Chapter 4 : Sano Takemichi

Summary:

Sano Takemitchy preferred not to be the center of attention.

When Hanagaki Takemichi took over, 'Sano Takemitchy' formed a new dynamic with Bonten's leader and its executives.

It was time to test just how long their shackles on him go.

Chapter Text

Sano Takemitchy preferred not to be the center of attention.

Although he was polite and kind to whoever he interacted with, there was always a sense of distance that the little boy kept with the executives and even Mikey himself. Little Takemitchy lived life with one unspoken rule.

To never dabble heavily in the affections of others.

His mother imparted him with one valuable lesson, the only time when she was sober and sharing pearls of wisdom that allowed Takemitchy to survive for so long.

'Takemitchy, people need to hold something warm and soft at the end of the day..' His mother would tell him, gently combing raven locks with perfectly manicured nails, 'If you need them for longer, you can't take too much of their 'love'...Take too little and its an insult, take too much and its greed talking.'

"Give them lies that they'll see as the sweetest truth, but never fall for their 'love'." His mother would then smile gently. "You are there to survive, not stay."

Takemitchy never liked or hated anyone, regardless of how badly they mistreat him. If he had to rely on them to survive, the young boy only sees adults as a means to an end. By never having feelings for his guardians, he can easily act genuine with his "affections". He would only take the minimum amount of their gifts, always on his best behavior to make sure that they don't find his existence too big of an annoyance.

He only required the minimum of their affections to survive. He needed just enough to be given shelter, food and water. Too little and he'll be quickly disowned, too much and running away would become more difficult.

He learns of Mikey's quirks and when to act 'spoiled'. He learns of each executives' likes and dislikes, enough to make sure he never steps on their toes and incur their anger. Yet he always makes sure that a certain distance is maintained, never interacting too little or too much with anyone.

Everything Takemitchy learned in his two year stay with Bonten, all passed on to Takemichi.

Where Takemitchy hated the spotlight, Takemichi thrived.

Takemichi was brighter than Takemitchy, his smile sunnier and wider than Takemitchy's gentle rays.

His drive to escape burning hotter than Takemitchy's.

When Hanagaki Takemichi took over, 'Sano Takemitchy' formed a new dynamic with Bonten's leader and its executives.

It was time to test just how much can he explore within the lengths of his shackles.

Six months into his stay in Mikey's penthouse suite, Takemichi can say for certain that he was going to die of boredom.

That is, if being kidnapped doesn't end up getting him killed first.

Six months into the madness that is his life as Sano Takemitchy and he had been kidnapped about three times.

And each kidnapping seems to end faster than the previous one. Takemichi is certain it had something to do with him bawling uncontrollably the day he woke up as Takemitchy. Ever since that day, everyone in Bonten was quite on edge for a solid few weeks. They were much stricter and hovered around him like helicopter parents. That's a total of eight grown men with eight different classes of insanity attached to their already dangerous profiles breathing down his neck for weeks.

Sanzu and Kakucho were the worst next to Mikey, their overprotectiveness definitely leaving the little boy with little to no room for privacy when Mikey isn't present.

He barely survived their weeks long scrutinizing gazes. Thank God Takemitchy's superb facial muscle controls remained the same.

The latest kidnapping had been a week ago, and Takemichi would never say he misses being taken captive by criminals.

The only times he has been able to leave the penthouse is only to go to the other members' places or Bonten's headquarters where most of the meetings are held. To and from the windows are always heavily tinted and he's always placed in the center or kept busy with Mikey hugging him on his lap.

How? How did little Takemitchy survived 2 years of this monotonous captive life?!

Granted Takemichi hasn't forgotten that he was still pretty much in an everyday life or death situation as long as he lives within Bonten's grasp, but...

"...Takemitchy?" The boy blinked, and a thousand watt smile automatically plasters on his youthful features. He was currently sitting on one of the spacious sofas in the living room with his older brother, the Haitani brothers and Sanzu. Haitani Ran sits on his left and was staring down at him with his default whimsical smile, but Takemichi wasn't blind to the slight concern flashing in the older man's eyes. "You alright there bud? You got real quiet for a minute."

Takemichi's brain racked itself for the possible outcomes of what was about to come out of his mouth.

'This can go fifty fifty. The Haitani brothers are always in for trips so no doubt they'll say yes...Sanzu would probably say no unless Mikey says yes...And Mikey might say yes if he's in a good mood....I mean, he looks passive enough today...'

Best case scenario, his older brother says yes and they go. Worst case scenario Mikey says no and he gets lectured by Sanzu to not be a burden to Bonten's leader and to understand his own position in Bonten...The rosy pink haired male's lectures definitely involved some sedatives and a few days worth of bed rest, but Takemichi has little to no choice by this point.

