Chapter Text
KENTA
Kenta's hands were typing unknowingly. He grew so familiar with keyboard and coding he didn't need to give it much thought. It was so easy that he got bored hacking small things. The virus he finished some time ago, that was the real deal. Not like anyone would understand.
All those small fry made him annoyed. So annoyed in fact that he decided to skip school today.
He had enough of hearing all this nonsense. How they were all getting excited over meaningless things. The way they couldn't understand the easiest math problem.
They even dared to mention him from time to time. "How can he do all those equations so easily?" "Kenta's a genius he just solved it so quick"
Idiots. Bunch of idiots.
Like they couldn't try and learn to do this themselves. What they said sounded like praise but it was pure jealousy.
Let them do what they want. I don't care. Kenta thought, but that was the reason he stayed at home. He knew all those people were lying, deceiving idiots who couldn't do anything by themselves. Just like him.
No, he won't be thinking about him now.
Kenta much rather stay in his room than try and act like he's on the same level as those good for nothing classmates of his. Here he's not surrounded by idiots. His only company was a keyboard and long lines of code. Company worthy of his genius.
Of course he could use his brain some other way. There was a time he tried but after all… that was just boring.
Kenta tried to focus more on his work but then another distraction came up. He heard sirens.
===
Kenta opened his eyes. He tried to get up but a strong headache suddenly hit him. Everything was so bright. Kenta tried to swear but he didn't even have the strength to talk. It was like he shouldn't be here. Like some strong pressure was keeping him in place, preventing from getting up.
He was starting to get more concerned than annoyed but suddenly a thought appeared in his head.
A knife.
A knife? But what made him think of that? Why did he feel like he saw a knife very recently?
His thoughts were running wild as the scene in his mind was getting more and more clear.
Yeon Dongha. Was that his name? That AMPRULE boy. The blond one.
Not like there were many more people in this godforsaken group but that was not the point right now.
He was holding a knife, pointing it at someone.
That was…
He saw scared, almost teary eyes. Inukai. Yeah, that was him.
Isn't he a police officer? How did he find himself in need to surrender because of some kid? Pathetic.
But how was that even possible? Why would this guy point a knife at Inukai?
He remembered the whole thing now. It was somewhere outside. A forest? This Dongha (probably Dongha) looked like he was actually about to off the police guard. Inukai had his hands up and mumbled something. Kenta either didn't remember or didn't hear what that was.
Then Dongha noticed him. His eyes opened widely, more in fear than surprise. The knife he was holding tightly in his hands fell down.
"No!" he screamed "Kenta, go away! Run!"
The boy got the knife back and…
Things got blurry from here.
He had to remember that. He tried so hard but all he could recall was blood. The blood was there. A lot of it.
A headache suddenly disappeared. Kenta sat violently and opened his eyes. It was prison. He knew it all too well. All of his (illegally kept) laptops were on.
He should hide them, it's probably morning already.
But, wait, why was he worrying about that? There were more pressing issues right now… Or were there any?
That had to be a dream right? It had to be.
But it felt so real. That blood, he could smell it. He could feel the small burn he got in the morning from this prison "food" pulsing with pain.
It annoyed him like hell since morning but then it somehow kept Kenta awake the whole day…
Wait… Kenta looked at his hand. There was no burn mark. It sure as hell was there. He checked his other hand. Nothing.
He looked around frantically. How much time has passed? Right, the laptops. Kenta checked the date on one of them. As he was trying to click the calendar his hands were getting sweaty and shaky.
This stupid dream started it. Why would he care for that small fry anyways?
Kenta blinked a few times. His vision was still a bit blurry and the brightness of monitors didn't help.
Then he saw it. It wasn't possible.
No, there's no way. Someone had to mess with his stuff. But…
So many things didn't add up. It would seem like a missing piece to this mystery.
The date he saw was yesterday's date. To be more precise the date he remembers last. The date of that knife incident. However, it wasn't even 6am yet. There was no way it was after he went out for community service.
That wasn't a dream, he did that. That means…
Kenta heard footsteps somewhere nearby. He closed all his laptops and stuck them in the darkest corner.
That wasn't his biggest worry right now. Also it was not like Inukai could do anything about it.
But Inukai… If Kenta really went back in time somehow like he started to believe. Then the prison guard would be killed or at least attacked by that Yeon guy.
Wait, no. First Kenta believed he traveled back in time and now he thought that this weird vision was real? Was he truly that delusional?
But that made sense, that's the only thing that could explain what was happening.
He was so confused he didn't even notice Inukai who came to wake him up.
