For the love of Mike

      When I got home, my mom wasn’t there yet, so after I took a bite of rice, I started thinking about the whole situation. The Sano family are really good people. Shinichiro’s death… I wish I could have prevented it. The image of a cheerful school bully with a funny haircut immediately came to mind. Would that happen in six or seven years, when Mikey should be twelve? Or thirteen? It’s going to be pretty hard to predict, but I’ll try to keep up. In fact, I still can’t remember all the intricacies of the plot, especially the clash of the gangs, because it wasn’t that important to me at the time of reading, I just genuinely wanted Takemichi to save everyone. I admired his fortitude, the way his character changed and his willpower grew with each leap in time. And honestly, Hanagaki Takemichi is the only character who really seems like a real person. Everything in life is extremely hard, you have to make an effort to achieve something — that’s my opinion.       I heard a noise in the hallway and hurried to meet Naoki. It was her. A little disheveled, with a bag of groceries and lipstick on her lips, but you know… she looked like the mom you really want to wait for. — Welcome back, mom. She smiled and went into the kitchen to put out the groceries, planning to cook something. — What do you want for dinner? I was thinking about making katsudon. — Oh, mum, that would be great. I sat down at the table and watched her wash the vegetables. — Daughter, did you really clean this place up? It looks great. I think I’ve got a grown-up helper, — I continued to watch her cook. — I was just bored. Mum, there’s something I need to tell you. Naoki switched off the water, turned round and sat down opposite, wiping her hands with a towel. — What is it? — She asked worriedly. I noticed that her shoulders were tense. You remember the guy who walked me home yesterday? Well, he lives… Haruka! — The woman interrupted me sharply. — I wanted to talk with you about it. Don’t you realize that he’s a thug? I mean, I mean a bad guy. Don’t you dare mess with him at all! If you see him near our house, you must inform me or the police…       I realised that from the outside it looked exactly as she said it, but I couldn’t bear to hear it. I couldn’t take it anymore: — Mom! Stop it, he’s a good guy! Please listen to me. His name is Sano Shinichiro, his grandfather owns the dojo. I went there today, it’s a ten minute walk, — I caught Naoki’s angry look, but she remained silent, holding back. — I learnt that they train adults there, but there’s also a group of guys my age. I was told that I could join the training. I want to play sports there.       After a short pause, the woman clasped her hands together and said calmly: — I’m shocked and I didn’t expect you to be into something like this at all. This weekend we’ll go out and buy you some dresses so you can at least look like a girl. It’s April in two months, which means you’ll be going to school, — she looked at my frowning, serious face. — Okay. You’ll get bored of it quickly anyway. But if you come back with bruises, I’ll come to the dojo and beat them all over the head with my own hands! - Mom, but I’m bruised enough as it is… — I stopped and looked at my mother. Her gaze was full of pain and shame, so I quickly changed the subject: No matter, I’ll become stronger than everyone there, you’ll see, no one will be able to touch me even a finger! The first class will be tomorrow afternoon.       Naoki smiled tiredly and got up from her chair and started rinsing the rice. — I’ll be busy until tomorrow evening. I know this place, the Mansaku Dojo, I’ll try to pick you up there in the evenings. I guess they won’t mind tolerating you after training while you wait for your mom? — Sure, mom. Thank you.       We had dinner, and then Naoki went to watch TV, sipping a beer in the spirit of a true bachelor. I sat with her for a while, but I felt awkward, so I left for my room. As I lay in bed before going to sleep, I thought about how great it would be to be staring at my smartphone right now….       When I woke up, I made my bed, washed my face and went to the kitchen. There was a plate of cold breakfast in the form of the same meager eggs. I ate it all, rinsed my plate and went to get dressed. It was still early, but I thought it would be a good idea to test my stamina with a morning run. I still can’t believe you can just go outside, just take a walk, just get some exercise. People do not appreciate what they have, and when you have lost, there is no point in regretting, because it will only make it more painful. The only thing left is to accept it and come to terms with it. That’s a sad thought. Pull yourself together, “Takahashi Haruka”, now you’re going to work on yourself, your body and your fate.       I couldn’t find any sport shoes, but I had comfortable shoes that fit my feet. I’m going to grow up for another ten years… I should warn Naoki that it would be necessary to save money for clothes and etc…. Stop. If I told her that, it would sound too mature and she’d definitely start bringing strange men home too often. Although I don’t know where she disappears to during the day, maybe she really works in a place where she attracts such men.       