Maverick

3. A Promise - Make It, Don't Break It


Nothing had changed. Her father still hated her. Her mother still ignored her. Her brothers still teased her. And were jealous of her.

School was more than fine, despite initially getting more than her fair share of scrutinizing gazes due to her haircut (and black eye after the first day of classes). Things seemed as though they were going to be fine.

And then she met him again. Mitsui Hisashi. Their paths had not crossed since that day in the alley.

"Mitsui," she spat out his name. The tall boy turned, surprised at the vengeance in the female voice. His hair was short now, the spaces between his teeth filled. He looked different, but he was definitely Mitsui.

That girl. He didn't even know her name. But he remembered her – her fire, her fighting spirit, her ferocity. All of which he had not expected, but had quietly admired. Not that he had chosen to express this appreciation of her distinctly unfeminine (at least, to the traditional or stereotypical mind) characteristics.

Unexpectedly, Mitsui bowed.

Akiko, for once, was at a lost for words.

"I was a fool. And I see it now. Please forgive me."

Mitsui seemed contrite. And he had done the unthinkable, for a gangster, at least. But why? Why this change?

"Mitsui! Hurry up! Gori's going to blow if you don't show up!" a voice was heard before a redhead, clutching a basketball, was sighted around the corner.

So, he was a basketball player now. Perhaps he had really changed.

"Forgiven."

That one word coming from her was like music to his ears, and he smiled the brightest smile she had ever witnessed. She smiled back.

"Thanks. No hard feelings, okay?" he called back at her as he jogged off, giving her a thumbs-up, "Catch you later!"

She could have beat him into a pulp. But she knew a change when she saw one. And she knew contriteness when she saw it. And Mitsui had changed. And he had been contrite. And she forgave him. Because revenge would have been pointless. Now, she could smile. For real happiness. It would have been better if her family had the same respect for her that Mitsui had. Maybe she should start issuing threats as well. She almost laughed as she walked away. Walked away from the sounds of a basketball, or two, or three, bouncing on the hard court.

Author's Notes:
This turned out really short, I guess. Hope you enjoyed reading anyway!

Thanks to jeano, Nellie, renei, Joy, maemi, tensaispira, super rookie, cookies, White-angel, DiaBLo and angelwings for your reviews!

A few reviewers commented on the lack of detail in this fic, but it was an experiment of mine to give a vauge and sketchy description here, to let the reader fill in some gaps and imagine. The details I did give were to emphasize the change that both Mitsui and Akiko went through over the years, which are featured in this last chapter. Thanks for the feedback anyway! I really appreciate it!

I'm not sure if I'm going to let this fic stop here forever. I may continue it, like I have others, or write a sequel. In any case, I'll email you if I ever do. Thanks again for your support and encouragement, and I hope you'll continue to read my writing!

~rurouni