The Gladiator's Soul chapter 2

Did you not read the previous chapter? The story begins here: The Gladiator's Soul chapter 1

Literally, she lunged at them in a tackle and some of them fell on the ground. Then they captured her and started to beat her up mercilessly. And there you have the worst memory in my life; while she was suffering a tremendous beat up I was paralyzed from the fear, like a coward. I was not able to help her, and to top it all the bullies ignored me saying something like “leave it, such a pathetic one is not worth the pain.”

When they left I ran to Hime’s side, who was on the ground full of wounds everywhere. I crouched down beside her, impotent. My heart shrank like an olive and it seemed like I could barely breath. I had already felt pathetic due to my cowardice before, but this was totally different. And, for the first time in my life, I cried.

Yes, I was that pathetic; she was lying there, full of wounds and pain, but it was me who cried like a baby, almost seeming I was chocking. I just whispered, while sobbing: “I’m sorry… I’m sorry… All has been my fault…”

She did not reply. She just remained lying there, looking at the sky with a haunting gaze. They had hurt her. And I was because of me. And I had not moved a finger to avoid it. I had never known a pain alike. I noticed something inside me changed, and in that moment I was invaded by a then yet unknown feeling : The guilt. I felt so miserable that I did not know what to say; I was obviously a burden for her. Without so much as a word I stood up and slowly went walking towards my house.

Suddenly: “Eh! Where do you think you are going?” she asked, screaming out of tune, the shape that was lying beside the school entrance. Maybe she hates me now, and wanted to make me pay for all I had made her suffer. “I said you come here, damn it!” she shouted with even more fury than before. Finally my regret was stronger than my fear and I turned around towards her, getting closer without looking at her and with my head low.  <<What I have done cannot be forgiven, even more because I did it to the most important person for me. I will accept my punishment and for once I will do the correct thing>>.

I approached her, still looking at the ground, lowering my head as much as I could. “Crouch down.” Fearful of what was about to come I slowly did what she told me to, and I closed my eyes strongly. Suddenly she hugged me, making me lose my balance, and she squeezed me against her. “Hug me. I have been so afraid…” Then my feeling hit rock bottom. She was not a super-heroin, nor anything alike. She was also afraid, but still she had faced it.

After some sobs she rinsed her eyes with one hand and stared at me. “It is normal to be afraid, and it is normal to feel bad. But one NEVER abandons the person who most appreciates them.”

When hearing those words my heart skipped a beat. In other situation I had blushed, but at that moment I could just burst into tears and hug her with more strength. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’m such a coward. I promise you I will never abandon you. And that I will be braver. If it is for you, sure I can do it.”

“You don’t need to be brave. I will always protect you, I don’t mind bleeding if it is for you. Just stay by my side”, she said while squeezing me. That promise really reached my soul.

I help her to stand up and we went to my house. I left her with some maids to heal her. After a while a maid came back to talk to me.

“Young master, there is a little problem. The little mistress says that she will not allow to be healed by anybody but you.” “It’s alright”, I said, and I accompanied her where she was (although first I passed quickly by the kitchen…). I entered the room.  And there she was, with her cheeks swollen as a signal of annoyance, her face red and her eyes humid. After all, we were children. There was nothing to be surprised about. Even today when I remember that face of innocent irritation I cannot avoid a smile.

Finally I healed her, and we were together. I did not need anything else, only my <<Hime>> could be all my world, there was no more comfortable place for me than her side. Suddenly I realized something I  never thought before. I had gained a great treasure: Now I had at last a reason to live. I was not anymore the money, nor my servants, nor my clothes…

It was her.

And immediately thereafter another image struck my mind. My Hime tackling five bullies at once, and being then crushed to dust. They would surely take revenge against her the next day. And the next one. And her life would become a hell. She could not sleep, she could not eat, she would languish and would become a vegetable. But she would keep smiling at me like the first day; as if nothing had happened.

“…ta! Kota! Kota!” I had got lost in thought. “What are you doing? Suddenly you were stunned, and making weird faces…” “Sorry, I got distracted. Let’s see, I will resume the surgery” I took out a knife I had taken before in the kitchen. “Where should I cut, miss? The wing or the thigh?” Suddenly she became quiet. “No, actually there is almost no pain already…” “Hahahaha…” We burst out laughing like children do, like we should do more often. Being together was really that good.

The story continues here: The Gladiator's Soul chapter 3