Chapter 3. My Only Friend (2)

Gray was totally shocked and held his cheek while lying on the ground. He could feel a little taste of iron in his mouth and hear that Leon was cracking up. With an irritated face, he sat up and said, “You! How come you punch me that hard?!” Leon was slightly felt apologetic and offered his hand to Gray, “Sorry, I was too immersed in the moment and forgot that we’re sparring,” After getting up, Gray felt really annoyed and with a fast movement, locked his friend’s head in this arm and delivered a couple of flicks. Leon didn’t know whether to scream or laugh and so with much efforts, he said that the punch was not deliberate at all.

When Gray finally felt better, he let go his friend and gave a final kick to Leon’s butt. Leon didn’t avoid it because he knew he was truly wrong.  Remembering it, ever since they were kids, Gray never accidentally hurt him like he did just now. That boy had so much control over his body and could stop anytime he felt like it enough. Leon couldn’t help, but to admire his friend. The first time they met was when both of them were six years old, well to be precise, it was ten years ago. Gray was brought to this town by the man who used to live in this house. Everyone was curious because this person was known to be a solitary, he rarely went outside his house, so that kid couldn’t be his own child, right?

Leon still remembered just how his mother prohibited him to interact with that new kid. Saying things like that kid probably an illegitimate child from a woman in brothel, so his status was really low and didn’t worth to be friend with. He did listen to his mother at that time and paid no attention to the new kid. Nevertheless, all of his friends at that time were from rich families, just like him. They liked to made troubles and no one dared to report them because the people were afraid. In contrary, Leon really despised their actions and started to speak up, even a kid knew their actions were totally bad! His little self wouldn’t allow them to create troubles for the townsfolk. After some time, the kids started to feel irritated and changed their target to Leon. They would purposely trip his feet, snatched his pocket money, and then ripped his study books. He didn’t dare to tell it to his mother or father, so in the end, he decided to endure it all.

One day, the kids were bullying him like usual. They surrounded him on the small, deserted alley. Snatched his bag by force and spilled his books to the ground, two kids were holding him back while the leader casually stomped his homework books. Leon could only scream and deliver a couple of curses to that fat boy who pretended to be deaf. At that moment, suddenly someone was throwing small stones towards the fat boy. That fat boy was startled and turned back, only to see a small boy with runny nose. Turned out, he was the kid who lived with the solitary man! While wiping his snot, that small boy shouted and pointed his small finger at the bullies, “ALL OF YOU!! DON’T HARRAS A GIRL!!!” Leon was showing an ugly expression on his face because he was called as a girl. The other three people were showing even horrible expressions, in their short lives, no one’s dared to provoke them! What the hell was this irrelevant boy thinking?!

In unison, the kids who were holding Leon, dropped him down and stand beside the fat boy. One of them said, “You peasant! How dare you talk to us!” That boy didn’t care at all and he answered confidently, “I am not a peasant! You guys are peasants! Now let her go!” Leon couldn’t help, but gave a snort of laughter. Looked like that boy didn’t understand the word ‘peasant’ and just mindlessly used them to offend them back. Being called a peasant from a ‘real peasant’, of course those bullies were angry. “Get him!” That fat boy ordered his friends and clenched his hands. That boy didn’t show any sign of being intimidated and made a stance while the bullies were getting closer to him.

Leon couldn’t help, but to be a little excited! He knew that stance! It was martial arts! For a moment, he forgot the fact that he was being called as a girl and cheered for that small boy. Undeniably, that boy could defend himself, swiftly avoiding their grips and kicks, but Leon could see it. That boy was holding himself and only tripped his opponents’ legs, he didn’t attack them seriously. The bullies were fallen to the ground for so many times, until the fat boy couldn’t hold his patience anymore and also joined the fight. Three vs. one, of course it was really unfair!!

Finally, that fat boy was able to squash him on the ground. His poor face was red, but his spirit was still flaming. He didn’t say anything while the bullies ganged up over him. He covered his head and crouched down. How could Leon see this and do nothing?!! He didn’t know what possessed him, but he got up and ran really fast towards the fat boy. That fat boy was unguarded and couldn’t process the whole situations. Before he realized it, Leon was already on top of him and repeatedly punched his face! It didn’t hurt too much, considering Leon’s body, but it still gave him pains. Just like that, the fight turned to three vs. two.

The fight finally ended when the fat boy ran out while crying. Leon could hear them said that they would tell their parents and do revenge. Thus, the alley suddenly went quiet. Both of them were lying on the ground, covered with bruises and bloods. The sky was turning orange and the sun was coming down. Leon broke the silence, “Hey, you’re not dead, right?” The boy answered by giving a hehe and praised him, “This is my first time seeing a girl who can fight really well!” Leon could only do a facepalm and gritted his teeth, “I’m a boy!” Hiding his embarrassment, he coolly said, “Ups, my bad! I’m Gray, by the way. What’s your name?” Leon tried to get up and answered, “Leon. Thanks for today, but you should be careful... Those kids are the worst. You should go back to your dad,” Leon felt really apologetic because he knew how despicable those three people’s families. Gray could’ve gotten all the blame for today’s fight because of him. “Dad? I don’t have a dad…” Now it’s Leon’s turned to be embarrassed, “But you’re living with a man here, right? He’s not your dad?”

“He’s my master!” Gray didn’t hide his excitement at all and continued, “He is not my dad, but he taught me a lot of things, including self-defence!” That was their first meeting and Leon could still remember it all. “What are you thinking?” The 16 years old Gray called him, “Nothing, I just suddenly miss Master Elric. There’s so many things he doesn’t teach us yet,” Hearing his friend mentioned his late master, Gray’s eyes turned sad, “Yeah, I also miss him a lot...”