summary:maybe she doesn’t need to become the person she used to respect and love. she doesn’t need to do what he did, complete what he left behind. she just needed to be happy. and somehow, someway, she would get that.
“Mikey! Wait up!” She calls out, waving her hand at her boyfriend. She’s running as fast as she can in these shoes, as well as holding her bag close to her. Mikey stops in his spot, looking around in a confused manner before his eyes land on Y/N. A smile. But Y/N is annoyed, frowning at him. “Why do you walk so fast?”
The blonde rolls his eyes and chuckles back at her, “You’re just too slow. Why do you look at every stall we pass?” Mikey grins at the gasp that emits from her, and the light hit in the shoulder. But allows Y/N to wrap her hand around his arm, hugging him closely as they walked.
She was having the time of her life, even though she was just a young teenager. Spending time with Mikey, with everything going on.
“Have you seen Emma and Draken?” She questions, glancing around again, “They said they were meeting with Takemichi and Hinata before.”
“I haven’t.” Replies Mikey, who spots a few games they could play. But he keeps walking, now having his mind set on finding his friends and sister. “Do you want to see them?”
She thinks for a moment. “Hm, I don’t know. I wanna’ spend time with you.” She states, smiling back at her boyfriend. A shrug of her shoulders. “You’ve been busy lately.”
That was right. He has been busy, he can’t deny it. Mikey nods his head, leading her towards one of the food stalls. After deciding what to get and finding a spot, the two set themselves into comfortable silence. She holds her skirt as she sits down beside Mikey.
“You look very pretty tonight.” Mikey claims, glancing towards Y/N. She places her drink on the table, a bit surprised by the comment. He turns away, rubbing his arm. “Sorry I didn’t say that earlier.”
“It’s okay, thank you, Manjiro.” She replies, holding his hand tightly beside her. Mikey watches her carefully. “You look great as well. Emma told me that you weren’t even planning on coming until she told you I was.”
He shrugs his shoulders and munches on his food. “Of course. She said that if I didn’t come then she would make Chifuyu take you.” He informs the girl, who in return slaps his arm with a frown. Mikey smiles again, leaning his head against her shoulder. “No, I wanted to come because you were. I have been busy.”
Y/N leans a cheek against him, using her other hand to brush fingers against his arm. It was nice to just be a normal couple of kids for once. Mikey was involved in so much drama and discourse that it made it hard for them to even pretend to be kids. And while she did deal with it, Y/N found it hard to keep up with him.
Mikey knew this himself. But he couldn’t afford to take a break.
“You’re sweet, Mikey.” She hums. He squeezes her back. “What do you think is gonna’ happen with Toman? Are you gonna’ stay with them forever?”
He halts himself for a moment.
What did he want?
He didn’t know, he couldn’t think about it.
So he didn’t. He keeps quiet.
And lifts his head, staring back at Y/N. “I don’t want to think about that right now.” He responds to her, hands falling on top of her knuckles. He looks serious, and his demeanour has changed now. Y/N gulps. “I just want to focus on right now. I want to be here with you.”
One of the only times he has been sincere.
Y/N then dawns a grin, pulling Mikey closer into a hug. “Alright, Mikey.”
A few minutes later and they’ve finished eating, ready to go find their friends. But as they walk through the stalls, they hear a call.
“Y/N! Mikey! Over here!”
Emma, holding up her phone, waves at her friend and brother. Draken stands beside her, hands in pockets and watching. As Y/N and Mikey turn around, Emma snaps the photo, gushing on about how cute the couple looked. The four grouped together.
The perfect day. All of them living and spending time with one another. What a nice life.
And now, Y/N stands with her weapon pointed at her greatest enemy, and her ex-boyfriend stopping her from pulling the trigger.
“Don’t tell me to wait.” She scowls, pulling her arm from Mikey’s grasp, “Don’t fucking tell me what to do.”
“I’m not telling you that you shouldn’t kill him.” Mikey responds, shaking his hand and turning towards Kisaki, “I want a hit first. Before you end him.”
Y/N knows she shouldn’t give him shit, because she’s so mad at the moment and the only release is putting that bullet through Kisaki’s skull. So Mikey doesn’t wait for an answer, just walks towards the guy on the floor and lines up a kick towards his jaw.
Kisaki gets knocked back once again, now holding his stomach in pain. He lets out a groan of pain, squeezing his eyes shut and laying on his side.
