Chapter Text
A girl with short black hair and blue eyes headbutts a group of bullies slightly older than her, receiving a series of blows directly to her face or body in return. All for trying to defend her friend Akane from them, who was behind her with some minor bruises (compared to the black-haired girl).
-Takemichi!- Akane calls out nervously, but despite everything Takemichi gets up without complication and continues.
Minutes that seemed like hours happen in the span of a moment during the fight...
Until suddenly one of the bullies receives a kick that knocks him out, the rest can't even compete against the sudden savior of the pair of girls.
A teenager a few years older than them (13 years old at the time), with a relaxed/bored face, his hair messy and disheveled (similar to Takemichi herself) and a kind of white uniform.
***
-Hey, come with me- Wakasa says to Takemichi, starting to walk without even expecting much of an answer.
Takemichi nearly swallowed her own tongue, naturally Akane doesn't trust the stranger much, but Takemichi soon found herself following the order.
-What's your full name?- Wakasa asks the boy behind him.
-Takemichi Hanagaki- The one with black hair and blue eyes answers, although with his voice being quite low and delicate after their last fight.
-Okay...Have you ever thought about joining a gang, Takemichi?- Wakasa asks, barely giving her him a backward glance at that moment, which takes Takemichi by surprise.
Just now Takemichi could see clearly the symbol of the Black Dragons on Wakasa's clothes.
The eyes of most of the gang members were fixed on Wakasa when he arrived at the meeting, like so many other days, Wakasa was late and the President was already meeting with the other main executives.
Wakasa ignores this and goes to the sofa that was next to the seats of his friends, Takeomi (nicknamed 'God of War' and first president of the Black Dragons), Benkei and Emma (captains of the gang like Wakasa).
-Wakasa?- Emma and Benkei are the first to be a little confused.
The aforementioned young man keeps his face impassive, simply looking at them.
-...Who is that?-Takeomi asks, pointing to who was accompanying Wakasa.
All eyes were on Wakasa, not only because he had just arrived, but because there was something, or rather someone, following him.
And you could tell that this someone wasn't really comfortable...
-Hmm? Ah yes, this is Takemichi- Wakasa mentions patting Takemichi's side a little, who at first was almost scared by the touch -He's my new recruit- The captain of the Special Attack Unit adds calmly, prompting his little partner to greet.
Takemichi's voice is very weak, and rightfully so, not only was (s)he surrounded by people much larger in age (3-4 years older or more) and size, but (s)he was in poor condition. Takemichi's face was red, covered in bruises and a little blood, with dirty and even a little torn clothes.
-What did you do to him?!- Emma is the first to react, going to young Takemichi as if (s)he were a run over animal.
-He looks like shit- Takeomi adds tactlessly, receiving a light rebuke from Benkei and a heavy punch from Emma.
-Don't worry, Wakasa can't hurt you with me here- Emma insists, stroking Takemichi's face a little, whose ears blush as result.
-Hey, I didn't do anything to him...- Wakasa proclaims his innocence, without a hint of nerves, simply placing his hand on Takemichi's head after getting up -I found him getting beat up by some wannabe punks and he got my attention- The captain admits casually, which was a weird story to begin with...
-...Waka, you can't just decide to recruit a guy like that without letting us know beforehand- Benkei mentions much more responsible than his friend.
-And what do you care?- Wakasa exclaims, obviously challenging Benkei, with whom he always has problems (they were friends, but they maintained their rivalry and fights from when they were members of different gangs).
-You two leave Wakasa alone... if he wants it, let him keep him- Takeomi finally sighs, and his word is law -But don't let it become a habit to grab street kids for the gang- The gang president warns, and Wakasa just nods.
***
-You see? It wasn't that hard to help him before taking him to the lion's den!- Emma mentions angrily, after having cleaned Takemichi up a bit, helping the new recruit with the wounds (s)he had. Wakasa just ignores the comment.
-...T-thank you very much Emma-san- Takemichi says a little embarrassed, showing respect towards the captain.
-...he is so adorable!-Emma exclaims looking a little more at the polite recruit. His messy hair was just very soft and (s)he had very pretty blue eyes, so Emma, as an older sister, couldn't resist much...
-Can you make his uniform too?- The captain asks his companion.
-Sure, let me take some measurements- Emma insists before going for her things.
-I think she liked you- Wakasa adds calmly, making Takemichi smile a little.
The [boy's] smile was very bright, and Wakasa returned the gesture with a weak smile...
***
The next time the Inui family saw Takemichi, whom Akane hadn't seen for almost a whole day after the two of them met Wakasa, well…it wasn't a particularly positive event.
-Oh my...- Mrs. Inui exclaims almost-terrified, Takemichi now had her hair dyed blonde, and was wearing strange clothes for a girl (because they were clothes for a boy...).
-Akane, hi!-Takemichi greets her friend as if nothing had happened.
-... Michi, what did you do to your hair?- Akane asks in surprise, almost touching her friend's hair.