"Oh, Mikoshiba-kun. You're awake? You should get more sleep at night. You'll need energy for cleaning today"
Kenta flinched, he got an intense feeling of deja vu.
Then he realized. Every word he just heard was the exact same… same as yesterday.
***
They got their food. Some sort of suspiciously looking meat. Kenta wouldn't be surprised if they would give them something expired. Why waste it when you could feed prisoners with it?
However infuriating the thought was he had to let it go for now. That was the hot plate that gave him a burn yesterday. All the scratches and other defects made it easy to recognize. Everything was the same.
"Not eating, Shiba-doggo?" Shion's voice snapped him out of thinking "Although I can understand preferring starving over eating this"
Ryoga definitely didn't understand. He was almost done with eating. Well, at least now Kenta knew it wasn't poisoned.
"I see you don't like it, I'm sorry" Inukai must have approached them some time ago "But please, eat it. You're going to need energy today and…"
Suddenly Shion let out a quiet scream.
"That plate's hot" he waved his hand a few times, probably trying to cool it down.
Kenta stared at him in shock. Did he just changed what happened? That was the first new thing he saw. It wasn't Shion who get burned from the plate, it was him.
Kenta tried hard to remember what exactly happened then.
Yeah, Inukai went over to them the same way and said the same thing. But what happened then? Oh, that's right. Right after prison guard started giving them his pep-talk Kenta tried to pick up his plate. He wanted to give this excuse of food to Ryoga. Then he got burned…
So that prevented Shion from touching the plate. He knew it was hot because Kenta cursed it rather loudly.
It could seem insignificant but that was awfully important. Kent could change what already happened or maybe what was about to happen would be a better term. No matter what it was, now he knew he could prevent that stupid guard's death.
"Oh no, Kaida-kun are you alright? I'm sorry. Do you need treatment? You should put it under cold water immediately"
"Well, you can treat me if you want to"
"Oh, I'll go get something!"
Looking at Inukai, struggling to help Shion who teased him the whole time, reminded Kenta of his memory.
The fear in the guard's eyes, his hands up suggesting he already surrendered.
Inukai was a pain. Even though he didn't deserve to die… Who would write apology letters for them if he was dead? Yeah, Kenta should help him for his own benefit.
The memory was still blurry. He could assume what happened but that wasn't enough. He needed details. He needed a plan.
Inukai didn't seem to know anything about what was to happen. He surely wouldn't be that calm if he knew.
There was one other person linked to this thing. The person he needed to stop.
"Hey, Inukai"
"What's wrong Mikoshiba-kun?" he looked his way while trying to cool down Shion's burn with some wet cloth.
"You have some papers on other Road to Legend teams, right?"
"Do you want to get to know other participants? It's great you got so interested in that. You should keep that spirit. It's also a part of your re-"
"Shut up. Give me the papers and include members' phone numbers. As soon as possible"
He didn't have all day to listen to this guard's delusions. Kenta could ask for AMPRULE information only, of course, but that would make room for unnecessary questions. How annoying.
"I doubt there will be any phone numbers that are publicly known… Oh, there are the ones I got on the mee-" suddenly he cut the sentence like he realized he shouldn't be telling them this "Calling them would invade their privacy. They probably don't have time to answer your questions. Let's not make trouble for them, okay?"
Inukai started throwing words like he thought whatever he was saying would get to any of them. Kenta was doing it for his sake. What a moron. He punched the table with his hand causing the whole room to look at him. Well, whatever, he didn't care for this small fry.
"I need a phone number!" he realized his poor choice of words rather quickly "Numbers! Whatever! Just give it to me. It's important, Inukai"
Inukai's mouth moved like he was looking for another excuse. His face showed so much distress you could think that he had a knife pointed at him right now.
Shion's laugh reminded Kenta of other prisoners.
"What is it Shiba-doggo? Are you trying to get a date? How lovely"
"Shut up, you pervert"
Of course he would think of something like that. There's only one thing on this idiot's mind.
Luckily Ryoga was just staring at them without any witty comments.
Kenta was really starting to regret this. He'll find another way if he must. Even if that meant barging into that guy's home.
"You promise you won't cause any trouble?"
Inukai spoke again. No way. Kenta was just about to give up. It's almost like he could read his thoughts.
"I won't"
He was dead serious for the first time in a while. That was honestly stressful, what if he won't believe him?