“I haven’t been here for a while.” Mikey hums out, tilting his head to the side, “It’s sad to see that everything has changed. But what’s worse, is to see that you haven’t.” He plunges a heel into Kisaki’s shoulder. The sound of impact makes Mikey blink. “You’ll never change.”
Kisaki looks up to Mikey. “All I’ve ever done was to try and make you powerful.” He complains, lifting himself back up with a hard scowl, “Why should I change when it’s benefiting you?”
“Did I ask for you to do this?” Mikey retorts, raising a brow. Kisaki only hardens his glare. “I don’t believe I did. Why bother yourself with my business if I didn’t ask?” He looks disgusted. “Fucking pathetic.”
“I DID ALL OF IT FOR YOU!” Kisaki shouts out loudly, making Y/N hold up her pistol again. She was so sick of this, of everything. She wanted to rest. “I THOUGHT OF TOMAN AND FOR YOU TO BE THE LEADER OF THE NEW DELINQUENTS! WHY ARE YOU REJECTING ME?”
Mikey, grabbing the hair of the boy in front of him, lifts him up harshly. “Because,” He begins, voice low and despising of Kisaki, “I’m not a little kid anymore. I can make my own fucking decisions.”
He looks horrified as Mikey drags him closer to Y/N. Up until her barrel is right at his forehead.
Kisaki has wasted his time. Has wasted his life contributing to some meaningless cause. If Mikey didn’t even accept it, then what was the point? Why did he do all of this? What was his goal? To gain power by outsmarting the enemy? How could he obtain such power when he always relied on someone else to act out his plans?
“Do what you want.” Mikey tells Y/N, watching as she sets her gaze on Kisaki. He lets go of him. This was out of his hands now. With how angry she was, Mikey doesn’t think that he can stop his ex now.
She sighs out slowly as her vision zones in on Kisaki.
She thinks how she should play this out. Maybe she could get some more information out of him. But why would she want to delay?
This scumbag who has caused so much trouble for her when she was trying her best to live, to be in control all the time. She’d never guessed that she’d have this chance, to talk to Kisaki before he dies, to make him confess to every little thing he’s ever done to hurt them all—
“You were useless to the end, Kisaki.” She mutters out.
He can feel his heart leap into his throat.
A loud bang sounds around the crowd. Followed by gasps and mutters.
Mikey watches as Kisaki’s lifeless body falls to the ground. Blood seeps through his hair and onto the cold concrete. His glasses discarded by his side, Toman uniform ruffled up and dirty. He is laying there. Alone. No one to die with him.
Hanma sits off to the side, his own hair dishevelled as he watches his best friend get killed by his boss. Nothing leaves his lips at that. He doesn’t look as upset as someone should; rather, he’s more annoyed that it has finally happened.
Didn’t Kisaki say he’d rule over all delinquents? That he’d be in power, with Hanma as his right-hand man?
So why in God’s name was Kisaki Tetta on the floor with a bullet through his eye and his blood splattered against the cold floor?
Hanma can’t believe it. He scoffs, “What a joke…”
Y/N lets out a breath, and falls to her knees. All that pressure and stress and build up, is finally gone. By the sheer relief, the sheer relaxation, tears bubble up in her eyes as her heart aches in pain. She holds her chest as she has her other hand, with her pistol, holding her up against the floor.
She has never killed someone with her bare hands before. Sure, people were sent to the hospital but no one has ever died because of her actions. What has she done? Is she now what she’s feared and hated the most?
A cough emerges from her as she clutches where her heart is. Tears are falling from her face and onto the concrete. It’s too much, it’s too much, it’s too much, too much.
Mikey takes a step away from Kisaki, and kneels beside her.
“Y/N.” He says quietly.
And she falls into him.
His arms quickly close around her and hold the Commander tightly. Head buried in his shoulder, she cries.
“I’m so tired.” She mumbles into his uniform.
Mikey pats her back. “I know. I’m sorry.”
A few seconds later, she lifts herself from him, and looks Mikey directly in the eyes. Everybody is on their toes about this interaction.
“I’m resigning as Toman’s Commander.” She states, making Mikey widen his eyes a little, “I don’t think I can do this anymore. I want to hand my position to you.”
He stops and rubs the back of his neck. “Are… you sure?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I am.” She huffs, wiping her cheeks, “I think they were right, you’re better suited to this job that I am.”
