Mikey! (Manjiro Sano x OC) [Tokyo Revengers]

III. Hope

"Oi, Mousy Mousy Maya, why the fuck did you take so long?" Aiko sits fearlessly atop the wall of one of the school buildings' rooftop. After losing the fight with Manjiro Sano yesterday, she seems to vent all her anger to Karina.

Karina almost stumbles as she runs, carrying her own bento and four large-sized burgers that are the most expensive on the menu.

But when she hands one of the burgers to Aiko, the bully refuses. "Not that, idiot. That one." She points at Karina's bento.

"W-what?" She couldn't mean... Very well she'll eat the burger instead. "Here. Okay—"

"Give my burger to Yuri." Aiko receives the bento as she points at one of her friends.

Right. As if the bully cares whether Karina eats or not.

Karina follows Aiko's command and then stands silently at their side. But, the other girl is not finished with her yet.

"Come here," she says and Karina does what she's told to do. "Closer. Closer. Okay. Now, kneel." When Karina does, Aiko suddenly slaps her face, the sting never leaving the gray-haired girl's cheek. "Your ugliness pisses me off". Then Aiko sets the bento on top of Karina's head. "If my food spills I'll hit you harder." Aiko's friends laugh and the sound of it stabs Karina inside.

How pathetic she is.

For more than a year, Aiko and her friends have been treating Karina like this, and weak as she is, she just lets them, afraid of what the bullies would do if she retaliates.

"Mousy Mouse, remember, some of my buddies from another school will visit your store later. Treat them well."

She knows what the other girl means.

"Yes," Karina replies in a small voice.

After Aiko's group had finished eating, they drag Karina into a corner and start kicking her body until they sigh and leave her hugging herself on the floor.

Aiko casts her another look before entering the door. "Don't make an excuse and not show yourself at work. Remember what I told you."

Karina coughs some blood, rolling to a more comfortable position. She's now used to the bullies' and her own mother's frequent beating. But it still hurts.

Her eyes are filled with tears.

The image of the blond man yesterday, defeating his every opponent, flashes in Karina's mind. If only she could be that strong, and then...

But she isn't.

So when school is over and she's in the middle of working in the convenience store, she lets three unknown middle school girls take all they want in the shop. They're Aiko's friends and Karina is aware that they're not going to pay a single cent.

"It's great here. Maybe we should often go here."

"Yeah. Yeah. You're right."

The girls pick up chocolates, biscuits, and chips, holding a bunch of them in their arms.

"U-uhmm..." Karina's gaze is lowered. There is no way she can look at these scary strangers in the eyes. "I-is that all because I need to count how—"

"Shut your mouth. Of course, that's not all. Are you an idiot?" A single finger of the stranger pushes Karina's head. The gray-haired girl closes her eyes, expecting to be hit by the strangers.

But she hears someone else speak. "Wait a minute."

Karina knows that voice but she forgot where she heard it. When the three strangers look behind them and part, Karina sees the beautiful blonde Emma-san together with the tall scary guy and her big brother Manjiro Sano.