"Okay, I'll give it to you"
—
Yeon Dongha. A son of some rich guy. He was almost the same age as Kenta. In fact that was the only younger Phantom Metal user he knew of. To be able to already perform lives in this age you either have to have talent or connections. First being Kenta, second Dongha. Seriously, that guy from BAE shares his surname. Could it be any more obvious?
That didn't matter right now. He looked at papers only briefly. The important thing was the small handwritten note he got. The title read Leader's contact info USE ONLY FOR IMPORTANT MESSAGES. Well, this sure as hell was important.
All listed numbers belonged to the leader of the team. All except one. Inukai wrote their names next to the name of the group. However, when you looked at AMPRULE there was no Dongha. It was Baek Chungsung.
Kenta was close to ripping the note to pieces. Of course, he needed to have the worst luck ever.
Seeing Official Business Phone Line on the margin made the situation even more unfunny. How was he supposed to reach Dongha with the prison's phone? He had like fifteen minutes to make a call. Even the special treatment he had wouldn't help him with that.
Screw this rich brat.
No, he needed to calm down.
The papers said that Chungsung was Dongha's butler. Didn't that mean he'll be near him? Also what if it was a business line? What business calls would he receive?
In lack of the better plan Kenta walked to the barely working phone. His fingers were trembling a little when he was inputting the number. It has to be because I'm angry now, he thought. Phone started connecting.
His plan was finally in motion and that's when it hit him. What was he doing? Even if he'll get through to Dongha somehow, what was he going to say? Hey, could you not kill Inukai today? I saw you doing that in the past.
Honestly, what was he thinking? He was about to hang up and think of something else when suddenly he heard someone's voice.
"Good morning. This is master Yeon Dongha's Official Business Phone Line. Is there anything you wish to discuss with young master Yeon?"
That voice sounded just like the other AMPRULE guy if Kenta remembered it correctly. He didn't get to celebrate his success of calling the right person though. Now he had to think of what to say. Should he try to sound more official?
"My name is Mikoshiba Kenta. I'm one of GokuLuck's members. I have a… private matter to discuss with D- Mister Yeon"
He will have to wash mouth a few times after saying something like this. Inukai should pay him for the hell he was going through right now.
He couldn't think of any reason he could have other than a private matter. Of course, he could lie and pretend to be some businessman. However, that would probably never lead him to talking to Dongha. Kenta won't believe he takes care of those matters by himself. He can't even give his personal phone number like any other leader.
"I would need to consult this with master Dongha. Please, wait"
The voice responded followed by dead silence. Great. He didn't have time to wait. As he was about to be angry he remembered that he still didn't know what he should say. He should think of some-
No. Why was he assuming he would get to talk to this guy? He's probably just going to refuse and say there is no private matter. Since, well, there is no private matter.
"Kenta?!"
As fast as he heard his name he jumped in surprise. That voice was definitely Dongha's. Kenta could deny it but he did listen to other teams' music.
Why would he call his name like that? He sounded more surprised than he should be and somewhat scared.
"Why are you calling me?"
His voice calmed down a bit but there was still a hit of distress in it.
"I… Eh…"
He didn't have enough time to think it through. Why would he assume this guy would pick up the phone?
Kenta had to think of something quick. It couldn't involve knifes and the like since the call was probably being recorded.
"Don't… Don't try anything… You hear?"
"Huh?! Who do you think you are talking to? You insult Yeon's name with your words! Be grateful I'm talking to a worthless insect like you anyways"
Now he sounded like he was reciting well-known phrases. All high and mighty rich brat.
"But what happened? Why are you calling? You never did that before. What do you mean try anything?"
Before Kenta could think of an answer he was flooded with questions. Now Dongha sounded concerned and confused. His feelings were changing like in a kaleidoscope. Way too fast for him to keep up.
"You're planning something, right? Eh… Stop it"
Kenta was aware of how little sense he was making. He didn't know what to say after all. He really should prepare better. Maybe if not community service later he could take his time but no. There's no freedom in prison. Of course, there isn't.
"You have to be wrong in the head to say that to someone like me. I have no idea what you mean but… Be careful, Ke-"
The phone turned off. Kenta fought the urge to crash it by throwing it on the ground violently.
Be careful? What did he mean? Was it a threat?
There was no way of finding out now. If he couldn't change anything by talking to Dongha he just had to keep an eye on Inukai. This way nothing bad could happen, right?
***
Kenta was a problematic student. It's not like he had trouble with studying. Actually, it was the opposite.
His behavior was the problem. So what if he talked back to teachers a few times? Most of them ignored it since his grades were good anyway. He was also skipping school really often. Why should he bother with coming if he knew enough to pass without studying? It was so boring.
