The sun hung low, giving the ocean a gentle kiss as the brilliant sky turned dark, ready for night. Niyuki, Juliana, Taiman'a, and Aiko walked their separate ways as we reached my street. As I put the key into the door and opened it, there was a glowing item at the back of the room. The house was dark, darker than usual. Something was wrong. I locked the door and dive-rolled to the side as a knife hit where my head was. Panicked, I hid behind the couch, taking out three disks and leaving one on the floor. Suddenly, someone came dropping from the ceiling with a katana in hand. I dodged and kicked the attacker in the face. They recoiled and got in a ready stance. I grabbed the knife from the door and waved it tauntingly. Instantly, I rushed the invader, expertly swinging my knife at the invader's face, but couldn't land a hit. With each dodge came the bonus of a left-handed fist to my face. They dodged this way and that with the grace of an angel, but the counterattacks had the ruthlessness of the devil. Only one person can do that. I jumped back, spitting out blood.
"There are only three people on this island that I shouldn't pick a fight with, that includes you, isn't that right...mother."
She took her mask off, and I could see her face —a beautiful Asian woman with long black hair and blood-red eyes that burned a hole into the world.
"Pathetic," she finally said. "You should have realised who I was by the time you grabbed your knife, and your moves are so slow, did you even bother training?"
"Hey, I held my own just fine." I snapped back
"Twelve," she said as she started switching on the lights.
"Huh?"
"That's how many times I could have killed you...how do you expect to win on Saturday if you can't even recognise attack patterns. Agggg...you're a disappointment," she said coldly as she left to change clothes. A tall, slender man in a tuxedo came running down the stairs. He had silver hair and grey eyes with skin as brown as milky coffee.
"Honey, what's going on? I heard figh....ting. Liam, are you okay?" he said in a soft voice.
"I'm fine...dad, mom was just saying hi." I pushed past him and walked to my room. I needed a distraction, so I sat down and got my game box out. Dark falls should do the trick. After a few minutes of dying horribly, I switched off my game and sat on my bed replaying our fight ...what could I have done differently? ("You're a disappointment" ...so...I've improved, huh. Good.) There was a knock on the door,
"I'm busy," I said angrily
"It's Dad." his voice was soft.
"Oh, Dad, come in."
"How are you feeling, Kiddo?" he said as he sat next to me on my sofa.
"I'm fine, I just wanna play my games."
"Why don't you come with me outside and we practice?"
"Forget it, I'd just lose repeatedly. I'd like to at least keep some pride."
"Haha, I'll go easy."
"No, thank you," I said while giggling.
"Fine then, I'll just have to beat you up virtually."
He grabbed Town fighter and put it on. We selected our characters and began the match. I blasted him from afar, then rushed his character. Like a pro, he blocked every blast and dodged every punch. Then, when I hesitated, he came at me. If I blocked high, he'd hit low; if I blocked low, he'd hit high. I had no choice but to use my final attack, the Leopard Genocide. He jumped high and came down fast. I activated my finisher and came in with a knee to get closer, and then landed my first uppercut of two.
"I'VE GOT YOU NOW!!!"
My fist swirled over his face...but no hit.
(I....missed, it's okay, I still have a second upper cut incoming, I'll be fine). That's when I heard it, the electronic sound of power being charged, the yell of a warrior ready to kill. His character was ready to end me. He jumped up and, with the roar of Thor himself, ripped through my ribcage with his fist. Knock my already patched eye, he landed a devastating uppercut, wiping me out completely. "KO!" yelled the game's announcer.
"Noooooooo. Damn it, Dad, how'd you do that?"
"You are too predictable, kid. Thanks to me and your mom, you've grown up unbelievably strong. You understand your abilities, you are a hand-to-hand combat master and are proficient with almost every weapon under the sun."
"I still see no downside here."
"Liam, you're too cocky. Every time you fight, your first thought is "how dare you challenge me, I'm gonna kill you"". You put yourself so above your opponent that you think there is no way you can lose. If you keep working that way, everyone will eventually beat you."
