Bruised, battered, and bloodied. These guys really know how to go all out. My brother sure picked out some high-quality lackeys.

SMACK, SMACK, SMACK!

Fists were flying everywhere. Two older and stronger boys were picking on their younger and defenseless schoolmates. It was the law of the jungle within the world; everybody for themselves. Nobody would stand up to a bully in order to protect someone else. That’s just a world we don’t live in.

In fact, the others were watching this beating go down, absolutely clueless to the situation. Even then they wouldn’t break their gaze away. They wouldn’t get help from the teachers at this fine and prestigious school.

“So, you couldn’t pay up, huh? That’s a damn shame. You know I really love your mom’s sushi rolls!” One of the bullies said with a wicked grin on his face while licking his lips.

Like a predator, he enjoyed toying with his prey. It was all the more fun knowing that the kid wouldn’t fight back or even try to put up a fight for himself and his family’s pride.

“If only there was a way for us to switch lives. I wouldn’t mind having such a caring mother, hahaha!” The other boy taunted before leaning in close to the helpless target and ruffling his hair.

“Kenta… you wanna give this kid a scar? If he won’t pay up then we should at least give him something to remember us by.”

Sometimes they went too far. Way too far… It wasn't the first time. That’s something…

Releasing a soft sigh Kenta raised his hands and nodded. “You know how I like to do things around here. It’s boring just beating someone senseless. I want to give him a chance.”

The mysterious entity approached the boy with a light smile before digging into his pockets. He then pulled out a deck of cards before shuffling them about.

“You probably wouldn’t know it, but the Joker is one of my favorite cards. Did you know there are only two alike?”

Two jokers… I find it hard to believe that two people could ever be alike. That two people could understand each other…

Kenta placed most of the other cards in the deck and held out five cards in front of the boy who looked absolutely confused by what was happening.

“There are five cards here. Two jokers. Two Aces and one King. If you select a joker card then we’ll…”

I wish I could say we would leave him alone… but that won’t happen.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“We’ll let you keep your food and beat you up enough that you’ll have to crawl to your classroom. Get it wrong and well… we’ll still beat you up, but we’ll take those rolls you love so much. Heehee!” He said with a chuckle!

He has 2 out of five chances of selecting the right card. Believe it or not, I like for things to be fair. But… knowing what I know the world won’t be so kind to him.

The kid nervously moved his hand to select the card in the center. He then ripped it out of Kenta’s hands before looking over at it revealing: a King.

“That’s too bad. Looks like you lose.” Kenta said while shaking his hands.

…

“That’s ENOUGH!”

What was that sound…? It was loud enough to break the silence. Even among the crowd of faceless students, one boy stood tall amongst them all, bursting out from the crowd as he stepped forth.

“You bastards! I won’t stand for this! How dare you take advantage of such a helpless kid!” This hero pointed at the three bullies before spitting to the side.

“Yo, Kenta… you know who that is right?” One of the goons spoke as he tilted his head to Kenta.

“That’s Fukuharu! That kid is a monster… he used to be in another gang back in middle school! I heard everyone feared them… what was it they called themselves…?”

“I know who he is. But, so what? There are three of us and only one of him. You cover his sides and I’ll charge him from the front.” Kenta said with a confident smile on his face.

“Right… we wouldn’t expect you to be frightened by some reject!”

Doing as they were told the duo moved in like hungry wolves from the hero’s sides. Slowly creeping in while Kenta slowly stalked him from the front.

The first bully rushed in from the left-hand side of Fukuharu, but like a valiant hero, he had not an ounce of fear within his body. He waited for his foe to approach, before catching him off guard with a lightning-quick punch to the jaw that knocked the enemy flat on his back.

With his back turned, the other one struck him in the back! It was a dastardly move, but something that wasn’t going to stop him. His muscles were enough to soften the blow and without a moment's notice, he shifted his weight to deliver a mind-shattering chop to the skull of his opponent, putting him to bed early.

Kenta saw this and charged in like a hyena, no care for his own safety or the others around him. He tried to tackle Fukuharu with his height advantage, but the hero stood his ground and delivered a series of elbows to the back of the ringleader.

It was enough for him to falter and at that moment he delivered a soul-crushing gut punch that was nearly strong enough to have the boy spit up whatever he had for breakfast! Though that’s not what happened. Instead, he merely collapsed to the ground.

Fukuhara was breathing heavily, slightly bruised and beaten, but there was a smile on his face amongst everything. One of joy was that he was able to protect someone in need. The people surrounding him cheered and clapped at his heroic feat.

This was something he always wanted… something he always dreamed of. Not to be some feared reject, but someone could cheer for… someone they could be comfortable around.

“Hey… are you all right?”

He slowly turned back to the boy who was slowly getting back up from everything he had been through. Seeing this Fukuharu started to approach him… but he ended up stepping on one of his untied shoelaces…

His body lost its balance and soon he fell forward and his fist collides into the boy’s face, knocking him roughly onto the ground and popping out two of his front teeth. There was a loud thud and when he looked up he could see his hand covered in blood…

Everyone looked on… their clapping halted and they witnessed what had just happened. The so-called hero socked the boy in the face for no reason… it was a vicious act something that only the evilest of people could do.

Fukuhara tensed up after seeing their expression changed… they were praising him just a moment ago! NO! How could they switch up so quickly! It was a mistake he didn’t mean to do it! Can’t they understand that humans make mistakes!

“NOOOOOOOOOOOO!” He screamed… it was a cry of desperation to him, but the others saw it as a war cry and it sent everyone scurrying off.

. . .

Lunch.

Kenta could be seen heading to the rooftops for lunch where he expected his friend to be and hold and behold there he was… sulking against the fence. Sigh.

“Kenta… I was so close…” His voice was saddened and deep.

“How… did you ruin everything…?”

“I don’t know…”

…

Kenta sighed deeply.

“I hate my life…” Fukuhara cried.

“I hate your life too.” Kenta sighed.