Beat It

Side Story

2 Years Ago...

I groaned and groggily sat up in my bed when I sensed someone entering my room.

"Ugh... Mom...?" I slurred as I rubbed my eye, half asleep, "What's wrong...? Why are you crying...?"

Through half-lidded eyes, I gazed over at my Mom who had tears along the corner of her eyes, slowly waking up. I took notice of her struggling a bit to say something, causing me to wake up even more and get out of bed.

"Mom? What's going on?" I urged, now starting to get worried while I placed my hands on her shoulders and leaned down to hear her whispers through her sobbing.

"I-it's Mitsukuni! H-he's-! He's going to jail!"

From hearing that, I felt my blood go cold as the color drained from my face.

Mitsukuni!? Jail!?

I felt my chest tighten as my emotions started to get out of control slightly, barely keeping it together due to barely getting emotional.

"I- What!? W-what happened!? Why!?" I immediately questioned, looking my Mom directly in the face.

My Mom sobbed again before answering, "I don't know! But he's in the jailhouse right now!"

Without thinking, I suddenly ran out of my room and stormed off, not caring about how dark and late it was, and rushing past Arajin's room along the way. Not like he would be able to hear me, he's a heavy sleeper.

Frantically, I grabbed my bag and put on a random pair of slippers before I burst outside. I dug around for my motorcycle keys in my bag and pulled them out.

Hopping onto the vehicle, I instantly inserted the key, started it up, and drove off, heading towards the jailhouse.

-

"Mitsukuni!"

From hearing me call out to him, he raised his head and gazed at me with wide eyes.

"Naomi-san!?"

"What happened!? Why are you in jail!?!" I panted, trying to regain my breath from running so fast to find his cell.

Seeing how exhausted and panicked right now, Mitsukuni frowned and reached through the bars to try to hug me.

"I beat up a cop..., "he answered and went on to slowly explain, "...He tried forcing me and a few others to sell drugs."

"...Naomi-san, listen to me carefully... I'm going to be in juvie for a while."

I felt my breath hitch and I pushed myself away to look him in the face.

"No, you are not!! I-! My Mom can bail you out-!"

"You can't. It's the law."

"Fuck the law!"

I was too emotional right now. I wasn't thinking logically.

Of course, the law won't fuck itself. Especially when it's one where someone on the force was attacked and injured.

My breath was going erratic as I forced myself not to cry.

I can't believe that this is happening.

During the state that I was in, Mitsukuni reached out again to hug me once more. Mitsukuni was silent as he rubbed my back to comfort me, letting out a sigh before he spoke again.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine..., "he softly assured, "Can you promise me something, Naomi-san?"

It took me a moment for me to reply, hesitantly nodding my head as my breath shook.

"Can you look after Matakara for me?"

I then shot my head up to stare at him, my brows furrowing slightly.

"You know I can't do that! I live too far away to visit and I would be too busy!" I retort.

Mitsukuni just smiled softly at this, "I know. But... If you even end up moving back, can you?"

My eyes widened slightly as I stared at him for a few seconds, my breath still shaking.

Taking in a deep, shaky breath I nodded as I wiped my nose with the back of my hand. Once again, I leaned myself against the bars, wanting to get as close to him as I could.

For once in my life, I started to cry.

As my body shook in silent, choked sobs, Mitsukuni just rubbed my back and placed his forehead against the iron bars.

"Don't worry, Naomi-san..., "he spoke softly, "I'll be ok... I'll be back... It's just going to be two years..."

"I'll be back..."

"...Please... Wait for me..."

~

Author's Note:

This sucks. ;-;