Friends? . . .

Hiroki has been there for me for as long as I can remember, he's the closest thing to a family member I have. Sure, we've gone through ups and downs, but who doesn't.

I know he will always have my back, and I have his. Though I am worried about Rika, I know she thinks that I am just flipping her off, but she doesn't know the full story, either does Hiro.

Even though I've known Rika since I was a kid, our friendship isn't as strong as Hiro's and mine.

(Flashback)

11 years ago, …

"Hey, mommy what's that kid doing?"

"I don't know sweetie?"

Isamu waddled over to the young boy, curious about what he was doing. The boy didn't seem to notice that Isamu had walked over to him.

"h-Hi." Isamu spurted out.

The young boy snapped his head up in shock, wondering who the boy was. "…Hi". The boy replied.

"Um, what's your n-name"? Isamu asked

"Hiro, Hiroki".

Isamu thought that the boy looked very shy and lonely, so he asked if the boy wanted to be friends with him. To his surprise, the little boy said no. Isamu wondered why he had said no, no one had said no to him before.

But now Isamu was more curious than ever, making it his job to be friends with the boy at the park.

This went on for about a week, Isamu asking to be his friend and him replying with a no until one afternoon he finally replied "Fine I'll be your friend, only if you stop asking me about it".

And that was how Hiroki and Isamu became friends. From that day on they were like two peas in a pod, they would everything together.

One day during middle school Hiro introduces Isamu to a very eccentric girl named Rika. Isamu thought this girl to be wild and over the top, which isn't far from the truth.

She was short with curly brown hair that puffed up like an afro. Her uniform was worn messily covered in dirt and dust from outside.

He didn't quite like the girl at first, but she slowly grew on him over time, and before long she was a part of the pack. Although Hiroki is closer to Rika than I am, we're still best friends.

She's still teasing me about how she was my first crush, even though that was years ago.

(End of flashback)

The bus pulled up at his stop, to let him off. It was a quick walk towards the convenience store, where which he worked at.

He went to the staff restroom to get changed out of his school uniform into his work clothes before his shift started. He folded his clothes and placed them inside his school bag, before exiting the restroom to start his shift.

He put his phone on 'Do not disturb' mode so he wouldn't be distracted by it. The afternoon was relatively quiet, with only a few customers.

He went outside for his break, sitting on one of the nearby benches, admiring the sunset. The sky darkened as the sun slowly vanished from his view.

(Isamu's POV)

'I should go back in before any customers come in.'

I opened the door of the store and headed inside for the last part of my shift. The shadows slowly crept up the walls as the stars began to shine. I looked up to the clock on the wall '8:36 pm' 24 more minutes until my shifts over.

'sigh'

As the closing time was approaching, I gathered my phone a school bag as I got the store key out from my pocket. I switched off the lights leaving the fridge on the went to lock up.

I closed the door and began to walk home since buses didn't run at this time of night. I took in my surroundings, half-wearily half-curious. The majority of the street was illuminated except for a couple of smashed streetlamps.

The streets came alive at night. Bars and brothels bustling. The shouting of some worker telling a customer to get out. I lightly chuckled at that.

The night held something that the daytime didn't, like a different type of energy. A more relaxed environment, should I say.

(End of POV)

The boy walked down the familiar streets as he began to hum a soft tune . . .

'Hmm, hm, hm, hmm, hm, hm'

He always subconsciously sung this song when he was plagued by worries, it reminded him of his mother, who sung it to him as a child. It never failed to sooth him, like a baby to a lullaby.

Isamu turned the corner of the street, heading towards his house. There were no lights on in the house 'I hope he's asleep.' The boy thought to himself, concerned about what waited before him.

He got the key out of his pocket, slowly unlocking the front door not daring to make a sound. He turned the doorknob and went inside.

"Phew" He sighed in relief, luckily his father was out but for how long. He went upstairs and took a shower, washing off the concealer from earlier. The cut on the side of his cheek was still visible, it would take longer to heal than a bruise.

He brushed his teeth then went into his room, falling onto the bed exhausted from today's work.

'Please, last for one more day'

He would be receiving his pay tomorrow, even though it would not nearly be enough to cover all the debt that had accumulated, at least they wouldn't be evicted for another week or two.

His eyelids became heavy slowly covering his eyes. He drifted of into sleep, yet again it would be a dreamless night.