(Flashback to Year 2027)
Akira Yamaguchi
I'm 13 now, but I'm already in senior high. I study hard so that I can help my Mom one day and buy us a new house. Mom works so hard as a cook for a street canteen, but we still can't even afford to buy enough food or pay the rent sometimes.
I tear up a bit.
A loud voice starts calling my name.
"Akira? Akiraaaa?? Akiraaaaaaa!!!"
"Oh." I regained consciousness from daydreaming. "What's the question?"
Everyone in my class laughed at me.
Someone in the crowd shouted, "look at that everyone, she's not just poor, she's a lazy ass idiot!"
"Daydreaming again in class. How many times do I have to tell you? You're not going to succeed by sleeping." The teacher said in a mocking manner.
I sit in silence looking down at my feet, embarrassed.
"Ready to answer my question A-kee- rah" he affronted, making fun of my name.
My name was Akira because my parents were Filipino and Japanese. My father died, but Mom never told me why. She eventually got with another man who's a no good drinker. He's never really home though, and I'm thankful he isn't. I take in the ridicule and answer him. "I want to be a doctor, so that I can help others who are sick."
"A doctor?" The teacher asks.
"Yes, that's what I said."
He rolls his eyes.
"How can you be a doctor when you keep sleeping in class?"
My classmates start chattering and giggling among themselves, their eyes targeting me.
"In your dreams!" A girl in my class shouts.
Everyone laughs, but after a good 20 second the teacher finally told them to stop.
"Now now everyone, I think she's awake now," he says sarcastically.
What an asshole. Being around them is a nightmare. I wish they'd all just got hit by a truck or something.
The bell rings.
Finally, I can go home.
I stand up, take my things and start walking to the door.
I sigh
Another day at this school is over. Thank you.
"Hey sexy!" a boy from a group standing outside calls to me. They laugh together after getting my attention. I ignore them though, I take my first few steps away from the classroom door but the guy blocks my way.
"I'm talking to you pretty girl."
This tall, strong looking guy says as he blocked my path.
I look up at him feeling a bit nervous, then I sense more movement around me. When I looked behind me and to my sides, the other boys from his group surrounded me.
My breathing became heavy.
"Why don't you give us some money so we can all eat. We are all friends after all right?" he said with an imposing tone.
I looked at all of them, but didn't move a single finger to give them anything. After a few seconds, one of them touched my butt. I instantly flinched away.
"Ooo, fiesty now are we?" the big leader in front of me said.
Slowly they all started reaching out to grab a hold of my body, but I kept moving, giving them a hard time. I had to do something to escape.
"Akira just stand still, it'll be quick," one of the boys from their group said.
As all of that was happening, everyone in the hall was passing by like nothing was happening. Like I was nothing...
I noticed something though. Rather... someone...
At the other side of the hall where I was surrounded by the group of boys, I saw this guy, staring at me with a blank look.
"H-hey! Help!" I shouted in such a low voice from the fear I felt. For sure, he was not able to hear me.
The boys laughed and kept poking at my body parts since they couldn't get a hold on me, until finally, they did. Two of the boys held my arms. The other 3 and the leader started gathering at my front.
"You look fun like this." The leader of the group said.
I squirmed and squirmed, hoping I'd loosen their grip on me.
CRACK! CRACK!
The sound of bones cracking from dislocation as something metallic swung.
The 2 boys who were in front of me were hit by a wrench. The other 4 now had their attention on the opposite side to where I was cornered.
"What the fuck do you think you're d-"
SWING!
Down goes the leader.
I open my mouth in shock. It was the guy who was staring at me with a blank look earlier.
The other 3 look awfully pale.
"W-were sorry sir!" They run off as if they had seen the gates to hell.
Now it was just me, and the 3 bodies unconscious on the ground with the blank face guy.
"Thank you," I said to him. But he had already turned around and started walking. I look at the 3 on the ground and pay no further attention.
Time to go home, maybe Mom's there waiting for me already.
