***Takemichi's Pov***

" Well, this is the last one. Thanks for accompanying me. It was fun having you two around." The Haitanis smiled, wishing good luck on finding Kaku-chan or I should say friend for a while cause it's awkward to admit that he's my supposed husband in the future... It's complicated.

" It was nice knowing you Ake-chan. Although, what about your cousin? Bet his throwing a tantrum at home and you'll get in trouble." I gave a small laugh at Ran's remark since Masaru's been doing that like his entire life.

" Bet he is but I'll handle it." Just as I was going to wave goodbye, I opened my bag and presented two bentos.

" Here you go..." They looked at me in confusion before taking it.

" As thanks for helping me. Well, see you Ran-chan! Rin-chan!" And with that, I sped off inside the orphanage. I couldn't contain my excitement since I'm about to meet him again.

Walking inside, I went to the lobby to find a receptionist or someone at work.

Meeting the Haitanis isn't that bad. They're really fun to hang out it just as long as I'm not on their victim list. Although, what's surprising is how clingy they are... especially Ran. I've also learned about their past as it was the reason why they are so close to the hip. Now, this got me to think that I must have judged them wrongly... even debating for another hang out with them. 'Wait for a second...Gah! What is wrong with me? Me wanting to hang out with them again?! I have more important business to attend to too... This is too confusing!'

Now that I think about it more clearly, it was nice to see them always like that.

" Excuse me?" I asked the adult who's on his computer. He then stops what he's doing to gaze at me.

" Yes? Hello little girl, are you lost?"

" Oh... No, Though I'm looking for someone here."

" Oh? And who might that be?"

" Kakucho Hitto!"

Suddenly apologizing for my outburst, he just laughed and turned to check on his computer, telling me to wait for a while. Despite my excitement, I was feeling anxious too and prayed that he's here.

I was so lost in thought that the guy tried to call for my attention. I then snapped from my thoughts to see him giving a pat on my head.

" You ok? You dozed off for a while."

" Oh...Uh— I'm fine..." Giving out a small laugh made him sigh with relief.

" Well... Your friend is here. It's just that he's not usually around and people don't want to adopt the cause of his scar. Pity that poor kid."

' I know... That's why I'm here.'

" I understand. Well, If he's not here then I'll wait even if it's late!" He had a shocked face but soon change as he laughed, admiring her determination then gave a pat on my head.

" Good to see someone caring for him. Well then, I'll accompany you so you won't get bored. For now, Let's get to know each other. My name is Kou. Please to meet you..."

" Oh...Please to meet you too, Kou-san. My name's Akemi..."

" Akemi? Tha—!"

*Slam!

Suddenly the doors slammed and in comes the person, I'd made a promise from.

" Hey, Kou—... Ah?"

Without warning, I pounced on him with tears flowing down my eyes. How could I not? He's here!

" KAKU-CHAN!"

" Eh-?! Hana! Woah!" He caught me and cause both of us to fall. I gave a giggle and a huge embrace, never wanting to let go. 'Man, has he grown taller too, Lucky.' Kaku-chan did the same and hugged me back. " Nice to see you too." He said making me smile even more.

' THANK YOU KAMI!'

( You're wel— *cough**cough* Dafuq was that?)

***3rd person Pov***

Despite their little reunion, Takemichi's hug tighten that Kakucho felt like suffocating. " H-Hana! You can stop now! I'm getting suffocated!" He begged while patting her back as a signal. She let go and apologize, tears continued pouring out of her cute face that he adores so much.

" There, There Hana... It's alright. I know you didn't mean it." said Kakucho while wiping her tears using the hem of his shirt.

They even completely forgot Kou watching in the background, admiring their little reunion. Not only that, he decided to snap a photo for teasing and blackmailing purposes.

' Adorable! They are so cute! A little lie would do so I could flaunt this to those brats saying that he can have a girlfriend.' Busy admiring the photo, he didn't notice the two heading out of the orphanage.

( Not Kou doing God's work! 😂 Aye! Aye! Buddy! Ya ruining mah plot, not that it's a lie though. 😜)

" So, How's the orphanage treating you?" Asked the girl, as both of them embraced each other at a secret spot Kakucho led to. Both of them are seated on a rooftop watching the view either from above or below.

