Past, The Present and The Future

Do we really know others? I wondered. Can I really trust others, or can I depend on others? These questions go through my head every day. While I am lost in my thoughts I was walking to school when suddenly someone shouted "Misaki"!

Not too long after someone called my name I felt someone hugging me from behind I looked behind me and noticed it was Sakura one of my friends then I looked behind Sakura and seen Shizuko just when she waved and said, "Good morning Misaki".

I smiled at both of them once Sakura let me go and replied "Good morning you two. Did you have a nice weekend"?

Sakura was first to speak as she said, "Yes I went to see Kuuga, we went on a date it was sooo romantic".

Shizuko said "I just stayed in and did some homework, and read a book or two. How was your weekend Misaki"?

I smiled at Shizuko and said, "mine was good I guess didn't do much to be honest."

Shizuko just nodded and replied, "Yeah must be hard".

I just shook my head and started walking the two of them right behind me. Once I got to the gate it was the usual thing boys were trying to get past, but the student council wasn't having it. I just hope that they have given up on me being part of the students council I really couldn't be bothered doing it I thought but then suddenly the boys trying to get into school got angry and were about to hit one of the members of the student concil, I just sighed and walked again when I got to the boy about to hit the student council person I grabbed the boys hand and bent it backwards the student council member looked surprised to see me and said "thanks".

I just let go of the guy's hand and he fell to the ground mumbling and said "Listen, you need to be careful with people like him he could've hurt you. Then I would have gotten into trouble".

She just nodded and bowed as she said, "I'm very sorry I didn't mean to cause you any trouble".

I replied, "it's no problem just be careful next time".

I walked past the gate and heard a girl say, "look it's the protector of the school".

Her friend that was beside her replied, "I heard she took a whole gang of people out once".

I sighed and kept walking I got the title of school protector that is my job in the school I keep all the students safe as possible, from other schools and from students within the school like the boy this morning. Suddenly the bell rang so it was time to go to homeroom this day was going to be boring I thought, but little did I know that I was wrong and that my life was going to change...

I was sitting in homeroom on my phone when suddenly someone tapped my shoulder. I knew it wasn't Sakura or Shizuko as they weren't in the same class as me unless we had P.e, so I immediately put myself on guard and turned around; it was Naoya Shu, he used to be annoying by not doing what he was told by the student council and one day he got violent and I stopped him, ever sense then he has been my… messenger I guess. I asked him 'what's wrong'?

He looked a bit worried and said 'um Misaki there are some guys at the back of the school and they aren't wearing our uniform, they also keep shouting your name'.

I sighed this wasn't unusual and I doubt it will ever stop. So, I put my phone in my bag and flung it over my shoulder and walked towards the door time for work I thought. Once I got to the back of the school I noticed who they were, they were the thugs I stopped the week before when they were trying to pick up a girl from the street even though I was 'off duty' the girl looked terrified, so I jumped in to help. Their pride must be bruised. I didn't like the scene that was in front of me as it wasn't just them the boys from this morning were there too. Then Sakura and Shizuko came out they were happily talking but then they seen the boys and the boys seen them. Shizuko stood in front of Sakura and said, 'what are you doing here'?

The boys looked at each other then approached them as they said 'we're looking for a friend. Her name is Misaki'.

I seen both of them tense up and I knew I needed to get to them quickly, so I ran as fast as I could, Shizuko and Sakura seen me and tried to go towards me, but the boys said, 'where do you think you two are going'?

One of them reached for Shizuko as she was protecting Sakura, but I got there in time and slapped his hand away and guarded them both from his touch and said, 'Now I thought you were here looking for me how disappointing'.

The boy I slapped replied 'we were bored of waiting so we thought that sense these two girls were here they could have entertained us. But sense you are here now let's have some fun'.

I felt Sakura and Shizuko hold onto my shirt as they said 'Misaki we're scared'.

I looked at them briefly they had tears in their eyes, so I said, 'stand back and close your eyes no matter what you hear keep them closed'.

They did what I asked so I turned my attention to the boys and said, 'so you think you can come here and pick up girls in this school'.

The boys looked at each other and then me as they said, 'they were only going to keep us entertained until you got here'.

I smiled and said, 'well I am here so let's get this started'.

There was 6 of them and one of me I knew I could take them, but it wasn't going to be easy. So, I took off my tie and dropped it as soon as I dropped it the boys came towards me. I took a deep breath and kicked one of the boys in the stomach, a boy from my school was next and I punched him in the stomach, two down 4 to go. This time two of the boys came towards me the first one tried to hit me, but I dodge it and tripped him I looked at him when he fell that cost me as the second boy hit me 'oh' I said.

