Devil on the Run (part 2)
A Kodomo No Omocha fanfic
© By Iris C.
Email : angelscythe02@yahoo.com
Completed : June 1 , 2001 (edited June 2.)
Notes: took me two weeks and some days to complete, not too bad right?
^.^ Thanks to all of those that reviewed, you guys rock!
Devil on the Run
I've never been more grateful of the gray-blue couch in my life.
Her soft skin touching my own; my arms cradling her body; my heart
beating as I sank my fingers down her bare back...
It was sort of strange kissing Sana without suffering an immediate blow
from the hammer toy. Admittedly, her reactions were always insanely
adorable. She would either blow up or grow really quiet, a pair of
luminous eyes that left me to yearn for more. But Sana takes kisses
seriously. I knew that, even if I may not act like it. The ironic fact
was, I believe that's the very reason why I loved stealing them from
her.
After a moment, I heard the infrequent soft voice calling for me.
"Hayama?" It still startled me when she would use inquiry tones instead
of silly ones. They made me realize just how precious she was; Maybe
that's why I loved being around her, to protect her and to protect
myself. Precious. She was simply precious.
"Hn?"
"Don't leave me ever again."
"..."
"Arigatou."
Suddenly, knocks were heard from the door.
"Do you have guests?" she asked.
I shrugged.
The knocks expedited to frantic pounding.
"All right, all right! I'm coming," groaning, I got up and unlocked the
door. A limp body fell against me.
"ICHIBIN!?!?" I cried in disbelief.
The familiar brown hair was certainly a good indication.
I lifted him by the shoulders, carrying him into the living room.
"Ichibin? What happened? Ichibin??"
Sana gasped, "Hayama," her eyes horrific as she pointed to my shirt.
I looked down and saw bloodstains...
"Oh my God," I laid Ichibin on the carpet. "ICHIBIN!!" I cried. "What
the hell happened?"
"Where's your medicine cabinet?" Sana asked hastily.
"Bathroom," I answered then returned my attention to Ichibin, who begin
coughing. "Ichibin!?"
"I'm...okay," he murmured weakly.
"What happened?!?"
"I was walking home, and I got attacked," *cough* *cough* "by..."
*cough*
"Who did it?" I insisted.
"I don't know, but I think it was Kimura, ...and maybe Hidaki and the
guys..." *cough* "Oh fuck, they crushed my chest, I can't breathe."
*cough*
"Kimura? Hidaki..."
"I'm not too sure, but it sure as hell looked like them, those
ignorant, ungrateful bastards..." Ichibin went on with a list of
profanities as I stood in a daze. It couldn't be... Could it be? Kimura
and Hidaki, among many others, used to belong to 'Black Haze'.
Prominent for its drug associations, rashness, and fierce fighters,
'Black Haze' established a reputation as the slickest underground drug
dealers in East Asia. The underground gang was a client's dream, with
no record of being caught by the cops or even a slight mishap. However,
as of now 'Black Haze' been disbanded for approximately two months.
By me.
Yes, yes, the devil has even started a gang.
"I didn't want to come back here, Hayama, they might have followed me,
but I think they busted up my arm or something," Ichibin moaned as he
held his elbow.
I stared as his bleeding arm. "Did they say anything?"
"Oh you know Kimura, he rambled about how you shouldn't have ruined it
all for everyone."
"What about Hidaki?" I persisted. Out of all the ex-members of 'Black
Haze', I was most concerned with Hidaki. Silent, stoic and dedicated,
he carried out tasks flawlessly. Hidaki was the only member that never
called me 'boss' or anyone's name for that matter. His chilling blue
eyes said enough, he was one of those people that allowed no one a peek
in his turf.
"Hidaki? He had me in a lock so Kimura could do his preaching," Ichibin
coughed again, "damn, it's been two months already, you'd think they
could have found some other gang."
"How did you manage to..." I stopped my sentence as Sana came running,
carrying bottles and bandages in her hands.
"Hayama dai-chan, where does it hurt?" she asked, a look of concern on
her face.
Ichibin stared at Sana, then blinked. "Hey, and I was sure I was going
to end up in hell..."
"Ichibin," I glared. "Let her see your arm, are you hurt anywhere
else?"
"Iie, I'm fine, just some skin bruises and scrapes. I didn't take a
month of Karate for nothing you know. But before I pass out, can you
tell me if it's really Kurata Sana kneeling beside me, or am I
hallucinating? And if in fact it's not Kurata Sana kneeling beside me,
please get me immediate medical attention," Ichibin said.
I rolled my eyes; even in situations like this he's not able to hold
off on the sarcasm. I can just see it: Ichibin on his deathbed,
mumbling. "Oh I see the white light! Oh! No wait...that's the flashing
light bulb isn't it?"
