Escape....The cycle.? (Part-2)

-Looks like they left

I said, looking up. We are at a pillar platform under the bridge. I am standing, I poke my head forward, trying to figure out if they are gone or not, I heard a couple of shouts from above, then it goes silent. At least we are safe now. I look over to Haruto Tanaka, he is now sitting at the platform, he is kinda bulky and that's the reason why he is panting, he looks up then to me, he said in ragged voice 

-That was really dangerous.
-Well, it was better than getting beaten up by Sato-san's group. 

I said. Looking away then up, I Do acknowledge that it was really dangerous. But there is no other choice. It was dead silent, not knowing what to say, should I confront him? But I don't know what to say, only dead silence, and the occasional sound of river water's wave remains. 

-Hahaha, you know, You are a little crazy, even though we are just some kids. 

I bling, why he is laughing like that?

-Your eyes, they look serious when you foucs like that.

He stretch out his hand, I look at him, he is trembling. it took some moment for me to realize that he is trying to lift or break this rock hard atmosphere, even though he is in shock and probably scard, he is trying his best to stay strong, well I can't blame him. I take his hand to help him stand up.

-The name is Akira Aikawa. I believe we talked to each other few times in the debate club.
-Yeah, My name is Haruto Tanaka. niced to meet you.
-You can cut out the "nice" part.
-Why? 
-Under these circumstances it doesn't fit.

That was a bad joke, but he laughs.

-I guss you are right. So, what's the plan?
-First, let's get out of here.

We somehow mange to get a cross the the river, and we start walking eventually reaching Haruto'as house. When the door opens, I was greeted by a women, from the looks of it, she seen to be in here in fortis, she must be Haruto's mother. First she looked happy, but it was replaced by concerned, she worriedly asked him question after question, and I awkwardly bid my goodbye to him. She seemed to be a nice mother, I wish my mother was like her. But it can. I shake my head side to side, it's not something to be worried about, the main concern is what should I do? I am completely wet. Then, I a idea pops in my head, I know what can I do.

=====================================

-Thanks, Grandpa.
-No problem.

Now, I am in grandpa's house. My another place where I can be at ease. He isn't like him, My grandpa is much kinder, supportive than him. I do wonder why him did get any qualities from his father? Why He turn out like this present time him, cold, uncaring father. My grandpa had offered some clothes, and I took a bath and change my clothes. When I came to living room which is besides his big backyard. I was presented with some snacks and a chess bord. He looked at me, smirks

-Up for a game.
-Bring it on.

We played some rounds in silence, then he broke the silence, saying

-So, what happened?

He is a friend, a father figure to me. So, I told him everything which was the total events of past three months unlike sensi Aina I told him everything, even though I trust and like her there is somethings that is too personal. As I told him the events my voice grows weaker. He sighs, and looks down. As we play a few rounds, winning and losing every time, he remains silent. He was looking down, lost in deep thought. After time passes, I broke the silence.

-Hey, Grandpa. Can I ask something?

He smiles.

-Sure.
-Why "Him" I mean, my dad,... why he is like this?

he looks down again, I see something in his eyes. Shame, regret.

-Sorry, I ask you somethi-
-No. It's fine. There is somethings that you should know because you are old enough now or you can say you are in the right age to know this.

he close his eyes and take a long breath. 

-You know I am the CEO of one, of the ten largest and successful company in Japan.
-Yeah, Shouldn't you getting try for retirement. I mean you are 68 years old.
-I agree with that, Akira, But I can't do that yet. There are things need to be taken care of. But enough of that, I don't think your father tell you this but I am from the Ohio, the America country.
-What? Really. I didn't know.
-I came here to establish my own company, building it from scratch.
-But why?
-My father I mean your great grandfather dared me that I can't anything on my own. So I did this to prove him wrong and start the journey of my life. And that's I met your grandmother, and the rest is history
-Continue the next chapter of history.
-Your grandmother.....died from a brain tumor when your father was 5 years old. I think that was the first cause, and the main root for him to become cold hearted. He was smart but a delinquent in school. I also couldn't spent time with him. We grow more distant.

he stops, sighing he resume.

