couch with the remote in her hand flipping through channels. She at this point knew how to block everything out, a technique she unconsciously learned from Ryo. And Hachiro was hiding behind the couch eating some fruit, not wanting to be involved in the mess.

Anzai and Emiyo imedialty ran to their sister and started complaining about each other again.

"Ryo! Why is Anzai so mean to me he won't let me play with his nintendo!" Emiyo whined. Anzai gritted his teeth.

"Because you always ruin my game! I had so many adventures that got deleted because of you! I'm never trusting you again!"

Ryo sighed.

"You guys we can discuss this tomorrow. I have the groceries for dinner so I need you guys to make amends. " But they both shook their heads and stuck their tongues at each other.

"Okay then, until you guys make up no dessert."

"What?!" Ryo simply walked away to deal with Junichi. While the two siblings just gaped behind her. She crouched down in front of the four year old. He was still looking at his tracks in sadness. He looked up noticing her and went to hug her arm. She patted his head to comfort him.

"Junichi your train tracks grew apart, I'm sorry I'll make sure to fix it for you. I promise." Junichi wiped some of the tears on his face.

"Really?" He asked looking hopeful. Ryo smiled soflty at him and nodded. "Yes Ryo will fix it, don't worry." Junichi smiled brightly at that and went to give his sister a big hug.

"Thank you big sister you're the best!" He cried.

"Junichi i'm going to be making dinner, I need you to get Hachiro for me okay?" She asked him he nodded excitingly giving her a quick thumbs up. "Okay!" skipping happily to where his brother was hiding. Ryo closed her eyes and shook her head slightly, you wouldn't even tell that he was bawling earlier.

Her eyes turned to see Yuki still sitting on the couch while tuning in on a tv show. She was snacking on some popcorn she made for herself. Ryo went to stand in front of the couch, facing her sister who gave her a side eye. "You made it. Himari and I set up the table for you so don't worry, I did my part." The ten year old stuffed some more popcorn in her mouth.

"I see that, you made yourself very comfortable." Yuki shrugged at that.

"Well yeah, I finished my homework early needed a much deserved break for my hardwork. Don't you think?"

"I can't think of any complaints at least you did your work this time." Yuki smirked to herself. She thought that Ryo was gonna reprimand her about not watching over the little kids but she thought of that too soon. "But Yuki when I'm not here, I would like for you to help Himari more in keeping the house in check."

"Sure no problem thats a done deal. But you never let us know when your going to be late too."

"I made sure that was one time. Alot of things happened."

"Isn't that all the time?" Yuki raised her eyebrow at her sister. She noticed Mikey leaning agaisnt the wall, observing. "Oh he's here." Ryo noticed the change of tone in her voice.

"Yes he'll be joining us for Takoyaki."

"He better not eat almost all of it. His appetite is huge and I plan on having seconds." Yuki crossed her arms and huffed. Ryo lightly tapped her forehead.

"He is our guest Yuki treat him with some respect. And how do you know we'll be having seconds anyway?" Yuki grumbled at that. The ten year old then stretched her arms as if she ran a long marathon and jumped off the couch.

"Anyways I'm starving. Sooo lets get this show on the road!" She said. Turning to her other 2 siblings who resumed their arguing. "You guys really need to stop fighting over that DS besides Anzai she basically did a favor deleting those adventures of yours. You suck at every one that you start."

"Hahaha. Very funny Yuki your such a comedian. As if we wanted hear your input in the first place." Yuki shrugged carelessly walking past both of them. "The fighting was getting annoying, I needed to stop it somehow." She stopped in front of Mikey.

"Its on Dorayaki boy." She pointed a challenging finger at him. Mikey was confused of what she meant but went along with it anyway. Ryo shook her head, Yuki was definitely something she was not afraid to speak her mind.

"Everybody get in a straight line from oldest to youngest." They all looked confused at that. "I told you all we were going to do this the civil way right? Well, chop chop Himari you go first." Himari complied she was followed by Anzai, Yuki, Emiyo, Hachiro, Junichi with Kaori holding his hand.

"Now I need you guys to walk quietly in the kitchen sit down quietly and there are appetizers Himari made so that you guys wouldn't stay hungry."

The kids all looked happy about the appetizers so they did exactly what Ryo commanded and you could barely head bumping or scratching. Their feet merely shuffled.

She watched as they all quietly made themselves comfortable in the kitchen. Feeling a small nudge against her shoulder her eyes meet Mikeys who gave her a small smile. "You know you're really good with them."

"Well I try my best, its not easy at times but they end up working out."

"Somebodys gonna be an amazing mom." Mikey teased and nudged his shoulder again. Ryo rolled her eyes.

"Oh dear I don't even want to start thinking about that yet."

"Don't worry Ryo chan! No guy is even gonna go near you if i'm around. I'll protect you!"

"I know your probably going to kick him down the aisle before he could even reach me." She joked monotonously. Mikey gave her a cheeky smile. It was true.

"Ahhhhh you know me so well."

"He'll be in the hospital for like 5 years." She continued.

"Or more." He added.

"Silly silly Mikey." She boinked his head again and walked in the kitchen the happy blonde following right behind her. Mikey smiled to himself.

He hoped one day he would have the courage.

One day.

AN:
Mikey and Ryo really be the equivalent of the talks a lot and listens meme.
Also this chapter was lowkey all over the place, I'll edit it sometime in the future.

Fun fact: When Ryo doesn't like someone she purposefully gets their name wrong to aggravate them. Which is shown during the altercation with Kiyomasa

Again feedback is for sure always appreciated :)