"We should get him to the hospital," suggested Sana.
"No!!!" both Ichibin and I shouted.
Sana stared strangely. "Oh...okay..."
"It's just a scratch, I'll be all right," Ichibin said.
I swallowed. "I'll get some ice for your knee."
"Thanks."
I got up and headed to the kitchen, my ears glued to the conversation
between Ichibin and Sana.
"How did you get hurt?"
"Oh it was stupid of me, going downtown this late. Some punks tried to
rob me. I should have just given them my wallet, but 500 yen means a
lot to me ya know," Ichibin laughed. (Note: 500 yen is about five
bucks. ^^)
I shook my head, then sighed, grateful for his incessant humor while
guilty that he had to lie. Sometimes I wonder if it's true that lies
will build up and eventually cripple you (like they always say...) but
aren't adages and proverbs nothing but an idealist's dream?
"Here," I pressed the ice against Ichibin's elbow and saw him wince in
pain. His physical condition was obviously a lot worse than his voice
implications.
"Sana," I turned to face her. "It is a bit late..."
"Hai. I'll go home now," she looked somewhat worried and unconvinced.
"Do you need a ride?"
"It's all right. I drove," she said. "You sure he'll be okay?"
"He'll be okay," said Ichibin. "Not to worry Ms. Kurata."
"All right," Sana got up. "If you need me, Hayama…" she gave me a
lingering stare.
"I know."
"Ja," she said.
"Ja," I said
"Bye!" Ichibin called out.
A brief silence as Sana left.
"Funny. You'd think your blood brother would at least tell you his
girlfriend was a big time celebrity."
"Ichibin," I turned to him seriously. "Are you sure you are all right?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Don't try to change the subject with a straight
face. When were you planning to tell me this?"
"What?"
He sighed. "That you kept a medicine cabinet in this house?"
Silence.
"Oh come on, you know what I mean."
"Kurata?"
He nodded at me as if I were an idiot.
I shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I never thought I would see her
again."
I spent the rest of the evening in bed, tossing and turning. I am
usually a good sleeper, blocking everything out when I'm in trousers.
It's kind of a habit I've engraved into my mind. Today however, my
conscience pounded furiously beside my skull I couldn't even stay
still, let alone sleep.
I bandaged Ichibin's arm for him. He hadn't whined a bit of the pain.
By the size of
his wound, however, I knew it must have hurt terribly. It made me angry
at myself, for not being able to bring him to a hospital. But I suppose
that's the price you have to pay for being an ex-gang member and all.
I remember the day when Ichibin and I first met. I was a college
freshman, very much not entertained by the day in and day out classes.
So I decided to skip my economics class on a breezy day, to bum a few
cigarettes and scold myself for ever taking up cigarettes. After
wandering aimlessly through congested streets and neighborhoods,
I was content when I found a quiet clearing. I wasn't so content when
my strenuous labor was shattered by little punks picking fights at each
other.
"Useless!"
I looked up.
"I told you to get a dozen didn't I?" a kick was made. A grunt was
heard. "DIDN'T I?? Answer me!!!" another kick, another grunt.
Kids these days watch too much violence on TV.
"Ha...hai, Kosei-san, gomen, next time I'll..."
Another kick.
A whimper.
"Next time? What next time, you fucking weakling!!"
Way too much TV.
"Oi," I stood up and rooted out my cigarette against the cement. "Don't
you have school to go to, little kid?" I asked.
"That's none of your business."
Punk.
I smirked. "Trust me, when I have to throw out a cigarette cuz you're
bothering the balance of nature, it is my business." I walked toward
the kid moaning on the ground, he looked no bigger than 13. "Hey, you
all right?" I lent him a hand. He grabbed a hold of it, still crying.
"Hey! He's fine, why don't you just get your..."
"Hey," I turned around. "You're giving me a headache, why don't you
pick up your loser behind and play with your power rangers?"
"Who do you think you..."
"I SAID, GET LOST," I pointed my thumb away. He scowled, trying so hard
to retain his pride and stumbled away.
"Hard headed think they rule the whole friggin' world kids these days,"
I muttered then faced the beat up kid, his eyes afraid and his lips
quivering "You, do you need to go to the hospital?"
"No...I don't."
"Well, know your parents' number?"
"I have no parents."
"Aunt? Uncle? Sister? Brother?"
He shook his head.
"Where do you live?"
"Orphanage."
"Oh..." silence. "Want me to walk you there? Will they give you some
medicine and stuff?"
He shook his head again, frightened.
"What do you mean, no?"
"I...I can't...he's...they're...there..." he stuttered.
"Huh. Okay. What's your name kid?"
"Ichibin..."
