Hey hey, babes! Y'all are real ones for waiting this long - I know, I'm slow as hell, my bad! 😭🙏 But fr, let's save the rambling for later. For now, dig into this freshly served 'hot stone meal' you've been starving for all month! 🍽️🔥

Quick heads-up tho - this chap's got some 18+ stuff, so read at your own risk! 😉

I did warn y'all, so think twice before diving in! 😌 ...But let's be real, my warning's probably just making y'all more curious, huh? 😏😂

Aight, no more talking - enjoy the read! 😘📖

.

.

.

"Oh my god, Hanagaki-kun is getting more and more attractive, don't you think?" Girl A chats excitedly with her friends.

"Totally! I used to think he was just average, and that spiky gelled-up hair? It was seriously holding back his good looks," Girl B chimes in.

"Right? These days, sometimes he looks super cold and mysterious, and other times he literally shines like a prince. Like, whatever vibe you want, he's got it!" Girl C eagerly joins in.

"But honestly, my favorite look is still..." Girl A trails off, gazing at Takemichi from afar as he laughs and talks with his friends.

"Warm and adorable, and when he smiles? Oh my god, I swear it's lethal. His eyes are so pretty too, all sparkly and bright. And lately, he's looking more mature... I don't know why, but he's just so attractive," Girl C gushes, unable to contain her excitement.

Hinata happens to pass by and overhears their conversation. A mix of jealousy and sadness creeps into her heart. On one hand, her boyfriend is getting more and more popular among the girls; on the other, she feels an increasing distance between them. Sometimes, he's cold and indifferent toward her, making her feel both sad and angry. But the next day, he would act as if nothing happened, treating her gently again. It is confusing. He is hiding so many things from her, promising to tell her one day, but she feels as if that day would never come. It makes her feel left out.

"Hina-chan!" Takemichi spots Hinata approaching and flashes a bright smile that lights up the whole atmosphere as he calls out her name. Both Hinata and the girls gossiping about him feel their hearts skip a beat. Hinata covers her mouth, trying to suppress her excitement. But seeing his smile, she couldn't bring herself to be mad anymore. He's just too adorable. Her boyfriend - her hero - no matter what, she always believes in him.

But Hinata realizes that lately, she isn't just competing with girls - there are even guys eyeing her boyfriend! Leading the charge is none other than that third-year student, Kazutora. He is always sticking to Takemichi like glue! And her boyfriend is too naïve, letting him hug, put an arm around his shoulders, or even pat his head without a second thought. Her sixth sense warns her - Kazutora's gaze on her boyfriend is anything but normal. Ugh!

Kazutora and Hinata exchange brief glances before promptly ignoring each other.

"Takemichi, my class has to stay late today. Go ahead and meet up with Chifuyu and Baji first; I'll join you later," Kazutora tells him before the afternoon break ends. No matter how busy he is, Takemichi always makes time for his friends. He especially loves hanging out with Baji, Chifuyu, and Kazutora after school.

Today, as he walks toward the school gate, Takemichi notices a group of girls gathered there, buzzing with excitement over something. The closer he gets, the clearer their conversation becomes.

"Wow, that guy looks so handsome!"

"Oh my god, this is the first time I've seen a guy with long braided hair look this good!"

Wait... Something feels off. A guy with long braided hair? No way, it can't be what he's thinking. Definitely not. But a strange sense of unease creeps up his spine. He slows his steps, hesitating. And just as he reaches the gate...

His heart nearly stops. His eyes widen in shock, and he freezes on the spot.

Haitani Ran.

Why is HE here? In front of his school?! Don't tell him... he's looking for him?!

Haitani Ran parks his motorcycle in front of Takemichi's school, casually leaning against it, his gaze fixed expectantly on the school entrance. Of course, he quickly notices the person he is waiting for. Ran smiles, causing the girls nearby to excitedly whisper among themselves. He walks toward Takemichi, ignoring the curious stares directed at him.

"Takemichi-kun, long time no see," he greets smoothly.

The girls widen their eyes in surprise. Takemichi, on the other hand, feels a chill down his spine. His body stiffens, his face still frozen in shock. Damn it! He really came to find him.

"Haitani-kun, what are you doing here?"

This is dangerous. Super dangerous. Could it be that Izana sent Ran to take him out? But it's not time for the attack on Toman yet... Takemichi unconsciously takes a step back.

Seeing Takemichi being cautious, Ran pouts.

