The two were in an alley way, having rushed away from the festival in a hurry. Akuma, in particular, was doubled over, emptying his guts while Jacob gently rubbed his back in small, rhythmic circles.

  “I hate to be that guy, but you’re defiantly the weirdest person I’ve ever met…” Jacob said, his tone casual but laced with a hint of concern. “I mean you’ve never had something as common as fried chicken before today. You stared at an arcade game like it was something out of a sci-fi movie. And now you’re telling me, regular, every day, wooden objects makes you so scared you puke?”

  “I ain’t scared of nothing!” Akuma shot back instantly, though still keeling over. “I just get really uncomfortable when looking at them. It makes me feel like my body’s on fire.”

  His fingers began twitching involuntarily, as he stared at the cold, brick wall.

  “Sometimes, when it gets really bad, I’ll even feel like sharp knives are piercing my skin.”

  “I don't think that's normal, Akuma. Have you maybe tried talking to someone about it?”

  Akuma wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

  “Talk to someone? You mean like family?”

  “No, I actually meant more so a doctor.”

  Akuma turned his head, his strained eyes meeting Jacob’s.

  “A doctor…? The hell is that–?”

  Another violent hurl cut him off, forcing him back down.

  Jacob waited until the retching subsided, gently rubbing his back once more.

  “You mean you don’t even know what a doctor is either? Okay, that’s definitely not normal.”

  There was no judgment in his voice, just genuine curiosity.

  “Be honest with me… Where have you been living these past years? Actually, what middle school did you go to?”

  “I wouldn’t exactly call this a good time, Jacob.”

  “I… But… Ah…”

  Jacob sighed.

  “You’re right. Sorry.”

  Akuma pressed his forehead against the cool brick wall, his breathing gradually steadying. The dim streetlight caught half his face, leaving the other in shadow.

  “Next week will actually be my first time in a real school…” He admitted after a long pause. “I was homeschooled until now.”

  “Homeschooled?” Jacob questioned, raising a brow. “That explains... a lot, actually.”

  “Huh? W-What's that supposed to mean?”

  “Uh… well…”

  Jacob glanced around the dark alley, trying to find the right words.

  “You’re kind of different when it comes to social stuff. Ya know?”

  Akuma stiffened.

  “Different how?”

  Jacob watched him for a moment, then broke into a nervous chuckle.

  “C’mon man, you seriously don't know?”

  Something vulnerable crossed Akuma's face. A flicker of genuine insecurity that vanished as quickly as it appeared.

  Catching it, Jacob’s expression softened as he reassured, “I-It's not a bad thing. It's actually kind of refreshing. Most people never say what they're really thinking.”

  Akuma’s gaze slowly drifted back to the ground, a forced smile creeping across his face.

  “It’s alright. I get it… Could you tell me about it? School, I mean. I’ve only really read about it in manga.”

  Jacob hesitated for a moment, clenching his fist in frustration. Then he slid down the wall until he was sitting beside Akuma’s hunched body.

  “I didn’t really have the best experience, so I’m not sure if I’m the best person to ask. What about you? What was homeschooling like?”

  His expression suddenly shifted. It became more distant, almost troubled. His fingers pressed against the brick wall as he thought back.

  “About that…” he said, his voice barely audible. “I don't... remember.”

  “Huh? What do you mean?”

  “It's like...” Akuma struggled, his brow furrowing with effort. “When I try to remember anything beyond a year ago, everything gets hazy.”

  He looked at his right palm, flexing it repeatedly.

  “I can sometimes feel sensations. Like my dislike for wood. But no clear memories.”

  “Seriously? Like amnesia or something?”

  “Something like that…”

  Akuma straightened up slightly, the nausea momentarily forgotten as he pondered.

  “But I think it might be something else… Since I can always remember her.”

  Jacob turned to Akuma.

  “Her?”

  “Yeah. She’s someone important… I think.”

  Akuma's voice grew softer, almost reverent.

  “I can't see her face, but I remember her voice perfectly. And what she said to me that day…”

  A shadow passed over his face.

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  “Whenever I see someone who needs help, I hear her words again. Before I know it, my body just rescues them on its own.”

  Jacob watched him thoughtfully, his eyes lost a bit in Akuma’s saddened expression.

  “Do you not like helping people?”