"Ichibin, well, you wanna come over to my place and we'll see if I can
do anything?"
He nodded.
Everything after that was history. Ichibin used my apartment as a
hiding place/shelter. I never once asked him why those jerks picked on
him. I don't know why I didn't. With his bony body and docile attitude,
however, I supposed Ichibin was a bully's perpetual dream.
Occasionally, he would come knocking on my door in the middle of the
night, preceding a beat down or barely surviving a beat down. I never
minded it, as Ichibin was plainly good company. He was always grinning,
even with a black eye or crooked teeth. Plus, he helped around with the
apartment, dusting, washing, cleaning, you name it. It was as if
Ichibin felt he owned me his life. It made me sad for a while, how life
never does justice for any good people. Here's a kid, barely fourteen,
intelligent, brilliant, helpful, and one of the most cheerful people
I've ever met under such horrid conditions.
Life just wasn't fair.
So one day I told him he'd stay for the night. The next day I told him
he'll stay until I run out of bread. And it became just the two of us.
Two guys in a little apartment, trapped but satisfied in cryptic little
ways. Things worked out fine for a while, Ichibin and I spent many
nights sleeping on the cold hard floor, staring and talking about our
past and future. Many nights passed like that, us and our barely filled
stomachs; us and our strange sense of trust.
Then one day, I got a call from Natsumi. She was crying as she told me.
"Akito, Dad...he...he has cancer...oh God he has cancer..."
I held the phone and stayed silent for a while. I couldn't believe it.
Somewhere between afraid and stunned, I poured all my money for Dad's
treatment and started working extra hours at the construction site. I
stayed with college for a while, without books, and still managed with
decent scores. But that wasn't what bothered me. Because the little
money I had left was spent on the rent for a roof on top of my head,
Ichibin provided with the food. He started getting them from the
homeless shelter for the both of us. Every time he came back he would
have a gash here and a cut there. The soup would sink into my empty
stomach like a match, burning all the pride I've ever owned.
I couldn't stand it.
Not because I was poor, but that I couldn't take care of Ichibin. I
couldn't stand letting him go back to where he was and is unable to
stop it. Useless. That's how I felt.
So that's when Kaiko used me, me and my vulnerability. After 2
cigarettes and 50000 yen, I skipped my classes and picked up money like
a scum. I had lost everything by then, including the basic moral of a
human being. I was degraded to survival needs, willing to do anything
for money, for food...for Ichibin never getting another cut from any
bastards...
The doorbell rang.
I squeezed my eyes and prayed that it was part of my dream.
The doorbell rang again.
I groaned and got up, trailing the usual route through the hallway,
toward the living room, over Ichibin and found the door.
"Haya...ma..." she stuttered, her cheeks glow a shade of pink midst the
dim morning ambiance. I looked down and saw myself dressed in boxers.
"Kurata," I growled. "A little early."
She giggled. "You lazy butt chunk, it's 7:15!"
I nodded. "Yeah okay, sure. You want to come in?" Sana was wearing a
white top and blue skirt. Unconsciously, my eyes drifted toward her
neck, trailing down until...
My...she's grown...
"No, I have to get to the studio before 7:30. I just came to give you
this," she handed me a ticket.
"What is it?"
"Ticket to the carnival? Will you come? It's tonight, at eight. It'll
be fun."
I thought about it for a while. "Okay," not like I had anything else to
do.
"Really? Great! I'll see you at eight! Oh, also! Here!" she dug out
something from her purse. "I brought this for Ichibin, it cleans the
cut better and make it heal better... Your cabinet was pretty meager."
"Ahh...thanks."
"Is he doing all right?"
"Yeah, he's fine."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Okay then, I'm gonna go now," she flashed me a smile.
"Okay."
"Okay. Bye.."
"Bye."
"See ya."
"Yeah," I grabbed a hold of her wrist then gave her a kiss on the
cheek.
She didn't pull out her hammer toy. I was making progress.
It's funny when I really think about it. Funny how Sana and I ended up
together despite we were as different as day and night. But then,
hasn't the greatest romances all been miscalculated paradox? Venus and
Mars, Romeo and Juliet, I wonder if they ever realized what they were
heading for. I wonder if we realize what we're heading for...
"Hayama!" her voice resembled a much louder version of a humming bird,
marking a trail of dulcet stings beside my ear. "I'm so glad you came!"
I turned around and nearly jumped. "What did you do?" Sana's familiar
brown hair was replaced with long (really long) tresses of black hair
down her back. She wore a pair of blue jeans and a cut off white shirt
revealing a naval ring, matching the one on her nose. Her look was
completed with a red bandana and a tattoo of a rose on her arm.
I nearly fainted.
