His Jacket, His Girl, His Forever (Mikey x Reader)
Summary: It started with a game.
Just you and Emma rating the boys of Toman during a shrine meeting, giggling about who’s hottest and who gives the best hugs. You didn’t expect Mikey to overhear. And you definitely didn’t expect him to throw his jacket over your shoulders like a claim of territory.
Warnings: Soft possessiveness, clingy Mikey, a few kisses that might steal your heart, and Emma being the best wingwoman.
You met Mikey because he stole your sandwich.
Not in a cool, movie-style theft where your eyes locked across a bustling convenience store or something. No. He just walked up, took one look at your lunch, and said:
"That looks better than mine."
Then he picked it up and took a bite.
You blinked at him, absolutely stunned. “Excuse me?”
He blinked back, still chewing. “You gonna eat the rest?”
You were standing outside the corner store you always stopped at after class. You didn’t know who he was — not yet — just that he was barefoot for some reason and wearing a school uniform that didn’t match any of the local schools. His face was too pretty for his attitude.
You stared at him. “Did you just rob me?”
Mikey grinned. “Technically, no. You’re still holding it.”
You looked down at your half-eaten sandwich. Then back at him.
“Nope,” he said cheerfully, hands on his hips like he’d done nothing wrong. “Just hungry.”
You could’ve slapped him. You really could have. But then he tilted his head, sunlight hitting his eyes just right, and he smiled like someone who’d gotten away with worse.
“…You’re insane,” you muttered.
He beamed. “You’re fun. I’m Mikey.”
You didn’t give him your name. Not at first. But that didn’t stop him from showing up the next day.
Turns out, Mikey was a bit of a legend — whether you wanted to hear it or not.
“Manjiro Sano,” Emma said when you finally brought it up. “Leader of the Tokyo Manji Gang.”
You nearly dropped your drink. “That’s Mikey?!”
She gave you a look. “You’ve been hanging out with him for two weeks and didn’t know?”
“To be fair,” you said, thinking of how he kept showing up barefoot to random convenience stores, “he doesn’t exactly scream ‘dangerous gang leader.’”
Emma raised a brow. “Tell that to the people he’s kicked unconscious.”
But it was too late by then. You’d already kind of liked him.
Because Mikey wasn’t what you expected. Sure, he was unpredictable. Occasionally terrifying. Once made direct eye contact with you while eating an entire chocolate bar without chewing.
But he also made you laugh — a lot. He had the worst jokes. The best timing. He asked questions no one else thought to ask, like:
“Do you think ghosts get bored of haunting the same place?”
Or, your personal favorite:
“If I name a goldfish ‘Shinichiro,’ is that disrespectful or kind of sweet?”
Sometimes he said nothing at all. Just showed up, walked beside you, and shared whatever snack he was carrying — even if it was only one bite. (Sometimes especially if it was only one bite.)
And over time, you noticed things.
Like how he always waited for everyone else to eat before he touched his food. Or how his eyes drifted toward the sky when the conversation got too serious, like he was trying not to remember something.
He was strange. And reckless. And a little broken.
But he made you feel seen. And more importantly — he made you feel safe.
You didn’t know when you started holding his hand without thinking. Or when he stopped pretending you were just a friend.
But one night, when you handed him a sandwich without saying anything, he looked at it, then at you, and smiled that same dumb smile from the first day.
“Of course I did,” you said, nudging him in the ribs. “But if you steal mine again, I’m breaking your legs.”
Mikey laughed — a real, unfiltered laugh — and leaned in close.
“Too late,” he whispered, stealing a bite anyway.
___________________________________________________________________________
It had been a few weeks since Mikey had started hanging around you, and things between the two of you had definitely shifted. What started as random encounters — him stealing your food, offering random deep (and often nonsensical) questions, or showing up when you least expected it — turned into something more natural. He’d walk you home, sit next to you at the corner store, and always, always drag you to random places just because he felt like it.
But today, everything changed.
You were walking out of school, talking with Emma about the usual nonsense, when you noticed a guy from your class standing awkwardly near the gate. He was fiddling with his sleeves and looking like he was trying to work up the courage to speak.
You barely had time to process when he finally blurted out, “Hey, uh... I’ve been meaning to ask you something. Would you maybe... wanna go get coffee sometime?”
You blinked. “Um, sure...”
He grinned like he’d just won a prize. “Awesome! How about tomorrow?”
Before you could respond, the sound of roaring engines interrupted the moment. You turned, and there he was — Mikey, effortlessly gliding in on his bike, the wind ruffling his already messy hair as he slowed down in front of you. His eyes locked onto the guy immediately.
“Hey,” Mikey called out, his tone lazy but with a hard edge. The guy visibly tensed.
You watched in mild confusion as Mikey hopped off his bike, walked up to you, and stood way too close for comfort — his shoulder brushing yours like he owned the space between you. “You talkin’ to my girl?” he asked, his eyes flashing toward the guy with that signature smug smile.
The guy blinked, clearly caught off guard by Mikey’s sudden arrival and the intense, almost possessive vibe radiating off him. “Uh, I—”
“No need to answer,” Mikey cut him off, already turning to you with a grin. “I’ll take it from here, yeah?”
You raised an eyebrow, still processing the situation. “Mikey, what are you doing?”
“Claiming what’s mine.” He winked at you, hands sliding into his pockets. “I’m picking you up every day now from today, by the way. It’s a Mikey thing.”
The guy looked between you two, clearly out of his depth, and scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “Uh, okay, well... I guess I’ll... see you around?”
You sighed, stepping back as Mikey leaned down, resting his chin on your shoulder like he was too comfortable. “Nope,” Mikey called after the guy, giving him a half-hearted wave before turning his attention back to you. “Now, where were we?”
You were still caught off guard. “What just happened?”
Mikey let out a lazy laugh and nudged your shoulder with his. “Nothing much. Just making sure no one else thinks they can steal you away.” He leaned in closer, his breath warm against your cheek. “You’re mine.”
“Wait, really?” You were still trying to catch up, blinking at him.
He shrugged nonchalantly. “You were already mine the second you handed me your sandwich. Don’t act like you didn’t know.” He grinned at you. “So... how about it? I’ll walk you home, and then I can take you somewhere nice.”
You tried to suppress your smile. “You’re unbelievable.”
With that, Mikey draped his arm around you and practically dragged you off, leaving the guy standing there, completely forgotten.
And from that day on, you had Mikey’s attention — a lot of it. In his own unique, clingy way, he was all yours.
___________________________________________________________________________
It was almost sunset when the low rumble of engines echoed through the quiet neighborhood, signaling the approach of the Tokyo Manji Gang.
You were already at Musashi Shrine, standing just off the path with Emma. The air smelled like burnt gasoline and cedarwood. Golden light filtered through the trees, catching on the backs of the approaching riders like something out of a movie.
“Look at them,” Emma said with a smirk, nudging your shoulder. “All dramatic and cool.”
“They’re just boys in matching jackets,” you replied, but even you knew it wasn’t true. There was something magnetic about the way they moved together — a reckless kind of unity.
The boys began filing up the steps toward the meeting spot, lining up in their usual formation. You saw Baji throw a punch at someone for a reason only he understood, and Mitsuya adjusting someone’s collar with tired precision.
And then — like clockwork — he found you.
Mikey didn’t walk. He drifted. One second, he was in front of the captains; the next, he was beside you, arms lazily draped over your shoulders like he was trying to become part of your outfit.
“There you are,” he said, like you were the one who’d been missing.
You blinked. “I’ve been here the whole time.”
“I know.” He leaned closer, tugging you back a step until your back bumped his chest. “But it feels longer when I’m not touching you.”
Emma made a choking noise beside you. “Oh my god.”
You ignored her and tilted your head. “Mikey—”
“Manjiro,” he corrected softly, so close to your ear it sent a little shiver down your neck.