Mikey nods his head, sitting up straight. He felt as if this was something he couldn’t turn down. “Alright. I’ll be Toman’s leader again. You did an amazing job.”
“While we’re on the subject,” Lemaire speaks up, waving his bloodied handkerchief in the air. His Vice-Commander stands beside him. “I should say that Clair de Lune has lost this fight. We’re now under Toman’s command, whether it be to Hanemiya or Sano. And I’m sorry for your loss, truly.”
Y/N glances at him. “Thank you.” She hums.
Nobody breathes a word. Until the sirens are heard.
“We have to go.” Mitsuya says in a solemn voice, staring at Draken laying beside him. He rests a hand on his shoulder before standing up. “Y/N, Mikey. Let’s go.”
The other two get up as well. Mikey takes Y/N hand to follow Chifuyu, Takamichi and Mitsuya to the exit way, but she halts.
“Wait.” She says, “What about Ken? We can’t leave him here.”
Mikey clenches his jaw. The sirens draw closer. “I know we can’t, but we have to.” He tells her, squeezing her hand back, “The ambulances will find them. Don’t worry, he will have a fine send-off with Emma.”
She only stares at him for a moment. And nods her head, allowing Mikey to tug her along.
Y/N just wanted Emma and Draken to be okay again.
And maybe she would be as well.
When Y/N held the funeral for both Emma and Draken the next week, she sat with Mikey at her side in front of the rest of the crowd. Everyone was there. Parts of Mikey’s family that they still kept in touch with, Toman members, Lemaire and Lemièux in the back, and even some teachers at their high school had attended the funeral. Y/N had kept quiet in her seat as people said their goodbye’s.
Draken and Emma’s photos were placed side by side, flowers tracing their frames. Even though Draken’s family wasn’t present, the workers from the brothel had attended. They were all so kind to both Y/N and Mikey, having known their history and all that’s happened between them.
Tears and loud sobs filled the room. The two sat by the side hands on their lap. The people who have apologised — Mitsuya and Takemichi — had spent the longest time talking to Y/N and Mikey. They were quiet, and telling them that they hadn’t done enough to protect either Draken or Emma. The only thing that the hosts could do was say that it was alright, and allow them to walk back to their seats.
It was a harsh few hours, and some people stayed at the Hanemiya-Sano residence to speak to others as well as Mikey and Y/N.
She is sitting outside at the small table by the garden. Inside, it is lit up with chatter that she can just hear. Y/N had only been in there for 30 minutes before she felt clustered, and left for outside. Maybe it was because of all the pitiful looks she was receiving from people she barely knew. But she needed to be out of there.
Kazutora and Baji sit on both sides of her.
“Do you feel better?” Kazutora questions.
“Not sure.” She responds, shrugging her shoulders, “I’m glad it’s all over though.”
“You can relax now.” Baji says, sending her a big smile. She looks to him. Same goofy smile on his lips as always. Here she was, 17-years-old and conversing with her older brother of 15 and his best friend of 14. She still thinks of them as her family, those who looked after her. The people she tried to look up to. “You’ve been working hard these past four years.”
“Strange how you two just showed up this year though.” Y/N points out, leaning back in her chair. Kazutora watches her carefully. “I think that leaving Toman with Mikey was a good call. Everybody misses him, and I’ll be able to finish my High School life with a somewhat normal life.” She tilts her head to the side, neck aching.
Kazutora plays with his earing. “What will you do after school?”
She blinks and then looks to the fence. “I’m pretty good at my job. Waitressing, y'know?” She states, “I’m good at customer service. And I can help plate up and cook. I might do something like that while I study.”
“You were always the better cook out of the three of us.” Baji jokes, tossing a nod towards Kazutora. He smiles. “You’ll be fine, you’re the strongest person we know.”
Kazutora agrees, “The fact that you’re really there, is enough.”
Y/N stares at the two of them. She loves them both, and misses them dearly.
Her face burns at the statement. So she looks down at her lap, using the back of her hand to wipe her eyes. “Thanks, Kazu, Kei.” She huffs out, “I’m… I’ll come back here every year. For you two.”
Baji knocks a hand on the table. “Hey, even if you can’t, live a little, okay?” He tells her, “Live for us.”
She holds her breath for nothing more than a moment. And nods.
Y/N held her drink close in her palms, staring at the way the wine tipped around the glass. It was bitter and she didn’t like it. But she couldn’t take having to walk back in there and grab another drink.