She grinned mischievously, evidently enjoying the little emotion I
shed. "Do you like it? It's my alternate ego! My name is Anas!" she
explained.
"What?" dumbfounded, I questioned. Only Kurata would think of something
like this...
"Well, you know what to do when you don't want to be mobbed? Be someone
else!"
Oohhhh...
"So it's not real?" I felt my face fall, staring at her bare stomach.
*SMACK*.
I SO knew that was coming.
"You idiot! Of course it's not real! Just some hair extensions and fake
piercing and fake stick on tattoos."
"Ahhh..."
"Do you like it?" her voice subdued, as if serious.
I stared. "Yes." a pause. "You look very sexy."
A giggle resembling one of a hyena was the response I got. "AHH!! So
kawaii! 'You look very sexy...'" she mimicked me in a deep voice.
"Stop it."
"'You look veerryyy sexy.'"
"Stop it I said."
"'You look very very sexy.'"
If there's one thing I learned of Kurata Sana over the 12 years, it
would be that fact that she will never ever grow up. I kind of like it
that way...
"Hey you! Don't zone out on me! Come on! Let's get in line for the new
roller coaster they got! The really really big one with a big drop from
really *HIGH* in the air."
"Big *DROP* huh? Let's go then," I clasped my baseball cap on
backwards.
The night passed quickly, and the early dusk was quickly succumbed to
complete darkness. I held her hand as we walked toward the exit, a
stuffed teddy bear between us. She leaned closer to me, so I clasped my
hand around her waist; the motion brought her head against my chest. We
strolled along, looking like any other couple in the mist of people.
Her disguise had worked out brilliantly, much too brilliantly.
"Thank you for coming, Hayama," she whispered.
"You are welcome, Anas."
She giggled. "I could get use to this you know."
"I know. You are an actress."
"Huh, guess I am."
I opened my door. "You want a ride? Or did you drive?"
"I rode the subway, car's broken again."
"Come on, then," I pulled her inside my car.
I watched her fasten her seat belt then started the car, driving
through the congested city.
"Where do you live?"
"Huban, #764."
"Really? We live pretty close..."
"Yeah, I realized."
"Sana?"
"Yeah?" her voice sounded much assuaged, I wondered if she was actually
tired.
"How has everything...been?"
She looked surprised at my question. "Everything? Everything's fine.
I'm still doing the drama, but I'll be doing some live shows next
month, which I can't wait to! Rei-kun booked a lot of things for me..."
"He's not giving you too much is he?" Mr. Sunglasses can be such a
clueless guy.
"No, not at all," Sana smiled, "he's much preoccupied now. He has 2
kids! They are twins, kawaiiiiiiiii....."
"Kids?" I stifled a laugh, for some reason, I couldn't see him as a
Dad.
"Yeah. Their names are Miki and Miho. They are three years old now!"
I turned and saw her eyes glowing. Sana always had a thing with kids.
No, Sana always had a thing with 'people'; she got along with everyone
and anyone. Sometimes I wonder how she does it. If she really did get
along with everyone or if she's forcing herself.
"It's here, Hayama," she said.
I stepped on the brake in front of the rather nice house. "You live
alone?" I asked.
"Yeah, but I go visit mama every weekend, and I'm usually at the
studio, so I'm never lonely."
Never lonely, I wanted to believe that. Sana is never lonely... Ha, I'd
be a fool if I did believe it. Everyone may know her the precocious
child star that triumphed at every situation, but on the occasions when
I see those alien expressions on a perplexed face, I knew Kurata Sana
was much more than what meets the eye.
"And besides, I have you now, don't I?"
I turned my head to face her, aside from the unfamiliar black hair and
fake nose ring, I still saw the innocent Sana in those brown eyes...
"Yes, Anas, you do," I leaned over and pushed my lips onto hers,
probing her gently as she unfastened her seat belt. It was sensual
feeling, one I had been missing for four years, four years too long. I
trailed the kiss down her neck, almost possessively putting my hands on
her body. Her arms around me, igniting my skin in ways I could have
never imagined. Sana was amazing, simply and plainly, amazing...
"Hayama..." she whispered, a finger on the door handle. "Good night,"
she opened the door and I felt my weight falling against thin air.
"I'll call you," with that, she left into her house, but not before
giving me one last smile.
I chuckled. She still wasn't ready. "Good night, Sana."
Next time.
I fumbled with the keys under the dim porch light. It was late, but
early by the usual standards. I wondered what Ichibin's doing, probably
on the computer working out his codes...
Ah...here you are. I grabbed the silver key, stabbed it in the keyhole
then twisted it.
Flashing the door open, I felt two shadows hovering over me while a
shrilling yell bludgeoned my ears.
"Get away!!! Akito!!!!!!"
To be continued...
