Ryousuke Kaganaki!
My senior at SEKKITO HIGH SCHOOL!
But we've known each other before that. Under different circumstances. We were both considered to be at the top of our respective ranks at the Kaganaki's world-renowned dojo. The place where superstars of the close combat world are born and take the whole world by surprise and leave them in awe.
But no one knew what was the journey like, from the shadows to the spotlight. They have no clue of the cruel world that those who strive to be at the top had to endure and live in. I've had a glimpse of it, and it was more than enough for me to step away from there as soon as possible. But that wasn't as simple as terminating my application or waiting till my final date before renewing my application and then just say, "Sorry, I guess I can't continue this any further."
Yumiko Katsuki, the famous attorney blowing up in the news everywhere, thought of all these contingencies and put me in a place of no return. It's almost like 'THE DARK KNIGHT RISES!', where Bruce Wayne was thrown into 'THE PIT' with a broken back and was forced to watch his city burn. In this case, it was me who was locked up in that hell and had to see my future and freedom slowly wither away.
What was she thinking back then? Did she think I was as capable as Bruce Wayne? Surely that brain of hers would know the difference between reality and hallucinations, right? That's what I thought. But looking back now, seeing a world in which I was free, I wonder what I had to infer from that outcome?
"I still owe you for that loss!"
I started to walk away from that room and slid open the door.
"But, I will be honest, Tsukiyami didn't deserve that. Any of that. Not then. Not now."
I stopped by the door and gripped it tightly.
Bang...Bang...Bang...Bang...Bang...Bang...
Silence!
"That's rich, coming from you of all people."
"I won't deny it. The way my family handled the business was wrong. Giving power to those below us and who work for us to scout the diamond amongst the coal, polish it and present it to the world by using any means necessary...it was stupid. And it was only...only because I was there...at that time...and so were my parents, looking after me, that I was able to see the true self of everyone there!"
Bang..Bang..Bang..Bang..Bang.
The speed increased without my consciousness.
"And yet, yet...I turned a blind eye to it, to the person who was our mentor and who always sparred it us, and saw him for how the world saw, a monster! But I will not deny that he was a monster! And..."
A loud bang with a creaking sound was felt near the door.
If only the things he said any emotion to it, I would have heard out what he had to say. But his tone was indifferent and lifeless.
"Enough!...
Spare it, I don't want to hear something that will only make you feel better about yourself."
"..."
"Bygones are Bygones."
"..."
"It's all folklore now."
"Yeah...pretty much."
"Thanks for the gift!"
"Stay alive, and protect her!"
"I know you've got my back."
"What makes you say that?"
My hands were in my pocket now, and I turned around with a disinterested face, almost like some main protagonist.
"Because you wouldn't want to be at war against me if you think otherwise..."
"Hey, I'm just curious...Have you ever remembered him?"
"Who?"
"Tsukiyama?"
"Remember him?... That's only if I forgot about him, right?"
I walked away after uttering those words.
I'm already late today. Usually, I should have been there by now. Guess I'll just have to make a run for it!
7 PM!
Guess I made it in time.
TOKYO PRISON!
"You again?!"
"Kid, how many times will you take to make your heart content?"
"Well, I'll let you know when such a time occurs. But for now, I don't think that's necessary."
"Bring inmate #3281"
"On it, Sir!"
A Phone, chairs, a glass wall with holes on either end, separating the individuals. I wonder what's it like on the other end.
Buzzer!
"Alright, enter! Don't take too long!"
"Hey, Naofumi!"
"Yo, Tsukiyami! How are you?..."
Sirens wailing!
...
"No...No...No...No!"
Silence! Huff, what a pain. First I get jumped by two guys in the men's washroom, and before I could catch my breath, I get attacked by one of the former elite fighters of Japan. And to make matters worse, there's no sign of Hina! And to top it off, I still don't know how many people are lurking around, waiting for me to drop my guard, to launch a surprise attack and take me down. 10...20...50? I can't underestimate how many people are here now, precisely on the fact that it's a Sunday, and it's crowded. It's easy to blend in, plus not many people would actually care about any suspicious details or person.
Ugh! I'm bleeding? Tch! What a shame! Pfft!
"Oh! Will you dial down that look? You might confuse the onlookers on who's the victim in this fight!"
"So, you're here."
"You look calm for a person who's lost his date."
"Indeed. It's quite scary. To think I'm so calm. That being said, I knew you got my back, so I wouldn't bother much about it."
"You're too carefree to put your trust in me, just like that."
"Trust?"
I chuckled when I heard that. What a joke!
"I guess you got something wrong. I never trusted you. It's more that I believed in the fear I instilled upon you."
"..."
"We both have been at war against each other, and I sure hope you remember the outcome. Surely you haven't forgotten, have you? And I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't want to wage war against me, right, Ryousuke?!"
He tightened his fists, as if ready to strike, but later calmed down.
"Boys, bring her!"
Oh! So her fan club was also here. Well, that's reassuring.
A group of 5 men came out from the bushes behind the bench, and one of them carried her gently on his back, while the other 4 were covering him.
"What happened?"
"At least show some concern in that tone of yours!"
"Alright! Uhm...What...What happened to her!"
"Never mind, stick to your former way."
"Stop playing around. So, how did she end up in such a condition?"
"Someone drugged her and tried to kidnap her. A group of 4 were up to the task, but we dealt with it. But that's all for now. In a way, we are just stalling the approaching danger, and you've seen first hand."
"Danger? Hmm...That didn't seem much of a risk to me."
"You know that the two you laid out in the toilet were some top-rank assassins in our country, right?
"Is that so? I guess I'll have to look at the news once in a while now."
I walked towards the guy who was carrying her.
"I'll take it from here!"
"I would like to refrain you from doing that"
Ryosuke cut in.
"Why?"
"There's no telling what can happen again. And we can't save you every time. For now, just leave it to us. We'll handle it. Boys, take her to the hospital."
"Fine, I'll tag along till the hospital."
"No, that's not happening!"
"But wouldn't it cause a ruckus if she were to show up unconscious? At least, someone has to explain the situation."
"Nao, hold your ground, for now. I'll handle it."
I could see the rest of the gang and Hina fading away into the darkness, while Ryousuke turned in their direction, and was about to fade away.
"Hey!"
"Hmm...What's the matter?"
"What's your relationship with her? You seem to be pretty aware of her situation and pretty confident in yourself. And it's not like you're just friends or you have dated before. Those eyes aren't the eyes of a friend or a romantic partner. They're more like..."
"BROTHER!"
"THAT'S RIGHT! I'M HINA SAWATORI'S BROTHER!"