“You shouldn’t be consuming that.” Mitsuya hums, closing the door behind him as he watches her look his way. Y/N blinks at him and puts the glass down. “You’re still only a Second Year.”
She responds, rubbing her cheek, “I know. One of Draken’s co-workers gave me this to calm down.” She swirls the nearly full glass. “I don’t like it too much.”
He sits down in front of her and takes the glass for himself, gulping a large proportion of it down. Kazutora and Baji have already gotten up, standing in the driveway behind Mitsuya. Both of them wave once, bright grins on their faces, and leave. Down the road. Y/N blinks a few more times and returns her attention to Mitsuya.
“I get it. Wine isn’t for everyone. Maybe you’ll like Soju.” He comments before giving her a look, “But only after you’ve graduated.”
She nods her head. “How do you feel?” She questions, hands on her lap.
“I, um… I miss them both. A lot.” Mitsuya responds, placing the glass down on the cold table, “But we both know that they’re happier together than apart. Listen, I wanted to talk to you about something. I was gonna’ do it after the brawl, but I wasn’t able to get a hold of you.”
At this point, she knows what’s about to happen. The reason she’s shut herself in after the brawl was because she was trying to escape everything. Mikey was the only one in the house, other than her.
And she knows that this will be the last of everyone together.
“I’ve decided that I’m going to be moving away after Luna and Mana graduate from this year’s levels.” He states, looking her directly in the eyes with no hesitation, “We’re going to be moving to Chiyoda, I got an apprenticeship offer there a while ago, and they said I can still accept it before August. It’s… a really good chance for me and my sisters. I hope you can understand, I’m not trying to leave you behind.”
“I do understand.” She replies, sitting up straight, “I get it. You’re not leaving anyone behind, I hope the three of you are happier in Chiyoda. It’ll be better for you.”
Mitsuya doesn’t enjoy the way she says that about their circumstances. He sips some more of the wine. “I heard that the Twins are planning to move as well, and open up their own ramen place.” He states, “And Chifuyu is gonna’ be making this pet shop. I think he said he was going to move out to the city, since there are more abandoned animals that need saving there.”
Y/N hums out, the wind blowing against her skin, “Oh yeah? Hina and Takemichi are probably gonna’ move out to the city as well. And I bet that Hakkai would want to follow in your footsteps after he graduates as well.”
“Ah, graduation. You’re the last to graduate out of all of us.” Mitsuya comments, crossing his arms over his chest, “What do you want to do?”
“Well, the others said they’d come back for my graduation.” Y/N states, “I want one last dinner after that. Before we spend years apart.”
Mitsuya grins softly, nodding his head. “I can organise that for all of us.”
The two of them smile at the thought of where others may end up. It didn’t matter that they would be apart, only that they were happy.
“I’m sorry, Takashi. About… all these years.” She huffs out, dropping her head, “I was fucked up and I messed you up as well. I shouldn’t have relied on you to make me okay.”
That’s when he stands up and walks over to her side. With a gentle pull, he lifts her up to her feet and engulfs her in a tight hug. “No, you haven’t messed me up. And I’ll always be there for you, no matter what happens.” He states, smiling into her shoulder, “And no matter how you want me. I’ll always be your friend.”
She can’t help but let out a sigh, hugging him tightly. “Thank you, Takashi, for everything.” She tells him, pulling away slightly, “I hope all goes well for you.”
“Mhm, and for you as well.” Mitsuya chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. He takes a step back. “I hope Mikey treats you the best. I think we all know you deserve it.” He checks his phone for a moment. “I’ve told my sisters, and they’re ready to say 'goodbye’ to their friends. I’ll find a school in Chiyoda for them, I’m sure they’ll enjoy hanging around some models for a while.”
She nods her head, placing her hands on her hips. “After I fill in Mikey on everything about Toman, we’ll send the Nagoya Division down to help you guys. Y'know, to make sure you don’t get into trouble and they can scout out some good schools.” She offers, pushing her chair in.
But Mitsuya shakes his hand with a polite smile. “Oh, that’s alright. I think from now on, I’d rather not be associated with any gang-related business.” He requests, making Y/N blink at him, “I’m leaving it all behind.”
Y/N doesn’t hesitate to nod her head. “Alright. Well, good luck on your own, Takashi. I know you’ll be fine.” She says. She feels her heart ache slowly.
“But,” He begins, holding out a hand to her. She tilts her head. “I would like to have possession over your pistol.”