Please read and review!! ^__^
A Kodomo No Omocha fanfic
© By Iris C.
Email : angelscythe02@yahoo.com
Completed : June 1 , 2001 (edited June 2.)
Notes: took me two weeks and some days to complete, not too bad right?
^.^ Thanks to all of those that reviewed, you guys rock!
Devil on the Run
I've never been more grateful of the gray-blue couch in my life.
Her soft skin touching my own; my arms cradling her body; my heart
beating as I sank my fingers down her bare back...
It was sort of strange kissing Sana without suffering an immediate blow
from the hammer toy. Admittedly, her reactions were always insanely
adorable. She would either blow up or grow really quiet, a pair of
luminous eyes that left me to yearn for more. But Sana takes kisses
seriously. I knew that, even if I may not act like it. The ironic fact
was, I believe that's the very reason why I loved stealing them from
her.
After a moment, I heard the infrequent soft voice calling for me.
"Hayama?" It still startled me when she would use inquiry tones instead
of silly ones. They made me realize just how precious she was; Maybe
that's why I loved being around her, to protect her and to protect
myself. Precious. She was simply precious.
"Hn?"
"Don't leave me ever again."
"..."
"Arigatou."
Suddenly, knocks were heard from the door.
"Do you have guests?" she asked.
I shrugged.
The knocks expedited to frantic pounding.
"All right, all right! I'm coming," groaning, I got up and unlocked the
door. A limp body fell against me.
"ICHIBIN!?!?" I cried in disbelief.
The familiar brown hair was certainly a good indication.
I lifted him by the shoulders, carrying him into the living room.
"Ichibin? What happened? Ichibin??"
Sana gasped, "Hayama," her eyes horrific as she pointed to my shirt.
I looked down and saw bloodstains...
"Oh my God," I laid Ichibin on the carpet. "ICHIBIN!!" I cried. "What
the hell happened?"
"Where's your medicine cabinet?" Sana asked hastily.
"Bathroom," I answered then returned my attention to Ichibin, who begin
coughing. "Ichibin!?"
"I'm...okay," he murmured weakly.
"What happened?!?"
"I was walking home, and I got attacked," *cough* *cough* "by..."
*cough*
"Who did it?" I insisted.
"I don't know, but I think it was Kimura, ...and maybe Hidaki and the
guys..." *cough* "Oh fuck, they crushed my chest, I can't breathe."
*cough*
"Kimura? Hidaki..."
"I'm not too sure, but it sure as hell looked like them, those
ignorant, ungrateful bastards..." Ichibin went on with a list of
profanities as I stood in a daze. It couldn't be... Could it be? Kimura
and Hidaki, among many others, used to belong to 'Black Haze'.
Prominent for its drug associations, rashness, and fierce fighters,
'Black Haze' established a reputation as the slickest underground drug
dealers in East Asia. The underground gang was a client's dream, with
no record of being caught by the cops or even a slight mishap. However,
as of now 'Black Haze' been disbanded for approximately two months.
By me.
Yes, yes, the devil has even started a gang.
"I didn't want to come back here, Hayama, they might have followed me,
but I think they busted up my arm or something," Ichibin moaned as he
held his elbow.
I stared as his bleeding arm. "Did they say anything?"
"Oh you know Kimura, he rambled about how you shouldn't have ruined it
all for everyone."
"What about Hidaki?" I persisted. Out of all the ex-members of 'Black
Haze', I was most concerned with Hidaki. Silent, stoic and dedicated,
he carried out tasks flawlessly. Hidaki was the only member that never
called me 'boss' or anyone's name for that matter. His chilling blue
eyes said enough, he was one of those people that allowed no one a peek
in his turf.
"Hidaki? He had me in a lock so Kimura could do his preaching," Ichibin
coughed again, "damn, it's been two months already, you'd think they
could have found some other gang."
"How did you manage to..." I stopped my sentence as Sana came running,
carrying bottles and bandages in her hands.
"Hayama dai-chan, where does it hurt?" she asked, a look of concern on
her face.
Ichibin stared at Sana, then blinked. "Hey, and I was sure I was going
to end up in hell..."
"Ichibin," I glared. "Let her see your arm, are you hurt anywhere
else?"
"Iie, I'm fine, just some skin bruises and scrapes. I didn't take a
month of Karate for nothing you know. But before I pass out, can you
tell me if it's really Kurata Sana kneeling beside me, or am I
hallucinating? And if in fact it's not Kurata Sana kneeling beside me,
please get me immediate medical attention," Ichibin said.
I rolled my eyes; even in situations like this he's not able to hold
off on the sarcasm. I can just see it: Ichibin on his deathbed,
mumbling. "Oh I see the white light! Oh! No wait...that's the flashing
light bulb isn't it?"
