by Ash Masters
*
Kouji was running down a road when he bumped into Radar carrying Junichi as they rounded a corner. Junichi howled with pain.
‘Kouji! Oh thank God! Help me get Kioshi’s father in here!’
Kouji looked to his side and saw the pharmacy, rushing to open the door and watched as Radar struggled to bring Junichi inside, Junichi trailing blood. Once the door was closed the two looked around but it was hard to find what they could use to patch up Junichi because the lights weren’t on. The only light they had came from outside but even it weren’t helpful.
‘He’s really bleeding here!’ Radar set Junichi down on the cool, squared flooring, watching him pant and sweat without a clue what to do.
‘Let me see!’ Kouji pushed Radar inside, inspecting the wound in the sub-par lighting. ‘It’s really deep as in... If we don’t get him to a hospital then he’s going to die. Right now all we can do is dress the wound until we can get up to the surface.’
‘Screw that...’ Junichi whispered, sitting up only to wince at the stinging of his wounds, moaning then collapsing back onto the floor. ‘Take me... Take me to Yamato, he’ll heal me up.’
‘He can do that?’ Radar’s eyes lit up.
‘That doesn’t change the fact that you’re losing a lot of blood. Radar, find me some bandages.’
Radar left Junichi and Kouji alone, causing a raucous as he searched for what Kouji needed.
‘Kouji is it? What are you to Kioshi?’ Junichi breathed heavily, fighting the pain from his torso.
‘What am I to him? I suppose I’m his friend, sir.’
‘You suppose?’ Junichi made a disapproving sound then continued panting. ‘In my time, we knew who our friends were and who we could rely on. Kioshi has always been a sad kid, but he also has a big heart. That big heart of his always made him do things for the right intention but in the end all he seemed to find was more pain.’ His face contorted.
‘Sir, you should really take it easy.’
‘No, let me talk. It will keep my brain working. Kioshi, inside he’s strong, but years of negligence on my part, his mother’s death and his views on the world has made him a bit sensitive but he tries his best and that’s what’s going to push him forward. That’s what will make him beat Akira But... In order for him to succeed, he needs to know where his bonds lie.’
This was the first time that Kouji had spoken to Junichi since they met. Junichi had visited the basement of Energy-PLEX a few times with Yamato and didn’t realize that he was Kioshi’s father until he volunteered to scout Underground Shibuya along with Yamato, Radar and Ayumi, where Kioshi protested against Junichi becoming involved. ‘I already said to Kioshi that he has my respect.’
‘Respect and friendship are two entirely different concepts, Kouji.’
‘I... I don’t see how.’
Junichi smiled weakly. ‘I don’t expect you to understand, it’s not your fault either since you’ve grown up in a world where the concept of friendship and bonds have become nearly meaningless. One can have someone’s respect without being a friend just like one can be someone’s friend but have no respect for them.’
‘If someone doesn’t have respect for another then how can they be friends?’
‘Because a person may be good do bad thing but is good at heart and what’s in a person’s heart is what’s most important. It’s about having faith.’
‘I respect Kioshi, sir. At the same time, I want to be by his side because I admire him. He’s a good guy.’
‘And I’m sure Kioshi values you, Kouji. That is friendship.’
‘Oh crap...’ Radar admitted, returning with several rolls of bandages and surgical spirit.
‘What is it?’ Kouji held a hand out for the items.
‘We left Kioshi alone out there!’
‘Radar!’ Kouji cried, rushing out of the store but, to his surprise, Kioshi was standing outside, reaching out to open the door, looking weak and on the verge of fainting. The two locked eyes for a few seconds before Kioshi fell into his arms.
