THIRD PERSON POV
It was a cold blissful Sunday evening in the city of Tokyo, Japan. 20 year old Yuta Katsuo, a second year student of Checa high school was immersed in finishing his tasks at his part time job, at the Toga's Bakery.
Sweeping the floor, handing out deliveries and restocking the shelves, was his responsibility as he worked to earn for his fees and needs for the kids back at the orphanage he lived in.
The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, made his stomach growl with hunger. Just then Mr. Toga, the owner, patted him on the back.
"Good job today, Yuta! You're a hard worker. I'm proud of you."
"Thank you sir. It was nothing I was just doing my job" Yuta said, his cheeks turning red as he nervous crashed the back of his neck.
"Don't be so modest about it, you are a hard worker and you should be proud of it. It's not wonder the orphanage staffs value you so much" Mr Toga complimented and Yuta 's smile fades. Mr Toga was mistaken the orphanage staffs didn't value him at all. They were merely just putting up with him, after all it's not like they had a choice, he had lived in the orphanage since he was 4 years old and yet no one seemed to want to adopt him, cause it was said that he was responsible for the death of both his parents
Just then Yuta recalled a conversation he heard a few days, one between the orphanage staffs and their superior, it was a conversation about him, apparently the orphanage staffs never wanted him around in the first place, they even consider him as a "demon" and ever since he got there the orphanage had witnessed serious financial misfortune. They said the only reasons why they kept him around was because they wanted to maintain their good image, plus Yuta was a hard worker. Yuta had gotten so hurt that day, but at last he had gotten used to such treatments over the years, so he accepted it and moved on. Even if no one saw him as anything more a demon, one day he will become so rich he would buy their affection.
"Earth to Yuta" Mr Toga called out, pulling him back to reality "Is everything alright Yuta?"
"Sorry sir, I was just in my head again" Yuta said with an abject laugh.
"It's getting pretty late. You should go home" Mr Toga said as he handed Yuta a few leftover bread rolls and a small pouch containing some cash.
"Take these home with you. You deserve a treat."
"Thank you so much sir" Yuta gratified as he beamed with pride, feeling a sense of accomplishment. The bread rolls would make a great snack for the kids at the orphanage, and the cash would come in handy for buying milk and eggs for breakfast tomorrow, plus he could finally complete his school fees which were long overdue.
With his treasures in hand, Yuta hurried out of the bakery, eager to get home. As he walked, the streets grew darker, and the alleys narrower. He quickened his pace, his heart beating slightly faster.
Suddenly, he found himself in front of a familiar dark alley. He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should take the shortcut. Finally he took in a deep breathe, summoned the courage and continued down the alley, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the night air.
As he walked, he felt a sense of determination wash over him. Tomorrow would be a new day, and he was ready to face whatever challenges came his way.
As Yuta turned onto the main street, he felt a sense of relief wash over him. But his reprieve was short-lived, as he found himself surrounded by a group of rough-looking men, their faces twisted into menacing grins.
The men were armed with knives, bats, and other makeshift weapons. Yuta's heart skipped a beat as he clutched onto his treasures, upon realizing he was trapped. The men began to close in on him, their eyes gleaming with a mixture of excitement and cruelty.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" one of the men sneered, his voice dripping with malice as he fixated on Yuta's hands, "Looks like we've got ourselves a little mouse with a treasure troph in hand."
"Hand over the bag and money, little worm"
Yuta tried to stand his ground, but his legs felt like jelly. He clutched tighter onto the bread rolls and coins in his hands, wondering if he could find a distraction.
The men began to circle around him, their movements slow and deliberate. Yuta heart raced like a beating drum, he knew he had to think fast if he wanted to get out of this situation alive. He took a deep breath and tried to come up with a plan, but his mind was a blank.
Just as the men were about to pounce, Yuta heard a loud whistle piercing the air. The men froze, looking around nervously, Yuta then took advantage of the distraction to make a run for it, dashing down the street as fast as his legs could carry him.
He didn't dare look back, fearing what he might see. Instead, he kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead, his heart pounding in his chest. He ran into the main road only to feel a painful slash across his back.
He fell to the ground, coughing out blood. His bag of bread and coins were littered all over.
"You poor kid, did you really think you could out-run us" The leader (Senku) mocked, kicking him across the abdomen, causing him to fly across the street.
Yuta face was battered, scrapped across the street. In tears he spat out some lumps of blood.
The arms rubbers picked up the pastries and began consuming them.
"Oh, so good!" Their leader mocked as he munched on a loaf of bread and the rest burst into laughter.
The gangsters turned to leave but were stopped by the sound of Yuta's voice.
"Give me back my stuff, it doesn't belong to you. Those children need them. I need them," Yuta said, his voice firm and resolute, as he pulled himself to his feet. His leg trembling like spaghetti.
The gang's leader, Senku, sneered at Yuta's bravery. "What did you say, kid? You want this back?" he taunted, flaunting the bag of pastries and cash.
"I tell you what, kid," Senku said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I am going to hand it back to you, if you can land a punch on me."
Yuta thought for a while, he couldn't possibly let Senku and his men escape with his stuff, so the only thing left to do was attack.
Yuta's anger boiled over, and he charged at Senku. But the gang leader was too strong, and he easily dodged Yuta's attack.
Yuta's eyes blazed with determination as he faced off against Senku . Despite being outmatched, he refused to back down.
Yuta's eyes narrowed, and he focused all his energy on landing a hit. He charged at Senku again, but this time, he was met with a swift kick to the stomach.
Yuta doubled over, gasping for breath. But he refused to give up. With a fierce cry, he launched himself at Senku once more.
This time Senku didn't only dodge, instead he caught Yuta in midair, landing punches and kicks. Yuta's determination and anger gave him no advantage, Senku was far superior in both strength and training.
Yuta was left to fall to the ground hopeless, it seemed like all was lost, but just then he remembered the words of his favorite manga protagonist: "A true warrior never gives up, no matter how bleak the situation may seem."
With renewed resolve, Yuta summoned every last ounce of strength, rose to his feet and landed a solid punch on Senku's jaw.
The gang leader stumbled back, surprised by Yuta's sudden burst of power. For a moment, the two locked eyes, and Yuta saw a mountain of rage in Senku's gaze. Senku had never been humiliated like this, talk less by a school kid. Senku took out a dagger and without a moment of hesitation, he launched at Yuta stabbing him multiple times, every stab more violent than the last. Yuta screamed, begging but still his pleads fell on deaf ears.
Senku stabbed Yuta three times but stopped upon hearing a police siren approaching.
Senku threw a battered Yuta to the ground and ran out of the scene, along side his gang.
Yuta laid on the ground, his body soaking wet with blood, his body ached with immense pain. He was tired, scared and although he tried screaming his words wouldn't fall out, so all he could do was cry. His eyes began to dime as the Sirens drew closer.
He felt his life eluding him and yet found no real reason to keep fighting. In that moment Yuta realized his life down to this point had been absolutely pointless.
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