"We should get him to the hospital," suggested Sana.
"No!!!" both Ichibin and I shouted.
Sana stared strangely. "Oh...okay..."
"It's just a scratch, I'll be all right," Ichibin said.
I swallowed. "I'll get some ice for your knee."
"Thanks."
I got up and headed to the kitchen, my ears glued to the conversation
between Ichibin and Sana.
"How did you get hurt?"
"Oh it was stupid of me, going downtown this late. Some punks tried to
rob me. I should have just given them my wallet, but 500 yen means a
lot to me ya know," Ichibin laughed. (Note: 500 yen is about five
bucks. ^^)
I shook my head, then sighed, grateful for his incessant humor while
guilty that he had to lie. Sometimes I wonder if it's true that lies
will build up and eventually cripple you (like they always say...) but
aren't adages and proverbs nothing but an idealist's dream?
"Here," I pressed the ice against Ichibin's elbow and saw him wince in
pain. His physical condition was obviously a lot worse than his voice
implications.
"Sana," I turned to face her. "It is a bit late..."
"Hai. I'll go home now," she looked somewhat worried and unconvinced.
"Do you need a ride?"
"It's all right. I drove," she said. "You sure he'll be okay?"
"He'll be okay," said Ichibin. "Not to worry Ms. Kurata."
"All right," Sana got up. "If you need me, Hayama…" she gave me a
lingering stare.
"I know."
"Ja," she said.
"Ja," I said
"Bye!" Ichibin called out.
A brief silence as Sana left.
"Funny. You'd think your blood brother would at least tell you his
girlfriend was a big time celebrity."
"Ichibin," I turned to him seriously. "Are you sure you are all right?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Don't try to change the subject with a straight
face. When were you planning to tell me this?"
"What?"
He sighed. "That you kept a medicine cabinet in this house?"
Silence.
"Oh come on, you know what I mean."
"Kurata?"
He nodded at me as if I were an idiot.
I shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I never thought I would see her
again."
I spent the rest of the evening in bed, tossing and turning. I am
usually a good sleeper, blocking everything out when I'm in trousers.
It's kind of a habit I've engraved into my mind. Today however, my
conscience pounded furiously beside my skull I couldn't even stay
still, let alone sleep.
I bandaged Ichibin's arm for him. He hadn't whined a bit of the pain.
By the size of
his wound, however, I knew it must have hurt terribly. It made me angry
at myself, for not being able to bring him to a hospital. But I suppose
that's the price you have to pay for being an ex-gang member and all.
I remember the day when Ichibin and I first met. I was a college
freshman, very much not entertained by the day in and day out classes.
So I decided to skip my economics class on a breezy day, to bum a few
cigarettes and scold myself for ever taking up cigarettes. After
wandering aimlessly through congested streets and neighborhoods,
I was content when I found a quiet clearing. I wasn't so content when
my strenuous labor was shattered by little punks picking fights at each
other.
"Useless!"
I looked up.
"I told you to get a dozen didn't I?" a kick was made. A grunt was
heard. "DIDN'T I?? Answer me!!!" another kick, another grunt.
Kids these days watch too much violence on TV.
"Ha...hai, Kosei-san, gomen, next time I'll..."
Another kick.
A whimper.
"Next time? What next time, you fucking weakling!!"
Way too much TV.
"Oi," I stood up and rooted out my cigarette against the cement. "Don't
you have school to go to, little kid?" I asked.
"That's none of your business."
Punk.
I smirked. "Trust me, when I have to throw out a cigarette cuz you're
bothering the balance of nature, it is my business." I walked toward
the kid moaning on the ground, he looked no bigger than 13. "Hey, you
all right?" I lent him a hand. He grabbed a hold of it, still crying.
"Hey! He's fine, why don't you just get your..."
"Hey," I turned around. "You're giving me a headache, why don't you
pick up your loser behind and play with your power rangers?"
"Who do you think you..."
"I SAID, GET LOST," I pointed my thumb away. He scowled, trying so hard
to retain his pride and stumbled away.
"Hard headed think they rule the whole friggin' world kids these days,"
I muttered then faced the beat up kid, his eyes afraid and his lips
quivering "You, do you need to go to the hospital?"
"No...I don't."
"Well, know your parents' number?"
"I have no parents."
"Aunt? Uncle? Sister? Brother?"
He shook his head.
"Where do you live?"
"Orphanage."
"Oh..." silence. "Want me to walk you there? Will they give you some
medicine and stuff?"
He shook his head again, frightened.
"What do you mean, no?"
"I...I can't...he's...they're...there..." he stuttered.
"Huh. Okay. What's your name kid?"
"Ichibin..."
