Un musicien parmi tant d`autre

It’s another one of those days where I think to myself; what the hell am I doing here? I’m sitting on the sidewalk with my fateful old guitar hoping for some spare change however; it might not be the best day for that. It’s the first week of November and I cannot feel my fingers anymore. They’ve become white and numb from the cold; I should have thought about a pair of gloves. Down here in Montreal, it’s much colder at this time of the year then my homeland, Japan. If I was back home it would still be relatively warm. The temperature never really goes in the minuses. I think I might have seen snow only twice before I moved. It’s not the case in Canada, even though it’s already been two years and I have yet to get used to its deadly winter, its minus thirty and six feet of snow. I shiver at the thought.

As I sit out here in the bitter cold, I might seem like a homeless. Especially with the clothes I’m wearing. A pair of faded of blue jeans that are torn beyond repair were the only clean thing I managed to find this morning. Moreover, my brown suede jacket looks like it’s been through hell and back without forgetting to bring my leather boots with it. However, I am not homeless; I’m renting a tiny apartment a couple of blocks away. Any thing is better than sleeping out in the cold.

Why did I move to Canada? Why, indeed. On days like today, I’m asking myself the question myself. Actually, I might have needed a change, as years went by; I keep feeling like I was sinking deeper and deeper into depression. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I toke all the money I had and moved all the way across the world. I was a stupid decision I took in the middle of the night without really thinking about the consequences. I had anything I wanted back in Japan, a good roof over my head, food, chicks, drugs, alcohol you name it. I even had a couple of people that I could have trusted with my life. I had to throw it all away because I had a feeling my luck would turn if I moved to this country. I started to think long ago that I should not have followed my stupid intuition. Since I moved here, the only thing I seem to get is cold, hungry and broke.
At only sixteen years of age, I feel like my life up until here as been pathetic. I have seen more about what life really is for my age.

I sighed deeply and looked up at the grey sky. It’s still dark and cloudy, just like every other day this past week. To me it seems even darker since I have a tendency to wear my sunglasses even on the greyest days. I happen to have an unusual eye colour. That’s all because of a birth defect. My left eye is bright blue while my right one is chocolate brown, when people notice it they tend to stop and stare. That’s why I prefer to hide them.

Unfortunately, hiding my eyes doesn’t seem to be enough to keep crowds from gathering around me, mainly girls. For a late introduction, my name is Inoue Yuuri, from the attention I get; I can say I’m a good looking, healthy young man. In April, I’ll turn seventeen so I moved here when I was only fourteen. I reach about six foot one in height and I weight about 170lbs. I am more lengthy then muscular but I have a well-toned body and large hands. As for my face, it’s long, triangular and unmistakably Asian. As far as I know, both my parents were Japanese but I might have some Korean blood in there too. As most Asians my hair should be black but I dye mine electric blue and I style them backward all except for my bangs. In addition, I have long side burns and my hair goes down to my neck. I look like I’m out of some kind of Japanese punk band. Luckily, even though I may be Japanese I can speak English without barely any accent and I’m starting to pick up French from my part time job.

I have registered in a local high school. However the keyword in that sentence was ‘registered’, I don’t bother attending school half of the time. It’s surprising I even pass! I think the teachers only give me passing grades to avoid having to teach me another year. I was never too interested in school, I never got good grades and I tend to have bad social relationship. Therefore, I never made many friends. I don’t think I could be able to name a single person from my school.

Instead, I would rather play guitar or work. I need money more than education right now. I work in an Italian restaurant every day except on Mondays and Thursdays. That is about as far as my life goes right now. I cannot really afford any hobbies or friends when I have to work my ass off to feed myself and heat my apartment. Winter is always a little bit harsher but I will get by no doubt, I have been through worst situations.

My stomach growls loudly, I have been neglecting it again. I should head back to my apartment. I still have plenty of oatmeal and instant soup I can eat there. I have bought countless packs for cheap at a sale. On the other hand, maybe I should take the money I’ve earned today to buy myself a warm filling meal. Perhaps some spaghetti or a hot chicken with fries. Yeah, a hot chicken would definitely be nice on a cold day like today. Regardless of my plans, my fingers start strumming the beginning of a new song. Just one last song and then I’ll head back for sure.