I could see at the corner of my eye that Sakura was about to look 'No'! I shouted before she uncovered her eyes. She stopped and covered her eyes fully again. When I focused again the thug that hit me and 2 boys from my school were talking, I guess they were thinking of a strategy to try and beat me. However, I wasn't going to let that happen, so I ran towards them ready to hit one of them but one of them hit me twice in the stomach and 'ah' I yelled as I hit the ground when I tried to get up the boys started kicking me in my stomach and one was sometimes kicking my face. Then there was a bang it distracted them long enough for me to trip them, they all fell and hit their heads it was over. I looked over at Sakura and Shizuko and shouted, 'it's ok their down'.

After I said that Sakura and Shizuko uncovered their eyes as soon as they seen me they ran over crying and hugged me 'oaf' I said. I guess my injuries were worse than I thought.

Sakura and Shizuko let go of me instantly and looked at me closely, Shizuko said 'let's get you to the nurse's office'.

Sakura nodded and said, 'and I will go and report these people'.

I nodded and started heading to the nurse's office with Shizuko's help, however on our way we seen Takumi. He is the most popular boy in school and he is annoying. He looked surprised to see me probably because Shizuko had to help me then he shook his head and walked on. What is his problem? I thought but after everything was going black I could hear Shizuko shouting my name and asking for help before I passed out.

I woke up in the nurse's office and looked around, I seen Shizuko and Sakura talking their eyes were very red. I said, 'hey girls'.

Sakura and Shizuko looked straight at me and walked over. Shizuko was the first to speak, 'are you feeling any better'?

I sat up and smiled as I said, 'yes but how did I get here'?

Shizuko and Sakura looked at each other. I knew that Shizuko wasn't strong enough to carry me and even if Sakura was there they still wouldn't be able to take me here. As I was thinking this Sakura and Shizuko looked worried. I looked at them waiting for an answer, and Sakura spoke up, 'it was Usui Takumi'.

I froze that wasn't who I thought it would have been. Sakura then added, 'he is also outside. He said that he will wait for you to wake up'.

I didn't know what to do. I had a lot of questions going through my head like, why did he help me? Is he looking to fight me when I'm better? Obviously, I couldn't find the answer, so I said to both Sakura and Shizuko, 'Can you tell him to come in here? And if you don't mind leave us so we can talk'.

Sakura and Shizuko looked at each other then at me and nodded. They went over to the door and spoke I couldn't really tell what they were saying but from what I could see it was a warning, then they left. I got out of the bed and sat on the edge of it. Then Usui Takumi walked in with his bright blonde hair and his blue eyes. He is very handsome but not only is he good looking he is kind generous and he saved me, I'm still annoyed about that. Finally, Usui came to a stop and looked at me up and down then asked, 'you feeling any better'?

In answer to his question I replied, 'yes I am thanks for asking. But why did you help me'?

Usui looked surprised then said, 'so Sakura and Shizuko told you. Thought they would'.

He didn't want me to know, why? So, I ask him, 'what is it that you want from me'?

He looked confused. So, I continued, 'you are looking for something right? That is why you helped me, I can't think of another reason'.

Takumi sighed and reached for a strand of my hair he then kissed it my eyes widened with surprise. After letting go of my hair he then said, 'I'm not looking for anything from you or anyone else, all I did was help your friends. I heard them scream your name and then they were shouting for someone to help them, so I did. If you see it that way I was helping your friends not, you'.

I was still a bit shocked from him kissing my hair, so I replied, 'well then, I guess I should thank you, you did in the end help me so thanks'.

As I said my thanks I smiled at him he looked very surprised as his eyes widened. I looked at him confused. 'That's the first time I've seen you smile like that'. He said. I was still a bit confused, so he continued, 'any time I see you smile it's been fake'.

I looked at him surprised, he knew how? I have been able to hide it for so long. 'just because you can fool others doesn't mean you can fool me'.

I stood up and grabbed him by the shirt I flinched as my stomach still hurt but I didn't let go and said, 'what do you know?! I try and be careful around others, so they don't worry. It's bad enough I make them worry over this school protection job. What does it matter to you if I put on a fake smile? Why do you care'?

Takumi placed his hands-on mine and got me to let go as he said, 'it matters to me because I do care. I know you try hard and don't worry I haven't told your friends'.

