This girl means everything to me

“There are two now?”
“I’m afraid so.”

God, it feels so good to be the smug one for once, even if I can’t show it. You don’t know shit, Dojima. It doesn’t seem like it’s even crossed his mind that I might be a traitor.

“What’s the second one like? Fighting style-wise?”
“The three who were attacked described it as strange. Large sweeping kicks, lots of jumping around, very mobile…”
“Hmm… Taekwondo, maybe?”
“They said it almost looked like a dance.”
“Ahh, Capoeira.”

If I can seem helpful without actually helping much I can keep some of that trust. Just giving the name of the martial art I was using is of little use if they have no one will the skill to fight back in the first place.

“Well, regardless of that, this poses a great risk to us. Just one vigilante was causing enough of a loss for us. With two of the prowl we could be looking at unacceptable losses. I take it you’ve yet to find anything out yourself?”
“If I had you’d have been the first one to know.”

“Good. I don’t wish to have a reason to question your loyalty. This “Judge” was already causing enough problems. Now with this “Jury” on the loose too, infighting would be completely counterproductive.”
“I’m sorry, they call themselves ‘Judge’ and ‘Jury?’ Are we fighting ultra-skilled 12 year olds?”
“If we are, a pair of 12 year olds is making a mockery of the family. I trust you’ll put them down with extreme prejudice if given the opportunity. Will you not, Fudou?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll do whatever you want of me. I need that money after all.”

As if, shithead. I can’t wait to watch your empire crumble before you, you scum.

***

“I have a plan.”
“That’s never a good sign.”

Tori and I were just about to begin our daily sparring session when she suddenly changed subject. The determined look on her face terrifies me.

“Pickin’ off individual couriers an’ shit ain’t really gonna do much to a big organisation like the Seiryou, right?”
“Actually I’m pretty sure they’re hurting pretty b-”
“Which means we have to hit a bigger target!”

Oh for fuck’s sake. This can’t possibly end well.

“...like what?”
“Well, as our inside man I was hoping you could answer that.”
“Come again?”
“You gotta get the deets on a big job for us, Fuji. Give us something we can do to really hurt ‘em, y’know?”
“As if burning hundreds of millions of yen worth of drugs isn’t doing enough.”

“Nah, man, we gotta think bigger!”

Judging by the big grin on her face, she actually just wants to do something that sounds fun. While I’m sure she really does want to avenge her mother, it would be really nice if she’d stop treating this like some superhero manga.

But, regardless, it wouldn’t hurt to keep an ear out for whispers of big targets.

“Look, I won’t promise anything, but I’ll keep my ear to the streets. See what information I can rattle out of Dojima too. Maybe I’ll be able to find something big for us to do.”
“Aww yiss! Love ya, Fuji!”
“Ga- you’re welcome.”

How can you say something so embarrassing so casually, you weirdo?

“Why are you cheeks going red? You got a cold or summin?”
“...yes. That’s why.”

She tilts her head to the side in confusion but shrugs it off.

I didn’t really have my head in the game for that night’s sparring session.

***

It’s saturday. No school today. But more importantly.
“Nii-san, it’s arcade day!”
Today is the day I promised to take Sumi to the arcade.

She practically shoves me out the door in the morning, somehow having regained every ounce of energy she’s lost in the past two years, and dragged me all the way to the arcade. Once inside the arcade, the look of joy and wonderment on her face as she looks at all the new machines reminds me just how willing I am to die for the young girl in front of me. If I could guarantee her happiness, I would sell the world itself.

“Ooh, ooh, let’s play air hockey first!”

“You sure? I always kick your ass at this, remember?”
“You’re not gonna go easy on your poor darling little sister? Even while she’s fighting cancer? You’re so cruel, Fuji.”
“Dammit, you can’t just pull that card on me slyly like that.”

