And then, the moment Takemichi has been eagerly waiting for finally arrives - he's discharged from the hospital. Takemichi wants to shout it to the world.

Takemichi has been in the hospital for over a week, and every day, different groups from Touman take turns visiting him. They bring heaps of food and toys, no matter how much Takemichi tries to stop them. It gets to the point where Takemichi has to give some of the snacks to the nurses and doctors who take care of him, and even asks his mom to take some home, otherwise, there wouldn't be enough space to carry everything when he leaves today.

Not to mention, they treat Takemichi like a baby, pampering him in a way that he finally understands the meaning of being "coddled like an egg, protected like a flower."

Mitsuya stands out the most, bringing homemade food, peeling fruit, and fetching water for Takemichi to take his medicine. He also constantly gives him advice and doesn't let him do anything whenever he's around. Then there's Draken, who - though he doesn't cook - takes care of Takemichi just as much. Mitsuya is gentle, while Draken is more domineering. Takemichi doesn't even get a say when Draken insists on doing something for him. Like changing his clothes, even when Takemichi can do it himself, Draken still insists, leaving Takemichi speechless.

And then Mikey, who clings to him every time he visits, calling his name non-stop. Chifuyu, Baji, and Kazutora also keep a close watch on him, making sure he's not even exposed to the slightest breeze to avoid catching a chill. Smiley and Angry bring loads of toys (or some really weird things), and they seem obsessed with guarding against the Haitani brothers.

Pah-chin, Peh-yan, and Hakkai spend money like it's nothing, buying so much stuff that Takemichi doesn't even dare calculate how much they've spent on the towering pile of snacks in his hospital room. Every time the nurses come in, they tease Takemichi about having so many amazing "husbands," and Takemichi just wants to hide his face in his pillow.

He truly feels like Touman has fattened him up in just one week - his cheeks are plumper, and it's kind of scary. His mom jokes that even she didn't spoil him like that. Takemichi feels like he's recovered really fast, maybe because he's been eating so well? While he can't run around yet, at least he no longer feels pain after just a few steps.

Today, there's a gang meeting, so as soon as Takemichi gets home, he heads to the shrine. When he arrives, he immediately sees Baji beating someone up, hitting them really hard. The other members are all wearing serious expressions. Takemichi hesitantly approaches.

"Hey Takemichi, didn't I tell you that you could stay home today? Why did you come?"

Chifuyu's voice breaks the silence, drawing everyone's attention to Takemichi. Chifuyu walks over with a cheerful face, but as soon as he turns toward the others, his expression turns cold, signaling something to the group. Seeing Takemichi, the core members of Touman look a bit surprised, relieved that the issue is already resolved. Their previously grim faces brighten up, and they smile at him.

Even Baji, who had been in the middle of beating someone, stops and looks over, smiling brightly. The frightening, menacing look on his face is completely gone, as if it never existed.

"Yo! Why'd you come? You just got home, didn't you?" Baji wipes his hands before walking over to Takemichi.

"I just got back. Chifuyu said you guys were having a meeting, so I came to check it out. I missed the feeling of the gang meetings," Takemichi replies with a smile.

"You just got back, why didn't you rest more, huh?" Chifuyu scolds him again.

"I've been resting for a whole week!"

"We were planning to head to your place once this was over," Baji says as he slings his arm around Takemichi's shoulders, blocking his view of the person he had just beaten up.

"So, what's with today's meeting? It seems pretty intense. Why was Baji-kun hitting that guy?" Takemichi asks, unable to see who the person is.

"It's nothing. That guy caused trouble for our gang, so he's being punished. It's over now, you can dismiss them, Mikey."

Takemichi thinks to himself, it must've been something serious to leave the guy in such a bad state.

In a deep voice, Mikey says, "I think I've said enough. You all saw what happened, so you should understand. If anyone makes the same mistake again, you better be prepared." His commanding gaze sweeps across the group, causing everyone to instinctively shiver.

After finishing, Mikey walks over to Takemichi, his demeanor shifting to one of affection, pinching Takemichi's cheeks.

"Takemitchy, you've gained weight! Your cheeks look like two little buns now, haha!"

"Guess we should start calling you Bun-michi," Draken jokes.

"Well, thanks to you guys, Mitsuya cooks for me, and the rest of you keep bringing me a mountain of snacks. I still have a bunch left! If I keep eating, I'm going to gain a few more pounds."

