Warrior's Mask

9. This Could Be Beautiful

Yoshimura's POV:

I walked down the street, my head in the clouds. I can't believe that out of all the people in this world, I chose to open up to that dork. I am so pathetic. No wonder my father doesn't want to see me. I wouldn't want to see myself either. And to top that off, I'm becoming a trashy blader. What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I falling to such low standards? I f*****g hate it. What's gonna be next? I'm gonna become friends with Ishido and his stupid club? I'm a f*****g joke. I sighed when I saw Murasaki out of the corner of my eye hurtling towards me. She then tripped and was going headfirst towards the concrete. I should probably catch her instead of letting her facepalm on the floor. I caught her and rolled my eyes when she grinned at me, a sparkle in her eyes.

"You are so awesome! Only you could catch me while daydreaming!" She exclaimed, her smile not faltering. I don't know what I expected, I'm surrounded by a bunch of morons who only know how to smile, and it irritates me for whatever reason. Maybe it was the wonder boy. He may have had more of an influence on me than I hoped to admit. Nah. That was stupid of me to even consider that. He's just a stupid boy with no real power.

"You are such an i***t. Only you could trip on absolutely nothing." Her smile widened, and I questioned how she could be so immature for a 16-year-old in her position. I question how people can smile so much. Isn't it exhausting being happy so often? You're even using more muscles. I honestly don't think it's worth it. Smiling is so overrated. I stared at the blonde I was still holding onto, contemplating whether to drop her or not. She's a bloody moron. You wouldn't think that she was three years older by the way she acts, but the i***t means well, I guess. Most of the time. I let out a small grunt of annoyance "You are such a dork sometimes."

I lifted her up so she was standing again, deciding against dropping her because I might need her later depending on how things go and then started to walk off. She followed me, a skip in her step, and I had to hide my irritation. I was not in the mood for her bullshit right now. Maybe another day. I didn't have the heart to tell her that, though. Why can people never give me a break when I don't want to be anywhere near them? "Sho..."

"What did you do this time?" I looked at her, surprised that we hadn't been surrounded by rainbow flags, phones and angry mobs. Let's just say she's a very controversial person for the sake of being a controversial person, not because she necessarily believes what she says. She just likes stirring the pot and then watching the aftermath from afar. It is genuinely terrifying sometimes because this generation has absolutely no chill, and so you can't say anything at the best of times without offending half the population. She offends them for fun and then watches them become feral.

"I saw you take Seiji to your special place. Is there something happening between the two of you?" She tilted her head to the side in curiosity, and I had to stop myself from freezing up. I thought no one was watching us. Goddammit. She's probably the worst person to have seen that. Hell, I would rather Hattori had seen what had gone down rather than her.

I snorted, trying to play off as something that wasn't very big otherwise she would take it out of context and ruin me just for the hell of it. I can't be bothered to deal with that right now, and I am not prepared to put up with her bs for the next week, I don't care that she's my sister, she can just f**k off with her controversy. Not today Satan. "No. I just had to repay him for something."

"For what?" She asked, c*****g her head with curiosity, and I just stared at her for a second or two. Despite what she puts people through, she does give surprisingly good advice. Is the pain worth that small piece of clarity?

No.

Probably not.

Don't tell her, she isn't worth it. This'll just turn into absolute chaos just because you can't think things through.

Alright, I get it. Don't do anything stupid. It can't be that hard, can it?

And just... don't become trapped in someone else's dream.

What are you talking about? Is this about what happened between me and Seiji earlier? If it is then you worry too much. He doesn't hold that much power.

Those who do not move do not notice their chains. Isn't that what your mother used to say?

What does that have to do with anything?

How long have your chains been controlling you? Remember that children have rights too. They're not just pawns to play in their parents' game. When was the last time you tried to move, let alone break those chains of yours?

Again, what does that have to do anything?

The wonder boy has a lot more power than you give him credit for. Don't forget what that luck of his is capable of.

You're delusional.

Then you're already caught in that little web of his. He's called the wonder boy for a reason. Miracles are his forte, whether we like that or not.

I shook my head, not sure who I was trying to convince at this stage. I've had a lot thrown at me today. I'm not prepared for this right now. I just want her to leave me alone. But that's not going to happen. It never does. "It doesn't matter."

"So what are you going to do now?" Murasaki started walking properly again as she gave me a small smile. I know what I'm becoming - I've seen the looks I've been given by those closest to me, and I'm ready to get rid of the darkness sneaking up on me. I will not end up like him.

To hunt down darkness is to let yourself get blinded by the light. It would do you good to remember that, Sho.

Since when did you start talking like a f*****g poet? It's getting ridiculous now. Who are you, Shakespeare Jr? Then call me f*****g Napoleon 2.0.

Use your final brain cell for something useful and think about what I said for one second, you goddamn moron.

Sure... wAIT A f*****g SECOND-

There we go. I'm glad one brain cell still works for the most part.

I hate what you insinuated, Simomi. You're an asshole amongst assholes, and I hope you always remember that. In fact, I will never let you forget that.

"I'm going to train," I told her, getting Simomi out and staring at him. I need to get stronger, and fast. We may be capable of getting along, but I will crush you nevertheless, Seiji Ishido. You will not be the light to destroy my darkness. I can do it on my own, just like I always have. I'm stronger than the rest of them. I know what I'm capable of - and it's a lot more than if you were involved.

Murasaki patted my head, her eyes kind as she gave me a small smile, and I almost felt at home. I don't need any man to save me. I have a family who loves me, and who I need to protect in return, which means I need to save myself. I can't trust you to not be too much of a blabbermouth and ruin everything I have worked so hard to get. "Stop thinking about Seiji and his friends, and hurry to your training room. Seiji isn't gonna sit around and wait for you to overtake him, and neither is Shin."

I looked at her, confused. She could read my thoughts. That has always confused me - I have no idea how she does it. The usual answer to my next question is 'I'm psychic', so I'll be surprised if she tells me anything else. "How did you know?"

"Your hair gives you away." She pointed at my hair, and I growled. Stupid hair can't do anything bloody right. At least she gave me a more reasonable excuse this time instead of brushing it off like she usually does, but still. "This is going to be interesting. And it might just be beautiful, in the end."

"What are you talking about? What could be beautiful?" I stared at her, confused. What the f**k is she talking about? There's nothing here that could turn beautiful. All I see is pain and suffering. That's all there ever is.

"Nothing, don't worry about it." She gave me a small smile, her eyes lighting up with an emotion that I couldn't read. What's wrong with her? What is she trying to hide? What's the point in trying to figure her out? She doesn't make sense half the time. "Let's do something to take your mind off the entire situation."

"No, I need to train," I told her, glaring at the idea - or rather, her because she came up with the idea. Who does she think I am? Strength is everything. I don't have enough time for a pity party.

She pouted, annoyed at me for whatever reason. I'm not the problem here, she is. I don't know why I'm getting annoyed looks when I haven't done anything wrong. "At least let me watch."

"You can do whatever the hell you want, as long as you don't get in my way," I said, and she nodded in agreement.

"I'm cool with that."

You know what? She's right. Maybe this could be beautiful.

You're kidding, right?

It's a shame you can't remember events of the past. I know wiping your memory was for the best, but if you end up like how you once were then I'm all here for this.

SImomi? What are you talking about?

The beauty behind the story of you and the wonder boy. Maybe one day that story will finally get told instead of glossing over it. It's a story the author tends to forget about a lot.

I'm so confused right now.

Don't worry, all will be revealed soon enough. The wonder boy likes people to know his story. He has a legacy to uphold.