I’m My Own High School Rival: Rika’s Arc: Of Fate and Future.

  We walked for a long time, but Kami didn’t say anything. I adjusted the bag on my shoulder because it was digging into me. Kami glanced at me, but I didn’t want her to take this bag; it held the money I stole.

  “I’m fine, Kami.” Well, shit. I could have used that glance to segue into a conversation. We passed a few people, and as expected, they gave me a curious look. Kami snarled at them, causing them to look away.

  “Bunch of fucking animals,” she sighed. “Cross…what’s your name? And don’t tell me that it’s Cross, because I said it to the woman with your picture, and she didn’t know who the hell that was.”

  I shrugged it off, which earned me another glance, but this one was sharp.

  “Does it matter, Kami? And who was looking for me?”

  We continued walking without talking. The sun was hidden behind a horde of clouds. I wanted to say more; I questioned why I kept my name from her.

  “Cross… We need to split up.”

  “What? Is this because I won’t tell you my name?” I said, fixing the strap on my shoulder. She didn’t reply. So, I reached for her, and she moved away.

  “Don’t. Look, that woman didn’t look like she was with the ring you robbed, so she must be part of the Court.” I looked down. I’m already on the Ash’s radar; I ain’t in no position to ward off the Court, too.”

  “Why would the Ash want you dead?”

  No reply.

  If she left me, what would I do… where would I go, and when did I become so dependent on the protection of women? I gripped the strap of my bag and looked around me. There were women everywhere. My heart raced.

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  “Cross…you need to calm down. I’m not going to dump you in the wilds.”

  I hung my head. “My name is Antwon… Antwon Carter. Will you stay now, Kami?”

  “Fuck no. Did you not hear me earlier?” she said, looking away.

  “Damn it, Kami!” My face burned. “Why were you ignoring me if you were going to leave anyway?”

  “Shut up, Cro… Antwon. Some of us can’t run our mouths and think at the same time.” She nodded in a direction, so I looked.

  “You see that bus stop. It’ll take you to Yamanashi.” I had no intention to go back there. “Once you’re there, check the station info for the fifth line.”

  “What’s the fifth line?”

  “Fucking shit, you don’t know anything, do you?” I pouted. “It’s a bus that goes straight to Tokyo.”

  “And what do you expect me to do in Tokyo, Kami?”

  Her eyes rolled to the side. She set the bags down and handed me one. “Here, I picked some clothes and shit for you. Ya know, so you’re not wearing the same damn thing.”

  I took the bag and looked inside. All the clothes were… dark greys and blacks, with a mix of blue. “Okay.”

  “Look, damnit. I don’t know how to shop for boys. So, just take it… and here’s a burner phone, and stuff.”

  I looked at the phone. It was an old-ass flip phone; I guess the evolution of technology made sense. I turned the phone on, and the old eerie green glow made me think of my age. “Wow… the phone book has one number.”

  “Yeah, that’s mine. I want you to call me when you get to Tokyo so that I know you're safe.”

  “Is Tokyo supposed to be safe?”

  A bus pulled up.

  “Trust me, kid. If you're running from clans, the best place to be is Tokyo. Just don’t go robbing anyone, okay?”

  “Kami, I—”

  “Shut the fuck up and get over there before it leaves without you. You’ll have some time before the fifth line arrives, so find some way to kill time.”

  Shitty choice of words, but I get it. I ran over to the bus, confused as to why I was listening to her.

  “I’ll swing by once things die down!” Seriously, pick better words.

  I waited to board. Once it was my turn, the driver stared me down. “I’m going to Yamanashi; I’m going home.”