I stepped out of the house, took a deep breath of fresh air, and looked around the narrow street. There were almost no people, just a woman walking a cute Chihuahua dog dressed in a cheerful costume. I stretched my body: I did the windmill, sat down a few times, and run at a slow pace. My legs took their own course toward Sano’s dojo. As I ran, I enjoyed jumping over the puddles that sparkled in the sun. The air smelled of spring — the rain that had fallen only added to the charm of Tokyo’s February. In just ten minutes, I was in front of a stately, one-story building built in the traditional Japanese style. My breathing was a little ragged, but I still had plenty of energy; I think I could have run like this for another twenty minutes before collapsing from exhaustion. Not great, of course, but I’ll take my age into account.       I squatted a little more, and as I was about to turn around, my eyes met Manjiro’s as he came out of the dojo. He was wearing a tracksuit. Apparently, he had plans similar to mine. — Oh, Haru-chi, hello. Why are you so out of breath? Did you miss me so much?” He asked with a smile and ran over to me. I punched him lightly in the shoulder and smiled as well. What a cute little devil he is, hee hee. — Hey dummy, I’m actually out for a run! And if there’s anyone to miss, it’s Brother Shinichiro!       I showed him my tongue. Manjiro wasn’t offended at all, and he replied teasingly, confirming my hunch: — I was going to run too, but I don’t think you can keep up with me.       He made a sly face, expecting me to fall for it and start a contest with him. Of course, I’m not in a position to agree to that kind of thing, but… It builds friendship and a competitive spirit, doesn’t it? As Maito Gai from Naruto said, “Power of Youth, go!” — If I catch up with you, you owe me a wish, okay? Let’s go!       And we set off at full speed, even further away from the dojo, through streets that I saw for the first time. The boy, on the other hand, seemed to navigate well. He kept ahead of me, but so that he could see me with his side vision, and didn’t run any further. When I tried to speed up and catch up with Manjiro, he got faster too. I could feel the muscles in my body warming up, but the cool temperature didn’t make me feel hot yet. We ran for another fifteen minutes, my pace slow enough to keep up with him. When I was out of breath, I started talking: — Hey, Manjiro, im giving up! Let’s slow do… — I felt like I’d hit a rock or a bump and flew forward. Sano turned around and braked sharply, but he didn’t catch me in time. I fell to my kneels, rupping my pants and smacking my palms on the pavement. — Ouch! Fu-u-u…       Trying not to curse, I slowly stood up and looked at the damage I’d done. Blondie immediately supported me under his arm and looked at my knees and then at my palms with excitement. — Haru, are you okay? I’m sorry, I saw that you were tired, I should have stopped…       I shook off the dirt and the initial pain was finally gone, but the places where the skin had been peeled off still throbbed unpleasantly. Yes, I probably shouldn’t have worked so hard. I wanted to cry, but it didn’t hurt that much. The boy stood there, worried. There was nothing to worry about: the left knee was just getting a bump, but the right knee was already bleeding. — It’s not your fault, im just careless. It hirts a little, but it’ll go away. Let’s come back, we need to clean up wounds. — I tried to turn around and go back, but Sano Junior immediately overtook me and squatted down with his back to me. — Hop on, you cripple, and I’ll take you for a ride!       I hesitated, but I thought he was strong enough to carry me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he picked me up under my knees, stood up, and…. He actually ran, faster than I was running before! Man, he’s a real little strongman! — Yoo-hoo! Sano, you’re incredible! — I exclaimed happily.       He laughed, squeezed my legs tighter and jumped up and down with me for a second, then landed softly like a cat and ran at the same speed. My heart did a somersault at that moment, but it felt good: the adrenaline rush had done its job. I just held on tighter to his warm back.       When we were close to the dojo, Manjiro started walking. I had calmed down by then and relaxed my head, resting my chin on his shoulder. — Hey baby, we’re arrived. — Uh-huh…       I jumped off his back, ignoring the pain in my knees. Once inside the dojo, I crossed my eyes with a sad blonde girl. Big golden-brown eyes…. We looked a bit alike, and I think that’s why she froze in place in surprise. — Oh, Emma, this is Haruka. You have my permission to be friends. — Manjiro introduced us.       I couldn’t take it anymore and slapped him, even though it hurt my bruised palm. — Hey, Emma, don’t listen to this fool. Say, do you have something to treat the wounds?       Emma nodded and disappeared into the back of the building, and I sat down on a low couch with a gray fabric cover. She soon returned with a jar of green and leaned over my knees. — It’s p-pinching, — I said sadly and wrinkled my nose. Emma blew on her knees with the same sad face and put on a band-aid. — Manjiro is your friend, isn’t he? — She asked suddenly.       