Chapter 5: Loving Pairs
In the dead of night within Inaba, a group of men and women are cornering a Chinese woman trying to do her shopping. All the men are wielding bats and wooden sticks. "What do you want?" she asked as one of the men hits her in the head with a bat to knock her onto the ground. Blood oozed out of her forehead as the people were laughing at her.
"To send a message to your husband able to marry dirty foreigners like you," the guy said.
"Especially you Chinese people, such disgusting rats who don't belong here," the woman said as the woman tries to hold her head but someone kicks her on the leg.
"That is none of your business, I love my husband and he loves him," the Chinese woman said as the man grabs her on the neck and shoves her against a wall.
"If he loves you, then he has low standards," the woman said as she slaps her in the face with a stick.
"Step away from the lady," a male voice said as they all turn around to Kei covered in a dark cloak brushing against the cool summer breeze.
"Who the hell are you?" the lead guy demanded.
"You will not live long enough to remember my name anyway," Kai said.
"So, you are some kind of foreign lover. Time to show you some manners," the leader said as suddenly his head onto the ground. Blood explodes out of the exposed neck slot to see the body flops onto the ground.
"I hate people like you, judging people for things they can't control. No one is going to miss you," Kai said as he had a vicious smile on his face. All the men and women try to fight back but are easily torn to bloody pieces with powerful sword swings.
Within a short moment, the alley is filled with corpses and blood scattered everywhere. "So pathetic, you alright lady?" he asked as the woman witnessed this to be scared out of her mind how ruthless this man was despite saving her from a vicious hate crime.
"Yes I am fine, why did you save me?" she asked as she looks at his large sword covered in guts and broken pieces of flesh on it.
"I don't like bigots, my sister has suffered a lot from her condition. I don't like it when people pick on people who can't defend themselves," Kai said.
"I see, thank you for your aid," she said.
"No problem, we need to both go. The cops are coming," Kai said as both of them parted ways to swiftly head back home. He magically makes his weapon disappear to enter his house on the outskirts of Inaba. "Sweetheart, I am home," he said as his sister is watching the news on TV to see the police going over the crime scene.
"What did you do?" she asked.
"It stopped a group of bigots trying to beat up a Chinese lady. Sending a message to her husband, it's very sick," Kai said as he looks at the carnage he has made.
"Humans can be so weak," Rei said as Kai nods his head.
"Yes, but they have the potential to do good. Sadly, they too often give in to their darker desires like this xenophobic group. The Lone Stars, I think," Kai said.
"Seems likely. Lucky you were there to save her," Rei said.
"Yeah, hopefully, she is okay," Kai said as he enjoys spending time with his sister.
Elsewhere Yu is sitting in his chair in the living room to watch the morning news. "Gee, what the hell?" he questioned as the local news is talking about a mass killing in Inaba with over 20 people killed viciously.
"Oh goodness, that looks bad," Rise said as she comes in still wearing her pink nightgown with her long hair tied in a ponytail.
"Yeah someone murdered a bunch of Lone Stars," Yu said.
"Screw those guys, they are a bunch of hateful assholes. Can't get with the times," Rise said as the Lone Stars is an Ultra Nationalist movement within Japan that has over 10,000 members including people within the government itself promoting anti-immigrant and anti-foreigner messaging as well as pro-fascist ideas similar to the Japanese Empire of old.
"They are stuck in the past; I hear about some anti-Korean/anti-Chinese protest in Inaba not too long ago. 2000 people were marching throughout Inaba to express their hatred to foreigners," Yu said as both of them show their disgust for this since they know people who are not Japanese who live here and who are their friends and associates.
"Keeping the nation pure, what a joke. I can't blame there are people here who hold things like that within their minds," Rise said not wanting to think their neighbors could be bigots.
"Sadly, people can't take it. We are in an interconnected world and they want to turn back the clock. Insane," he said.
"Yeah, it is but let's not talk about dark stuff. We should get ready to open up the shop," Rise said as the couple get the tofu shop ready with customers. The morning sun shines through the windows with the people coming inside.
"Yo," Yosuke comes in to sit at the counter.
