Chapter IV

The morning is quiet and peaceful. But not for long because the voice of a hard-headed girl will soon break the silence.

"AH!!!!!!!! I'm late!"

Anita flung her blanket and run towards the bathroom to do her thing. She had finished tidying herself amazingly after a few moments. She dashed downstairs and greeted her sisters who were both busy reading books which is a daily routine.

"You have to get used in waking up by yourself. You're always depending on Junior," said Michelle who's watching Anita at the corner of her eye.

"Woy-din't-Junio-weyk-mi-ap?" Anita asked with her mouth full of morning breakfast.

Nenene suddenly came out from nowhere and spank Anita hard on the head using a somewhat ream of paper which might be her finished novel ready for publication but unfortunate enough to be hit to Anita's head.

"Ow!"

"Don't talk when your mouth is full!" she shouted with her hands on her hips and glaring dangerously to Anita who glared back.

"I'm late! I need to eat fast!"

"Then don't talk!"

"Michelle was the one who made me talk!"
"She didn't ask you a question!"

The two keep on shooting words so Michelle just stood between them smiling fondly like refereeing a game for children.

"Alright, alright, you two. Do you know what time it is Anita?" Michelle interrupted her.

Anita paused for a while and suddenly realized that—"I'M DEAD!!!!!"

She dashed outside like a wind as she reached the school and the classroom door breathing frantically.

She cooled off herself without opening the door, without anyone inside the room knowing that she's outside preparing herself for a very long wild lecture from her teacher and humiliation from Behria and…

Her train of wild and exaggerated thoughts was cut off when someone opened the door. She lifted her head to take a look to her supposedly savior when she recognized the person.

It's Coville Suri. Anita backed away immediately. She thought it would be Junior. She felt so disappointed. But that's not the case. Coville Suri is standing in front of her as though readying for a fight. Is it going to start now? The fight? Right here? Right now? Of course not. We still have classes.

Anita noticed the expression on Coville's face. It was different from the one she always sees. She can see anger mixed with longing from it. Is it because of what Junior had done on the baseball game? Probably. But if it is, then he would have finished Junior first.

Oh, no…Junior! Anita immediately shoved Coville out of her way to see if Junior is alright. She rolled her eyes around the classroom searching for any sign of Junior's physical features but all she saw was her classmate's chit chatting happily. She saw Behria on the far end corner with her girlfriends and was eyeing her maliciously.

She spotted Hisami so she directed to her. "Oh hi Anita! You're late but it's fine because—,"

"Where's Junior?" she asked Hisami quietly avoiding for any of her other classmates to overhear what she's saying especially the devil Suri twins.

"I don't know. I thought he is with you because he's also late. Why? Is something the matter?"

Anita did not respond. She turned to look again at Coville's direction and saw that he is also looking at her. He grinned evilly and went outside the classroom. After a few moments, Anita decided to follow him without even putting down her things leaving a puzzled Hisami behind.

She went outside and looked sideways of the corridor. It was deserted. She turned left towards the stairs her footsteps echoing around the place. She was alert in case Coville is hidden somewhere and would lunge at her unaware. But she's not worried for that might be better if he do. She's quite sure that she could defeat him with her skills considering she has paper skills. She has a lot of papers with her. She doesn't have to worry. She's more worried about Junior.

What could they have possibly done to him? Junior is strong. He almost had killed her back then. There's no way the Suri twins could put him down. What if he's been tricked or something?

Anita made it to the entrance of the building without a Coville taking her by surprise. Instead, she saw Coville in the middle of the extensive school ground. His arms were crossed awaiting Anita's arrival. She should have known that Coville would be fair when it comes to battle. But salvaging Junior is not fair at all.

Anita stopped in front of Coville at a distance of about three meters. She gave him a provoking glance while Coville still grinned evilly.

"Shall we start?" said Anita loudly putting down her things but not so far away from her to make sure of her safety.

She expected him to attack her and will only answer when he had already hit her but then, she saw him shake his head. Confusion flooded her mind.

"Let us make a term of agreement," he said.

Anita's eyebrows furrowed. "Why do we have to make one?"

"To make this fight a serious one unlike those which are just like games. I want you to know that this fight will take us risks."

Anita almost hesitated but she agreed in the end. She doesn't want Coville to think that she's scared. She can do this. What is she worrying anyway? Junior? Yes, his terms might be about Junior.