And I thought I swore to myself I would never trust my instinct again.

The song itself was not for an acoustic guitar but I converted it since it’s one of my favourite songs. Without being overly jolly this song always made me feel better on these grey days. It’s also one of the first songs I learn since the person that thought me only knew how to play that song. Somehow, I’ve made a long way from then on my own. As I play the notes, I hum gently to the melody until the chorus comes and I start singing the lyrics, only loud enough for people within a few feet range could hear.

“Mister blue sky please tell us why
You had to hide away for so long
Where did we go wrong?

Hey there mister blue
We're so pleased to be with you
Look around see what you do
Ev'rybody smiles at you”

I sing in a light hearted and pleasant voice. Even though I might not have the power to chase, the clouds away I can always make myself feel better. I’m about halfway through the song I noticed someone stopped in front of me; I can feel that person’s gaze on me. I raised my head to glare of even yell at the innocent bystander. That was my intention before our eyes met. My fingers abruptly stopped moving and the words I knew by heart got stuck in my throat. I think at that moment I even forgot how to breath. I was as if for a moment everything paused and faded away except for that person.

She is a short person, she seemed tiny under an oversized navy blue school uniform. She was probably only five foot one or two. Her features seemed carved out of marble because her skin’s snowy colour and delicateness. Her face was slightly angular and her red chin length hair cupped her face as her bang reached a little passed her eyebrows. But her eyes. It’s her eyes that froze me into place; they were the mirror image of mine. Her left eye was brown while her right one was blue. The dark ring under her eyes made her look either really tired or completely dazed. I’m speechless as I stare at her. I gulped nervously and ran a sweaty hand through my messy blue hair.

“You have… very nice eyes miss.” Was the only thing I managed to speak out, my heart was drumming inhumanly fast against my chest.

“Don’t let him bother you Kuro chan, we’ll be late for school.” Another man said. I hadn’t even realised he was standing beside her; a white haired man, he was about my age I’d say. He tugged on her arm gently. “Let’s go.” He said urging her away. She seemed just as shaken as I was, our eyes never parted until she was out of site.
This person made my heart beat as nothing even did before. I place a hand over my racing heart, this is insane, and no alcohol or drug ever gave me that kind of sensation. I took every ounce of my will power not to get up and rush after her. She seemed so familiar too.

This fraction of a second turned my life into utter chaos.

I can’t go on with my life with my life after me encounter with the red haired girl. She’s the only thing I can ever think about. I can’t concentrate at work and I can’t even sleep at night. She’s the only thing or my mind, it’s going to drive me insane! I need to see her again! After one week obsessing over the petite girl I finally decide to make an attempt at finding her.

She was wearing a uniform I’m sure I could recognize. I believe it was the uniform of the NHSM, Nihon High School of Montreal; a school that’s attended mostly by Japanese immigrants or the kids if Japanese immigrants. It made sense since she had distinctive Asian traits, perhaps she’s from a mix family. I was able to switch schools very easily, I was used to making all the papers myself since I’ve been living by myself for quite a while now. I would be able to start school on Wednesday. The principal gave me a navy blue uniform when I met him, a simple jacket and a pair of dress pants that I had to wear with either a shirt or a t-shirt. I was surprised that my uniform was the same as the redhead. Didn’t this school have separate uniforms for male and female?

I was so anxious when I met with the principal. I was still shaken by my encounter with the small girl and it had been over a week. My cheek were flushed and me hands were shaking the entire time I talked with the principal. He even tried to urge me to go see the school nurse since he thought I was sick. It’s partly true, if I react this way every time I meet with this ‘Kuro chan’ this will become a serious illness.
When I left the NHSM, my head was so up in the clouds I didn’t even think about the cold. I went back to my place. It’s a small apartment on the fourth floor of a five floor residential complex. When I walk in there’s a counter on my right where my dysfunctional stove/oven and sink are. At the end of that counter, there a refrigerator then the trash can. The cupboards are under the counter and above it.