You turned to glance at him, caught off guard by the seriousness in his tone. His eyes were half-lidded, that familiar sleepy look — but there was a flicker of something more focused underneath.
“…Manjiro,” you said carefully, testing the sound of it.
Before you could say anything else, he leaned down and pressed a quick, stupidly soft kiss to your lips — right there in front of the whole damn world.
Not rough. Not teasing. Just gentle, quick, and unmistakably his.
Your breath caught in your throat.
He pulled back barely an inch, still close enough that his forehead nearly touched yours. “That’s better,” he murmured.
Emma wheezed. “I’m right here, you two!”
You shoved at his chest, your face suddenly way too warm. “Seriously?! Right before your big gangster meeting?!”
Mikey grinned. “Gives me good luck.”
“You’re gonna make them think I’m distracting you.”
“You are distracting,” he said, absolutely unbothered.
He kissed your cheek this time, slow and lingering. “Mmh. Say it again.”
“Stop being weird!” you hissed, trying to push him off — but he just hung on tighter, like a very smug, very clingy sloth.
“I like when you call me that,” he said, finally loosening his grip. “Only you, though. Everyone else sounds like a teacher.”
He finally stepped back, his fingers trailing from your hand like he didn’t quite want to let go yet. “Stay where I can see you, okay?”
You rolled your eyes. “Why? Gonna get jealous if someone makes eye contact with me?”
Then, without waiting for an answer, he turned and walked toward the captains, completely casual — as if he hadn’t just publicly kissed his girlfriend like it was a holy ritual.
Emma leaned in with wide eyes. “So. How does it feel being claimed like territory?”
You smacked her arm. “Shut up.”
__________________________________________________________________________
The sun was starting to dip behind the trees, casting long shadows over the shrine grounds as the Tokyo Manji Gang settled into their usual positions. Mikey, ever the casual leader, was already at the center, chatting with Draken and the other captains. The air around them was tense, full of gang business that you really didn’t want to hear about.
You and Emma were sitting off to the side, legs dangling from the stone platform as you watched the boys talk shop. You could barely make out the words — something about territory and rival gangs — but honestly, the topic wasn’t new. It was the same stuff they always talked about.
Mikey, however, had a different agenda.
You were scrolling through your phone, trying to distract yourself, when you felt the familiar weight of his jacket being draped over your shoulders. You froze, glancing up just in time to see him flash a lazy grin at you from across the group.
“What’re you doing?” you asked, blinking at him.
“Making sure everyone knows you’re taken,” Mikey replied casually, shoving his hands into his pockets as he leaned against a tree. “Don’t want anyone getting any ideas.”
Your heart skipped a beat. Mikey’s “possessive” side had always been cheeky, but something about his calm expression and the weight of his jacket made it feel more real this time.
You raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
He winked. “What? You’re my girl. I gotta make sure they all know.”
Emma, who was sitting next to you, let out a dramatic sigh. “Mikey’s so whipped. It’s kind of adorable.”
“Emma,” you whispered, nudging her with your elbow, but she was already grinning from ear to ear.
Mikey overheard and grinned back at her, giving a half-shrug. “I’m not whipped. I’m just... protective.”
You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help the smile tugging at your lips. Mikey was unpredictable, a wild mix of playful and possessive, but you liked it. You liked him.
As the conversation droned on, you felt your attention starting to wander. It wasn’t that you didn’t care about Toman’s plans, but right now, it was just a bunch of boys talking in circles about turf wars and rival gangs. You glanced at Emma, who was already bored out of her mind.
“What do you think?” you whispered. “Want to play the game again?”
Emma grinned mischievously. “I’m so in. But let’s make it more interesting.”
You glanced at Mikey, who was still fully engaged in the meeting, arms crossed over his chest, his eyes fixed on Baji as he ranted about something. He didn’t notice the playful glint in your eye. Perfect.
“Alright, let’s do it. First question, who’s the most dramatic in Toman?” you asked, keeping your voice low.
Emma grinned mischievously. “Baji. No contest.”
You couldn’t help but agree. “Yeah, he’s always throwing tantrums like he’s the main character in a soap opera.”
You glanced at Mikey again. He was still oblivious, but you could feel him shifting a little closer to you. That clinginess of his was getting real obvious.
“And... who’s the most secretly emotional?” you asked, raising an eyebrow. You weren’t going for anything too serious, just something fun to see how she’d respond.
Emma tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Draken. He’s always trying to hide it, but you know the guy’s a softie.”
You looked over at Draken, who was standing with his arms folded, looking like the stoic rock of the group. “Hmm, you’re right. You can tell he’s got a heart of gold hidden under all that tough guy exterior.”
“Okay, okay,” Emma continued. “Now... who’s the most likely to cry during a movie?”
You glanced at Mikey, who was fiddling with his phone, sitting back on the stone steps like he owned the place. Without missing a beat, you answered, “Mikey.”
Emma raised an eyebrow, amused. “Really?”
You shrugged. “I mean, have you seen him when he watches a movie? He gets emotional over the smallest things.”
Emma laughed. “I’ll take your word for it.”
You leaned in closer, trying to stifle your laugh. “Alright, next one — who’s the worst cook in Toman?”
This time, Emma didn’t hesitate. “Mikey. He can’t even make toast without burning it.”
You couldn’t help but snicker. “He once tried to make instant ramen, and the kitchen smelled like smoke for hours.”
Emma raised her eyebrows, laughing quietly. “He’s definitely not winning any cooking awards. I bet he doesn’t even know how to make eggs.”
You glanced over at Mikey just as he casually draped his arm over your shoulder again, pulling you closer like he was very aware of what you were talking about. “What are you two gossiping about over here?”
You gave him your most innocent look. “Oh, nothing. Just discussing your many... talents.”
Mikey’s eyes narrowed playfully, his lips twitching into a grin. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
You winked at him. “You’re really bad at cooking.”
He feigned shock, but his grin grew. “I can cook just fine, thank you very much. But, I guess if you don’t like my cooking, I’ll just have to feed you from now on.”
“Oh? You’re volunteering?” you teased, raising an eyebrow.
Mikey’s eyes lit up with mischief. “Of course. I’m a man of many talents.” He leaned in a little closer. “You’re gonna love my cooking... or my effort at it.”
Emma stifled a laugh and glanced at you. “I love how he thinks he’s so charming.”
You smirked. “He’s adorable, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to roast him when it comes to the kitchen.”
Mikey gave you a playful nudge, pretending to be offended. “I’m taking this jacket back, then. No more claiming you in front of everyone.”
“Try it, and I’ll keep it,” you shot back, leaning into him.
Mikey’s eyes flicked over to the group briefly, sensing that the meeting was winding down, and then whispered, “I’m not done yet. You can’t escape me.”
You laughed quietly, shifting your focus back to Emma, who was trying to contain her giggles.
“Alright, last question,” you said, winking at Emma. “Who’s most likely to start a fight over something stupid?”
Emma didn’t think twice. “Mikey. Hands down. He’d fight someone for the last piece of candy.”
You blinked at her. “Wait... really?”
Emma shrugged. “I mean, have you seen him when he's hangry?”
You felt Mikey’s grip tighten on your shoulder, a sly grin forming on his face as he overheard the conversation.
“That’s not true,” he said smoothly, leaning down to kiss your temple, his voice suddenly low and teasing. “I’d never fight for candy.”
You shot him a playful glare. “Oh really?”
He winked at you, voice still soft. “Okay, maybe for candy. Or, you know, you. I’d fight anyone for you.”
Before you could retort, the meeting was starting to wrap up, and Mikey shot one last smug look at the gang. He seemed far more interested in you than anything going on in the meeting.
“Guess we’re done here, huh?” Mikey said, standing up and pulling you with him. “Time to take my girl home.”
Emma rolled her eyes dramatically. “I’m pretty sure you’re the reason the meeting’s done.”
