Survival Game, Book 1: The Fool

Act Two: Chapter Ten

"Hey, Kawakami!" That smug, irritating call rang into Kouji's memory like some uncurable virus. That day, the day after his encounter with Noguchi, was possibly the worst day anyone could ever decide to mess with him. "How's that whore mom of yours?" The taunting continued, followed by a laugh more akin to an animal braying than a human. "What's her name, Yui? Yeah, she sounds like a real wild one! I bet you sleep with her just like her other men! What's she like? Does she pay you an allowance afterwards? Hey, I'm needing some spare change, how about I come over and try her out? How much is she? Maybe she'd let you in her room for free if you slap her around some, huh? Just like your old man, am I right? I bet she begs you to hit her, doesn't she, Kawakami? Yeah, you know she does! Like father, like son! Maybe you'll be cell mates one—" He wasn't able to say anything after that. After that, all that smart mouth of his was able to do was spit out blood and teeth. Kouji continued to punch him, over and over again, until his fist was red with blood and raw from the repeated attack. Yet he continued. Over and over again. He broke bones, he knocked out teeth, he beat the classmate's fat nose until it managed to get fatter with swelling and reverted to a disfigured, bloody pulp. There was yelling and screaming all around, but all of it fell on deaf ears. He wasn't even sure when he stopped...
"Do you accept the terms, Kawakami-san?" The elderly judge croaked, staring down at him intensely. "I suggest it'd be a wise decision. Kimura-san is only offering once." The asforementioned woman, Azumi Kimura, stood in front of the podium, looking at him with a rather blank expression. She'd came in just before his sentence and offered his attorney a chance to evade his punishment, stating that if he joined her program, it'd serve as just as fairly as if he was imprisoned. Kouji would be a fool not to take it. He refused to be imprisoned for something he didn't regret and, frankly, didn't deserve considering his reasons for the assault. The only thing he did regret was not being able to see that fat pig in the hospital right now. He also didn't want to slander Yui anymore and follow in Matsuo's footsteps of being a criminal. And most importantly, he didn't want Noguchi to get the satisfaction of his only obstacle moving out of the way.
"Yes, sir." Kouji replied in a low voice. He was by no means remorseful, but he wished for nothing more at the moment than to go home. However, it worked on the judge, who gave a small nod. "I'll leave the rest to you then, Kimura-san. Court dismissed."
The court dispersed into a crowd of muttering, some passing a quick glance at Kouji and Azumi.
The woman approached him, the heels of her shoes clicking against the hardwood floor as she walked. "I'm thankful you chose my program. Though... surely juvenile detention is a bit safer than the Survival Game, isn't it?"
"To be honest, I would've joined it anyway." Kouji replied honestly, folding his arms. "I have a score to settle with Tsutomu Noguchi. If your program will let me do that, then I'll do whatever you want."
"Hm... Well, I'm sure you and I will do well together. I'll give you my contact information. After I get my last participant, I'll contact you. However, please stay out of any trouble until then. If you go to court again, I cannot help you any longer." She gave him a warning glare, her blue eyes sharp as she looked up at him. Try telling that to the other guy. Kouji thought, a bitter fury coursing through him as he remembered the event. "I'll be taking my leave now. Please excuse me." Azumi finished, handing him a card with her number on it before walking away.
"Kouji..." Yui had joined him as soon as Azumi left, standing a few feet away from the discussion. "Let's... go home, okay?" She suggested meekly, her usual dull gaze returning. She knows why I did it. Kouji guessed from her tone. He'd never told her about Noguchi, not yet anyway, but he knew she must've been upset over him injuring a classmate over her. What was I supposed to do? Like hell I was going to listen to such bullshit like that. He never said anything though, following her outside without a word. No one looked at them, thankfully, except the parents of the boy who gave them a glance of satisfaction, as if the thought of Kouji risking his life in the Survival Game was a much better punishment than the other option. They must've been willing him to get himself killed for what he did, not even considering that their son started the whole thing. They should be lucky I didn't kill him. Kouji would've told them such a thing too, if he didn't want to go home so badly. Maybe I will if there's a next time.

"How are you, Kouji? You haven't stuck around very long these days." The gruff voice of Naoki Takaoka asked. "I'm surprised these cats of yours even recognized you." He commented, glancing back into his restaurant for a brief second before turning back to Kouji.
"Yeah, I ran into some trouble, I guess you could say..." Kouji muttered, his eyes focused on the small black cat in front of him. It was the newest stray that had took up at the restaurant and he still hadn't named it. "There was some asshole who decided to insult Yui. I wasn't going to let him get by with it. Not sure what came over me when it happened, but... at least he'll know better next time. Either way, I'm now stuck in this program, the one from the news." No use telling him about Noguchi either.
"Hmm... bad luck, I guess. But, not like it matters. In my opinion, that program is way better for you than a cell. That guy had it coming. If I was you, I'd have done the same if I heard anyone insulting Yui like that." Naoki stated, casually adjusting the band that held back his graying ponytail. He was at least 55 years old or so, yet he'd became more of a father figure to Kouji than Matsuo or Noguchi ever had been. He was also fairly acquainted with Kouji's grandparents, but had cut ties with them when they defended Matsuo after a fight with Yui. Naoki, enraged, had yelled at both of them and even gave Matsuo a busted lip when the man tried to play innocent. Maybe that's where Kouji got it from, looking back on it, but he could never tell. "Maybe you'll collect a pretty good bounty on one of the Grandmasters, if you know what I mean. Then you, me, and Yui can pack our things and travel every prefecture Japan has to offer! Maybe I'll even wear a nice polo shirt to remember Tsutomu by!" Naoki ended his sentence in a bellowing laugh, scaring a few cats away at the sudden noise.
"Maybe we could even give him one as a gift. If he doesn't have one from every prefecture already." Kouji suggested jokingly. If there was anyone who hated Noguchi more than Kouji, it was Naoki. Most of their time together was spent complaining about the man, even now after Kouji found out the truth about him a week prior. He had considered telling him about it once, but he assumed Naoki wouldn't take him seriously. After all, did he have a reason not to? Telling Naoki that Noguchi was a Grandmaster was the same as telling him the guy chose a new fashion style. Neither of them were believable.
"Yeah. Anyway, I better go back to the shop. Come back soon, okay? Bring Yui too. I'll make you guys two bowls of ramen, on the house." Naoki offered after a brief moment of silence. "And uh, hey, be careful, will you? Don't go getting yourself killed over some asshole running his mouth. If the program gets too rough, don't be the hero. Quit whenever you feel like you can't do it anymore." He avoided looking at Kouji as he spoke, but his advice came out strong, like a father instructing his child. Kouji nodded in response, though he didn't want to promise anything. If I end up lying to him, I'll have to apologize. And like hell I'll ever say I'm sorry to anyone, not even him. The phrase was nothing but a curse to him, as if he was eternally destined to hear the words "I'm sorry" despite the one saying it doing nothing wrong. It reminded him of Matsuo, of Noguchi, even of his grandparents. Just repeating the word in his head made him sick. Not wanting to think about it anymore, he turned away, giving a brief wave to Naoki as he left. Quit whenever I feel like it, huh? If only that was an option. But it's not. The image of Noguchi strangling his supposed client appeared into his mind once more, the memory of the icy chill in the air causing him to shiver. This program is my only chance to kill that bastard. And I don't care if it costs me my life as long as he goes down with me.