"How's the dirt taste? Maybe if I add some flavor, it'll taste better," a delinquent by the name of Tatsuya Hiura says. Right outside the school in the back of an alleyway a group of stylized delinquents corner a small fragile boy. Currently the boy was face flat in the dirt. Tatsuya took off his pants and began to urinate where the boy was laying.
"Does it taste better? I even put some on you to give you a strong fragrance!" Tatsuya said with a hysterical grin. The other boys that stood behind him all followed suit urinating on the small boy and the surrounding area. Now the boy's face was flat in the dirt mixed with urine altogether. Tatsuya finished and pulled his pants back up. The other boys followed along. Tatsuya grabbed the boy by his head forcing him to look up at him.
"Don't ever try to fight against me again, got it? Lest you find yourself in this humiliating position again," he turned to his right gesturing one of the other delinquents, "Strip him down."
The four other delinquents made a face of disgust. They had just finished urinating over the guy and now he wants them to touch him.
"I don't know boss…. he's fine like that," delinquent one said clearly against the fact of having to undress him. Tatsuya gave him and the others a stern look, one that invoked the fear inside of them and they moved swiftly to undress the boy on the ground making sure to leave him completely naked.
"What should we do next? Better make sure he learns his lesson, so he won't try to act bold again in the future. It needs to be engraved in his mind what happens when you upset me. The harsher the punishment, the more obedient they are, right? We can't just stop here," Tatsuya said. The other delinquents nodded in agreement.
"We should do something extreme…." Tatsuya thought aloud. He pondered over it for a bit thinking of an extreme punishment. One that lacked ethical morals. Finally, he came to a decision. Looking over toward the dumpster there was a metal rod lying on the floor.
"Number four, see that rod over there? Get it for me," Tatsuya ordered one of the delinquents. Delinquent four went over to grab the rod curiously bringing it back to Tatsuya.
"Boss, what're you gon'na do with this?" He asked. Tatsuya made an evil smile. Walking up to the miserable boy on the floor, he grabbed his hair yanking it up to lift him on his knees.
"Get on all fours," Tatsuya demanded with a sadistic tone. The boy forcefully did as he was told barely being able to hold himself up after being brutally beaten moments before they decided to urinate on him. He had a mixture of urine and dirt covered on his face and body as well as prominent bruises that could be seen from his head down to his toes.
"This'll definitely remind you of your place," Tatsuya whispered into the boy's ear. Without any warning or preparation, a long cold stubbly rod was suddenly shoved up his arse. This called for a loud cry from the boy on the ground. Delinquent two quickly went to cover his mouth as they were still outside.
"Shut it! People are gonna come because of you," delinquent two scolded. Tatsuya smiled at the satisfaction he was receiving from the action. He wanted to hurt the boy in a way he would remember so vividly he could never forget it. He shoved it in further calling for another muffled cry. Tatsuya began to work the rod maniacally laughing in hysteria.
"Why don't you try to scream louder! I want to hear your screams until you pass out!" Tatsuya said. The blood trickling down his wrist gave him the most pleasant satisfaction and it nearly drove him over the edge. He decided to stop before he'd kill the boy by accident. He left the rod inside standing up. The other delinquents were a little in shock the boss could go so far but it made them respect him even more. The boy plopped to the ground like a bag of potatoes, blood spewing from his rectum.
"Do we leave him here?" delinquent three asked unsure.
"Yeah, he'll find his way home on his own. I'm pretty sure he knows what'll happen if he tries to run his mouth about what happened. See you at school tomorrow. You better be there or else you'll have more than a rod up your ass waiting for you," Tatsuya spoke. Before walking away with his crew, he made sure to take a photo.
Now all that was left was an alleyway and a urine covered boy bleeding on the ground. His vision was focusing in and out and he was completely exhausted. He was in so much pain that it hurt to move even a millimeter.
That boy was named Hagumi Nishihara.
