Liberdade

"Kaito..." The young girl gripped the young man's hands as tightly as she could atop her hospital bed, blankets covering the lower parts of her body, a tinge of concern within her eyes, "What are you doing here?"

Kaito, the young Asian man with moderately long black hair, wearing a long sleeve shirt and black pants, leaned over the young girl's hospital bed some, his eyes wary, "I... I wanted to see you."

Her face went from concern and turned into a gentle smile, "Kaito... sorry..." She chuckled, "I dunno, you didn't visit that long ago so...?"

"Sorry, just wanted to see you one more time."

"Well, that's perfect. I'm glad you wanted to see me again."

"Yeah... it's just... you being in here like this has kinda has me on alert lately and not being able to see you in the house for as long as I have I... y'know, I just miss ya a bunch."

"Well... I missed you too. I miss a lot of people, hate being cramped in this hospital all the time, y'know?"

"Yeah, I can relate a bit."

"Yeah, you've probably been in the hospital a bunch haven't you?" She laughed to herself. She stopped laughing, turning back towards Kaito, "Hey... Kaito..."

"Yeah?"

"Don't... get too hurt."

"Okay."

"Also... if I were to die-"

"Hey...!"

"I'm sure I won't! Calm down." She paused, "If I were to die one day, doesn't matter what age we are, I want you to do what you've always wanted to do... instead of being a hero just for me... be a hero for others."

Kaito sported a cocky grin, "Well~! I'm technically already a hero to some people already!"

"You know that's not what I meant," She chuckled, "I meant... I dunno how to describe it but... I know you understand."

"Yeah, I get it," Kaito smiled, "Hey..."

"Hey, Kaito."

"Yeah?"

"Don't make my father too mad, okay? He has a lot of trust in you now and I don't want all of that effort you put to go to waste, okay?"

"Okay, I made an oath with your father anyway and I always keep my promises... or oaths, or whatever."

"Just make sure to not get on his bad side, you're a bit rambunctious at times after all."

Kaito raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"Like, when you get drunk you get a bit touchy-feely and then go-"

"Alright!" Kaito slapped his knees, "I don't need to hear more."

"Well... at least you're still very... moralistic? Even when drunk."

"Why don't you tell me to stop?"

"Never said I disliked it."

Kaito clicked his tongue, cheeks red, "Jeez... had me all worried."

***

Some weeks had passed, Kaito, wearing his hair in a ponytail, hat on his head, a goatee now sitting on his face. He woke up from a dream, shaking his head before resting his head on the back of his seat. Kaito took out his phone, scrolling through his contact list before switching through a few applications, turning on a VPN application before going back to his contacts, opening the messenger on his phone. Kaito went to his Girlfriend's contact, name, "Koharu".

[Kaito: Hey, I'm on the plane to Brazil now, how are you doing?] He sighed, looking out the window as he waited for a response.

[Koharu: Hey... Kaito.]

[Kaito: Hm?]

[Koharu: Was Dad the one who sent you to Brazil?]

[Kaito: Yeah, to Liberdade, said that there would be someone there to help me stay low, he also said that if they weren't there that it'd just be as easy to live on my own for a while, at least until everything cooled over and wasn't a suspect for this stupid bullshit.]

[Koharu: Bullshit, indeed. Your alibi should've made it an open and shut case but no... fucking police.]

[Kaito: First time in a while since I've seen you cuss.]

[Koharu: Don't like it?]

[Kaito: Never said that just always surprised when I see it.]

[Koharu: Anyone would be mad to see their boyfriend get accused of murder when they obviously didn't fucking do it.]

[Kaito: Better hope the police doesn't see all of this.]

[Koharu: They already checked my phone, I even made sure they didn't tap anything in it, Lo even did some weird techno voodoo to make it even safer for me to get in contact with you.]

[Kaito: Lol, techno voodoo.]

[Koharu: Hey...]

[Kaito: Hm?]

[Koharu: I'll miss you. Text me when you come back to Japan.]

[Kaito: Yeah...]

After texting for a few more hours the airplane mode sign starting blinking. Saying his goodbyes and shutting his phone off, he waited for the plane to land. Signs showing that he had arrived at Sao Paulo Airport hung overhead as he exited the hallway leading to the plane door, package rolling a few feet behind him as people scurry out from the area like rats. From bus to subway, all the way to Liberdade, taking almost 30 minutes to an hour. Kaito watched the streets, foreign buildings, and multi-colored men and women, children too, it was interesting watching all of these things pass by in a blur. Kaito finally made it into Liberdade, though he had to walk the rest of the way.

Kaito chuckled to himself as he walked through the tori gate greeting him to this city, a few more Asian people are sprinkled across the streets mostly filled to the brim with more foreign faces. Lamps hung from massive red street lights, stores lined across most corners of this part of the city. Dozens of people push through one another as in the distance, large busses could be seen attempting to maneuver around one another. Kaito sighed, "Quite a place..." Kaito clicked his tongue, "I just realized, I can't speak Portuguese. Maybe they mostly speak English here or something?" Kaito grit his teeth, examining his surroundings before pushing further into the city.

Kaito watched his environment with a raised eyebrow, signs with Japanese lettering, while some of the buildings only have Portuguese signs. Traffic lights, small cars lining parking spaces as some peak their way through thin street corners, hill leading further into the city's labyrinth.

Kaito stumbled his way through the city until finally finding a hotel.

Leaving his baggage at the hotel, he made his way out into the city once again, hands in his pockets, a smile on his face, and a spring in his step. Kaito was intrigued by the unique architecture of Brazil, looking at large murals painted across white walls as if they were unique artistry that could only be found during ancient times.

After a few hours of walking, Kaito found himself sucking on the straw of an empty cup, looking up at the clouds in the sky as they block out the baby blue atmosphere that hung overhead. Kaito sighed, taking in the sights as he complained inwardly about the humidity.

Yelling could be heard from the distance, familiar Japanese words causing his ears to perk up as he hopped up from his seat, alert. Kaito made his way to the noise, a disheveled man with a bomber jacket bumping into him as two Yakuza-looking men and a Brazilian man followed behind him. They pushed their way through Kaito as they followed behind him. Kaito smiled before following their pursuit.

A few minutes had passed before they had finally cornered the man who was sitting quaintly on a duffle bag down an alley waiting for them, only one he didn't suspect was Kaito himself. One of the Yakuza-looking men tripped over themselves as they rounded the corner as the other one panted wildly, hands on his knees as he arrived. The Brazilian man arrived at the same time Kaito did, both had labored breath but weren't tired enough to be out of commission. "Bakayarou..." The Yakuza with his hands on his knees forced the words out of his mouth before standing up straight, "Fuckin'... got you asshole!"

"You called me an asshole twice!" The disheveled man chuckled with two fingers in the air.

"Fuck you!" The Yakuza, still on the floor, screamed.

"So..." Kaito smiled, "What's goin' on guys?" They all whip their heads around to look at Kaito, "Hi."