Chapter 8: The Past
I spent the following morning in my room lying in bed waiting for nightfall. The girls had called earlier, but I told them I was gonna stay in today.
"Man this is gonna be fun." I said sarcastically. "I'm seriously not having the right mindset for this situation. I mean I agreed to meet my dad's killer at night, in a private area… Holy shit I think I may have lost my mind. Then again I never agreed to it."
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in." I replied. The door opened revealing Kotori. "Oh! Hey Kotori, what's up?"
"Nothing much I just thought I drop by and see you." She said with a smile.
Kotori you make it just too easy sometimes. "I see. So you wanted some alone time with me huh?" I said giving a sly smile.
Her blushing face both answered my question and perked me up a little.
"I-I-I have no idea what you're talking about." She said flustered.
"Yeah sure, but in all seriousness what's up?" I asked.
"Well I just wanted to see how you were. Given what you've been through." She said sitting on the bed.
"You and Umi know everything as well, don't you?" Her nodding head gave me the answer. "Well now I feel like the biggest moron on the planet. Stressing myself out when you guys knew."
"Sorry we didn't tell you." She said with her head down. I patted her on the head.
"Don't start crying now. It is what it is. I'm fine, and everything is slowly going back to normal. Well minus the whole you girls becoming idols. Which reminds me we gotta make sure Honoka doesn't come off too strong." Kotori was about to speak. "And now that it left my mouth I just realized how hopeless that plan is."
"That's a little harsh. Although that doesn't make it any less true." She said.
"My point exactly." I agreed. "Listen I got some personal matters to attend to so I'm gonna shower and head out I'll catch you later, k?"
"Yeah see ya." She said with a smile leaving the room.
I close the door and flopped down onto the bed. I sighed heavily. "Sometimes I think I don't deserve caring friends like them." Out of boredom I scanned my room till my eyes drifted towards a photo. I got up from the bed and picked it up. It showed me and my best friend from the states. "Reiji…" I clenched the frame. "Why did it have to be like this? We were best friends; why?"
As I laid down on my bed my mind started to wander to that day nearly 2 years ago.
Flashback start:
Winter break had just ended, and we were getting out of our vacation mindset. My friend and I were hanging out at the park like any other afternoon.
"Jeez school is such a pain in the ass." A brown-haired boy said.
"You say that every day after school lets out Reiji." I told him.
"Yeah true; but this time I'm serious I mean we got more exams coming up on top of that stupid essay for colleges." He groaned.
"First only you have exams because you bombed them last year and second how are you still behind on that essay we had it since October?" I asked.
"Well sooo sorry for not being a bookworm and having an average IQ." He said sarcastically.
"Your sarcasm's still dry." I teased. "So you up for another study session? Coach said if you don't get your grades up you can't play, and I for one would like to have my best bud on the team."
"Oh boy if the team captain wants me to play then I should start studying." He groaned.
"Well you should listen to him then." A feminine voice said.
"Ladies and gentleman we have the head cheerleader here as well." Reiji said jokingly, which earned him a nice glare from the girl.
"Hey Yoshi. What's up?" I asked our friend.
"Nothing much." She replied.
"Except turning down another hopeless loser." Reiji teased.
"What's it to you?" She said annoyed at his teasing.
And now here comes the bickering.
Like Reiji said she's the head cheerleader for every team at the school. She also one of the prettiest girls at school if the constant guys asking her out wasn't a giant sign. Though I can't blame them; she is stunning, long blue hair, red eyes that seem to sparkle in the sun, and an extremely elegant body…
"TAKUTO!" Yoshi yelled.
"AHHH!" The sudden outburst cause me to lose my footing and I felled on my ass. "Ow that's gonna hurt during practice."
"Were you listening?" She asked me annoyed.
"Huh? Sorry I kinda spaced as you guys were bickering." I said getting back up.
"Well thanks for spacing out man. Must be nice not having a care in the world." Reiji said sarcastically.
"Anyway we were asking you if wanted to head to the pub?" Yoshi asked.
"Sure." I said as we made our way to pub.
*at the pub*
"Man it's packed as usual." I said.
