Compatibility II (RinXOc)

#Chapter 14: Back Then

4 years ago...

Aoi was summoned to Hawai after being rejected by her real mom. Kisa Namizaki, Mika's sister decided to give Aoi to Mika since she was an illegitimate daughter. Aoi soon learned that reason and started to change her persepective about life. The once energetic girl loosed a light in her eyes. Kisa continue to study at the medical school after giving birth to Aoi and gave her to Mika. Mika and Reishin left for Hawai when Aoi was 10 years old. Aoi begged Kisa if she can stay with her but she refused. Aoi lived alone for 2 years in a young age and formed hatred against the world. 

Aoi, who was 12 years old back then,  entered the room and glared at everyone in the room. "I dont plan to get cozy to anyone of you", Aoi sat at the back part of the classroom. Everyone is chit chatting together and she was alone at the back part of the classroom watching the sea. "Good morning. You're also a Japanese?", Isumi, in her 11 year old, approached Aoi. The blonde looked at her up and down and smirked. "So there's another species here", Aoi dragged her going to the beach. "Are you familiar with these places?", Aoi asked as they walked at the beach. "I am still new here. Let's go back to the school. We might get lost", Isumi tried to pull her. A group of teens like them with tattoos, ear piercing, and cigarettes on their hand. They went further and some old man are following them. "I get some weird feeling about this", Aoi looked for an escape route. "Isumi. Go run at the left and I'll take the right side", Aoi instructed. "I cant", Isumi held unto Aoi's arm. One of them grabbed Isumi's wrist. "Let's go to a play room", he invited. Aoi bit the man and pulled Isumi. They ran together. Isumi got tripped and hurt her ankle. Three men cornered them at the aisle. "So, you wanted to play tag?", one of them hummed. the man was about to get the two but a knife went pass through them. "Suoh! Dont go running anywhere", a peach haired man was panting. A spiky red-head went out of the shadows. "Suoh... Homra's leader", the old man ran away. Aoi's eyes brightened when he saw a spiky red-head man and burning eyes. "He's strong", Aoi smiled. "Can I join your gang?", Aoi held unto his shirt. "Kizutani-san, Let's go back to school", Isumi tried to pull her but Aoi was fixated to the man. 

Aoi was always waiting for Suoh and their gang to patrol the area. She tagged along the group and was able to learn the ways of the street. They fight for their friends and their territory. One night, Aoi escaped their house to sneak into Suoh's territory. It was called HOMRA, a bar located at the town's circle. One of the gang member found her in the entrance and reported her to Suoh. Aoi directly ran to Suoh and sat beside him. "I will be your right hand. Teach me everything I needed to know", Aoi straightly said. Tatara laughed and carried the girl on his arms. "This is not a good place for kids like you", Tatara teased. Aoi headbutted Tatara that made her escape his grip. Suoh chuckled and called Aoi to sit beside him. "What is your name?", Suoh asked. "My name is Kizutani Aoi", Aoi introduced herself. As days passed by, she became closer to the group. Suoh brought her to one of the gang wars. 

A lot of blood was scattered. Aoi's eyes widened and trembled. "If you cannot look at the blood without trembling, you're not suited for this group", Suoh explained. Aoi shook her head and nodded. "This is just a normal thing",Aoi held Suoh's hand and they both went to Homra. Aoi stayed at Homra most of the time. She still goes to school and goes to the bar during end of classes. Aoi learned to smoke and drink until she went to 2nd year middle high school. Days passed and eventually months. One day during her third year middle high. She excitingly entered Suoh's room to introduce a new recruit. It was Isumi and her brother. She looked around and she never found Suoh. Tatara was also missing. She saw a note at Suoh's table. "You always told me that you'd be my next hand. I am entrusting Homra to you. So long, Aoi". The blonde clenched her fist and looked at Isumi. "Want to be my right hand?", Aoi asked. Isumi nodded. They began establishing new rules and regulation for HOMRA. Eventually, the gang went wilder without the guidance of someone older than them. 

Aoi bought drugs and  requited younger generation. Isumi's brother was the first trial of a high drug that was purchased. He went wild and Isumi was trying to stop him from jumping at the 6 story building. Her brother went rampage and choked Isumi. Aoi had no choice to push him at the side. Isumi's brother attacked and Aoi accidentally stabbed the knife to him. Isumi screamed and Aoi blamed herself for that. She watched the rest of the gang members. "This wasnt the team that Suoh-san created", Aoi contemplated and left for Japan. She went to look for Suoh in every corner of the country and finally saw him. It was at Yaeyama. 

Aoi saw Suoh carrying a child in his arms. A girl was beside him and they looked happy. Aoi's eyes formed tears. She averted her stares and walked around the park. She saw that the girl beside Suoh was alone buying ice cream. Aoi bumped on her and pretended to fall down the ground. She prepared a stun gun on her bag. "Are you okay? Here you go" the lady assisted her to get up. She wiped Aoi's face with a handkerchief. "Sorry", she apologized. Aoi furrowed her brows. "Is that a carved shell?", the lady asked. "My name is Awashima Sei. I also work at Yaeyama's souvenir shop", Sei smiled. Aoi lets go of the stun gun inside her bag and nodded. "They are nicely done", Sei stared at it. "You can have it" Aoi removed it from her bag and gave it to Sei. "What's making you so long?", Suoh went near them. Suoh's eyes widened. "Aoi", he was startled. 

Aoi and Suoh went in front of the seas. "You just left without saying anything", Aoi clutched his polo-shirt. Sei and his son was far from them. Aoi grew and was at Suoh's chest level. "You grew, shortie. You also got stronger", Suoh noticed. Aoi lets go and sat at the benches. "Sorry, I ruined your team", Aoi apologized. "Aoi, arent you bored of that kind of life? You've got the potentials. Why not focus on your dreams?", Suoh adviced. "That's not the topic right now. You left us for that girl?", Aoi got angry. "I stood corrected by that... but I didnt leave with my selfish desires", Suoh explained. "I have a responsibility here. I have a son Aoi", Suoh smiled. "I envy that child", Aoi looked at the sea. "If only my parents also took that responsibility. I didnt became a good for nothing jerk", Aoi covered her face with her palms. "Aoi, I understand you. You first came to me because you were looking for a father but you had one right now. Reishin-san? He's a good guy from the hospital. He was always the one treating me for free", Suoh informed. "You were looking for a Mom who will listen to you. You had one, Mika-san", Suoh reminded. "Dont push them away from you", Suoh added. "I finally found my purpose. I hope you also find yours. I'm sorry for letting you experience bad things", Suoh bowed. Aoi punched his stomach. "Dont apologize. You're making me guilty. Congrats with your baby. I will...always listen to you. So I will look for my purpose", Aoi's tears rained down. "Aoi, if your real mom and Dad abandoned you. Prove them that you can be someone that everyone needs. It's not being selfish but you can make yourself wanted", Suoh hugged the blonde. "I will visit you again", Aoi hugged him tight. 

"some day, no matter when, people will look at you. So always remember to conduct yourself properly"

-Frau Zehel