"Yo Yosuke, what's up?" Rise asked.
"My girl wants some tofu, your good stuff," Yosuke said.
"Oh, I know what she likes, I will get ready to go," Rise said as she gets to the kitchen to cook something up.
"Yo dude, there is this new karaoke bar in Okina City. I think we should go on a triple date there," Yosuke said.
"Triple date?" he asked.
"Yeah. You and Rise, Naoto and Kanji with me and Alice. It's going to be fun," Yosuke said.
"Yeah, it would be fun. We got time to kill before any of those towers showed up," Yu said.
"Cool, Alice is going to be excited about this," Yosuke said as Rise hands him his dish to be excited about this as well.
"Well, I know that place. This is going to be great,"
The day goes by as nightfall descends onto the rural town of Inaba with Yu in a nice outfit for Rise is waiting downstairs to talk with Adi.
"Well, you guys have fun. I and others will take care of the town while you are gone," Adi said.
He goes down the stairs to see his wife looking super pretty with her outfit fitting her short curvaceous figure. "Damn Rise, you are looking great," Yu said impressed to see Rise is wearing a pink tank top, a black knee-length skirt, and white sneakers with her long brown hair in their usual twin tail style.
"Thank sweetie, you are looking cute too," Rise said as she comments on his black outfit fitting his tall lean build. "Time to meet with the others," she said as they go into the car to drive off to the bar. They got to Okina City just in time to get into the parking lot.
They arrived to see Naoto, Kanji, Yosuke, and Alice waiting for them by the door. "Hey guys, good to see you all again," she said with a bright smile.
Rise looks at this tall brown-skinned woman with her wearing a simple blue dress that fitted her lush curves with her long curly dark hair spread across her back. She has the perfect blend of African and Japanese features on her face giving her a unique look. She is quite tall at 5'8 tall while Rise looks tiny compared to her at 5'1 tall.
"Wow, Yosuke. Managing to keep a good one, doesn't look like a prank," Rise said lightly as this made Yosuke hangs his head.
"Come on Rise, have a little faith," Yosuke said as Rise laughs at this to playfully hit him on the arm.
"Hey, I am teasing you Yosuke. Looking good guys," Rise said to see the cute blushing couple of Kanji and Naoto.
"I got to be sharp here, it seems pretty nice," Kanji said sporting black shades to match his sharp-looking black button shirt, grey pants, and white sneakers.
"I try to look for the event," Naoto said as she is wearing a black button dress fitting her lovely frame, especially her ample chest. She got her shoulder length blue hair to look quite nice.
"We are looking killer. Come on, let us go have some fun together," Rise said sounding filled with energy as they go inside to hear the blazing music, the smell of good food, and a dance stage in the middle where everyone can showcase their skills at the karaoke machine.
"Wow, this place is quite lively," Yu said.
"Sure, it's exciting in here. Girls, let us get our seats," Yosuke said as they sit in a booth with the waitresses taking orders.
"We are going to look around. We will be right back," Kanji said as the three boys look around the place leaving the three girls alone.
"So, Yosuke told me about you two. Very interesting," Alice said.
"Well, I am a detective working with the police on certain cases that need a subtle touch," Naoto said.
"I used to be an Idol singer but I quit recently to take over my family tofu business in Inaba," Rise said.
"Oh yeah, very interesting lives you've gotten," she said.
"How did you meet up with Yosuke anyway?" Rise asked curious.
"Well, It was when I was shopping around for jobs after I was done with college. I went to a job interview in Okina City not too long ago. That is where I meet him, he is so cute and awkward. It was so funny, we have gotten a few drinks and the rest is history," Alice said.
"It's a very meet cute kind of thing, I like it. What do your parents do?" Rise asked.
"Oh, we moved from the States to Japan not long ago. My Japanese American dad is in the US Army working in one of the bases in Japan and my African American mother is a professor in a university in Tokyo. I used to live a pretty decent life over in Georgia," Alice said.
"Very interesting stuff," Rise said.
"Oh, you live in the American South?" Naoto asked.
"Yep and damn proud of it," Alice said to pull up her smartphone to show the two something. "I am a bit of a gun nut," Alice said as the two women looks surprised by this.