On my left there is a table with three chairs, don’t ask me where the fourth one went, it doesn’t really matter since I don’t have anybody else to sit with anyways. This side is divided part a carpet, the carpet side serves as my living room and it’s only furnished by a couch and a coffee table. I can’t really afford to had anything else in there.

I throw my coat on the couch carelessly. At the end of my kitchen/living room there is a small hallway that I must go through to get to the room and bathroom. On both side there is cupboard where I store stuff like spare blankets, pillows, coats and cleaning supplies. However, the hallway is so small I can’t even fully open the doors. At the end of the hallway there is my room, it’s only a few feet squares but I don’t have a lot of furniture to put in there. There’s only one dresser, a trash can, lumps of dirty cloths and a single bed. Not that much decoration either. There is a kimono spread out on the wall, a magnificent pale yellow kimono with carefully painted colourful designs of cranes and flowers. The rich kimono is out of place in such a dump. I would be worth a lot of money but I can`t bring myself to sell it, it was given to me by someone important.

Furthermore, there is the old Japanese flag spread out over the entire ceiling.
This place is so badly made that the door of my room open into the hallway and when it open I can’t cross to go to the bathroom. So when I have to go to the bathroom I have to walk out in the thin hallway, close the door to finally be able to go into the short hallway that leads to my bathroom. Once again, this room is not furnished with more than the necessary. There`s only a sink a shower/bath and another cupboard. The lock is broken so I never even bother closing the door. My only prized possessions in this apartment are my guitar and an old CD/Cassette radio. When you learn how expensive it is to live on your own at minimum wage you soon realise you don’t need that much luxury to subsist.

I quickly change into something my work cloths; I’ll be heading to work in about half an hour. I walked to work, it takes me half an hour so I should be there by a quarter to four. On Tuesdays I work from four to midnight instead of seven to two. My job don’t pay much but I enjoy working there and I get good tips. I’m a waiter at an Italian restaurant , I don’t have good people skills because of my bad temper but I feel like I’ve improved that since I start working in the restaurant.

Moreover when a situation is about to turn to sour I turn to my co-worker, Nestley Myre. She’s a nice woman that patronizes me as if I were her little brother, she takes over for me whenever I’m about to throw a fit at a client. She’s probably the only friend I have here in Canada, I have coffee with her almost every night after my shift, even when I don’t have to work. I at least takes my mind off my boring monotone life. I changed a lot since I moved from Japan. I wonder if I’d be as hot blooded as before. I used to have a reputation for that!

After work Nestley drove me back home like she usually does, by one thirty I was in bed. That’s not right, usually she might have stayed over, she might have slept in my bed. However, lately, she hasn’t been staying around as much. I don’t think I did something to hurt her or anything. She might have found a boyfriend. After all, she’s still my elder by seven years, she probably doesn’t plan to spend her life with a boy like me.

I’m too exited to sleep properly and it takes me almost two hours of tossing around to dose off in a very light sleep. I’m always restless at night and I never manage to sleep heavily. Living in here on my own I always think I might have to protect myself. It doesn’t help that I’m exited about going to school tomorrow.

Furthermore, I always have those dreams from which I wake up from in a cold swear without remembering a single thing that happened. It’s five am, I doubt I’ll be able to get anymore sleep. I might as well get ready for school. My hopes are high for today. I’m excited at the idea that I might be able to see ‘Kuro chan’ again. However, I hope I don’t get such an intense as before, it could be embarrassing. The girl that as the same eye colour as mine, I can’t wait to see her again! My monotone life might even take a turn for the better.
Like every other morning, I get up even though I only got four hours of sleep and I’m dead tired. I have to get ready for whatever the life is going to throw at me today. Exceptionally today, I’m going to school, I haven’t been in one of those in a while.