"So what do you bet?" she asked.

She saw Coville's grin become more evil and when he answered, she found out why. "If I won—you will be mine."

Anita's lips dried. What the heck is he talking about? Isn't he going to bet for Junior? She remained still not showing her confusion. "Well, if that's your bet…If I won, you will bring Junior back."

Anita thought she saw Coville made a confused expression but she saw that evil grin again so she thought that it's just her imagination. Coville agreed without hesitating, actually, he seemed to be eager. For the fight? Might be. "Let's begin."

As soon as Coville's voice faded by the wind, students came flocking by the windows of the building cheering, clapping and shouting.

What the? Anita's mouth fell open. They seemed to be prepared that 'their' fight will soon begin. Some of them were carrying banners but all of them were to cheer Coville. It seems like her classmates are the only one who does not know that this fight will occur.

For the first time, Anita felt nervous. It's like waiting her turn in the dental clinic.

"Scared?" she heard Coville said. "Don't worry, my dear Anita. You will be alright as long as you are with me. I would try to be nice and gentle."

Anita glared at him. She won't let him humiliate her especially in front of her friends. But she must have more courage in her if only Junior is watching too. She hoped that somewhere in the corners of the school, Junior is in there cheering for her. But he can't if he's being held as a hostage. All Anita could do is to try her best, wrong—she should show Coville that she's the best to save Junior.

Suddenly, she saw Behria walking towards their direction holding what looks like a microphone? She gave her brother and the audience a sweet smile and gave Anita a smirk before talking in the microphone. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOU WILL NOW WITNESS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME PHENOMENON RIGHT HERE IN THE SCHOOL GROUNDS AND FOR FREE, HOW MY DEAR TWIN BROTHER, THE MOST SKILLFUL MARTIAL FIGHTER, COVILLE SURI DEFEAT THE UNPOPULAR, SELF-AGGRANDIZING BUT NON-SKILLFUL ANITA KING!" She gave Anita another smirk while the crowd cheered for Coville as an insult to Anita so Anita tried her hardest to keep her composure.

"ARE YOU ALL EXCITED?" said Behria from the microphone as though she was holding a concert. The audience woot and cheered in response.

"THEN LET'S BEGIN!" Behria reached out her free hand up in the air signaling the start of the fight. The crowd cheered more loudly deafening Anita who was lost in thought because she was distracted by the crowd so she didn't see Coville lunging towards her direction clutching his knuckles preparing and narrowing his eyes wildly for a good spot on Anita's body to hit.

Anita's eyes widen in shock as she felt the piercing pain on her stomach when Coville's knuckles deepen on that part of her body. She was forced backwards after the punch and nearly stumbled on her feet but luckily she used her hands for support. She clutched her stomach with her head down low because she was coughing loudly and droplets of blood are visible on the ground.

Some of the audience gasped in horror and felt sympathetic for Anita although most of them were enjoying the scene.

Coville almost felt pitiful for Anita but he saw her sister eyeing her closely so he smirked instead while Behria continued her insulting commentary, "DID YOU ALL SEE THAT? THAT IS ONLY THE FIRST SHOT OF COVILLE, AND KING IS ALREADY DOWN! WILL SHE SURVIVE THE FEARSOME SPEED OF THE LEGENDARY COVILLE SURI?"

Anita's classmates were also watching. They watch Anita received the first strike.

"Oh Anita…" Hisami was sobbing in Touru's arms. Touru's shirt went soaking from tears of Hisa but he ignores it and instead comforts the grieving girl. Her other classmates all looked like someone had just died.

At last, Anita had stopped coughing although her head is still headed low.

"Are you going to give up now? I'm afraid you can hardly stand," Coville said.

The crowd continued to cheer and Anita's classmates can't do anything to light Anita's spirits up. If only a certain boy with British accent is there cheering for her then it would stand out among everything else.

Suddenly, they heard Anita chuckled softly under her breath. It's like she's breathing exasperatedly but it was recognizable as a laugh. Her laugh becomes louder and louder so when she lifted her head her face becomes visible of the sun's light rays and a droplet of blood at the tip of her lips.

Everyone kept still and didn't say a word staring at Anita who seemed like she had grown mad. Is that how painful Coville Suri's punch? It will drive you crazy because of the pain. Hisami stopped crying and also stared at Anita so she was speechless in shock. Her best friend had gone mad!

