Part XII

The boss tried to grab my face, but I defended myself by punching his stomach hard, his body bents down due to unbearable pain, and he holds his stomach tightly wincing, I used this chance to hit my elbow on the back of his head with all my strength knocking him out, others were also busy fighting, I had some minor injuries here and there, the side of my lip was bruised, that boss was taller than me and used it to his advantages, the only mistake he did was to underestimate me and let his ego cloud his judgments. But this fight made me realize am still lacking somewhere, and need to get stronger.

I turned around wondering if my siblings and the children are keeping up with the other henchmen or if they need some assistance, Leo bro and King were actively destroying their enemies, while the children took care of the other two henchmen, Angela was all by herself fighting one of the remaining henchmen? 'Wait…what? Who left her alone' busy with the fight, I completely forgot that she tagged along with us, Angela is the only one among us who didn't know how to fight properly, I shouldn't have let her accompany us, and if something to happen to her, I would never forgive myself, such thoughts crossed my mind while I slowly advanced towards the last henchman from behind making sure that he doesn't get alerted, he was about to attack Angela when she stomped his foot hard then pouts folding her arms.

Angela: It is not chivalrous to harm a Lady, Mr. hope you would mind your manners, my mother tells me, that those who don't mind their manners, God punishes them. (She says while making an innocent face)

Guy: Did your mother tell you, that if kids butt their noses in others' business, then they get a good beating? (He said trying to stand straight but his foot hurt from Angela stomping on him with her heel)

Angela: No, but my mother said if a man tries to hurt you then…..(finding him off guard she kicks him hard on his dick as he holds his main point falling on his knees and starts screaming and crying due to the tremendous amount of pain) Kick them so that they can't stand again! (She flips her hair while walking towards me who stood there stupefied trying to grasp the situation) Sis…how was my performance? (She smiles innocently while hugging me)

Me: (I looked at her then at the poor guy who was crying while holding his main point as cold sweat appeared on my forehead) Good job, Angela….(I gulped my spit, and a realization hit me, I was actually scared of Angela, she is the most unpredictable behind that cute smile)

We escaped from the spot before the police arrived, later on, the orphanage teacher informed us that those gang members were arrested, Jiro and others provided evidence against them, and the orphanage teacher took Jiro and those boys in her orphanage as there was no one to take care of them. Jiro even requested me, to become their gang leader, which I firmly refused, but he promised that in the future if I need their help, they will provide it even if it means doing something illegal. I was grateful at the same time I hoped such a situation never occurs.

It was two days before the big announcement, Ayame and her men dragged me to the back alley when no one was watching, their number have increased from the last time, and there were two new faces, Ayame seemed desperate, one of the guys pushed me from behind, I fell on the ground with a thud, they started kicking and punching me at different areas of my body, I folded my knees curling up defensively, so that I get minimum damage on my body, unable to attack vital places like my ribs, stomach or even my face, they started kicking my back, some of them were aimed towards my spine and butt, they felt amused even at the slightest groans I made, giving them false hope that they are getting closer towards their success. Anger and frustration dawned on me, but I lay there helpless while they had their pleasure of teaching me a 'lesson', ones or twice Ayame's sarcastic laughter could be heard as she encouraged her men to show more passion towards their job. One of them started feeling bored as he stops kicking and looks at the others 'This is becoming useless…..why don't we use hockey sticks or iron rods instead?' Are they out of their mind? Have they no fear? Or are they thinking that they can escape after everything they are doing? I was about to lose consciousness when I heard a familiar voice, 'Hana sis?' those men stop kicking me to turn towards the alley entrance, she was standing there while holding onto her college bag hesitating, she was scared yet determined, she looked at Ayame frowning then at those boys.

Hana: What's going on here? (She says taking out her cell phone) Ayame, leave with them or I will call the coach and inform her that you are bullying Anne.

Ayame: (frowns then walked towards Hana) Dear Hana sis….I hate your partiality, don't involve yourself in this mess, or else….you would pay for it, you should know better which side you should pick to be safe.

Hana: (she glares at Ayame) Am not a bitch like you.

Aoi was about to punch Ayame when she stops him and looks at Hana and says "Very well, but if I were you, I would be watching my back." They leave the spot, and Hana sis helps me stand up as she provides me with water and wipes dust from my body.

Hana: Let's call the cops. (She says worried)

Me: No…Mom will start worrying and regretting her decisions then. Please stay out of my business…I don't want them to use you as my weakness. (I said in a cold tone, hoping to scare her away because I knew it would get ugly if she gets herself involved)

Hana: Want to go and have ice cream? (She says smiling at me and holding my hand)

Me: (I get agitated and frustrated at the same time as I shake my hand away violently, raising my voice, I shouted at her) Are you a dumbass?!! Can't you understand what type of situation you have got into just because of being nosy?! I can't bear it if they do something to you! (My eyes looked bigger, I pant while trying to hold back my anger, and I spoke the next sentence in a low voice murmuring to myself) I will kill them….if they touch you…..

Hana: (she laughs softly as I looked at her in disbelief) Yes yes….I got it …. How about an ice cream date tomorrow? (She tilts her head slightly to the left looking at me with eyes filled with kindness)

Me: If something happens to you….right before your selection for the National team….I would never forgive myself….(I felt helpless, there was a bit of sadness in my eyes, and scared of the unknown future mixed with worry)

Hana: look at the face you are making, I just asked for ice cream, you don't need to reject me like this. (She pouts)

Me: It frustrates me, how ignorant you are acting right now. (I frowned) Fine…I will meet you tomorrow for ice cream. Happy? (I looked away pouting)

Hana: So cute!! (She hugs me tightly and giggles)

I was happy and worried at the same time, an unknown fear seized me, and it felt irritating, I waited for the next morning eagerly for my ice cream date with Hana sis. But time is unpredictable, what we think and how we plan our way forward may not happen accordingly, life gives us numerous hurdles, and some of them destroy us completely, such hurdles came to my life. When I reached the ice cream store the next day, a large crowd was gathered, I pushed my way through the crowd, my eyes became big and my body trembled, my brain felt blocked with a mixture of emotions, and my eyes were blurry, I stood there like a statue devoid of any external facial emotions, yet lots were going inside me, in front of me there was Hana sis, laying on the footpath, unconscious and her pants were wet with blood.

To be continued....