First thing I did I headed for the shower. I cursed the whole time I washed myself; last month I didn’t have enough money to pay for the water bill. As a result I have to take an icy cold shower. Hopefully, I will be able to gather enough money this to pay it by the end of the month or else I’ll have to get used to this. I prefer the first option.
When I get out of the shower, I brush my teeth and shave then with a movement of my head I push my hair backward in their usual fashion. When I’m done with that I gladly slip into the warm dark blue uniform. As I look in the mirror, I think to myself that I don’t look that bad in the uniform. It’s the first time I’m ever force to follow some kind of dressing code. However, this uniform actually makes me look like a good wealthy person, not the poor delinquent I really am.

After spending a little more time than usual in front of the mirror I head for the kitchen. My stomach is hurting this morning, it might have been a bad idea to skip last night’s meal. I just couldn’t accept it when Nestley offered my supper, she’s already paid for me countless times. I made myself whatever I could find in the cupboard, which ended up being the last slice of bread and a bowl of cold oatmeal.

“Maybe I could get my boss to pay me tonight.” I said to myself. I seriously need to make a grocery. I went back to my room and emptied the pockets of all my pants. I was only able to gather a couple of dollars. It might only be able to buy loaf bread, a box of cereal, milk, a pound of butter and a bag of rice. That might be enough to get through the week.

Yesterday I might have wanted to throw something out the window after realising how crappy my life is but today I’m able to smile to myself. For the first time since I’ve arrived in Canada I felt like I came here for a good reason. ‘We might be luckier in another life’ came to my head as I thought about the redhead, maybe she might be the one.
“Kuro chan.” I mused to myself, that’s how that other guy called her. It means ‘black’ in Japanese. It sounds more like a cute nickname than an actual name. These two must have been very close. I’ll get to find out soon enough because if I don’t leave soon I’ll be late on my first day of school. I was so exited yesterday I even forgot to ask what time the classes started.

To get to the school it takes me about an half an hour walk or a couple of minutes of bus. Since it’s warm I can afford to walk today. I must have been too early when I arrived at school since the hallways were deserted. I went to the secretary and she gave me my schedule. My first class will be music with Mr Jordan Haines, in local 204. I don’t know if I can make it in such a class, I can play guitar very well but I don’t know if I have the capacity to learn a totally new instrument.

The secretary also told all the class 100 and up are on the first floor while the 200 and up are on the second floor, moreover, the school is shaped like a U so I can’t possibly get lost. It’s starting to get a little more lively when I walked out of the office. Some people started noticing me too. I heard a group whisper among themselves.

“Who’s the new kid?” One of them asked, another one made a comment I couldn’t hear and they all started to laugh.

“Did you see his eyes?” Another one asked. I shoot a deadly glare at the group and they quickly dispatched out of fear. I can’t really wear my sunglasses in the school, it would attract even more attention.

“What time does school start?” I asked a passing student, surprising him so much he gave out a loud yelp.

“Ei…eight…thi…thirty.” He stuttered nervously before dashing away. I’m beginning to lose my patience with these students, I hate it when people react that way. It’s not my fault I have a menacing aura.

I look up at the clock, I still have about twenty minute or so to spare before I have to head for class. I walk around to get used to my surroundings. I observed the people around me, especially their eyes in hope of meeting a pair of mismatched ones. If I don’t get to see her before eight thirty I probably won’t be able to see her before lunch, at least. Judging from her looks I’d say she’s much younger then I am. She’s probably a ninth grade student.

When the bell rang, the hallways were deserted in a matter of seconds. What’s up with that? Are they all so eager to get lectured by a teacher for the next hour or so? I walked to class grumpily, I didn’t even see her, it makes me regret coming to school. As I walked into the class everyone falls deadly silent and they all stare at me like I’m some kind of freak show. What, haven’t they ever seen a new student before, well, not probably a mismatched, blue haired one? These people have already started to tick me off.
I handed a slip to the teacher. He’s taller than me and his shoulder are wider than mine but the dishevelled blond doesn’t look too intimidating. It’s because of his clear blue eyes and round baby face. He smiles at me and I answer with a scowl, he looks like the kind of stupid teacher who would let you do anything in their classes to be liked by the students.

