CHAPTER 10: THE REJECTION

"Now it’s time for the things that will be hard to believe." said Kai.

"Your kidding, you seem..." said Suki but, he was interrupted as Kai released his emotions.

"I was supposedly a gifted child. One would think this is every kid’s dream but this is not at glamorous as it appears. When you become like this, the pressure of parents, teachers, the world around and life itself becomes unbearable. I dropped out as a result. My IQ has become my gift as well as my curse. I want to learn, I really do but not when everyone is watching my every move. I want to I was supposed to come from Hong Kong to spend time with my father but, it turns out he wanted me to learn to become a rich business man like him. When I heard this I ran away. He doesn’t realize. The world does not run on money alone. It needs good people and when good people have money, the world can be a better place. But, he wants to make me into the next version of him, as greedy and heartless as many of the world’s businessmen. He never abandons his goals and this is it. Knowing this, I can never have the father that held me with love and joy before my gift was known. Now I’m reduced to working and living at a sushi restaurant and I don’t know when I’m going home. That’s my story."

The group was hiding snickers and giggles and they went into a huddle. As soon as they huddled, they began conversing.

"Whoa, I’ve heard of screwed up people but, him...hahaha." said Toshi.

"I know. Child prodigy? Geez, and I thought you were egotistical, Toshi!" said Kasumi.

"He’s the weirdest person I’ve ever met. And I’ve met some really weird people." said Ayane.

"What a liar!" said Yuki.

"He could be telling the truth... but, with all the shit he’s got in there he can’t be!" said Suki as he laughed with the rest.

Kai figured they didn’t understand and began to walk away. He figured someone like him could never have friends that would accept him for what he was. Kai wished he never had received his gift. He walked all the way back to Akama Sushi where Sensuke was wiping tables.

"Hey man, you’re early you’ve sill got fifteen minutes." said Sensuke.

"I’m going to lie down in a booth, ok?" said Kai.

"Suit yourself."

Kai lay down until his break was over. After than he continued working, feeling crushed. He avoided them for the next three days. Kai felt lost. He didn’t want to go back to his father and he didn’t want to go back to his so-called friends. He would just have to stay with the people here who were oblivious.

One Friday after school, Kai was working. Someone came running into the restaurant. It was Toshi. Through the hair that covered the left side of his face there was a black eye and blood coming from his forehead.

"Kai, you have to come quick! There’s a fight going on with Satoshi!"

"What now? You need me to go and fight? I’m not bravery for hire." Kai said angrily.

"It’s not just me who’s fighting." said Toshi.

"So?"

"We need your help. Some of us can really get hurt. Doesn’t that mean a thing to you?"

"Perhaps but that one time, didn’t we beat up Satoshi’s men. You don’t need me." said Kai.

"Yeah but, the girls already went home. Also, it turns out Satoshi has more friends than we thought."

"Hold on, give me a minute." Kai scoffed. He went into the back room where he talked to Sensuke.

"Sensuke, we need your help! My friends are in trouble and we need you!" said Kai.

"So? They’re not my friends. Why should I help?" said Sensuke.

"Did I mention that it’s a fight?" said Kai.

"Sweet! I haven’t punched someone in ages. Give me a second. I have to tell the other employees to fill in for us."

Sensuke told the employees that Kai and him were going out on a little errand. Kai, Sensuke and Toshi ran to the schoolyard. Suki and Daisuke were getting hurt badly. Suki was on the ground, and he tried to get up but he was kicked in the face. Daisuke’s glasses were shattered his pants were missing. Apparently he had tried to use them as a weapon once again.

"Stop! Let them go!" said Kai.

"If you have any guts you’ll fight us three. Bring it on!" Satoshi and his henchmen stopped and turned towards Kai, Sensuke and Toshi. They squeaked in fear. Satoshi and his men began charging at them.

"Shit, I didn’t think they would all come." said Kai scratching his head.

"You idiot! Now look what you’ve done!" said Toshi

"Make the best of it," said Sensuke with a grin on his face. "Cause it’s time to haul ass and break some legs!"

Sensuke flexed his arms while Kai threw away his coat and from his pants pocket pulled out a spoon he had grabbed by mistake instead of some chopsticks he was looking for . Toshi reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He gripped the keychains, making himself a mace.

"Brothers, let us ride into battle and free our fallen allies. Charge!" Toshi yelled insanely.

"What the hell is with that guy?" Sensuke asked Kai, who shrugged his shoulders and turned to the oncoming rush of Satoshi’s men. The three raced into battle.

Toshi and Sensuke held off the henchmen while Kai dragged his friends to safety. After pulling them to a fence, Kai joined the fight. Sensuke was laughing maniacally as he picked up and threw henchmen everywhere. Toshi was swinging his wallet around maiming the henchmen but then the keychains broke off. As a result Toshi began taking coins from his wallet and throwing them at his greedy enemies. When they stopped to pick up the coins, Toshi would punch them in the face and deliver a swift kick to the groin.

One henchman darted at Kai with a branch in his hand. Kai was hit hard. He fumbled to the ground with a bleeding nose and lip. Suddenly, everyone heard something in the wind. It was police sirens. Everyone began to run away. Kai and Toshi helped up Suki and Daisuke and ran for it. They ran back to Mr. Akama’s restaurant.

When they got inside they saw a few customers, some employees and an angry Mr. Akama.

"An errand, eh? Looks more like you were in a war and brought home some casualties." said Mr. Akama.

"I’m sorry but, they really needed me. I had to go or they probably would’ve been killed." said Kai.

"Jeez, you kids. It’s 2003 for god sakes. Haven’t you learned that nothing but pain and anguish comes out of fighting?" said Mr. Akama.

"I promise you, I won’t fight anymore." said Kai.

"You can put your friends in the storage room to rest for a bit and get that one kid some pants for god sakes! After that I need to talk to you, Kai."

Kai and Sensuke put the wounded Suki and Daisuke in the storage along with some Band-Aids, gauze and pair of trousers. Toshi decided to stay with his injured friends until they re-gained consciousness. After that, Kai went to talk to Mr. Akama.

"Now Kai, I won’t have you fighting anymore. If I find that you are fighting again, you’ll be fired and you’re going to have to live on the street." said Mr. Akama. "Also, I can’t have you hanging out with those kids anymore. They’re causing nothing but trouble. I don’t want my restaurant involved in their problems. It’s bad enough they’ve got you into the fighting but, Sensuke? I’ve had to bail Sensuke out of trouble with the law a few times already. If Sensuke gets arrested while fighting along side you, he’ll be put in jail and I won’t just lose an extra worker, I’d be losing my son practically. I can’t have that. Starting after your friends leave, I can’t have you associating with them, you understand?"

"Yes. I promise."