I calmed down and said 'you are so confusing. When Shizuko was helping me, you shook your head like you didn't care and now you're basically saying you have been watching me'.

Takumi, I looked at him with tears in my eyes. I tried to look away, so he wouldn't see me crying but he didn't let me, one after the other my tears kept falling as questions went through my head. Why does he care? What is wrong with him? Has he been watching me? How does he know my smile is fake? On and on the questions continued to appear but I couldn't figure out the answer. 'Misaki'.

I heard my name it was then that I realized that Takumi was hugging me, I jumped back and put my guard up as I said 'what'?

Takumi smiled at my reaction as I moved away from him. I couldn't be near him anymore, so I got my things and said thanks once more then left the nurses room while Takumi stood there watching me not moving.

I ran outside as fast as I could I needed to get home and I needed to cool down once I got outside it was near dark. I slept for a long time I thought to myself. But then I seen a shadow over at the trees I sighed to be honest I was still feeling sore, but I have a duty, so I walked over and shouted, 'who's there'?!

There was no reply, so I shouted again 'whoever it is come out now'!

Again, no reply and no one came out, so I walked towards the trees it was dark, but I could see a bit. I stopped in my tracks Shizuko and Sakura were tied up and lying on the ground unconscious. And one of the thugs from earlier was standing in front of them but then I seen a shiny glint in his hand it was a knife. I said, 'they have nothing to do with this'.

He just smiled and replied, 'they are only the bait and the bargaining chip'.

'what is it you want then'? I asked. He had an evil smile and said, 'I want you to lie flat on your stomach with your hands on your head'.

Suddenly I was pushed to the ground, I looked back, and it was the rest of the thugs I was partly glad that the boys from the school weren't here, but I had to think of a plan. I sat on my knees and said, 'what if I don't do it'?

The guy holding the knife replied, 'then I will have to hurt these little girls'.

Even though I knew he was going to say this I was still surprised my eyes widened with fear that they could get hurt so I said, 'fine I'll do what you say but don't hurt them, if you do I will make you regret it'.

The guy looked at his friends behind me and then nodded and said 'fine'.

So, I did what he wanted and lay down on the ground with my hands on the back of my head. I got ready for the pain but kept my eyes focused on Sakura and Shizuko. Then I seen a pair of shoes in front of me and got ready... then it started they started kicking me then I felt the knife and they cut my shoulder I held back my cry and kept looking at Sakura and Shizuko, but then they stabbed my leg 'ahh' I screamed.

Shit that hurt I thought but then I could see that my scream had woke up Shizuko and Sakura and they seen me, their eyes widened and so did mine. I should have kept quiet I mouthed I'm sorry then after, I shouted 'close your eyes'.

They did what I asked I'm glad I thought now they don't have to see. The thugs continued kicking me and I felt my conscious starting to slip shit I thought I really need to figure out what I can do. So I grabbed the pair of feet that was in my field of vision and pulled them towards me he fell but the other two grabbed me and pulled me up they held me so I couldn't move I tried my best to move as best as possible but couldn't the thug I made fall got up and looked very angry I couldn't care less to be honest as I tried to get free the thug came close and punched me in the stomach I clenched my teeth my stomach still hurt from earlier that day and it was getting worse. Then he hit my face as he continued, I continued to try and think of a way to out. I looked over to where Shizuko and Sakura were, but nothing was there I started to panic, them bastards I could feel adrenaline pump through me, so I kicked the thugs in the leg and he stopped hitting me and held his leg then I stood on the others foot and they let go of me as I said, 'where are Shizuko and Sakura'?!

They didn't answer so I got angrier, so I started beating them I was sitting on the last one, the one who did the most damage and was hitting him, then I stopped and asked 'where are they? If you bastards have hurt them in anyway, I'll kill you'.

The guy shivered he was scared good then he said 'it wasn't us I swear. I just said we would hurt them to get you to do what we asked'.

I knew he was telling the truth but in my rage, I didn't believe him as I was about to punch him again I felt a large hand on mine it wasn't Shizuko's or Sakura's so one of the thugs must have gotten up I spun around about to hit him, but the person caught my hand and said 'Misaki'.

I knew that a voice, but it couldn't be him; he went home I lifted my leg going to kick him then he continued 'Shizuko and Sakura are safe'. I started to calm down and looked at the man restraining me. It was Takumi, but he was looking to the right side of him. And out came Shizuko and Sakura, I sank to the ground with relief if it wasn't for Takumi I would've hit the ground hard. They were safe they ran over crying their eyes out as they said 'Misaki'.