“Inoue Yuuri.” He said reading my name aloud I nodded seriously. He turns to the class “You can sit next to…” He pause to think for a moment. I turned around to see what kind of idiot he’ll sit me next to. That’s when my eyes spotted a familiar mass of red hair at the back of the class. She seemed to be reading a book. A blush spreads across my face and my heart rate picks up just like the last time. She’s in the same class as I am! I quickly ran up to her and stopped abruptly in front of her desk, I grab her shoulders almost roughly yet she doesn’t look up at me.

“Can I sit next to you?” I blurred out.

“You can’t. Someone already sits there.” She said bluntly. Rejection.

“Wh…what?” I asked in disbelief.

“No.” She repeated, her voice in incredibly soft and monotone. It’s nothing like I had expected it to be. I imagined it would resemble more the voice of the cheerful girl from my dream, childish and friendly.

“You can sit next to me.” A dark haired girl asked. She’s the only one I’ve seen so far wearing the female uniform. It’s a light blue jacket with yellow cuffs, a dark blue bow around the neck and a matching short sailor skirt and yellow knee length socks. These seemed to be the school’s colours.

“Hell no!” I couldn’t help but shout rudely, I was still so shaken up by the sudden rejection.

“But why not?” She asked with hints of sadness in her eyes.

“I’ll only settle for this person, she’s the one I like!” I blurred out pointing at the redhead. Every soul in the class became deadly silent, even the teacher who was about to reprimand me for being so rude stopped dead in his tracks. He just stared at me with his mouth hanging open. The dark haired girl doesn’t seem as hurt anymore, a blush crept to her face as she tried to contain her giggles.

“You’re surprisingly honest Inoue kun. I would have never guessed you bended that way.” She said smiling way too happily for my comfort.

“Bend-that-way.” I repeat slowly throwing a glance at the redhead. That’s when I realised with horror my error. The dark blue uniform, the none exiting chest, the voice that’s a few pitches too low to belong to a girl. I’ve just confessed in all seriousness to another man!

“You’re a boy?” I asked slowly. He didn’t look up at me a nodded like nothing happened. I’m completely dumbstruck.

Heat rushes to my face as I realised my error I couldn’t have possibly confessed to a guy in front of a whole classroom. However, from the weird stares I get from the other students I know these words have really slipped from my lips.
“You’re a guy.” I repeat slowly in disbelief.

“Repeat it much as you like won’t change my sex.” He said without looking up at me. I clench my fist.

“Are you mocking me?” I growled menacingly.

“If you’d sit down, Inoue kun, we could start with the class.” He said nonchalantly as he flipped the page from the book he was reading.

“Stop ignoring me you arrogant brat!” I shout pushing his school supply off his desk in anger. He flipped another page of his book; he’s not even fazed by my violent outburst. I blinked in surprise, normal people usually piss their pants in fear when I start raising my tone and this boy won’t even do as much as to look up at me.

“Inoue Yuuri, I won’t stand any sort of violent behaviour in my class, go to the principal’s office right now!” exclaimed the blond teacher in anger. I’m so preoccupied with the redhead that I don’t even bother turn and tell the teacher off.

“Don’t ignore me!” I repeat. “Look up at me when I talk to you!” I shouted. I slapped the book out of his hands and grabbed the front of his shirt forcefully. I effortlessly lift him up to my eye level with a single arm; the boy is unbelievably light.

His mismatched eyes were now force to look straight into mine. His face is emotionless, neither fear nor anger, even in a position like that he remained unfazed. Like the first time our eyes met me heart started to pound at a painful rate. I was unable to punch him as I had first intended to. I just held him there for a long moment before the teacher separated us holding on to the redhead protectively.

“Get out of me class right now!” he barked angrily.

“You think you can order me around old man?” I challenged regaining my earlier rage. He glared furiously at me, seems like I touched a sensitive cord. I smirked in victory. “I knew it; you’d never dare raise a finger on me.” I said cockily.