Friend? Well, we’ve known each other for a couple days. That’s probably enough for the kids. — Yeah, we’re friends. I’m supposed to go to practice with him today. — What? Why would you do such a thing? — Emma was very surprised. — Well, the thing is, I just want to be strong. If it weren’t for Shinichiro, I probably wouldn’t have decided to change anything… — I hesitated for a moment, as I could sense that the girl had recently been abandoned by her neglectful mother and was under stress. — Look, I can see that you’re very sad, so if you want to have a heart-to-heart or just, you know…. Let’s be friends, Emma? — Your name is Haruka, right? — She asked. I nodded. — Don’t you think I’m weird? — Emma, what are you? — I laughed, but then I answered very seriously. — I think I’m the weirdest one here, the one who wants to be friends with stupid boys and fight. You’re a very sweet and, in my opinion, kind girl.       The little blonde smiled slightly and her eyes brightened. — Let’s be friends, Haruka.       Sano Junior ran into the room and dragged me to practice. Mansaku’s grandfather gave me a uniform and waved off the question of payment, saying he’d do it later. Soon Emma came in, apparently to see if I was really going to practice. My palms were bandaged, so I looked like a fighter with bruised knuckles. All sorts of boys ran in, we lined up in chess order and did a warm-up, then started practicing punches. — Oi! Oi! Oee-ee-ee! — The boys shouted in unison.       Some of them looked at me in surprise, but they quickly lost interest because they were in the middle of a lesson and it was forbidden to be distracted. I caught a glimpse of Manjiro punching a pear by himself. Sometimes grandfather would come over and give him instructions or show him how to do something correctly.       I was sweating profusely and my muscles were twitching when the lesson finally ended. I crawled to a corner and sat down with my back to the wall. And then I heard an interesting dialogue: — Master, why doesn’t he practice much? Is he that tough? — The dark-haired boy asked Mansaku. They were both watching Manjiro, who was now practicing his jumping leg kicks. — He’s a genius. — Huh?! That’s not fair! — He’s my grandson, — the grandfather said proudly. — Hey, Sano! — A boy came up to him. — Let’s fight!       Manjiro stopped and turned around, making an unpleasant face. — Eh? I don’t want to sweat. — Then why did you come to the dojo at all? — Keisuke didn’t stop. Yes, it was hard not to recognize him.       The blond grinned, and with a sly look on his face, he replied: — I want to be out in the open so that everyone will notice my coolness! — What a terrible character! Hey, who are those girls? — Baji pointed at Emma and me, and we were in about the same part of the room. — Haruka is lying on the floor and the other one is Emma, my little sister. — Oh, she has a different mother, huh? Emma, that sounds like a foreign name. — It is.       The boys smiled and it was immediately clear that they are on the same wavelength. — Then I’ll be Edward, aka 'Edo'!       Manjiro picked up on it, replying: — And I’ll be Michael, aka 'Mikey'!       They started laughing loudly and running around the room. — This is a pen. — I have a shit. — Oh my God! — Oh my God!       Emma crouched down next to me and spoke quietly. The boys immediately stopped and listened. — I really understand my mother’s feelings because she hated me. That’s why she left me, — the girl couldn’t stand it anymore and tears started to roll down her cheeks. — I understand that. But she told me?! She said she’d meet me when she was done! She told me…       I moved closer and put my arms around her, stroking her back. — Emma, I don’t know what happened to you, but even so… You have two awesome brothers now. And I’m sure they won’t abandon you, — I glared menacingly at Manjiro. Emma stopped crying, looked at Sano too, and snorted. He walked over to us, sat down next to Emma and said: — I’ll be 'Mikey' from today.       She looked at him with an incomprehensible look. — If your brother is Mikey, it won’t be so weird. I’ll always be Mikey now.       Emma laughed and tears on her cheeks were almost dry. — You don’t understand a woman’s heart at all. I don’t worry about my name at all.       I laughed too. Sano is really very caring, you can see how important his family is to him. Do I really deserve someone like that in my life? A funny idea came to me, and I expressed it right away. — Well, since you’re Mikey, I’ll be Dina, aka “Di.” How did you say? I have a pen…       We all laughed again.       When Manjiro was walking me home, I thought of something, looked at him and said:

— Hey, do you know that you owe me a wish?       He was surprised. — What is this all of a sudden? A… — he remembered our bad run and looked at my knees. — But you didn’t catch me!       I frowned and continued to stare at him demandingly. He looked at my knees one more time and breathed out. — Okay, let’s draw. You’ll owe me a wish too, — he winked. I smiled and nodded, holding out my pinky finger to seal the agreement.

— Deal!