The Story of Katsu Aikawa (Part II) - The Butterfly Effect Arc

Katsu walked to school with a small spring in his step. Although his bag was heavy, he still wanted to show the world how happy he was. He kept on the footpaths, and made sure not to cross the dangerous main road that ran parallel to the path straight to school. The traffic was quite busy at this time of the morning, with cars slowly driving past him every few seconds. Katsu felt the wind on his back as the cars drove past him. He couldn’t explain why he liked the sensation so much, it was just something he liked.

The atmosphere of the day seemed peaceful. The wind had a nice, crisp smell to it, and it was soft and delicate on the young boy’s face. The path was slightly uneven in places, which caused the boy to stumble in some parts as he was skipping. The sun was out, and burning nice and brightly. A perfect day to have some ice-cream later when he got back home.

Katsu’s mind was so occupied, he didn’t notice the two people walking towards him. He stumbled slightly on the uneven path as he crashed into one of the people’s right leg, and he fell to the ground.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going, kid!” the man snarled. He could have been just more than eighteen years old, with yellow, messy hair, with his fringe parting in the middle. The rest of his blonde hair covered almost down to his eyebrow line. His eyes were an aquamarine blue that really stood out, aided by the hair. Attire-wise, the man was well dressed, with a simple white shirt accompanying a black, open zipped hoodie and dark black jeans. He wasn’t dressed much like a thug, but he sure acted like one.

“You better watch your step next time!” the man continued, looking down at the child, who was currently in a crumpled heap on the ground.

“Oh, for God's sake, Mach!” the lady beside him chimed in. “I’m all for a roughening up, but it’s just a damn kid!”

The young lady, who looked around the same age as the blonde-haired man, got down on one knee and held out a hand to Katsu, while tucking her uniquely short, purple strands of hair behind her ear. Her green eyes were so soft and comforting, almost similar to a mother’s loving eyes. Katsu almost felt as if he had to reach his hand out. She also wore very simple attire, with a simple plain white shirt and similar black hoodie to the man that she called ‘Mach’. Despite her simple clothes, she dressed very modestly, and Katsu felt at ease in her presence.

Katsu knew that these people were part of the Survivalists. The teachers in his school were constantly talking about them. Specifically, how much he and the other children should be avoiding them. The Survivalists were a small group of thugs who were constantly robbing, looting and causing a public disruption wherever they went. Katsu had often seen them robbing or pick-pocketing adults on his way to school, but children didn’t seem out of the realm of possibility to demean for these people.

There had been much gang activity in the past few years in the area. The Survivalists often fought with rival gangs, which made for some very loud mornings and nights - shouting, crying, cursing and gunfire. It felt as if there was no end to the violence and the crime.

The young lady pulled Katsu to his feet, and dusted him off with her hands, the dirt smudging slightly into his outfit. The woman gave a big, silly smile. Her face was so gentle and soft, Katsu was surprised she was part of a gang at all.

“You act more like a mother than most actual mothers, Wisteria,” the man sighed, kicking some dirt on the ground. “If you want to act like a mother, get your own kid.”

“Are you stupid?” It was Wisteria’s turn to sigh. “I’m only turning twenty-one in a couple of months. You think I’m mature enough to have a child? Now?”

“Well...All I’m saying is, you would make a great mother,” Mach spoke with reluctance, folding his arms, but he seemed to be honest with her. Wisteria closed her eyes and gave another wide smile.

“And you would be a terrible father. Literally like, the worse.”

“F*ck you!” Mach laughed loudly.

“Mach! Language in front of the child!” Wisteria squealed in a fluster, waving her arms frantically.

“Oh, yeah right...” Mach looked down upon Katsu. The little boy was petrified. He felt a murderous intent deep inside the man’s heart, but on the outside, he just seemed to be a clown. “Sorry about that, kid. Just...don’t get in people’s way, yeah? The next guy might not be so easy on you! Come on, Wisteria! Let’s go.”

The man began walking off. Wisteria stood tall and watched him walk. She glanced down at the boy one last time, before saying “Don’t mind him. He is always a grumpy-pants. See you around, little boy!” as she rushed after him, her hoodie flowing with the wind. Katsu sighed and heavied his bag the rest of the way to school.

“Maybe I’m wrong,” the young boy thought as he walked through the school gates. “Maybe they were just some delinquents around causing trouble. The Survivalists wouldn’t be that nice, would they? That lady...”

The day lasted forever for the young boy. Try as he might; he never really liked school all that much. It was boring and tedious, and he didn’t really have many friends. His father was his best friend, and that was all he wanted and needed.

“Now remember what I told you, class!” the teacher boomed loudly, who was at the front of the class. “When you walk home today, make sure you keep away from any scary looking people! There is a lot of bad men and women from the Survivalists roaming the streets lately...can anyone tell me what roaming means?”

Katsu looked out the window. The breeze was nice, blowing leaves past the smudged, dirty glass. Maybe it was a stereotype or generalization. Sure, that man wasn’t nice, but he never hurt him, and that woman had a motherly presence to her. Were the Survivalists actually that bad? Katsu had seen them rob, hurt and demean others, but maybe there were some good people in that gang too.

Katsu couldn’t wait to go home and see his father. He rushed out of the school gates with his heavy bag, ready to give him a big hug.

If only Katsu knew the horror that was awaiting him when he got home.