Conflicting thoughts : Epilogue (Mako's side and everyone else)

[honou_no_izumi]

Title: Conflicting thoughts : Epilogue (Mako's side and everyone else)
Alternate title: Group Hug Baawwwww
Character: Mako's POV with everyone making brief appearance, Shiba Takeru, Ikenami Ryunosuke
Fandom: Samurai Sentai Shinkenger
Rating: G
Summary: Everyone's well now and Takeru seemed to be back to his old self. At least, that's what Mako was seeing...
A/N: I have at least two more side stories to cover. See if i could manage. One was related to the three episodes, one was post 41. Thank you for reading.

-----------------------

“Stomach upset... huh?”

Mako glanced towards Ryunosuke as Takeru turned his attention towards him.

“What?”

“Nothing...” Ryunosuke shrugged before gulping another sushi into his mouth. He continued nodding in that suspicious way as Takeru appear irritated.

“I ask again... what?”

Takeru asked again as Ryunosuke continued eating. He frowned as he jumped at him before Ryunosuke started to squeal. Mako chuckled at the sight.

“TO—no...” Ryunosuke started to exclaim before noticing the attention he draw towards the others as he waved them off. Mako grinned at him before Ryunosuke glared back towards Takeru.

“You know I’m a bit ticklish, don’t jump on me like that...!”

Takeru pouted.

“It’s because you didn’t tell me what’s wrong...”

Ryunosuke muttered something more as Mako could not catch it. It did seem like everything returned to normal for Takeru, although she knew that the upset stomach thing was a lie. Wonder if everything was really alright with Takeru...

Mako turned towards Genta, Chiaki and Kotoha at the other table, as they seemed to be preoccupied with the game Chiaki had started between them. She returned her glance towards Ryunosuke and Takeru as both seemed to behave normally as they often did. Guess it was true in a sense; boys do get along with each other more easily compared when confronted with girls. Could it be that what she had said few days ago had been partially at fault with Takeru’s strange behaviour? Had she worded her thoughts unwisely that time—heh, could this be her bad habit having used to be a kindergarden teacher? Somehow now, she felt jealous of Ryunosuke for being able to reach out to Takeru.

“Really... so what we talked about these few nights was just a misunderstanding? And that other day—“

“Sheesh... why do you have to make so much fuss—“ said Takeru as he grumpily sat back on his stool to finish his sushi. Ryunosuke appeared to want to say something before his eyes met Mako’s and he seemed to have cancelled his thoughts. Mako frowned. What did Ryunosuke wanted to say that he didn’t feel like doing so under her watch?

Before Mako could think some more, Ryunosuke spoke again.

“Tono.”

“What?” Takeru asked back as Ryunosuke hit Takeru’s forehead with a finger. Mako blinked as Takeru gave a cry.

“Ow! That hurt! Why’d you do that?” Takeru exclaimed as that attracted the attention of the rest of them. Ryunosuke smiled as he rose from his seat.

“Kotoha... come here.” he said as the younger girl walk up towards him and sat beside Takeru. Without warning, Ryunosuke took Mako’s arm and dragged her to his side.

“Mako, I hope that you can do the honours...”

Mako glanced back towards Ryunosuke as he nodded towards Kotoha while making some strange gestures with his fingers. Mako hesitantly did the finger thing to Kotoha as well, as Kotoha gave a small gasp. Ryunosuke gave a smug grin as the two looked at him confused.

“That’s my bit of scolding for today,” he said before glancing towards Takeru. “Part two for you.”

Ryunosuke shook his head as he ignored the looks Mako, Chiaki and Genta gave him. (Exclude Daigoyo. There’s no way Daigoyo could show any expressions unless someone pasted a paper on it and draw a face.)

“I believe that each and every one of us had their own share of being reckless all this time. While we can’t promise ourselves that we won’t do it again in the future... I think it’s about time we look back at it and try to not do it again?”

Ryunosuke gave a doleful look towards Takeru before lowering himself towards Kotoha.

“When Sunasusuri’s power over the four of us wore off and we went to help you two, Hikoma-san had told us about some certain things.” said Ryunosuke as he straightened up. Nodding back towards Mako, Chiaki and Genta, he turned towards Kotoha again.