"Aww, Takemichi-kun, that's mean. I just came to see you."

Dude! Do you even realize how dangerous you are?! And with the upcoming battle, how can he not be on guard?

Ran steps closer. "Come on, spend some time with me. Let's hang out."

He sounds so casual, so cheerful. Takemichi's brain refuses to process this. Coming all the way from Roppongi just to invite him out? Is he joking? Where's Rindou?! But looking into those expectant eyes, it doesn't seem like a joke.

Takemichi remains frozen, then suddenly realizes that everyone around is staring at them. If he stays here any longer with this guy, they might end up blocking the entrance. But Takemichi doesn't want to be alone with this dangerous person. He has plans, after all! Ran, noticing his hesitation, leans in and whispers in his ear. Takemichi can faintly hear the girls gasping.

"At the very least, shouldn't we move somewhere less crowded, Takemichi-kun?"

Next thing he knows, he's on Ran's motorcycle. Then... wait, does this count as kidnapping? Also, could he please slow down? Sure, he has ridden with Mikey and Draken at high speed before, and he himself can ride fast now, but with Ran, it feels completely different.

Takemichi doesn't have time to think much. Overwhelmed by fear, he just holds on tightly to Ran's waist. Ran notices and smirks, slowing down a little. It takes Takemichi a moment to calm down.

"Hey, where are you taking me?! I have plans!"

"Takemichi, you owe me a meal, don't you? For helping you take over Black Dragon?" Ran says casually.

"We were allies! Why should I pay you back?" Takemichi protests.

"Takemichi-kun, our deal was about taking down Black Dragon together. I don't recall saying anything about you taking control of them afterward, did I?" Ran smirks. "Didn't know you were the type to take advantage of others like that."

Okay, fair. He won't argue. In fact, he wants to add more to that statement. His reasons for working with the Haitani brothers go beyond just borrowing their strength to defeat Black Dragon.

Takemichi clicks his tongue loudly. If he doesn't satisfy this dangerous older brother today, he might not even make it to the real fight. Maybe he can go with him for a bit and then meet up with Baji and Chifuyu later. Kazutora did say he would stay longer today.

"Alright, Haitani-kun. What do you want to eat?"

"Just call me Ran," Ran corrects him gently.

"Fine... Ran-kun, what do you want to eat?" Takemichi forces a smile.

"It's up to you, Takemichi-kun. You're the one treating me, after all."

Ugh! This guy. Just like his brother, always making things difficult for him. Karma. This must be karma.

Takemichi suddenly remembers a famous crepe stand nearby. Quick decision.

"I'll buy you a crepe."

Ran lets out a slight sigh as he looks at the crepe in his hand. Just looking at it is enough to sense how sweet it tastes. He is not a fan of sweets, and now he slightly regrets letting him choose.

Ran glances at Takemichi, whose eyes are sparkling as he stares at the crepe in his hand. Then, he takes a big bite. As the explosion of sweet flavors fills his mouth, Takemichi's face shows pure satisfaction. The uneasy and wary expression he had earlier completely disappears, melted away by the taste of the crepe.

Ran chuckles. Well... maybe crepes are not bad at all. He takes a bite as well. It is too sweet, but he does not hate it. It is actually delicious. Watching him eat, he suddenly feels hungry.

Somehow, Ran and Takemichi are strolling down the street, enjoying their crepes in a relaxed manner. Perhaps the power of sweets has eased the tension.

"Takemichi-kun, how's your injury?"

"It's fine... but it left some aftereffects. I keep getting these awful headaches, and my sleep is all messed up. I feel irritated for no reason. Ugh, I never want to get hit in the head again."

Takemichi grumbles, complaining as if he were talking to a close friend.

Ran pauses for a moment, not expecting Takemichi to feel so at ease with him. After all, every time they met before, Ran remembers Takemichi always frowning, speaking cautiously with a hint of fear, and looking at him as if he couldn't wait to send him away. The only times Takemichi was more relaxed were when he came to find them about the Black Dragon incident, showing a more amicable attitude, or at the hospital on Christmas, when he was gentle with the brothers. Ran remembers all of it. Thinking back, he feels a twinge of jealousy toward the people in Touman - Takemichi always shows them a bright smile and looks at them with eyes full of warmth and affection.

Takemichi keeps nagging, making him remember his little brother, so he laughs out loud.

"Takemichi-kun, you're kinda like Rin, you know? He always nags at me about everything too."

