Chapter 3
1133words
“I still want to feel her hug,” Akiko whispered, brushing her face anxiously. Kouma, her large-breed dog, looked at her with concern and gave her a gentle gaze, prompting Akiko to pull him into a tight hug.
“Thank you, Kouma,” she murmured. Not wanting to waste any more time, Akiko stood up to head to the hospital to meet Vian. But suddenly, a large man blocked her path.
“What’s a pretty lady like you doing in a place this quiet?” he sneered. Sensing danger, Kouma barked and tried to protect Akiko, who was now on high alert. Unfortunately, Kouma’s large size made it difficult for Akiko to control him. The dog slipped away, and the thug grabbed his leash.
“Let go of my dog,” Akiko demanded firmly.
“Sure, if you trade him with your body,” the thug smirked, yanking the leash so hard that Kouma whimpered in pain. Akiko stayed silent for a moment, thinking of a way to get Kouma back and escape unharmed. Her eyes caught a black car parked at the end of the alley.
“I’ll give you money. Just let go of my dog,” she pleaded, carefully moving to the side, remaining cautious.
“Unfortunately, I don’t need money right now. I need… a release,” the thug said, looking up at the sky with twisted satisfaction at his luck in finding a girl like Akiko. That distraction gave Akiko the chance to bolt toward the car.
“Hey! Don’t run!” he shouted, still holding Kouma’s leash. Akiko sprinted toward the man leaning against the black car.
“Sir! Please help me,” Akiko panted. “My dog is in danger. Please, help me.”
“No,” the man wearing masker dan glasses replied.
“What?” Akiko asked in disbelief.
“I don’t waste time helping people like you,” he said coldly. Shocked, Akiko stepped back slowly. From his posture and manner of speech, she could tell he had combat training. But why wouldn’t he help? Was he afraid of getting hurt?
Disappointed, Akiko turned back toward the alley, catching her breath. Kouma was the only reason she still had the will to live. What would be the point of surviving without him? Determined, she grabbed a large wooden stick and rushed back into the alley. Whether she survived or not, she had to try.
“So stupid,” muttered the man—none other than Glen Xander. He was on his way to meet someone, but curiosity had made him watch the scene unfold instead of stepping in.
“She’s going to die, right?” Glen asked his assistant, Hans, after a series of gunshots rang out.
“No, Sir,” Hans replied calmly. Glen narrowed his eyes. Sure enough, Akiko emerged from the alley alive, though her arm was grazed by a stray bullet. Glen was stunned that she’d risk her life just to save a dog. She didn’t even recognize him—probably because he was wearing a mask.
“Should we take her now, Sir?” Hans asked.
“Let her enjoy her freedom a little longer. Tonight will be the last time she gets to live peacefully,” Glen said, and Hans drove off.
Meanwhile, Akiko made her way to the nearest hospital to treat her wound. Though it wasn’t serious, it still limited her movement. After getting treated, she headed to the bus stop, only to realize her transit card was missing—probably lost during her encounter with the thug. Unfortunately, this city’s buses didn’t accept cash.
“Please step aside, miss. There are people waiting behind you,” the bus driver urged as the line grew. Just as Akiko was about to step off, a young boy grabbed her hand.
“Use mine,” he said, offering his card. They sat together afterward.
“Thank you for helping me. Don’t lose it,” Akiko said, slipping some money into the boy’s pocket. “What’s your name? Are you alone?”
“Ethan. I’m 9 years old. I’m alone because my mom and dad don’t like me,” his reply stunned Akiko. She noticed several bruises on his hands and face.
“He… he’s just like me,” Akiko thought. She understood—this child had clearly been abused at home. Kids this young tend to be honest about what goes on at home.
“I’m Akiko,” she said softly, shaking his hand. Suddenly, Ethan started crying, causing the other passengers to look at them suspiciously, as if Akiko had hurt him.
“Why are you crying?” Akiko asked gently.
“You’re so kind,” Ethan sobbed. He was overwhelmed to finally be treated with warmth. His small hands trembled as he tried to hold back tears.
“Come here,” Akiko said with a faint smile, pulling Ethan onto her lap. She knew too well the pain of being unloved by your own family. As her tears fell without her realizing, she gently stroked his hair until he calmed down.
“You’re like me, aren’t you?” Ethan asked, making Akiko pause. She was surprised that he could tell. Maybe it was a child’s intuition.
“It hurts so much... I’m scared of Mom and Dad getting angry. I don’t want to live anymore. You must feel the same way, don’t you?” he continued.
“You shouldn’t say that,” Akiko replied, though part of her agreed. Still, she couldn’t let a child that young talk about death.
“You hide a lot of pain, too, don’t you?” Ethan whispered, unbuttoning his shirt slightly to reveal a serious bruise—likely from something blunt. Perhaps he’d seen a similar scar on Akiko and felt brave enough to open up.
Before she realized it, they’d reached her stop. But Ethan wouldn’t let go of her, finding too much comfort in her embrace despite the pain in her arm. She had no choice but to take him with her rather than leave him lost on the bus.
“I’ll take you to the police station, okay? Tell them everything so they can help you. I need to meet someone now,” Akiko said.
“Can’t you be my mom instead?” Ethan asked, making Akiko give a small, sad smile. That’s what every child wanted—a kind parent who would help them grow up safely. But Akiko could barely live her own life. How could she take care of Ethan—especially with her looming involvement with Glen Xander?
She had planned to meet Doctor Vian first, but now she would be 30 minutes late to see Glen. What should she do with Ethan? Take him along to meet Glen? What kind of reaction would that man have if she showed up with a strange kid?
