Part 1 - After the victory
We went to see Marcus, but as it was obvious they didn't let us enter the changing rooms because you could disturb the other applicants, they even told us that we shouldn't even be there, but the boy was kind, although, it was really because of Asuna's charms that they let us stay in the hallway waiting.
-Do you think Marcus is alright, his legs were shivering a lot, poor thing! - Aki said still nervous.
-Marcus has had worse blows than that, we know well how he endured that bloodsucker sent him through a wall.
-Hikaru is right Akari, our friend can endure much more than what we saw.
I was trying to reassure Aki, but I was worried, if I hadn't followed by the protector, maybe Marcus would have lost, besides it's not that much time has passed since his neck injury, but it's better that he looks like things are fine.
The girl who was going to our academy came out accompanied by the bully that Marcus fought with, they were coming out of another dressing room.
-Brother, are you sure you're ok, you ended up on the floor, you know I don't like to see you hurt.
-Don't bother Iori, I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me, I already got my license, so there's nothing else to do, are you going to wait for him? - He said rather grumpy.
-Yes brother, I want to see that he is well, you hit him very hard.
-What do you think we do when we get in the ring, we go up there to kill each other, to show who is the best, if you win they remember you, if you lose you get eaten, stop worrying about me, I won't lose again. - The bully shouted desperately, while hitting the wall.
-Brother..." said Iori in pain.
We couldn't help but watch the argument between brothers, the guy was making a fuss.
-Ne la traite pas mal.
Marcus had left the locker room with his mother, because of what had happened, we hadn't noticed him until he spoke.
What? I don't understand you, you dick-voice.
-Don't treat her badly Sukuda. - said Marcus
Marcus approached him, to our surprise Marcus' mother didn't say anything to him.
-Don't get involved, Frenchie.
Iori approached Marcus, putting her hands on his chest.
-No Marcus, he's not treating me badly, I assure you, it's the way my brother expresses himself.
-Tsk, I don't need your intervention Iori.... Anyway, I'm leaving.
Sukuda passed by Marcus' side bumping his shoulder, to tell him something in his ear that at least I managed to hear.
-This won't stay like this, next time I'm going to devour you in the ring, Frenchie.
Marcus said nothing in response to Sukuda.
-Are you all right Marc? - said Iori.
Marcus was very embarrassed and said yes, the girl also turned red when she realized that she still had her arms resting on Marcus' chest, she almost had a nervous twitch because she didn't know what to do.
-Those two don't look very close. -said Asuna.
-Yes Marc told her... I think that's something new... you don't think she's his girlfriend and Marcus never told us anything, do you?
-You know them better Hika, I don't know what to tell you.
-Maybe Marcus has always had a secret life and hasn't hidden it.
Mrs. Eliat approached Marcus.
-She is the femmes, son.
-Ouais, máma.
-The femmes is a skinny, spineless....
Marcus took Iori's hand, which made her turn much redder.
-Mom. - Said Marcus looking into his mother's eyes.
-Well, okay... I won't object, but don't let it affect your career, and no sex before your fights Marcus, because if you don't, je suce you.
Iori had turned completely red.
-No, no, we haven't even kissed.... Ma'am... we don't do those things. - she said stuttering a lot.
Mrs. Eliat looked at both of them.
-Just keep it in mind, don't hinder Marcus in his training, do that and we won't get along, you can tell me mom Eliat, Marcus your friends are there, I'll leave you, and think about your poor performance today, when you get home I want you to train.
-Ouais mom, as you wish.
Iori leaned forward.
-Thank you for giving us your blessing mom Eliat? - said Iori almost shouting.
-What a cute femmes, goodbye.
Mrs. Eliar also said goodbye to us as she left, I approached Marcus.
-Marcus, you were fantastic, in your fight.
I gave him a thumbs up, which he did the same with a smile on his face.
-Chers amis, I want to introduce you to Iori, she's a classmate of mine, and recently my girlfriend.
Obviously since we saw her with her mom, we were surprised that Marcus had a girlfriend.
Part 2 - Marcus' girlfriend.
We went to a coffee shop that Marcus loved called Bonacofee.
-I... excuse me... I haven't introduced myself properly I'm Iori Hashida, I'm from first grade just like Marc... I'm as you know his girlfriend... I know you are his friends... I guess you are Asuna, and you are Hikaru, although I remember that I saw you sometime with Marcus...
-A pleasure Iori, but don't be so nervous, you can be at ease with us, although, I must admit that it hurts me a little that you didn't tell me that you had a girlfriend Marcus.
-Same here, I thought we had something special. - Asuna was saying about it in an acted way.
Akari couldn't interact much since Iori couldn't see her, but I told her before we sat in the cafeteria, to tell me what she wanted, and that I would answer her with the phone.
-I... excuse me... it's something new for me... I never expected someone to like me... it feels nice.
-Marcus don't be silly, you're a very nice person, it was obvious that at some point a cute girl like Iori would be interested in you. - said Aki.
Marcus instead of smiling became sad.
-I'm not a good person like you think, mon cheri.
-What's up with that Marc.
Iori caressed Marcus' arm.
-Marcus I don't know someone as good as you, you are selfless, you don't allow others to be abused, you stand up to whoever it takes if it's to protect something you believe in, so I don't know what you are saying my friend. -I said.
-I don't think it's all that too, I'm capable of doing horrible things mon cheri.
-I don't think you have to tell them that," Marcus said.
Marcus grabbed his girlfriend's hand, and kissed it.
-My friends should know who I am, Iori, they deserve it. - Marcus said with some sadness.
Iori hugged Marcus' arm tightly.
-I told her everything, and she believed me without doubting me, she knows about Akari, but thank God she can't see her, I have my hands stained with blood, and that's why I can see her, if what notre petite Asuna says is true, when I lived in France with my family, we were very poor, My brother got involved with the wrong people, one day he bothered those people and they came to kill him, I of course went to defend him, but I lost control, with 10 years I disfigured the face of the drug dealer who tried to kill my dear brother, I killed him because I could not control myself, I was furious. My brother blamed himself for everything, in the end he was arrested because of me, he was given a 10 year sentence, and he expressly asked not to see me during visits, eventually my mother got a good job here in the city, in the end she encouraged me to follow in her footsteps and I became a boxer, since apparently I have talent in it. - Marcus said while he had tears in his eyes and saw his hands swollen from the fight he had earlier.
No one said anything, for some reason Asuna was very uncomfortable with what Marcus said, I was reluctant to believe what he was telling me.
Iori hugged her boyfriend, squeezing him tightly as she looked him in the face.
-I feel that I don't deserve any of the good things that are happening to me, I don't deserve you.
Asuna hit the table.
-Marcus don't talk nonsense, you did what you had to do, no... what you did was to protect your family, the rest was an accident, don't feel bad about it, I know it's easier said than done, but I assure you that you deserve what you got.
-I agree with Asuna Marcus, who cares what you did, the important thing is who you are now, don't let your past cloud your future.
-That was deep Hika, but my dear, Marcus is right, you are a noble person. - said Akari who was still processing everything.
-You have...very good...friends...dear...you know I don't care...what you did...you know me...you know my family...you are good....
Marcus started to cry, while with one hand he pressed his chest, I had never seen my friend cry before, but now he was crying with all the desire in the world.
-Unburden yourself of everything you need Marcus, don't keep it anymore, just let it out. - I told him because it must have been hard to tell us what he just said.
Iori gave him a kiss on the cheek.
-After that we just fooled around a bit, and cheered Marcus up, while some snow started to fall.