"Oi Arata!" Arata was eating lunch at his des carelessly glaring out of the window at the sports shed. It didn't matter where he went in the school it was always haunting him. Arata sighed and looked at his female classmate that was calling out to him. Putting on his signature fake smile he answered.
"Yes?" It was rare they called out to his during lunch, so he cautiously peered around them.
"There's a first year here asking for you." Arata could see a few people swooning over someone, he felt a bad churning in his gut, no-one ever requested him never mind a first year. Carefully he stood up and wandered over to the door. What he saw next was so horrifying his jaw almost dislodged through clenching his teeth.
"Oh…um my name is Reo Amano…I was wondering if I could…talk to you." Arata was frozen after slamming the classroom door shut, it was like looking at his younger self. Reo was petite with light brown shaggy hair and big brown eyes. Arata couldn't believe how small and fragile he was even for a first year. Immediately he was filled with anxiety and hatred, if Haruka was going to choose a new toy this boy would be perfect.
"Sure, what can I help you with?" Reo blushed and gestured towards a less crowded area, Arata put on his best smile and followed him. Gaining this boys trust would work in his favour, he wanted this boy to keep as far away from him as possible before Haruka could target him. Reo stood near the window away from everyone and twisted his feet like a little girl. Arata could see his pervious self-plastered all over this fragile boy.
"Um…I heard from my friend that you were um…gay…" Arata felt his heart drop if he said what he was thinking he was going to say; it was game over.
"That's true why are you asking?" Suddenly he wasn't so kind, Reo seemed flustered watching his expression turn sour at his statement.
"Well, I was wondering…" Arata leaned back with his arms crossed as he fumbled to get his words out.
"PLEASE TEACH ME HOW TO HAVE SEX WITH A MAN!" He bowed respectfully blushing from ear to ear, Arata peered around anxiously, he practically shouted the most embarrassing thing he possible could have. Arata grabbed his collar and pressed him up against the window.
"You wanna say that any louder? So, what you want me to embrace you?" Reo eyes filled up as he nodded enthusiastically. Arata stroked his lip and smirked licking his lips.
"Sure, I'll teach you everything you need to know. I'm happy you asked me, no-one knows sex better than me. I hope your ready little bird; we're going to have a lot of fun together." Reo smiled happily and nodded. Arata couldn't believe just how naïve this kid was but he finally had a new play mate. Arata released him and whipped his phone from his pocket. With one beep the deal was sealed.
"I'll text you a time and place tomorrow, don't be late." Arata kissed his finger and caressed his cheek before waling away confidently. Immediately he whipped into the bathroom and placed both hands on the sink.
"Stupid f*cking brat thinks he can mess with me; sure, I'll show you what to do but I have to say it's not going to be pleasurable as you think." Already he was thinking of ways to teach this little brat a lesson, it wasn't fair that he was the only one who was broken.
-----------------------------------------After class--------------------------
"Akira, are you walking home today?" Arata changed his shoes and grabbed his bag ready to head home.
"Yeah but someone's asking for you at the gate." Arata felt his fury explode inside of him, if that brat was being this consistent, he would attract attention.
"Go on ahead, I'll handle this." Akira wearily started walking home leaving Arata with a scary expression on his face but the person waiting for him was the last person he'd expect.
"It's been a while." Arata stood stunned at the front gate allowing his bag to flop to the floor. This couldn't be happening, why now of all times?
"How many times do I have to cave your head in before you f*ck off for good?"
---------------------------------Meanwhile at the Red-light District---------------------------
"Haruka, long time no see. What can I get you?" Haruka settled at his signature bar his eyes dark with hatred, he hadn't slept at all that night thinking about Arata and his current rebellious stage. It made him want to kill more frequently so he decided to drink away his urges.
"Get me a whiskey straight, how you been Asumi?" Asumi was his high school friend who had taken over his father's bar after his death, he believed he knew Haruka well but had no idea his true face was only something either Arata or his victims witnessed.
"You got it and yeah business is doing well. You loom worn out, finally get yourself a lover?" He was the typical nice guy looking for gossip, he was also gay but didn't peruse relationships often. Haruka sucked down his whiskey slamming the glass on the table.
"Tsk you could say that. They're a pain in the ass." Asumi chuckled and poured him another glass.
"It's unlike you to be so troubled, you must really like him." Haruka tried not to vomit at the bar but maybe Asumi was right, was attached in an unhealthy way but you wouldn't call it love.
"So, how old is he? Describe him to me." Haruka leaned back in his chair twiddling his fingers around the rim of the glass.
"He's only 18 so he's still pretty young. I call him a rat but he's more like a little puppy, petite and always begging for attention. He had soft black hair and these big green eyes that suck you in. Sex is always satisfying and he's pretty much happy with whatever I do to him." Asumi whistled watching his get lost in his thoughts.
