Hatakeyama is a character who started out as a normal college student but was later dragged into the dangerous world of underground mahjong. He played as Kei's temporary partner, where his love for thrill and destruction slowly changed him from inside. Although at first carefree and naive, his addiction to risk and drugs pushed him to the edge. Even after turning into a broken version of himself, he never lost his pride as a mahjong player. His journey is full of ups and downs, including run-ins with yakuza, betrayals, moments of clarity, and finally a tragic end. Yet, even in his last moments, Hatakeyama remained true to himself and his beliefs.
Hatakeyama originally looked like a lazy college student.
He liked to wear casual clothes and had a relaxed vibe.
After getting addicted to drugs, he changed a lot.
He lost his teeth and hair, and looked like a walking skeleton.
Hatakeyama loved canned coffee, especially ones with a little sugar.
But when he got serious, he drank black coffee with no sugar at all.
He did not care much about rules or what other people thought.
Hatakeyama was a thrill-seeker and got bored easily.
He sometimes said rude things to the yakuza without thinking.
He hungered for excitement, even if it meant risking everything.
Even when in trouble, he stayed cool and never lost his intense love for mahjong.
Hatakeyama was once just a regular college student, but dropped out of school.
He entered the dark world after meeting Noriyuki Takatsu, the boss of a criminal mahjong group called the "First Team."
He randomly approached Takatsu one night, asking, "Hey mister yakuza, got anything fun?"
That started his life in the underground.
He joined the First Team as one of their mahjong players.
Hatakeyama developed a unique mahjong style focused on open riichi and accurate predictions.
He specialized in playing with high risks and didn't mind if he lost, as long as it was exciting.
He was skilled at reading other players and taking daring chances.
- Kei: Started as his mahjong partner. They had a complex relationship with both teaching and betrayal. Kei ended up recognizing Hatakeyama as a true mahjong friend.
- Noriyuki Takatsu: First brought Hatakeyama into the underground and eventually fired him after a disappointing match.
- Hideharu Seki: Saved Hatakeyama at one point but also turned him into a drug addict, using him as a tool.
- Dōjima: Became close after their intense mahjong battles and often played together as friends.
- Iwao Otsuji: Responsible for Hatakeyama's tragic end, which fueled Kei's anger for revenge.
"Hey mister yakuza, got anything fun?"
"Go buy me some coffee."
Entering the Underworld
Hatakeyama was a college student with a boring life.
One night, looking for fun, he met Noriyuki Takatsu and boldly asked about exciting things.
This curiosity got him invited to join the First Team as a substitute mahjong player.
Experiencing Danger and Change
As Hatakeyama and Kei partnered for a big test game, Hatakeyama faced dangerous and unpredictable thrills.
His hidden personality started to show.
He enjoyed the risk even when facing downfall.
He drank sweet coffee for daily games but switched to black coffee when things got serious.
Unique Mahjong Style and Conflict
Later, because of his drug addiction, he changed completely.
He came back to the scene as a replacement for Taiyao’s team against the Sakura Wheel group.
Hatakeyama built his own risky, open riichi style of playing.
During a game, he beat Dōjima, who at first felt he had nothing to lose except for Takatsu’s money, but Dōjima gambled both his arms in a do-or-die comeback.
Rebellion and Awakening
After being told he was no longer needed by Seki and getting provoked by Kei, Hatakeyama realized what he truly wanted.
Ignoring Seki’s orders, he played in his own way, finally breaking free from drug control.
At the start of this match, he was a nearly destroyed addict, but his awakening helped him form a real friendship with Dōjima.
They became close enough to sometimes play mahjong together just for fun.
The Final Fate
In the Ryuou Tournament, Hatakeyama became strong enough to corner Kei in their direct match.
But he was later kidnapped by Otsuji's gang and tortured to make him talk about Kei.
Even during torture and close to death, Hatakeyama never broke his will.
With his last strength, he drew a record of the match in his own blood on the floor, showing his pride as a mahjong player all the way to the end.
Kei considered Hatakeyama as his true mahjong partner and was furious at Otsuji for causing his death.
- Hatakeyama's favorite drink was canned coffee with a bit of sugar, but he switched to black coffee when serious.
- He was known for doing weird things, like telling Takatsu’s men to buy coffee during a game.
- Hatakeyama ended up befriending Dōjima, even though they were rivals at first.
- He was very strong at mahjong, but valued thrill and style over just winning.
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