"Fine, what do I do then?"
"Empty your mind, kid. Be formless, shapeless, like water."
"Water?"
"Look at this cup, Liam." He went to my mini sink and grabbed a cup, filling it. "If I put water into a cup, it becomes the cup; if I put water in a bucket, it becomes the bucket. Water is not so arrogant as to force the cup to change."
"That's dumb, I could easily split it."
"Yet it will come together like nothing happened."
"I could crush it."
"But it can also be ice."
"I could boil it."
"And it will come back as rain. Water is everlasting, kiddo."
"and if I split the atoms."
"The hydrogen will bond with the new oxygen. Hard to keep hydrogen from an element that's literally everywhere you go."
"Fine, you win."
"Atta boy."
"Boys, get down here, I prepared supper," my mom yelled.
"Let's go, kid."
"We could stay a little longer...please."
"...next time, Liam, next time."
The next morning was a rough one; the sun shone high, but my energy was the opposite. Mother and Dad had already left to go cozy up to some rich relative... honestly, I feel bad for Dad because he'd rather go out to dinner with Mother, don't know why though, she has the social energy of a depressed clown at a war veteran's funeral....well, when it comes to us anyway. I prepared and began walking to school, as usual, I saw Ms Jackson watering her plants, Mr Suzuki driving to work in his beloved Toyota, and Sir Fowst walking his noble dog down to the park. I stopped to greet Sir Fowst.
"Hey, sir, how are you?"
"Ah, young Liam. I haven't seen you in years. You've grown up so much. How are your parents?"
"Oh, they are great, just getting on day by day, you know."
"Good to know, hey, what day is it, Liam?"
"Friday, July ten, twenty fifteen."
"July...wow, so much time lost," a grim look washed over his face. "Anyway, don't die tomorrow, alright, son. We would all hate to see you go."
"Yes sir," I said with determination. He patted my head and began to walk away. (He seems okay today. Alright, it's time to go.)
"Hey, Liam," he called again. "Wow, it's been years since I last saw you. How are your parents?" I simply smiled and restarted.
When I got to school, the gate was locked, like I'd let that stop me. I quickly bolted over and dashed to class. I reached the door and there stood Mr Lee with a scowl on his face.
"I."
"Just sit, okay."
"Yes sir."
"Today, we are going to be writing a calculus test for practice. Everyone, get out your exam pads and write the date."
'I need to hurry up and get my stuff out...wait... where is it?' Panic washed over me as I looked everywhere, pocket after pocket, with no prize. Niyuki was working on his date with his exam pad.
"Hey dweeb," I whispered, "Can you tear out a page for me?"
"Sure, man."
"Mr KARA-NO-GOKI, stop making noise in my class," yelled Mr Lee.
"Mr Lee, I was just..."
"No excuses, now hurry up and get you're work out or leave my class."
"...Yes, sir."
The test didn't go well either; every time I tried to answer a question, my mind drifted off to tomorrow and the person I'd meet. (Can I even hope to win? I mean, I've trained a lot, I'm as fit as can be, and this isn't going to be our first fight, but...OH MY GOSH I'M DRIFTING AGAIN).
"Time's up."
(No....it can't be.)
"Liam, please give me your pa... It's empty? Please come see me during recess."
Some hours passed, and the bell rang for break time. It's funny how I can fight gangsters and heroes like it's nothing, but my teacher scolding me is still kinda scary. (....…....screw it.) I shuffled past Mr Lee's class and headed to the back of the school. I quickly teleported over the wall and ran as fast as I could. (I don't want to deal with him right now.) Pretty soon, I found my destination; its brick walls loomed in the cloudy darkness as rain settled in with a soft hush on the school's canopy of trees. I looked at the time "10:15 am" (they should be heading back to class right now, maybe physics). I ran to the side of the school, hopping the fence, and hid by the chem lab (She always sits by the window). I was right, Aiko was busy writing notes and combining chemicals. I snuck up to the window and whispered. "Hey, Aiko."
"The hell, Liam?" she whispered furiously.