You laughed as Mikey gave Emma a playful, unbothered grin. “She’s right. You’re welcome.”
You snatched up his jacket and stood up, wrapping it around yourself like a shield from the cold. “And here I thought you were the dramatic one.”
Mikey winked, slinging an arm around you as you both made your way down the stairs. “Who else would do it better?”
Emma shook her head but smiled. “You two are impossible.”
“Yeah,” you said, grinning up at Mikey. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
___________________________________________________________________________
The meeting had finally wrapped up, the last bit of gang business taken care of. Mikey, as always, had been the first to disengage, already bouncing on his heels and ready to drag you away. His arm was still comfortably draped around your shoulders, his fingers lightly tracing the fabric of his jacket, which was now wrapped snugly around you.
“So, where are we going?” you asked, teasing him. He hadn’t even asked you where you wanted to go — it was as if the choice was already made for you.
“Wherever I want, obviously,” Mikey replied, giving you a cheeky grin. “I’m the leader, remember?”
You rolled your eyes but couldn’t hide the smile on your face. Mikey was so Mikey — goofy, possessive, and absolutely confident. It was hard not to laugh at his antics.
Emma caught up with you both, waving you off with a grin. “I’ll see you two later. Don’t kill each other over lunch or something.”
“You’re welcome to join us!” Mikey called after her, but Emma just laughed and shook her head.
“Nah, I think I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it. Enjoy fighting over where to eat.”
You shot Emma a quick look, mouthing “Thanks for the backup” as she walked off, leaving you with Mikey. He was already pulling you in a direction that you couldn’t quite place.
“So, where are we really going?” you asked, a little more curious now.
Mikey just shrugged, leading you through the streets with that same carefree attitude. “Wherever. I don’t know. As long as you’re with me, I’m good.”
You couldn’t help but laugh, looking at him sideways. “You really are impossible.”
He glanced over at you, his eyes narrowing in mock offense. “Impossible? I prefer the term ‘unpredictably fun.’”
You snorted. “Yeah, okay. Sure.”
Mikey didn’t let up, pulling you into a nearby cafe. It was one of those quiet little places tucked away from the hustle and bustle. He always seemed to know the best spots. Mikey led you straight to the counter, practically ordering for you without asking. The staff knew him by name — of course they did — and they didn’t even bat an eye at his antics.
When you got your food, Mikey insisted on sitting beside you in the most obnoxious, over-the-top way. He draped his arm around the back of your chair like he was marking his territory, then casually placed his drink next to yours, making sure it was as close as humanly possible.
You glanced at him, half amused and half exhausted from his clinginess. “Mikey, really?”
“What?” he asked innocently, as if nothing was unusual. “You’re my girl. I gotta be close.”
You shook your head, but it was impossible to stay mad at him. Even though his possessiveness was overwhelming, it was... endearing. In his own Mikey way, he really cared.
As you ate, you couldn’t help but let the conversation wander back to the game you and Emma had played earlier. Mikey had been half-listening to your banter with Emma, but now he seemed to be picking up on the teasing.
“So, I’m the most dramatic and the worst cook, huh?” he asked, his voice teasing. “I’m hurt.”
You smirked, giving him a sideways glance. “You know, you could’ve at least tried to cook for me.”
Mikey shrugged as he took a sip of his drink. “I’d burn the kitchen down. You’re lucky I just buy you food instead.”
“Well, if you can’t cook, then what is your talent, Mikey?” you teased.
His grin grew wider. “Everything.” He leaned in a little closer, lowering his voice. “But my real talent is making you happy.”
You rolled your eyes but couldn’t hide the fond smile tugging at your lips. “You’re too much sometimes, you know that?”
“I know,” Mikey replied, his voice a soft hum. He raised his glass and made a toast with you. “But you wouldn’t want it any other way.”
You clinked your glass against his, the light reflecting off the surface as you smiled. “Maybe not.”
The two of you sat in comfortable silence for a while, just enjoying each other’s company. It was one of those moments where everything felt right — where Mikey’s energy wasn’t overwhelming, just... comforting.
After a few minutes, Mikey suddenly leaned back in his chair, his gaze turning to you with a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Alright, next round of the game. Who’s the most ridiculous in Toman?”
You smirked, already knowing the answer. “You, obviously.”
Mikey sat up straight, his expression mock-hurt. “Me? Ridiculous? I’ll have you know I’m a pillar of wisdom and sophistication.”
You snorted. “Yeah, sure. You’re like a walking disaster waiting to happen.”
He grinned widely. “Exactly. And you love it.”
You couldn’t argue with that. Mikey had a way of making his chaos seem so charming.
The conversation shifted, and Mikey got more playful, asking questions about who could really take him down in a fight, who would survive a zombie apocalypse, and even who in Toman had the worst fashion sense (to which Mikey had been quick to answer, “Definitely me, because I’m too stylish to even handle.”)
But by the end of the day, as the sun began to set, Mikey had you laughing and smiling in a way you couldn’t quite explain.
His clinginess, his silly personality, and his never-ending ability to make you the center of his world — it was impossible not to fall for him even harder.
“So,” Mikey said as you both strolled back toward the familiar streets of your neighborhood, “about that date... I’m taking you out again soon. No excuses.”
You raised an eyebrow at him. “You’re not letting me say no, are you?”
“Never,” Mikey replied, his voice full of conviction. “You’re mine.”
With that, you laughed, feeling the warmth of his presence wash over you again. “I guess I am.”
And just like that, Mikey claimed you, not just with his words, but with his laughter, his quirky charm, and that clingy little streak of his that made him impossible to resist.
___________________________________________________________________________
The moonlight bled through the half-open curtains, painting the room in soft silver. Everything was still — the house, the street, the city. Except for Mikey.
It wasn’t anything new. Sometimes the quiet felt too loud in his head, and he’d lie there with his arms crossed behind his head, staring at the ceiling and thinking about things he didn’t really like to think about.
But tonight was different. You were there. Curled up in his bed with one of his pillows half-hugged and his gang jacket still wrapped around your shoulders.
He hadn’t meant for you to fall asleep in it. You’d just been hanging around after the shrine meeting, teasing him about his bad cooking and trying to steal the last rice cracker. You’d both ended up watching some old anime on his laptop, but while he was talking at full speed, you’d started nodding off.
Now, the only sound in the room was your quiet breathing.
Mikey turned on his side and watched you for a minute. The jacket looked huge on you — sleeves long enough to cover your hands, the collar a bit too wide, but it was warm and soft and unmistakably his.
A lazy smile crept onto his face.
“You look good in my jacket, y’know that?” he whispered, even though you probably weren’t awake. “Too good, actually. Kinda makes me wanna put another one on you. Just to be sure people really get the message.”
You stirred slightly, murmuring something sleepy and unintelligible, pulling the jacket closer around yourself like a blanket.
Mikey reached out, gently brushing some hair away from your face, voice even softer now. “You’re dangerous, [Name]. You make me soft.”
There wasn’t a trace of teasing in his tone now — just something quieter, more real.
“I could fight a hundred guys with a smile on my face, but the second you look at me like that, I forget how to act.”
His hand hovered near yours, not quite touching, just... close.
“You make this world feel like it’s not so heavy sometimes.”
You shifted again, eyes fluttering open for just a second. “...Manjiro?”
Mikey froze for a second, then leaned in a little with a lopsided smile. “Hey. Didn’t mean to wake you.”
You blinked slowly, voice drowsy and muffled. “You’re staring.”
“You’re wearing my jacket,” he said simply, like that explained everything.
You gave him a sleepy look. “...You’re weird.”
Mikey laughed softly under his breath. “Takes one to love one.”
You smiled faintly, eyes already drifting closed again. “You’re clingy...”
“And you like it,” he replied, smug.