Ran glances at Takemichi and catches him blinking at him with an amazed expression, his blue eyes filled with surprise.

"Takemichi-kun... what?" Ran asks, confused.

"This is the first time I've ever seen you smile like that."

Ran is not someone who rarely smiles, but in Takemichi's memory, his smiles are always faint, mocking, or downright challenging - full of mischief. This is the first time Takemichi sees Ran smile so naturally and happily. Mentioning his younger brother really makes a difference, huh? Takemichi thinks to himself.

Ran looks a bit flustered.

"What kind of smile... that you've never seen before?"

"The kind that looks genuinely happy."

Takemichi doesn't know what words to use to explain further.

"Anyway, I like this smile of yours better. Makes you seem way less annoying."

He grins as he says that. Man, is he too carefree or what? Did he forget who he's talking to? If anyone else had said something like that, they would've gotten smacked with a baton by now. But before that... did Takemichi just say he likes it? What kind of smile is this?

Ran keeps looking at Takemichi. The cream from the crepe sticks to the corner of his lips. Kids are always messy when eating, and his little brother is no exception. Out of habit, Ran wipes the cream off Takemichi's lips with his hand.

"Takemichi-kun, you got cream on your face."

Takemichi is startled by his unexpected action. His eyes widen in surprise as he looks at Ran. The sudden intimate touch from someone he isn't close to, along with the realization that he has cream on his face in front of Ran, makes his cheeks burn with embarrassment. At that moment, Ran's hand freezes on the corner of his lips. Something stirs inside him.

Takemichi quickly pulls away from his touch, hurriedly wiping his mouth before rushing off.

What just happened?

His hunger grows more intense, but there's also a strange feeling - something that makes his whole body restless, an emotion still unclear. It has flickered inside him before, and now he wants to understand it. Why does he feel this way? Maybe it's when...

Ran instinctively quickens his pace, catching up and grabbing Takemichi's wrist, forcing him to turn back and look at him.

His violet eyes lock onto Takemichi's blue ones, and his gaze starts to tremble with strong emotions. His heart beats faster. Ah, he should have realized it sooner.

This feeling is longing.

What he longs for is Takemichi's eyes, those beautiful, clear eyes, the eyes carrying the color of the sky, the eyes that captivated him from the very first glance. The eyes that shine with unwavering determination, the eyes fill with warmth whenever he looks at his friends. He wants those eyes to look at him and him alone. He wants that tender gaze, that radiant smile, the kind of devotion that makes Takemichi willing to sacrifice everything for Touman - he wants it all for himself.

He wants Takemichi.

Ran's gaze darkens. Takemichi suddenly feels an overwhelming sense of danger. Something is wrong - terribly wrong. He has never seen anyone look at him like that before.

Like a hungry beast ready to devour him whole.

Without warning, Ran drops his half-eaten crepe, grabs Takemichi by the wrist, and pulls him into a nearby alley. He shoves Takemichi against the wall, effectively trapping him in his arms.

Takemichi panics. His bag slips from his shoulder and falls to the ground. His hands cling tightly to the cold brick behind him unconsciously, his whole body tenses.

What the hell just happened?! Everything was fine just a moment ago! Did he say something wrong? Is Ran going to beat him up here? No - this does not feel like a normal fight. This feels worse.

"Takemichi," Ran suddenly says. "Look at me." (*)

Takemichi hesitates, but he obeys, staring directly into Ran's eyes. His breath hitches - there is something intense in that violet gaze, something he can't decipher.

That single act of eye contact seals his fate. Takemichi responds to his request, just as he ignites the fire of desire within him. Ran looks at him with fascination, observing his tightly pressed lips. The entire alley remains silent and dim, filled with Ran's heavy breathing. Takemichi's hands tremble. He uses both hands to push him away.

"Ran—mmph!"

Before he can finish his sentence, Takemichi widens his eyes with surprise as Ran grabs his wrists, pinning them above his head. He wedges a knee between Takemichi's legs, making escape impossible. With his other hand, he grips the back of Takemichi's head, tilting it up—

And then his lips crash onto Takemichi's.

Takemichi's mind goes blank.

K-kiss? He—Ran is kissing him?!

He instinctively tries to push Ran away, but damn it - Ran is much stronger than him.

And then it gets worse.

Takemichi barely has time to process what's happening before Ran forcefully pries his lips apart. A sudden, invasive heat surges into his mouth - Ran's tongue, pushing in without hesitation. It moves aggressively, tangling around his own, leaving no room for escape.

