Chapter Ten: Hiwatari, Satoshi

The man I hired to help us move our stuff is called Jukodo Ichisake. He used to attend my fathers parties until he lost his job and was pushed down a few notches on his social standing. After that, he was never invited again.

I remember him because he was kind and was always interested to hear what I had to say instead of my father. He never went along with the higher in command like the rest of the men and had his own personality. Maybe that is why he lost everything; he was not willing to be another yuppy for the corporate world.

I spotted him on the street carrying heavy boxes to his ship. That is precisely his job now, to transport goods for other companies in this ship. To make sure they arrive safely and surely in their rightful packages. The job is small and doesn't pay much, he told me, but it is good enough to keep his little girl in school and his wife off of his back for a while.

He looked too closely into my eyes under a streetlight and remembered me from those years ago. I pulled off my hat and shook his hand without thinking of what my father would say. He asked me what I was doing now and I lied, telling him I worked alongside my stepfather and staying at a small place across the water for a small vacation.

He knew just what my father was doing, as did everyone. There was no way to get around it anymore. The Hiwatari name was disgraced by power. It brought fear and sympathy for those not running the game. With the viscious army that was hidden away for years coming to surface, the people had no say in what they could do.

I helped him load up the rest of his run and mentioned what I needed to do. Without asking, he volunteered himself to help me. I tried to pay him, but he wouldn't take it. Saying this was strictly out of his heart. When he was busy starting up the old boat, I slipped ¥5000 between two boxes and left, hoping he would find it later on.

We made an agreement to meet early in the morning, before his other rounds would start. I mentioned that I would have a friend with me, a girl, as far as he should know.

"Is she pretty?" I felt stunned for a moment, not sure how to answer.

"Yes, she is. She's like a model." He winked at me and smirked into his work, just like he used to in my childhood. I couldn't help but smile back, if only to myself. Was Niwa considered 'pretty'?

As we walk down the back alley towards the dock, all the men that were there before have gone. Maybe they were scared I was going to come back because after we heard the tires squealing last night, there was no sign of them again.

Ichisake waits for us by his ship, smoking a small cigar burning hot at the end. He grins at Daisuke and me walking hand-in-hand, our usual game for those on the streets. Obviously it works well if even this man cannot see through it.

"Hey! She is pretty! You sure know how to pick 'em son. Well little lady, it's nice to meet you!" Daisuke only nods and flashes a bright red colour, turning his head in response. He actually thinks Niwa is a girl. "Well we should be heading off if I'm going to be getting back on time."

We fill up the back of the boat with everything we got in town. He doesn't question the fact that we are bringing random items back to a lost island, he simply does his job and keeps quiet. This is the type of man I like to work with.

Daisuke climbs into our tiny boat and for a moment, while he looks out into the awakening sea, he really could pull off being a female. There's something in the roundness of his cheeks, the gloss of his eyes and the curve of his waist that pulls it all together. I laugh and make my way over.

"Are you sure you'd rather take this than go on the bigger boat? You could actually have a real seat over there."

"No. I want to stay with you." It's stupid but my stomach almost flutters with relief as he says this. I nod to Ichisake and untie the boat from the dock, sending us out to sea. He crawls behind slowly, giving us space to paddle our way back.

I can see the questions floating around in Daisuke's eyes. He hasn't said anything but he bites his lip roughly, burning holes into the clear water.

"If you have something to say, just say it. He can't hear us." Niwa's eyes glaze over and he opens his mouth like a fish.

"Well, I was just wondering where you got all of this stuff from. You didn't...steal it, did you?" He actually looks worried and it almost makes me laugh.

"No, people gave it to me. It isn't hard to get your way when you know what you're doing."

"Where did you learn to do this stuff Satoshi-kun?" The question catches me off guard and I consider making up a lie to keep him at bay. But something tugs at my stomach to let the truth out. Something telling me for once it's okay to share a secret.

"My stepfather taught me. From a young age I had to...get things for him. In ways that little boys shouldn't have to." I can tell he isn't understanding but memories of long nights and sweaty skin creeps up on me quickly. It's difficult to go on but I bite my tongue to keep from throwing up.

"He used to always tell me I was beautiful and that I could do something with my beauty. So he figured out a way how. It made him more popular and used up all of my good looks."

"I'm not sure I understand." I don't know how else to say it, but I'm scared the blunt truth with frighten him away. The way he rests his head on his shoulder stumps me and I think about dropping the subject like it never started. But that tiny little feeling pulls me apart from the inside out, insisting I let go of the real truth.

"My father sold my body for payment. As I got older, I refused to help him anymore because I was too scared. It wasn't a game anymore. That's when he started...he started..."

"Senpai?"

I fight back the wave of emotions flooding through my body. Krad is there in the back, not speaking words but somehow trying to comfort me in his own way. If I say another word, I'm going to crack. And the last person who needs to hear any more of this is innocent little Niwa. He already looks frightened, terrified actually.

-It's okay Master, you don't have to push yourself. Give it time. You've spoken enough.-

The tip of the boat hits the shoreline just in time, giving me a moment to get out and pull it the rest of the way, focusing my memories on the tug of the ocean rather than the tears spilling down my cheeks.

I begin unpacking items and dragging them to the island house, keeping a faster speed to not catch up with the others working. Niwa tries to help, but I tell him not to, allowing the fact that he is supposed to be a girl slip. He drags his feet all the way back and stomps up the stairs.

I really hope he forgets exactly what I told him. There isn't a person alive who should have to handle the truth anymore than I should have lived it.

-I'm sorry Satoshi, I tried to help but there was nothing I could do when I'm locked away. You know I would have killed him if I could. I will make it up to you, I promise.-

I say goodbye and wave Ichisake off, wishing him the best. Niwa doesn't need to know how I got those things, he only needs to enjoy them.

With my stepfather rising up, taking control of the city with an army that has been festering away in his uncontrollable fortress, I don't know how we have any luck left. He is too power and becoming more powerful still with the Hikari paintings tucked deeply into his vault. He has forced to me to do many things but I will never fall victim to helping him ruin the lives of people I care for.

He may keep getting more, he may take over the lives of everyone. But he won't take me anymore. He won't hurt Niwa either. Not while I'm alive.