When Kenta was in school, he usually was on his phone somewhere in the corner. Classmates approached him sometimes but he either called them morons or told them to shut up and go talk to someone who cares. That made people keep their distance from Kenta. He could overhear what they were talking about him. Jealous idiots.
Even though most people never tried to talk to Kenta again after a few first sentences, it's not like he never had a friend. There was this one guy.
It was one of those cold as hell winters. Kenta visited school more often since it was warmer here than in his house. He was just trying to review some materials, since he had an exam today and he didn't have anything else to do, when someone interrupted him.
"Hey, I've been trying to tell you this since forever. Your hair looks awesome! You dyed it yourself? No, no way. Even genius Kenta-kun wouldn't be able to do it on his own"
Kenta raised his eyes from the biology book he was trying to read. The boy was one of his good for nothing classmates. What was his deal?
Well, he did have bleached hair. Maybe that was just some aspiring hairdresser? Whatever, he needed to make that hair freak go away.
"Well, looks like you just put your head into a bucket of bleach. I don't think any genius advice will help with repairing that"
"And here I was, thinking they don't look that bad" he sighed but didn't go away "Trying to study for the test? God, I can't deal with genetics"
"Then go study instead of torturing me, you idiot"
The boy took the chair from the desk before him and sat in front of Kenta. It was the first time he met someone so persistent.
"I'm Kaito. Shame we never really got to talk much, Kenta-kun"
"Drop the honorifics if you don't wanna make me vomit"
Maybe he should stop responding? Will that make that guy go away? Ah, what a bother.
"Huh? I couldn't do that! Come on, we don't know each other that well, Ken-kun"
"What was that?" Kenta made the most disgusted face he could "Don't think I'm gonna be talking to you more, moron"
"I already told you, it's Kaito. You can stop calling me idiot or moron, you know?"
"Don't wanna"
He thought that would make Kaito mad but he only smiled. He was smiling? What kind of psychopathic behavior was that?
The bell saved him from continuing this madness.
"Oh, it's that late already? I gotta go to my seat! Good luck with genetics, Ken-kun"
"Bad luck to you, moron"
After that Kaito continued to bug Kenta whenever he could. It was usually just a small talk but there were times when he asked for help in homework or tried to get him to get out somewhere. To the second one wouldn't agree, as for the second he just threw a notebook at him and told him to copy it quickly.
"Ken-kun, you're my savior. How can I even thank you?"
"By going away and leaving me alone"
"Ahhhh, come on"
Kenta continued to say that but even teachers noticed he was coming to school more often. He knew he could just ignore him but… It wasn't the same as when some top students tried to get him to study together or as when delinquent-looking people asked him to meet up. Kaito wasn't like that. Kaito was just Kaito.
One day Kenta finally agreed to meet up after school.
"I can't look at this hair of yours. Want me to dye it so you want be such an eyesore"
Kaito's eyes opened wide in surprise.
"Are you saying…?"
"I'll let you go to my house after school. Don't get used to it. I'm doing this because I can't stand looking at you, understand"
"Yeah, yeah"
It was one of rare moments Kenta let someone into his room. He was honestly kind of scared.
Kairo was way too excited. He was walking around and checking everything like some dog. Every time he looked at, honestly, anything he started asking question after question making Kenta unable to answer. Of course, he didn't plan to answer anyway.
"Wow! Is that your PC, Ken-kun? You play games?"
"I do programming. Not like an idiot like you would understand"
"What?! You wrote some programs? I could predict you can do things like this…"
"It's more like hacking stuff. You better don't touch anything or you'll leave this house in a body bag"
"Eh? But I wanted to learn. Wait, isn't hacking illegal?"
Kenta decided to ignore this question. Why was he blabbering about it to some small fry? He didn't hack anything in a while anyway.
"That sounded wrong, sorry! But I really want to see what you're interested in, Ken-kun"
"Sit down on a chair" Kenta sighed "Stop going through my things"
Kaito did as he was told but that didn't stop him from looking around curiously. What, did he never visit someone's room before? Come on, he couldn't be like Kenta in that aspect. Then, why the curiosity?
He was looking for things he used to dye his hair. He should have everything somewhere in his closet.
"I thought your room will be like really organized"
"Shut up"
"No, I'm not saying it's bad, just different from what I imagined!"
Geez, he even needed to clarify that. So annoying.
"What, you imagined my room a lot?"
"No! I just thought you're more of a pedant"
"Where did that come from? Did you bleach your eyes together with your hair?"
