RABBIT 9: Idiot

I got into a fight today. These older kids were picking on a little girl, whose face was full of tears. They wouldn't leave her alone. She looked really helpless, and it made me angry, so I jumped in and hit one of them in the face. It was all I could do to help, probably.

I didn't last long before they started to gang up on me, and they hit me way harder than the girl. They were probably in middle school, and had really ugly faces. I hated them and I didn't even know their names.

Before they could finish me off, an ally arrived. A really stupid boy from my class, Haji-kun (who's real name was Haruki Haruji-kun) ran in out of nowhere. He must've been following me home, or something. Stalker. He started throwing his arms at the older boys, while yelling words I can't repeat. There's no way that idiot lasted longer than me, and he only got a few punches in. The middle schoolers left after a bit, probably 'cus they were bored. Haji-kun and me were in a lot of pain all over.

Haji-kun started crying a lot. Even though he decided to get his butt kicked.

Girl: "Why are you crying…?"

Haruki Haruji: "'Cus… I lost!!! I always lose!"

Haruki Haruji: "I couldn't beat them… and my head hurts…"

Girl: "I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!"

Haruki Haruji: "I have to get stronger…"

Girl: "Your nose is bloody, I'll stop it–"

Kobayashi Amano: "HAJI, YOU BIG IDIOT!"

I struck him on the nose, and even more blood came out.

Haruki Haruji: "AHHH!!!"

Girl: "EH?!"

I was on top of him, and hit him a lot more times than the bullies did. It was his own fault.

Kobayashi Amano: "STUPID CRY BABY, WHY EVEN FIGHT IF ALL YOUR GONNA DO IS CRY! IDIOT!"

Haruki Haruji: "OW!!!"

Girl: "STOP!!!"

The small girl pulled on my uniform, and I let my fists breathe, turning to look at her.

Kobayashi Amano: "What do you want, cry baby number two?!"

Girl: "Snf… you were crying too…"

Kobayashi Amano: "N-NO I WASN'T! Why were you even fighting those guys?!"

Girl: "They… were picking on my big brother…"

Kobayashi Amano: "...Huh?"

Haruki Haruji: "...Hnuh?"

That girl was stupid too. Her name was Ishikawa Sadako, and she was in the same year as me and Haji-kun, but she went to a different elementary school.

I'm not sure why, but I often found myself thinking back to that day, even years later when we had become much closer friends. I couldn't help but wonder, why did those two start a fight they couldn't win?

…Moreso, why did I?

…

The cold air escaping the creature's lungs clouded its face in the darkness, yet I could tell it was a predator. Its damp yellow eyes and snarling snout escaped the void, highlighted under the parking lot's streetlight. It was a dirty white fox, the Rabbit's natural predator, which sported a jet-black gakuran, unbefitting of a hound.

I clenched the dirty bat I held, my hands shaking in unbelievable tension. The creature was approaching steadily, with its intent clear. Was it the one who trapped Michifuku-san and Tatesada-san? If I were to leave now, would it only target those two? They would have a better chance than me, if the fox is alone. But, given that it was attempting to capture four at once, it must have an advantage in this situation. Perhaps it was waiting for the captured targets to starve or dehydrate, then go in for the food? There's no way I could know with my limited information and limited time. I had to make a decision now - stay or leave?

The fox began to approach, squinting its eyes as it locked onto me. Now that I think about it, if the fox was going to wait for those trapped inside to run out of energy, why would it arrive at the store entrance now? Only three possibilities occurred to me; the fox had the confidence to take its spoils now, meaning I was at an immense disadvantage; the fox wanted to prevent me from retrieving its captured prey, meaning rescue was very possible; or the fox wasn't here for the captured prey - it was here for the prey that foolishly decided to stay back.

I positioned myself in the space between the store and the tall wooden fence. If I were to flee, I might be able to escape; but at the cost of possibly sacrificing my allies. Not only that, but if the fox were to chase after me as its main prey, then I would end up in a worse position with less stamina and a disadvantageous area. And so, I decided to stay put - as the fox could only confront me from one angle.

Fighting was far from my greatest strength - but despite that, I had a lot of experience in it, which at least gave me a smaller advantage than most. The fox didn't seem to be carrying a weapon, so it would most likely use its teeth and claws to inflict damage. And in that case, since predators typically target throats, I'll have to focus on protecting it. However, the Rabbit was cunning enough to hide blades in its pockets to regain an advantage in a desperate situation, so the fox was likely to do so as well. Then again, I had to consider that the Rabbit was also a prey - it had blunt teeth and claws, so relying on weapons was a necessity for the creature, opposed to the fox. That gakuran, too. How could I use it towards my advantage - actually, why a gakuran in the first place?

I hadn't any more time to think thoroughly and calmly. The fox was now inches from my position, grinning as it sought to rip a hole in my throat. Using weapons wasn't my forte, but I could at least manage some distance with the baseball bat. That would force the fox to telegraph its attack, giving me at least a second to react.

A fast boost sprung the fox from its hind legs into my zone. I swung at its head, but it quickly ducked, scratching at my stomach. If I hadn't just as quickly backed up, I'm certain my entrails would have lined the streets. Again, the fox swung at me, and I jumped back, hoping I would find the chance to fight back as it missed its swing. However, the fox immediately bounced back, taking no time to regain control as it threw its claws straight for my throat, which I protected by rotating the bat horizontally. The claws dug into the bat, and I struggled to keep grip of it as the fox pulled back, trying to remove my tool. I kicked the creature in the chest, sending it to the floor temporarily, as it picked itself up and backed up.

