I Wish to Save Her

We reached Tokyo in the afternoon, but by the time we finished settling into our new apartments, dusk was already setting in. My place was conveniently located about 2 kilometers from the Tokyo University, making the commute roughly 20 minutes—a really great advantage. Unfortunately, Kurosaki didn't secure a spot in the same building, so he ended up renting another apartment just half a kilometer away from mine.

"Hey, Ruu. You around?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Come on, buddy. We're in Tokyo. Don't you wanna check it out?"

"Hmm... but I'm a bit exhausted. You go ahead without me."

"Come on, Ruu. Tokyo is waiting for us! We can't waste our first night here being tired."

He had a point. The vibrant city lights were beginning to twinkle outside our windows. Or maybe, I just wanted an escape from my past, even if it was just for a night.

"Oh, damn. You are so stubborn. Alright, coming. But lets make it a quick one."

Kurosaki smiled.

"Yeah. Now, that's the spirit!"

Since it was cold outside, I wore a hoodie. Coming to downstairs, I saw Kurosaki waiting for me.

"So, where are we going? Do you have any particular place in mind?"

"Yeah, lets go to a ramen shop."

We walked into the cold chilly night of Tokyo. The city was alive with excitement. Bright neon lights illuminated the streets in different colors. Kurosaki and I walked through the busy scene, feeling the cool breeze under our hoodies.

"Look, Ruu! That's the shop," Kurosaki said pointing his finger.

"That one? Oh, man, that's just a Yatai. I was hoping for something more like a Kaedama-ya."

"Come on, buddy. Don't judge a book by it's cover. Give it a shot first. The aunt here makes ramen that can compete with High-End Ramen Shops'."

"Yeah, yeah, we will see about that."

A while later...

"Another bowl please."

"Here you go."

"Another one."

I kept asking for more bowls. It was like, "Another... another... another..."

"Mm, Kurosaki, wh' didn't you tell 'bout this place earlier?"

"Shse, who's talkin'? You were th' one resistin'. You came 'fter I convinced you a little."

"I guess, you're right. Anyway, jus' eat up. An' ma'am, another bowl, please."

"Also, another for me."

"You two, both wait a bit."

After a few minutes, She finished preparing two more bowls.

"Listen, both of you, I am currently short on some ingredients. So, I'll be gone just for a moment. Can you watch over my shop for the time being? I'll give both of you these two bowls as a bonus. So, what do you say?"

"Of course, we will. You just go shopping. Leave the shop to us."

"Okay, I'll return in less than 20 minutes"

"So, Kurosaki. What are we waiting for? Just pass the bowls."

"Sure, sure."

As I reached out to grab the bowl from Kurosaki, out of nowhere, a girl quickly grabbed it from his hands and fled away.

"Hey, give it back! What do you think you are doing?!" I yelled.

Watching her keep running, I began to pursue her. While chasing, I heard faint voice of Kurosaki.

"Wait, Ruu. That's just a bowl of ramen. Let that go."

Ignoring his words, I continued chasing her. After a while, I noticed I had run quite a distance from the shop, and I had also lost sight of the girl.

Damn it! Where did she run off to? More importantly, where even am I? No, damn it! Am I lost?!

Looking around, I noticed I was in a dirty, polluted part of the city. The air was thick with smog, and the bright lights were dimmed by the haze. Walking through the dimly lit streets, I felt uneasy.

Oh, it's so nasty here. Who knew there was place like this in Tokyo? And what's this chilly feeling? I really don't like it.

As I walked through the dark, cold streets, the chill in the intensified and I couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling. Suddenly, I stumbled upon the girl again. She was standing in a narrow alley, nervously looking around. She looked scared, trapped between the dirty walls, her face showing a mix of fear and desperation.

"Hey, you! Why'd you take my ramen?" I asked, walking toward her.

She looked at me with wide eyes, surprised.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I just... I had to," she stammered.

Before I could press her further, a group of threatening figures appeared from the shadows. They were a bunch of rough-looking boys and girls, and their unfriendly glares made it clear they were up to no good.

"Well, well, well. Look who decided to follow our little thief," one of the boys mocked at me.

"She stole from us, you know. We're not ones to let that slide," added a girl with a nasty smirk.

The girl who stole the ramen from me looked terrified. It became apparent that she had taken the ramen on the orders of these intimidating figures.

"Please, I didn't have a choice. They said they'd hurt me if I didn't bring them food," she begged, her voice trembling.

They must have demanded her to bring them something to eat, and with no money, stealing seemed like her only option.

"Okay, buddies, I get it. I have no intention of getting in your ways."

"You're quite clever, aren't ya?" one of the older ones said, stepping forward from the shadows."

"But can I have that girl? I intend to teach her a lesson for what she did."

The same older guy who spoke earlier chuckled at me a bit. And the girl looked at me with a frightened face.

"Well, you see, we usually make trades with strangers. If you want this girl, you'll have to make a deal with us."

"What kind of deal?"

"Join us."

"Join what?"

"Join our gang. I have have been searching for a fresh blood just like you for a while."

Join these delinquents?! No way! But now what? Just what kind of mess had I gotten myself into? What do I do now?

"... But... isn't that a bit too sudden?"

My heart raced as the reality of the situation hit me. But I had to do what it was needed to. I myself wasn't sure about what I truly wanted. I only listened to my instincts, doing everything as directed by my guts.

"Listen, bruh. We don't have all day dealing with you. Just tell me one thing. You wanna join or not?"

Oh crap! How am I supposed to response to that? This wasn't in my list...

A thought then just hit my head.

Hold on, just hold on... Who is this girl again I'm so desperate to save? I don't even know her name. So, what am I doing here? Not like, I'm some kind of Justice Man from "Dead Tube", am I?

After a short moment of silence...

"So, what's your answer? Yes or not?"

"No, thanks. I'll pass that offer."

"You are quite an interesting one. But what about the girl? Don't you need her anymore?"

"Nope. You guys keep her. I don't have time for this. I have other businesses to attend. So, goodbye ."

I took a leap backward and looking at the girl's frightened eyes started walking. I felt like her blue eyes were begging me to take her with me. But I walked away ignoring it.

It's okay. It's none of my concern. And I shouldn't bother in other people's business.

I kept walking without looking back even for once. After walking a few distance, I heard a screaming. But I pretended not to hear it.

HELP! PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME!!

Again a scream, even louder this time. I couldn't hold myself any further. I ran backward.

I may not be the Justice Man. But I am still a HUMAN.

That's what I thought when I changed my mind to save that girl even though I didn't know her name. Yes, I didn't know her name. But...

But... this time... I don't know why... but...

I wish to save her.