" Good. Except for the part where parents don't want to adopt me cause of my appearance..." Kakucho frowned and she did not like the sight of it. Takemichi knew what he meant, recalling every memory she had with him either good or bad. Evey good she'll cherish it and every bad, he's forgiven... Even if he betrays or hurts her.

" Yeah... I heard what happened and I'm sorry." Kakucho smiled, pulling her more into his embrace and gave a small kiss on her head making her blush. It's been a while since they've become this affectionate after all the interference they had.

" No need to apologize. If anything, I should be the one apologizing to you for not being able to tell about my disappearance."

" I know... And you don't have to. Cause you're already forgiven, I just wanted you back." She said, foreshadowing those when a memory triggered her.

————

When he disappeared, Takemichi felt lonely. She wondered to herself if she did something wrong, though her grandma reassured her that he's fine cause their bonds are strong.

" I don't care about the past."

' What...'

" You wouldn't understand the bonds we "orphans" have."

' What did you mean by that?'

" To me, Shit like "childhood friends"."

' I see...'

" Toman is now you, alone."

' No, wait... Kaku-chan! You know I hate the loneliness!'

'It's suffocating me! I can't breathe...!'

' Don't leave yet...'

' Please...!'

Those words made her life crumble, trying to process everything after he changed. Not the appearance but his personality.

This got her to remember the time when her grandma passed away, saying one of her last words before taking the last breath.

" Don't fret Little Flower, you'll reunite soon. Say "Hi" to him for me, once you're together."

Takemichi, of course, believed her as she was always right.

' It seems this part is where you're wrong now, Grandma.' She chuckled to herself.

————

And now that, she was able to find him. Despite the joy flowing inside, part of her was empty.

" Hey Kaku-chan?" she mumbled out, enough for him to hear.

" Hmm?"

" Do you still have the necklace, the one grandma gave?"

Kakucho gave a small chuckle, using his left hand to dive in his shirt bringing out the said necklace. " Always." He said before hiding the item back and continuing to embrace her. His childhood lover smiled before reaching out her bag and opening it, bringing out its contents.

The young lad eyed her before asking a question.

" Well, I wanted to ask you if you have any friends in this orphanage, at least one friend Kaku-chan trusts?" He stayed quiet but sighed.

" ... Well, there is one. I've even entrusted my life to him, hope it doesn't interfere with our bond." This time, Takemichi went silent leaning more into his embrace to seek more comfort which worked.

She wanted to say something but knew better of the consequences if she ever blurts out the truth. She knows that he won't handle all these 'silly things' and might think it's weird. Instead, she kept those to herself thinking that she'll handle it.

" I see... Well then..." The girl then brought out a box then gave it to the young lad, who took it in confusion. He asked what is it about but Takemichi told him to just open it.

As soon as he opened the box, his eyes widened in shock seeing its contents.

" The bracelet... Isn't this the one that Masaru stole from grandma?" Kakucho eyed the certain bracelet.

" Yep, I was able to get it back with some help from my 'friends'"

( Haitanis somewhere: ...?! Dafuq is with this deja vu?

Who knows? 👀 *Cough**cough* friend zone)

" I see. Then they have my gratitude."

' More like the other way around.'

( Bro! I can't stop laughing at the time where Ran covered both Kakucho and Izana's eyes at the Tenjiku arc when they got shot cause he thought they're dead. Imagine how embarrassing it was for him if they just opened their eyes again meaning that they're still alive. [ For Izana I wish he was still alive])

" Since grandma replaced it with the necklace you have... I want you to keep it and give them to the people you trusted and would trust you back." said the young girl, foreshadowing them again.

" Won't grandma be mad?" As soon as he said those words, he noticed her expression change into a frown. It quickly took him by surprise but didn't want to believe it...

" D-Don't tell me..."

" You don't have to say, I know..."

" I- I'm sorry... You must've been lonely, huh?"

