Stories From Tokyo-To

Chapter 17: Many Styles!

"Woah!" I was utterly taken aback. This was the soft-spoken guy I met all those days ago? He was... so cool! His voice was warm and so lively! Like hearing from an old friend after a long time! But what made me glow with a smile was the music he was playing. That was my music, our music! The music for the ones without a voice yet let their presence known! I couldn't help but groove to the music; Mew couldn't help herself either. Soon enough, we blasted the station busted moves when out of the blue:

"What the hell are you two doing?"

The both of us yelped as we turned to see Gum standing in the doorway. She looked unamused as she blew a bubble with her chewing gum, which popped the embarrassing silence. We stood motionless as Gum waited for a response. 

I involuntarily let out an "Uhhh" before she nudged her head to have me follow her. I followed suit and turned around to see Mew giving a timid wave goodbye, her face flustered.

I faced forward to see no one in sight. How could that be? I only turned around for two seconds, and Gum was out of sight? I scanned the cramped room but to no avail. It wasn't until I stepped out of the shed that a shadow covered the sun from above me. I looked to see a figure hopping off the hideout and heading straight towards me?!

"HYAAA!" Gum came at me with a fierce flying kick! I dodged her attack, and she grinded to a halt on her rollerblades. Fight or flight kicking in, I pumped myself up for whatever she had in store. I tried remembering the basics and techniques Tab had taught me in his spare time, but using them in a fight? Last time that happened, I had my shit rocked! 

I had no time to think as she lunged at me with a fist, then another. Soon enough, it was a flurry of attacks coming from her. Some made contact, but most were blocked by my forearms.

Gum growled with a smile. "Hah! So you can block a punch?! How about you deliver one?!"

"WHAT?! I'M NOT GONNA HIT YOU!"

"Wrong answer!" Gum moved from deliberately throwing punches to be blocked to ones on the side and abdomen. Each blow was devastating since the already punished bruises were getting pummeled. I screamed and winced in pain as she continued to hammer her fists into me. I couldn't take any more of this torture, and with one failed swoop, I landed a right hook to her face.

Gum stumbled back and felt the hit I landed. She moved her fingers to her lip and checked her glove, only to find blood was drawn. She looked at me with stunned eyes that soon shifted to a grin. I gave a meek "Sorry." Before, she used her leg to swipe at my feet, having me fall on my ass. She placed her knee on my arm and chest as she firmly held my head and arm. 

Her position was somewhat... compromising, considering her use of an oversized dress. I didn't see anything lewd, but it was a bit of an unflattering angle. Thank god she had spandex underneath...

Gum had a prideful grin looking at me. "I'm impressed."

My words came out more constricted as one would, having someone place their entire body weight on you. "Y-You are?"

"Yeah. I'm impressed those Poison Jam freaks didn't finish you off in one blow, considering how you handled yourself just now. You need way more practice, kid." Her smile dropped as she maintained position. She heard the strain in my voice and eased up on my chest to listen to my reply.

"I-I'm sorry..." My voice came out in a panting panic. "But can you pull down your d-dress?". Gum looked down to see what I meant and blushed. She pulled me up by the collar and slapped me with all her might that it echoed throughout the small neighborhood.

Soon after, the evening sun took over the brightness of noon, and the both of us were sitting atop Mew's shed, overlooking the view. Gum offered me a bottle of cold water. I gave her a monotone "Thanks." I placed it on the red hand mark lingering on my face. The contact made me wince a bit, and Gum laughed. "So, where'd you learn how to defend yourself? It would've been handy when those Love Shockers cornered you."

I shook my head. "Handy? Yeah, it would've come in handy when you're up against an entire cheerleading squad."

Gum chuckled at my remark. I'm so glad my hypothetical misfortune could bring her so much joy, although I still owe her for that. She asked again. "Nah, really, who taught you that? Cause I sure as hell know you didn't arrive with it."

"Is it really out of the realm of possibility that I taught myself? It's been weeks since you've seen me. Maybe I picked it up on the streets.'"

She rolled her eyes. "The 'streets', huh? Suuure." Her glance shifted back at me. "I bet it was that 'friend' of yours who left you as a punching bag for those monsters."

I stayed silent. If she's gonna keep bad-mouthing Tab without knowing what had happened, then the best course of action is to just keep quiet. I know he'd at least appreciate the confidentiality. She noticed my shift in attitude and changed the subject. "Anyway, you're fully decked out with some Rudie essentials. That's at least a start."

"Yeah." I nodded my head and took a quick swig of water. "It's probably a good thing that I have two of the three boxes checked..."

Gum was visibly confused. "Boxes?"

I counted off each one with my fingers: "I got a pair of 'blades', learned how to properly use them..." I paused on my third finger. "But, all I need to do is get a crew started without any bullcrap initiation or rules.' Then maybe, MAYBE, you'd consider joining my gang."

Gum stopped and bursted out laughing. "Oh my god! I totally forgot I said that!" The disbelief on my face was unmatched. I was at a loss for words and began to second-guess myself. She added fuel to the fire by adding, "You're still on that? I mean, look what happened! No offense, but what kind of leader gets outmatched by someone like me? I'm sorry, kid. You might as well join a gang before someone decides to finish the job."

"No."

She cocked an eyebrow at my response. "No?"

I stared off into the distance. Watching the sun fall behind the now shining lights of Benten-Cho's cityscape. Gum leaned forward to hear what I was going to say. I sighed, and we met each other's gaze.

"Gum, since the moment I arrived till now, I've been ambushed, lost, rescued, sheltered, chased, beaten, and abandoned. If I were anyone else, I would've either ran back home or be dead by now. And since my arrival, the amount of times I wanted to give up skyrocketed. But I've also been fortunate enough for someone to find me safety, food on my plate, a roof over my head, and most importantly, a friend. If it weren't for him, the mere thought of creating a gang would've died when I met you. But it was through him, through this city and its culture, that I learned to truly immerse myself in this lifestyle. A lifestyle that had died and left me as the only one who gave a damn back in Fukowoka-Cho."

I paused. Gum was seemingly fixated on what I was saying. Something told me that my words were getting to her. I stood up to get a clearer view of the city.

"So I completely refuse to join some gang who'll crush my dream for their own selfish desires. My gang won't have any uniforms, no disguises, no conformity! The members should be like the paint in their spray cans, running wild and free. They'll be free to express themselves however they want! We'll jam out, hang out, and have fun tagging up this city!" I looked down to look at Gum; she stayed seated, looking at the lights like I was. Her face was pensive, and her head slightly nodded. Her stoic look was interrupted by her scoffing, shaking her head. With a smile, she replied. "Jesus, kid. Your 'gang' is gonna be filled to the brim with weirdos, you know that, right?"

"Oh yeah, I know. But someone like you could balance their crazy with a swift leg sweep. That is if maybe, just MAYBE, you'd consider joining." Gum looked at me and smirked. I could see that my vision was something she'd like to see and maybe be a part of. This city needed free spirits whose only limitations were spray cans. She giggled and softly jabbed my side with her elbow.

"Ow."

"Oh! Sorry!"