~Time Setting: Their First Year of High School~

(Kouichi's P.O.V.)

I was aimlessly wandering the streets in the city where our new high school was. Kouji was still at kendo practice and since my library club ended earlier than his club on Fridays, we decided to meet up in the shopping district nearby. A lot of high schoolers came here after school. It was a fun place to hang out after a hard day at school. There were the typical restaurants, a few arcades, a movie theater, and so many amazing stores.

I never had any money really, but Kouji insisted on meeting here so we could see a movie together. As much as I had fussed about him paying for it, he argued right back that we were twins and his money could be used for the both of us. I gave up the fight quickly since I knew he'd just start getting angry if I said something about that not being a real reason. He always used us being twins as a reason for him buying me things. Matching jackets, new books he claimed he wanted to read but only because he knew I wanted it, even buying me smoothies. I had fussed so much at the start of it all, but he looked so happy when he bought me things that I just couldn't fuss for long any more. I still fussed to be sure, but if it made him happy, then so be it. I never allowed him to buy me anything expensive anyways and I never asked for things.

Right now however, I was just wasting some time by wandering. I gazed at a few things and waited for Kouji to text. I wasn't paying attention to anyone around me. The entire crowd a blur. That is, until someone spoke so very close to me.

"Now he's a cutie. Think he'd want to have a little fun?", I heard a nearby man say.

"Heh. Maybe~ He must be a first year at that fancy high school from the looks of his uniform.", another man said in reply to the first.

Fancy high school uniform? Me? My black fully buttoned uniform screamed high school student and the gold school insignia on the left hand collar informed everyone what school I was from. I turned my head and looked at them, but it was too late to wander off. The two men now blocked the path in front of me. I took a step back, not wanting to be close to such men.

"Hey there, cutie~ Want to come somewhere with us?", the first man who had spoken asked me with a sick look in his eye.

I didn't fully understand what he wanted from me, but I knew one thing for sure, I was NOT going to go ANYWHERE with this men!

"No thank you…", I replied sharply, my brow lowering a bit as I frowned.

"Awww~ Don't be like that. We're nice guys who will make it worth your while~ We'll pay a lot for someone as cute as you.", the second guy started, trying to coo me into coming with him.

"I said no.", I repeated more coldly, taking another step back.

I was going to turn to just run when I felt the second man, who was the closer, grab my wrist and hold me there. I could now smell the alcohol on his breath.

"Don't go~ We'll be real gentle with you. Lots of boys your age do this sort of thing for money. Don't you want to be like them?", the first one questioned, trying to confuse me I suppose.

"I-", I was about to repeat myself yet again, but as I pulled against the man holding my wrist, I felt a set of hands slip around my waist.

"He's so stubborn. Let's take him to the alley and show him a little respect for his elders.", a third man suggested, making the other two nod with dark smirks.

My eyes were wide as I struggled, yet I could not escape this third man's grasp. He held onto me too tightly and was far bigger than I was. I was more agile than most, but not when caught! I glared as I tried my best to get free. No one was really around us and even if they were, they weren't paying attention to the kid hidden between three men! I tried to kick them away, but the first man pressed up so close against me that I couldn't raise up my legs! I wiggled, but the third man only increased his wrap around my waist. The second man still held my wrist tightly as well. The first man had also grabbed my other wrist at this point as they slowly started moving me to the alley. I couldn't get free! No matter how hard I struggled and glared, I couldn't escape! I felt one of them slipping their hands into my pants and I shut my eyes tight.

"KOUJI!", I cried out as loud as I could, not sure what else to do.

I was unable to help myself.

"ACK!", I heard the man holding me from behind cry out in pain.

His grip around me lessened so I opened my eyes. I watched as the third man held his groin tightly and hunched over as he kneeled onto the ground to the side of me. The other two men quickly released my wrists in shock and looked at something behind me. No. Not a something. A SOMEONE.

"HURRY!", I heard a familiar voice bark as the feeling of warmth wrapped around my hand. It was a different feeling than what had been around my wrist moments before. A more protective feeling than the evil perverted one I had previously felt.

I stood rather frozen and watched as a form identical to my own kicked one of the men in the middle before turning to me.

"RUN!", I heard that familiar voice demand as he turned to run with me as the second man fell backwards.

I nodded and turned towards the direction my hand was now being pulled. I had been stunned over what had almost happened and had not yet even spoken to my rescuer.

"K-Kouji…", I panted once we had ran far enough. I wanted to speak now.

"What were you doing?!", Kouji yelled, looking so very mad.

We stopped our running now that we were far enough away from the three drunks. I took a moment to catch my breath, watching my twin pant as well as he glared at me.

"I… They caught me from behind and I …..I just…. Couldn't get free….", I tried to explain, but Kouji didn't look like he cared much for my reasoning.

I was about to try to explain in more depth what had transpired, but I suddenly felt my brother hugging me tightly.

"…. It's alright now, Kouichi….", He said gently into my ear as if I was hurt or something.

I didn't realize I was shaking so badly. The thoughts of what those men were planning on doing to me had finally hit my mind as if it had been some sort of slow download.

"I…..I'm sorry…", I nearly whined, now clinging tightly to him.

I started to wonder what would have happened to me if he hadn't arrived at that exact time. I wasn't a damsel who needed saving, but I was grateful that my brother had been there.

"I'm sorry…", I found myself repeating as I heard my brother sigh.

"…. I shouldn't have said I'd meet you here… Next time we'll meet up at the school….", he growled, blaming himself it sounded like.

If only I had moved faster. Been able to dodge them from the start. I shouldn't have lingered. This was my fault, not his.

"… I'm so sorry…"

All I did was cause him trouble and grief. Why did he even love me?

"You… It wasn't your fault…", Kouji said a little more lightly as if trying to cheer me up now. Least my shaking had stopped thanks to him holding me so tightly.

"… But I-"

"Stop. You're safe now, alright? Let's just… Leave it at that.", Kouji said in a demanding tone, kissing me briefly afterwards as if the kiss sealed the topic away, "Let's go book shopping. I'll buy you that large book you've been looking at for awhile."

He smiled at me now and released the hug we had been in for some time. He took my hand instead, as if I would float away if he stopped touching me in some way.

"Kouji… I don't –", I tried to fuss against such an action, though I wasn't exactly in the mood to fight over such things. Not that I had the chance really since I was cut off.

"I don't care… Just let me buy you some things…. Okay?", Kouji asked, glaring at the ground.

He was holding my hand overly tightly. I flinched from the tightness of his grip. Wait…

"Kouji…"

He always ended his demands with a question of approval when he was truly bothered by something. Maybe this ordeal had bothered him more than I thought. I could only imagine what he must be thinking, having seen those men all over me like that.

"… Okay…. Just… Not TOO many, alright?", I agreed to it with a smile. It would make him happy and might even make both of us forget what had just happened, so I wouldn't fuss this time.

Kouji smiled slightly with a nod as he walked hand in hand with me towards the bookstore.

Next time. I would be the one to save him.