Disclaimer: i do not own tokyo revengers.
01
When reality meets fiction.
Saori ran the back of her hand across her sweaty forehead, panting heavily as she smiled to the cameras focused on her to capture her victory on the judo tournament as the judge place the medal over her head. The cool gold medal felt good against her heated skin. Her smile only got bigger as this was the physical proof of her victory and the many endeavors she had endured to be here.
Even among the big crowd Saori could hear her little sister chanting her name loudly with pride.
She was on cloud nine, the rush of adrenaline still pumping on her veins was numbing most of the pain she should be experiencing. Her ears were ringing as the blood pumped in her system making her unable to pick the change in the atmosphere. The happy cheers turned into shrieks of horror as her opponent made a mad dash towards her, tackling her on the ground.
Saori's head hit the harsh ground, a few inches away from the safety of the mat as the much bigger girl pinned her on the ground, her knees resting at the side of Saori's body to kept her in place as she violently connected her fist on her face. Saori raised her arms to protect herself fully aware that she might lose her medal if she were to retaliate to the violent attack. She could only stay still and hope someone pried her assailant away from her soon.
The girl angrily shouted at her as tears streamed down her face as she continued her assault. Saori couldn't register a thing of what she was saying, it all sounded like a high pitched unintelligible sound. Saori's vision blurred when the girl's fist landed near her eye as she remained completely unaffected by her attempts of throwing her off. Saori was having a hard time coordinating her movements, it was as if her muscles lacked the strength to push her off.
The girl was a blurry vision in her gaze when Saori retorted to her last desperate move as she realised she was losing consciousness.
Saori's forehead hit the other girl's with a sickening sound as pain exploded in her head. The girl tumbled backwards as a pair of arms appeared seemingly out of nowhere to drag her away. She screamed and kicked, throwing insults at Saori as her coach rushed her to the lockers to calm down. Simultaneously, the crowd was being ushered out as Saori's coach called an ambulance.
The medical team rushed to her side at the same time her family did. Through her bloodied eye, she couldn't see her little sister as she cried, begging her to stay awake as her parents reached to take her hand and whisper comforting words that got lost in the air.
Saori opened her mouth to talk only to gurgle a mix of blood and saliva that she spat with difficulty as one of the members of the medical team angled her head to the side.
Out of reflex, she ran her tongue across her teeth, coming to the realisation that she was missing a tooth. 'Nothing that a good dentist can't fix.' She tried to cheer herself as her breathing became more laboured.
She had no idea what was happening to her. Saori was positive her eyes were wide open and yet, she couldn't see a thing. Her father's rough hand felt like a phantom touch as he cradled her motionless form with care.
She felt a weigh built on her stomach, raising to her throat and threatening to swallow her whole. Her tongue felt thick on her mouth, making her unable to form the parting words she so desperately wanted to get out before it was too late. She might not know or understand how it had exactly happened but she knew this wasn't normal. Her opponent must've hit her harder than she first thought.
Saori regretted having value a worthless medal and empty title over her life. If she had fought back as soon as she went down, she won't be in this situation, dying slowly in the arms of her father as her sister pleaded to every deity above to kept her alive.
"It's okay, baby. You can let go," came her mother's broken voice as she leaned to whisper in her ear, "We love you." She muttered and pressed a kiss on her daughter's forehead as she bit back her tears.
With her mother's permission, Saori stopped struggling to breathe and little by little she felt her heartbeat slow down, the pause between the beats growing longer after each one until she drew her last breath and her body went slack under the horrified gaze of her loved ones.
(...)
Saori woke up with a strange, bitter taste in her mouth. She felt as if she just woke up with the worst hangover ever. She should've known better as it wasn't the first time she tasted it.
A million of questions crossed her mind as the same time she opened her mind and those questions were replaced with new ones as a wave of panic washed over her.
'Where am I?'
Dark brown eyes inspected curiously and fearfully the new surroundings she found herself at. She was in a bathroom, sitting on the cold blue tile floor and resting the side of her face against the toilet seat.
Disgusted, she recoiled back until her back hit the wall as her head pounded with a headache. She sniffed the stale air and immediately scrunched her nose at the rancid smell, a mix of blood, vomit and misery that left her even more confused.