  At least, that’s what he wanted to ask. But it seemed like a weird question to ask, so he kept it to himself.

  “Have you talked to your parents about this?”

  A bitter laugh escaped Akuma.

  “And tell them what? 'Hey, I'm missing a big chunk of my childhood but I hear a mystery woman's voice in my head. You got any advice?' …Besides, it feels... private. Like it's something I need to solve myself.”

  Jacob turned his gaze to the sky above. Then he got up, resting his hand on Akuma’s shoulder.

  “I get that.”

  A silence fell between them. Not uncomfortable but weighted with unspoken questions. The distant sounds of laughter and festival music floated through the night air, creating a stark contrast to the quiet alley.

  Then another sound broke through. Footsteps echoing off brick walls. Jacob tensed, his hand freezing on Akuma's shoulder.

  “See, Tobi? Told you my dad would take care of everything.”

  A younger voice echoed off the brick walls, accompanied by the scuff of expensive shoes against pavement.

  “You're right as always, Donte. I don't know why I ever doubted him.”

  “Because you're a scared little bitch sometimes. But it's cool. That's why I keep you around.”

  The footsteps drew closer, until two figures rounded the corner. Recognition flashed across Donte's face as the streetlight caught Jacob’s frantic expression. His footsteps came to a halt.

  “Ah look, Donte. That loser must've been drinking all night and now his girlfriend has to comfort his little tummy. Isn't that hilarious?”

  In case you haven't realized, Tobi is the kind of guy to laugh at his own jokes, even when no one was listening.

  “Hey…”

  Donte stepped closer, his narrowing on Jacob. His voice dropped to a predatory growl as he approached the two.

  “Don’t I know you from somewhere?”

  Jacob's breath caught in his throat. He shifted slightly, trying to position himself between Akuma and the approaching thug. Somehow the narrow alley walls seemed to close in on Jacob, trapping him and Akuma as Donte’s shadow stretched over the pavement.

  “I swear I’ve seen your ass before. And I’ve got a damn good memory. Help me out why don’t ya.”

  When Jacob remained silent, fear radiating from him in almost palpable waves, Donte's expression darkened.

  “I asked you a question, dipshit. You think you're too good to answer me or something?”

  Jacob was rendered utterly speechless, trembling in fear. His fingers trembled on Akuma’s shoulder, a cold sweat breaking across his forehead. He crept back a bit, hoping that Donte would stop his advance, but like a hungry predator sensing weakness, Donte continued to walk forward.

  The dim streetlight caught the glint of metal in Tobi's pocket. Was it a knife perhaps? Maybe a brass knuckle? Whatever the case, Jacob knew he’d have no power over it.

  “Answer me when I'm talking to you!”

  Donte snapped, his patience evaporating.

  “You think I wont–!”

  “Um… Who the hell even are you?”

  That interjection came from Akuma, still hunched over but recovered enough to finally speak.

  Donte went still.

  “What did you just say to me–?”

  Recognition dawned in Donte's eyes. He crossed the remaining distance in three quick strides and grabbed Akuma by the collar, yanking him upright.

  “Hold on, hold on. I remember your ass too.” He hissed, pulling Akuma's face closer to his own. “You're that smart-ass from the police station. I seem to be running into all the familiar faces today, huh?”

  A grin spread across his face. Not one of humor but of anticipation.

  “Hey Tobi, come meet our friend here.”

  Tobi stepped forward, rolling his shoulders as if preparing for morning exercise. In the dim light, his size became more apparent. He towered over both Akuma and Jacob with the solid build of someone who'd clearly spent years building muscle.

  “This is my best man Tobi.” Donte continued, still gripping Akuma's shirt. “He’s a real damn unit, I tell ya. Once saw him take a metal bat across the head and walk it off.”

  Throughout all this, something subtle had begun to change in Akuma.

  His breathing, which had been ragged moments before, settled into a calm, even rhythm.

  His shoulders, previously tense with nausea, relaxed into an almost casual posture despite Donte's grip.

  But most noticeably, were his eyes. Curious, innocent, and occasionally embarrassed. Those are the only words Jacob would use to describe them. They were the eyes he’d spent the entire evening looking at. But now they glinted with something else entirely. Something that didn't belong in a teenage boy.