"Hey, beautiful, how you doing?"
"Oh, I don't know, studying for my future, mixing deadly chemicals, you know, the usual," she answered sarcastically.
"Yah yah, anyway, wanna ditch?"
"Hell no, I can't do that. I'll get into trouble."
"c'mon, it'll be fun, you know, like back in junior high."
"Ya, but back then I didn't care about university."
"Please, Aiko."
"Alright, fine, but nothing is for free, Liam," she whispered while smiling. "If you want this to be like junior high, you have to go all the way."
"Aaaaag fine, I invoke the power of the best friend code, come and ditch with me, my princess."
She gave a loud, happy squeal. Everyone looked at her, "Sorry... chemistry is aaaah exciting."
I saw Hida give her a funny look, guess she wasn't fooled.
"Hey, give me a disc so that I can put it in my bag." I pulled one from my pocket and gave it to her. She turned to yell to the teacher, "Sorry, I need the restroom."
"Go ahead, Miss Busujima."
I quickly ran to the front door to meet her. She smiled at me and grabbed my hand, running to the gate. She then climbed over the gate while I swapped her bag for a rock. Bonnie and Clyde were free once more...that was too accurate, I guess. After a bit of walking, we reached a gas station, rain began to fall, and a thin fog settled in, so we needed some cover. The roads were empty in all directions so and there loud roar from the rain. Even when drenched, Aiko looked stunning (some of her hair dye is fading...guess she is gonna put on more)
"Hey Liam, you hungry?"
"Huh...aaah ya, but I forgot my money at school along with my bag."
"And I, don't have any cash left... it seems that we need to do this the old-fashioned way." She gave me a mischievous grin as thunder crackled in the distance.
"Wait...you wanna rob the store? You don't have the guts, well...not anymore anyway." She put her face close to mine, (Oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh so close), the scent of chocolate chip cookies danced elegantly across my nose, she always smells amazing.
"Watch me," she finally said after reaching satisfaction from my embarrassment. She pulled away, and suddenly I was back to reality; the feeling of warmth was gone, and the cold wind hit me. I quickly got up and followed her into the store.
"I'd suggest plan lovers quarrel, it's my favourite," she whispered to me, pretending to be irritated while giving me a black marker.
"Alright then!" I yelled back at her, pretending to be an upset boyfriend.
She walked to the counter and spoke to the cashier as I walked around looking at each camera for blind spots. (The chip section is clear...nice!), I then dropped a packet on the floor, signaling her.
"Aggg, my boyfriend is so annoying," she said to the cashier.
"I wish I had someone more calm and understanding, someone who actually knows how to treat a girl, you know. He gets mad over everything."
"Aaaah, um, I'm sure things will get better, or you could find...you know... someone else."
"Ya, you got a point, honestly, I could use a friend right now."
"Oh, I see, well, you're a pretty girl, you can make plenty of friends."
She blushed, "Y-you t-think I'm pretty?"
"Well, umm, ya, of course."
(Got him) "HEY, YOU TALKING TO MY GIRL?" I yelled.
"Calm down, babe, he was just being a friend... we're friends...right?" She gave him a look that had a perfect mixture of sadness, fear, and innocence.
"Y-yes of course."
"OOOOH SO YOU THINK YOU CAN STEAL MY GIRL HUH?"
"What, no, I was just talking to her, man. No need for anger."
"Oh really, you know what they say, watch out for the guy best friends," I yelled.
"Guy best friends? Dude, I just met her."
"Exactly, and now you are trying to get in her pants, shame on you."
"Aaaah...I....WHAT? I'M BEING REASONABLE HERE."
"Sir, now there's no need to yell," I said smugly
"THE HELL, YOU WERE YELLING JUST NOW!"
"Babe!" It was Aiko, she was at the doorway, "Let's go, this guy is so angry and loud."
"Alright then." I walked with her out.
"WAIT BUT I'M..." The door shut behind us.
We jogged in the rain to a local skate park and sat in the full pipe. She pulled out the packet of chips that she nibbled one, and smiled.