Before you could argue, Mikey leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead, then one to your lips — soft and careful, as if even half-asleep, you were something precious.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he whispered. “Now go back to sleep. I’ll stay up and guard you from the nightmares.”
You mumbled something about “being dramatic,” but Mikey just smiled and pulled the blanket up around your shoulders, letting you melt back into rest with his jacket wrapped tight around you — the clearest mark that you were his.
And in that quiet room, under the weight of moonlight and his own feelings, Mikey finally let himself breathe a little easier.
___________________________________________________________________________
You felt the shift in the bed before you even opened your eyes.
Mikey had moved. Not far, just enough for you to feel the absence of his warmth next to you. The room was still wrapped in shadows, the sky outside that deep pre-dawn blue that only appeared when the world was holding its breath between night and morning.
You mumbled into your pillow. “Manjiro?”
“Right here,” he answered softly from the edge of the bed, where he was lacing up his boots — already dressed in that half-wrinkled, “I woke up like this” biker look he pulled off way too easily.
You yawned and rolled over slowly, still wrapped in his jacket like a cocoon. “Why are you up? It’s not even light out.”
He turned his head slightly, gave you that small smile — the one that looked like he knew something you didn’t. “I couldn’t sleep.”
You blinked at him. “Again?”
He stood up, walked over to your side, crouching by the bed so he was level with your sleepy face. His hair was a little messy, eyes warm but bright with something restless.
You stared at him, still half-asleep. “Right now?”
“Yeah,” he said, like it was the most natural thing in the world. “Just you and me. City’s empty this early. You’ll like it.”
You snorted, burying your face into his jacket collar. “You know I was planning to skip school today anyway…”
Mikey grinned like that was exactly the answer he’d expected. “So, that’s a yes?”
You let out a long breath, then dragged yourself upright, hair tousled, eyes still a little heavy. “Yeah, okay. Just let me brush my teeth so you don’t crash the bike from second-hand sleep breath.”
He laughed, actually laughed, and leaned forward to press a kiss to your cheek before you shuffled toward the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, you were sitting behind him on his bike, arms wrapped around his waist, the wind already picking up even though the sun hadn’t risen yet. The city was dead quiet, the roads almost too open — like it all belonged to the two of you.
You pressed your cheek against his back, still a little drowsy but content.
“You sure you’re not just using this as an excuse to keep me all to yourself?” you asked over the hum of the engine.
Mikey didn’t turn his head, but you could hear the grin in his voice. “Absolutely.”
You chuckled, holding on a little tighter. “Figures.”
As the wind rushed past you and the horizon slowly turned from deep blue to gold, Mikey sped up just a little — not recklessly, but enough to make your heart lift.
The city may have been asleep, but you weren’t.
And in that moment, wrapped in his jacket, hands on his ribs, heartbeat steady against your own — it felt like nothing could touch the two of you.
___________________________________________________________________________
The roar of the engine softened as Mikey finally slowed, pulling the bike to a stop near the edge of the wide riverbank. The sun was just beginning to rise, streaks of orange and pale gold bleeding across the sky like watercolors. The city was still far off in the distance, quiet and untouched.
You blinked against the light, stretching as you climbed off the bike, your fingers brushing against his back for balance.
“Where…?” you started to ask, but Mikey just glanced over his shoulder and gave you a half-smile.
“My favorite spot,” he said. “No one really comes out here. ‘Cept Draken sometimes, but he sleeps more than you do.”
You scoffed. “I don’t sleep that much.”
“You slept through me putting your shoes on,” he deadpanned, clearly amused. “Like a toddler.”
You glared at him, but your sleepy pout only made him grin wider. “Okay, fair.”
The river shimmered under the rising sun, its slow current gliding past with a peaceful rhythm. It wasn’t flashy — just still water, a crumbling concrete ledge, and an old vending machine nearby. But the moment you took a breath and let the quiet sink in, you understood.
There was something healing about it. It felt like time slowed down here.
Mikey sat down on the ledge and patted the space beside him. “C’mere.”
You dropped beside him, pulling his jacket tighter around your frame as the breeze picked up. He was still watching the water, eyes distant but soft.
“This is where I come when everything gets too loud,” he said after a long moment. “Gang stuff, family stuff… even my own thoughts sometimes. Out here, it’s just quiet. Real quiet.”
You nodded, not needing to say anything. The silence between you wasn’t awkward. It was grounding.
He glanced at you out of the corner of his eye. “You ever get that too? Just wanna… vanish for a bit?”
You smiled faintly. “All the time. That’s why I said yes to this, even half-asleep.”
He chuckled. “Guess we both needed it, huh?”
Another silence settled in — comfortable, easy — until Mikey turned to face you completely.
“You really do look good in my jacket,” he murmured again, but this time with more meaning behind it. “Like you belong in it. Like you belong with me.”
You tilted your head. “That a confession, Manjiro?”
He grinned. “No, that was a statement. The confession happened when I stole that kiss back at the school.”
You laughed under your breath. “Right. Forgot how bold you are.”
“I’m just honest,” he said, eyes never leaving yours now. “I want you in my life. Every day. In my jacket, on my bike, next to me at meetings — all of it. So yeah, maybe I’m clingy. But I’ve already decided.”
You raised an eyebrow, amused and touched. “Decided what?”
He leaned in just a little, voice low but firm. “That you’re mine.”
There it was again — Mikey’s bluntness. He never said things halfway. But his voice carried something steadier now. No joke, no teasing — just truth.
You looked at him for a moment, heart a little full, then gently rested your head on his shoulder.
“Took you long enough to say it like that,” you whispered.
Mikey let out a soft breath of a laugh, his arm coming around your waist. “Yeah, yeah. I get there eventually.”
You stayed like that for a while, watching the sun rise over the water, wrapped in his warmth, the silence holding you both in place. And even though the world would get loud again — school, gang drama, real life — this moment was yours.
Just you and Mikey, where it was quiet.
Where everything made sense.
___________________________________________________________________________
You were both quiet again, the sun now fully risen and casting a warm, golden glow across the water. Mikey’s arm was still lazily draped around your waist, and your head rested lightly against his shoulder. It was one of those rare, slow mornings where the whole world seemed to hush just for you two.
Then, softly—almost like it slipped out—Mikey murmured,
“I wanna marry you someday.”
You blinked, lifting your head slightly to see if he was joking. But he wasn’t looking at you. His gaze was still fixed on the water, eyes unreadable for a second. There was no smirk, no laugh waiting behind his lips. Just quiet certainty.
“I mean it,” he continued, a little softer now. “Not right away or anything. Just… I’ve never really thought about the future like that. Not until you.”
Your heart stuttered in your chest. He didn’t say things like this often — not without a joke in his tone, not without that cheeky grin. But now he was just... honest. Serious in a way that made your breath catch.
You looked down for a second, cheeks flushing with warmth you couldn’t hide even if you wanted to. Then you smiled, wide and real, and reached for his hand.
“I can’t wait for that,” you whispered, eyes shining. “You, me, someday? That sounds perfect.”
Mikey finally looked at you then — and he beamed. Like he’d just won the world’s biggest prize. He kissed your hand, then stood up and offered his, the jacket falling perfectly into place over your shoulders again.
“Come on,” he said, that teasing sparkle returning to his eyes. “Let’s get breakfast. Or whatever meal it is when you skip school before it even starts.”
You laughed, taking his hand. “Sounds like a plan, fiancé.”
“You better not say that around Draken. He’ll faint.”
___________________________________________________________________________
You were walking back through a narrow side street, heading toward a place Mikey swore had the “best melonpan in Tokyo,” when you turned a corner and—
“Oi,” a rough voice called out. “That jacket…”
A small group of older teens — four, maybe five guys — loitered near the vending machines, all wearing mismatched leather and chains. They weren’t Toman. Not even close.
One of them, clearly the leader, stepped forward with a sneer.
