11 The Crybabys' Pain

"H-HOMRA?"

"Yes, The odd thing is that they seem to not take any part in any major events that may perceive them as a criminal organization"

"Maybe; they really aren't some kind of criminal gang, but just a rag-tag of thugs calling themselves an organization"

"That could also be true, however, if you try to ask any criminal gang around; they will either keep their mouth shut or quiver in fear in just the mere mention of that name"

Looking at Naotos' serious face you could clearly see that all the things about this HOMRA he was saying were the truth, that they really do exist.

I was observing the board with a lot of pinned images of people who were clearly members of Tokyo Manji.

After observing for a while I came to realize something, All the info on the boards was only about Tokyo Manji, all the well-known members, their activities, and even a list of their businesses. While HOMRA on the other hand, there was no info about them, no known activities, no known sightings of their meetings, or even known confirmed members.

Curious about this I asked Naoto about this.

"There seemed to be no information about HOMRA in all these boards, All I see is that"

I was pointing my finger at what seemed to be a logo, A red and blackish design that looked like a fire.

"Other than that logo, there seems to be no information about them at all. If you hadn't told me about them I wouldn't even know that they existed in the first place"

Scrunching his face as a crease formed on his forehead, clearly also frustrated by his clear lack of information about them.

"That is their insignia, we were able to confirm it when we showed it to some criminals we captured during a bust and confirmed it was the mark of the HOMRA"

"We tried asking the businesses around the neighborhood if they were familiar with that Insignia, some were genuinely oblivious of what it was, while others that recognized it kept their mouths shut"

"They were so hard to find after months of searching that the department had to put the search on hold until new information or evidence of their activities"

"Some say they never existed at all, as all these criminal gangs just made a myth so that they can have someone to throw overboard, to use as a scapegoat or they are just that good at keeping their tracks undetected by anyone"

There was also a hint of fear in it when he spoke in the last part, fearing that if they do have the right skillset to be able to hide their tracks from anyone, It makes one wonder, What kind of darkness they are hiding and if we are even capable of unraveling such an organization.

'If they are that good, kidnapping someone without leaving any trace is not that farfetched'

Slamming the board with his hand to gain my attention, Naoto pointed at the two images at the center of the board. 

They were Sano Manjiro and Kisaki Tetta, they were scary faces that I would have to meet.

According to Naoto, If those two never met, The Tokyo Manji Gang would not be some criminal gang as it is now.

Since our main culprit for now; the one responsible for Hinas' disappearance was Tokyo Manji, Naoto told me to focus our attention for now on stopping the establishment of the current criminal gang.

He told me all the important information about Tokyo Manji, and he wanted me to cram all this before I time leaped 12 years in the past again.

"N-naoto, My head is already hurting from all this can't you just give me a summary or something" 

I tiredly asked while holding my head as I rested it on the table, I was sure that smoke was already coming out from it, as all this info dumped on my head was too much.

 "No, now focus, Takemichi-kun"

Naoto sternly replied as he continued with his explanation.

This went on for hours and hours with no rest, we only stopped when I was able to memorize all the major members that I needed to keep my eyes on.

"Urghhhhhh~~~"

Groaning, as I rest my head on the table, I'm sure the smoke has turned black by now, from overworking my brain this much.

"Oh, and also"

"WHAT?!, THEIR'S MORE?!?!?!?"

I couldn't help but shout as Naoto pulled out two pictures, one was of a man with fiery red hair and golden eyes with a silver earing pierced on the helix part of his ear, and the other was an Image of a Pin badge with an image of a red lion in it.

"Do you know who this is?" as he raised the image of the man "and what this is?" now raising the other image of the pin badge.

"Not sure about the image of the pin badge but I know the guy, I think it was A-aka Mikorou!"

Naoto couldn't help but put one of his hands on his forehead as a vein was ready to pop appear on it.

"It's Akaou Mikoto; Takemichi-kun when you return I want you to try and make contact with him"

"Why? Is he a suspect in the kidnapping?" I curiously ask.

"I'm not sure, my sister used to tell me stories about him during her middle school days but not as much during senior high school, she did complain about him a lot, from going to other countries, not being able to attend the same school, even being part of a student exchange program to south Korea without telling her. She was quite fuming when she told me the last part"

"They were quite close, but I never really met the guy"

Naoto had a small smile on his face as he reminiscence the memories of his sister.

"All I know was that he was a well-known delinquent during middle school, I think my friend Kazushi was a huge fan when he saved us when I went back"

"What do you think of him?"

"He was strong, He beat Kiyomasa and his gang like they were nothing, there was also a rumor at that time that he single-handedly took down the Tokyo Manji Gang"

"That's awesome, My sister always seemed to only have nothing but complains about the guy though"

"I-I see"

"When you return you should try to meet him"

"Can I even return? Maybe the timeslip was a one-time thing? maybe the handshake thing won't even work"

"We won't know if we don't try"

He walked near me while extending his hand.

I also walked near him, ready to shake his hand, but not before he said some reminders.

"For now try to prevent the meeting of Sano Manjiro and Kisaki Tetta, They should have met at around August 12 years ago, Make contact with one of them as well as with Akaou Mikoto" 

"G-got it, I'll do my best"

After answering him with some determination I shook his hand.

As our hands touched I felt a sudden jolt, starting from my hand, as it spread out into my entire body. Following that everything went dark.

Opening my eyes I saw that someone was in front of me with his fists held up.

Looking around I saw many other delinquents, screaming at the top of their lungs at me.

Telling me to fight and not just stand there like a silly sissy. I hurriedly checked my phone and saw the year.

'NAOTO!!!, I REALLY RETURNED TO THE PAST!!'

What followed next was a fist to my face as my opponent charged at me.

I was gradually losing consciousness when I saw at the top of the stairs was a fiery red hair turning his back to me as I fell down hard.

.

Waking up I saw Kiyomasa and his gang surrounding me.

"TSK!, Losing a fight, I even bet on you"

"Fucking useless!"

They spat cursed words, cursing me for my uselessness and my incompetence.

When they got tired of shouting, they started kicking and stomping at me until no end.

"Just because you were saved by Akaou-san don't think you'll escape from our wrath you fuckin piece of shit!"

As one of the gang members spat out those words, rage started to boil from all the others as they also started approaching me, to vent out their anger at me.

Blaming me for the reason as to why Akaou-san had to beat them up so bad.

I tried to peak at them when I saw it, within those rage-filled eyes, there was fear.

Being marked by one of the strongest delinquents in the area must have put them on the edge.

Kiyomasa also started to take part in beating me up as he also had a lot to vent.

Anger, frustration, and the embarrassment that he had to experience, in the hands of someone far stronger than him.

When I saw a glimpse of him from the corner of my vision, I saw that he wanted to take revenge on Akaou-sa, But he also knew what outcome that would result in. So he was venting everything on me.

After the tireless beating they delivered, They started to take their leave.

"Fuck that felt good, haha"

"I fucki'n know right?"

"I would have to experience that because of this shit"

"Let him be we can gain some more money from the underground fights with him as well as a little gentle beating after"

"Great idea, Hahaha"

Listening to their conversation on this darkening park while looking at the red sky I couldn't help but remember the reason as to why I stopped this in the first place. The reason as to why I started to distance myself from Hina and my friends.

This nonstop beating and as they forced me to fight some random guy every day, Every single day.

I win they beat me, I lose they beat me, do I really have to experience all of these things all over again? It was like I was in hell itself.

That is why I chose to run from all of this crap.

"Urgh, it hurts"

As I try to stand myself up, I remember Hina and the reason I came back in the first place.

As Kiyomasas' gang started leaving while still badmouthing me, I put every strength and courage I had left and asked a question that may save Hina.

"Uhhm..."

"Heh!, Persistent little shit aren't ya"

"You guys are part of Tokyo Manji Gang right?, I'd like to meet the leaders like Sano or maybe Kisaki, I wonder if you would be able to help me"

Everyone stopped and looked at me as if I was the most stupidest creature in the universe.

Sensing a growing hostility from Kiyomasa as his back was shown to me, I tried to just leave.

"I wonder if that would be possible if it's not possible then that's ok, I'll just take my leave"

As I was about to walk away I heard Kiyomasa speak.

"Bring me my bat"

With wrath-filled eyes, he took hold of his bat and started swinging it right down at me.

Even his gang members were afraid that he might kill me if he went too far.

With each swing of the bat, I felt as if every bone in my body creaked, fearing that it would break at any moment.

After venting his anger Kiyomasa and the gang left, not before leaving a warning to me.

Looking at their leaving backs I felt fear.

'I'm sorry Naoto I can't do this, these monsters aren't middle schoolers, who would even say that, Kill me if Sanos' name even left my mouth, they aren't normal'

As fear welled up inside me, Tears started to drip from my eyes as I left the park.

My destination was Naoto, I need to go back, I'm sorry Naoto I can't do this anymore, I don't want to experience this again.

======== Omniscient Point of View ========

- Somewhere in the park -

Having witnessed all of this were 3 pairs of eyes from 3 young men.

"Shouldn't we do something Mikoto-san?" 

Furuichi stated as he watched the whole thing, disgusted that an Underground fighting was somewhere so near them.

Leaning on a tree as his arms were crossed on his chest while looking at the running figure of Takemichi.

'Still an annoying crybaby, I get that you have experienced such a cruel past, what's so annoying is that he isn't doing anything to change himself. Well, his story is just beginning so no need to judge there'

Mikoto thought as he prepared to answer Furuichi back.

"There's no need to intervene, pretty sure tomorrow would be their last one since Mike and Draken will personally intervene"

"Geh, those guys? how are you even sure?"

Looking at Furuichi as a teasing smile appeared on his face ready to teased him.

"Secret~~~ Not telling~~"

Vein started to bulge in Furuichi forehead due to the teasing remark.

"That would work on Anna, but come on not me... Me the great strategist"

Furuichi proudly stated as he held his chin up high.

"You sure are an Idiot Furuichi"

Oga stated as he looked at his friend with dead fish eyes, as if he was saying such a stupid thing.

"What?!, Who are you calling an Idiot, You're the idiot, Baka-Oga~~"

"It's not like you get it too anyway"

Furuichi countered with also a teasing smile on his face.

"You sure are an Idiot Furuichi, of course, I know why Michael and Draven will handle things tomorrow"

Oga replied as his face was at peace not even bothered by Furuichis' teasing remarks if him being an idiot.

Looking at his friend with dead fish eyes as he just proved his point that he was an Idiot as he had already forgotten their names.

"It's Mike and Draken, not Michael and Draven, Baka-Oga"

"Same thing"

As veins were about to pop he just made Oga continue telling the reason.

"Just tell me the reason already"

"Hmph, Of course, that's because this wasn't approved by Michael, I don't much about the guy but I'm pretty sure he's trying to fix the image of delinquents and this" As he pointed at the fighting area and the disappearing Takemichi "This is far from the ideal that he wanted"

Furuichi thought for a moment and wanted to say something but couldn't as his mouth was left wide open, shocked that Oga was able to deduct something like that while he couldn't.

What was worse he was the one who told them the reason why Tokyo Manji was formed in the first place.

Sensing a chance to tease his friend, Mikoto readied to fire.

"Ohh come on Oga~~ You shouldn't embarrass our G.R.E.A.T. S.T.R.A.T.E.G.I.S.T."

"Oh, I'm sorry G.R.E.A.T. S.T.R.A.T.E.G.I.S.T., I'll be more considerate next time oh G.R.E.A.T. S.T.R.A.T.E.G.I.S.T.~~~"

Mikoto and Oga double-teamed Furuichi as an evil teasing smile appeared on their faces as they teased Furuichi to no end.

With a light blush appearing on his face from embarrassment, he ran away from these teasing devils.

Not letting him get away, Oga chased after him, Mikoto glanced back at the place where Takemichi was beaten up, before following after them.