The Mythical Dragon King's Pain

"Babe, let's go out today, it's been ages since we went anywhere," Iroha asked after taking a shot at the target. She missed yet again. "I have things to do" James replied, taking a perfect shot. "Today marks the beginning of Summer holiday. Even if today does not work, I'm sure we can find a day to go out or plan a vacation. Won't that be exciting?" Iroha squealed at the thought. "He has things to do, Iroha, let him be." Sumi said after taking a perfect shot at her target. "If I were you, I would think about what to do with my face and appearance before summer's done. James is doing you a favour by remaining your boyfriend. We all wonder how he does it." Sumi sneered. "I... was not talking to you. You... are... not James. Mind your business" Iroha managed to say, despite being scared. Sumi laughs. "I took 5 shots in the time it took you to complete that sentence. Honestly, talking to you lowers my status. You're still coming over James, right?" James glared at Sumi. It was too early to reveal their secret relationship. He wanted to break the news to Iroha after graduation, then bid her adieu and go on with his life. Sumi challenged his glare with her smile and a warning in her eyes. "Yes, I'll be there". James finally replied. Thunder struck. The sky was changing quickly. "Are you working on a project with Sumi?" Iroha asked. She could only speak fluently with James but not others. Sumi scoffed. James pursed his lips and said, "Let's break up Iroha" "Break up what? The target? You're doing a pretty good job at that", Iroha said with a self-deprecating smile. "You know what I'm talking about, Iroha" "As much as I'd like to witness this touching moment, I have things to prepare before James' arrival tonight", Sumi winks at Iroha, then walks away. Iroha keeps her stare on James, scared that if she looks away, she may lose him forever. "What do you mean let's break up? Did I do something wrong? I've been behaving, I promise. I don't talk to any guys because it embarrasses you. I stay indoors all day and I avoid people. I don't stir up trouble either. Why do you want to leave me?" James runs his hands through his hair. The wind picks up and is blowing hard into the building they're in. "It's not because of those things, Iroha" "Then what is it?" "Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? An ugly duckling looks better than you! You don't care about how you appear to others, what about me? How do you want me to introduce you as my girlfriend when you always look like this?" James finished in a raised voice. Thunder struck She was wearing an oversized hoodie that shrunk her frame, zipped to the top. The skirt she wore was sweeping the floor and looked three times her size. Her glasses were wide and covered her face. Her hair was packed back lazily. She was 5'7 and the get-up made her shrink in comparison to others so much so that in a crowd, you would not notice her, even when standing close to her. She looked down at herself. "What is wrong with the way I look? It's cold tonight, and I wear hoodies because I like them." "It's not the hoodie Iroha, it's the way you wear them. Beyond your appearance, you always look down when you talk to others. You stammer and speak gibberish. Why can't you talk to others the way you talk to me?" "You know why James and the others don't matter!" "Well, they do now because I care what they think! Let's end this, Iroha, it's leading nowhere. We had a good run. Let's not end this bitterly." "Don't do this James, we've always been there for each other, have you forgotten all we've been through?" "No, I haven't, that's why we'll still be friends but not lovers. Live well Iroha, I wish you well". The rain started, pouring heavily. "James..." Iroha broke out in sobs. She was holding onto the hem of James' shirt as he was putting his stuff together. Sumi walked back in at that moment. "I see you're finally done, James. I was getting tired standing out there and it's raining. Be quick let's go." "Are… you the... reason for this?" Iroha asked, glaring at Sumi with hot tears streaming down her eyes. "No Hun. You did that all by yourself. I simply gave James a shoulder to cry on when he needed it, boosted his image standing beside him while you locked yourself indoors, all.the.time. Do you know how many times James needed you but you weren't there? All his worries? All his struggles? I simply fulfilled your responsibility since you couldn't do it". She shrugged Iroha moved and grabbed Sumi by her collar, her grip was tight. "Don't... tell me anything about responsibility... or struggles..., you know... nothing... about them, especially... not that of... James!" The rain increased in tempo "What are you doing?" Sumi screamed. "Get off me!!!" She scratched and fought, but Iroha's grip wasn't loosening, it was getting tighter. Her eyes looked like she was in an abyss and something was gleaming behind them, a faint green light. "Let her go Iroha" James said from behind the commotion, but Iroha's grip was getting tighter and Sumi was gasping for breath at this point, about to faint. "Let her go!" James screamed, but Iroha kept holding Sumi. "I'll say it one last time Iroha, Let.her.go" But she didn't budge. Sumi eyes were closing, and her struggle grew weak. Thunder struck. A shot rang out and blackness enveloped Iroha. James jerked back. He stared at a bleeding Iroha and panting Sumi in visible horror. His hands were shaking. He had shot Iroha amid the commotion by reflex. He felt if he had run over, to Sumi's side, it would have been too late. He did not expect the scene before him to unfold. Somehow, he had seen Iroha as a target at that moment, not a human. The thought shook him to his core so much that he made a run for it! He ran. Leaving behind Iroha and Sumi. Sumi stared at the scene before her in shock and fear. She just danced with death and Iroha was bleeding before her, yet, James ran! The bastard! She was not going to stay there and wait to be falsely accused of murder. So she stood on wobbly feet and ran away as well, leaving Iroha there. After James and Sumi ran away, a dark figure appeared from the corner, carried Iroha in his hands and made a sprint to the nearest hospital. Regret filled his eyes. If only he had arrived earlier, he wouldn't have witnessed James shooting her, he would have stopped the fight! The rain poured heavily as he ran. He kept saying a silent prayer for her to survive. She was shot at a dangerous spot and her chances for survival were slim. His eye colour changed to red, and he increased his speed, almost flying on the road! He was a blur in the heavy rain as he zoomed past vehicles on foot. He had to get to the hospital fast.