“That’s the Tokyo Manji Gang’s uniform, isn’t it?” he said, looking straight at you. “Don’t tell me they’ve got little girlfriends doing their laundry now.”
Mikey didn’t flinch. But he did step just slightly to the side, like he was getting ready to put himself between you and them.
You placed a hand lightly on his arm.
“I got this,” you said calmly.
You shrugged off his jacket slowly, folded it once, and handed it to him. Then you stepped forward, cracking your knuckles.
The leader scoffed. “What the hell are you—?”
You moved before he could finish the sentence — ducking low, sweeping his legs out with a sharp, practiced kick. He hit the ground with a surprised grunt, and before the others could even react, you’d already dropped two more with precise, fluid strikes.
Mikey stood there — wide-eyed, holding his own jacket — watching as you took out the last guy with a clean elbow to the gut and a twist that sent him sprawling.
You brushed your hands off casually, turned, and walked back to him like it was nothing.
“Sorry,” you said, slipping his jacket back on, still a little breathless. “Didn’t wanna get it dirty.”
Then grinned — slow and completely floored.
“…Okay,” he said, sounding slightly dazed. “That was… hot.”
You laughed, grabbing his hand again. “Come on, melonpan, remember?”
He followed you wordlessly for a moment, then muttered under his breath, “I have to marry you.”
You just smiled to yourself, tugging him along.
___________________________________________________________________________
The smell of warm melonpan filled the air as you and Mikey sat down at a small, nearly-empty café just outside the neighborhood. The place had a cozy, nostalgic feel — the kind of place that wasn’t flashy, just serving good food. Mikey slouched a little in his seat, looking content, but there was still something in his eyes — a curiosity that hadn’t left since the moment you’d knocked out those guys in the alley.
You sipped your drink, watching him with a raised eyebrow. “What?”
Mikey leaned forward, his eyes wide with genuine interest. “You really didn’t even break a sweat. And it wasn’t like you were messing around either. You took ‘em down like… you’ve done it a thousand times.”
You bit your lip, setting your cup down. “I’ve had my share of… situations. You know, self-defense stuff.”
He nodded slowly, his face softening. “Yeah, but... why didn’t you tell me?”
You smiled a little, leaning back in your chair. “I guess I didn’t think it was that important.”
“Important?” Mikey leaned in, voice getting a little more intense. “You kicked their asses! You’re not just some random girl in my life, [Name]. You’re, well, you’re my girl and I… don’t like people messing with you.”
You felt your heart flutter a bit at the possessiveness in his voice. Even if it came across a bit bluntly, you knew it came from a good place.
“Don’t worry, I can handle myself,” you teased, “But I’ll keep the really big fights for you.”
Mikey paused for a moment, his eyes softening, and he grinned. “I’m still amazed. Like… that was amazing. Seriously, I wasn’t even expecting that.”
You laughed, feeling a bit embarrassed, but also proud of your skills. “You never asked, Mikey. You just assumed I couldn’t take care of myself.”
He pouted for a second, clearly teasing. “Well, I’m a little slow sometimes.”
“Just a little?” You raised an eyebrow, and Mikey burst out laughing.
“Okay, okay, a lot. But still, that was so cool,” he said, still looking at you in awe. “I gotta say, I like knowing you’ve got my back, even when I don’t see it coming.”
“Well,” you smiled softly, “we’re in this together. Always.”
___________________________________________________________________________
The shrine was the usual spot for Toman meetings — surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the stone steps and the rising mist from the morning dew. The gang was already gathering, sitting on the steps and the edge of the stone platforms, awaiting Mikey’s arrival.
The air was cool, the distant sound of city life buzzing in the background, but at this time of morning, the world felt quiet. Almost serene, in a way.
You had arrived with Mikey, still wearing his jacket, your presence drawing a few curious glances from the gang as you approached.
Mikey seemed unbothered by it. If anything, he was grinning, his arm slung casually over your shoulder. His pride was practically radiating off of him, and you could tell he was practically bursting to share what had happened earlier.
“Alright, alright,” Mikey began as you both reached the group, a playful edge to his voice. “So, before we get into anything important… I gotta say something.”
Draken, sitting at the top of the stairs, shot Mikey a look. “What now?”
“I’ve gotta introduce you guys to the best fighter in the gang.” Mikey’s grin was mischievous. “The one who wiped the floor with five random punks today. [Name].”
There was a beat of silence before everyone burst out into laughter. Takemichi, ever the worried one, was the first to speak.
“You’re joking, right? There’s no way—”
Mikey’s grin only widened. “No joke. She took them down like she was born for it.”
The others turned to you, eyes wide with disbelief, and you could feel the heat rise in your cheeks. “It wasn’t a big deal, guys. Just some guys talking crap.”
Draken, not one to back down from a challenge, raised an eyebrow. “Really? You’re telling me you just knocked out five guys?”
You shrugged, feeling the nervous tension of all their stares. “I’ve had some training, that’s all.”
Emma, who had tagged along after your girls’ trip, chuckled as she leaned against a nearby pillar. “She’s being modest.”
“Self-defense, huh?” Mitsuya asked, clearly intrigued, eyeing you with a mix of respect and curiosity. “That’s impressive.”
You gave a slight nod. “Yeah, well, I’ve had to learn a few things. Just in case.”
The air shifted slightly — more respect, more admiration — and even Draken gave you an approving nod. “Guess we’ve got a real badass on our hands.”
Mikey, still standing next to you, looked absolutely thrilled. His eyes sparkled as he turned to the group. “You guys know how I like my gang, right? Strong, loyal, but also…” He let the words hang in the air, his grin widening. “...Not afraid to kick some ass. And now we’ve got a legit fighter on our side.”
The boys seemed impressed, and as the conversation moved forward, Mikey’s pride never seemed to wane. He kept leaning closer to you, occasionally nudging you with his elbow or stealing a glance at you, like he couldn’t stop showing off his girl.
It wasn’t long before Mikey finally sat down, pulling you onto the step beside him.
The gang had fallen into their usual chatter, but Mikey’s attention was still on you, his fingers lightly brushing against your hand. You couldn’t help but laugh softly. “You’ve really been riding the high from this, huh?”
Mikey grinned, looking almost like a kid on Christmas. “You’re my girl. Of course I’m proud.”
You rolled your eyes, though your heart was warm from his excitement. “I wasn’t trying to impress anyone.”
“Well, you didn’t have to,” Mikey said, his voice low but with that familiar cheekiness. “You’ve already impressed me.”
Before you could respond, Draken walked over, looking between you both with that big, knowing grin on his face.
“Alright, Mikey,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve got your fighter. Now we just gotta keep her from running the whole damn gang, huh?”
The others, who had gathered near the steps, started chuckling.
Mikey just smirked, his eyes never leaving you. “Nah. She’s just gonna make sure no one messes with us.”
You shot Mikey a playful look. “You’re really not going to let this go, huh?”
“Not a chance,” Mikey said, squeezing your hand gently.
___________________________________________________________________________
As the meeting began to progress, more questions started popping up. The group was still buzzing about your fight. You hadn’t expected this kind of attention, but it was fun to see everyone’s reactions.
“Alright, but seriously, what kind of training are we talking about here?” Takemichi asked, leaning in as if trying to figure out your secret. “You can’t just become that good overnight.”
You shrugged nonchalantly. “Boxing, some martial arts… a little bit of everything. Just wanted to make sure I can protect myself.”
Emma, always the one with a mischievous edge, nudged you with a smile. “You know, Mikey’s a little territorial, huh? Think he’ll keep the boys in line for you?”
“Stop it, Emma,” Mikey grumbled, though his eyes were still twinkling as he shot a look at you. “I don’t need to keep anyone in line. Not when she’s got it handled.”
Draken just shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips. “You guys are something else. Never thought I’d see Mikey all proud of his girl like this.”
Mikey puffed out his chest, not in arrogance but in pure pride. “She’s not just any girl. She’s my girl.”