  Jacob's thoughts raced frantically. They were outnumbered and outmatched physically. Tobi alone looked capable of handling both of them without breaking a sweat. Then again, it’s not like he’d be any help anyways. Should he run for help? Scream maybe? Try to talk their way out of it? Every option seemed equally futile.

  “Relax, Jacob.”

  The voice was Akuma's, but it sounded different. Lower. A bit steadier. Jacob stared as Akuma straightened fully within Donte's grip, meeting the other boy's gaze without a trace of fear.

  “Just breathe… I could beat these clowns in my sleep.”

  The casual certainty in his voice made it sound less like bravado and more like he was stating a simple fact.

  For a moment, Jacob felt an inexplicable chill. Not from Donte's threat, or Tobi’s size, but from something in Akuma's tone that didn't belong to the awkward, enthusiastic boy who had spent the evening marveling at festival foods.

  Donte's gradual laughter cut through the tension.

  “You hear this guy, Tobi?”

  He released Akuma's collar with a small shove.

  “Thinks he's some kind of tough guy.”

  He stepped back, gesturing lazily.

  “Hurry up and show him what happens to smartasses, would you? I can’t stand his face.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Tobi's grin mirrored Donte's as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a heavy brass knuckle that caught the streetlight with a dull gleam.

  Jacob reflexively tried to warn Akuma, but the warning died in his throat as Tobi's fist connected with Akuma's jaw. A punch delivered with enough force that the impact echoed in the narrow space. Akuma's head snapped back, colliding with the brick wall behind him with a sickening crack.

  Time seemed to freeze.

  Jacob's eyes widened in horror while Donte and Tobi exchanged triumphant smirks.

  “Don't tell me he's down after just one hit!” Donte laughed, his voice bouncing off the alley walls. “After all that big talk too.”

  “This ain't even my best brass knuckle!” Tobi added, lifting his fist in laughter.

  Then Tobi's smile suddenly faltered.

  A strange sensation crawled up his arm. When he looked down, he saw his fingers bent at unnatural angles, limp and useless against the brass. Almost like boiled noodles.

  First, a heartbeat of confusion. Then… the pain registered, drawing a scream from deep in his chest.

  Donte’s gaze snapped at the sound, bewilderment clear on his expression.

  “What the hell–?”

  The words died as his gaze found Akuma. Despite the devastating blow, despite the new crater in the brick wall where his head had struck, he was standing perfectly upright. Not a scratch. Not a drop of blood. Not even a hint of discomfort.

  “What…”

  Donte swallowed hard, taking an involuntary step back.

  “What the hell are you…?”

  A small smile played at the corner of Akuma's mouth. Though for Donte, it looked almost like a grin from the devil himself.

  “God.”

  The word lingered in the air between them. Donte stood frozen for another second before his survival instinct kicked in. He turned and ran, nearly stumbling over himself in his haste to escape.

  “You’re a demon!” He desperately shouted, his voice fading into the distance.

  Akuma's gaze shifted to Tobi, who still stood cradling his hand, paralyzed by pain and fear. Their eyes met, and whatever Tobi saw inside them broke his paralysis. He followed Donte, his injured hand clutched to his chest as he disappeared around the corner.

  “He called me a demon… That wasn’t nice.”

  The alley fell silent again. The distant festival sounds seemed to highlight the thick tension. Akuma turned to Jacob, the predatory glare melting from his eyes. In its place was concern. Genuine, human concern.

  “You alright?” he asked, casually brushing dust from his clothes.

  Jacob remained silent, his back pressed against the wall. The question that had formed in his mind felt too heavy, too dangerous to voice out loud. But he just couldn't stop himself.

  “What...” He began, the word barely audible. Then, stronger, he continued, “What are you?”

  Something flickered across Akuma's face. It was a complex emotion that couldn't be easily named. For a moment, he seemed to be searching for an answer himself, wrestling with feelings foreign to him.

  “Your friend.” Akuma finally answered, offering a gentle smile that anchored Jacob to the moment. “I'm just your friend.”

  The simplicity of the answer tugged at Jacob’s chest. He looked at Akuma, searching for any trace of the person he’d just seen moment ago. But all he could see was the same awkward, earnest boy who'd been amazed by cotton candy and fried chicken.

  For a moment, he hesitated. Then he nodded slowly. A few questions gnawed at him, sure, but they'd have to wait for another day.

  “Yeah.” He said, pushing himself away from the wall. “I guess you are.”