A dark past to a bright future

Chapter 19

(outside apartment)

Iris (standing in front of a taxi while Souji gets out): Why are you coming out of the taxi? I know you don't live around here.

Souji (after closing the door): Well my place is close by so I can just walk it from here.

Taxi driver: Are you coming in?

Souji (looks at the driver): I'm not but how much was the ride?

Taxi driver: You don't have to pay. The hospital already paid me.

Souji: Then have a good night sir.

Taxi driver (while driving off): You too.

Souji (looks at Iris): I think you should skip college this week.

Iris: I should be fine after I get some sleep.

Souji: I'll pick you up so wait here. I'll text you when I'm on my way.

Iris (while Souji walks off): Okay.

(inside Iris's room near the main door)

Iris (leaning on the door having her eyes close while a tear drops after closing it): I'm going to miss you, Mum.

(street)

Ruby (from Souji's phone): Oh my. Is Iris going to be okay?

Souji (while walking): I said she should take some off but she insisted on going to class.

Ruby: I think Iris should also take time off. So what's the plan?

Souji: I promise to protect Isis and if I have to I'll kill anyone to keep her safe,

Ruby: Of course, you need my assistance. By the way, are you heading home?

Souji: Yeah. I just dropped Iris at her place and surprisingly we don't live that far from her.

Ruby: Be careful. I've been seeing a few more Blood Blossom members.

Souji: I've seen them on the way to the hospital. I'll send you a message about that later. I need to call my dad.

Ruby: Okay. See you tomorrow at college.

(flat Souji room)

Souji's dad (from Souji's phone and after he entered): Hello?

Souji: It's me, Dad.

Souji's dad: You know you're calling me while I'm on my way home.

Souji: Sorry but I need you to do some research on the Sakura family.

Souji's dad: Isn't that Iris girl a Sakura?

(Bedroom)

Souji (puts his katana on his bed): She's not one of the members. Her mother said she and her husband were part of the gang but after having Iris they changed. The mum left but the father stayed being the new leader.

Souji's dad: Let's question the mum more.

Souji: Iris's mother just passed away a few hours ago.

Souji's dad: I feel bad for that girl.

Souji (taking his coat off): Remember you said I can use my katana for someone else and not for myself?

Souji's dad: I remember that.

Souji (leaning on the wall): For her mother's last wish I promise to protect Iris.

Souji's dad: will you kill anyone for her safety?

Souji (eyes dim): Of course. I don't mind having my hand stained in blood once again.

Souji's dad: As long as you know who your allies and enemies are. I'll support your decision. Is Ruby going to be with you?

Souji (eyes normal): It sounds like I need a watcher still.

Souji's dad: I'm not trying to make it sound like that.

Souji: But to your question. Ruby will be assisting me in protecting Iris and making sure we stay in check.

Souji's dad: So Iris also has that survival switch?

Souji: Yeah (smiling) but she uses her fist luckily.

Souji's dad: I'll let you go. If I find something I'll contact you.

Souji: Night. (looking at the view from his window after his dad hangs up) I have to keep an eye on her during class tomorrow. Hopefully, she'll be able to get some sleep.

(next day morning street)

Souji (walking while looking at his phone wearing his collage outfit): Why aren't you picking up my calls? (in his mind putting his phone away) I left you a text, a call-me-back message and I called you five times. (looking ahead) Well, I'm here now. I should check if she's home.

(apartment in front of Iris door)

Souji (knocking on the door): Iris. Are you awake? (after sighing) Time to break in.

Souji went on one knee putting his sword bag down before using two bobby pins to pick the lock. It took him a while but he soon heard the door unlock.

Souji (standing while putting the bobby pins away): Never leave home without them. (in his mind picking his sword bag up) It's a good thing Dad taught me how to unlock doors.