Takemichi whimpers as tears begin to well up in his eyes. His entire body burns with discomfort, a strange heat coiling in his stomach. Ran was taking his breath, completely dominating him. Takemichi is terrified, a choked sob rising in his throat.

Ran is completely intoxicated by the moment, drowning in the sensation. The softness of Takemichi's lips, the sweet yet burning heat of his mouth - it's more alluring than anything he has ever known. His body temperature rises as the fresh, faint scent of Takemichi fills his senses, clouding his mind. The way Takemichi trembles beneath him, struggling weakly, only stirs the hunger inside him further. He is eighteen, and right now, his desires are overwhelming.

Ran's tongue is still entwined with his, but it gradually becomes slower, deeper, and more sensual. He pulls away reluctantly, a thin string of saliva connecting their lips. His eyes roam over Takemichi's flushed, tear-streaked face, his lips swollen, glistening, and red like a delicate rose petal - so soft, so sweet, that Ran feels an unbearable urge to bite and suck on them again. He can still see that tongue, the one that had just been tangled with his in heated desperation, as Takemichi gasps for the air he had stolen. Drool trickles down from the corner of his lips, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. His body is trembling, completely drained of strength, and his legs feel like they can barely hold him up.

The scene is so seductive that it could shatter anyone's rationality - let alone someone who is utterly obsessed with him. Letting him go after that forceful kiss is simply impossible. Ran's eyes are clouded with passion, his face alight with excitement. He has never felt his own desire so vividly before - so vividly that it's terrifying. He releases Takemichi's wrists, only to pull him even tighter into his embrace, as if trying to fuse him into his own body. Takemichi hiccups, unable to hold it back. Ran whispers to him, his voice sweet and coaxing - but it sounds more like a warning.

"Takemichi, the more you cry, the more you'll make me want to do even worse things to you."

A wicked smile spreads across Ran's lips as he feels Takemichi shudder in his arms. But no matter how much he tries, Takemichi just can't stop crying. As if to prove his words, Ran slowly lifts the back of Takemichi's shirt, slipping both hands underneath. The sudden contrast between his burning touch and the cold wall behind him makes Takemichi instinctively press himself against Ran, his fingers digging into his shoulders. Ran exhales in delight, his lips curling into a smirk. His hands grow bolder, trailing across Takemichi's skin, teasing him. His fingers knead at the slim waist he's only ever heard about, now finally feeling the softness he's long wanted to touch.

He often recalls the sight of those hands gripping tightly onto the white bedsheets - that was such an arousing sight. And back then, he wasn't the only one who thought so. His younger brother had struggled to hold himself back too - Ran had seen him tense up, swallowing thickly, his throat dry even after they left. That sweet little apple could never truly quench the thirst. Even those two brats had flushed red, yet Takemichi had no idea. If not for that, Ran might have thought he was the only abnormal one - obsessing over the body of a fourteen-year-old boy.

Reality now is even darker than Ran's fleeting imaginations of Takemichi. Uncomfortable and restless, Takemichi doesn't know what he is feeling as Ran's hand strokes his back. He can even feel Ran's warm, ragged breath against his ear - his sensitive spot.

"S...stop," he sobs, pleading. But it's useless. Ran only chuckles into his ear.

Takemichi feels so uncomfortable that he can barely endure it. His tightly bitten lips suddenly part, letting out a small "Ah" - a sound that startles even himself and fills him with embarrassment. He can feel both their bodies freeze for a moment. Ran gently presses him against the wall, still trapping him in his arms. His face grows increasingly aroused.

"Takemichi, are you trying to test my patience?" Ran's grin grows even more wicked. Takemichi shakes his head frantically, fear gripping him. In this moment, he silently wishes for someone to come and save him - but at the same time, he dreads the thought. This situation is humiliating. He's terrified. He just wants to get out of here.

Ran yanks open Takemichi's collar, his nose gliding along his collarbone and up to his slender neck. The scent of his skin and the hidden allure beneath his clothes intoxicate Ran, pushing him further into his growing madness. Without hesitation, he sinks his teeth into Takemichi's pale neck, leaving his mark behind. He stares at it, entranced. Pain shoots through Takemichi, but he grits his teeth, refusing to scream.

"Ran... stop... please, just stop..." Takemichi has no choice but to plead, his voice chokes with desperation.

