Chapter 5: Wheels of fate part 1

May 5th, Friday

Akihito was standing before the mirror in his bathroom to steady his negative feelings. Since that fateful day, that was also his birthday, Akihito hated it and didn't want to celebrate it anymore. He was stressed, anxious and irritable as if he was reviving the arrest of his father at their house, when they were in the middle of the party. His quick court procedure and his incarceration in jail. And to add to the nightmare, his mother collapsing and the diagnostic of her cancer, and them losing his father company, all the struggles that he endured afterwards because of that irresponsible monster. However, he couldn't let this dark feelings get to him, at least not until he was back from work, the kids didn't have to be victim of his past.

Throughout the day, he felt off the track interiorly even if it didn't show and the weather accorded with his mood. At lunch, he received a call from his mother wishing him a happy birthday; he didn't want to spoil her joy so he feigned happiness, even the weird attitude of the vice-chairman was over him. The end of the classes arrived quickly and he dismissed the class, not paying attention to Yuuji sad face. He stayed in the teacher room after working hours to prepare for next week, and it only when the guardian comes to tell him it's closing time that he gathers his belongings and leave the school grounds. He decides to walk home in order to clear his head and evacuate his mind tremor. Near Shinjuku, he took a detour through the park even though it was already quite dark. He has been walking in the park for thirty minutes when he saw a group of three teenagers that looked like delinquents gathered around a small figure. He approaches and listen to what they were saying.

-Hey kiddo what are you doing here alone? Started one of them but the child didn't answer

-Oi my nii-san here is talking to you answer

-It's none of your business, leave me alone, said the child and Akihito recognized Yuuji voice. Why wasn't he home yet? Akihito couldn't let him at the mercy of these thugs!

-Anyway, the place where you are sitting is our territory so give us money for the fee

-I might be a child but at least I know that the park is a public place, battered back Yuuji

One of them grabbed Yuuji by the collar, shaking him while yelling at him

-Are you insulting us brat? Give the money if you don't want to be hurt

-Let go or my papa will find you and you'll be sorry! Cried Yuuji, tears flowing out of his eyes

-Ow the little baby is crying

-That's enough! Akihito shouted

The thugs turned around and the one holding Yuuji released him and he fell on the floor

-Takaba-sensei!

-Come here quickly Yuuji-kun, ordered Akihito and the child ran into his arms. He asked him if he was okay and the child said yes; he inspected him for any injuries before refocusing his eyes on the deliquents

-How can you mistreat a child like this and ask money out of him? Have you no shame

-What is your deal pretty babe? We weren't doing anything wrong. Maybe if you come play with us…, as they approached

-NO! Takaba-sensei they are mean and stupid, don't go with them, pleaded Yuuji

One of them try to attain Yuuji but Akihito hid him behind

-Don't even try that, threatened Akihito as he kicked him in middle; he hope they would just give up. He only knew basic self-defense, he couldn't deal with all of them if it got ugly

-It hurts, you bitch, he groaned out of pain on the floor

-Don't think you won't get payback, said one of his friends as he readied himself to punch him and Akihito expected it but nothing came as he heard the strident sound of a whistle. Akihito opened his eyes and saw three policemen coming towards them from behind the thugs

-Stop right there, you, one them instructed as the thugs tried to flee. They cuffed them, and asked Akihito to follow them as well. They went to the nearest police station and were interrogated

-Tell me your name and the whole story

-My name is Takaba Akihito and this child name is Asami Yuuji, and I'm his sensei-

-Asami Yuuji? Asked the policeman, as in Asami Ryuichi son?

-Yes, how do you know? Asked Akihito

-We received a signal that Asami Ryuichi was looking for his son, he is very influential you know. We'll give him a call to let him know so tell me the rest.

-Thank you. I was coming from the school and strolling in the park when I saw those three were annoying a small kid, I'm a teacher so I couldn't let it pass. As I was coming closer I heard their conversation and they were asking money out of him

-You are lying, you bitch and you have no proof

-You are the one lying, said Yuuji, you even tried to hit me and Takaba-sensei

-Shut pu brat, said one of the thugs

-You should be the ones shutting it you stupid, said the policeman as he hit them on the head with a stack of paper, there are cameras in the areas it will be easy to verify

-And if it's not enough, started Akihito, I recorded their voices, he finished looking at them with determination

-You look like teenagers so we'll let you call your parents. This kid father is very powerful, pray for him to be merciful towards you for what you tried to do to his son.

Akihito and Yuuji were sat into a waiting room, and Akihito asked for some first-aid equipment to tend Yuuji bruises on his palms.

-Yuuji-kun, why were you alone out there at this hour? Didn't one of your uncles come to get you?

-They did, but when I got home papa wasn't there so I called him and he said he would come home late so I should sleep when my uncle told me to. I left the house before my uncle could catch me because I got upset and papa is stupid for forgetting what day it was today, my uncles as well, said Yuuji while wimping

-Did he promise you something little one, asked Akihito a bit angered at Asami-san

-It's my birthday today, Takaba-sensei. I thought since in the morning he forgot he would remember later and welcome me with a surprise but there was nothing

Akihito eyes widened at what he heard. How could he forget that! He remembered seeing it in the student's files because it was the same day as his; he was so centered on his misfortunes that he ignored the world around him and he was sorry because he liked Yuuji very much

-I'm sorry Yuuji-kun, me too I forgot

-I'm not mad at you sensei. Today, you looked not well so I didn't want to disturb you with my problems

Seeing that this cute kid was born the day bad things happened to him, he decided that maybe that day wasn't curse and he shouldn't dwell too much on it. It could have happened any other day and it would have been the same

-Actually today's my birthday as well, said Akihito softly

-Really sensei?

-Really so Happy birthday to you Yuuji-kun, thanks for being born today

-Thank you sensei, Happy birthday to you too

-They must have call your father now so he must be coming. I know you were upset but when he'll come you should apologize for leaving like that, he must have worried a lot. And he must be sorry also so don't be too hard on him ok?

-You'll stay with me sensei? Asked Yuuji with a little voice, lips trembling and big teary eyes

-Yes, said Akihito with a sigh, as if he could resist such cuteness! He just hoped everything went okay