Hagumi had become a victim of bullying since way back when he started kindergarten. Tatsuya from day one had never liked him, and it can be said that he was jealous because Hagumi was a likeable person and made many friends. He was an angel child, and many parents would praise his parents on having a son like him even going as far as to joke about trading children. Tatsuya always felt like Hagumi was a thorn in his side always stealing the limelight in everything they did whether it was sports, academics, girls and even the approval from their parents. When they hit middle school Tatsuya began to bully Hagumi. It started off small with verbal abuse but then by high school it had evolved into something much worse. From then on, many people saw a change in Hagumi. He became quieter, dropped out of all his after-school activities and started to slack off in his classes. He stayed in his room all day and barely ate anything. His parents became worried and started to send him to therapy sessions. Hagumis life went from picture perfect to a living hell. He had become extremely depressed and sickly. His face was hollow and he had dark circles under his eyes. He had stopped caring about his appearance long ago. Some days Hagumi wondered if he should continue living or not but other times he thinks once he's out from school he'll never have to see Tatsuya again.
Hagumi tried moving but with every move the pain traveled up his back sending shocks throughout his upper body. He weakly moved his left hand to grab the rod. He counted to three before barely pulling the rod and dropping to the ground. The task of pulling it out was out of the question. Just from the mere touch it caused more blood to leak out. Now it was starting to attract ants and flies. Hagumi just laid there on the ground staring meekly in front of him. He didn't have the energy to move his body from the spot. He thought he'd probably be here until someone found him but then again who would come out here, at least in the abandoned alleyway no one ever uses. His next thought was he'll die here. Bleeding out on the ground with a metal rod up his ass. Peak comedy, he thought.
While lost in his thoughts a feminine figure appeared behind him. It was unbeknownst to him as he stayed clouded in his thoughts escaping his current reality and his surrounding awareness was completely cut off. The figure carefully without touching him seemed to examine his injuries.
"You must have suffered a lot," they said. From the sound of a voice, it pulled Hagumi back to his senses. He noticed the silhouette appearing in the ground, its shadow presenting a feminine figure with long hair. He stared at it a moment longer before suddenly passing out due to the pain.
—
He had a dream of when he was younger and at the park. He sat on the swing next to a faceless young girl around the same age as him. He was happy and laughing energetically. The young girl was also doing the same. She suddenly stopped before standing up and walking to Hagumi kissing him gently on his forehead. Hagumi stared flustered. She then sat back down on the swing smiling fondly at the sky….
Hagumi woke up fluttering his eyes open. He felt the comfort and familiarity of his bed and his environment. Someone must have found me, he thought. He lay on his back staring up at the ceiling. Hagumi recalled the events that had happened a while ago. Suddenly the thought of the gruesome pain he went through was enough to trigger him he quickly disregarded the thought and buried it as deep as he could. The only thing for sure was that the painful metal rod was no longer inside him and he was bandaged up nicely and brought back to his home. He wondered over who could have helped him and he hoped he would never see them again.
Hagumi slowly moved his right arm carefully not to ruin the bandages that were placed. He examined himself slowly evaluating the seriousness of his injuries. Whoever patched him up did an excellent job. He was still in a little pain with wide movements but overall, he felt comfortable. Most likely I was taken to the hospital, Hagumi thought. It could be the only logical explanation for his perfectly wrapped injuries. He wondered about his anus. It had taken a serious blow. It killed him to think someone had to pull it out. He could only imagine the questions that went running through their head. He felt so embarrassed he even got the chills.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. His mother and father, Harumi and Rin both walked in his mother carrying a bowl of soup. Just behind them followed in his older sister Erika.
"Are you feeling well honey?" Harumi asked cautiously. She put the bowl of soup on Hagumis nightstand and sat down on the edge of his bed. Rin followed behind closely adding on,
"Someone came by earlier. You were unconscious but they had taken you to the hospital and uh…. said you fell down a 20ft cliff …"
Both Rin and Harumi stared at Hagumi in an uncomfortable and pressuring silence. Erika who was leaning on the wall casually spoke.
"Walking over egg-shells for what? My sweet Gumi here clearly tried to kill himself. There's no need to beat around the bush," she said with a bored expression and almost a sarcastic tone.
