Survival Game, Book 1: The Fool

Act Two: Chapter Nine

(Content Warning: This act contains mentions of child abuse and assault. Please read cautiously.)

                       Act II, Death's Door

    "Mama! Mama! Please, stop it! Please! Mama's hurt! Papa, don't do this! Please!" The 5 year old boy cried out in anguish, pulling at the leg of his father's pants in a vain attempt to get him to stop. He'd been awakened by the sounds of yelling and glass shattering from his mother's bedroom, but now he wished he'd ignored it. His presence there only made things worse, it seemed. "Please!" He begged once more, his voice nothing but a shrill shriek. This time, his father turned on him, a broken beer bottle in hand. The man had mumbled something, but his son couldn't hear him. Apparently it was something bad, for his father grabbed him by the shirt collar and threw him onto the bed, broken bottle in hand. He couldn't clearly remember what happened next, only the searing pain slicing through his face and seeing nothing but a deep crimson staining his mother's bed and his clothes. Through his sobbing and the pain throbbing at the gash on his face, he could hear his mother's shrieks of, "You son of a bitch! You son of a bitch, look what you did to him!" though her fury only lasted for seconds before declining into "I'm sorry."

    Kouji jolted awake from the wretched memory that haunted his dreams. Ten years and I still can't give over that damn dream. He cursed, sitting up from his bed. That memory was the last he ever had of Matsuo Kawakami, and looking back at it now, it seemed as if that scar across his son's jaw was a parting gift. A few weeks after Kouji's injury, Matsuo was arrested for fraud, and Kouji had the pleasure of getting to watch the event unfold. The great head manager gets arrested over the company that made him famous. Kouji scoffed at the irony of it all. Matsuo Kawakami was the president of a large company that controlled a few department stores in the area, making him the perfect match for Yui Touyama in the eyes of her parents. Of course, her parents neglected the fact that they were marrying their daughter to nothing but a drunken swine who thought beating on women and children could demonstrate his power. Kouji would've loved to see their reaction when their son in law was arrested, but he never got the chance.
    His grandparents were known for being strictly old fashioned, to a degree of which it took them several years to move to a more modern styled house after theirs had been damaged in an earthquake five years ago. They believed that their daughter should be married to a high class man to provide for her family, as long as they get to pick the man, that is. It started out with Matsuo, whom they'd met through a mutual friend and coworker of his. At the time of their marriage, Matsuo was 10 years senior to his wife, marrying her when she was only 20 years old. She gave birth to Kouji a year after their marriage, though to Matsuo, it was only for status. Their marriage lasted 6 years, though probably would've ended sooner if Matsuo wasn't so successful in the public eye, and Yui finally divorced him after the arrest, thankful she could revert back to her maiden name. Kouji wasn't so lucky, forced with the curse of always being reminded who his father was.
    And I never thought I'd find someone worse than that pig. Kouji thought resentfully as he quickly got dressed and went downstairs to join Yui in the kitchen. I see he made breakfast today. Kouji noticed as he seated himself across from Yui. If he didn't respect her so much, he would've skipped breakfast entirely. The man in question was his step father, Tsutomu Noguchi, who was worse than Yui's first husband. Her parents had picked him as well, appalled at the thought of Yui working on her own for 10 years. When she was unable to keep the jobs she'd worked at, thanks to Matsuo, she reluctantly gave into marrying Noguchi. Noguchi was less abusive, that much Kouji would admit, but he was the type who'd manipulate someone for his own goals and not care what lengths he took. He was much wealthier than Matsuo, meaning he could get away with more. Anytime he'd push Yui to her limit, he'd easily buy her something the next day and she'd say, "I'm sorry." He'd bought them a luxurious mansion, possibly one of the most expensive ones in Tokyo, a new car, and a new watch from some high class company Kouji hadn't heard of. Not like Yui wanted the gifts, she only accepted them because things were simpler that way. "Tsutomu... isn't that bad." Kouji recalled her saying once. "Without him, we'd never get by. I don't mind putting up with him if it means you can have a good life."
    Currently, Yui sat at the table, dressed in a sea green silk dress that Noguchi had bought her the other day. The watch was there too. Her dark brown eyes were dull and she gazed uninterestedly down at a piece of toast, only brighting whenever Kouji joined her. "Good morning, Kouji!" She greeted him with a cheerful smile. "Tsutomu prepared us breakfast. He had to go to a meeting this morning, so he couldn't join." She explained as if it was a bad thing for Kouji. For him, and Yui as well, it was better when it could be just the two of them. Every time Noguchi was around, any conversation felt tense and awkward.