"Ichibin, well, you wanna come over to my place and we'll see if I can
do anything?"
He nodded.
Everything after that was history. Ichibin used my apartment as a
hiding place/shelter. I never once asked him why those jerks picked on
him. I don't know why I didn't. With his bony body and docile attitude,
however, I supposed Ichibin was a bully's perpetual dream.
Occasionally, he would come knocking on my door in the middle of the
night, preceding a beat down or barely surviving a beat down. I never
minded it, as Ichibin was plainly good company. He was always grinning,
even with a black eye or crooked teeth. Plus, he helped around with the
apartment, dusting, washing, cleaning, you name it. It was as if
Ichibin felt he owned me his life. It made me sad for a while, how life
never does justice for any good people. Here's a kid, barely fourteen,
intelligent, brilliant, helpful, and one of the most cheerful people
I've ever met under such horrid conditions.
Life just wasn't fair.
So one day I told him he'd stay for the night. The next day I told him
he'll stay until I run out of bread. And it became just the two of us.
Two guys in a little apartment, trapped but satisfied in cryptic little
ways. Things worked out fine for a while, Ichibin and I spent many
nights sleeping on the cold hard floor, staring and talking about our
past and future. Many nights passed like that, us and our barely filled
stomachs; us and our strange sense of trust.
Then one day, I got a call from Natsumi. She was crying as she told me.
"Akito, Dad...he...he has cancer...oh God he has cancer..."
I held the phone and stayed silent for a while. I couldn't believe it.
Somewhere between afraid and stunned, I poured all my money for Dad's
treatment and started working extra hours at the construction site. I
stayed with college for a while, without books, and still managed with
decent scores. But that wasn't what bothered me. Because the little
money I had left was spent on the rent for a roof on top of my head,
Ichibin provided with the food. He started getting them from the
homeless shelter for the both of us. Every time he came back he would
have a gash here and a cut there. The soup would sink into my empty
stomach like a match, burning all the pride I've ever owned.
I couldn't stand it.
Not because I was poor, but that I couldn't take care of Ichibin. I
couldn't stand letting him go back to where he was and is unable to
stop it. Useless. That's how I felt.
So that's when Kaiko used me, me and my vulnerability. After 2
cigarettes and 50000 yen, I skipped my classes and picked up money like
a scum. I had lost everything by then, including the basic moral of a
human being. I was degraded to survival needs, willing to do anything
for money, for food...for Ichibin never getting another cut from any
bastards...
The doorbell rang.
I squeezed my eyes and prayed that it was part of my dream.
The doorbell rang again.
I groaned and got up, trailing the usual route through the hallway,
toward the living room, over Ichibin and found the door.
"Haya...ma..." she stuttered, her cheeks glow a shade of pink midst the
dim morning ambiance. I looked down and saw myself dressed in boxers.
"Kurata," I growled. "A little early."
She giggled. "You lazy butt chunk, it's 7:15!"
I nodded. "Yeah okay, sure. You want to come in?" Sana was wearing a
white top and blue skirt. Unconsciously, my eyes drifted toward her
neck, trailing down until...
My...she's grown...
"No, I have to get to the studio before 7:30. I just came to give you
this," she handed me a ticket.
"What is it?"
"Ticket to the carnival? Will you come? It's tonight, at eight. It'll
be fun."
I thought about it for a while. "Okay," not like I had anything else to
do.
"Really? Great! I'll see you at eight! Oh, also! Here!" she dug out
something from her purse. "I brought this for Ichibin, it cleans the
cut better and make it heal better... Your cabinet was pretty meager."
"Ahh...thanks."
"Is he doing all right?"
"Yeah, he's fine."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Okay then, I'm gonna go now," she flashed me a smile.
"Okay."
"Okay. Bye.."
"Bye."
"See ya."
"Yeah," I grabbed a hold of her wrist then gave her a kiss on the
cheek.
She didn't pull out her hammer toy. I was making progress.
It's funny when I really think about it. Funny how Sana and I ended up
together despite we were as different as day and night. But then,
hasn't the greatest romances all been miscalculated paradox? Venus and
Mars, Romeo and Juliet, I wonder if they ever realized what they were
heading for. I wonder if we realize what we're heading for...
"Hayama!" her voice resembled a much louder version of a humming bird,
marking a trail of dulcet stings beside my ear. "I'm so glad you came!"
I turned around and nearly jumped. "What did you do?" Sana's familiar
brown hair was replaced with long (really long) tresses of black hair
down her back. She wore a pair of blue jeans and a cut off white shirt
revealing a naval ring, matching the one on her nose. Her look was
completed with a red bandana and a tattoo of a rose on her arm.
I nearly fainted.