Had she somehow managed to miraculously survive? Was this the hospital bathroom- 'No, no way. It looks way too... unsanitary. I'm definitely not in a hospital.'
With more questions brewing in her, Saori did the only logical thing she could think of. She called for her mom.
When she heard nothing, she tried again, this time louder as she got to her feet, using the wall for support she tried to make her way to the closed door when it burst open and an unknown woman entered the small area.
The blonde woman whimpered when she spotted Saori, a trail of tears fell down her eyes as she stumbled to wrap her in a tight embrace that knocked the air out of her.
It took her a moment to realise the woman had to crouch down to reach her and that she barely reached her hip level. The woman was either a giant or Saori was very short, which made no sense because she proudly stood to a full 5,6 before- before what?
'Did I die?' She contemplated as the woman finally released her, plastering a shaky smile on her red lips, she ran a hand through Saori's dark hair.
"Come on, Saori-chan. Let's get you cleaned up before I take you to meet grandpa." She said as she ushered her to the sink to wash her face.
Her confusion must've been evident on her face as the woman expression faltered a bit.
"Where are we?" She settle to ask as part of her felt the woman wouldn't answer her with honesty.
"It doesn't matter." She dodged the question easily, "Brush your teeth and make sure to wash your face. Mama will be outside." She said, shutting the door with a soft click.
Saori stood like a statue, trying to process what just happened. 'Mama?' That woman wasn't her mother!
Still panicking, Saori raised her gaze to the broken mirror hanging above the sink. A gasp left her lips when she saw how young she looked. She still had the same appearance, her pale skin, dark brown eyes and black hair, she even had the same beauty mark under her right eye!
'Looks like I got my ass beat.'
She thought, grimacing as she studied her awful appearance. Her lower lip was busted, no doubt the work of a well aimed punch. Her cheek was swollen and starting to bruise and her abdomen was in a similar condition. She had been beaten, but not as badly as she had been when she- died.
'Is this some sort of reincarnation thing? What God did I piss off to end up like this?!'
She grunted as she brushed her teeth to get rid of the disgusting aftertaste in her mouth before she ran her fingers through her tangled hair in a poor effort to make herself look better.
She dared another look into the broken mirror, brows knitting together as she tried to calculate her current age. '5? Maybe?'
She poked her good cheek, frowning at the baby fat on it when someone knocked on the door.
"Saori-chan, is time to leave." The woman, her 'mama' called from the other side, creaking the door open to peer at her, "Come, Saori." She said, reaching to grasp her shoulder to pull her away from the bathroom.
Once outside and as she was being dragged to another door, Saori barely had time to check her surroundings properly. It looked like they were staying at a cheap motel. The smell of cigarettes and beer permeated the air as they made their way out. The windows were closed, the blinds shut, bathing the room in a somber darkness that made her uneasy and shy closer to the woman. Even with the lack of light she could see the red spots splattered across the cream coloured wall. It probably belonged to her. She hoped the other person got it worse.
'This doesn't look like a good place to stay with your child.'
The woman grabbed her purse and a manila folder from a nightstand before they left the cramped room, much to her relief.
Saori took a deep breath, glad to be out of that disgusting place, they made their way to the parking lot where she spotted a small child waiting near one of the cars.
The woman hurried their pace as she pulled a pair of keys out of her purse to unlock the vehicle. She released Saori to open the door for the both of them. The other girl obeyed the silent command without protest and Saori stood there, taking a look around as she contemplated the best escape route. Though she doubted she'll last long being so young and completely clueless of her situation.
"Get in, Saori. We don't have all day." The woman demanded, sounding exasperated as she tapped her heeled foot on the ground.
'No more 'Saori-chan' then?'
She looked back one last time, licking her busted lips as she formed a half assed plan when something pulled her sleeve, a small hand.
The little girl looked at her with her big, honey coloured eyes as a sort of plea, "Nee-chan, are you coming?"
At the name, Saori swallowed hard, remembering how her little sister used to call her.
Saori said nothing as she climbed next to her and the woman slammed the door shut behind her. She flinched as she took her seat, trying to stifle her nerves when the little girl reached to grab her arm for comfort.
The girl rested her head on her side and squeezed her arm as the car started to move and Saori felt guilty for not knowing her name so she patted her head as she stared out of the window trying to find some familiarity in this alien world.