He finally found what he was looking for. There was a cloth next to the bleach and hair dye. He threw it at Kaito.
"Eh? What's that? Why in my face?"
"Get it on your shoulders. I swear your knowledge shows why your hair look like someone chew them in their mouth"
He looked a bit intimidated. It was the first time Kenta saw him being like that. He wouldn't put up with Kenta if he got intimidated easily.
"You really hate my hair that much, huh?"
"Not just your hair" he said as he touched a strand of Kaito's hair.
Kenta could feel their structure. They were really broken. He could laugh all he wanted but if he bleached Kaito's hair now half of them may fall out.
Then he realized how weird that situation was. Kenta was the one to always avoid physical contact. Especially with these stupid classmates of his. Now, he just held Kaito's hair like it was nothing. What was he even trying to do?
"Are you sure about this? You may go bald" he said as he let go of his hair and turned in the opposite direction.
"Yeah! I believe you'll do it well, Ken-kun"
"Idiot"
There was a moment of silence as Kenta tried to get everything ready. What kind of idea was it? He cursed himself for inviting that guy into his room. He wanted him to teach him hacking? Like a moron like him would ever get that.
It's because he wasn't shutting up about going somewhere. He just wanted to make him stop asking him about this. Yeah, that was it.
"So, you want your whole hair bleached?"
"I saw you had some hair dye in there. What color was it?"
Curious like a six year old. God, he was insufferable.
"This one" Kenta pointed at his own head "Obviously. What else could it be?"
He thought it was so clear he wouldn't need to clarify but Kaito was in shock.
"So you did dye your hair yourself!"
"What, you thought I went to some fancy hair salon?"
"Yeah!"
He was hopeless. Utterly hopeless.
"I want the same color as you, Ken-kun!"
Kenta did not expect that. He wanted what? No, no way. Why would he…? He stood in disbelief, glaring at Kaito in silence for a while. He just couldn't comprehend that. It wasn't just some basic color everyone had. Maybe that idiot wasn't aware of that? It had to be it.
"You want people to link us together? I'm not your happy friend. Forget about it. Having the same hair color as some moron? Disgusting"
Kenta didn't know what he was saying anymore. There were so many rumors about him in school. It would be twice as much if Kaito did that… and not only about him.
"Come on! Just a little part. A strand? Just that, please"
"You're seriously wrong in the head"
"Ken-kun, don't be so egoistic. One strand, it's all I ask"
Kaito looked at him like he just took his food from him. What was in this guy's head? However, he couldn't resist anymore.
"Fine. I hope you'll go bald"
It was early morning. Kenta was almost always late for the first lesson. It wasn't like him. It's not like he tried to meet up with that idiot, right? He wouldn't care about that.
He barely saw a living soul in the corridor. Even when he was late there were more people here. The atmosphere felt wrong, like something bad was about to happen. That empty, old school put thoughts he would rather avoid in his head. Why would people go to school at that hour? That's terrifying.
Well, now that he was one of those people he couldn't just call them dumb. Kenta finally made his way to the door of his class. He was about to enter but he heard someone talking inside. That was Kaito.
"Dude, you have no idea what happened"
He sounded different.
"Just spill it already"
"Ok, look. So, I told you that Mikoshiba likes hacking, right?"
Mikoshiba? That sounded so foreign in Kaito's voice. It felt so off Kenta felt the urge to perk through the door. He knew he couldn't do that. Even if he didn't he couldn't move. Fear of being found out eavesdropping started to get to him. However, he couldn't lie to himself. It was definitely Kaito's voice.
"Yeah, yeah. Get to the facts already"
"So, I asked him to teach me"
The other boy laughed. This sound sent chills down Kenta's spine. It was so normal, yet so out of place.
"Teach you? Why would you even ask that?"
"I thought there might be something in it for me"
"Getting all the homework and help on tests from him and you still want more? Man, you're greedy. Just be happy he's naïve enough to let you copy everything"
"Homework won't put food on my table. Also, you're gonna take those words back. He gave me the password to a program he held all stolen data in"
"You gotta be kidding me! He can't be that naïve!"
Kenta felt how all strength in his legs left him. He could fall on the floor anytime but the will to not even move a muscle now was stronger. He couldn't process it. What was Kaito saying? Why would he…? Did he just want to…? Kenta's hands began to shake. Every word was like someone throwing a rock at him. It wasn't going to stop. He heard the voice he knew all too well again.
"I don't even know what it was but I thought I could sell it. Do you know how much I got? It's enough to feed my family for four months! I'm talking about proper meals!"