“We never see you as a burden because you were younger, Kotoha. If you say it like that, it would hurt us deeply. Because that's like saying the rest of us are a burden to the team as well, in one way or another. Myself for being me, Mako for her own reasons... (Hey... what reason?, thought Mako irritably.) Chiaki because his skills aren’t as good as everyone else. Genta with his plain sushi...” Ryunosuke chuckled as Genta gave a loud cry. Mako couldn’t help but smile. Ryunosuke always never let the chance to tease Genta’s plain sushi go away freely.

“Not once did any of us really thought—”

“Wait... Ryu-san!” Kotoha suddenly cry out as she started waving her hands around. “You don’t need to tell me that. I realized that I shouldn’t be thinking like that. Jii-san had already said enough before this... you don’t have to—!”

Ryunosuke placed a hand on Kotoha’s head. Mako’s heart warmed at the sight.

“I know. But I want you to hear this from me, from the rest of us as well. You make a great Shinken Yellow yourself and I’m surprised that you haven’t realized that yet. Have you forgotten about what you’ve done that time to save those people at the Takashiro Academy? Didn’t you remember all of the other battles that you had fought so well in? I had been so proud of you all this time. Everyone did... and I believe your older sister would feel the same.”

“Ryu-san...” said Kotoha as Ryunosuke shrugged at her.

“If Mako, me or anyone else has been overprotective about you, it’s more because you’re an important member of our team. There’s no other reason than that.”

Kotoha sniffed as she smiled, before stepping closer to give Ryunosuke a big hug. Ryunosuke gave a surprised cry as everyone else smiled. Mako can’t stop herself from being amused.

“Ryunosuke! Half the time you talked nonsense... but this time I don’t mind the long speech—” said Chiaki as he also gave them a hug while Genta kept sputtering to himself before doing the same. Mako giggled with glee as she joined the group hug. Ryunosuke cried out in alarm at the unexpected tackle from all sides as Kotoha chuckled.

Takeru gave him a shrug as Ryunosuke’s eyes met his. Again, there were no words exchanged between them. Despite most of his earlier words had been directed towards Kotoha, Takeru seemed to have noticed that Ryunosuke had been talking to him indirectly about his own issues. It was silly, it seemed as if the tension that had been going between all of them had been so trivial now. Mako smiled smugly to herself over her own secret thoughts about the two.

The five let go of each other as all turned towards Takeru. Ryunosuke stepped closer towards him as Takeru looked up. Both of them smiled at each other before Takeru lowered his head to wipe away a stray tear that had betrayed his calm expression. Chiaki grinned as he noticed the reaction.

“Idiot... why did you have to say all those embarrassing speeches...” he muttered underneath his breath as Ryunosuke paled to see Takeru cried. Mako and Chiaki laughed.

“That’s because we all had been saving it and drilling it into Ryunosuke’s head all the time we had been on the way to join you two in battle.” said Chiaki before exclaiming in awe at Takeru.

“Seriously, Ryunosuke... I never thought you’re this awesome. I never thought I’d see the day Takeru will cry in front of us—”

“Shut up...” cried Takeru between tears and laughter as Ryunosuke scolded Chiaki before muttering apologies to Takeru.

“Yosh! Now we really are going to celebrate tonight! Don’t worry about the food! It’s all on me!” cried Genta as Ryunosuke grimaced at him.

“More? Haven’t we had enough? I’m all ready to hit the sack already...” moaned Ryunosuke as he threw a shoe towards Chiaki who started calling him old. Mako brought back his shoe to him after it managed to hit Chiaki’s side (before the lad managed to escape, laughing at him loudly) as he sighed.

“Then... I’m heading home. I’m exhausted after all of this; the earlier battle, getting tied up, having to suffer hunger and all that. I’ll tell Hikoma-san that you guys would be going back later—“ he said as the others waved at him. Mako stole a glance towards Takeru to see his reaction.

“Wait—“ Takeru paused as the others turned towards him. Mako gave him an amused look. “I... think I’m going home too. Jii might scold me again if I did not return any sooner.”