“You’re wrong if you think I’ll tolerate a punk like you.” The teacher yelled. It seems like I spoke too soon. He didn’t even hesitate before he grabbed my arm and started dragging me out of the class aggressively. I might have tried to struggle with all my might but that man was much larger then I was and he was successful I shoving me into the hallway. I might have landed on my butt however, I still smirked up at the man, he didn’t get away without noticeable cuts and bruises.

“I don’t ever want to see you in my class or around my nephew again!” he shouted. Therefore, the redhead was his nephew, no wonder he was so protective.

“It’s not like I’d what to hang around your creepy faced nephew anyways!” I shouted glaring at the blond before I stood up and turned my back on him. He slammed the door of the class shut. I brushed the dust off myself threw my school bag over my shoulder and headed outside. The cold air instantly bit on my neck and my nose as I sit on the front steps. I light up a smoke and start taking long drags from it.

I can’t believe the guts of that kid, he was looking down on me like I was nothing but scum. I’d never expect him to be so arrogant or so creepy looking for that matter. I never saw anything of the sort, not an ounce of emotion shown on his face. He had strait sleepy looking eyes, the dark ring around them only amplified it, he’s deadly pale and his tone was as monotonous as it could get.

That makes this whole coming to this school useless. I should have known it would end this way. Not only I’m bad at relationship with others but my grades also suck pretty bad. I don’t think I’d ever be able to graduate even if I did give a damn and studied. I should be glad with my crappy low wage job.

I close my eyes and lay down on my back, dragging on my cigarette as long as I could since I can’t really afford more than a pack every week. I think I’ll just eat lunch here and then head back home. I’ll pretend like this day never happened, like I had never met the mismatched eyed boy.

Not having anything better to do I left after lunch. Furthermore, I hadn’t told my boss I was going to school yet so he scheduled me for an afternoon shift. I fact it might have been my backup plan if anything went wrong. I would have called in if by chance I decided to stay at school.

I much prefer doing the afternoon shifts. There are way less people in the restaurant and I get to leave around eight if it’s not too busy. It gives me the whole evening to myself, as the boss say. Too bad I don’t particularly have any hobbies. I’ll most likely go home and play some of my guitar.

However, on my way home, just before I lit up a cigarette, I heard some kind of loud argument. I could distinguish three different voices. Two of them obviously belonged to young man but the third one sounded more like a kid. I could not seem them so I assumed they might have been right around the corner. I stopped to listen.

“Don’t be so noisy Nomi chan.” One of the man said.

“Let me go!” said the boy sounding as if he were frightened. I frowned, whatever the guys wanted the boy to do he was defiantly not agreeing to it.

“Shut up brat!” the other man said sounding as if he had forcefully grabbed the boy. The child whimpered as he struggled to free himself.

“Calm down Nomi chan, we won’t show you a bad time, you might even like it.” The first guy said.

“Hold him down and let’s do him before anyone comes around.” The other guy said.

“Let me go!” The boy pleaded again. One of the man chuckled darkly and clasped a hand of the boys mouth to muffle his protests. My body tensed up as I imagined the scene that was going to unfold. I clenched my fists. ‘These bastards.’ I thought to myself. I’m not about to let something like that happen if I have a chance to stop it. I didn’t lose another moment before letting my presence known. I kicked a can loudly as I walked around the corner, which startled them for an instant.

“That’s truly pathetic when you need to kidnap a defenceless kid to get in his pants.” I said lighting the cigarette that hung at my lips. I spoke with a thick yakuza accent in hope of intimidating them a little. I recognized the two guys’ as well as the boy’s uniform as the same as mine. So these morons are nothing but high-schoolers.

“Think you can do anything to stop us punk.” One of them said as he licked the side of the boys face clearly to anger me. The boy’s eyes shut in disdain at the action; the other’s large hand muffled his voice. Since they didn’t run away, I’d assume that they were confident enough to take me on. They had the right to, since they were both build like football players.

“Not so confident now.” The second senior said chuckling in attempt to taunt me even further. A smirk crept to my face as I ran a hand through my messy blue hair. They have no idea who they are up to.

“Not quite, I was just pondering upon which one of you I should beat up first.” I said locking eyes with the guy who was holding the boy. The guy gulped nervously as he saw the intent to kill in my eyes, he must have known by now I was far from bluffing.