"You're joking. Kaito teach me, please. I want some naïve genius doing everything for me too. How do you even handle this guy? He looks so weird"
"He's just an edgy teenager. All I have to do is just play dumb and ignore his insults. Dude, you really call someone who can't see through that a genius?"
That… That was enough. Kenta covered his mouth. Tears already started falling on the hand he was covering it with. He had to get out of here.
Why did he care? He never cared about that idiot. That worthless scum. It's not like they were friends or anything.
He continued to tell himself that as he gathered all his strength and started running. He needed to leave this school now.
Everything was blending together. It didn't feel real. None of this did.
But every step, every tear and every muffled sob only assured Kenta it was reality. Maybe for the first time.
It had been hours. Kenta continued to switch between absolute rage and helpless sobbing. One moment he was swearing to kill this guy, punching things and throwing his hair dye to a trash can. The other he was curling in his bed crying.
He couldn't lie to himself. At least he had to stay honest.
He did care about Kaito.
He really thought Kaito cared about him. Maybe he was unable to have social relations. He always felt so far away from those people. Now that once in his life someone felt so close…
He made an idiot out of him. Kenta never suspected he would get fooled like that… betrayed like that. What were people calling him a genius for?
The tears started to fall on his pillow again. Every time he thought about that it was getting worse.
He couldn't remember the last time he cried. There was something good about it. Almost relieving. At the same time it was the worst feeling he ever felt.
He put up a barrier between him and people. Now that he let it break like that he had to put it back again. This time stronger.
His phone buzzed. Oh no, he won't answer anything. Let this scum suffer. He won't be able to do anything by himself. Kenta laughed. After all he's just an idiot who won't achieve anything. Just some small fry.
He kept at it for a few more minutes and then he took the phone into his hand. It was pure curiosity.
His hands were trembling even more than before. Every time his finger reached the phone's power up button he felt something like a barrier. He couldn't do it. He just couldn't.
That idiot was begging for his phone number for so long. Did he want it just for… homework?
The phone lit up. Kenta somehow managed to temporarily steady his hands.
There was a message. A message from the guy he thought was his friend.
You're not in school are u ok?????? I'm getting worried…
Worried? Oh, sure. Worried about his godforsaken exam. Kenta begun to type.
Kill yourse
He stopped in the middle and delete the message. No, he couldn't end it like that.
Maybe it was all a lie. Like a dream that would never become a reality. Even if that's how it was, Kaito was real for him.
Kaito that called him Ken-kun and not Mikoshiba. Kaito that let him dye his hair. Kaito that was… his friend.
Kenta knew it was time to wake up. However, just once he wanted to speak with this person.
As he started to type he remembered. Every memory he made with Kaito. How they talked before the lesson started. How he always listened to what Kenta had to say. His awfully looking bleached hair. The first time they talked.
Every single memory was hurting him. Before the tears began to flow again he sent the last message.
Goodbye, Kaito
===
Maybe it was the fault of going back in time. He thought his headaches were the only side effect but events from the past continued to appear in his mind. Every time with more details. Was all this a punishment for something?
Kenta looked at Inukai. He was the cause why he was going through all of this. He should just leave him on his own. All the energy he had already left him. He should, but he couldn't.
Kenta kicked the can under his feet to release his frustration. You would expect a time traveler to be doing some action movie-like stuff. Definitely not picking the trash from some park in the middle of nowhere as part of community service.
It was so cold. The clothes they gave them were good for nothing. Of course they had to wear prison clothes. Everyone had to know who they were looking at.
The way the park was built made Kenta's mission to keep an eye on that pathetic guard almost impossible. There was the forest on their left which was also part of the area they had to clean. For better or worse, it was that forest. When only Kenta looked at the trees he knew. That's where he saw Inukai die. Well, he didn't see him die to be precise. He wouldn't admit it but it gave him chills.
How would someone like Dongha be able to do something like this? Maybe he talked to him only for a while but he was nothing special. Just some rich kid with a superiority complex.
While bending to pick a plastic bag up Kenta noticed something else. It was a sandwich packed tightly into aluminum. He just remembered that he didn't eat anything today. It was stupid and humiliating but after making sure nobody was looking at him he ate it. Let's just say he would never expect an already bitten, trash-looking sandwich to be this delicious. Whoever lost it should consider themselves unlucky.
"Wow, eating trash. You really are like an insect"
It took him a while to realize who was speaking to him. Everything became clear after he turned around. He heard this voice today and that person yesterday. Well, past today actually.
