People usually don't like bad weather especially rain, that statement is indeed true. Regardless of worldly activities, if someone can choose to take shelter, they will. But what about those who can't? Surely there's something more urgent that they're risking getting wet and cold for. Those who have no choice, especially those who are risking something for their survival.
BAGH~
Dimly in a small stadium, cheers could be heard echoing amidst the heavy rain. The foggy view did not diminish the enthusiasm of the people who were enjoying the show. From there, the sound of blows and punches could be heard, a brawl between two people. In the middle of it all was a 7-year-old child, standing tall with a fighting stance. There were adults lying around him.
The child relaxed his body, looking at the remaining two opponents, both of whom were older than him. The heavy rain did not stop him from getting closer. Although the ground beneath his feet was very slippery, enough to make anyone slip, it was not a problem for him. The most important thing was...
"Two left..." the child said sharply.
The two men looked at each other and without hesitation charged towards him. One of them clenched his fist to strike him. The child swiftly dodged and gently parried the attack. He countered with a strong grip that pierced the adult man's neck, making it difficult for him to breathe.
The other man kicked to the side to make the child fall, but it was useless because although he was big, his kick was not strong enough. His leg was caught by the child's raised left leg, and he easily stopped both of them at once.
The child pulled the enemy's neck, then swiftly launched an elbow attack to the solar plexus. It wasn't long before the man lost consciousness due to a lack of breath, and he was thrown to the side to lie down. He did all of this with just his right hand. The other man launched another series of attacks, but once again, they were all avoided and blocked very easily.
The child... he was so agile as if he could read his opponent's movements. He could anticipate the techniques of avoidance, defense, and even the momentum to launch a counterattack.
When there was an opportunity, he immediately launched a kick towards the right side of the man's chest. It didn't seem very hard, but suddenly the man fell down because he felt an incredible pain inside his body. He felt... something inside him shattered. Along with the strong attack, the man fell in the middle of the slippery stadium.
Instantly, the cheers of the audience became louder as they celebrated the child's victory. In the middle of the stadium, which was being drenched by the rain, exactly 20 people had fallen here.
"Julius..." the child said softly due to exhaustion.
He began walking towards the stadium exit, where the man he had just called was waiting for him with a small umbrella. A young man dressed in a gray suit like a worker, his face filled with concern, watching the child's condition as he stumbled.
"Dad..."
After saying that word, the child suddenly fainted. Just before he started to collapse, the man who had been far away had already hugged him so that he wouldn't fall. He ran quickly until his umbrella was left in front of the stadium door.
"I'm sorry for not being a good foster father. I promise... you don't have to do this again," with trembling hands filled with regret, he still hugged the unconscious child. "After this, we will find more humane jobs. I promise... I promise!"
* * *
Several people started to gather in a small alley next to a cafe. A mixed-race man, who seemed to be the shop owner, was there with a few of his employees. Two men, three girls, and suddenly they were puzzled when they found someone sleeping comfortably near a stack of coffee bean containers. Of course, it surprised the shop owner and the others, especially when they saw who was sleeping there.
"Why is someone sleeping here?"
"Hey you, wake up! How can you sleep here?" said the shop owner.
Some of them tried to wake him up, but the result was still nil. The young man was still sound asleep.
"He can sleep like that; I wonder what he's dreaming of."
"Hey, look! He's starting to wake up!" shouted one of the waitresses.
Indeed, the young man's eyes began to open slowly. His gaze immediately fell on the people crowding around him. Suddenly he woke up and yawned for a moment. There was an 18-year-old teenager still wearing a black and white school uniform like a college student. He was quite tall with his slightly long blackish-gray hair, almost like an aging person. And also... his eyes looked very frightening with bloody-red pupils, which also seemed to be due to illness.
"Who are you? What happened? How can you sleep here?" the cafe owner asked, helping him to get up.
"Uh... sorry, I'll go home soon"
"If you feel unwell, we can get you some water."
"N-No, it's okay. Sorry for the trouble. I... will go home now"
"Wait!"
Without thinking twice, the young man took his sling bag and alma mater suit and ran away from the crowd. This behaviour made the people around him even more confused and astonished. The shop owner could only shake his head in disbelief at his departure.
"What a weird boy"
"Did his campus coat the same as Aidera and Clara's?"
And everyone there nodded in agreement with the statement.
"Maybe next time we can ask Aidera about him. Too bad we can only see her on weekends. Alright! Since there's nothing to worry about, let's all get back to work," the shop owner yelled while clapping his hands.
The boss had given the order, and they all responded by lazily returning to work inside.
"Hey, come on! Let's work! Why are you so sluggish?"
"Yeah, let's just go in. It's getting late anyway".
"Okay, okay."
The shop owner tidied up some items outside, including the stack of containers, before taking them inside with the cafe's promotional sign. He was still puzzled by the young man from earlier. But whatever the reason, he would ask one of his waitresses about it later. The school coat that the young man was wearing was clearly the trademark of this city's prestigious university.
And while he was still busy with his work, he suddenly found a small wallet among the potted plants. He picked up the light blue object to check who the owner was.
"Hmm~ it must belong to the young man who was sleeping earlier", the shop owner muttered. "What's this? Zeyn Tendou Zaine?"
* * * *