The entire group seemed to settle into a comfortable quiet, respect mingling with that familiar teasing atmosphere. Mikey wasn’t just proud of you for your strength. It was everything you were — the way you fit into Toman, how effortlessly you blended into their chaotic world, yet still stood out. And Mikey? He was absolutely, unapologetically in love with that.
You leaned into his shoulder, letting the peaceful quiet settle around you again.
"Guess we're all in this together now," you murmured, a slight grin tugging at your lips.
"Always," Mikey said, pressing a soft kiss to your temple. “Now, let’s get this meeting over with.
__________________________________________________________________________
The meeting had officially fallen apart.
It started small — just you and Emma whispering to each other at the edge of the group while Draken tried his best to keep the meeting serious. But then you laughed. Loud enough that heads turned.
That’s when Mikey narrowed his eyes.
“What’s so funny?” he asked, lounging beside you but already suspicious.
Emma leaned over, hand cupped around her mouth. “We’re playing ‘Toman Superlatives.’”
You grinned. “It’s like… ‘who would survive a zombie apocalypse,’ or ‘who has main character energy.’ That kinda thing.”
“You’re doing this during my meeting?”
“It’s Draken’s meeting,” Emma corrected.
Draken, overhearing, raised an eyebrow. “I don’t want it either.”
“Carry on,” Mikey said, waving a hand like a bored emperor — but leaning closer like he very much wanted to hear your answers.
Emma smirked. “Okay, okay—next one. Who’s most likely to cry at a sad movie?”
You pointed. “Takemichi.”
“WHY ME?!” Takemichi shouted from the sidelines.
“Okay but true,” Chifuyu said, patting his back. “You cried at Spirited Away, bro.”
“It was emotional!” Takemichi protested.
Emma grinned. “Alright, who gives the best hugs?”
You tapped your chin, eyes flicking across the group. “Draken. He’s tall and warm. I feel like he smells nice.”
Draken blinked. “...Thanks?”
Mikey’s head whipped toward you. “Excuse me?!”
“You don’t smell like anything, Mikey,” you said sweetly.
“I smell like power and mystery,” he deadpanned.
“Power and mystery smells like gasoline and melon bread,” you teased.
The gang cackled. Even Draken cracked a smile.
Emma was dying, holding onto your arm. “Okay, okay—this one’s good. Who would be the most dramatic if their crush didn’t text back right away?”
Everyone pointed at Mikey.
He looked personally offended. “ME?! I don’t even text! I show up.”
“Exactly,” you said. “You showed up at my classroom window once because I didn’t answer.”
“You left me on read,” he said defensively.
“It was five minutes, Mikey.”
More laughter rippled through the gang, and for once, even Mitsuya chuckled behind his usual calm smile.
Emma leaned in again, eyes twinkling. “Who’s most likely to flirt without realizing it?”
“Smiley,” you and Emma said in sync.
“He absolutely knows what he’s doing,” Mitsuya added. “He just pretends he doesn’t.”
Smiley raised his hands innocently. “I’m charming. It’s a problem.”
Mikey leaned toward you again. “Okay, your turn. Who would you call first if you were in trouble?”
The teasing faded for just a second. You looked at Mikey — the way he was watching you, clearly waiting for the answer.
Your smile softened. “You.”
“You’d be there in a second,” you said. “No questions asked. No matter what.”
The silence that followed was warm. No one teased. No one joked.
Mikey’s expression relaxed, his cheeky energy softening just enough to let the affection shine through.
“Damn right,” he said quietly, reaching out to tug the sleeve of his jacket up on you again. “That’s what you’ve got me for.”
Emma leaned against you, smiling. “Okay, but you still didn’t pick him for hottest.”
“I am the hottest,” Mikey muttered.
“Still Mitsuya,” you said under your breath.
The boys laughed again, and you nestled into Mikey’s side, his arm curling around your waist like it was second nature.
The meeting may have started serious, but this — these moments, with jokes, teasing, and your fingers brushing against his — this was what family felt like in Toman.
And you were finally, completely part of it.
___________________________________________________________________________
The meeting finally broke apart, boys peeling off in pairs, loud voices fading into the evening air as they headed toward their bikes. You and Mikey lingered behind, walking down the long stone steps with his hand loosely curled around your wrist.
He hadn’t said much since the game ended.
That should’ve been your first clue.
You glanced at him — he wasn’t pouting exactly, but his mouth was pressed in that little line it made when he was pretending something didn’t bother him. His eyes were fixed ahead, lashes low, but you could feel the shift in energy like static.
You stepped in front of him, halting him just before the last step. “You’re mad I didn’t say you were the hottest, aren’t you?”
He looked away with exaggerated disinterest. “I said I’m fine.”
You raised an eyebrow. “Manjirō.”
He finally looked at you — pout fully formed now. “I’m your boyfriend and you said Mitsuya.”
You tried not to smile. “Because Mitsuya is handsome.”
“Yeah, but I’m me,” he said, as if that alone should’ve won every category. “Your me.”
You laughed softly, stepping closer and brushing his hair back from his eyes. “You want me to kiss it better?”
His ears turned pink. “...Maybe.”
Right there on the bottom step, you leaned in and pressed the softest kiss to the corner of his pouty mouth — then another, right on his lips. Slow and warm and full of something that made his hand tighten around your wrist again.
When you pulled back, his cheeks were a little red.
He hummed. “One more. Just in case.”
You laughed again, but gave it to him — and this time, he pulled you with him as he turned and walked toward his bike, hand still wrapped firmly around your wrist like he wasn’t letting go ever again.
His motorbike was leaned against a tree near the edge of the shrine path, moonlight glinting off the chrome. You’d barely turned your head to look at it before Mikey tugged you in, sitting on the seat and pulling you between his legs with ease.
You rested your hands on his shoulders. “We’re not going yet, are we?”
“Nah,” he mumbled, arms sliding around your waist. “Just wanna sit with you.”
He leaned forward, head pressing to your stomach, sighing like he’d finally gotten what he wanted. Your fingers threaded through his hair automatically, soft and slow.
“You’re really that offended?”
“I’m not offended,” he muttered into your hoodie. “I just wanted you to say I’m hot.”
“You’re hot,” you said without missing a beat.
He looked up, chin resting against your ribs. “I forgive you,” he said seriously. “But only if you ride with me tomorrow.”
You grinned. “Was planning to.”
His smile softened, hands still locked around your waist, holding you there like you might float away.
“You look good like this,” he said quietly. “With my jacket. With me.”
Your heart stuttered — again. He always did that. Just when you thought he was done being serious, he slipped in something so soft it nearly knocked the breath out of you.
“I like being yours, y’know,” you whispered.
He tilted his head. “Yeah?”
You bent down, kissed his forehead gently. “Yeah.”
He looked like he was trying not to smile too wide — but failing.
“Then stay a little longer.”
You didn’t need to answer. You just curled into his lap, his jacket big enough to cover you both from the cool night air, the sounds of engines echoing in the distance, and the warmth of Mikey’s arms around you making the shrine feel like your own little world.
___________________________________________________________________________
The sky was still painted in sleepy pinks and quiet oranges when your phone buzzed.
[Mikey💀]
"Outside. Get on. We’re skipping school."
You blinked at the message, then peeked out your window.
Leaning against his prized motorbike, arms crossed, the wind tossing his blond hair slightly, looking way too proud of himself for someone who probably hadn’t slept more than four hours. His uniform jacket hung lazily off his shoulders, and his helmet dangled from two fingers like a promise.
Of trouble. And something softer.
You didn’t even hesitate.
By the time you slipped out your door, Mikey’s eyes lit up like you were the sunrise itself.
He held out the helmet immediately. “You took too long. I almost came up and carried you out.”
“You would’ve,” you said flatly.
“I should’ve,” he said, helping you clip the strap under your chin, his fingers brushing your jaw like he had to touch you.