"Has therapy not been helping? Is it the therapist? I can find you another one. I mean she was only the second best. The first one was booked and so I couldn't get her for you, but we can try again. You know it's probably that therapist. See honey, I told you we should have never settled for her. She's not doing her job correctly. She almost killed my son! Oh, my sweet boy it's okay. You're going to get better. Everything is gon'na be fine. But next time before you go and make irrational decisions like this you know maybe just run it by me first. You know these kinds of things really get me restless..." and Harumi just seemed to ramble on. She was a little in shock about her son assuming he tried to kill himself. Although she was fretting over nothing. She'd be more horrified to find out what it really was.
Harumi was a bit over-bearing as a mother. Her first child Erika wasn't actually her own and was from her husband's previous wife. She did love Erika, but she always felt slightly jealous over the fact she was another woman's child and the sole reason Rin kept in contact with his ex. She feared that one day he would leave her for his ex-wife. So, when she gave birth to his son she was over the moon and treated him like a prince from heaven. She even named him Hagumi so that people would know he was her son and would resemble her more. She wanted him to be perfect, the perfect son Rin would love and the perfect family they would be. It would comfort her to know that Rin always loved her, and he always will but due to her abandonment issues she has a tough time convincing herself of that.
But much to his displeasure, Hagumi couldn't stand it. To him her hovering with her desire for him to be perfect always overshadowed her empathy. He was depressed and suicidal yet every time a situation occurred where he deliberately put himself in harm's way or expresses a negative mindset, she shuts him down with therapy and that's it's not a big deal. As if telling him he needs to stop being an attention seeker and man up already. God forbid her perfect image family starts to deteriorate because he couldn't get over depression. Hagumi was sure at some point in his life she would try to throw him in a psychiatric hospital to "fix him."
Rin however was quite the opposite. He was much more reserved and laid back. In the beginning before Hagumi became a shut in he was close with his father, and they often did things together like building or going wave surfing. But after Tatsuya started to get more abusive and control his life, he started to push him away before shutting both him and Harumi out. Rin was also awkward and didn't really know how to behave but he was a father who tries and was currently investing himself in how to take care of a child with depression.
Erika on the other hand, his stepsister was to be determined. There wasn't really much to say about her as he barely had any interaction with her during the 15 years they've been together. What made her a mystery he couldn't figure out is that she knew about Tatsuya and how he bullied him. But despite knowing this secret she didn't do anything about it. Yet the odd thing is that whenever she is around Hagumi and anyone who dares try to insult him or harm him she becomes very defensive. In this case Hagumi doesn't understand her feelings about him. She only protects him sometimes but not all the time and Hagumi couldn't grasp why she did that. And only a few years ago did she suddenly start to address him as her "sweet gumi" it was a little strange to him, but he never brought it up to her. He didn't actually want to confront her about her knowing he was being bullied. It's verbally admitting his reality which he did not enjoy one bit.
His mother Harumi was still rambling on.
"You know I think we should take a family trip. You know you've been stuck in this room for months. I think you need a change of the environment, no?" She said looking at Rin for confirmation. Rin nodded along with her not sure if taking a trip was a good idea.
"We could invite Tatsuya as well. Having a best friend as emotional support I read can be beneficial. We can all go together!" She said getting excited about the thought of a family trip with the addition of the perfect family across the street. Hagumi tensed up at the mention of Tatsuya. Suddenly his trauma came back, and he was aggrieved. He covered his ears and began yelling.
"Get out! I don't want to go. Just leave me alone! Just leave already. I'm fine!"
Harumi and Rin were both startled by his sudden outburst. Harumi suddenly began biting her nails. She stood up promptly and swiftly left the room. She could be heard telling Rin to call the therapist, not the second but the first. Erika still stayed standing against the wall by the door. Hagumi noticed this but didn't say anything, he slowly turned to lay on his side facing the wall. He just wanted to sleep. He had an exhausting day.