Anita stopped laughing abruptly. She looked at Coville straight into the eye wiping the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand. She wants to laugh more because she saw Coville's confused expression but she insisted on smirking which she didn't hesitate to do. Her white teeth glinted by the sun's rays but unfortunately did not blind Coville because the blood on it blocked some portion of it.

"Is that all you can do?" she said with a tint of malice at the edge of her voice. The crowd started to murmur and Behria started to boil inside. Coville however remained cool. He must have expected this.

Hisami was relieved that Anita was fine although it did not replace her worry. Natsume is the one who is overjoyed because she called the attention of her classmates, "Everyone! Let us help Anita through encouraging."

"We can't help her. Our cheers will just be drowned from the cheers of the Coville fans," said one of the girls.

"Then let's not say it, let's show it!" she answered happily.

They ripped the curtains of their room and removed the table cloth from the teacher's desk. The most artistics in the class manipulate the writing tools and started to pour out their creativeness on the fabric, even the non-artistic helped just to make it fast. And after a few moments, they admired their work and immediately hung it outside the window. It said Go Anita!!! You can do it! And the other one which is smaller Go and kick Suri's ASS! which was the idea of Natsume so the girls who are conservative did not approve the words. They cheered their loudest which was surprisingly loud enough to drown the cheers of the Coville fans. Actually, the only reason why their cheers could be heard is because the Coville fans had stopped cheering for they turned to look at the newly-made banner for Anita.

The banner and their cheers had also caught Anita's attention. Anita smiled feverishly while shielding her eyes from the sun's ray to see the banner more clearly.

Behria thought it was absurd so she made her own cheer using the microphone, "COVILLE IS THE BEST! GO! GO! GO! MIGHTY COVILLE!!!"

Behria's voice echoed loudly deafening everyone so even the Coville fans booed.

Behria immediately stopped and just laugh to block her humiliation. "UM…SO LET'S CONTINUE THE FIGHT!"

The Coville fans started to cheer again drowning the cheers of Anita's supporters. But Anita's spirit is still at its height because of the banner. For her, the first strike from Coville served as a wake up call for her unconscious mind so now, she's already focused. Get ready Coville for I'll catch up with you now!

She jumped high in the air clutching her knuckles preparing for a wild punch as a revenge for Coville but it seems like Coville could read her move so she changed her mind and flung her legs instead for a kick when she reached Coville hitting him hard on the face. But that doesn't match the pain he caused Anita a while ago, that's just a diversion because Anita had managed to grab his left arm which he didn't see because he's facing the right for the aftermath of Anita's attack. She twisted Coville's arm which had caused him to flinch and she lean on his back which had caused him to drop on the ground. Anita immediately used her free hand and hit Coville on the small part of his spine. It's not fatal, it's just extremely painful. So Coville screamed in pain. He can't move. It seems like he's already paralyzed.

Anita let go of him right away. She watched and stood beside his twitching body.

Behria dropped the microphone which fell with a loud thud and went to help Coville but Coville shouted at her to prevent her from helping. Behria stopped on her tracks and watched her brother with teary eyes.

The Coville fans were very noisy. Anita couldn't understand what they were saying but she's pretty sure that all of them were worried about Coville as much as her because she would have killed him.

Suddenly, Coville tried to move his twisted arm to bring back the joints in place. Anita could hear the small cracking together with Coville's moaning in pain. She almost flinched. Next, he tried to move his trunk. This time he is really sobbing in pain. The cracking becomes bigger and Anita really had flinched. When he was done, he slowly stood up rearranging few of the joints in his neck and hands. But he looked like a mess. His face and other parts of skin that are visible were full of dirt and his hair was messy. And aside from that he was breathing heavily. He looked really tired unlike when Anita recovered from his first strike.

Behria was worried of her brother but there's no way they will going to loose this fight with someone who is anonymous and have nothing to be proud of, someone like Anita King. "CO-COVILLE SURI IS STILL UNDAMAGED AFTER THAT INHUMAN ATTACK FROM KING! SO LET'S CONTINUE THE FIGHT!" she shouted although her voice seems to be uneven.

But then, they saw Coville limping in the direction of Anita. He still hasn't recovered yet. But what is he up to now? Anita thought. He continued to forward towards Anita while Anita was so confused so she did not move but she keep herself alert in case Coville has something under his sleeves.