"Oh really, you own guns?" Naoto asked as Alice shows her an image of two pistols on a table.
"Yep, and these are my favorite. These are Beretta 93Rs, Italian-made burst fire pistols. I love these things. They are rare now but they were worth getting," Alice said.
"Wow, you can get these?" Naoto asked.
"Oh yeah, special fee, and boom I got them. Also, I have another favorite," Alice scrolls the screen to show another firearm which is a rifle.
"That looks like it came out of a sci-fi movie," Rise said.
"Well, it's called a GM6 Lynx, a Hungarian-made bullpup anti-material rifle. My pride and joy," Alice said.
"Gee, you can wield that thing?" Naoto asked.
"Yep, it's a cool piece of kit," Alice said.
"That is pretty neat, who taught you how to shoot?" Rise asked.
"My dad taught me how to shoot since I was a little girl. She wanted me to protect myself from any perverts who wanted to touch me. I have my 93R as my self-defense weapon when I am out on the streets in the States," Alice said.
"I see, very interesting," Rise said as she feels her bond with this girl getting closer.
They look over to see a TV screen having a news report about the Lone Star causing trouble again. "Those guys," Alice said showing a frown on her face.
"Yeah, we have seen those guys having a march in Inaba. It's disgusting," Rise said.
"Yes, I have been busy with those guys lately. They have been doing public beatings and even killings of foreigners to spread their message. Alice, I hope you keep yourself safe," Naoto said as Alice nods her head.
"I know. I want to lose this nation but sometimes. They don't want to love me," Alice said as she is half Japanese some people treat her like she doesn't belong there due to her foreign features.
"Don't worry, we got your back. You are such a beautiful woman, shame on them for treating you like a freak," Rise said.
"Yes, we are in a bigger world now. We need to work together to make a better future, sticking to the past is not ideal," Naoto said as Alice feels comfort with them.
"Thanks, good to have people you can count on," Alice said.
"Of course," Rise said with a bright wink.
The three guys browse around the place to enjoy the music here. "Gee, this place is popping off here," Kanji said.
"Yeah the music is pumping me up," Yosuke said.
"You score one hell of a catch," Yu said as Yosuke gives him a playful wink.
"Right, I love some hot chocolate. If you know what I am saying," Yosuke said as he gives Yu and Kanji a high five.
"I know what you mean, she is a very pretty woman. Sadly, others don't agree with this," Yu said as he remembers those hateful marches.
"Yeah, I heard about those Lone Star guys. It's insane to hold such hate for someone different from yourself," Yosuke said.
"Lucky they are on the fringes but we need to be careful. Naoto has been keeping watch over their movements for a while now, they are getting more violent," Kanji said.
"Come on guys, we should be telling about fun stuff. We are on a triple date with three lovely ladies, we should be enjoying ourselves," Yosuke said trying to keep the spirit up.
"Yeah, your right. Yosuke, can you do Karaoke?" Kanji asked.
"Oh, hell no, that would be too embarrassing," Yosuke said.
"I would give it a shot," Yu said.
"Always leading the way," Kanji said as he playfully hits his arm.
They see the guys coming back to sit back with the girls. "Sorry girls, we were checking something out," Yosuke said.
"That is okay, we were having a little girl talk," Alice said as the three women are giggling for the three guys looked on with confusion.
"I am happy Rise is befriending Alice," Yu said.
"Indeed, we should get our orders," Yosuke said as they got their meals for them enjoying the tasty food. Rise is eating a plate of mozzarella sticks to enjoy the gooey cheese inside.
"Oh man, this is good," Rise said as Alice looks on with jealousy.
"Gee, you know how to put away food without your stomach blowing up," Alice said.
"Yeah Rise has a black hole for a stomach," Yu joked.
"Hey; I like eating good food, what's wrong with that," Rise said to drink down her citrus juice. "Oh, that hits the spot," she said.
"Hey, the karaoke machine is opened. Hey Rise, show us your voice," Alice said.
"Okay, I am a little nervous. I am out of practice," Rise said as Yu puts a gentle hand on her shoulder to encourage her.