The woman drove in silence, didn't even bother to turn on the stereo and both girls opted to do the same and kept quiet as they waited to arrive at their destination.
The little girl was struggling to keep her eyes open as she battled to stay awake and Saori smiled down at her, finding her utterly adorable.
In that moment, the car came to a sudden halt that fully woke up the girl and Saori tensed in anticipation as the woman exited the car. The door opened by her side and she wasted no time jumping out of the vehicle, followed by the little blonde girl that the woman stopped before she could step out.
"No, Ema. You stay here." She said in a serious voice, closing the door in Ema's face.
Ema's eyes watered and even with the closed door Saori could hear her crying out her name. Her heart twisted with guilt and she was overwhelmed by the urge to console the child without knowing why. They just met, it made no sense for Saori to feel protective of her.
For better or for worse, Saori followed the woman as they neared an old two story building. The bottom floor seemed to be a bakery or a cafe or sort that was currently close and the top floor, where she assumed they were headed to, looked like it needed a fresh coat of paint and a deep cleaning.
"We're here." The woman said, "Your grandpa lives up there. Knock on his door once I'm gone and give him this," she handed Saori the manila folder, "It'll explain everything. Goodbye Saori." She started to walk towards the car where little Ema was banging her tiny fist against the glass begging to be let out.
"Wait! Where are you going?" She asked, bewildered, "You're just leaving me here?"
"I have some business to tend to. Your grandpa will take care of you."
Saori shook her head, letting her anger get the best of her, "What kind of mother does this?!" She spat but the woman gave no reply, "What about Ema?"
She shook her head, "She'll be staying with her own grandpa. She'll be taken care of." she said before she opened the driver's door, "Goodbye." She said one last time, not looking back, she entered the vehicle and drove away, separating the two sisters for heavens knows how long.
Saori's heart broke in half as she saw the car disappear into the distance. She felt unwanted, her own mother wanted nothing to do with her-
'She's not my mother!' She yelled at herself, 'Get a grip, Saori. What's wrong with you?'
She let out a shaky breath as she mentally counted to ten to relax. She was awfully confused, her insides were a cocktail of emotions that she didn't recognized as her own. She was scared and confused, yes. But she also felt guilty for leaving Ema on her own despite the fact it wasn't her choice to do so. She also felt sadness and anger towards the woman that called herself their mother.
'She wishes! That spot already belongs to someone and she would've never do such a thing! Leaving her children behind. Unacceptable.'
Saori huffed before she made her way to the place the child abandoner had pointed her to.
She knocked firmly on the door and took a step back ready to bolt if need be. She heard a gruff voice cussing and the jiggle of keys before the door opened revealing the scowling face of an older man.
He looked above her, obviously annoyed at being disturbed and ready to close the door when she cleared her throat and his gaze found her. His eyes widened comically as he stepped out in a haste, almost tripping as he did so. He looked around wildly, looking for someone.
"She's gone." Saori explained, "She told me you were my grandpa. My name is Kurokawa Saori. Pleasure to meet you." She spoke on automatic before she could even register the words that left her mouth.
'Kurokawa?! That's not my last name. What's going on- wait a moment- Ema... Kurokawa... a blonde woman that abandons children with grandpas...' What were the chances of her somehow being transported to her favourite anime?
Unaware of her inner conflict, the man's gaze softened as he studied her beaten form, "Come inside, child. We have a lot to talk about. Do you like tea or maybe I could make some hot chocolate if you prefer that?" He asked, his hand coming to rest on her back to usher her inside.
"Hot chocolate sounds nice." She said, "Are you my grandpa?"
He smiled sadly, his hand now patted her head as he shut the door behind them, "Yes, I am. Though I must admit I just learnt that I am one today."
Saori handed him the folder, "She told me to give you this. Said that it would explain everything."
'How I wish I could read it too.'
"Thank you, Saori-chan. Why don't you go take a seat? I'll be there soon."
(...)
Guess who just started to read the manga and decided this would be a good idea?
Me, of course.
The alternative summary for this is, 'Can a girl from our own world start her delinquent harem by gifting them cookies and showing them kindness?'
Lol
Please, let me know what you think of this so far. Very excited to hear other people's thoughts.