It's been eight long years.
After having been gone to Tokyo, it's actually good to be back here in my hometown, the rural town of Rurasa. It's the place where I was born and spent the first nine years of my childhood.
As I peered through the forest-like scenery from my seat at the bus, I can't help but smile at the precious memories that I have made here. It appears that nothing remarkable has changed during my absence as the same old buildings, structures, and roads are what I have observed so far in my sight-seeing. In short, nothing has changed.
I wonder… are my friends from my childhood still living here or perhaps they have moved on and transferred to an urban environment of their liking.
Speaking of childhood friends, my mother told me that during the whole duration of my stay, the Amakusa family are the ones who will be taking care of me.
The Amakusa is a family friend, meaning I wouldn't have to worry about my board and lodgings. I knew them in the past and Aunt Reina is a gentle soul who always took good care of me and two of her children who are my dear childhood friends. The names of the brother and sister twins are Ren and Rina respectively if I recall correctly.
I would be lying if I said that I'm not nervous about meeting them. Hopefully, things won't be awkward given my long absence and they'll be accepting as they did before.
Eventually, I arrived at my destination as I told the driver to stop the bus. After thanking him, I went down carrying my backpack and proceeded to make my way to the Amakusa family home.
Fortunately, the trip from the bus stop is a short distance away and the familiar subdivision area greeted my eyes right in front of me.
Before entering the subdivision, the guard at the entrance first questioned my business here. I informed him of my circumstances and he asked for my ID.
"Hiro Nakamura." The guard uttered my name and shift glances between my face and the ID, clearly observing my black messy hair and blue eyes to verify my identity. "So you are saying that Mrs. Amakusa is expecting you, am I correct."
"Yes sir." I nodded at his confirmation.
"Alright, let me just make a call and I'll get on with you shortly."
And with that, the guard took the necessary protocol and I waited patiently nearby. Thankfully, the wait is not long and the guard gave his answer.
"Ah Mr. Nakamura, yes, Mrs. Amakusa is indeed waiting for you. Do you need directions to her residence?"
"I'll be fine." I shook my head, appreciating his offer nonetheless. "I know my way around here."
"If you say so."
After thanking the guard, I entered the subdivision complex. Even after years, I'm still familiar with the place and I maneuvered myself rather easily as if I'm a long time resident. I've been visiting the Amakusas almost every day when I was a child, so it's nothing new, even when I was gone for a long time. The credit all went to my excellent memory.
*Whimper*
While on my trek, I heard a loud voice of a child crying. Turning to look around at the source of the voice, I saw a young girl being harassed by two bullies of the same age as her in the playground nearby. The bullies did all sorts of things ranging from pulling her hair to childish insults. Being a person with a strong sense of justice, I quickly approached them and assumed an aura of authority to established my position firmly to these children.
The two bullies were undoubtedly intimidated by my presence, given that I towered leagues above them. I immediately approached the girl out of the concern and kneel down to assure that everything is going to be alright. The girl gave me a pleading look, begging to save me from her harassers.
It would go against everything I stood for if I'm going to refuse an offer of help, and from a girl no less.
I then stood up and turned my attention to the boys, mustering a grave look that would put the wits out of them. Then, I told them.
- "What are you two doing? Can't you see that she is hurt by your selfish actions?" (Diplomatic / Gentle)
- "Well well, two kiddies ganging up on a cute young lady. Kids these days… don't you have better things to do like catching bugs or maybe playing some generic gacha game on your parent's smartphone indoors?" (Comical / Charming)
- "Utter even a single word to her and I'll make sure it will be your last." (Aggressive / Blunt)
"Sheesh, we were just kidding around, mister, no need to be so serious." One of the bullies attempted to reason with me with a nervous chuckle.
"But at the expense of the girl being hurt? It's wrong to do such vile things young man and you have taken things too far. Tell me honestly if you truly enjoy her suffering, just look at her crying." I said to them with sincerity, hoping that they would see reason.
Thankfully and much to my relief, the two boys saw the error of their ways when they saw the girl being utterly scared at them with a sorrowful expression while hiding behind at my back.
"L-look, we're sorry, Rei, we won't do bad things to you again." The boy answered as he and his partner were filled with guilt.
The girl who I now know as Rei simply nodded in understanding. Even if she accepted the boys' apology, she still remained at my back, no doubt still horrified by the bullying that was afflicted on her.
"All well that ends well. Why don't you kids run along to your homes and we'll consider all bygones be bygones." I smiled at their good actions.
"But make no mistake, if I see any of you doing this sort of things to anyone ever again, I won't be as merciful as I am now, do I make myself clear?" I added, still retaining my friendly grin despite the threat that's hidden beneath the statement.