It’s on the table. It’s been sitting there the whole entire time. She didn’t acknowledge it, or more like she didn’t want to. It’s a murder weapon. “You want my gun?” She hums out, furrowed brows.
Mitsuya nods his head. “Yes. I don’t feel comfortable with you keeping that.” He states confidently, “I’m sorry, I know it was a birthday gift, but I… I know you’re leaving this behind as well and you’re leaving Toman. So I don’t see the point in keeping it.” He keeps his eyes on the weapon. “I’m sure the others would agree, you don’t need this anymore. You… You can relax now.”
She clenches her jaw, but then swallows her fear and lets out a breath. “Okay. You can take it.” She says.
Mitsuya smiles at her. He watches as Y/N places the gun and the holster in his hand. And it’s finished. This was it.
The door opens, and Mikey walks through with two glasses of non-alcoholic drinks. He didn’t expect Mitsuya to be there with Y/N, as shown with his raised brows. He stops with the door closed behind him. “Oh… Sorry, I didn’t know—”
“No, it’s fine.” Mitsuya responds, grabbing the wind glass and walking up to the entrance. He pats Mikey’s shoulder. He eyes him carefully. “Please. Be careful.”
He stares back at Mitsuya as he walks into the house. Mikey turns to Y/N, who sits back down in her chair. She looks calm, sad. Hands on her lap as she plays with her thumbs. Mikey takes a deep breath, and steps towards her. He leans down on one knee, and holds her hands in his.
“Hey. Y/N.” He hums out quietly, the wind blowing in their ears a little, “It’s okay.”
“I know.” She replies, running fingers over her face. She looks to their hands. “ I think after high school, I’m going to change. For real. I don’t want to be this way forever.”
Mikey nods his head at that. “I understand. I’ll help you change, since you really want to.” He states, brushing a thumb over her knuckles, “You’ll have someone by your side during the process.”
She glances at him with a sad expression, for a second, and huffs out, “Everybody is leaving.”
“Well, not everyone.” He says, tilting his head, “I’m staying. For real. And we can figure out what we want to do later.”
Y/N, at this point, has accepted that everyone would leave for their own futures. After years of trying to keep everyone together and safe, she’s realised that maybe that wasn’t the right thing to do. They needed to grow apart in order to grow up. Not everyone works when they’re in a group, no matter how much they might think they should be. It’s better apart.
She nods her head, squeezing his hand. She brings it up to her lips, and presses a kiss to his knuckles. “There is only you, right?” She mumbles out quietly, looking at Mikey.
He’s turned pink, the light dusting only calling back the memories of how lovely Y/N had always been to him. He retorts, “No. There is only us.”
A kiss to her cheek as he stands up and pulls her to her feet. With strong fingers wrapped around hers, Mikey walked back into the house for the final speech, and the final goodbye’s.
Graduation would come soon for Hakkai, Chifuyu, Hina, Takemichi and Emma. Mitsuya and his sisters would have to board a plane. The Kawata Twins already had plans to open their shop. Sanzu is probably going to go wherever Mikey and Y/N asked of him. And the rest of Toman? Mikey would handle himself.
But all they need to do now, is to say farewell to their friends.
Five Years Later …
“Manager! There’s a phone call for you!”
She looks up from her notepad of incoming deliveries, to see one of her employees pointing to the restaurant phone in her hand. After finalising her count, she moves towards the worker and thanks him, taking the phone and holding it to her ear.
“Hello?” She speaks, “This is the manager speaking.”
“I would like to make a complaint.” Someone on the other side states, a voice turning serious. She blinked at the tone, looking at the worker who had handed her the phone. He only smiles. “I ordered a delivery from your restaurant and the driver has just left.”
She questions, moving to a quieter area of the restaurant in the back, “Was the delivery late? Or was something missing within the package?”
The other person sighs out, “No, everything was included and it arrived in an orderly fashion. I have a complaint about the driver themselves.”
She stops, now seeing the said delivery driver walk into the restaurant with a kind smile and waving. “Is that so?” She hums out.
“Yes.”
“And what is that complaint?”
“The driver wasn’t you.”
“…” She closes her eyes, sighing out slowly, “Mikey. What are you doing?”
“I just miss you, Y/N.” He chuckles back, voice now returning to how it usually sounded, “How much longer until you’re finished with your shift?”