Chiaki and Genta started making a big fuss about it before Mako and Kotoha dragged them away to resume their merriment. She glanced back behind her as Takeru chose the time to catch up to Ryunosuke, who had already walked a distance away. She smiled, despite herself.

xxx

“Is there any trouble, Tono?”

Ryunosuke asked as he looked at him with puzzled expression. Takeru grinned sheepishly as he panted.

“Why did you have to walk away so fast?” he asked as he gasped for air.

“I always walked like this. And I didn’t ask you to—” Ryunosuke suddenly remembered that Takeru was still injured as he started fussing. “Are you all right? Do you need me to call on the Kuroko-tachi to pick you up?”

Takeru grinned before shaking his head. For some reason lately, he found it enjoyable to make Ryunosuke fidget like this at his expense. As bad as it might sound, he actually find amusement in doing all this. If it would make Ryunosuke pay more attention to himself. Of course, not so much when they were with the rest of the team. It would be so embarrassing for the others to see. Some of them might be able to see something more...

“I’d like to ask you for a favour though...”

Ryunosuke cocked his head at him again as he frowned.

“What is it?”

Takeru grinned.

“Give me a piggy-back ride home?”

Ryunosuke’s puzzled expression immediately changed into horror before it settled into just simple embarrassment.

“W-what... why did you suddenly ask that!” Ryunosuke exclaimed before lowering his voice at Takeru’s insistence. “That was so random of you!”

Takeru stare at him plainly.

“You carried me last time! And I’m willing to bet that wasn’t the first time you carried me back like that.”

Ryunosuke stared at him, wide-eyed.

“Y-you’re awake that night? I-I...”

“Mou... I’m just asking. Chasing after you just now was already a chore. Just say it then if you don’t want—” Takeru grinned again as that made Ryunosuke stop resisting and just did as being asked.

Ryunosuke sighed as Takeru started whistling to himself.

“Haii... why should I do about you...”

“You’ve done a great job yourself... don’t kick yourself too hard over it.”

Ryunosuke glanced at him for a moment before looking back towards the road in front of them.

“I wonder... I didn’t exactly do such a great job leading the team while you’ve been recuperating at the mansion. All I managed to do is let myself and the others fall into Sunasusuri’s attacks. Perhaps I should not be leading the team anymore after this and let either Mako or Chiaki do it—“

Takeru frowned as he gave Ryunosuke’s butt a hard kick. Ryunosuke stumbled a bit but managed to not let both of them fall as he continued to walk home.

“Idiot! You’re just fine as it is! You’ve managed to protect Kotoha from Sunasusuri’s attack. That was nothing to be ashamed of! You’ve led the others to battle so well during that time when I’ve confronted Juzo, you’ve fought so well any other times. Even when you didn’t manage to succeed in defeating some enemies in the past, you’ve still tried so hard. You’re not such a bad leader yourself, don’t belittle yourself so much...”

Ryunosuke smiled weakly.

“I’m sorry... and thank you. I guess I was a bit hard on myself. But then again... it’s the same for you too, isn’t it? And Kotoha...”

Takeru sighed as both of them went silent after that. He glanced towards the night’s sky and to the numerous stars above.

“Kotoha’s sure is lucky to have such kind older sister...” he mused aloud as Ryunosuke shrugged.

“You want an older sibling, Tono?” he asked as Takeru shook his head.

“I’ve got you guys with me. That’s more than enough.”

Ryunosuke lift his eyebrow at that statement but shrugged it off.

“Thank you, Tono... for saying that.”

“No... thank you.”

Perhaps Jii was right.

He would probably be stronger now as long as he had everyone by his side to continue supporting him. He should never forget this and falter at the middle of the road. He should not betray the faith everyone had placed on him.

Takeru tightened his hold around Ryunosuke’s neck as he leaned closer.

Thank you... Ryunosuke.

Takeru sighed.

“Ryunosuke... I want to eat an ice cream.”

“Haii haii... when you get better...”

“I want it now!”

“You’d get a cold later... Hikoma-san wouldn’t like it.”

“Jii should be in an old folks home!”

“Haii haii...”

“Sheesh... you’re not much of a sport.”

“... haha.”