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[ Tokyo Revengers ] A Tainted Soul
Chapter 3: " Salvation in the Snowy Night "
Tokyo was still as radiant as ever, but for Reita, this city had become nothing more than a graveyard of painful memories
He walked down the snow-covered streets, snowflakes melting into the strands of his jet-black hair
The biting cold of winter no longer made him shiver—his heart had frozen long ago, ever since Shinichiro left this world.
Suzuki Reita
Wow, snow's falling early this year...
He murmured to himself, his voice tinged with a forced optimism
Tugging the collar of his coat higher, he walked slowly along the sidewalk
Cars passed by, and neon lights from tall buildings danced across the wet pavement
Tokyo still buzzed with life, still bathed in glamour—but to Reita, it all felt distant and cold
He felt like a ghost, drifting unnoticed through the crowd.
Suzuki Reita
I should head home soon...
He thought, eyes scanning unfamiliar faces
For seven long years, he had forced himself to keep moving forward, yet every step he took was a painful reminder of the one he lost
Shinichiro—the man who once lit up his world—now existed only as a scar in his memory
Reita had vowed loyalty to him, refusing to open his heart to anyone else
His love was eternal, like a vow he’d never break.
His footsteps scraped softly against the snowy ground, creating tiny, crunching echoes.
He whispered, his breath turning into pale wisps of smoke in the frigid air
Stopping, he looked up at the sky
Snow fell silently, like the tears of winter itself.
Suzuki Reita
Shin-kun... can you see me?
Suzuki Reita
I still miss you... every single day...
Elsewhere, hidden in one of Tokyo’s shadowed alleyways, Mikey curled up, his empty black eyes staring into the void.
Sano Manjiro - Mikey
......
He wore a torn T-shirt, his once-shiny platinum hair now dry and brittle from the cold
Exhausted—physically, mentally, spiritually—he had nothing left, neither warmth nor will
Once hailed as the "King" of the underworld, Mikey had abandoned it all: gangs, power, and the loyalty of countless subordinates.
Now, he was merely a shell of what he once was.
Sano Manjiro - Mikey
It’s almost over...
Just a few hours ago, he’d stood on the rooftop of a skyscraper, watching the tiny people scurry below
He'd thought of jumping—of surrendering himself to the icy embrace of the ground
But something had stopped him
A faint, inexplicable feeling.
Sanzu Haruchiyo
Boss!! Where are you?! // Frantic voice //
His voice echoed through the streets, yanking Mikey back from his thoughts
Mikey opened his eyes again, a sharp glint returning to his dead stare.
Sano Manjiro - Mikey
......
Mochizuki Kanji - Mocchi
Move it!!
Mochizuki Kanji - Mocchi
Why the hell are you all just standing around?!
Kokonoi Hajime - Koko
We’re on it, you damn ogre.
Their voices overlapped, urgent and annoyed
Mikey sneered faintly—just a twitch of the lips.
Sano Manjiro - Mikey
* Still searching for me, huh...? *
But he had no plans to return
He wasn’t hiding out of fear
The alley stank of garbage
The concrete was cold and wet
No one would think to look for him here
Meanwhile, Reita—wandering with no destination—happened to turn into that very same alley
His footsteps halted at the sight of a curled figure in the shadows.
Under the dim streetlight, Mikey's platinum hair shimmered faintly, catching Reita’s attention
Something about the figure pulled at him—a strange, quiet familiarity.
Suzuki Reita
Uhm... // hesitant //
Suzuki Reita
Hey, are you okay...?
Mikey slowly raised his head, his pitch-black eyes locking onto Reita
That gaze—so empty, so sharp—made Reita shiver despite himself.
Sano Manjiro - Mikey
Get lost
The words sliced through the cold air
Reita blinked, surprised by the harshness.
Suzuki Reita
Are you... really alright?
His voice stayed soft, filled with concern.
Suzuki Reita
It’s freezing out
Suzuki Reita
You shouldn’t be sitting here.