Takemichi didn't say anything but only leaned more into his embrace and tightened her hug on him. He knew better that she hated being lonely that it sent him to be worried about guilt slowly forming inside of him.

" It's fine. I made friends so I won't be lonely, though it sucks cause you're the only one missing..."

Kakucho started blushing and buried his face on her head, inhaling the scent of her black locks. She could only laugh, using her left hand to grab onto the side of his head, slowly giving a pat.

" You've grown and gotten stronger too, I'm jealous."

" Well... I did promise that I'll grow up and get stronger, enough to protect you."

" I see..." It's a good thing that Kakucho kept his face buried in her hair, so she couldn't see the pain expression carved on her face. Though despite the negativity on her mind, she'd always remind herself of the purpose of her new life.

" I'll count on that... Let's just stay like these for a little while." Kakucho responded with a hum, they stayed still for a while in peace.

" Hey, Hana..."

" ...Yes?"

" What did you think about my scar?" He asked anxiously. He's been feeling it the day he saw her as it was one of the reasons why he never came back. He thought that she'll never accept him cause of it, but he also didn't want her to be lonely.

" ... it is just that, you never seem to have noticed it that it made me anxious."

" Oh..." That is not a good answer, or is it good?

" Y-You do—"

" Pretty cool actually..."

' Huh?' He wasn't expecting that answer. He kinda thought that she's hiding her disguise, just to pity him.

" But aren't they ug—" She then cut him off by placing her finger on his lips to shut him up.

" Doesn't matter. At least you're still alive and beside me, You're Kaku-chan, the one whom I've loved always."

" A-Always?"

She smiled bringing her hand back to pat his head, reassuring him that its the truth.

" Always..." Those words move him to tears that he ended up being the said crybaby now. He was glad that she still accepted him, now he has no burden to carry.

With both of them cherishing this small reunion, they promised to come back again the next time they meet.

Its been so long since Takemichi felt the feeling of peace and love in her life. As much as she wanted to rush all the problems... it is better to take a small break before getting back on track tomorrow.

' I'm sorry Kakucho, but you're gonna have to lose me again cause I'm fighting all of this, alone.'

***Bonus***

Takemichi: Hey Kaku-chan!

Kakucho: Yeah?

Takemichi: I'm dying...

Kakucho: W-what? * Starts to tear up*

Takemichi: I'm dying... I recently got Diabetes...

Kakucho: Hold on! I-I'll take you to the hospital! *immediately carries her in his arms, crying*

Takemichi: Not like that! I'm dying of Diabetes cause of how sweet your existence is in my life. I was just trying to flirt with you...

Kakucho: ...

Takemichi: ...

Kakucho: Oh thank God! Cause I don't know what I'll do without you. Please don't do that again... I'm crying here.

Takemichi: *Feels bad but gave a comforting smile* I'm sorry, Love... *wipes his tears* You know that I'll never leave you and I love you.

Kakucho: *Flustered*

Kakucho's mind: God! I love my wife, even though she's a bit chaotic.

*** End Of Chapter***

Finally! I have finished this... It is short though it took me 4 rewrites on this chapter.

As much as I wanted to get to the point or rush all of these, I decided to be vague as possible till it reaches the true point.

I'm sorry for the mistakes on some chapters so I'll have to re-edit them.

I'm also re-reading the manga for more of the flashbacks moments and even waiting for the ending of the manga.

Spoiler warning: ⚠️

Goddamnit Chifuyu! For the love of All Gods and Goddesses, please get help from Mitsuya to make a better logo and gang uniform. I love you ( like a sibling) but No, just fucking No.

And Fucking Kokonoi and Inui! I love them so much! They are the definition of true Loyal comrades. Moneymaker carried Takemichi after getting brutally beaten to Inui who's working on a bike... That worried look on their face sent me to scream,

" FUCK YEAH! LOYAL FUCKING COMRADES! *screaming into the oblivion*"

And Holy Shiiiiiiii— This story reached almost to 1k... So fast!

Also, The title was foreshadowing. Sorry, Kakucho but ya fucked up from the start, don't expect me to go easy on your lore here. I may like you for being the best for Michi but like how I'm going to treat the others, you'll receive the same.