Rebellion

Never Stop

"Why do you still try?" Satoko asked, looking at the shorter boy.

She felt bad for him. Even though their height difference was significantly less noticeable, she still saw him as a little boy. She knew that in a year or so he'd be taller than her, but she just couldn't take Teruo seriously as a man. His teary face over being hurt by Ayase was enough to make her feel odd liking to him, like she just wanted to protect him. He was released from the hospital and his face had slight bandages over it. He looked a bit swollen on the cheek, but his green eyes looked more innocent than ever. 

"Why do you still try?" His answer surprised Satoko.

"... I won't try anymore." She answered seriously, looking straight ahead. 

"I won't give up on her though." Teruo stated in a sure way. 

"You really love her, huh?" She questioned him, a sad smile on her face.

He went red with embarrassment, looking at the side with an annoyed face. He clenched his teeth and hands, feeling stupid for being so obvious. Of course he loved her. She was the first girl to show him any kind of attention, let alone kindness. 

"I, uh, no..." He mumbled, to which she just patted him on the head. 

"Want to live with me? I don't think you should be in this gang anymore. You're just a kid." Satoko uttered the words, no hint of regret in them.

Naoki would want this. It was one of his last wishes, and if Ayase couldn't make it true, she wanted to do it. She missed her big brother so much, she just wanted to do everything in her power to make his wishes come true. One wish couldn't come true, saving Ayase. She fell too deep, only death will set her free now. She could at least try this, saving Teruo. The more she looked at him, the more she saw why he liked Teruo so much. He reminded her of a tinier Naoki. 

"I can't..." Teruo mumbled, looking down at the floor, moving away from her touch. 

"Don't do this to yourself. He'd want this. He wouldn't want you to end up like him." Satoko tried to reason with him. 

She tried not to let history repeat itself. Yet it seemed to happen all over again, and she could never do anything about it. The feeling of helplessness went through her body. All of this just repeated over the years, trying to change it always hurt at the end, mostly because it just wouldn't change.

"Naoki told me to protect Ayase. I'll honor his wishes." Teruo stood up straight, pretending to be a man again. 

Satoko fell quiet. Tears welled up in her eyes. Such young kids losing childhoods and spending them on something no adult should even spend it on. She didn't want him to grow up bitter and angry like her, Ayase and Naoki. She didn't want him to get ruined or killed, he was such a nice kid. 

"You're just a kid. He didn't mean it permanently. He wanted you to live." Satoko tried again, somehow sounding more desperate now.

When he heard the desperation in her voice slip out, his facial expression softened. His eyes showed sympathy and care, slight guilt as well. He bit his lip, looking at the floor. He breathed in deep, and continued talking. 

"I know what he wanted. He didn't want me to end up like him. Naoki wanted me to have a childhood." He started, but took a short pause.

"But I can't leave. She wouldn't let me, nor do I want to. I want to protect her, I told her I would. She's still in there, we just need to find her." He finished, his hands shaking.

Teruo knew that even if he tried to leave, she'd find him. She wasn't the same, he knew that. But he could find him. If not him, Benjiro. Even if she won't love him in that way, he would always stay and protect her. Ayase was in her weakest state, leaving her would just hurt her without no measure. That's something that Naoki wouldn't want him to do. Nor would he want it himself. His childhood was screwed anyway, he wouldn't make up anything in the two years he has left. He sighed. This feeling of hopelessness just keep hanging over him. 

"I'm sure I could try to hide yo-" He interrupted Satoko.

"No. Go away and stay safe. She'll let you and Shiro slide, my presence would just endanger you. You guys love each other, just stick together and don't try to push me in." Teruo said, determination and sympathy in his voice.

Satoko smiled at him. It wasn't happy, it was just a expression of full sadness. His love for Ayase was so childish and pure. This kid would've been such a nice and loved person if he didn't grow up in this environment. He deserved better, so much better. 

"You're a nice kid, Tsukamoto." Satoko told him with a smile.

Teruo gulped. He'll stop being a kid forever pretty soon. He won't have problems with teenage hormones soon. It'll finally be done and he'll manage to be of help to Ayase without his dumb feelings. They just got in the way. 

"I see why Naoki liked you so much. You were like a little brother to him." She told him, thinking of how connected he got to the people he trained.

Naoki really did love kids, and he loved teaching them stuff. He wanted to protect and help everyone. Even someone as fucked up as him. Teruo's eyes watered again. He tried to ignore how much he missed Naoki. He was the only one who visited him in that lonely house. He was the only one who showed care for those 5 years of coldness. No matter how much people thought he was harsh towards him, Naoki protected him any chance he got. He loved him. He loved Naoki. There was an awful feeling of loneliness since he left. Like a part of him died. 

"I hope Naoki would be proud if he saw me today, taking care of his little sister with loyalty." Was the only thing Teruo answered.

"I'm sure he would be proud to have someone loyal as you." Satoko smiled at the boy, making him feel better.

Her stomach dropped. She wouldn't be in the gang anymore. She had to leave it behind. She wouldn't get to see the boy. She wondered how'd he'd turn out in the long run. The only thing that made her worried was how much Ayase would fuck him up. How much she would fuck up this little teenage boy, who never even had a first kiss or girlfriend.