    "That's fine. I prefer it that way." Kouji muttered. "Is he going to be gone tonight?" It was a stupid question honestly. Noguchi was gone every night. Kouji had thought of following him and seeing what he was doing, but never had the chance. I don't give a damn if he's going to every bar in Tokyo and drinking himself to death as long as he's not cheating on Yui with some whore. He remembered thinking once. That was another thing his grandparents didn't approve of. Maybe it was the fact she was a young mother, but every since he started middle school, he'd always called his mother by her first name. To everyone who saw, it seemed the upmost disrespect a child could bestow upon their parents. But, in this case, Kouji had a more casual relationship with his mother that made her more like a close friend. She was more free spirited than most mothers and never was too strict on him. They'd go places together, take trips during school breaks, and she'd taught him most everything he knew. Until Noguchi was forced upon them and Kouji was pushed away from Yui as much as possible. He always guessed it was a jealousy thing, where Noguchi was angry that his wife loved her own child more than him.
    "I guess so..." Yui's response broke into his thoughts. "But, that's okay! I was thinking we could go to Takaoka's tonight. We haven't got to spend much time together lately, so I wanted to catch up. I know your first year of high school must be tough and I'm sure you're worried about your studies. And, uh, I noticed your health hasn't been well, so you haven't got to study much..." Her voice trailed off as if she wanted to avoid the topic. She'd always shy away from discussing his health to where Kouji wondered why she'd even bring it up. She would never ignore his issues, in fact it was the opposite, but it was the only thing that caused any rift between them. Ever since the night when Kouji was 13 and had to be rushed to the hospital after his glucose levels dropped to a dangerous low, Yui had always requested him to accept the doctor's offer for prescriptions, but he'd decline each time.
    "Oh! That's right!" Yui quickly changed topic when Kouji never responded. "When I was coming home from the store yesterday, I passed a pet store and saw this little puppy in the window. It was very cute. I thought it'd be nice to get us a dog like I promised. I know things got in the way, but now we can afford one." The tension from before had disappeared as she spoke and she looked at Kouji with a more content gaze. He remembered his mother always talking about becoming a vet and one day getting him the dog he'd wanted when he was little. Yui was never able to accomplish her dreams, she never had the time or money to get a certification and open her own clinic, but she was pleased Kouji had shared that dream since he was young. Noguchi would probably use it for some sick crap if we got it. He thought bitterly.
    "Maybe we should wait." Kouji answered. He didn't trust Noguchi with any animal. "I have the stray cats at Takaoka's to take care of. It may be hard to–" He was cut off as the entrance door creaked open and Noguchi entered, his brow furrowed in some negative emotion that Kouji couldn't place. Something must've gone wrong at the meeting he had, but he didn't care enough to ask. His step father would probably complain about it anyway. "Damn bastard doesn't know what's good for him..." The man was already cursing under his breath, kicking off his shoes and marching through the hallway, the same black box he'd bring every meeting held tightly in his hand. He gave them a cautious glance as he passed the kitchen, as if he thought they'd steal that precious box of his. "Oh, I'm sorry about that! The meeting I had was cut short, as you can probably tell." His anger dissolved in almost an instant as he greeted Yui, the fake mask he put up every time he wanted to play the husband role coming up while he talked.
    "It happens, unfortunately." Yui agreed, her eyes returning to a dull gleam. "Are you going to join us? You can set that box on the table and–"
"No." Noguchi quickly declined, his eyes giving off some wild glare like a terrified animal. "No... I'm fine. I have to find some new customers and contact my boss about the meeting. She won't be happy, but that's what you get in sales! You can't please every customer." He added a casual fake laugh to disguise his anxiety.
Don't worry. No one cares about your stupid fancy watches. Kouji wanted to repeat the thought aloud, but he decided not to. Or your damn polo shirt collection. He always assumed that's what Noguchi was selling, considering that's all his fashion choices consisted of. Every day, the guy would wear a set outfit of a polo shirt, khakis, and a silver watch around his wrist. Today he'd chose a light blue polo shirt to compliment the khakis and Kouji was certain he must have a different shirt organized for every week. "Anyway, I better go call her. I'll join you guys later, alright?" He strutted off before Yui or Kouji could say anything, leaving them alone once more. That bastard isn't very good at hiding stuff, is he? Kouji thought to himself, letting only a slight interest enter his mind. Whatever he's selling, it must not be normal.
    His interest had grew by the time he finished breakfast, and he decided he had to know what Noguchi was doing. He assumed it was some kind of feeling he had that drove him to sneak up to Noguchi's room and pressed his ear against the door, hoping to hear a tiny bit of the conversation.
"Yes, I-I know, my Queen. I understand. Yes, I'm aware of what Kimura is doing, but what are a bunch of kids who committed some petty crimes and got a free pass gonna do to us? We're an empire! Kimura has failed twice, she won't succeed the next time! The bitch will go back to–" Noguchi's brief confidence was destroyed in seconds and under different circumstances, Kouji would've been pleased at the sight. "Yes, I won't... my apologies, my Queen. I'll find another customer tonight. By 8:30 tonight, I'll bring good news! I promise! I'll get to it right away." He hung up after that, his face grimaced in some ugly manner of annoyance. So the bastard really is into some sketchy business after all. That or he's filming the worst AV film ever created. Kouji walked away from the door, silently hoping Noguchi would've noticed him. 8:30 tonight, huh? Maybe this time, I'll tag along to see what your "meetings" really are.