"How hard did that fall hurt? Must've been a hell of a drop," she said causally but knowingly. She left the room after that closing the door behind her. Hagumi finally felt relieved. He didn't want anyone to bother him, he just wanted to sleep for the rest of the day until he had to see Tatsuya again tomorrow. He shut his eyes feeling a sense of comfort and relief take over him. His room, the one safe place he felt security in.
-
It was about four hours later since the incident with Tatsuya earlier and Hagumi was starting to wake up again constantly shifting around his bed. He rubbed his eyes softly enough to not aggravate his injuries causing them to open up again. He opened his eyes weakly while staring blankly at the wall in front of him. He didn't think of anything but the notion of just staring at the wall was somehow comforting.
Suddenly there was a shuffle. However, this shuffle wasn't from Hagumi as he was lying in bed. He thought he had heard something but brushed it off. But then there was another shuffle! At this point he was already alert. There's someone in my room, he thought. His breathing became a little hitched as he stared at the wall intently afraid of turning around. He could feel a strong presence becoming greater behind him.
Is this how I'm going to die after all? He thought. The presence became stronger and stronger putting Hagumi's nerves on edge. Suddenly the presence stopped. Everything had become quiet. The hair on Hagumi's body suddenly stood up as he felt a breath on his earlobe that seemed to breathe out smoke. Extreme fear overtook him, and he shut his eyes awaiting his death.
After waiting for what seemed to be a long while he peaked open his eyes slowly.
"Huh?" He turned to lay on his back being met with a face staring back at him!
"Ah-!" His mouth was covered quickly by a strong but soft hand. He looked up wide eyed at the individual who seemed to be floating above him.
"Hey there honeybee, sorry I'm late. But try not to scream. We don't want to cause another scene, do we?" She said casually and slightly annoyed. Hagumi lay there frozen in place. Her eyes were glowing green in the dark staring at him. She had the eyes of a snake. Is this a demon? Hagumi thought. Is she here to take my soul?
"I'm going to let go now. Promise you won't scream?" She asked. Hagumi couldn't help but notice that despite her voice being sweet and gentle it carried a hidden anger. Something seemed to be bothering her, yet she tried covering it up so that it wouldn't show. Hagumi nodded slowly. He was still in a state of shock. Which is normal. It's not every day you have someone floating above staring at you with dark green eyes in the form of a snake. The woman released her hand from Hagumi's mouth. He let out of a breath he didn't realize he was holding in.
Since he covered his windows with black curtains to keep the sunlight out because he likes to sit alone in darkness, it was pitch black. Not even the moon light could get in. He kept anything that could produce light off or covered. All he could see was those green eyes staring back at him. He was completely frozen in place.
"I didn't mean to barge in like this honeybee, but I just needed to check on you before I left to handle some pressing matters. When I found you earlier in the alley way…. the sight was horrible. I was angry with myself for letting someone hurt you. I had been held back by some annoying members of the Serpine council so I was a little late in getting to you. I hope you can forgive me. But rest assured," she put her head on top of Hagumi's so that their foreheads were touching. Suddenly her eyes glowed brighter and seemed to get more slanted and higher. Her teeth becoming sharper and little sparks of electricity could be seen around her body. Her voice became cold and heart less and more cynical.
"Whoever dare laid a hand on you will be meeting the devil by morning."
It sent a wave of fear through Hagumi's body. The sheer coldness of her voice, the strong presence of authority and confidence. It was so hostile and yet sweet at the same time. The pair of eyes moved to the side of the bed so now he was looking up. She seemed to be standing up now. The lights were suddenly turned on making Hagumi turned away slightly blinded by it having not been prepared for the sudden luminosity of the room. When he turned around to look back, he was met with a beautiful pair of eyes as well as a tall feminine figure with green hair.
"Oi honeybee!" She said cheerfully. Her demeanor had completely changed. In fact, she didn't seem threatening at all. Her eyes were no longer glowing green, but they were still shaped like that of a snake. They were a beautiful emerald green. Her hair was flat and straight with curtain bangs. She was tall and had both a feminine and masculine air to her. She wore dress pants with a white long sleeve button up, a loose tie and her suit jacket over her shoulder.