-I dyed it...- Takemichi answers, although that was obvious -What do you think? They also made me a uniform- Takemichi mentions perhaps too excitedly, showing on her back the stylized symbol of the Black Dragons.
-...Yes, I'm going to kill someone. Probably that guy- Akane admits quietly, speaking of Wakasa of course.
Seishu, also called Inupi by Akane (her older sister) and Takemichi (or other friends), was a bit confused but Takemichi's new look didn't seem too bad...
A while later at the Black Dragons headquarters, the reactions to Takemichi's hair are not much different, although they do like the uniform.
-Waka... what did you do to him?-Emma asks outraged, as if she had seen a crime in slow motion as soon as she saw the yellow color of Takemichi's hair.
-I didn't do anything- Wakasa gets rid of all blame.
-Does it really look that bad?- Takemichi mentions a little disappointed, looking at the captain with sad dog eyes.
-No- Wakasa tells his subordinate calmly, while Emma is already apologizing for hurting Takemichi's feelings.
All good, until Takeomi walks into the room and the first thing he does when he sees Takemichi is laugh uncontrollably.
Yes, a complete success...
Despite the conflicting opinions of some, Takemichi continued with her new hairstyle, her uniform and her 'occupation' as a gang member, although to tell the truth she still did not do many things within the gang, which left her continuing her life as before meeting Wakasa (being at her house doing puzzles, with Akane and her brother, or taking care of studies).
Barely an hour had passed since Takemichi had entered class together with Akane, and the truth is that it was a slow day... not only slow because of the daily activities, but also people continued to watch her or talk behind Takemichi's back about her new haircut or her new clothes. Which was pretty hurtful, but Takemichi just had to continue smiling and ignoring them...
-Look at this video of Inupi that I take today- Akane mentions excitedly and laughing a little, showing a video of her younger brother dancing to her friend Takemichi.
The dyed blonde girl shares the laugh, Akane's little brother was adorable.
-Hey, Takemichi!- A voice interrupts the two friends, who are surprised because a 16-17-year-old teen had burst into the institution out of nowhere by jumping the wall.
And that boy was none other than Wakasa, Takemichi's boss.
-B-boss!- Takemichi stands up and makes a small bow, which the Black Dragons captain ignores.
-I already told you to call me Wakasa- The captain of the Black Dragons assures with his impassive face, simply making a slight friendly gesture with one hand, before changing the subject -The student union are striking at my high school so I get out. Do you want to hang out? - Wakasa offers, and Akane gives him a look of disgust, which he doesn't know why...
-Huh? Eh, I have classes but... Sure! - Takemichi accepts a little nervously, for a moment Akane opposes but with the few words Wakasa was already taking Takemichi away from the place.
-Did you see that?-People started to talk as usual, so Akane had to jump to defend her friend, of whom of course there were already many more rumors...
***
Takemichi's legs were trembling and her face was boiling, with small beads of sweat covering her body despite the cold air -Come on Takemichi, you can do it- Wakasa mentions , breathing calmly as he looks down at his subordinate.
Takemichi is flustered, her fingers clench tightly and she lets out a small, high-pitched moan, as Wakasa gets inside...
-Did you see that it wasn't that complicated?- Wakasa mentions calmly, when Takemichi finally drops the second box in the room of a building in front of a store, used as a warehouse.
-I'm not that strong- Takemichi mentions with a brief pout, but Wakasa just pats her him on the shoulder.
It hadn't been that bad, each one only had to carry 2 boxes of bananas.
After this Takemichi stayed next to Wakasa's motorcycle, while Wakasa got the payment for the minor task -5542 yen for me, and 5542 yen for you- Wakasa mentions when leaving the store, handing his subordinate the payment in cash.
Takemichi excitedly looks at the money... rounded up, it was 40 dollars.
-Thank you very much Wakasa!- Takemichi mentions quite excited actually.
-You're welcome- The captain of the Black Dragons replies as he gets back on the bike, with Takemichi following behind him.
***
A while later the duo is in a park, where they listen to music on a radio belonging to a member of the gang, to wait for the rest to arrive.
One of the last to arrive was Takeomi -Emma and Benkei are not coming, they are helping the student union- The president of the Black Dragons reports the absence of two captains, beginning to complain a little.
-For my sake, let them or the union do what they want, I just don't want to have classes- Wakasa exclaims calmly, lying on the grass in the park.
Takemichi feels a bit left out of the conversation and the gang in general, just sitting next to Wakasa listening to the music. Her feet shyly following the rhythm of the song.
-Hey Takemichi, go buy some things at the store- Takeomi orders Takemichi, giving the young recruit some yen for drinks, a new lighter and something to eat...
-Right away- Takemichi mentions, walking towards the street while (s)he counts the money.
-Hey, who told you that you could give orders to my recruits?- Wakasa mentions with a slight annoyance, which makes Takeomi laugh.
-I'm your boss too- Takeomi answers simply, pleased to have found something new to annoy Wakasa with...
When Takemichi returned (s)he found Takeomi and Wakasa fighting, amicably of course.