“Bring it on punk!” The first one shouted bravely. These are one of the things I don’t need to be told twice. Using the can at my feet I kicked it at the first guy stomach, he reached out to catch it however I used the aftermath of the surprise to run up to him. By the time he realised I was that close I had already slammed my fist square in the middle of his face. The impact was followed by a sickening crack and I felt his nose fracture under my fist. The guy fell back a few feet holding his bleeding nose in pain.

I grinned sadistically. To come to the help of his companion the other guy had to let go of the boy to charge at me. I effortlessly dodged the blow and elbowed the man right in the solar plexus. He doubled over violently.

I took this opportunity to send a glance toward the boy; thankfully, he seemed unarmed. However, this moment of inattention cost me dearly. As I turned toward the bullies the first senior’s first was smashed against my jaw. My lips slit upon the sheer force of the blow and the cigarette fell from my lips. I groan in displease spitting the coppery liquid out of my mouth. With an opponent this large, I shouldn’t look away from the battle. His eyes widen as he realise he might have made a big error in getting back up.
Before he gets the chance to run away I swing my leg at him. He was at a perfect distance for my foot to connect with the side of his face with enough force to send him crashing to the ground. I glance at the other senior; fear is written all over his face he won’t dare try to hit me after he saw what I could do to his friend. I wiped my bloody lips with the back of my hand. I straightened up and shoved my hands in my pockets.

“Damn it, that was my last cigarette.” I said to myself. I finally look over at the boy. It was the first time I really had a look at the boy. He was terribly cute looking, he looked more like a boyish girl then a boy at all. He was small in high and had a very small build. His large azure blue eyes were gleaming with tears and his chin length strawberry blond hair was now all over the place. Moreover, he had a baby face and a healthy slightly tanned skin tone. I might be able to understand what kind of interests these guys might have had with this kid.

“Are you all right?” I asked. He nodded shakily. He looked a little traumatized and refused to move. I turned to the two bullies. “You guys better scram before I change my mind and decide to beat you scums up some more.” I said menacingly. The conscious guy panicked and quickly woke up his friend so they could flee. “Tche” I spit on the ground angrily. I walked over to the blond and placed a hand on his head. He flinched slightly.
“These guys didn’t do anything to you right?” I asked ruffling his hair gently.

“No, I’m fine.” He said looking up at me. He was slowly calming down. He trusted I wouldn’t do him any harm.

“So,” I started. “What the hell were you doing all the way alone out here!” I shouted pulling on his ear angrily. Of course I didn’t mean to hurt him or anything out kids shouldn’t be out so late.

“Ow, ow ow!” He whined twisting himself out of my grasp. Yeah, I fail at taking care of kids. “I was out to get some milk.” He said pouting cutely as he held his ear. At least that seemed to have put him at ease with me.

“Isn’t it a little passed your curfew?” I asked.

“I’m a high school student you know.” He said, his big blue eyes glaring up at me. I looked at him in disbelief.

“You’re a high school student?” I asked.

“I don’t look that young!” He said pouting and crossing his arms over his chest.
“Whatever your age is you should be more careful when you go out at night. You got lucky I was there to save you.” I said. His head dropped a little.

“I’m sorry. I always use this road so I didn’t think anything could happen.” He said. “Thanks for saving me.” He said smiling brightly. I was surprised at how fast he recovered from the shock. For some reason the boy looks as if he feels really safe around me.

“There you go letting your guard down again. What if I decided to rape you right now?” I asked angrily.

“Then you wouldn’t have went through all the trouble of saving me.” He answered.

“You’re still a kid so you shouldn’t blindly trust strangers like me.” I growled. He only smiled. I can’t believe how careless that boy is, especially with his looks he should be far more careful. “I’ll walk you home in case these to morons are still hanging around.” I said.

“Thanks.” He said nodding happily.

“By the way, what’s your name kid?” I asked shoving my hands in my pockets.

“Namikaze Nomi.” He said smiling brightly. “You?” He asked.