She checks her watch and sighs out, “We should close in about an hour, but it’s a slow night. I’ll probably send everyone home in 30 minutes.” She sees some workers, who stopped to listen as soon as they heard the manager speak the name of her partner, pump their fists in the air with such happiness. “Do you need something at the office?”
The office being that building where Mikey held his meetings for his organisation, but it’s not like Y/N could explain that over the phone.
“Only you.” He replies.
“Hanging up now.” She says, shaking her head with a small smile, “I’ll be home by 9 tonight, okay? I’ll cook something for dinner before I leave.”
“Mmm, alright. Don’t take too long, I miss you.” He says sincerely.
Y/N faces the floor, her cheeks warming at that. “I miss you too. I have to go now, see you later.” She hums, pulling the phone from her ear.
“Bye bye!” He calls from the phone before she hangs up.
As Y/N turns around, she sees those same workers smiling at her. “What is it?” She questions.
“Was that Mr Sano, Manager?” One of them inquire, making a kissy face at her as she rolls her eyes, “What did he say? Is he proposing to you over the phone?”
She scoffs back, putting the phone back on the receiver, “Are you joking? Get back to work, you idiots.” She watches them scramble back to their stations as she puts the deliveries back in place. She can’t help but grin that little bit.
She’s better. She’s happier.
But there’s that part of her that thinks 'am I allowed to be happy when my friends aren’t around?’.
She might visit the Twins, Chifuyu, Inui and such with Mikey, but that was on occasions. For example, the last time they all met together was for Pah’s wedding, which was a couple months ago. For Y/N now, it was only her and Mikey in this part of Japan. The others were spread across the country. Growing apart. Growing up.
Even Mitsuya, who told her that he just wanted her to be okay, and that it would be fine if she didn’t love him the way he loved her. He was off in the world, making a name for himself in the fashion industry with both of his sisters becoming bright young women. The two did call each other to do check ups, but it’s been a while since Y/N’s seen him.
But they know that they’ll be fine.
Hours passed and the restaurant was closed, Y/N wiping the counter down before sighing out, taking off her apron and grabbing her belongings. She was happy to be going home. She was happy to look forward to going home. To have someone to go home to.
As she opened the door, her phone dinged and the screen lit up.
manjiro (ʘᴥʘ): chck rof
manjiro (ʘᴥʘ): check
manjiro (ʘᴥʘ): check roof
y/n ᓚᘏᗢ: what
manjiro (ʘᴥʘ): go to roof of restaurant
y/n ᓚᘏᗢ:why
manjiro (ʘᴥʘ): i own it, dont worry <3
She rolls her eyes, locking the restaurant door and walking towards the back of the building, where the metal stairs were. Mikey was like this, he’d spontaneously ask her to do something fun, especially when he knew she was having a bad day. It made her feel better.
Her bike is parked at the front, the tiger on the shining metal looking back at her. A quick look to the bike and she sees that Valhalla jacket, and another sight of long black hair beside. They never go away, truly. And at this point, she is thankful.
Climbing up the stairs in the winter was dangerous. But she had her coat wrapped tightly around her, the air only flowing slightly against her cheeks. When she reached the top, her eyes set on… Mikey struggling to keep a couple of candles lit.
“Shit, shit, shit.” He mumbles to himself, another fire going out.
“What are you doing, Mikey?” She questions, stepping onto the roof with a tilted head. He glances to her with wide eyes and matches in hand.
He stands up straight, walking in between the picnic basket and flowers and pillows, and towards her. “I, uh, you worked really hard this week and I thought that I could bring dinner to you.” Mikey says, clapping his hands together, “It was supposed to be well-lit, but the candles blew out just as you were walking up here. Sorry…”
Y/N smiles, pulling off her bag and walking closer to him. “That’s very sweet of you, Manjiro.” She hums, dropping her bag beside the picnic basket. Mikey blinks at her as she holds his hands in hers. “Thank you, but it’s not really that dark out because of the street lights. It’s romantic though.”
“I don’t know how to be romantic.” He states, shrugging his shoulders.
“I know.” She replies, leaning towards him and pressing a kiss to his cheek. He only stares and pulls her back with a smile, sitting the two of them down on the picnic blanket. “It’s romantic enough.” Y/N picks up the wine glass, that she knows is from that set of glasses that Mikey keeps in his office for special occasions. “What’s so special about today?”
Mikey looks upset at that. So he pops open the wine bottle and takes her glass, pouring carefully. “You mean you don’t remember?” He hums out, passing it back to her, “It’s our anniversary.”
