"hey natsuki could you help me out with something?"
This was a common phrase I was used to hearing. It was often the first thing that came out of people's mouths when they see me. No hello or how's your day, just want they want from me. Any self respecting person would turn them down and set boundaries but I would always say..
"Of course. What do you need?"
It didn't matter who asked or what was asked of me. I'd fulfill that task without fail. I never got paid in money or friendship, just a quick "thank you" before they left.
Those simple words were addictive. I'd do anything to hear those words of acknowledgement, to just know that someone appreciated me.
Even reckless things..
"Hey natsuki those big guys over there stole our money" my long time friend katsuki approached me. With his poofy black hair, dark eyes and effortless charisma it's no wonder he was the most popular kid in school. The only reason we ever became friends was cause we met at a hospital when we were kids. Of course we don't hang out anymore. He's got too many friends and I wouldn't want to get in the way.
"You got robbed" I gasped "that's terrible. Come on, we'll get a teacher involved and sort this out-"
"We can't!" He gripped my shoulders "natsuki if we tell on them I'll get the beating of a century"
"Then what are you going to do?" My eyes shone with worry.
He took a deep breath "I hate to ask this of you but could you steal it back for me? You're so small and quiet, I bet they won't even notice you"
"I don't know katsuki. That sounds really dangerous" I muttered worriedly.
"Please natsuki, I'll be in your dept forever!" He begged me.
Unfortunately I had a weakness for those words too. Which led me to making the biggest mistake of my short life.
"He's right over there buddy " katsuki pushed me forward. In front of me were three thugs, each with their hair bleached blonde. A clear sign these guys were dangerous. I turned to katsuki and his friends nervously. He gave me a thumbs up. I gulped before stepping forward.
Alright. Just quickly in and out. I can do this. I reached forward and just as I got hold of the mans wallet.
"The hell are you doing!" I winched in pain as he grabbed my wrist tightly, dropping the wallet in the process.
The second one picked up the wallet with a pissed off expression "seems this little bastard was trying to steal from you boss"
"Is that so?" There was a dangerous glint in his eyes as he shoved me against the wall "get the bat"
The other two grinned sadistically as they handed him a metal bat.
"Guys help me!" I screamed out to them. To my horror my so called best friend turned tail and ran.
The metal bat struck me hard in the rib. I heard a crack before the immense pain kicked in but that was only the beginning. Over and over again I was stuck, kicked and spat on. As my life slowly slipped away I started to have regrets.
Why was I such a pushover? Why did I care so much about what others thought of me? If I could do it all again I'd be more selfish. Yeah, I'd be the kind of guy everyone respected, maybe even feared.
*Registering natsuki Tanaka's new world*