"What you expect? This is the ultimate hangout after school." A familiar voice called out.
"Yo Connor! How's it going?" I greeted him. Connor graduated 2 years ago, and went to the police academy soon after, now he works for the police department as Dad's partner. On the outside he may look like a typical jock, but he's an awesome guy and one of my first friends when I moved to the states.
"Nothing much have a day off today." He replied.
"Well that's good to hear." Yoshi smiled.
"Yeah after the amount of paper work I had to do it's nice to just kick back." He said taking a seat at one of the stalls.
"Hope dad ain't running you too ragged." I said sympathetically.
"Are you kidding!? If it wasn't for him I be treated like garbage. Your old man has seriously be treating me well." Connor said with a smile plastered on his face.
"Come on Taku. You know full well your pops is the best. A music pro, the friendliest cop in town and just a kickass dude." Reiji stated punching me in the shoulder.
"Yeah, but at home he's a total goof." I said shrugging my shoulders.
"Like father like son." Yoshi teased.
"HEY!" I pouted. The others burst into a fit of laughter. I eventually found myself joining them. Just then the front doors popped open and a group of guys, possible in their 20's, walked in. "I've never seen them before. This is normally a teen spot not many adults come through."
"You haven't heard?" Reiji asked me.
"Heard what?" I responded confused.
"Well there's some rumors going around that those guys are street racers. They've been going around all over talking to teenagers with cars and basically been trying to recruit them." Connor said with his fist clenched.
"Wait aren't you a cop? How can a bunch of racers just stroll around town with no worries and do whatever they want?" I questioned.
"Because we don't have any way to prove that. They all have alibis to prove they haven't done anything wrong and you know the saying innocent till proven guilty." Connor answered annoyed.
"This is a small town, rumors travels fast around here whether they're true or not. The police can't go and start banging on people's doors cause of rumors that most times aren't even true." Yoshi explained.
"You have a point there." I agreed reluctantly.
"Man enough of this crap. Who cares anyway? To the folks in town they're no more than kids, if they try something they'll get busted simple. I'm gonna get a drink be right back." Reiji said heading towards the drink machine.
"Reiji's right; it's not that serious. This town's quiet as hell anyway." Connor said leaning back in booth.
I couldn't help but chuckle at that. "Fair enough. Hmm?" I notice those guys heading over towards Reiji. "Yo Connor." I said pointing towards the scene.
"What would they want with Rej?" he asked.
"Let's go find out." I said getting up.
"Don't do anything stupid." Yoshi said worried.
"It'll be fine. Come on." I assured her.
As we made our way over I caught a bit of what they were saying.
"So I heard if anyone wanted to know about some sweet car parts you're the guy." One of them said.
"And where you here that?" Reiji asked in a calm manner.
"That don't matter. So do you know or not?" The biggest one said getting in Reiji's face.
Yeah I'm not letting that slide. "Is there a problem guys?" I asked them.
"That ain't any of your business so beat it kid." The big one said clearly annoyed.
"Yeah not gonna happen." I said getting between him and Reiji.
"You got a death wish punk?" He said cracking his knuckles.
"Easy Ty. We not here to start shit alright." One of the other guys said.
"You should listen to your friend unless you want to spend some time behind bars I suggest you walk away." Connor said from behind them.
"Who's this clown?" Ty said.
"All you need to know is that I'm a cop, and here's my badge to prove it." Connor said flashing his badge.
Seeing that Ty groaned and walked off with his friends in tow. I turned back to Reiji.
"You cool bro?" I asked.
"Yeah I'm good. Thanks." He said a smile.
"Anytime man." Connor said patting him on the shoulder.
We went back to our booth and chatted for a bit longer. We all eventually went home. When I got home I went upstairs to my room and just started playing my guitar.
"Hey pal. Had a good day at school?" Dad asked peeking his head through the door.
"Yeah pops." I answered.
"That's good. Wanna come down and shoot some hoops?" He asked spinning my ball on his finger.
"Want me to beat your ass that badly huh?" I said with a smirk.
"We'll see about that." He said heading outside.
We played 3 games and I won all of them. "Told ya pops."