Takemichi's puffed-up face, even when he pouts slightly in mock annoyance, looks adorable to the others.

"So, Takemichi, do you want to come home with me so I can keep feeding you until you're even chubbier?" Since when does Mitsuya get so good at joking around?

"Just tell me what you want to eat," Hakkai adds.

"But if this keeps up, won't Takemichi end up looking like Pa?" Smiley laughs.

"Hey, don't drag me into this! I look good too, don't I?" Pa protests.

"Takemichi, want to go somewhere? I can take you for a little ride to get some fresh air," Mikey says while still squishing Takemichi's cheeks.

"Really? Sure, anywhere's fine. I just want to get some fresh air."

"Then put on an extra jacket. Why are you dressed so lightly when it's getting colder?"

Baji grumbles, probably picking up the habit from Chifuyu. It's only just starting to get cold, but at this rate, by winter, he'll probably bundle him up like a cocoon. Takemichi clicks his tongue, thinking to himself how Touman is treating him like a child again. I'm 26, guys!

The captain of the Fifth Division narrows his eyes, watching. The mascot of Touman, their precious treasure, arrives, and everything changes immediately. Isn't today's meeting about the rumors going around that Takemichi is a spy or a fake, and how the others wanted to punish him as a warning to everyone else?

Just a moment ago, they all looked ready to kill someone, and now they're laughing and joking like a bunch of kids. They sure change their moods quickly. With everything settled, he decides to leave. Muchou glances at his close companion, Sanzu Haruchiyo. What's this kid staring at the group down there for? Muchou can never quite figure out what Sanzu is thinking, even though they've been together for a long time. Maybe his thoughts aren't that different from Muchou's. Either way, Muchou has no interest in mingling with the crowd below.

"Let's go, Sanzu. We're done here," Muchou says.

Sanzu nods, but he continues to glance over at them, his hand briefly clenching. No one knows what he's thinking.

Takemichi finally gets to enjoy a peaceful outing after spending so many days cooped up in the hospital, and he feels lighter at heart. It's time to face his own issues.

Everyone drops him off at home, and he waves and laughs as he says goodbye. But as soon as they're out of sight, he quietly makes his way to Chifuyu's house. Chifuyu, just out of the shower with his hair still wet, steps into his room and is startled to see Takemichi sitting on his bed.

"Takemichi, is something wrong?" Chifuyu asks, sensing something serious. If Takemichi waited until everyone left to come see him, there had to be a reason.

Takemichi lowers his head, his voice filled with a hint of sadness. "Chifuyu, I think I have a psychological problem, maybe multiple personalities."

Chifuyu tenses up as Takemichi looks directly into his eyes. "You've noticed it too, haven't you? You've already told the others, right?"

Chifuyu hesitates for a moment, unsure of what to say. He hadn't realized Takemichi was so self-aware.

"There's no need to be so cautious about it," Takemichi adds softly.

Chifuyu tightens his grip on the towel in his hand. "So, you also think you have multiple personalities?"

Takemichi gestures for Chifuyu to sit next to him, then takes the towel and continues drying Chifuyu's hair.

"My mind has been giving me signs. If others can see it, how could I not notice it?"

"Since the moment I came back, I've sensed that something wasn't right. I started having strange dreams, and every time I woke up, I felt exhausted. Whenever I think about painful memories, I hear voices in my head - voices I can't recognize - blaming me, trying to replace me. It makes my head hurt so much."

Chifuyu bites his lip, remaining still, before finally speaking. "Takemichi, why haven't you told me everything? About the past, or what's going to happen in the future. What exactly happened that hurt you so deeply?"

"It must have been painful, and not just for me. Everyone in Touman has faced loss, even you, Chifuyu. You've suffered because of Baji-kun's death, haven't you? But things are different now, aren't they? You saved Baji-kun. So if I can stop Kisaki's plan, then everyone, including Mikey, will be happy. The painful things from before will change." That's why you don't need to know too much about it, Chifuyu. Just keep living in the present, happy with Baji, Kazutora, and Touman, as we look toward a different future.

Chifuyu turns back, his eyes filled with anger as he stares at Takemichi. Takemichi is startled, unsure of what he did wrong. Suddenly, Chifuyu stands up and yells, furious:

"You told me I was your partner, but you won't share with me what's been happening to you. Do you not trust me? Or are you planning to do something stupid again? Do you know how I felt when you stabbed yourself? If I saved Baji-san but lost you, I wouldn't want that future!"