-Your father starts I don't know when, he crave for success, he don't like being a faliure. He even take extreme steps to be a successful man. He don't like who is greater than him, even if it is his own father

His voice grows weak, He looks down. I look into his eyes, there was something. Shame, regret, sadness. I don't know what to see or act, the silence remains, we continue our game.

-Your mother...

He spoke again, he is somewhat shaky on his voice.

-She is just like your father, the only difference her parents is still alive,and she was bron into japan, and is from a royal wealthy family. She is a tough one to get through. Check
-(That explains a lot)

I thought to myself.

-Checkmate.
-Alas, I lost again. You should stay here today.
-Yeah, thanks Gramps.

He nods, I eat a mushroom dish and a meat dish, which was my favourite. I played cards, watched TV, I joked, I laugh which were dreams for me. The next day, I didn't go to school, the reason is obvious, Aoi is surly pissed and I can feel her warth from all the here. I did call my homeroom teacher to let him know that I was a little ill. Grandpa also didn't push me to go, the part of reason is that he knows and decided not to pray, and the other part of reason is that I am the only one who visits him from Aikawa family. He simply wants me to stay and let him enjoy my company. I am sure that's the main reason. We just talk about anything, He also give me the idea how to get back at Aoi. I was leaving in the evening, he gave me something. A flip phone. I know it was not the age of flip phone but it was a new phone, and it's better than having nothing. I don't have any phone, He gave it as a gift. I thanked him.

-Thank you, grandpa.
-You are welcome.

As I am about to leave, I bumped into a man who was old but much younger from my grandpa. I know who it was. My grandpa's assistance. I bid goodbye to them and leave. And I am hiding my phone and will be hiding my phone cause if they find out about this only god knows what will happen, especially Him. I know he will throw away the phone. He tried to this with my walkman too. As, I approach my home I got the feeling something ominous is about to happen

=====================================
-You didn't tell him about it, sir? or you didn't want to do it?
-He doesn't need to know.
-But sir--

-There is no but there, Siman.
-......

-He's exam is coming up, it will effect his studies badly. And a lot is going on that kid's life.

-....But sir, sooner or later he is going to know.

- I can't argue with that. But The later he knows, the better it will be.

-As you wish,sir.

-.....Now, call him. We don't have much time.

-As you wish.

=====================================

My senses were ture. Him had. My dad. Now we are having a family dinner. Miyo and Kiyoko are taking, mom is eating with a satisfied smile. She knows how much i fear him.

-So, Akira, I heard you had a argument with you mother.
-Ye-Yes, I mean no, I m-mea-nn yeas
-KIds like you should know his place.

I chill runs down my spine. each word he spoke is cold, these words are nothing, except a threat.

-......
-Also, I heard that, you had slapped a girl.

My heart stopped, How did he know? My sense grow numb. My body becomes cold from feet, to head. I had Stop eating. Everyone had stopped. Everything had stopped. time had stopped. He gets up, takes me to my room. He close the door. The entire time he was helping me to stand on my foot, after the door close it changed. The monster had been reveled. The demon is awakened in him. One after an another, the hits, he kicks, he tosses. Again, Her hits, he kicks, he tosses. This goes on and on, on and on, on and on. I don't know when it stopped. My mind is barely wake, barely clinging to the life itself. All I remember was my mom come to the room and had told something. I close my eyes. The cycle continues. It's not only the cycle that is around Aoi but it is also around my home. I wake up, only to realize that I don't know when I went unconscious. I stand up from the cold floor. Pain and soreness wash over me. As I stand my legs began to tremble. but I mange to get to the door and turn the door nob, it didn't budge. My room door is locked from outside. My isolation and my punishment began. I wasn't hungry or the need to go toilet, which is great. I didn't drink water which I had inn my room. I can't risk it, hopefully it won't be 2 or 3 days punishment, right? But It happened before. Thus why I am keeping an bucket in my room just in case. But oh god, please don't make me do it. I sat at the floor, my back against the bed. I just pray to the god, I don't know my religion but I know there is god. The door opened in the evening. Till than I just prayed, and listen to music and was able to make a call with little credit onn my phone. I just move in a robotic manner. I clean myself taking a bath, I relieve myself from pressure, I ate dinner. There it was, I was back in the cycle. A cycle of torment and suffering, a cycle of sadness and darkness, the void. 