"Sounds pretty prefect to me, just your type." Haruka chuckled, perfect was the biggest overstatement he'd ever heard. Deep down he gradually felt a strange feeling in his chest, maybe he could have been perfect until he broke him. Now the kid was one step away from a mental asylum if he didn't keep his personalities in check.
"Yeah, he's all I could ever ask for." Haruka remembered the look on his face when he spoke about recruiting someone else, his jealous pout was kinda cute when he thought more about it.
"Yet you seem unsatisfied, I wondered why you were day drinking. That's not like you." Asumi was right, something was wrong with him lately, his urge to kill was becoming stronger and he was even sneaking around Arata's back to perhaps spare him from seeing more bloodshed. He looked back to their first kill together. While he was being violated, Haruka bashed his head so hard the victim's brains fell straight into his ebony hair. Seeing him shaking in shock yet staying with him made it his best kill ever to date. After that he even came back to him, he could have called the police or at least ran away but he came right back like a boomerang.
"I guess I'm afraid in-case I break him to much, he's pretty fragile ya know. That kids been through a lot and he's strong willed, I don't think he'll ever leave me." Asumi had never seen Haruka in such a nostalgic state so he lapped up the image of his smirk.
"Sounds like you got yourself a keeper so treat him gently or he really will leave you." Haruka felt a bout of sweat drip from his face. Leave him…it was true Arata could leave whenever he wanted, he had all the tools to kill on his own. Why did he still visit every day?
"Your right, thanks for the chat I needed it." Haruka waved goodbye and started unconsciously making his way towards the school, maybe he would be happy to see him waiting there for him. It was a Wednesday so he would usually have club activities, he wasn't too late.
------------------------------------Meanwhile----------------------
"It's Touma Watanabe, looks like you remember me." Arata didn't know whether to run or hear him out, the scar on his head was still prevalent but he hadn't seen him for two years. Why had he come back?
"Come back to finish what you started?" he asked tauntingly. Touma stood up and smiled at him.
"No, I came to clear things up, walk with me." Arata sighed and began walking side by side, it was prideful to think they were equal now. Both of their minds were broken that week in different ways, the bad blood wasn't as think anymore.
"I did something terrible to you that day and I wanted to apologize for it. It must have been awful for you." Arata began giggling behind his hand, Touma could already tell this was not the same kid he violated two years ago. This was someone else entirely.
"Guilty conscience? Don't worry, it actually felt pretty good, shame you didn't finish in time." Touma loitered wearily behind, this kid was scary. No wonder he hit him with a pipe all of those years ago, he was unhinged.
"Yeah, I am guilty, you didn't deserve that. I think your revenge was pretty well deserved, I'm not angry at what you did. I was a naïve kid looking for some excitement, I guess that's why I hurt you so badly." Arata listened expressionless, this guy did seem remorseful considering he used to be a delinquent brat with nothing better to do than prey on little boys.
"I don't really care about what happened that day, in a way it set me free and I met someone very important. You're a university student now, just let the past lie and live your life. I don't like my past coming back to me, so I'll be going now." As Arata walked away a very strong grip grabbed his wrist and spun him around. This time Touma looked terrified and was panting heavily, Arata remembered those hands like it was yesterday. As he was about to offer him sex, he was rudely interrupted.
"W-Who saved you that day?" he said in a panic, Arata snatched his hand back and rubbed his wrist, this guy sure was strong.
"You already know the answer to that don't you?" Touma's face ran pale and he squatted on the ground looking like he was about to vomit. Arata glanced around frustratingly, what the hell had gotten into him?
"What the f*ck do you want your embarrassing." Touma began chuckling deeply behind his hand.
"You even talk like him…I guess he did get you after all." Arata looked at him peculiar, he knew Touma was Haruka's underling, but he looked more troubled about this than he should be.
"Get me? What are you talking about?" he said threateningly. Touma cleared his throat and stood up gripping Arata's shoulders.
"You won't believe me; he's already got you trapped but…that day when I raped you. Haruka was the one who payed me to do it." Arata felt a pain unlike anything he had felt before. No, that couldn't be true…Haruka would never do such a thing. Arata tried to shove him off but he had no strength left in his body at all and looked at the floor.
"I know what he is, and I know what he does to people. One day he came to pick me up from school and he saw you scuttling past the gates avoiding eye contact with everyone. Straight away he asked me about you…I would see your bruises when you got changed for sports so I told him and he locked onto you. Haruka asked me to rape you so he could save you, I swear it's not a lie Arata. Then after we fought in the shed, he threw me away. I never imagined you would still be by his side…" Arata slapped his hand upwards knocking Touma off balance. Twisted like a demon Arata's face was so disturbing Touma felt his spine shudder.