These people truly had no problem keeping a kid here. He had to take the chance less he risk rotting his brain with stagnancy. He was given a second life, he wasn't about to waste it forever caged in an criminal orginization.

He had two goals in mind: Check on Hinata and live peacefully by the sea on his own away from Bonten's grasp.

Nothing was going to change unless he makes a move.

"I want to go shopping!" The lilac short haired male then hands him a couple of magazines, which was the usual if the little boy ever wanted anything all he'd have to do is pick from the catalogues and they'd order for him. Takemichi shook his head, raising a few brows at his unexpected reaction. "I want to go outside and shop."

The silence that comes after his request was nothing short of unnerving.

All pairs of eyes were now on him, but Takemichi's face remained as sunnily as always.

"Well, I don't see why not." Rindo expectedly answers for Takemichi's case, "He's been cooped up here for a solid two years already, time to get some fresh air, don't you think?"

"Abso-fucking-lutely not!" Sanzu sharply inserts, the overprotective glint flashing in his droopy eyes. "There's plenty of fresh air to get on the balconies. Takemitchy, you know there's no need to go outside unless you're needed in meetings. Your safety takes priority over your enjoyment."

"B-but! I haven't gone outside in two years...I promise to be good!" Ocean blue eyes watered with unshed tears as Takemichi pouted, reminding the inhabitants in the room of a kicked puppy. "I'll listen to the guards and promise I won't run off anywhere."

Bonten's number two had long risen from his seat and just when Takemichi starts to think the druggie executive was going to have a field day, the rosy pink haired male goes to him and pinches both of his chubby cheeks.

"Owff!"

"Puppy eyes aren't going to work wonders on me Takemitchy." The little boy doesn't back down from Sanzu's stern stare, only whining childishly. "No means no."

"I wanff to gwo woutswide!"

"Well I'm not against it either, its hardly of any difficulty to babysit Little Takemitchy." Amused chuckles left from the older Haitani brother as he observes the two. Sanzu and Takemitchy did tend to have the most childish interactions out of everyone in Bonten.. "As long as you promise not to wander off and stay with us the entire time there shouldn't be any problems then, no?"

Takemichi's nodded furiously as Sanzu gives him one more firm pinch before pulling away. Ocean blue eyes were determined and unrelenting.

"I'm a Bonten executive too, I will never betray my promises!"

Mikey who had his unreadable gaze focused on Takemitchi the entire time raises a hand and gently pats him.

"Get dressed, we're going out." At his answer, the little boy's grin widens and launches himself at his older brother who steadily catches him. "Stay close with me. If you run off you're grounded in my room for two weeks and Sanzu's giving you sleeping meds every two days. Are we clear, Mitchy?"

"Mhm!" Takemichi then leaves a peck on his older brother's cheek before scrambling off his lap. "You're the best Mikey-nii!!" He yells over his shoulder before zooming off to his room-unaware of the fond smile the older Sano directed at him.

'Finally! Some goddamn progress!!'

"That's the most excited I've seen him in the whole two years he lived with us." Rindo comments with a smirk. "Took him two years to start acting like a kid? That's impressive."

"It's better this way now, no? We could use some youthful energy here." Ran quips, his amused gaze leaving the direction Takemitchy headed off to land on Sanzu. "Are you bitter that our little bird is starting to flap his wings, Sanzu?"

"Shut the fuck up Ran. Takemitchy is our king's caged bird." Crossing his arms, the rosy pink mullet haired male lets out a sigh. "He needs to understand how important his position in Bonten is."

"Trust the little man a little, would you? The boy even promised so adorably that he won't break his word. Even Boss here approved."

All gazes flickered to their leader as he remained comfortably leaned back to the sofa, eyes closed for a moment before opening.

"Sanzu, prepare the car. Rindo, get the guards. Ten would do. Make sure five of them can't be seen." The two men immediately stood to attention and bowed before leaving, hands on their phones to make calls to ensure that their outing was secured and entertaining for the youngest Sano. "Ran, look for a mall kids like."

Mikey didn't mind that his little brother wanted to go out, he was most lenient on Takemitchy after all. His adorable little brother shines the brightest when he's happy.

No one could make demands on Mikey and get away with it alive on an everyday basis like Sano Takemitchy.

"I don't mind you flying, Takemitchy." He says in a casual tone, abyssal black orbs flickering to the set of stairs as he hears little footsteps gradually getting louder. "Enjoy as much as you want. After all..."

"Your cage is big enough to make that happen."

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