Small Hope

One of the few things I am fond of is my desk.

It's not that different from the others but its mine.

The smooth, flat surface of wood feels pleasant to the touch, and it doesn't irritate my skin. While the slight aroma of nature is present whenever I lay my head down in times of relaxation.

The desk's location is optimal as well.

Just beside the open window at the very back of the classroom, a perfect place to feel the cool winds of autumn and observe the falling leaves change colour.

But most importantly, it is the perfect place to take nice mid morning, afternoon and during class naps.

With the pillow I've meticulously chosen hid under the table portion, a godly feature I might add, I spend my days in class in utmost comfort.

Indeed.

There are really things in this world that are worth the effort to do. Once you feel the perfect softn-

"Kurokami! Stop sleeping in my class!"

My thoughts get interrupted as I detect a moving object flying towards me at a high speed with horrifyingly pinpointed accuracy.

I quickly let my reflexes take over and move my head a bit to the left, avoiding a small white powdery object which might've been a piece of chalk.

Of course, I could not see it clearly since it was faster than usual. But mostly because my head was still laying on the pillow. This is a matter of course.

A light sound of a chip breaking behind me was heard. Following that, a series of slow claps come from all around the classroom.

"Uwah, that's even faster than yesterday! As expected of sensei. It still hit nothing though."

A light-hearted voice said.

"Idiot. Kurokami-kun will never get hit. Without his permission, I doubt even retired soldiers like sensei will manage to graze him with a bullet."

A self-confident voice rebutted.

"Are you seriously saying that. No human can dodge a bullet. You've been reading too much manga."

A mocking voice resounds soon after.

"Nope, I just blindly believe in Kurokami-kun, no, Kurokami-sama's abilities. My intuition is never wrong! So you can put a sock in it."

The previous self-confident voice turned arrogant.

"Eh, what's with that!? I'll have you kno-"

With that as the trigger, the class erupts into fervent discussion. This happens almost everyday though.

There is no need for any recognition.

It is nothing to be amazed about.

That's what I want to say but it's too troublesome to talk to my classmates so I just continue sleeping.

They can bicker all they want about me.

"Enough! What have you all been saying? It's not that I haven't hit him, but I intentionally missed! I just didn't want Kurokami to be sent to the clinic. That's all, so all of you be quiet."

The low voice of authority finally breaks the chaos.

Yes, this was the familiar voice of my English teacher, Youjirou Juuzo. If I remember the facts about him correctly, he was injured in the army so he retired early and became a teacher in this school.

Apparently he had a high position, but it was too troublesome to look at his files, especially since he wasn't an enemy anyway so I left it alone.

He gets really mad when I sleep during his time.

"Right. Now that that's established. Kurokami, come to the front and translate the passage on page 30 in the English language with the right accentuation."

But I know that he doesn't really care. In this school, as long as the student gets results, they are lenient on said student.

All I have to do is...

"Oi, lend me your textbook."

I say to the person in front of me as I slowly stood up. My precious pillow was quickly kept under my desk table as to avoid any damage.

"Um, sure. Here you go, Master."

My brows twitch as I heard that word, but I shrug it off. The girl sitting in front of me has always called me this. I didn't know why but since I could tell that it was going to be troublesome if I asked, well.

You know the rest.

"Thanks."

I don't know her name so I just pat her head.

Her face gets redder but that happens all the time.

I ignore it as usual and walk towards the front in large strides. My tired eyes scan the textbook I received as I navigated to the page I wanted.

I see the podium in front has been cleared up as I walk up to it. Placing the book in front of me, I did some mental preparation as I gathered my mental strength to give me the energy to get through this.

Thinking, if I get through this, I can go back to sleep.

Yes, this was a great motivator.

Now, let's begin.

•••••

My master is a great person.

He is strong, intelligent, and handsome.

Although he looks lazy and cold to others, only I know that he has a truly kind heart.

My name is Asakura Yumiko.

I've always looked up to heroes.

Growing up, I often stayed at home so I watched a lot of television hero shows during the day.

I liked how the strong heroes use their strengths in saving the weak and helpless without asking anything in return. Their selflessness inspired me.

But as I grew older, I discovered that most of the people I saw were only normal. They didn't have any powers or special traits that made them help others.