Chifuyu grips Takemichi's shoulders tightly.

"Do you even know what's causing your condition? It's because you're in unbearable pain, Takemichi. Your mind is not okay. At least tell me about it. I've always been by your side, haven't I? Why do you keep trying to bear everything alone?"

Seeing Chifuyu on the verge of tears, Takemichi becomes flustered. "No, Chifuyu, I'm fine!"

"You..."

Chifuyu seems absolutely furious. Without any hesitation, he forgets about Takemichi's injury as well as his own, and pins him down on the bed, raising his fist. Fortunately, his rationality stops him from punching Takemichi directly in the face, and instead, the blow lands on the pillow beside him. Takemichi truly feels scared seeing Chifuyu this angry.

"Do you realize what's happening to you, Takemichi? You keep smiling and saying you're fine, but are you just lying to yourself? You... you really don't trust me, do you?"

Chifuyu's voice shakes, and he bites his lip, holding back tears. Takemichi understands that Chifuyu is only worried about him.

"Things are getting better for me, Chifuyu. Baji-kun is still alive, Kazutora-kun didn't have to go to juvenile detention, and I managed to stop Kisaki's plan. And at every point in time, you and everyone else have been by my side. I'm happy when I'm with you all, so what's wrong with me saying I'm fine? Or are you trying to say I've been acting all this time?"

Chifuyu grits his teeth, frustrated beyond words, but he can't bring himself to do anything to his irritating partner. He lets go of Takemichi's collar and rolls over to lie next to him, turning away, refusing to speak or look at him.

Takemichi sighs at the sight, giving a bitter smile. After a moment of silence, he slowly speaks: "In every past or future, you've always been by my side, Chifuyu..." Takemichi hesitates.

"In one future, you even died because of me."

Takemichi glances at the person beside him, who remains motionless, and continues: "So when Kazutora-kun stabbed you, I saw it again, the day you died in front of me. You died because you wanted to protect me, Chifuyu."

Even though Takemichi changed that future, the despair from the dark future he once saw has never left his mind. Takemichi stays quiet, waiting for Chifuyu's reaction. Chifuyu moves a little, then lies on his back.

"It feels strange, but I'm not really surprised. So, I'm the indirect reason why another personality is taking control of you now?"

"Haha, don't worry about that. If I'm sick, we'll find out sooner or later anyway."

Chifuyu turns to look at him, his face relaxing a bit. Takemichi places his hand on Chifuyu's shoulder.

"I always trust you, Chifuyu. In any future or past, you've been my partner. You're always by my side, protecting me. I'm not carrying this burden alone, so stop frowning. I came here today just to tell you that I'm afraid I might have multiple personalities."

"So, what are you planning to do?"

"You're supposed to go see a doctor if you're sick, right? But I don't know if I should tell my family. I've already been injured a lot recently, and if my mom finds out I have a mental illness, she won't be able to handle it."

"But that would bring up money issues, right?" Chifuyu brushes aside the strand of hair hanging in front of Takemichi's forehead.

Takemichi looks like he's struggling to find the right words.

"Do you remember last time when I caused some robberies to distract the patrol cops to where Mobius was picking on Pa's friends?"

Chifuyu furrows his brow, thinking, then seems to understand: "You're saying..."

"I don't know if I have some talent for robbery, but I managed to steal from some gangsters with a lot of money. And there were a few other rich people too. No one just steals one bill, right?... I haven't dared to spend that money, and I definitely couldn't turn it in to the police."

Chifuyu looks at him with an expression that's hard to describe: "Unbelievable."

"Chifuyu, where should we take Takemichi and Kazutora tomorrow?"

As the two are talking, Baji's voice suddenly rings out from the doorway, and he opens the door, holding PekeJ in his arms. He probably just fed him at his place, so he brought him down. Seeing the two lying on the bed, with Takemichi's hand still resting on Chifuyu's shoulder, Baji looks startled.

"Takemichi? What are you two doing?"

Wait, why does he look so panicked? They're just lying on the bed together.

"What do you mean, 'what are we doing,' Baji-san? We just had an argument."

Chifuyu stands up, drying his hair with a towel, completely unaware of Baji's odd reaction. Takemichi sits up too, grumbling.

"You're the one who got mad at me, I wasn't arguing with you."

It's not unusual for them to lounge on the bed like this. Takemichi crashes at Chifuyu's place all the time, and Baji knows that. So why is he acting so surprised now? Weird.