_The next day_ 

I was standing at the school rooftop, it's lunch time but I don't have the appetite for it. I want to escape. Aoi didn't came to school today, so I was speared today. The sound of student chatting, running, playing is fade to my ears. I can't hear them, I go near the rooftop edge. The sound life is absent from this world, it's colourless, I look down from the edge. A step forward, I can end it all.

-Yo, Aikawa-kun.

I back up immediately, what was I even thinking. I look back, it's Haruto. He had a package in his hand.
-Good evening, Tanaka-kun. What brings you here?

I was thinking something irrational, there is something wrong with me. Maybe I am really loosing it. I shake my head side to side, in attempt to push away these thoughts, I need...to think about something else.

-Nothing much, came here just to eat my lunch.

-Why, here?

-Staying out of Sato-san and her group sight. 

He goes quiet, starts eating his lunch. A burger, He had offered me, but I declined. I was lost in thought. "Can I really go against her" This single though echoed in my mind, till he spoke again.

-Hey, is something wrong? You look lost?
-It's nothing.
-Oh, come on. You can share with me, I know we are not friends but we are fellows classmates and members of same club.
-......It'-..

What should I say? There is something on my mind but I can't lie cause I don't want to. Heh, I am still surprised that I still have the will to do something like.

-Promise me, you won't tell anyone, especially Sato-san.
-Ok, I promise. But what are you trying to do?

I told him the plan, as I talk his face goes normal to pale. When I finish, he was shocked but somewhat happy or confident. He looks down than up to the sky.

-You know it's a little dangerous.
-Yeah, I know. That's why I was thinking hard.

He thinks again.

-How much is it safe, I mean how can I be sure that the bullying wouldn't get worse.
-That was also my question.

We stayed quiet for a while l, neither of us don't know what to say, and the lunch is nearly over. 

-Count me in.

-Pardon?

-I said count me in. If we don't do something right now, we will be loser for rest of our life. Who knows maybe her bullying gets a lot worse in highschool, right?

-Yeah, but, my plan isn't da-

-At Least you came up with a plan. Anyone of us who knows who she really is, is also knows that we can't even bend her hair. So, coming up a with a risky plan, which even has little bit of hope in my opinion that's something we currently need right now. And I believe in you.

I think for a second, maybe I can break one of the cycle, maybe there is hope. Maybe there is happiness. I am sceptical about this even myself, maybe I could give it a try. 

-So, what are you wanting for, Aikawa-kun?

-Yeah, Let's give it a chance. Call everyone from our club expect who follows Sato-san, ok. Even person outside club is also fine in my opinion. 

-Job noted. 

I get up, walk. When I am at the school rooftop's door, I turn and said 

-Thanks, Tanaka-kun, for believing in me.
-Heh, no problem, after all you did save me, so I think you can save others like me.

I turn and smile, which I haven't done in a long time, maybe I can do this. I would let them down. I will keep his trust. 

[Author's note :- Sorry for the huge delay, I was away from home. But I tried to keep writing but I couldn't and top it all off, my saves for the chapter gotten corrupted and it happened like 6 times or so, I lost my motivation for writing, and kinda rage quit, but I am back. And hopefully you guys enjoying my stories]