He smirked. “Wherever you want. But first, we ride.”
On the Road – Wind and Freedom
There was something about riding with Mikey that didn’t feel like real life. Maybe it was the way he drove — fast but sure, reckless but safe in his own weird way. Maybe it was the way the city blurred past, or how your arms fit perfectly around his middle, your cheek pressed against his back.
But most of all, it was the silence between you — warm, unspoken understanding that didn’t need filling.
The city faded. The buildings shrank. And then you reached it.
The Waterfront – His Favorite Place
The same quiet spot from before — the wide edge of the river where the world seemed to pause. The water stretched out smooth and silver under the early morning light, and the breeze was gentle, lifting Mikey’s hair as he cut the engine.
He parked, leaned the bike gently down, and held your hand as you hopped off — not letting go even when you were both standing.
“This place’s been mine forever,” he said softly, tugging you with him toward the edge. “But now it feels like it’s yours too.”
You smiled. “You always bring me to the quiet places.”
He looked at you — really looked. “You’re my quiet place.”
Then, as if he realized how serious that sounded, he added quickly, “And because you're hot. I wanna keep you where no one else sees you.”
You shoved his shoulder. “You’re impossible.”
“I’m yours,” he said smugly, sitting on the concrete ledge and pulling you into his lap without even asking.
You settled there, warm in the morning sun, his arms wound lazily around your waist again.
“You’re clingier than usual.”
He nodded against your shoulder. “Didn’t get enough time with you last night.”
You tilted your head. “We sat on your bike for almost two hours.”
“And it still wasn’t enough.”
You kissed the top of his head, your fingers playing with his hair.
He tilted his head back, eyes half-lidded with sleep and affection. “Marry me.”
You blinked. “You’re doing this again?”
He grinned. “I meant it. Sooner or later, I’m locking you down.”
You leaned in and kissed him, slow and sure — then pulled back just far enough to whisper, “Then I hope it’s sooner.”
___________________________________________________________________________
The breeze rolled in gentle waves, brushing across your skin like a whisper. Mikey rested his head on your shoulder, legs dangling over the concrete ledge where the river lapped below. For a long moment, he was quiet. Not out of awkwardness — just content.
But you could feel something stirring beneath the stillness.
You didn’t rush him. Not with Mikey. When he was ready, he spoke.
“…Y’know when I was a kid,” he started, voice low, “I thought I had to be the strongest person alive.”
You turned your head slightly, eyes on his profile.
“I thought if I wasn’t strong… I’d lose everything. My brother. My gang. My people. So I decided I’d never show fear. Never slow down. Just keep pushing.”
You stayed quiet, letting him speak. Letting him be.
He shifted slightly, arms still around your waist but his hands resting in his lap now.
“But you…” he said, almost like he was thinking out loud. “You don’t ask me to be strong. Or scary. You don’t even look at me like that.”
You swallowed. “Like what?”
“Like the rest of them do,” he said, glancing at you. “Like I’m some kind of unstoppable thing.”
You tilted your head. “You are strong, Mikey. But you’re also… kind. And funny. And stubborn. And incredibly dramatic.”
He smirked a little at that.
“And when you’re with me,” you continued, brushing your thumb across his knuckles, “you don’t have to be anything. Not the Invincible Mikey. Not the leader. Just… Manjirō.”
He didn’t answer right away.
Instead, he leaned in slowly and pressed his forehead to yours, eyes fluttering shut.
“That’s why I wanna marry you someday,” he murmured. “Not just ‘cause I love you. But ‘cause with you… I’m not afraid to just be me.”
The weight of his words settled between you like a second heartbeat.
You kissed him, soft and slow and full of every unspoken promise.
When you pulled back, you smiled against his lips. “Then I’ll wait for that day. As long as you want. I’m already yours, Manjirō.”
His arms slid tight around you again, pulling you flush against him as he buried his face into your neck with a sigh.
“Can we stay here a little longer?” he mumbled.
You rested your chin on his head. “Yeah. As long as you need.”
And so you sat — wrapped in each other, in the quiet, in the safety of being seen — as the river flowed and the morning sun painted the world golden.
___________________________________________________________________________
It had been quiet for a while.
The kind of warm, sleepy silence only people who are deeply comfortable with each other can share. The sky was fully awake now, soft blue stretching above you, while the city remained distant, forgotten.
Mikey still had you wrapped up in his arms on his lap, chin tucked onto your shoulder like you were the only thing keeping him grounded.
And then, out of nowhere—
“Okay. So if we had twins…”
“I’m just saying,” Mikey said, completely casual, like you’d been having this conversation. “If we had twins. A boy and a girl.”
You turned to look at him. “Where is this coming from?”
He shrugged, completely unbothered. “I think we’d make cute babies. It’s a valid thought.”
Your face burned. “Mikey—”
“Manjirō,” he corrected smugly.
You lightly smacked his chest. “You’re skipping way too many steps.”
He leaned his chin in his hand dramatically. “Don’t act like you didn’t just promise to marry me.”
You laughed, trying to hide your flustered smile. “Okay, fine. Twins. What are their names?”
“Glad you asked,” he said, sitting up straighter like he’d been waiting for this. “For the boy—Shin.”
“After Shinichiro. But just ‘Shin.’ Cool and strong. Simple. Like, ‘Oh no, Shin’s mad again.’ That kind of vibe.”
Your heart clenched a little at the mention of his brother, but the fondness in his voice made you smile.
“That’s actually… really sweet.”
“I know.” Then he grinned. “And for the girl…”
“Her name’s gonna be Pudding.”
“Manjirō,” he said again, grinning wider.
“You are not naming our child Pudding.”
“Why not?” he shrugged. “It’s cute. She’d be cute. Everyone loves pudding.”
You gave him your best unimpressed stare.
“…Fine,” he said with a fake sigh. “I’ll compromise. Her nickname can be Pudding. Her full name can be something like… Hikari. Or Yuzu.”
You blinked. “Yuzu’s really cute…”
He lit up. “Right?! Yuzu and Shin. Boom. Perfect.”
“Shin and Yuzu,” you repeated under your breath, testing the way it sounded. “That’s actually… adorable.”
Mikey leaned back on his hands, looking up at the sky with the most self-satisfied smirk on his face. “Told you. I’m a genius.”
You glanced at him, at the messy hair and the way the morning light caught on his lashes, at the soft curve of his grin and the boyish glint in his eye.
“…You’d actually be a good dad,” you said, quieter than you meant to.
His smirk faded into something gentler.
“Only ‘cause I’d have you,” he said.
And just like that, the teasing melted back into something warmer. Realer.
He pulled you back into his lap again, hugging you like you were already his future, not just his present.
___________________________________________________________________________
Years had passed, but Mikey still liked to come here. Still parked his bike at the edge of the slope, still kicked back with his hands behind his head, like he was king of the world and the sky existed just to amuse him.
But now, the boy was a man.
Still lazy-eyed and sun-touched, still with wind in his hair and that devil-may-care smirk — but something in him was more solid now. A spine of quiet strength. Eyes that had seen a little more but lost less. This time, he’d held onto what mattered.
And what mattered… was currently leaning her head on his shoulder, laughing at one of his stupid jokes.
“You remember the first time I dragged you out here?” he asked, voice low but grinning.
“Dragged? I remember you begged me for a bike ride because you couldn’t sleep.”
“I did not beg,” he scoffed. “I persuaded.”
He smirked, then nudged your temple with his own. “You were so nervous that night.”
“You tried to name our imaginary daughter Pudding.”
“She’s still on the list.”
You laughed, and for a while, you both just watched the river shimmer. The way it had back then. Before everything got bigger. Before Toman became a name whispered in every back alley with both fear and awe. Before Mikey became a living legend.
But with you, he was still the same dork who stole your fries and your heart.
So when he shifted beside you and said, “Close your eyes,” you did.