“What?” She gasps, pulling out her phone and checking the date, “That can’t be! It’s not even close to December!”
He smiles once again, sipping his own glass of wine and tilting his head. “I don’t mean the anniversary for, uh, after you left Toman. I mean from before I got out of town. It would be ten years from today.” He claims, opening the picnic basket and handing her a bowl of strawberries. She takes it carefully. “I know technically, it isn’t an anniversary because I hurt you, and left. But I’ve been celebrating it every year since, just secretly.”
Y/N puts the bowl down. “Really? Why… didn’t you tell me?” A sad smiles dawns her lips.
“It’s kind of been my own thing, you know?” He chuckles, looking over the roof of the restaurant and to the distant cars passing them by, “I started giving you gifts the year we got back together, after we moved out of our home town four years ago. I leave send out flowers to every place you visit and tell them to hand it to you. And I come home early to try and cook this three course dinner. I’ve… only been successful on that last part like twice though.”
She lets out a short laugh at that, squeezing his hand tightly. “It’s okay. I still love it all.” She tells him, head tilting to the side, “I wish I knew. I would’ve celebrated with you.”
Mikey only shakes his head. “I’m just glad you’re still here with me.”
The night goes on, and the food is eaten. Mikey and Y/N are there for hours, way passed what they really should be there for. The moon in high in the sky at 11:30, and Y/N is wrapped in a blanket that Mikey brought along. He had refused the use of it so that she could have it all. However, she has her hand out the side to hold his and keep him warm.
That’s when Mikey sits up straight.
“I want to marry you.”
She freezes up in her spot.
Y/N glances towards Mikey, who is already facing her. He looks serious. So she sits on her knees as he is, holding the blanket around her shoulders. “What did you say?” She mutters, “You… You want to marry me?”
“Yes. Without a doubt.” Mikey says confidently, nodding his head. “I’ve been in love with you for forever. And I want nothing more than to stay with only you.”
At this point, she knows that she can’t ignore the beating of her heart when Mikey says something like that. He’s done it before, as jokes most of the time. When they met up at Pah’s wedding with the others, and he said he’d take the thunder from the groom by proposing to his girlfriend right then and there. Takemichi advised against it. Another time being right after they found a house and moved in together. Mikey said they might as well have been married already, and Y/N agreed. The two laughed it off.
But Mikey was serious here, wasn’t he?
He didn’t look like it was a joke. So maybe it really wasn’t.
“I don’t think I could ever imagine marrying someone who wasn’t you.” Mikey states, no wavering in his tone or shifting hands. He had all his attention on Y/N, not to make a mistake. “I would never want to anyway.”
“Manjiro, you can’t… say that—” She begins, feeling her eyes burn and ache.
“Is it because I’m not down on one knee?” He questions, already shifting in his spot. Y/N watches as he nearly falls to the side trying to get on one knee. He looks ridiculous, all dressed up in this messy office get-up. His tie is loose and his suit jacket hangs off the picnic basket. Not to mention his shoes being untied for God knows how long. Y/N couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “How about now? Do you accept my proposal?”
“Manjiro!” She laughs out, covering her face as small tears form on her eyes. Even if he did look so stupid right now, it was tooth-achingly sweet. She had to admit that much. “You’re such an idiot… You can’t seriously be proposing to me without—”
Her hand leaves her face as she lays her eyes on Mikey. He smiles gently, holding up the winding golden band with that shiny diamond in the centre of it all. He holds it towards her.
“Hanemiya Y/N.” He says.
And that’s when the tears begin to pour.
A small noise leaves Y/N and she blinks the tears away. She doesn’t want to close her eyes or cover them. If she takes her gaze off of Mikey, he might disappear.
“Man, I didn’t even get to continue.” He huffs, his own face burning up at the moment.
Y/N waves her hand at that, using her other to wipe her cheeks. “Ah, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, go on. I’m okay, I’m listening.” She claims.
Mikey then regains his posture, clearing his throat. “Hanemiya Y/N, I love you more than the amount of times the sun has risen.” He begins, “And I always wake up and wonder how I can make it up to you, and show you that you’re my everything.”
The ring deflects the streetlights as he turns in in his fingers. Y/N can only see Mikey.
“I don’t want to marry you because I feel guilty, no.” He shakes his head at the idiotic thought. “I want to marry you so that I can be with you endlessly, and love you unconditionally.”
