#13: The Mad Tyrant

They fell in love. A tyrant. A doctor. Something near impossible… was possible. Akihara Miko and the love of his life.

..

 “Come at me, big man!” Miko yelled, grinning cheek to cheek. Cole charged at him with his shoulder. A grunt echoed, as Cole reached Miko, raising his elbow higher and slamming down. Quickly, Miko captured Cole’s elbow in the palm of his hands, projecting it away from him. He laughed, taking a few steps backwards. “You're an interesting fellow, Cole. Too bad I've already figured out your little gimmick,” Miko claimed, a smug look on his face. Cole kept his balance, turning around. He stared into Miko's eyes, a burning rage painted his face. “Akihara Miko. I swear. I will make you regret facing me.” Miko let out a sigh at Cole's words. However, he felt no fear. His smile disappeared and he stood ready. His right foot forward with his left arm. “Show me then.”

..

“Love, I've always wanted to know.” A short woman, lying on what seemed to be a hospital bed. A tall figure cuddled up to her. “What is that exactly?” The figure had dark black hair and a scar under his right eye. His arms were large and tightened the suit he wore. His clothes, wrinkled and he struggled to catch his breath. He seemed to have just arrived from work. “Where'd you get the name Miko? It's a girl's name, no?” The girl asked. She wore a hospital gown, covered by the blanket of her hospital bed. She had red hair. A flaming rash spread across her face. “I've already told you the story, Kanna,” Miko expressed, squeezing the woman tighter. “But it's my favourite story about my husband. I'd like to hear it once more,” the woman, known as Kanna, smiled softly. She ran her fingers through Miko's hair, as his head rested on her stomach. Her wedding ring shone on her fingers. Miko let out a snicker and sighed. “Fine then, My Love. I'll tell you, once again, the story about… Akihara Miko, The Mad Tyrant.”

..

Cole threw another punch, once more, to no avail. Miko jumped back, thinking to himself. “Why am I thinking of her now… I can't get distracted… not now!” Miko's thoughts were quickly interrupted with a yell, as a fist sent Miko flying backwards. “You're wide open!” Cole lunged forward, throwing his shoulder at Miko. “Shit-” Miko coughed out, leaping to the side, as he rolled on the ground. Cole stopped himself, turning back to his opponent. Miko wiped blood from his nose, standing up. “Not bad, big man.”

..

“Is that the place?” Megumi asked Chihiro, as they gazed upon a huge building, built like a castle. She replied with just a nod. “Should we go in yet?” Chihiro replied, turning to Megumi. He had a puzzled expression. He bit his lip, questioning himself about the same thing. “Hey-” Chihiro was cut off abruptly by Megumi pushing them to the side of the castle-like building. “No. We wait,” Megumi started. “I know Drake… he has something up his sleeve. I just know he does,” he added, pondering even more. “Who's… Drake?” Megumi stared at Chihiro. He snickered a bit. “Golden Lion's master, Drake Borseth”

..

He was a fighter. The strongest there was. Nobody stood by him. Nobody thought about him before sleeping. It was lonely at the top. If he was completely wiped from this planet tomorrow. Nobody would even care. Stories told about how people would end up in the hospital for just staring at him, wrongly. He was Miko. Someone who knew he was hated. He knew nothing could change that. So he'd be a tyrant. For others to be heroes. Everyone waited for the day he lost. So did he. It was all a part of his plan. Once he became that mad tyrant. He gave up his life to turn himself into a villain and eventually lose. Or die. Like they say, live fast and die young. 

His day repeated. He'd wake up, show up at his favourite bar until something happened, where he could get involved. 90% of the time, something did happen. However, on the 18th of January, 20 years ago, something completely altered all he was made to be. His birthday. He woke up and repeated his day. Sitting at the bar doesn't seem like the best way to spend your birthday, or even a way of spending it, but He didn't care. Once again, he waited for someone to make a scene. That was his entire purpose. You'd think dealing with criminals would make him a hero. Yet people still saw him as the villain. 

Well, it looked like his dreams came true. Murmurs were heard in the corner of the bar, as the crowd gathered around. “Let me buy you a drink, sweetheart.” That was Miko’s cue. He jumped up, walking to the mob of people. What were steps felt like quakes to others. Without a single word slipping from his mouth, everyone spread out, creating a space for him. “Don't touch me,” the humiliated woman shot. She stood up, running to her friends. However, he didn't give up. The strange man tried getting to her, but He appeared next to him, pushing him back. “Who the hell do ya think you are?” The stranger was clearly drunk and didn't know what he just did. He reached out to the pervert’s shoulder, but something told him not to. Not something. It was someone. The woman who ran away. Before He knew it, she was in front of Him. “I'm fine now. There's no reason to start anything.” She put His arm down. There was something about her. Something that intrigued Him. The same guy who was called a Mad Tyrant. The same guy who wanted nothing to do with the world. The guy who spent his time dealing with strangers in a bar. Suddenly, He spoke. 

“Let me buy you a drink.”

..

“Hey, I never caught your name.” Hours past of just Him talking to this woman. He hadn't smiled at all, but she could feel he was enjoying her endless rambling. “I don't know yours either,” He replied, crossing his arms and leaning back against his stool. “It's Kanna! Now tell me yours.” The redhead, enthusiastic friend replied. “I don't have a name,” He started, with some snark. “The one I got sucked.” Kanna giggled, before taking another shot. She slammed the glass onto the table. “Let me give you one then!” His face didn't just fill with confusion, but also lit up. He turned to the side, only giving a quiet “sure” to give approval. She grinned cheekily, pondering for a bit. The silence was LOUD. Then, she started, “Well, from what my friends have told me about The Mad Tyrant,” throwing air quotes on her last words as a slight tease. “You seem more like a chief to me. I'll give you the name… Miko.” Kanna smiled at him, as he beamed back at her. “Thank you, Kanna.” Miko answered.

“Your smile is beautiful.”

..

There, Miko and his lover lied together on the hospital bed. He still squeezed her tightly. He continued relating the story, while Kanna listened silently. She interrupted Miko quickly and commented,

“Your smile is beautiful.” Miko stared at Kanna, tears forming in his eyes. “I think… I might be starting to believe that.”

TO BE CONTINUED