Takemichi's motivation to protect those he cares about, even at great personal risk, stems from his strong sense of responsibility and loyalty towards his friends and loved ones. He is willing to put himself in danger to ensure their safety and well-being because he values their happiness and wants to make sure they are protected. Additionally, Takemichi's past regrets and desire to make amends for his mistakes also drive him to take risks in order to prevent harm from coming to those he cares about.