BEHIND THE GLASSES

Tonight must have been the latest. He got home at about 11.50pm, just in time to catch the mid-night news. He plopped onto the purple couch that was in the center of his rented apartment and flicked the switch, turning on the 21-inch tele.

“Today’s headlines. A mini mart at street twelve was robbed just under an hour ago. The robber was caught almost immediately and confessed in stabbing the young boy who was the cashier at that time. However, the young boy remained at the scene, unharmed but with tomato sauce on a torn shirt. When interviewed, the boy, told the police that he was indeed stabbed on his back and passed out almost instantly. He added that he wasn’t alone at that time and that there was a customer in the shop when the robbery occurred.

He could not describe how the shopper looked like because he wasn’t really paying much attention at that time. Further investigations showed that the boy was indeed stabbed at because of the blood from the robber’s knife and the tear in his shirt. In spite of this, the police cannot explain what happened to the missing bullet and would like anyone who has any information to come forward.”

“Boring.” he yawned, turning the tele off and went to the bathroom to wash his hands that was stained with blood.

*

“Yo, Kogure” turning around he saw Mitsui coming towards him.

“Yes?” he stopped for awhile, allowing Mitsui to catch up. Which he did within seconds and when he did, they both continued to the gym.

“Did you watch the news last night? About that boy who was stabbed and not stabbed?”

“I did…”

“How do you think he did that???”

“I dunno…”

“I think it’s a miracle. No wounds but there’s blood.”

“Yea…”

“And that mystery customer. Maybe he’s a doctor or something.”

“Wounds dun just disappear”

“You right there… maybe he was a magician.”

“Maybe or possibly he wasn’t stabbed at all…”

“There was the blood on the knife, you know…”

“It could be staged with the tomato sauce and all.”

“Stage a robbery?”

“ Maybe they have nothing better to do?” Kogure shrugged.

“Kogure, Mitsui. When your done talking, would you like to join us for practice?” Akagi asked in a politely sarcastic tone.

“Hai.” they both said instantly, rushing to get changed and onto the court.

*

“Maybe he’s like one of those miracle man, you know. Like a witch doctor?”

“Exactly when are you going to stop talking about him, Mitsui?” Kogure was getting rather pissed off. Ever since this morning, all Mitsui has been talking about is this mystery man. Even in court. Goodness and even now, during lunch.

“Gomen nasai.” Mitsui bowed his head in apology and hoped he will remember not to speak a word about the ambiguous man for the rest of the day.

*

Everyone was at the gym, waiting for practice and Anzai sensei. Ok, almost everyone. Rukawa was no where to be seen. Perhaps he slept while riding his bike and headed some other direction? Anyways, practice started as soon as the coach arrived but instead of the total concentration the team would normally give, they were rather distracted and instead of taking the break to rest or to re-energize they chatted about something they normally won’t, yesterday’s new.

“Did you hear? I think it’s the mystery man.” Ryota rested his arm on Ayako’s shoulders only to get whacked by her handy paper fan.

“I think so, thirteen children miraculously removed of their tumor is too much for a miracle.” she said ignoring the fact that Ryota was nursing the little bump on his head. How can a paper fan be so harmful? No one knows.

“Maybe some mad doctor operated on all of them at night? Since they were at the hospital to begin with.” Kogure suddenly said only to stump the rest with his answer.

“I dun believe your saying this Kogure. Your always the one with reason and here you are saying a mad doctor did it?” Mitsui said scratching his chin. “I still think it’s the same mystery man from the other day.”

“The case where the boy was stabbed with no wounds ?” Ayako asked, amazed that Mitsui was actually following up on the news. Actually she was more surprised that Mitsui even watch the news to begin with.

“Hey Mitchy, since your so interested in him, maybe you should find him and ask if he can heal your leg.” Sakuragi joined in moments later , laughing at his sempais, only to receive a similar whack from Ayako.

“Maybe I should” Mitsui arched one of his eyebrows and that could only mean one thing.

“Your not serious… are you?” Kogure inquired in disbelief that Mitsui would actually do something like that. Looking at the way Mitsui was pondering, he definitely was going through the stupid idea Sakuragi had planted in his head. “You know what, I think I’ll follow you just in case something happens.”

“When your done chit-chatting, would you like to come back to practice?” Akagi suddenly roared sending electric bolts to his fellow team mates causing them to spur into action and back to their places to resume practice. “And does anyone know where is Rukawa??”

*

“Where are we going again?” Kogure tugged Mitsui’s white t-shirt.

“I need to go to the bank first to take out some money and then we’ll go to the park for a stake out.” he grinned in reply .

“The park??? Why the park? Why not a bank, like this one?”

“Ne, dun ask too much ok?”

“Fine…”

The both of them stepped into the small and empty local bank. Mitsui joined the small line of people while Kogure went to a corner , folding his arms and took a seat. Moments later, two men dressed in dark tones with the same darkish tone mask over their heads barged in with an automatic gun each. One of them also had a big empty black bag.

“Hands on your head. Do as your told and no one gets hurt” one of them said while the other went to the counter that Mitsui was being attended at and demanded the lady put all the money in the bag. The lady behind the counter hesitated and was shivering as she tried to pull her counter drawer. The armed robber then grabbed Mitsui and threatened to shoot him. Mitsui still had his hands on his head and just followed the orders that was given.

Kogure was slowly and silently moving to where the other robber was. Picking up the silver bin that was beside him, he yanked it onto the burglar‘s head sending him to the ground almost immediately. The other man immediately shot Mitsui when he saw his partner going down. He then took the bag which was empty by the way, and ran off .

Mitsui was bleeding badly and he laid on the floor, coughing out blood. Kogure ran towards his team mate and hugged him tightly. Mitsui was trying to say something but all that came out were coughs mixed with blood. Kogure pressed on the wound to apply some kind of pressure and shouted at the bank employees to call the ambulance.

Mitsui tried to speak again. This time, he managed to say something but it was too soft for anyone to hear. Kogure moved closer without taking his hands off the wound.

“Kogure… Kogure….” Mitsui attempted saying in between coughing his guts outs.

“No Mitsui, dun die! Stay with me! Stay awake” Kogure shrieked and prayed that the ambulance would arrive soon. There was a sudden bright white light that blinded everyone in the room and it was coming from the contact between the Mitsui’s body and Kogure’s hands. It was so bright no one knew what happened.

In a couple of minutes, the bright light toned down and everyone rubbed their eyes to check on their regained sight. Everyone except Mitsui and Kogure. The pain that threatened Mitsui‘s life was gone. No bullet holes, no scar, no nothing.

Mitsui got up easily like he wasn’t shot at all in the first place. He then lifted his t-shirt confirming what just happened. He pressed his stomach, hoping to find something, anything. A pain or an ache. There was nothing there. Not a scratch. Not a scare. Not a trace. Nothing. Nothing at all.

Mitsui stared at Kogure in confusion at the same time he didn’t know exactly what was happening. All those time he though he knew Kogure when he actually didn’t. Times when he was laughing and joking with Kogure started to flood his mind as he continued to look intently at Kogure.

Kogure got up from his position from the floor. He knew what Mitsui was thinking. That he was just hiding behind the glasses. That everything was just a lie .

“Yes… it is me that you were looking you.” he sighed as he discarded his glasses.