Banana Fish short stories | ✔

Eiji's bruise

It was a natural, quiet day. To Ash ideal kind.

The blond gang boss was reading in his large, cozy apartment while Eiji was out getting some grocery shopping done. The marketplace was on the first floor so that was the only place Ash let Eiji go on his own. Dino was gone, and seemingly dangerous as well, but Ash knew better than that. Even with that old bastard gone, there was still a danger and although Eiji tried prompting Ash to let him be on his own, Ash always refused and made Kong or Bones, go with him, but not even that was enough, it seems.

Ash, Bones, Kong, and Alex were hunkering around the table. Nobody else except the people in the room knew, but Ash was planning on leaving his gang and the whole underworld as well. Once he ultimately takes control over that freaking corporation he inherited, he concluded to sell it and split the money into his off-shore accounts. That way money won't be able to be tracked and he won't have to worry about someone finding him while in Japan, yeah in Japan. He decided to go to Japan with Eiji. This was secret as well, even Eiji himself didn't know. Only his 3 most trust-worthy people in his gang knew that he will be leaving, where? That was a mystery to them as well. He was planning on telling Eiji once he takes care of the corporation. Ash and his war council talked about their plans, what they should do now that their leader and boss is leaving. Ash wanted Alex to be the next boss and although slightly hesitant, Alex accepted.

After around 25 minutes, Ash overheard the doors unlocking and someone walking in. He assumed that was Eiji so he arose from his seat and paced to the hallway to welcome his friend. 

   "Hey, Eiji. Took you long enough, I was about to call the rest of the gang to look for you."  Ash smiled and glanced behind him motioning to Eiji that they had guests in the living room. "You should have-" Ash's smile faltered once he noticed the boy had a gloomy aura around him. "Eiji, what's wrong?" Ash asked, his voice full of fondness. Eiji closed his eyes in response and took a deep breath. "Eiji?" Ash questioned confused. Eiji stood there for a few more moments before he slowly turned around to completely face him. Ash froze inspecting his face. 

   "EIJI!?" Ash shrieked but the black-haired boy merely turned his gaze elsewhere. Ash instantly walked closer to Eiji, cupping his face in his hands and examining the big purplish bruises forming on his left cheek. "What happened, who did this to you?!" Ash demanded. Eiji merely shrugged and tried to push Ash away, but Ash was having none of that. "Eiji!" 

   "Boss" Alex, Kong, and Bones called. Ash ignored them and stared at the bruise on the other boy's cheek. "Eiji, tell me who did this to you," Ash said, his voice eerie monotone. "Nobody" Eiji answered. "EIJI, DON'T BULL$HIT ME!"

   "It was an accident, Ash" Eiji rebuked "Just leave it be" 

   "If it was an accident, why are you keeping it a secret."

   "I am not keeping it a secret. I -"

   "Yes, you are." Ash accused.

   "I'm not!"

   "You are, now tell me what happened!" 

   "NO!" Eiji shouted back at Ash. Jade-green eyes stared wide at dark-brown ones. Eiji took a shaky breath and looked away from Ash, grief, and melancholy clearly visible in his eyes. At that moment something in Ash snapped. He studied Eiji for a few more moments, before coming up even closer to Eiji. 

   "Eiji, look at me," Ash spoke with his voice eerie monotone once again. Eiji didn't budge. "Eiji. look. at. me." Eiji felt a shiver going up and down his spine over the indifferent tone of Ash's voice but he still refused to look up. With one swift move, Ash grabbed both of Eiji's wrists and pulled him closer so they were both looking at each other. "Don't look away from me."