"Eh?" Hagumi said. The change was just too drastic. He was just shaking in fear thinking a demon was going to kill him and now there's a beautiful woman standing in his room.
"You must be shocked. You're probably thinking oh my what a hot babe. What is she doing in my room? Well honeybee. I will be glad to formally introduce myself. I am Kyoto Airi, an electro mage from the Serpine Clan. Currently ranked among the top 5 in the world," she said proudly. Hagumi just stared at her confused and tense. She put her hands on her hips and spoke confidently.
"No need to worry honeybee! I understand you are a bit on edge right now, but I can stake my life on it that I will not hurt you. I would never do that actually. In any kind of way. After all you are my precious honeybee. But right now, I'm on a time crunch you see. I know you have a lot of questions, but this will have to be cut short. Get some more rest and when you wake up, I'll be right beside you to answer any questions you may have. Just don't be afraid of me okay. I assure you that I am here to protect you," she said. She cupped Hagumi's face giving him a kiss on his nose. Hagumi was completely surprised and taken aback.
"Sweet kisses comfort children you know. A kiss from me however is like a kiss of death but for you and just you only it is simply a kiss of affection to someone who's looking for comfort," she said looking fondly at Hagumi. Hagumi could only get lost in her eyes. She pulled away leaving Hagumi flustered.
Airi looked at her watch impatiently. Hagumi noted she seemed to be expecting something.
"Should be about now," she mumbled to herself. She smiled at Hagumi before a whirlwind of green electric bolts surrounded her and she was gone. Now all that was left was a very confused Hagumi.
"Hahhh—?!" He said bewildered. What just happened right now, he thought.
"This is insane. I must be dreaming. Yeah, that's right. Due to all the stress, I'm starting to hallucinate. It must be it," Hagumi said talking to himself. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Harumi walked in cautiously holding a bottle of pills and water. How convenient. She walked over to Hagumi and sat down beside him. It annoyed Hagumi slightly how she always knocked but never asked if she could come in. He felt like she invaded his privacy whenever she could simply because she was his mother. He didn't have a lock on the door for obvious reasons, it was taken off by Harumi so it's not like he could lock them out.
"Darling, you know earlier I was only trying to bring your spirits up. I'm sorry if I was only stressing you out more." Harumi handed Hagumi two pills and then the glass of water. Hagumi quickly swallowed them handing the glass back to her. He wanted her to leave already.
"I contacted Kagome earlier and she agreed that a trip would be nice. She mentioned Tatsuya had been under stress as well. It would be a good opportunity for you boys to let off some steam and get some much needed down time. I have spoken with your teacher as well. He's going to excuse you for the time being. Mr. Tomioka has high hopes for you and thinks you just need to clear your mind for a while. We'll be leaving this weekend to Osaka, okay?"
Words or actions could not describe how much Hagumi wanted to obliterate his mother. She acknowledges she was causing him more stress about this trip with the Miura family next door, yet she still goes ahead and does it anyway. Explain the reasoning behind this? Is she an idiot?
Harumi could see the expression on Hagumi's face, and it was not a good one.
"I know okay. But trust your mother on this. It'll be good for you. I love you so much my sweet boy and I care about you more than you know it. I'm just trying my best okay," she said choking up at the end. She gave Hagumi a kiss on his temple before getting up and leaving. True, Hagumi thought. Sweet kisses do comfort children. At the end of the day, she was his mother and she had never failed at being at being a good mom just sometimes she let herself get lost in her picture-perfect ideology sometimes.
He laid back down slowly. As soon as his back hit the bed, he felt all the soreness suddenly kick in. He let out a loud groan.
"Shit," he muttered. Having made all that movement earlier aggravated his wounds. And now he could feel the dull pain aching in his ass. He made a deep sigh.
Well shit, shit, shit.
——
Boqin; Boubi
Next Chapter : The Mage who Pays Me A Visit!