People only cared about themselves.

I think that's what I thought then.

That was the time before I saw my master.

On that fateful day, I saw an old lady.

She had fallen down the stairs near the park, and she seemed to have broken something as she couldn't get up. When I arrived there, many people were already surrounding the scene, but no one really helped her.

The men coming home from a day's work had stopped to see the commotion, but almost everyone went on their way, ignoring the old woman.

Although few had stayed, they only took out their phones to call an ambulance. In this neighbourhood, an ambulance was huge so it couldn't even fit in these undeveloped roads. It was useless to call them.

The women and housewives carrying groceries were also there but they only stopped to talk about how poor the old woman was and how no one was helping her. Even the kids they brought with them only laughed at the poor woman.

That's why, I was about to go through the crowd to help her up myself. But when I reached the front, a loud voice had spoken out ever so clearly.

"Out of the way you trash. This woman owes me money, move aside. Anyone who doesn't listen will get beat up into a pig's head."

This voice filled with genuine anger made all of us in the crowd tense up, with no one moving.

I instinctively wanted to run away but my body was not listening to me. Cold sweat started pouring from my back. It was like I was in a danger zone in the wars I used to watch in the news.

When I felt movement behind me, I noticed a large amount of men with large muscles, scary faces, and different tattoos had pushed the crowd to the side.

Regaining control of my body, I quickly run to the side, avoiding the scary men.

After confirming that the crowd moved aside, the dozen men stood at the sides forming two rows with a respectful look on their faces.

Just when I was about to ask someone who they were, the sound of footsteps echoed in the place so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Looking towards the source, I saw a youth.

Someone who didn't look that much older than me.

His long black hair overshadowed his cold eyes, as he walked in a relaxed but forceful pace towards the old woman sprawled on the ground.

As he passed through each of the men, the latter felt as if they were greeting their king. So much that it looked liked they wanted to kneel down.

A short moment later, the youth said this.

"Old thing, you've been hiding here after all. Don't you know once you owe someone you have to pay it regardless of your situation?"

"...eh? Young man, wh-"

"Anyway, there is no need to speak. Men, bring her."

As if he was hurrying to obtain the money she owed him, the youth quickly ordered his men, and they quickly helped the woman up into one of the black limousines parked near here.

These slim-looking black limousines obviously belonged to a rich, powerful family. A brand of an Eastern Dragon was stuck to the front of their vehicles. It looked as if they served to intimidate others when they looked at it.

After placing the woman inside, the youth quickly went inside followed by the men. As if it was an illusion, they quickly dispersed and drove away.

A short while after, the crowd went back to their senses. Some of them were panicking and most left.

Obviously, they didn't want trouble.

Listening to their discussion, it seems the old woman was unlucky to borrow money from the strongest yakuza families in the country.

The yakuza were gangs that were made up of strong individuals, intelligent government officials, and many thugs built for fighting.

They served to intimidate many of the citizens. So much so that the government was helpless against them. Antagonising them would only lead to loss and no benefits. Thus, they left them alone.

I guessed that the youth just now was the young master of that yakuza family. I dreaded the thought of the old woman being harmed by that kind of person so I quickly ran out.

I didn't know what made me want to help someone I did not even know, but at that time I couldn't even stop to think, so I just ran until my legs gave out.

Someone should've called the police but I doubted they would do something significant when their enemy was that kind of organisation.

Just when I was about to give up, I saw the black limousines parked outside a building.

As I moved closer, I noticed that it wasn't just any building, but it was the most expensive hospital in the city. They say that one night here would cost you a year or more's worth of salary.

I was about to enter the hospital to find that youth and the old lady but stopped when I noticed him talking to a middle-aged man outside the entrance.

I quickly hid behind one of the pillars near them.

"Young master Shinji, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you here today? Are you injured?"

The middle-aged man's tone was like he knew the youth being injured was an impossible affair. That he would sooner believe the sky has fallen rather than this. He laughed as he motioned them inside.

"No, I would like you to have this woman checked if her injuries need surgery, if so, do it."

"Hmm. Young master, are you sure? Do you know this woman? If so I shall immediately-"

The man was about to hurry on but he got interrupted by the youth's hand in front of him.

