Rebellion

Protection

"Sorry I couldn't help you." Satoko sat down next to her best friend, for who knows which time in their life.

It was 12 PM, and most people had gone home. Ayase sat down on the floor, looking down at it, getting her leggings very dirty. 

"I told you not to apologize for dumb stuff like this. It's better this way." Ayase gulped a bit, looking at her very skinny arms that were hugging her legs close to her body.

She was so weak and useless. She hated how skinny she was. She hated her whole appearance. 

"You shouldn't have protected me. That man never really liked me anyway." Benjiro sighed, knowing how he was the only one who disliked him in the gang, yet should be the one who should like him for the better course.

Benjiro had many bruises and seemed to be barely standing up. He didn't seem frightened by it, just like he was in a weird frenzy of disbelief.

"This was the first time in a long time since I got beaten up." He laughed a bit at himself, forgetting how much this hurts.

"He dislikes everyone. Don't worry." Teruo sighed as he gave a hand to help out Ayase.

She didn't take it, but only shook her head. She got up on her own, but started falling down. To her surprise, she was caught. Shiro brought her back to her feet, awkwardly looking at her. In a very unnatural movement, he put a kid plaster on her little cut on her cheek. She gave him a small smile, appreciating him trying to be nice, even if it came in a form of a child plaster with cartoon dinosaurs on them. 

"I wanted to help..." He mumbled to himself, feeling like complete shit.

He really did want to help, but Satoko told him not to. He felt really angry that he listened to her. He could've gave him what he deserved. He isn't that strong. That Hiroji dick would be eating dirt by now...

"I'm more thankful that you didn't." Ayase said, the smile still not fading.

She looked at Teruo. He gave her a serious look, but inside his heart pounded a bit because of her soft eyes and beautiful smile.

"You shouldn't have helped him. You'll get on his bad side. Well, worse than where everyone is now." She corrected herself, knowing everyone was on her father's bad side already.

"He's not on my bad side though." Naoki's voice was heard.

He looked enraged as soon as he saw his sister. He went to her and hugged her tightly. She winced in pain at the pressure, and as soon as he heard it, he let her go. She felt happy for the insurance, even if it hurt for a bit.

"Setsuko-San." Teruo bowed in an obvious way to show respect.

Nobody saw him bowing to anyone. Not even their father.

"I thought I told you to protect her." He looked at Teruo, not angrily, but in a very disappointed way.

"He did, Naoki! He really shouldn't have! Don't make people do this!" Ayase began to panic, not wanting people getting hurt because of her.

"Ayase, I told you not to come to this gang. I didn't want that either. You didn't listen to what I wanted either." Naoki told his sister, who wasn't even much shorter than him.

"But Naoki!" Ayase continued.

"Ayase, your brother wants best for you. And he knows there isn't anyone here to protect you except Teruo." Satoko said firmly, believing in Naoki's choices a hundred percent.

Ayase pursed her lips in sadness. Her eyes were teary. She really didn't want this.

"I came here to protect you..." Ayase looked at Satoko longingly, as if she wanted just a little bit of her appreciation.

"I know you did. Thank you for that. But this wasn't the job for you." Satoko answered coldly, being whole heartedly honest with her best friend.

"But..." Ayase tried again.

"Satoko doesn't need your protection. You're the one who needs it." Naoki told his sister and put a hand on her shoulder.

He looked at her pained expression. She looked teary eyed and like the truth was too hard to accept. He hated that man for hitting her so hard. He hated him for owning this gang. She really shouldn't have joined this gang. Why couldn't she listen?

"Let's just go home, okay?" Naoki put an arm around Ayase as they began to walk.

"I'll give you a lift, as promised." He told Benjiro, who walked over to them as he said that.

"Thank you! I don't really have a driver's license yet. I've been busy with the new pistols." Benjiro told Naoki, who only nodded in understanding, not really in the mood for talking about business.

Benjiro realized that quickly and soon focused on the poor girl who was still in her brother's together grasp. She only looked at the floor, not really knowing what to do with herself.

"Don't worry. Both of us aren't really strong. But you're the one that makes this group interesting. You're very kind and talkative... Well, at least as far as I've noticed. I'm sure I'll figure out even more about you." Benjiro looked at her and noticed she smiled at him.

"Well, at least I hope I get to know you." He added with a wink.

Ayase's smile grew. He did make her feel better. She couldn't help but notice the short boy was quite charming and sweet. But unfortunately she felt too bad to actually feel happy enough to answer.

"Whitey, you walk my step sister home." He added as he went towards his car.

Satoko smiled. She was so glad he remembered her at least in some way. She didn't hear that in such a long time. He always called her his step sister, even though they weren't even related. When they were alone, he'd even call her his little sister. She liked when he showed affection towards her so much. Especially since she didn't hear it for so long.

"Do I have to?" Shiro asked in annoyance as he grumbled.

"Hey! You should be proud that the future leader of The White Walls is even talking to you!" Satoko yelled at him, not understanding his ungratefulness.

"Sorry for not getting my panties wet over him like you..." He said with a grin.

"Shut up!" Satoko became red with anger.

Teruo watched them a bit from afar. He didn't understand what exactly the two of them felt for each other, since he knew that Satoko had some strong feelings towards his leader. His true leader. But he hoped that those feelings weren't deep or even romantic.

He decided not to dwell on it too much and just started walking away, leaving the two idiots alone in the woods. Once they realized that fact, awkwardness ensued.

"Just show the way, smartass." He told her and rolled his eyes.

"I will, since you're not smart enough to know the way out of here yourself, dumbass." Was her only asnwer.

"Yes I do!" He yelled as he followed her out of the woods.

And the two of them made their way home, in a fun way, even if it was hard for them to admit it.