The wicked grin on the fox slowly lowered, as it evaluated the risk and reward of entertaining its prey. I had only noticed then, that my right palm was leaking blood as the fox had cut through the bat earlier and reached my skin. The pain began to set in as my tight hold on the weapon loosened, returning the glee to the fox's face.

It again attacked, skipping towards me in a surprisingly simplistic straight line. I weakly batted towards its head, but missed as it had jumped back before the bat could reach it. It was baiting a swing, to create a wide opening. The creature jumped forward, ready to slash at my open torso as my throat was protected by my moving arms. However, I had expected this bait from its unnatural approach. The weak swing was purposeful, as I quickly and strongly swung the bat back to the left, towards the creature's head. It soon realised it was the one being baited, and moved its left arm to protect its head, dealing a great blow from the bat. It yelped in pain as it found distance to keep from me, holding its arm in feverish pain. I surely broke a bone or two, and more than bruised its muscle.

I was now more than meagre prey to the fox, registering as a worthy game in its sickly eyes. In response to this, it began its next approach far more carefully than before, understanding that a simple mistake could register another limb useless. My main targets were its jaw and right arm - if I could render them also inoperable, then I would surely win. If I wished to prevent it from retreating, injuring the legs would also give me an advantage; although they were greatly defended due to the fox's positioning.

The distance between the fox and I shortened as it again began its stalk. It was just out of batting range, teasing me into taking a step forward to swing at it; though I wasn't naive enough to think that would work. It took a few jabs at me, trying to bait me into another swing, but I refused to give into that either. It was in my best interest to force the fox to take a new approach - one that would hopefully give me power over it. Though of course, the fox would prefer avoiding as such.

…One detriment to this thought process of mine was my tunnel vision, which clouded my line of sight when in a beneficial position. If I was winning a fight, it wouldn't occur to me that losing was an option. Though it'd been a while since my last scuffle, I couldn't deny that that was still a handicap I had to deal with. And like the tunnel vision, mere gravel could also temporarily blind me.

The fox loaded its legs, kicking towards me. Its right arm lurched towards my chest, which I dodged quite easily. I thought for a moment; was the fox getting stupidly desperate? And that naivety, that tunnel vision, would spell my defeat.

After "missing" its attack, and baiting me into swinging towards its head vertically, since I believed I had the upper hand, the fox kicked back once again, spitting gravel into my face. I was blinded, and instinctively reacted to clear my eyes.

Before my vision could return, I felt cold, sharp edges dig into my right side, puncturing my skin and muscle. A scream was forced out of me, as I covered my throat to avoid it also being skewered. My right arm, holding the bat, was now positioned atop my throat with the bat adding an extra layer. My left arm hammered at the fox which had dug its claws into my waist. The beast bit into my arm, and at that time I decided to swing at the creature.

It was waiting for that response. It immediately let go of my arm and charged for my open neck, which I quickly defended by moving my right arm back to defence, which suffered a strong bite from the fox's jaw. I kicked and kicked at the foul beast, hoping to push it back even for a second. The right hand's claws raised up, ready to strike me again in the waist, but my own left hand grabbed onto it, keeping it at bay.

The fox continued to dig its teeth through my right forearm, surely breaking bones at this point. I attempted to overtake its position, hoping to pin it against the ground, but its ruthless stubbornness prevented me from moving at all. All I could do was sacrifice the blood in my body, just to keep my throat from being torn open. How much longer could I keep this up?

My right arm began falling limp, as my left struggled to keep the bloody claws from piercing my waist again, which at this point had doused the ground with the dark red blood spurting from inside. My head fell faint. I had likely lost a pint or two of blood by now, and there was no hope of the flow stopping. The fox had only been on me for a minute, but was already winning.

Wait, winning? Was I… losing? Again?

Why… Why do people start fights they can't win? If I had just retreated the second that beast appeared, I might've made it out alive with everyone else…

But something kept me here. Was it my pride? Muy ego? Or was I really just that desperate to protect those two? Was I genuinely that naive and idiotic? Whatever the answer, it's what got me killed.

But it's no one's fault except mine. I did this to myself, like I always do. I only have myself to blame. And as punishment for my stubbornness, I'll die a painful death alone. One worse than before.

Did I die… just to suffer a worse fate?

What… was the… point of everything?

These thoughts echoed through my emptying head, as my right arm failed to hold the fox back any longer. I had submitted my life to it, without the energy to protest.

Just like before… I started a fight I couldn't win, and I was left alone…

…But, I wasn't alone at that time, was I?

As my vision faded, I heard a solid thud, followed by a yelp. I could barely make out what had happened, but I was certain of one thing.

Someone was here.

The fox was knocked towards the store wall, and quickly ran away, leaving our field of vision. The individual who had come to my aid walked up to me, quickly checking my wounds.

Itogaya: "Kobayashi-san, can you tell me where you are right now?"

Kobayashi Amano: "Itogaya… -san…?"

Itogaya: "Can you move?"

Kobayashi Amano: "I…"

Itogaya: "I doubt it'll leave without claiming some spoils. Prepare yourself."

I couldn't muster the energy to ask him why he'd returned. I just had to accept the fact I was saved moments from death, even if my safety wasn't confirmed.