Love is War

Chapter 45

I woke up happy in the morning, feeling happy after that enjoyable game with Nora last night. But I don’t have to waste as Nab told me that he does not want me to come into his gym late, and this day we are starting the training early, which I prepare myself from the hellish training that I am going into.

I step out of the door after I took a shower and prepared everything, as usual I saw the two downstairs waiting for me. I went to them and we greeted each other good morning, Kuro is complaining on how his body is aching because of the training yesterday.

He said that his mentor is scarier than nab as it pushed him to his limits yesterday, this time John is still unusually quite from everything. I grew worried, and still I decided to ignore it to show him my respect. I think he just needs more time as long as he is training hard, for the upcoming mission.

“Hey,” Kuro called John. “Are you alright?” I face palmed myself as how oblivious this guy is right now, just how numb is he? I decided to let him be but ruined, by him. John faced him with his unusual cold stare, everything about him right now is all unusual.

“Yes,” he said and that’s what I expected him to answer. He chose to hide it from us, if it is his decision then I respect that.

“You don’t seem to be okay,” he said with his speculations and I pinched him in his chest to tell him to stop questioning our worried friend right now. “Ow!” he exclaimed. “What was that for?” he questioned me and I just shook my head ignoring his question. He is too oblivious to read the situation.

“No, it’s okay Rei,” John told me determining the motive behind that. They are the complete opposite but on one thing they can agree into was fist fighting because unlike me they are skilled close combat fighters.

“We are your friends,” Kuro continued to speak as we are approaching the elevator that will lead us to the underground gym that Nab uses. “So, if you ever wanted someone listening to your problems, remember that the two of us are always, ready to listen,” he said and I need to admit that I am surprised with that. Very surprised as I didn’t expect that those kinds of words will get out of his mouth.

“I will remember that,” he just said and Kuro didn’t bother asking him the question anymore which I am thankful to. This is why I am glad that they are my friends. They are my friends and I am proud to say that in front of the whole world.

We reached and ride the elevator towards our destination and during the whole trip, it was very quiet maybe because Kuro is giving some space for John to think. As soon as we arrived at the underground gym, we said our regards to each other and went on our separate ways.

I didn’t saw Nab anywhere inside this place so I went straight to that door where had taken me yesterday. I am assuming that he is already there preparing for my training. It’s pretty far away considering on how big is this place but as soon as I reached the door, I grabbed the door knob.

The room has been lit up already, and everything is prepared, just as I expected he is already here. I scanned the whole area and saw him cleaning up some boxing gloves in the corner. The door creak, caught his attention and he turned around only to see me standing in the door.

“Oh, you are early,” he said and I just smiled. He complained of being me early and he will complain if am late, geez! Just praise me for being early then maybe I’ll think about on how I see you. “Just wait there, I am cleaning some stuff here,” he said and I did what he said, I went straight to the nearby sofa to take a seat.

Instead of waiting for him to finish, I prepared the things that I brought. I pulled out the extra shirt that I have brought, that was been folded neatly by myself, thank you, a towel so I can wipe my sweat later after the training. As I am a cautious person when it comes to water, I brought three bottles so I can make sure that I am hydrated properly alongside with three biscuit packs. I put it on the table.

I grabbed the fist wrap inside the bag and wrapped it around my fist, as this is a requirement every time, I enter this private gym of his. He said that this can prevent me from injuring my hand, like tearing my own flesh because of punching the bag, he said that if I am a strong puncher nor weak but I just put force into it. It is enough to tear my flesh, or crush my bones in my wrist.

Obviously, I will follow that one golden rule of his as my hands are the most important thing to me as a sniper. With perfect hands I have the perfect accuracy. That’s what it is. I am just learning to fight, because I need to step up on my own.

I cannot allow myself to be like this forever after that encounter. I won’t live long or live as a useless guy that only knows how to play games. A coward that when I saw blood, I freak out. I don’t want to stay like that forever.

As a man I have pride, and that pride won’t allow me. I am the son of the leader that everyone respects here, and their future leader. That’s why I need to develop myself to be everyone’s role model. Everyone here is like my family, that’s why I cannot let them down.

I am done putting all my fist wraps and I tied my shoes properly so it won’t untie itself in the middle of the training.

“DONE!” Nab explained and it’s contrasting his strict and intimidating image. The Nab that I saw here is a cheerful and a friendly one unlike the guy that looks down on everyone just like what he showed me yesterday. It’s confusing me.

He walked towards me and I stood up as this means that training is starting.

“Sorry about the wait,” he apologized to me keeping his happy face and don’t mind that. “I am Mac by the w- I mean Nab,” he introduced himself to me. I was confused as I know what he is already, and what does he mean that he is Mac? I started to grow suspicious of him as I am aware that there is a spy inside here roaming free.

I need look out for him closely and tell the dad as soon as I confirmed this suspicion of mine. He looks at me worried, which made me to suspect him more. As if he told me something wrong. That worried look. Is he really the spy?

If he is then why, he is a long-trusted ally, so why now?

“H- hey,” he called onto me.

“Why?” I asked. “What’s wrong?” I added trying to put some pressure on him and this tactic seems to be effective on him as I am successfully putting pressure on him.

“A- about what I said e- earlier,” he said stuttering.

“That you are someone else?” I asked again and yes, I am cornering him right here and right now. “Or are you someone suspicious?” I asked again and that nervousness that I am extracting inside him made me to corner him more. I know that I can’t win a fight against him but he is inside our territory so there is no escape.

“No,” he said and his voice is very defensive.

“Just tell me already,” I said with irritation in my voice. “You slipped and you are giving me more reason to suspect,” I added and I am being straightforward right now, as this is the quickest way to prove the conclusion of this argument.

“I have a d-“ d what? He looked at me again and he is very worried about me finding out. “I have a...” he paused again, just tell me what he has.

“Just spill it already,” I said.

“Promise me that this stays between us,” he said.

“Unless that is something suspicious,” I said to him. He looks more worried.

“I- it’s not,” he said in his defensive voice again.

“Then tell me if it’s not, why worry?” I threw an argument to him.

“Because this is something that I am not proud of,” he stood up and faced me. We stare at each other eye to eye and he is telling the truth at the very least right now. “I have this mental disorder, they call DID,” he finally revealed the secret.

“W- what?” I asked and stuttered because of the surprise on what he just said to me. Unbelievable.

“I can’t show it to anybody,” he added. “I have two other personalities inside me right now, Nab and Shawn,” he said.

“And who is the real one?” I asked and it is too late for me to realize that I asked them the most insensitive question. I can’t take it back but at least I need to stand up and find the answer.

“This is the real one,” he said, so Mac is the real Nab? Now I am confused on what should I call him. I am really confused right now. I am well of the disorder that they call DID, and it’s very rare that I didn’t expected that he is one of those unlucky few, is it right to call them unlucky? I don’t know.

“That’s surprising,” I said.

“I know,” he said. “Promise me,” he said with dedication and looking me straight into the eye. “Don’t tell anybody about this,” he added.

“I promise,” I answered immediately and who am I to judge him, and that is why there is this private gym. And what I thought about his yesterday was confirmed that he is indeed hiding himself from the others. That's sad.