No questions. Just trust.
You felt him move. Heard the rustle of fabric. Then silence.
You turned — and your breath caught.
Mikey was sitting cross-legged in front of you, holding a ring between his fingers like it wasn’t heavy with meaning. Like it was just a ring. But his eyes… told a different story.
“I’m not gonna do some long speech,” he said. “I think you already know.”
He reached forward, gently taking your hand, thumb brushing over your knuckles like he was trying to memorize them again.
“I love you. Like, idiotically much. Always have. Always will. I wanna eat breakfast with you every morning, and argue about baby names, and hold your hand when we’re eighty and I’ve got bad knees and saggy cheeks.”
You let out a teary laugh, but he was dead serious now.
“I wanna be your husband,” he said. “Not someday. Now.”
The words settled between you like sunlight — warm and real and undeniable.
You nodded, barely able to speak. “Yes. Manjirō… yes.”
And that was it. He slipped the ring on like he’d always known where it belonged. Then pulled you in, kissed you like the world could end right there and he’d still be smiling.
Afterward, still holding you against his chest, he whispered:
“You’re gonna look so good in my last name.”
___________________________________________________________________________
If you thought being Mikey’s girlfriend was eventful, being his fiancée was like trying to plan a royal wedding during a gang meeting.
Which, unfortunately… was kind of exactly what it turned into.
You told Emma first — of course you did.
The moment you showed her the ring, her scream echoed across the café.
You barely had time to nod before she threw her arms around you, squealing like she’d just won the lottery. Which, to be fair, she kind of felt like she had.
“I’m going to plan everything,” she declared, already grabbing napkins to sketch ideas. “No—Mitsuya and I are going to plan everything. You’re going to have the most beautiful wedding Tokyo has ever seen.”
“Emma, I love you, but I don’t want to wear something with feathers and glitter—”
“Tasteful glitter,” she corrected.
Later, you told the rest of Toman at a casual gathering Mikey claimed would be “lowkey.”
Spoiler: it was not lowkey.
Mikey, with his usual subtlety, dropped the news mid-lunch like, “Oh yeah, I proposed. She said yes. Pass the soy sauce.”
Takemichi nearly choked on his noodles.
Smiley and Angry immediately started arguing about who would cry first at the wedding.
Draken just smirked and clapped Mikey on the back. “About time.”
Mitsuya pulled out a notebook. “When’s the fitting?”
You turned to Mikey. “You didn’t even ask if I wanted a big wedding.”
He shrugged, completely shameless. “Didn’t think you’d say no. Besides, if you did, we’d just ride off somewhere and do it alone.”
Everyone laughed—except you, because you knew he meant it.
__________________________________________________________________________
Your phone buzzed that night. A text from Mikey.
“You still wanna do this, right?”
“Dunno. Just… can’t believe I get to marry you.”
You bit your lip, feeling the butterflies stir.
You stared at his last message for a moment. Then texted back:
___________________________________________________________________________
The sun was golden over the shrine, soft and slow as it spilled across the worn stone steps. Lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, the air filled with faint traces of incense and the rustle of silk. It was traditional, timeless — just like Mikey wanted it.
Just like he always dreamed.
He stood with his hands tucked in the sleeves of his black montsuki, embroidered in silver with the Tokyo Manji insignia hidden within the family crest on the back. His hair was loose today, a little windswept, soft strands falling over his eyes.
He looked calm. He looked ready.
But his thumb was brushing circles against the inside of his sleeve.
Draken leaned in from behind him. “You nervous?”
“I’m not nervous,” Mikey said.
“I’m not twitching,” he said. Then blinked. “…Okay. Maybe a little.”
Draken smirked. “Good. Means you actually care.”
Mikey rolled his eyes, but didn’t deny it.
Because you were everything.
___________________________________________________________________________
You were standing in front of the mirror as Emma adjusted the delicate hairpin at the side of your head, a deep breath caught somewhere in your chest.
“Okay, look at me,” she said, stepping back. “You are… breathtaking.”
You turned, eyes wide and shimmering. The white uchikake you wore shimmered with a subtle pattern of cranes and chrysanthemums — hand-sewn by Mitsuya, of course — and your obi was fastened in a delicate lotus bow, soft pink threading woven into it for good luck.
“Emma,” you whispered. “It’s really happening.”
She smiled, misty-eyed. “I know. He’s really doing it. You broke the curse, you know?”
“The Manjiro ‘never-gonna-marry-because-he-says-he’s-married-to-his-bike’ curse. You shattered it.”
You both laughed, clutching each other’s hands tightly.
The shrine was quiet — not tense, just reverent.
Toman members lined both sides of the main path in formal black. No one cracked jokes. Even Smiley looked serious. Even Baji’s ghost, if he were there, would’ve stayed quiet out of respect.
Because when Mikey turned and saw you walking toward him — radiant, sure, the very image of love and calm and everything he’d never deserved but somehow got — the whole world stilled.
His heart ached in the best way.
He didn’t even realize he was smiling until Draken nudged him.
“You look like a kid who just got all the candy.”
Because you had reached him. You were standing in front of him. You were about to become his wife.
And Mikey, for the first time in a long time, didn’t feel like the leader of anything.
The priest read the words. You exchanged sake cups. You bowed together before the altar.
And when Mikey turned to face you again, his voice was soft — but his words landed like thunder.
“I was a storm before you,” he said, not caring about tradition. “But you… you make me want peace. Every day. And I’ve never wanted anything more than I want this.”
You didn’t even try to stop the tears. You smiled through them.
“I already feel like your wife,” you whispered. “But I’m so, so happy to be it in name too.”
He kissed you then — traditional timing be damned — and the crowd broke into quiet, reverent cheers.
___________________________________________________________________________
Not silent — the sound of water in the garden beyond the sliding doors still trickled peacefully, and the soft rustle of silk and linen moved as Mikey sat behind you, undoing the intricate layers of your wedding attire with slow, careful hands.
Neither of you had spoken much since the reception ended.
The moment you stepped through the door of the traditional inn he’d chosen — away from the speeches, the dancing, the playful shouting of drunk Toman boys — Mikey had taken your hand and held it like it was the only thing grounding him to the earth.
“You’re really mine now,” he whispered, pressing his forehead to the back of your shoulder.
You turned in his arms, hands against his chest. “I was always yours, Manjirō.”
He looked at you like he still couldn’t believe it. Like even now, after everything, you were a dream he hadn’t quite earned. His hands cupped your face, thumbs brushing away the last traces of makeup, the last glitter from Emma’s wild ceremony touch-ups.
“You looked beautiful today,” he said. “But not as beautiful as you do right now.”
You smiled, eyes shining. “You said that during the vows.”
“Can I hold you? Like… really hold you?”
You nodded, and the two of you lay down together on the futon. No rush. No urgency.
Just the weight of forever, finally within reach.
He kissed you slow. Not like the goofy kisses he’d steal at the shrine, or the teasing ones on your neck during bike rides. This was different. Intentional. Reverent.
He kissed you like a vow.
Fingers laced with yours. Arms around your waist. His voice in your ear, quiet and slightly rough:
He was already awake, blinking at the ceiling with your hand resting over his bare chest, thumb twitching slightly in your sleep.
“Still here,” he murmured, smiling faintly.
You stirred, squinting at him. “Where else would I go?”
Mikey grinned, leaning in to steal a lazy, sleepy kiss. “Just checking.”
The years ahead stretched out wide and open — with Toman standing strong, with people he trusted at his side, and with you curled up next to him in his arms. For once, the future didn’t look heavy.
It looked like breakfast together in oversized shirts and soft hair and his jacket hanging next to your coat on the wall. Like you teasing him for talking in his sleep. Like picking baby names again on the balcony in the evening. Like safety.
And every now and then — when the world outside got loud — he’d pull you close and murmur in your ear like he did on the first night: