Countless times Takemichi has returned to the past to save his friends. Many fell before his eyes, and he has carried the pain, despair, and hope back each time. In that future, there are still those in agony calling for his help, and in that past, countless regrets linger. Therefore, this time when he returns, he pleads for the ability to have a chance to start over from the beginning.

The plea is granted, and he returns to the timeline as in his first time traveling to the past.

This time, upon his return, he feels a spiritual instability, sometimes feeling like he's not himself anymore, and strange voices emerge in his dreams.

"If you're so weak, then let me replace you, you idiot. I'll kill them all."

"If you can't love yourself, then let me, I've endured too much pain already."

The blurry figures are unclear, and he tries to approach them, but each time he's about to touch them, he wakes up.

He gasps, looking around his dark room, glancing at the clock, 3 a.m. on July 4, 2005. If nothing changes, he'll meet Mikey and Draken on July 7, 2005.

Takemichi steps into the bathroom, splashes water on his face, and looks at himself in the mirror. After numerous trips to the past, Takemichi understands that preventing Mikey's dark descent is the key to a better future for everyone. In the past, Kisaki had manipulated Mikey on multiple occasions, harming those important to him, all to control Mikey's mind and puppeteer him.

Starting with the August 3 incident when he had attempted to kill Draken to seize Touman's No. 2 position, and continuing with orchestrating Kazutora's stabbing of Baji, or Emma's involvement, Takemichi must protect the lives of those important to Mikey and thwart Kisaki's plans. This time, he won't let Kisaki have the chance to manipulate Mikey's mind again.

Well, returning is good, really, but...

"Oh my heavens, how do I reintroduce myself to everyone once again?"

Takemichi feels disheartened. After going through so many hardships, he has become close to them, but now they all seem like strangers. He longs for his comrade; without him to share with, he feels unfamiliar.

Today, Takemichi prevents Akkun, Takuya, Yamagishi, and Makoto from going to Shibuya High School. He doesn't want them to be bullied and become slaves to the despicable Kiyomasa. He also has to expose his damn cousin and rectify his friends.

"We should take more responsibility for ourselves, stop living like this."

Although they laugh it off, deep down, they are good at heart. After school, Takemichi can't understand why he bought two taiyaki and walked down the path where he used to stroll with Mikey and Draken.

"It seems like I really want to meet him."

Takemichi looks at the pastry in his hand and remembers Mikey. Takemichi finds a spot to sit and admire the evening scene, the golden sunlight reflecting on the water, the cool breeze, and the faint scent of wild grass.

Takemichi holds the taiyaki, gazing at it like a fool. Suddenly, a long yawn and stretch from the person lying beneath catches his attention; it is... Mikey. Takemichi knows this is a place where Mikey often hangs out, but he doesn't expect to meet him here for real. Earlier, he didn't notice anyone lying there.

Mikey wakes up from a nap, his eyes half-closed as he looks around. Suddenly, he notices a kid holding a taiyaki staring at him intently. Normally, Mikey wouldn't care much, but after a while, that kid looks at him blankly, tears suddenly streaming down his face.

"If you don't want to eat that, you can give it to me."

Takemichi is startled when Mikey speaks, only then realizing he is crying.

Seeing Mikey, he can't help but recall the desperate look on his face when he begged for help. It truly pains him.

Takemichi adjusts himself; he's here to change the future, so why shed tears?

He quickly wipes away his tears and approaches Mikey. Hastily and clumsily, he hands Mikey the remaining taiyaki.

"Here, for you."

He tries to force a smile, even though tears still linger in his eyes. His eyes, once as azure as his own sky, now sparkle even more, enticing others as if inviting them to drown in their depths.

"Then, I'm cool with it," Mikey thinks to himself, finding the peculiar kid amusing.

Mikey takes the pastry from Takemichi and devours the remaining pieces in the blink of an eye. Meanwhile, Takemichi has only managed to take a single bite. Observing this, Takemichi breaks the uneaten half and offers it to Mikey.

"Want more?"

Mikey looks at him for a while, and Takemichi feels a bit uneasy under Mikey's intense gaze. He laughs foolishly, scratching his cheek. Wanting to avoid Mikey's gaze, he attempts to turn away, but before he can do anything, Mikey grabs the back of his neck, forcing him to look directly at him. Mikey's face slowly draws closer to his.

This scene seems familiar, doesn't it?

"Hey! What's your name?"

"Ha... Hanagaki Takemichi."

He stutters in response. Even though it is the second time, Mikey's proximity still makes him tense.

Mikey switches from a serious expression to a childlike grin.

"Alright, Takemitchy, I'm Mikey. From now on, you're my friend. What school do you go to, and what year?"

"Mizo Middle School, second year."

"Hey Mikey, are you done sleeping? Let's go home!"

Draken is approaching the two, seeing Takemichi sitting next to Mikey, he immediately inquires, "Who's this?"

"Takemitchy, my new friend," Mikey responds.

"Huh?" Draken wears a puzzled expression.

Takemichi awkwardly smiles and greets Draken, but all he gets in return is a skeptical and unfamiliar look.

Oh my, they treat me like a stranger; it's really unfamiliar. Takemichi silently cries inside. Draken approaches him, sizing him up.

"Look so weak, can you fight at all?"

Takemichi chuckles painfully, scratching his head again.

"Face looks dumb too."

Takemichi collapses. It seems like the last time he met them, despite being a mess, Draken didn't scrutinize him like he does now. The look in Draken's eyes seems to say, "What can this useless guy do that Mikey wants to befriend him?" truly breaks Takemichi's heart.

"Haha, Kenchin, I like him," Mikey says.

"I told you not to call me that nickname."

"Alright, let's go! Goodbye, Takemitchy, see you later."

And they both walk away. After a while, Takemichi's brain finally processes all the information.

Wait, today he prevented his friends from going to Shibuya High School, meaning they wouldn't be slaves to Kiyomasa anymore, so they wouldn't be forced to participate in underground fights. Plus, Akkun wouldn't have a chance to stab that jerk. Not only that, he also met Mikey and became friends with him early on.

It seems unintentional, but this might be a good start. And what makes Takemichi even happier is seeing Mikey's radiant image in the past once again.

Takemichi turns to leave but freezes after just a few steps. Someone is approaching him, a person with dark skin, blue eyes, dyed blonde hair, wearing glasses and an earring on his left ear, his smile revealing a cunning look.

Kisaki Tetta, the malicious person who has caused him immense pain, who took away those dear to him and Mikey. Takemichi hates him immensely. But... he also hates the thought of seeing him dead. Kisaki is genuinely intelligent; with his wits, he stands at the top of Japan's underworld. He did all of that for Hina. Kisaki truly loves Hina, and he also harbors a deep hatred toward Takemichi. However, somewhere deep down, Takemichi knows that Kisaki also respects him. Kisaki has called him a hero.

So, this time, Takemichi will thwart his plans and prevent his death. He will make sure to knock some sense into that guy.

Kisaki spots Takemichi ahead, his detested hero. He wants to ignore him, but as he gets closer, he notices Takemichi's strange gaze fixed on him. Until now, he has always silently trailed behind Takemichi, having crossed paths with him many times, but this is the first time Takemichi has looked directly at him. Kisaki suddenly feels tense.

Does Takemichi know about his existence? Why is he looking at him like that?

He pretends not to notice Takemichi, passing by.

Takemichi understands that Kisaki is pretending not to know him. He doesn't react and continues walking in the opposite direction. He thinks it might be like the previous encounters, where they just passed by each other.

But suddenly, something prompts Takemichi to stop and slowly turn around.

A mixture of hatred and surprise appears in his eyes. Takemichi is also startled, but strangely, he remains calm, with no outburst of anger like the times he faced Kisaki before. Perhaps deep down, he is glad that Kisaki is still alive. With that thought, Takemichi unexpectedly smiles at Kisaki. He isn't sure what expression he is wearing, but Kisaki's face now seems quite uneasy. Kisaki turns away swiftly and leaves.

Fate is indeed strange this time, isn't it? Takemichi wonders how Kisaki would react if they met again in the future.