She grinned mischievously, evidently enjoying the little emotion I
shed. "Do you like it? It's my alternate ego! My name is Anas!" she
explained.
"What?" dumbfounded, I questioned. Only Kurata would think of something
like this...
"Well, you know what to do when you don't want to be mobbed? Be someone
else!"
Oohhhh...
"So it's not real?" I felt my face fall, staring at her bare stomach.
*SMACK*.
I SO knew that was coming.
"You idiot! Of course it's not real! Just some hair extensions and fake
piercing and fake stick on tattoos."
"Ahhh..."
"Do you like it?" her voice subdued, as if serious.
I stared. "Yes." a pause. "You look very sexy."
A giggle resembling one of a hyena was the response I got. "AHH!! So
kawaii! 'You look very sexy...'" she mimicked me in a deep voice.
"Stop it."
"'You look veerryyy sexy.'"
"Stop it I said."
"'You look very very sexy.'"
If there's one thing I learned of Kurata Sana over the 12 years, it
would be that fact that she will never ever grow up. I kind of like it
that way...
"Hey you! Don't zone out on me! Come on! Let's get in line for the new
roller coaster they got! The really really big one with a big drop from
really *HIGH* in the air."
"Big *DROP* huh? Let's go then," I clasped my baseball cap on
backwards.
The night passed quickly, and the early dusk was quickly succumbed to
complete darkness. I held her hand as we walked toward the exit, a
stuffed teddy bear between us. She leaned closer to me, so I clasped my
hand around her waist; the motion brought her head against my chest. We
strolled along, looking like any other couple in the mist of people.
Her disguise had worked out brilliantly, much too brilliantly.
"Thank you for coming, Hayama," she whispered.
"You are welcome, Anas."
She giggled. "I could get use to this you know."
"I know. You are an actress."
"Huh, guess I am."
I opened my door. "You want a ride? Or did you drive?"
"I rode the subway, car's broken again."
"Come on, then," I pulled her inside my car.
I watched her fasten her seat belt then started the car, driving
through the congested city.
"Where do you live?"
"Huban, #764."
"Really? We live pretty close..."
"Yeah, I realized."
"Sana?"
"Yeah?" her voice sounded much assuaged, I wondered if she was actually
tired.
"How has everything...been?"
She looked surprised at my question. "Everything? Everything's fine.
I'm still doing the drama, but I'll be doing some live shows next
month, which I can't wait to! Rei-kun booked a lot of things for me..."
"He's not giving you too much is he?" Mr. Sunglasses can be such a
clueless guy.
"No, not at all," Sana smiled, "he's much preoccupied now. He has 2
kids! They are twins, kawaiiiiiiiii....."
"Kids?" I stifled a laugh, for some reason, I couldn't see him as a
Dad.
"Yeah. Their names are Miki and Miho. They are three years old now!"
I turned and saw her eyes glowing. Sana always had a thing with kids.
No, Sana always had a thing with 'people'; she got along with everyone
and anyone. Sometimes I wonder how she does it. If she really did get
along with everyone or if she's forcing herself.
"It's here, Hayama," she said.
I stepped on the brake in front of the rather nice house. "You live
alone?" I asked.
"Yeah, but I go visit mama every weekend, and I'm usually at the
studio, so I'm never lonely."
Never lonely, I wanted to believe that. Sana is never lonely... Ha, I'd
be a fool if I did believe it. Everyone may know her the precocious
child star that triumphed at every situation, but on the occasions when
I see those alien expressions on a perplexed face, I knew Kurata Sana
was much more than what meets the eye.
"And besides, I have you now, don't I?"
I turned my head to face her, aside from the unfamiliar black hair and
fake nose ring, I still saw the innocent Sana in those brown eyes...
"Yes, Anas, you do," I leaned over and pushed my lips onto hers,
probing her gently as she unfastened her seat belt. It was sensual
feeling, one I had been missing for four years, four years too long. I
trailed the kiss down her neck, almost possessively putting my hands on
her body. Her arms around me, igniting my skin in ways I could have
never imagined. Sana was amazing, simply and plainly, amazing...
"Hayama..." she whispered, a finger on the door handle. "Good night,"
she opened the door and I felt my weight falling against thin air.
"I'll call you," with that, she left into her house, but not before
giving me one last smile.
I chuckled. She still wasn't ready. "Good night, Sana."
Next time.
I fumbled with the keys under the dim porch light. It was late, but
early by the usual standards. I wondered what Ichibin's doing, probably
on the computer working out his codes...
Ah...here you are. I grabbed the silver key, stabbed it in the keyhole
then twisted it.
Flashing the door open, I felt two shadows hovering over me while a
shrilling yell bludgeoned my ears.
"Get away!!! Akito!!!!!!"
To be continued...
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