Sano Manjiro - Mikey
// Glares sharply //
Sano Manjiro - Mikey
Don’t make me repeat myself.
But Reita, somehow emboldened, crouched beside him, studying the boy more carefully.
Suzuki Reita
Don’t you have a home...?
He asked gently, like he was speaking to someone long forgotten but still dear
He looked at Mikey's dry, tangled silver hair—beautiful, even in its ruin
Something about him stirred something deep within Reita… something he couldn't explain.
Mikey didn’t respond, his eyes once again void of life
Reita hesitated, then continued.
Suzuki Reita
You don’t have to be afraid.
Suzuki Reita
I just want to help.
A soft, warm smile—like sunlight breaking through the harshest winter
For a brief second, the air around them felt a little less cold.
Mikey stared back, no words, but not entirely emotionless either.
Suzuki Reita
Come on, get up // Concerned //
Suzuki Reita
You’ll catch a cold out here
Suzuki Reita
Are you hungry?
Suzuki Reita
There’s a ramen shop nearby
Suzuki Reita
I’ll take you there
Sano Manjiro - Mikey
.....
He should’ve been annoyed
Should’ve shoved Reita away
Should’ve said something cruel.
As Reita offered his hand, with eyes so honest and smile so kind—
Mikey, almost unconsciously, stood up... and followed him.
At a small roadside food stall, the rich aroma of ramen mingled with the freezing winter air
Reita excitedly ordered two bowls while Mikey sat in silence, his dark eyes fixed on the steaming noodles in front of him.
Suzuki Reita
Two bowls of ramen, please!
The stall owner—a kind-faced middle-aged man—nodded warmly
? ? ?
//Places two bowls down//
Reita turned to Mikey, the smile on his face unwavering.
Suzuki Reita
Hey, white-haired guy, this is seriously the best ramen I’ve ever had!
Suzuki Reita
I always stop by here whenever I need something warm in my belly
Sano Manjiro - Mikey
.......
Mikey said nothing, silently picking up his chopsticks and starting to eat.
He had always been picky with food—dishes like this never even made it onto the menus Sanzu used to prepare for him.
But with that first bite, something warm began to spread through his body, melting away the frost that had long since encased him.
Reita watched him eat and couldn’t help but smile.
Suzuki Reita
* Look at him eat… he’s really enjoying it *
A small, quiet joy stirred in Reita’s chest.
Suzuki Reita
So… what’s your name, white-haired guy?
Mikey paused, looked up at him.
Sano Manjiro - Mikey
Mikey
Suzuki Reita
Whoa, that sounds kinda Western! //grinning//
Suzuki Reita
It really suits you, y’know
Suzuki Reita
Totally cool-sounding! //sparkling eyes//
He didn’t understand why he’d followed this kid—why he was eating cheap ramen he once would’ve scoffed at.
But the warmth… from the broth, from Reita’s persistent smile… it made something inside him loosen, even if just a little.
Suzuki Reita
Where’s your family? //innocent tone//
Sano Manjiro - Mikey
......
Suzuki Reita
Eh… you don’t have a home either, huh?
Sano Manjiro - Mikey
......
Reita looked at Mikey, and something in his chest tightened.
He didn’t know who this boy truly was—didn’t know the heavy past he carried.
But he recognized the pain in his eyes.
It mirrored the sorrow he’d felt the day he lost Shinichiro.
Suzuki Reita
Then come stay at my place!
He said it without hesitation, grabbing Mikey’s hand and pulling him to his feet
Suzuki Reita
It’s freezing out here!
Mikey let himself be pulled
His feet moved on their own, following Reita’s light footsteps
And for the first time in years, deep within his frozen soul,
Mikey felt something strange bloom—something fragile but real.
A sense that maybe, just maybe... he wasn’t entirely alone anymore.
Comments
Alphonse Elric
This story has such a unique plot, I couldn't put it down. 😍
2025-07-29
1