"Yes, sir!!" The boys responded in agreement and got the message clearly. Shortly after, they bow down respectfully at me and left the premises of the playground.
A sense of fulfillment was filled as I smiled proudly at my noble actions. They were simply kids and are still learning in the ways of the world. Settling things peacefully is definitely the right option.
The bullies are somehow dumbfounded by my statement. No doubt, they were expecting me to be angry or at least lecturing in my tone.
Hehe, oh how I love to betray everyone's expectations of me.
I also took the time to see if the girl behind me is okay. From the looks of it, she appeared to be flustered with her face red as she attempted to hide her embarrassed expression by her face digging into the fabrics of my clothes with a whimper.
Yep, she was flattered by my compliments to her earlier. Oh, my sassy remarks are going to bite me in the ass one day, that I can very well see.
Anyways, I decided to face the issue while still retaining a smirk right on my face.
"Girl crying, bullies bullying, hmm, what to do..." I pondered, pretending to act all deep and sagely as I stroked my chin.
"Hey kids, ever heard of a wedgie? I haven't really tried it, so you'll get the privilege of being my guinea pigs, what do you say?" I said all this while approaching them with a sinister smile and acting like a madman.
"S-stay away from us you psycho!!!" One of the bullies screamed terrifyingly while he and his partner back off quickly.
"Alright, alright, we'll never bother Rei ever again, just leave us alone you lunatic!!!" The other boy agreed with his friend and the two of them scurried off away from a distance.
As I witnessed their disappearing act, I grinned in triumphant at fending off an innocent young girl against two bullies. Being a hero is kind of fulfilling if I say so myself. But if I'm going to rescue someone, then I might as well end it with a blast that would leave a lasting impression like a bang.
"Ah, young girls and bullies, just a typical Tuesday afternoon."
The girl who I now know as Rei merely became dumbfounded at my last statement.
The kids are indeed terrified by my intimidating statement and the deepness of my voice only served to heighten the tension between us.
The girl behind me was also scared but only by a small margin, seeing as my aggression was directed onto her bullies and not to her. I felt her hands clutching tightly at my clothes behind my back.
I simply look at her in response and softened my gaze to assure her that everything is going to be alright.
If I wish to protect her from further atrocious acts, then these worms, children or not, must get the clear direct message, whether they like it or not.
If words are not enough, then there are other ways to convince them otherwise.
Of course, they are still kids, so God willing it won't come to THAT.
"S-sheesh we were just kidding around mister, n-no need to be so angry." One of the bullies tried to be the voice of reason in an attempt to reconcile.
"Kidding? Then why is she in tears if that's the case? Are crying girls now a requirement for something to be considered a joke? If that's the case, then kids like you sicken me."
I then cracked my knuckles and approached them menacingly while the two boys shivered and constantly step backward from my threatening appearance.
"It appears that your parents failed in disciplining you. Should I take their place instead?"
"We… we're sorry!!! We won't bother Rei ever again!!!" The boys bow down and succumb to their fear.
"Good, now run along to your homes. If I ever so much as to hear even a single rumor about you harassing her ever again, then I'll make sure to personally discipline you once more, but this time in a more direct manner, UNDERSTOOD?"
"Y-yes, sir!!!" The boys nodded instantly agreement, not wanting to instigate any of my further wrath. I accepted their response, allowing the two boys to walk free and told them to get out of my sight.
As I watched their retreating forms, I can't help but think that maybe I have gone too far in intimidating them. Maybe there are other ways in settling this manner. I supposed what's done is done and they definitely have gotten the message. The issue has worked out in the end and that's all that matters. Sometimes, you have to be harsh and uncompromising if you want to strongly convey your point to others.
After the fiasco with the bullies, Rei finally faced me properly with a look of appreciation on her face.
"T-thanks for saving me, mister. Those two are mean and have gotten too far with their teasing."
"It's alright, I just could not stand by while watching you being tormented." I smiled gently at her.
Rei then assumed a curious look, no doubt interested at who I am given that my introductions did not exactly come with my name.
"May I ask your name, mister?"
"Hiro Nakamura."
"N-nakamura?" The girl was surprised upon hearing my surname, much to my bewilderment.
"Then you are the one that mother is expecting!!"
"Your mother?" I asked in genuine confusion. I never recall meeting this girl's mother at any point in my life.
Unless…
"Ah, my full name, yes!!" The girl was quick to realize about my confusion and was slightly embarrassed by her shortcomings in the ways of introduction.
"I'm Rei Amakusa and my mother, Reina Amakusa is expecting you, Big Brother!!!"