"Wouldn't expect you to be somewhere alone. Where's the other guy?" he faced Dongha.
He seemed so out of place here it was almost funny. There wasn't any disgust on his face, which surprised Kenta. He seemed deep in thought.
"I told him had a private matter to attend"
He was about to make fun of him when he realized. Dongha was here to stab Inukai. He had a knife on him somewhere. It wasn't weird at all that he was here. In fact he already saw him in that forest nearby.
"Be happy I choose you as my conversation partner" after a moment of silence Dongha began to speak.
"Huh? And when did I agree to that?"
"When a Yeon tells you to do something you must obey! Shut up and come with me"
That actually worked in Kenta's favor. He didn't need to watch Inukai if he could keep an eye on Dongha instead. That was his first plan after all.
"Don't think about getting far from here with me. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't notice but I'm not that free to move around"
Inukai could notice that he's not there and come looking for him. Then he would meet up with Dongha and that's something Kenta was trying to avoid. Of course he couldn't just up and go somewhere else, he was a prisoner.
There was something weird in Dongha's behavior. Maybe that's just how he was, it's not like Kenta knew him. What's weird is that he acted like he knew Kenta. Almost as if they talked many times before.
"This forest will do"
"No!" Kenta screamed as fast as he heard that.
He couldn't let it happen, they had to go anywhere but the forest. The image was still fresh in his mind. The knife, blood, Dongha's scream… Why did he tell him to run?
Nevermind that now. If they were to talk they had to go on the other side of the park.
"Why?" Dongha asked however it sounded like he was talking more to himself than to Kenta.
"Don't think I will just listen to some small fry. You're not gonna boss me around. If you want to talk to me so badly let's go there" he pointed at the other side of the park.
There was a big monument there. If he saw correctly, behind it was a bench. It wasn't perfect but on the other sides of the park there was only forest and a road. The monument seemed far enough from Inukai.
"I will agree only because that place looks better than this excuse of a forest. Also watch your words, remember who you're talking to!"
Kenta looked at Inukai one last time. He looked the same as always. It'll better stay that way…
After a short walk with Dongha they were finally at their destination. There was indeed a bench so they sat on it. Whole time it took them to get there they were quiet but Kenta couldn't wait longer to figure out what this guy's deal was.
"So, what private matter do you want to discuss?"
Dongha didn't answer. He was looking around almost like he wanted to analyze every detail. His eyes fixed on the monument for a while.
Could it be… Was he judging if he could stab Kenta here?
He was totally unarmed. How was he supposed to even stop this whole thing? What was his plan? If Dongha will kill him instead of Inukai then what would the point of this even be?
"Why did you call me?"
Dongha's voice startled Kenta. How was he supposed to change the future with that conversation? He needed answers. That's for sure.
"I know about your plan. Why do you want to do something like that, huh? Can't win a rap battle with your skills so you-" suddenly Dongha caught his hand "What do you think you're doing?!"
"Your burn… The burn mark should be here…"
He started mumbling to himself like he lost his mind. Kenta couldn't handle it. First, Dongha talked to him like he was some worthless trash. Then he couldn't even answer the question. It was him who wanted to talk in the first place. What a naïve idiot. Thinking that connections would get him anywhere. People can dispose of you when you stop bringing benefits. He was probably too stupid to know that. Sheltered his whole life in some mansion, thinking he's more important because he has money. Stupid small fry. Idiot. Moron.
"What, you think you can do whatever you want to me because I'm a prisoner? I don't care if you're rich or not! You have no idea how it feels to lose your freedom! You have no idea what it means to work hard! Oh, what a pity your brother can't rap instead of you! You wouldn't have to…"
Dongha's expression changed with every word. He didn't have eyebags or anything but somehow he looked just… so tired. The tears started to form in his eyes. Just like that.
He turned his face away as soon as they did but Kenta noticed it anyway. Did he go too far? What should he do? He had no idea what to do in a situation like this. He hated that. Why should he care? No, he should do something. But what?
His thoughts were starting to loop.
"I… I mean… You're crying"
He was taken by surprise. Should have stayed quiet.
"No… I'm not. Shut up"
That obviously wasn't true. Why was he lying about it? Kenta couldn't stay mad now but he also didn't completely stop being mad. Was Dongha's confidence that easy to break?
"Freedom is not just that, you know? You think if someone isn't in literal jail they can do whatever they want? Freedom… is not… for free"
Dongha almost whispered the last words. Kenta was sure he heard them somewhere before.
However, that wasn't the point.
"Aren't you the last person who should be saying that? Rich parents, famous bro-"
"Stop mentioning my brother!"