She can’t wipe away all the tears dripping down her cheeks.
“Y/N. Will you marry me?”
He doesn’t get a response. Instead, she leaps forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him close. The blanket flows off her shoulders and back onto the picnic basket. Y/N buries her head into his shoulders and can’t help but hold tightly.
Mikey sits up properly, patting her back and kissing her cheek. “Hey, it’s okay, you don’t need to answer me now. The offer will always stand.” He informs her.
“Manjiro.” She sighs out, pulling away slightly. He closes his eyes for a second and opens them again, bringing a hand up to wipe Y/N’s tears from her cheeks. “I will marry you.”
He takes a deep breath in, and then lets out a short laugh. “That’s… Oh God—That’s great news.” He begins, kissing her forehead a few times, “I’m… I’m so glad. Thank you. That’s amazing, I—”
He stops, allowing himself to breath in and the tears flow out. They race down his skin and onto his lap, unable to contain himself. Y/N doesn’t say anything, only grinning and wiping away his tears. She kisses each trail and runs fingers through his hair.
“I love you too, Manjiro.” She responds, “More than you’ll ever know.”
She holds his shoulder before leaning forward, placing her lips over his gently and moving closer to him. Her eyes are squeezed shut as Mikey’s hands hold her back and bring her flush against his chest, reciprocating the kiss. He has this big smile on his face as he kisses her a few more times, before leaning away to admire his now fiancé.
He slips the ring onto her finger.
The two pack up, deciding that it was time to head home. It was so late already. As they make their way to their bikes, Y/N notices something by their rides.
“Such a cute couple, wouldn’t you say?”
“Duh.”
“Why can’t you be more excited for them?”
“It was bound to happen, what’s so exciting about something so expected?”
“Are you saying it was boring?”
“Eh… He could’ve done better at proposing.”
“Draken!”
Emma playfully punches her boyfriend’s arm before looking back to Y/N. She watches them in awe, wiping her eyes to see if it was really happening. The two were there, in front of her restaurant. Whilst not really… there, they were present.
She holds this beautiful smile. Emma’s always been so beautiful. She waves a hand at her best friend, other held tightly in Draken’s grasp. “You look gorgeous! And that ring, oh my God!” She quietly gasps out to her.
Draken smiles proudly. “Good job. I knew the two of you could do it.” He mentions.
Y/N plays with the ring on her finger, hopping onto her bike. She smiles at what they say.
“You be good, alright?” Emma calls, hugging Draken closer to her, “I want to hear all about it when you see me again!”
“And keep Mikey in line for me, okay?” Draken says, wrapping an arm around his girlfriend’s shoulders, “I can always count on you.”
Y/N nods her head, taking out her motorcycle keys. That grin plays on her lips.
Emma watches her with such pride and affection.
“We love you, Y/N.” She says.
Y/N starts her bike, glancing to the store again. They’re gone. But they’re not really. No one is ever really gone.
“Are you ready to head home now, Sweetheart?”
Mikey rests a hand over hers, watching as she plays with that specific scarf around her neck. This happens sometimes. She zones out when thinking about them. But he’s always there to knock her back into reality.
Y/N nods her head.
“Yeah…” She hums, “I’m ready to go home, Manjiro.”
imagine lying and telling mikeyout of nowhere that he has something on his lips while he’s eating dorayaki just so you can lean in really close and stare at his lips. very slowing “wiping” the paste off his lips with your thumb while he’s just frozen and not moving an inch. you don’t take your eyes off his lips for a second. mikey just swallows nervously while watching your every move but you only lean away and go back to what you were doing, leaving the poor guy to short-circuit. you know the effect you have on him by doing the simplest things and you make full use of it.
once again thinking about uncle!mikey. him meeting emma and draken’s baby for the first time and just not knowing what to do with it because what does he know about babies??? nothing. so emma is trying to teach him how to properly hold a baby but mikey is struggling so much so she ends up scolding him, “it’s not that hard just hold your arms like this and take extra care of the head!! i swear to god mikey if you drop my baby the next thinking dropping is your-” but draken interrupts her to remind her that their baby is still present and although basically brain afk they should keep the positive vibes around the little human. as soon as the baby starts crying out of hunger or smth mikey panics and emma takes her child away from him to take care of it.
he might need a lot of practice but mikey is super excited to spend time with his little nephew/niece in the future.