"Y-You must be s-shitting me…after all of this time." Arata put his hands over his eyes and slowly began to chuckle. It progressed until it was loud hysterical laughter, Touma looked away in guilt. Haruka had truly broken this kid and he'd contributed.
"Hehehe, why…why did you have to tell me the truth. You're an eyesore, now get the f*ck out of here before I kill you. Now you know I'm not bluffing this time." Touma stumbled to his feet and began walking towards him when a voice called out numbing all of his senses.
"Arata, why are you standing there like an idiot." Arata began shaking violently as he felt his large hand place itself delicately on his shoulder. Haruka noticed he was stiff as a board and intrigued looked at the man ahead of him. As they locked eyes, they both widened in disbelief.
"Long time no see brat. Why are you talking to my pet?" Touma gritted his teeth and looked at Arata sympathetically who was still looking at the floor in shock. Arata spun around and slapped away Haruka arm with all of his strength.
"Don't touch me, you don't get to do this anymore. I know what you did you f*cker, I'm going to kill you nice and slow so be ready for me." Arata blew a kiss as he ran off in the distance. Haruka stood there stunned watching his run further and further away. Arata had never rejected him like that…ever. Touma could see his eye twitch which his signature sign was of losing it.
"You let your lips flap didn't you brat." Touma stood up strongly, now he was the same height as Haruka and build, he could put up a good fight if he tried anything so didn't falter at his horrific glare.
"I told him the truth about that day, you payed me to rape him so he would see you as a hero and depend on you. You manipulated that kid to be your pet and now look at him, if you flicked him, he would crack." Touma reached into his pocket and pulled out a preliminary police badge, he was still in training but the minute Haruka read the status his whole world flipped upside down.
"When I graduate, I'm going to take you down if it's the last thing I do. I know your tricks and now I have a very valuable witness if you don't kill him before I get to him. Enjoy your hunting while you can Haruka, I'll see you soon." Touma waved and walked off into the street. Haruka was shaking with rage and his fists clenched so tightly his ring cut deep into his flesh. His eyes followed the path Arata had taken and he felt a sudden urge to follow him. Who could he be going to for comfort?
Haruka gritted his teeth, threw his hands in his pocket and began walking swiftly to catch up. He never expected Arata to find out the truth about him. Everything was set up so Haruka could seem like his saviour. Right now, it was the worst case of betrayal and he didn't see Arata forgiving him this time. His chest knotted; he wouldn't leave him…he couldn't…
-------------------------------Meanwhile---------------------------
Arata clutched his shirt and began running as quick as he could until his lungs collapsed from hyperventilation. Haruka was the one who payed for him to be raped the waltzed in like a knight in shining armour. Arata leaned over into a back alley and vomited up his lunch in so much distress he couldn't stand. He needed someone to save him…someone to hold him…make the pain disappear. Then his mind wandered to the only other person he ever relied. Wiping the stomach acid from his lips he began running towards his old neighbourhood towards Akira's home.
It hadn't changed one bit and old feelings began flooding back to when he was a helpless child, all of that vulnerability inhabited his body until he was an empty shell. Slowly he dragged his feet up to the door and weakly pressed the doorbell. If Akira didn't answer Arata didn't see the point anymore. Please help me…Please. As his hope was about to drown inside of him the door swung open. Akira looked at the small feral animal crouching in his doorway and was so taken back by his expression his legs collapsed behind him.
"A-Arata?" Akira moved his fluffy black hair from his tear stained face, there was no light in his eyes at all, he looked like a zombie. Arata lunged forward and wrapped his frail arms around his best friend before screaming out in tears. Akira sat there stunned feeling the wet patch start to form on his shirt. This was the first time he'd seen him cry in two years. Akira hugged him back stroking his head unsure what to say in this situation.
"Shh, it's okay I'm here. Let's get you inside." Akira slipped off his shoes and guided him into his room supporting him with his shoulder. Arata collapsed onto his bed face down before curling up into a ball. Akira locked his door and sat down on the floor watching his small body quiver. In truth, he thought Arata had been raped by his reaction but as he looked closer beneath his white school shirt was a scar so grotesque it made his stomach churn. Akira felt his anger flare before storming up and grabbing Arata's arms pinning them above his head.
"Look at me, who did that to you!" Arata was so devastated his eyes were red raw and sore, he could barely open his eyes. Akira ignored his pleading eyes and began unbuttoning his shirt, ripping it open the state of his battered body was unnerving. His ribs stuck out covered in black bruises, not to mention the open wounds on his stomach and abdomen. Arata turned over defensively and sniffled like a child.
"Arata, I'm your best friend. Tell me who did this to you!" Akira was so upset his lip quivered, who knew behind that tired smile was so much pain. Some scars were white meaning they had been there for a while. Arata sat up and pulled his legs towards him.
"I can't take it anymore Akira. What I'm about to tell you Is our secret understand?"