(at first, it was actually thrilling. there's something he missed in the danger of the night, the fighting, the sweat, blood and tears that come when he's engaged. it's been a year or two since he disbanded the manji back home, and although the life path he decided to take as a professional moto racer doesn't come without adrenaline, this was something else.

he's covered from head to toe in blood, his, the monsters, and god, he's alive! until he isn't. on the corner of his eye, he can see... himself. none of his essence behind his eyes, his skin thin, and barely any weight holding his body together. shit, shit. he can't be out in the open, he can't-- defend himself.

shit. he bolts to his other self, and the first door he finds, he'll open to hide within the space, alongside with the younger manjiro.

shit, fuck, shit. how is he going to-- how can he take him to some place safe by himself?

help. he can't ask for it.)

(maybe he jinxed it. all this time being here and only now he's looking at himself and that stupid crime looming over his head being loved. he knew what it means, all the sacrifices that have ever been made to fix what manjiro himself had broken, and what he would break later on. his accident had been caused simply because he didn't have it in him to share a stupid damn toy, and down the stairs he goes. comatose, vegetative state, friends falling deeper and deeper into the whole of despair, his brother trading everything for him-- until blood was spilled to bring him back.

all the horrors manjiro committed thereafter a curse and consequence of what his brother had done for him, even the man's life had been payment for it. all takemichi endured to save him. all because he's so damn loved. he hates this, hates this, hates this.

there's no light other than torches in the front yard and surrounding the dojo, but the sounds are what's really attention-grabbing. he's kicking the living shit out of the punching bags, superstrength bringing them to break irreversibly, but manjiro's not stopping, his fists will be sore and bruised tomorrow.

the other boy is comfortable in his wheelchair in the next room.)

(this one is real, guys, he's not doing well and FINALLY dealing with some of his core issues outside the curse, feel free to boop him in the dojo, or outside before he finds the other manjiro... and if you wanna plot something, feel free to msg me!)