Just Passing By (Soukoku)

I

The ginger was running through the market and accidently bumped into a male's tough shoulder.

"So sorry, Sir." With that, the ginger bowed respectfully.

The taller groaned, "Brat, watch where you're going." With that, the ginger nodded and hastily ran away. The male looked at running ginger and sighed..he absentmindedly reached into his pocket only to find his leather wallet gone. His eyes widened.

"Hey, catch that kid! Thief!"

The ginger smirked as he picked up his running pace, "He found out quite fast."

The ginger turned a corner, hearing the victim still shouting and chasing him but he was too slow. Especially for him.

"Chuuya, come on!" A silver haired male shouted out for the ginger and the teenager named Chuuya Mey up with a boy his age. Both of them then headed to a nearby shack.

Another girl their age was waiting for them. She waved them over as Chuuya handed her the black leather wallet he just stole.

"Let's see if we hit gold!" The pink haired girl snickered and opened the wallet, looking through all the notes and coins.

A big smile spread on her face. "Good one you got, Chuuya-kun. We got a few thousands."

The ginger smirked, "I'll aim for that guy again."

He then proceeded to say, "Want me to share with you guys, Shirace, Yuan?"

The duo sitting oppsoite the ginger shooting their head.

"It's your catch. We can go without food today."Yuan said, smiling gently, Shirace nodding as well.

Chuuya seemed hesitating but nodded, seeing the persistence on his friends faces.

---

Night soon came and Chuuya pushed himself throught eh crowd of teenagers like him or some even older. Seeing the familiar raven head coming throught eh crowd, the whole initially roaring crowd of children suddenly quietened down.

Like machine dolls they all lined up, some pushing and cutting the long snake like queue but it didn't taste long when the raven head towering above them announced, "Lines!" With that, no more oushign or pulling, not a sound was heard.

The raven head smiled menacingly.

Chuuya also went into the line, Shirace and Yuan queueing up behind him. He looked worriedly at them but they just gave a reassuring smile to him.

The ginger was one of the boys at tye front so he cukd get the spot check over and done with.

When it was his turn, his handed the black leather wallet to the raven head in front of him. The other just looked through he bundle of money but kept silent. Chiuya felt his heart stop for a second before a smile appeared on the other's face.

"Nice catch today, Chuuya. Continue to work hard."

A silent nod and sigh of relief came from the ginger as he stepped out of the line of scared and anxious teenagers. He watched as Yuan and Shirace faced the other's glare when they presented nothing to him.

"What is the single rule here?" The raven haired asked, that made a shiver go down Chuuya's spine.

Yuan spoke first, "No money, no food."

The other's eyes narrowed, "Louder!"

"No money, no food." Tmshirace said this time.

The older sighed loudly which made both of them flinch, "That's right. The only rule you have to follow is No money, no food. You'll have to starve today. Go to your rooms after this, understood?" His voice firm.

"Yes Mori-sama." They both bowed and the raven head pushed both of them out of the line roughly.

The ginger quickly rushed to his friends. "You guys okay?"

Yuan and Shirace put up a tight smile. "We're fine. See you later." Chuuya was about to say something else but stopped when he saw Mori's gaze on him. He reluctantly bid his friends goodbye and walked to the canteen by himself. He should've forced the money into their hands...

A group of boys lead by a blue haired male knocked into Chuuya as the ginger turned his head to glare at them. It was no use. Everyone here either made a friend group or you're alone by yourself. It was a matter of stealing here.

They had to present money to Mori-sama or they won't get food and no one here wanted that.

Many people always beat each other up to steal their stolen money so they wouldn't get punished into more labour and get their share of food.

Chuuya sighed as he dusted his shirt off and went into the canteen, grabbing his tray of food but not eating any but bringing the whole tray back to his room he shared with Shirace and Yuan. The two of them were already inside, laying on their torn futons lazily. Chuuya rently placed the tray on the floor.

"Here. We can share." Chuuya suggested and the two oppsoite of him smiled.

"Thanks Chuuya. You're a life saver sometimes."

The ginger smiled, "I'm nor hungry anyways, I'll go to sleep first so that I can have enough energy tomorrow for another steal."

The pink haired girl nodded enthusiastically as she munched ont he dry bread that was enought to fill her up.

---

Maybe they'll get a good steal the next day.