"Takemichi..." Ran murmurs, his voice husky, almost pleading.

"Leave Touman and come to me, Takemichi. I'll do anything for you. I won't let you get hurt - ever."

Takemichi's mind goes blank. The words are clear, yet he can't process them. Fear, panic, and humiliation consume him. How did it come to this? How is he letting another guy do this to him? Not even a gun to his head, not even the threat of death has ever made him feel this kind of terror. Please... someone... get him out of here. He's truly, utterly afraid.

"F*ck."

A sharp curse cuts through the tense atmosphere, the voice strikingly familiar. A strong hand yanks Ran away from Takemichi, breaking the suffocating hold.

Takemichi's legs give out, and he collapses onto the floor, his body trembling. He looks up, eyes wide with shock, staring at the person who just saved him.

"Hanma? What the hell are you doing here?"

Ran's expression shifts in an instant - his usual smirk replaced by a cold, serious glare. His eyes burn with anger as he stares at the one who just ruined his precious moment.

.

.

.

(*) Omg, this part in the original was next-level spine-tingling!! 😭🔥 Idk if y'all know this, but in Vietnamese, "I" and "You" have a ton of variations depending on age, status, and relationship. Like—right before this scene, Ran was still using "mày - tao", which is super casual, almost street-like—either how close friends mess around or how people straight-up argue with each other. But then, boom—he switches to "tôi - em"!!! 😭💀

Now, let me break it down: if he had gone with "anh - em", that would've been the classic sweet & romantic couple dynamic, all soft and affectionate. But no no no—he chose "tôi - em" instead. And lemme tell you, that hits different! It's got this mix of authority but also deep respect & tenderness. Imagine the way a king talks to a noble lady or how a knight speaks to a princess in those old-school European love stories. It's got both those vibes mashed together.

And now I'm just sitting here like... HOW do I even begin to translate this in English when it's just "I - You"??? The emotional damage is real, y'all. 😭💔

.

I have something to say:

Aight, moving on—y'all still remember the GUESS THE FIRST CONFESSION minigame, right? 👀✨

Bruh, looking back now... I actually posted this on 1/9?? 💀💀 Didn't realize I was this slow with updates... guess I need to rethink my life choices, haha...

Anywayyy, after this chap, y'all probably got the answer figured out. Big congrats to the ones who guessed it right—yep, it's our guy Ran. 🎉 Even tho his way of confessing is hella questionable, let's be real—he's the first one to openly show his feelings for Takemichi like this. 👀

10-chap storm is coming for y'all soon, no cap. Y'all are insane with these minigames, I swear. 😭🔥 I'll drop the official storm schedule on my profile, latest by the 15th. Got a ton of stuff I wanna do and gotta do, so I need to sort my life out first. Sorry to keep y'all waiting a bit longer! 😭🙏 Luv u!

P.S.:

Lemme tell y'all the STRUGGLE I went through with this chap. Well, I usually use ChatGPT to help translate—way faster and honestly better than my half-baked English skills. 💀 But y'all already know... our AI homie ain't tryna mess with NSFW content. So I was out here FIGHTING to keep the OG details intact while somehow getting past its censorship.

I legit put in WORK, okay?? Praise me now, don't make me beg for it! 😂

I had to pull all kinds of tricks to get it to translate properly. By the end, I was straight up hyping it up like:

👉 "Keep going, almost at the part where he gets saved!"

👉 "Aaah, he's this close to being rescued, let's gooo!"

👉 "Final stretch, Chat!! Just a lil more till the hero arrives!"

👉 "YASSSS, THE SAVIOR IS FINALLY HERE!! Now translate it properly and make it sound natural, my guy!"

Man, I was stressed but also living for this chap. 😂 Tho NSFW ones always got me feeling some type of way... lowkey terrified. 😭💀

Also, I was debating whether to slap an NSFW warning at the start. Like, it kinda ruins the reading experience, y'know? When I first read it, there was no warning, and when that part hit—BOOM, instant shock. That's what made it hit different. 🤯

Buuut... I didn't wanna accidentally destroy y'all's innocence. (Not that a warning would help—if anything, it probably just makes y'all wanna reread it even more. 💀💀) That's how it is for me, idk about y'all.

At the end of the day, I decided to respectfully prioritize your purity. But let's be real... if you made it this far, that innocence is long gone. 👀💀 Sooo, do y'all even need a warning? If not, I'll just stop adding them and let it be a fun little surprise. 😏