"Yeah yeah." He said exhausted.
"Come on. I'll cook dinner tonight." I said heading back inside.
At dinner dad was going on and on about work and how much fun it's been with Connor there. Apparently they play some jokes on some of the other officers, their latest one was a loose leg on one of chairs. It was an old type of prank so it was perfect for dad. Just talking about his little pranks caused him to start laughing hysterically.
"It wasn't that funny dad." I sighed.
"Yes it was haha." Dad kept on. I shook my head. Only dad man, only dad. "So how are things between you and Yoshino?" He asked.
I gave him a skeptical look. "What do you mean? We're fine, just living life."
"Come on son. You know full well what I mean." He said raising an eyebrow.
"She likes Connor dad. She always has." I said placing my plate in the dish washer.
"You're the only one who thinks that." He said mimicking my actions.
Not doing this right now. "Whatever you say dad." I said making my way to the stairs.
"Then let me ask you this, is the reason why you don't think so is because of them?" he asked.
"Why would the girls have anything to do with that?" I asked.
"Because you still have feelings for them." He said sounding pleased with himself. "You can't forget them can you?"
"Of course not." I told him. "And it doesn't help that I just ditched them without a word and then refuse to talk to them in 4 years." I sat down on the steps and clamped my hands together. "I haven't even told the others about them. I'm just a horrible person and friend."
Dad walked over and sat down next to me. "You're not a horrible person." He placed a hand on my back. "You've been through a lot and when the divorce happened I was the one who took you away."
"Yeah, but I'm the one who push them away!" I shouted.
"Just calm down son…" Dad said in a soothing voice, but it didn't help.
I don't know why, but whenever the girls come up in a conversation I lose it. I didn't know what to do, so I bolted out the door. I could hear dad calling me, but I kept running. Before I knew it I was at the park. Great, now what? Just then my phone rang.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hey man it's me." Reiji's voiced echoed in the night.
"What's up?" I asked.
"You up for a race?" He asked.
Here we go again. "Dude I told you we can't be doing that anymore man. We promised Connor we stop." I reminded.
"I know man, but Chris gave a call and those punks are there at his garage right now." He told me.
"WHAT!?" I yelled. I slapped my hand over my mouth and scouted the area to make sure no one was around. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah man. I don't want to go behind Connor's back, but we can't leave Chris hanging. Come on bro." he pleaded.
"As much as I don't like the idea we owe Chris a lot. I'm in. I'll be there in 10." I said.
"Thanks man later." He said hanging up.
"It's just one thing after the other today." I said to myself. I ran as fast as I could to Chris's garage. I opened the door and saw it was completely black. "Yo Reiji! You here bro?" I was greeted back with silence. "That's weird." I started walking around. As I continued to be greeted with silence I decided to call Reiji. *Beep* *Beep* No answer.
"You looking for someone?" A voiced called out. I turned to see Conner.
"Holy shit Connor! You scared me man." I said.
"Sorry about that. What's up?" He asked.
"Uh well about that um…" I had to think of an excuse quick.
"Reiji wants you to race again doesn't he?" He asked crossing his arms. Never mind.
"Look I know we promised, but it's those guys from before they're after Chris." I tried to explain.
He sighed. "Alright, but the minute it's over I'm calling it."
My phone buzzed. It was a text from Reiji. Meet me on the track.
"What is it?" Connor asked.
"They may be in trouble. Let's get to the track." I said. We headed towards the track and like I thought the punks from before have Reiji, but Chris is nowhere to be seen. I turned to Connor. "Look I'm gonna go and find out what's going on the minute anything looks fishy you call it."
"Are you crazy? I'm calling it in now." He said firmly.
"On what charges? They haven't done anything. There expecting me so I'll go see what's up and you wait. We can't do anything too rash." I told him.
"What you're doing is rash." He argued.
"Yes, but not TOO rash." I countered. "Wish me luck." I said making my way over.
They all turned towards and Reiji walked up.
"You made it." He said slinging his arm over my shoulder and dragging to the guys. "He's here." What!?
"This is the best racer in town?" Ty asked almost disgusted.
"Yep. Ain't that right bro?" Reiji asked with a grin.