"Nice acting, Aiko."
"Naturally," she answered with pride. "I kinda feel bad for the guy though, he's one of the few that was actually nice to me during that scam."
"I'll find out where he lives and send some money."
"No need, I left a wad of cash where the chips were."
"I knew you had money," I said while giggling.
"What, I do this for fun, not to hurt people." We ate our bounty while reminiscing about the old days and all the nonsense we would get caught up in. This was all before the Dragons, before I committed real crimes. Before Hisashi...
"Hey, Liam."
"Ya."
"Itsuki's mom came over to our house."
"What did that snake want?"
"She wants me to marry Itsuki."
"THE HELL?"
"Look, we need the connections, Liam, I know it was supposed to be you and me, but...I'm sorry, my mom won't choose you if you can't give us that inheritance."
"Why should that be the deciding factor?"
"It just is, Liam, look, I'm sorry, but you know love has nothing to do with marriage in your family. You knew this could happen when our parents introduced us as kids, and you knew that even better when you did what you did. You sacrificed us, Liam, you have no right to claim me when in that moment you ignored consequences involving me."
"Look, I'm so-"
"Save it, Liam. I only thought you should know, nothing more."
"Y-you're right, I was selfish that day, but I can make this right. The tournament will give me an audience with Grandfather. If I speak to him, maybe we will give me my inheritance back."
"Sure, Liam..." She looked off into the distance as she relaxed onto my shoulder.
"Hey, Liam. Why'd you stop asking me to do things like this, you know, mischief...why do you keep choosing to keep me out? I know you are up to something, and Hida, along with that weirdo from university, is involved. Why won't you tell me about it?" (That's Aiko, sharp as ever, or maybe I'm just easy)
"It's just... private, I'd rather you not have anything to do with it."
"Liam, you know damn well where both of them come from. The Playground, that horrible place where those people plot our demise, all because they're greedy for our hard work."
"Aiko, that's not fair."
"Fair? They are the ones who aren't fair. Besides, since when did you care?"
"SINCE I ACTUALLY VISITED IT! Aiko, have you ever actually been to The Playground? It's awful. Rats running along the streets, air saturated with so much smoke that you can barely breathe. Twenty minutes, twenty frikken minutes, and I never want to go back, now imagine being forced to live that life every day under the fear of execution from both your oppressors AND your leaders."
"Well, they are naturally criminals; it's the life they chose."
"Aiko, you can't just label all of them as evil after one incident."
"That 'Incident', Liam was my father's murderer, so forgive me if I'm not very trusting."
"Yes, but that was just one man."
"THAT ONE MAN THAT HE TRUSTED!" she yelled back while pushing me away. "He helped him, gave him money every time he saw him, fed him, talked to him with respect, gave him a good job, and yet still..." she began sobbing, choking back her words. "...still he stabbed and robbed him."
"Hida and Hisashi aren't like that."
"Oh really, have you given them money, have you risked your own well-being to help them, have you sacrificed parts of your own life to help them?"
"Yes, but that's what friends do. In fact, I do that for you."
"Okay, good, but have they done the same?"
"I....n..no, not really, but."
"SHUT UP, you know I'm right...aggg but still...you won't abandon them, I know you better. Just promise you'll be okay, I won't be able to handle losing you, especially because of them." She nestled her head on my chest and looked up at me. Her breath was so warm and comforting on my chest, I felt like I was cuddling under a warm blanket during a snowstorm.
"I...I promise." The rain intensified, but I couldn't hear it over Aiko's heartbeat.
"Good," she said softly as she leaned in, slightly opening her soft red lips, her golden eyes softened like butter as she inched towards me slowly. Even with runny makeup, she looked out of this world. I closed my eyes and leaned in, but she had other plans. Her lips simply brushed over mine and my nose as she softly landed on my forehead, giving me a gentle kiss. She pulled away and smiled innocently, showing her little fangs, "Nice try, but you haven't earned me back yet."
We spent the next few hours cuddling in the full pipe, waiting for clear skies and the promise of a dry walk home.