They hugged me I flinched with the pain, but I didn't care they were safe. I hugged them back and said, 'I'm so sorry'.

I stroked their hair as we hugged then Sakura said, 'when they were hitting you Takumi helped us. But when he was about to help you, you went into a frenzy'.

Shizuko then added, 'we are sorry too Misaki, we should have been more careful'.

I shook my head and held them tighter as I said, 'you shouldn't have to be careful'.

Then I heard them say 'ouch'. I let them go and noticed that they have cuts on them, I got up about to go over to the thugs, but Takumi stopped me and said 'stop your more hurt than them. The police are on their way anyway unless you want to get questioned, I suggest we get out of here'.

I looked down at myself he was right. I was a bloody mess. So I nodded and said, 'I need to get them home first'.

Takumi nodded. I didn't really have a lot of time before the adrenaline wore off, so I asked him, 'will you help me'?

All of them looked at me shocked even I was a bit annoyed I rarely ask for help, but I needed it. Takumi nodded and replied, 'sure'.

I smiled and said 'thanks'.

We walked silently towards Shizuko's place as it was the closest as she got to the door she stopped and said 'Takumi, Misaki thank you for helping us, and Takumi please make sure Misaki gets home safe. See you at school'.

Before I could reply she waved and went in the house. So, we walked towards Sakura's house, but I was slowing down I was in so much pain and might've been losing to much blood. As they continued walking I dropped back a bit to focus my vision as it was going blurry and I was getting weak, just a bit more come on Misaki. As I looked up Takumi looked at me worried I shook my head and continued walking. Not long after we got to Sakura's house she looked back at us and said, 'thank you both for saving me and Shizuko. Takumi please make sure that Misaki gets home okay'.

She smiled then left before I could say anything again. Not only did Shizuko say that to Takumi but Sakura too. I sighed and turned to face Takumi and said, 'Thank you Takumi for helping me and helping them too'.

Takumi smiled and said, 'it's no problem'.

I started walking away but I stopped and said 'crap'.

Takumi was right behind me and said, 'what's wrong? Are you ok'?

I looked at him and he had a worried look on his face, I smiled and said, 'no I'm fine please go on home I'll be fine'.

I started walking but slowly I started holding my ribs the pain was killing me, but I couldn't go home yet, I had to go to work so slowly I walked but then heard footsteps behind me and said, 'listen I am not in the mood so whoever it is leave me alone and find me later'.

There was no answer, so I continued to walk and once again I heard the footsteps, so I turned around, it was Takumi I was really confused I knew his house wasn't this way, so I asked him, 'what do you want'?

Takumi shook his head and said, 'Shizuko and Sakura told me to make sure you got home and taken care of so here I am doing what they asked'.

I looked him in the eyes and said 'you don't need to. Please just go home'.

Takumi just shook his head and replied 'well just because you said I don't need to. Doesn't mean that Shizuko and Sakura would forgive me if something happened to you. Plus, I don't think I could forgive myself'.

I shook my head and said, 'I didn't mean it like that I am not going home now, I have to go to work'.

After I said that my legs gave out and I collapsed luckily Takumi was close enough and caught me before I fell to the ground. He said, 'you're not going to work, you can take the week off'.

I shook my head and replied, 'I can't, unlike you if I don't work, I don't have money'.

Takumi looked at me in shock, so I continued, 'I live on my own my parents moved away but I stayed so I could continue going to school. I don't mind it's okay living on my own is way better, don't have to get told what to do'.

Takumi spoke up as he said 'Misaki you're not going to work'.

I opened my mouth to speak but Takumi said 'No Misaki, you're not going to work'.

I sighed and said, 'always the hero'.

Takumi smiled and lifted me 'hey put me down'.

Takumi shook his head and said, 'no I am taking you to my place to clean you up'.

Takumi started walking I tried to get away from him, but he wouldn't move his arms. He was strong. As Takumi walked I realized how strong he was but then I said to Takumi, 'Takumi'.

Takumi stopped and looked at me and said, 'what's wrong'?

I continued, 'why are you helping me all the time? You are so confusing. One minute I think I know you and I think I know what you are thinking'.

Takumi just smiled and said, 'who wouldn't help a pretty girl'.

I looked at him surprised. I didn't expect that but then my head started to spin so I said, 'Thank you Takumi'. Then I passed out.