“Inoue Yuuri.” I answered.

“Yuurinii” Nomi said happily. My eyes widened.

“How did you call me?” I asked.

“Yuurinii, since you saved me you’re like a nice big brother.” He explained. I blushed a little at the comment, I wasn’t really used to get compliments from others. I don’t usually help people in trouble either. This kid doesn’t know that I’m far from being a good guy. “How old are you?” He asked.

“Me? I’m seventeen.” I said.

“I thought you looked older than that.” The boy pondered.

“Not really, I just transferred at the NSOM this morning.” I explained.

“That’s awesome then, we go to the same school.” He said cheerfully.

“Yeah.” I answered sounding a detached to the subject. I’d rather not tell that kid that today was my first and most likely my last. After that ridiculous confession I made, I’m not planning on going back.

“Here’s where I live.” He said pointing to a nice two story middle class house. He was only a few minutes from home when I found him.

“Be more careful in the future when you go out at night.” I said patting the boy’s head.
“You’re not coming in?” The boy asked.

“Nah, I have some stuff to pack. I don’t think I have my place here, I’ll fly back to Japan.” I said shoving my hands in my pockets nonchalantly.

“What? You’re leaving so soon. You said you just started to attend our school this morning. And I didn’t even get the chance to show my gratitude to you yet!” Nomi whined.

“No need for gratitude, I’m not some kind of hero.” I said turning my back on him. The boy quickly grabbed my arm.

“At least give this new school a chance. I’ll be you’re friend and I’m sure you can make plenty more!” The boy whined. I made the worst mistake possible by looking down in his wide pleading eyes.

“Fine, I’ll stay.” I mumbled. Nomi’s face instantly lit up. “But, I’m only giving it one month, if I still hate this place by then I’m leaving no questions asked.” I warned. The boy nodded approvingly. “Now get your ass inside, your family is probably dead worry about you now.” I said crossing my arms. The boy nodded again.

“Thanks again, Yuurinii. I’ll see you at school.” He said waving me off. I couldn’t help but smile to myself at how adorable the boy is. At his age it’s rare for boys to still have that kind of child innocence. At least, from where I come from.

“Where did you learn to fight like that?” A feminine voiced asked. I quickly turned on my heels. A red haired girl about my age was standing by a lamp post, she was about a head smaller then me. I assumed she must have been talking about the beating I gave the two jocks.

“Since when have you been there?” I asked cautiously. It hadn’t only been an uncomfortable feeling, someone had indeed been following us.

“I saw the whole seen, and also how easily you got swayed by this young boy.” She said smiling. Her lips were full and cherry red, furthermore, she had nice round shapes. She was beautiful little woman. I’d say she’s about my age.

“What’s you’re business?” I asked. My voice almost came out as a low growl.

“I’m interested in who you are. Normal high school students can’t take out two jocks under five minutes, nor do they save kids in distress without a second thought. Who are you? Where do you come from?” She asked smirking.

“That’s none of your concerns little lady. I’d stay out of my life if I were you.” I said glaring.

“By the way my name is Yamato Chantal, I’m the daughter of the NSOM’s dean and also the president of the school’s journal. Stories like what happened today make people talk. That’s why I want to know more.” She said.

“Sorry about that dear, but you’ll have to find another man for your stories. What happened between me and the kid stays between us. He doesn’t need the whole school to know he almost got raped by the seniors.” I said turning my back on her and starting to walk away.

“Wait, Inoue kun, at least answer some of my questions.” She pleaded. I wave nonchalantly and kept on walking. Thankfully she didn’t follow me all the way home. By the time I got there it was already ten. Since I don’t really have anyone to hang out with I better just head to bed early. After all, I promised Namikaze Nomi I would show up at school for the next month. The least I could do is not disappoint my new and only admirer.

That might be what made me come back to school the next day even though I had promised myself I would forget that day and never go to school again. Alternatively, maybe it was a certain pair of mismatched eyes that I couldn’t get out of my head. I was barely able to get an hour of sleep because of that blank stare that wouldn’t stop hunting me.