    Noguchi had left that night about 8:10 p.m., telling Yui the usual story about him going to meet with a client last minute. Rather Yui believed his lie or not, she agreed anyway, figuring it was easier than a fight. Kouji waited about five minutes to head to the entrance, casually calling back, "Yui, I'm going to Takaoka's tonight!" It wasn't a total lie, he was going to head to the old ramen restaurant after seeing what Noguchi was up to. Yui had decided not to go like she originally planned, but Kouji promised to visit there anyway and give Takaoka her regards.
    When he got outside, he was able to follow Noguchi's trail pretty easily. The man always had a certain route he'd take every time he left the house and Kouji quickly caught up him, the man's bright colored shirt gleaming in the street lights. Kouji followed a safe distance, his dark hair and clothes making him almost invisible in the shadows. The night was oddly quiet, except for a few men and women getting off from work. No one paid attention to Noguchi or the boy following him.
Noguchi turned a sharp corner, leading into a small hidden alleyway crammed in between a clothing store and a tempura restaurant. Another man, middle aged and balding, stood waiting for him. The two exchanged brief words before Noguchi pulled out the same black box from earlier. Kouji edged closer, only catching the end of the other man's heated words.
    "How dumb do you think I am?!" He was yelling in a rasped voice. "Those drugs kill people! I'd rather die then take those damned things!" He slapped the box out of Noguchi's hand in one fierce blow, the glass syringe inside falling out and shattering onto the ground. Kouji thought the man would go after Noguchi next, but a hand instantly grabbed his throat in retaliation. With incredible strength, Noguchi slammed his attacker into the brick wall beside him. "Then maybe you'll get your wish, old man." He snapped, his tone cold with rage. For a second, it appeared as if Noguchi's eyes had turned into a strange silver color, like two chips of ice, and his spiky black hair became tipped with frost. The man's eyes seemed to bulge out of his head and his arms and legs tried to flail with pitiful effort, each movement he made slowing into a frozen, numb state. The veins in his neck were bulging too, displaying an unhealthy silver color, the outer skin turning gray and cracked as if he suddenly experienced a form of hypothermia despite it being the middle of July. It was as if some icy mist had emitted from Noguchi's hand and traveled into the man's lungs, closing up his throat and strangling him from the inside. Looking closer, Kouji noticed that was the only explanation possible. Noguchi's hand was barely holding the man's throat, yet the strange frost-like substance covering the palm seemed to be doing all the work.
    In mere seconds, Noguchi's victim's lips turned blue and what looked like ice circled around his neck like a strange collar and covered his face in shards, chips of ice hanging from his eyelids and nose. A frosty air surrounded the area, despite the night air having been humid before. Noguchi's appearance reverted to normal, gazing longingly at the destroyed box and broken glass, as if he'd suffered a grieving loss. His eyes dulled heavily and it almost appeared as if he would burst into tears, until finally noticing Kouji. "Kouji!" He exclaimed, his eyes widened with shock. "What're you doing here? Y-You should call an ambulance! My client, he-he just passed out and..." He trailed off, realizing he'd been caught.
    "Nice try, you sick bastard." Kouji turned his glare on the monster that stood before him. "I dunno what kind of little stunt you pulled there, but like hell you're getting away with it. I wonder what the cops will say when they arrest a Grandmaster." He was only half taunting him. I'd rather see this guy dead than arrested.
"They'll never catch us. Even if I was arrested, you think that'd stop us? Or maybe you think you're going to stop me? A little boy who clings to his mama? You can't even get on my level, boy." Noguchi approached him, his gaze turning into that strange silver again. "I'd love to see you try. But, for now, I'll let you live and tonight could be our little secret. I want you to witness the unveiling of our new Queen. Once the hag is dead, I'll be King and you know who'll be the new Queen? The one who'll bring a new era to the Grandmasters?" A devilish smirk appeared on his lips. "My dear little Yui. She'll take AX, rather by choice or force, and usher us into a new reign. With her and I in power, we'll conquer everything! And you'll get a front row seat. You'll get to watch it all. Then after that's over," He reached out and trailed an icy finger over the scar on Kouji's face, its nail raking over the blemish with such ferocity that it seemed as if it'd reopen any second. With a voice as cold as ice, he added, "I'll finish what your father started."