When Coville had reached Anita, he suddenly grabbed her wrists so Anita automatically tried to pull away. But Coville was keeping a firm grip. "You will be mine…" she heard him murmur and was out of earshot of everyone including Behria. "You will be mine no matter what…"

She finally understood what he said. Coville Suri is completely obsessed with her! But she's still couldn't figure out the reason yet. Right now, she doesn't know what to do for Coville must be planning something and those words were might be only made for distraction. But look at the positive way. Coville must have reached his limit and could not fight now so he can't accept the truth that he lost. That means that the terms will be effective and she, Anita, will not be Coville's and she, Anita, will take Junior back!

"Let go of me!" she said to Coville and when Coville didn't, she was about to give him a one last shot when suddenly she heard a familiar voice from behind her, a voice of a boy with British accent. "Let go of her."

Anita turned around immediately and was surprised to see Junior in a complete state—unharmed and was perfectly clean, his usual appearance. Junior was wearing a serious expression, an expression that she had never seen before. That's when she realized that the time had passed and Junior had changed, he has a mind of his own now. She's not even sure if this is the Junior she once saved from the British library. But no matter what kind of change Junior was in, Anita was sure that it was for the better. Junior has grown up and she still hasn't. And that's one big difference that she should know.

"I said let go of her," he said coldly. The audience was silence. They don't know who Junior is because aside from him, being a new student, he is also a nobody. So some of them booed and started throwing things although it doesn't reach Anita and the others.

Coville gritted his teeth and did not let go of Anita while Anita kept on struggling. "And who do you think you are to interrupt this fight?"

"You're not even fighting," Junior answered with that same tone of voice.

Behria was angry too but she was scared to interfere.

Anita meanwhile was boiling inside. She hated to be ignored. Isn't this my fight against Coville? Then, why is Junior here in the scene? she thought. She has to act now or the spotlight would be stolen by Junior from her. She quickly clenched her knuckles and punched Coville on the face unprepared. But as soon as she was freed from Coville's grasp she felt Junior's hand made another grab of her other wrist. She turned around and shook his hand away with such force.

"What are you doing?!" he shouted.

"I'M THE ONE WHO MUST ASK YOU THAT! THIS IS MY FIGHT AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO INTERFERE!" she blurted out.

But Junior did not flinch or even showed any sign of cowardice. He gave Anita a scary glare. Anita was shocked of how stubborn Junior could be.

Then, Junior suddenly grabbed Anita's waist, lift her up and hung her on his shoulders. "What are you doing?! Let go!" Anita was struggling like a baby struggling to let go from her daddy. She is banging her fists on Junior's back but Junior was surprisingly unharmed of Anita's banging unlike Coville who was almost paralyzed by it.

Some of the audience' mouth hanged open because the fight a while ago had turned into a circus. But most of them were laughing and enjoying, seeing Anita struggles against Junior.

Anita's classmates were worried especially Hisami. Natsume grunted in annoyance. They almost have it. They nearly won.

Coville and Behria were rooted to the spot. They felt like Junior is the authority. He knows when and how to end an insanity.

Junior had reached the gate while carrying Anita who keeps on struggling and throwing curses at Junior. Junior is like carrying a bundle of wood which cannot talk nor move because he completely ignores Anita's complaints. His face showed the same usual expression he uses—the gentle one.

While they walk, people were staring at them because of their positions but they don't mind them.

When they've reached Nenene's apartment, Junior let go of her in a way as though they were a newly-wed couple and they have finally arrived at their new home while Anita moved away from Junior as much as possible.

"WHY THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR!!!" she shouted at the top of her lungs that made everyone in the living room stare—Michelle, Maggie, Nenene, Yomiko and Nancy.

"I told you not to fight him!" Junior answered in the angry tone he once used to his mother, Nancy.

Nancy's eyes widen in shock. She doesn't want to see Junior getting so angry because she remembers her lack of responsibility as a mother but she doesn't know what to do so she didn't say anything just like the others.

"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" Anita shouted out loud.

"Then who will! Grow up, will you?!"

Anita was speechless. She felt like she's going to cry. Junior had humiliated her in front of everyone in school and now, in front of her sisters, Nenene, Yomiko and Nancy.

"This is pointless…" she said quietly. She ran upstairs and a loud bang of a door was heard.