"Come on, let's see what you got," Yu said as Rise nods her head to kiss him for good luck.
"Okay, here we go," Rise said as she reaches for the stage with everyone watching her. Some people noticed it was the former singer Risette to get excited.
"Yu is with me. I can do anything," Rise said as she has her husband in her thought to give her strength and courage. She grabs the mic to begin choosing a song to sing too. "Oh, perfect Diamond in the Sky. One of my best love songs," Rise smiles at this.
The machine sets up the music with this bright pop music coming out of the speakers with lights on Rise. Rise taps her sneaker on the stage to let the music flow through her body.
"And so today I know that it's a new start. I know the bad times are disappearing. Cause now I know that we'll never be apart," Rise's voice picks up with the crowd getting excited by her beautiful singing voice.
"Wow, still got it," Yu said as Rise seems to be into the music as she is starting to sway her body along with the pop music.
"You are the one that makes me feel so high. Just like the diamonds in the sky. I never want to hear you say goodbye. Cause you are my diamond in the sky," Rise begins to get off the stage to memorize the song by heart to walk towards Yu.
The crowd looks on with awe to see this young woman singing her heart out to this love song.
"You're the one that makes me feel so high. Just like the diamonds in the sky. I never want to hear you say goodbye. Cause you are my diamond in the sky," Rise said as she goes through the crowd with men envying Yu for Rise is clearly singing for him and only him.
"Another road that we must travel. Another night for you to show me the way. And so today, I give up dreaming, Cause now I know, I need you every day," Rise's voice explodes to look deep into Yu's eyes. His presence gives her the strength to push aside her nervousness to sing her feeling for him to everyone around her.
"Damn this girl got some pipes," Alice said sounding very impressed.
"Yeah man, wish someone can sing like that for me," Yosuke said as Alice pats him on the back.
"I am quite bad at singing, I will fuck it up badly," Alice said for them to see Rise next to their booth to be standing beside Yu.
"You're the one that makes me feel so high. Just like the diamonds in the sky. I never want to hear you say goodbye. Cause you are my diamond in the sky," Rise finishes planting a big kiss on his lips to end it off with the crowd clapping and cheering.
Yosuke, Alice, Naoto, and Kanji cheer along as well with the couple sporting deep blushes. "This is for my husband Yu," Rise said proudly gently brushing her hand across his cheek. "He is the most caring and sweetest man I have known, this song is for him," Rise said going back to the stage to place the mic down to head back to the booth.
"That was great Rise, the people seem to like it," Kanji said as everyone is talking about it. Rise sits beside Rise to feel very embarrassed.
"I was rusty but I got back into the swing of things, it's like riding a bike. You being here also helps as well," Rise said lying her head on his shoulder.
"You were amazing as always," Yu said as Rise sports a big smile.
"When we get some private time., You can put your head on my lap and I will sing until your heart burst from all my love pouring into it," Rise said as the triple date went through without any trouble for everyone had a fun time and disburse.
"Well, it's nice to meet you, guys. Hope we can all hang out again, come on Yosuke. Let's go," Alice said to put her arm around his own.
"Later guys," Yosuke said as they split up with Rise, Yu, Naoto, and Kanji went over to the parking lot to get to their cars.
"That was fun," Kanji said.
"Indeed, it was, we should do this more often," Naoto said.
"Yeah I agree, it's more fun with all of us doing things together," Rise said.
"Too bad for the others though," Yu said.
"Not my fault Chie and Yukiko can't get dates despite they are pretty women," Rise said.
"Could be how awkward they are around guys," Naoto said.
"You were like that too when we first started dating," Kanji said as Naoto is hiding a blush.
"No comment," Naoto said bashfully as Kanji laughs at this.
"Keep being you babe," Kanji said as he puts his around her skinny shoulders.
"You too, you big log," Naoto said as she sports a small smile to be happy with this big lovable goofball.
"Oh, so adorable Naoto," Rise teases her.
"Shut it," Naoto said as everyone laughs at this.
"Yeah that was fun, we should do it again sometime," Rise said as they get into their cars to get back home with their triple date is a success.