Dongha was looking at him. He seemed like he tried to make the tears stop. He couldn't. His eyes were already getting red.
"It's kind of funny" Dongha half laughed, half sobbed "Maybe the only difference between us is that you had freedom that they could take away from you?"
All the anger Kenta felt disappeared. That sentence should insult him but… He was confused. Maybe Dongha wasn't who he appeared to be. He felt some kind of connection. It was weird. Some sense of similarity, even though they were totally different.
It didn't happen often. He was a genius after all. Still, right now he felt that maybe, just maybe, he made the wrong judgment.
"Did I?" he said more to himself than to Dongha "What even is this freedom thing anyways? Is anyone actually free?"
Kenta realized how dumb and pathetic he sounded. However this… It was thought provoking. All this time when he could go to school like a normal person his age, when he could have fun and do, well, what he wanted… Was it the other students who took this freedom away from him? No… Maybe… It was Kenta himself, wasn't it?
"That… my bad'' his voice shook slightly as he tried to fix this awful situation.
Dongha was shaking, his gaze met Kenta's. He saw pure desperation in his eyes.
"If you really think this about me then… why? I just can't understand. Why? I… I'm tired, Kenta"
"You've been saying weird things and acting strange from the beginning. What is that about?"
He couldn't help but notice. All those weird comments. The fact that he just cried in front of him. He just doesn't seem like the type who would put his mask down easily. Something was off. Maybe that had to do with the knife incident somehow.
"It's different… It's different this time so it means it's over. It has to be"
More and more mumbling. Seriously, would a knife explain that? Why would someone like Dongha stab someone? No, he definitely could. Trusting people was just naïvety.
It started to snow. Snowflakes worked like a camouflage for Dongha's tears. Like it was covering their meeting as if it was meaningless. Like all these thoughts Kenta started to think, this connection like a thin string he could barely trace with his finger, like it would be in vain. But how could it? It felt so important.
He wanted to know more about Dongha. About his freedom or lack thereof. About how he got into the hip-hop industry if not by his brother's influence.
However, he wasn't meant to ask those questions.
He felt a sudden impulse in his body. Like something was trying to get out. He coughed. Now, there was blood on his hand.
Did he forget about the enemy? Was he stabbed?
It was his first thought but no. He didn't suffer any stab wounds. It had to be something else. Something was burning his whole body from the inside.
"Kenta!" Dongha shouted "No! What is that?! It was different! Why is it happening?! Why?!"
Kenta started coughing more and more violently. It could be his fifth or sixth cough when he realized. He was going to die.
"I have to get someone! Stay here! Don't move! I'll-"
"No" Kenta caught his hand with the rest of his strength.
It was pathetic. It was so pathetic but he didn't want to be alone. That one time. He just wanted someone to be here. He couldn't just die alone like some small fry.
It was bad. Everything was getting blurry. Dongha's words were just some noise.
Kenta fought hard to keep himself conscious. He couldn't. He was so scared. He knew that once his…
===
The police handcuffed him. They were searching his room. He tried hard to break free. He tried to resist the hand pushing him towards the police car. He couldn't.
Kenta looked at his house. His father stood next to the door.
He should have known. He should have learn that already. In the end, there’s no one in the world you can trust.
Why did he believe? Why did he make an exception?
He wanted to scream. He wanted to rip his father's face off. That smile. How could that man smile? Is that how little Kenta mattered to him?
They were all the same after all. All of them. Kenta's hands started to hurt from how tightly he was handcuffed. They didn't need to use that much force.
Maybe he should go along? There is nothing in this word for him anyway. Everybody is just too dumb.
The old man's smile. The bruises on Kenta's wrist.
That intense memory slowly started to get more and more blurry…
===
He didn't have to remember that in his final moments. He didn't want to. He couldn't care now.
He lost more blood than he should have already. He could feel that.
Dongha was saying something. He didn't let go of his hand. Kenta wanted to squeeze it just to hold on to something but the strength left him.
He couldn't sit anymore. He started to fall but Dongha caught him.
It was so blurry that for a moment he thought that blond hair belonged to someone else…
It was as if they were hugging. Kenta didn't remember the last time he hugged someone. He wouldn't want to admit that but he was glad.
Still so many things were left unresolved. He didn't get to know why Dongha wanted to kill Inukai. He didn't know why he was dying right now.
What a shame he didn't get to know this idi… Dongha.
Before his life completely disappeared, covered by snow, he managed to say one more thing.
"Goodbye, Dongha"