Everybody in the living turned to Junior and gave him a questioning glance. Junior flushed and didn't say anything.

There was long silence before Michelle had the sense to break the ice and fix the damage. She slowly stood up to talk to Junior but Nancy suddenly straightened up and reached Junior first.

Michelle just smiled knowing that Nancy is beginning to perform her motherly responsibility.

Nancy took Junior's hand, gestured him to sit and Junior followed with his head low. Nancy sat opposite to Junior preparing an interrogation to her son. She doesn't know how to handle stuffs like this. Being a mother is really a hard job. It's hard enough trying to understand your son when you couldn't even understand yourself. But no matter what, she will do her best to be a good mother because of that something not only she can feel through her veins but also through her heart. Loving a child is something that will make a difference to a woman even if that woman is nothing but full of innocence because this child will wake her up to reality and to the real meaning of life.

Nancy was trying to think for a good question that is not so demanding but good enough to dig the complete information while she played with her fingers.

After a few moments, she already had chosen one.

"Ehem," she cleared her throat. "So…what happened Junior?" She's not sure if it's a good question but the silence is taking so long and the rest were waiting and it had pressured her so much. She was praying that Junior would answer kindly or properly without shouting or not keeping silent pretending he heard nothing…

"Anita was fighting," he answered in a mere whisper however sounds sincere.

"AGAIN?" Michelle asked loudly that made them jump except Junior. "Sorry…" she muttered.

"Fighting with who?" continued Nancy.

"With Coville Suri the martial artist."

"WHAT?!" Michelle reacted again, but this time together with Nenene.

"So, why did you…fight?" Nancy asked again ignoring the reaction of the two.

"I…She…Um…" Junior stuttered not knowing where to start. He wanted it to appear that it's all Anita's fault to spare himself but it's impossible. He knows that Michelle is really angry after she found out that Anita was making a fight again but her mother would be so disappointed when she found out that she took Anita in the middle of the fight because it really had humiliated her. He felt sorry for Anita but he did it for her own good. He had warned her before and it's his entire fault, for he didn't realize that Anita won't listen to him.

"Alright Junior, calm down and tell us what happened from the start."

At that moment, Junior started to speak. From the provocation of Behria and their argument, to the arrival of Coville, and everything, but everything he said seemed to be all in favor for Anita. He mentioned that the twins were acting so dominantly and that Anita just wants to help their classmates and that her fighting is just a form of revenge. Why? Why does he have to defend her? Now the blame is in him. The only way to defend himself is by telling the truth—his true reason of not letting Anita to fight. But he can't say 'that'. He just can't. They would not understand especially if Anita finds out. He has to make a clever excuse and it has to be convincing. But what excuse?

When he had finished talking, he saw her mother shaking. Shaking?

"THEN WHY DID YOU TOOK HER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIGHT WHEN SHE NEARLY WON AND HAD SUCCESSFULLY AVENGED HER FRIENDS?!" she suddenly busted out. She was shaking with anger and she was just resisting to shout because as much as possible, she doesn't want to get mad at Junior for being gentle to her children is one of her points of being a good mother.

"Because…because…" Junior was stuttering again sounded like he wants to defend himself and as though it's not really his fault but he couldn't come up for a good reason. Her mother had just shouted at him but he must've readied himself with something like this.

Nancy gave a heavy sigh as though she wants to give up of being a mother but to think that she still has a long way to go, giving up is not an option.

"Junior. Go. And. Apologize," she said like she can't spit it out.

"No," Junior answered quietly.

Nancy stared at him and was beginning to boil again.

"I SAID APOLOGIZE!" she yelled at the top of her lungs pointing at the direction where Anita ran.

"NO!" Junior shouted back which makes him sound like it's final and he would never do it even if he died.

"APOLOGIZE!" Nancy started to seize him and pulled him upstairs. The others helped too. They were all in Anita's side even Nenene. Junior was struggling but they were all strong, one against five? Juniors phasing ability had disappeared for some reason, maybe because he and his mother were fighting.

When they've reached the door, Michelle opened the door not seeing Anita because she was too busy of keeping Junior on hold.

They have managed to force Junior to go inside the room and they locked it as soon as he did. Junior bang at the door ordering them to open it trying hard to phase through it until he heard Anita shouted from behind, "GET OUT!!!"

He turned around panicking and saw Anita…