I pushed him off. "What the hell are you talking about? I thought you said Chris was in trouble!" I shouted at him.
"Yeah I may have just said that to get you down here." He said in a joking manner.
"You lied to me!? What the hell man?" I was furious. "I come out think you're in trouble and it's just some recruitment bs?"
"Yeah it is. And since you don't want to be a part of it; I guess we'll have to take care of you." Ty said pulling out a small handgun.
"Woah easy there man. We don't need to do that." Reiji said.
"You know what you're right. You do." Ty tossed the gun to Reiji.
"What!?" Reiji and I said in unison.
Ty then pulled out another gun and pointed it at Reiji. "You heard me. Now do it or you're both dead."
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" I yelled at Tyler. Is he insane? He called me out here and now since I choose to not join him he's gonna kill me and Reiji? I should have listen to Connor. "Reiji can…you…?" I turned to Reiji and what I saw stunned me. He's actually pointing the gun at me. "Reiji, what are you doing man?" I asked him putting my hands up.
"L-like he said, j-just j-join and we'll be fine." He said shaking. "I don't want to do this, but I don't want to die either."
"Dude listen to me ok? If you do this you're going to jail. If you go with these guys your future is gone."
"MY FUTURE'S ALREADY GONE!" He yelled. "I'm not like you. I'm not great at sports, I'm not smart, and I'm not someone people turn to…I'm…I'm just…" he just looked like he was in a lot of pain. "But you're different. You're smart, you're the basketball team captain, you're always lending a hand, and even Yoshi…"
"Are you kidding me!?" I retorted. "If you're saying I'm perfect I'm not! I left my best friends behind and haven't called them since. I'm only all those things cause I work hard alright? That's what I've been saying since the get go. I wasn't…" before I could finish I heard a gunshot.
"Next one will be for you 2 so end it now!" Tyler voice roared across the track.
Out of the corner of my eye I could Tyler and his pals get antsy. All I could think is time's running out. I know Connor already made the call by now, but they won't make it in time. I got to save Reiji. Right now there's only one thing I can think of.
"If that's what you think fine!" I yelled at him. "Then do it! Shoot me. Who want a pathetic friend like you anyway?"
That should push Reiji enough. He pointed the gun at me. I closed my eyes waiting for the end. Sorry everyone. I heard the shot but I didn't feel anything. I slowly opened my eyes and I saw Reiji look down towards my feet. My eyes slowly moved toward the ground. My body started to shake as I fell to my knees. The body slowly bleeding out before me belonged to someone dear to me.
"D-dad?" I said shaking fearing the worse. I slowly reached my hand out to shake him. His body was starting to become cold. "Dad come on get up." No response. "Come on get up and let's head home pops." Still nothing. "Dad?" I said tears streaming down my eyes. "This can't be happening. It just can't."
"Takuto I…" Reiji started to speak was cut off by the sound of a helicopter and cop cars.
"Hands above your heads now all of you!" The officer in the copter ordered.
I could hear the cops run up to us, but all I could focus on was my dad as I lowered my head onto his lifeless body.
Flashback Ends.
I slowly opened my eyes and notice my room has gotten darker. I jumped up and looked at the clock it had gotten late.
"I guess I dozed off." I said rubbing my eyes. My phone suddenly rang. "Hello?"
"It's me." It was Reiji. "Are you coming or not?"
"I never said I was going." I replied.
"Takuto. I just want to fix things. Please let-" I cut the phone off.
"It be a long before you could fix this." I said clenching my phone. "It doesn't matter anyway. Going to see him want change anything. All that would happen is we'll go back and forth till one of us does something we'll regret." I walked over to my window and climbed out onto the roof. "I have a new path to walk, with people who care for me and I can trust. Time to forget the past and forward." I stare at the bright stars above me. "Right, dad?"
And that should do it. Well this took way longer than expected. Also I am 100% aware this could've been a whole lot better, like I said amateur writer. However I tried my best and wrote what I wanted to write, and as a writer of any kind that's what's important. So as always if you enjoyed follow, favorite, and/or review I hope you all have a good day/night. This is Azure signing off.