"No need for questions. Just know that I am personally ordering you to cure her. Also, let her family know she's here and give them appropriate compensation if you fail. That is all."

"..."

The man got silenced immediately as I was shocked to hear this revelation. Isn't she just an old woman who fell? Why is this youth from the yakuza helping her so much that he's sending her to this hospital?

It doesn't make any sense.

"Oh, as for the fees just send them to my useless older brother. I did him a favour earlier so he should be fine with this. What, any more problems?"

"Hmm. Of course, I'll let young master Kai know. But why do you insist on helping this woman?"

I wanted to know that as well.

The youth seemed conflicted as his facial expression changed for a second, but ultimately said.

"It's not that big of a reason. Just consider it...as me paying back a debt from long ago."

The scary men around the youth suddenly seemed as if they remembered something, and nodded approvingly towards their young master.

"I see. Well then, that's that. I, will do what you have said to the best of my abilities, young master."

"Excellent, I'll be sure to let the old man know."

The youth only seemed to be saying that in passing, but the man suddenly did a full ninety-degree bow as if he was shocked by electricity.

"Thank you for your generosity, young master!"

But the 'young master' only shrugged it off and walked out of the building. I quickly followed, still confused with the situation.

What I did understand was that this youth wasn't a bad person like I had initially thought.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting. I've made arrangements with the hospital director so you should just relax and get your legs treated."

The youth's voice suddenly interrupted my confusion. His voice was completely different from before. As if he was a different person.

"Young master, I'm already old and have left the mansion long ago, I almost couldn't recognise you, all grown up. There is no need for this treatment."

The old woman said in a gentle voice, as if he was talking to her own son. She was quickly assisted by the youth towards a wheelchair.

"Nonsense. You put up with me before so it's only right for me to do this for you, reject me and I would feel hurt, haha."

At that moment, my world had stopped.

That cold, stoic face of the youth melted into a smile as bright as summer, and his icy eyes were filled with gentleness as he laughed with the old woman.

It's as if this was his genuine personality, the bright and sunny disposition of a child.

But as soon as the woman was carried into the building as they waved goodbye, the youth turned back into his old, indifferent, self.

"Let's go."

"Yes, young master!"

As quickly as they arrived, they left like the wind.

I walked back home soon after, having thought things through. My face was bright red all the way as I kept that image of him smiling in my head.

What was that?

In the situation of everyone ignoring the poor old woman, he arrived like a storm and made the best arrangements for her. Silently accepting criticism but still doing the right thing nonetheless.

And that smile...

Maybe, just maybe.

That was what a real 'hero' looked like.

From that moment on, I followed that youth around, observing his various encounters with troubles and him helping people in need in different ways.

Only to know we were going to be classmates in the same year months later. Because of him, I had a new ambition, fully reignited.

My dream is to become someone like him, helping others without hesitation not caring about the opinions of others.

No matter what anyone says about him, I know he is there to lend a helping hand. That's why I decided to take him, as my master in this life.

So I look forward to the little moments we share together, especially the times when he pats my head.

'My master...'

"There was once a man, who had saved a village from war. But this man, was not thanked by the villagers. Instead, the villagers kept abusing the man by demanding they protect them from all dangers..."

Kurokami Shinji's tired eyes changed into piercing ones as he recited each line inside the textbook with strong emotion without any flaws in his fluency of speaking a foreign language.

A girl who was staring at him, had stars in her eyes as she looked at his serious disposition.

After he had finished, she had finished her thought.

'He really is amazing.'

•••••

*Close*

My energy drains from me as I finally finished the passage. The faces of my classmates were in shock, some of their eyes were even red from hearing the story of the poor man in the story.

But that was only for the smart ones who had understood the English language anyway.

I can speak it fluently because I always went around the world in my missions and I was forced to learn it perfectly by that damn old man and brother combo.

Still, even if I was forced, it still proved useful.

But, what's important is that.

Yes, that.

I can finally go back to sleep.

"Oi, Kurokami don't go back to sleep as soon as you reach your desk. How sleepy are you!?"

After returning the textbook to the girl in front, I took out my pillow only to be faced with a larger projectile being thrown across the room.

An eraser?

How troublesome.