Her puppy dog eyes are more than enough to break every ounce of my fighting spirit. I’m not proud to say that what followed was the worst game of air hockey I’ve ever played, in which Kasumi destroyed me 7-3.

“I didn’t mean you should hold back that much, nii-san.”
“What can I say, you won the mental game.”
“You’ll have to redeem yourself on the big Tekken screen, then.”
“Ooh, those are fighting words. I play a mean King, y’know.”

Seeing her happy like this makes every second of my awful work with those mafia scum worth it. If the world lost this girl, it would no longer be a place worth living in.

As we walk over to the big Tekken machine next to the Pac-Man one on the back wall, I notice that it’s currently occupied by two familiar figures.

“Oh? Am I interrupting a date here, you two?”

My voice makes Kou and Ai jump out of their skin, and they both turn to look at me with faces as white as a ghost.

“W-we’re not on a date, Fuji.”
“H-how ridiculous to suggest.”
“Slander, in fact.”
“Defamation, I believe.”
“I’ll sue.”
“I’ll be seeing you in court.”

Just as in sync as ever, I see.

Just as I’m thinking of ways to bully them, I feel a tight grip on my shirt, and realise that Kasumi I hiding behind me once again. Right, out of all the people I’ve introduced her too over the years she was most scared of Kou. Although I’m unsure as to why.

Seeing Sumi behind me, Kou gives me a nod and then begins to speak in a particularly dramatic tone.

“I gotta go use the men’s room. And I’ll prolly be in there for a while. So don’t wait up for me, k?” I appreciate his effort to remove himself from the situation, although wishing he could have done so with more tact.

As soon as Kou disappears from sight, Sumi relaxes a little, but still hides behind my legs. Thankfully, our resident delinquent is surprisingly charming when she wants to be.

“Hey, you’re Kasumi-chan, right? My name is Ai, I’m a friend of your brothers. It’s really nice to meet you.” With a calm, almost relaxing tone, she lowers herself to Sumi’s level and gives her a warm smile as she speaks.

“F-Fudou Kasumi. Nice to meet you.” Although mumbling, Sumi does manage to speak a little in response to Ai’s words.
“Fucchi talks about you all the time at school. He’s a little bit of a siscon, honestly.”
“Christ alive, does everyone think I’m siscon? God dammit…”

The quiet giggle from my side tells me that Sumi’s starting to loosen up a little. Between this and Tori the other day, she finally seems to be making progress at overcoming her social anxiety. Once again I find myself welling up with pride. I want nothing but the absolute best for this girl, and if self-improvement comes this naturally to her from here on out, I’ll be able to die a happy man.

“Hey, Kasumi-chan, would you like to play a game of Tekken with me? Fuji always tells us about how good you are at video games.” Considering how much of a delinquent pain in the ass she normally is, I find myself awed at how comforting Ai’s voice is as she talks to Sumi. This is a side of her I don’t get to see often. I almost feel bad for making Kou miss it.
“I-I’m not that good…”
“Neither am I. Sounds like an even match up, right?”

Sumi looks up at me, as if waiting for me to answer the question for her.

“I’ll pay for your turn if you want a game with her, I don’t mind.” It’s a little mean, but I try to cut off her excuses to leave the situation. Even if it’s a little forced, she needs someone to have fun with other than me, and I don’t want this opportunity to slip through my fingers.
“I-I guess one game would be ok…” She trails off as she speaks, but does come out from behind my legs to stand at the left controller.

“Great! Let’s see just good you really are, Kasumi-chan.”

Kasumi blushes a little, either because of the overly familiar nickname or because I’ve talked up her so much. But to my surprise and elation, as her game with Ai comes to a 3-2 victory, she nervously asks for a rematch. And again. And again. So many times we have to leave to avoid causing a queue.

As soon as she got in the zone, all her anxieties seemed to melt away, and that pretty smile came back to her again.

That’s both Tori and Ai I owe a debt to now. For making Kasumi’s days just a little bit brighter.