"Eren! How are we Today?! GOOD!?" His father spoke with an energetic voice, jumping to and from, not staying still for a moment. Hyperactive.
"I'm fine dad." A concerned look on Eren's face. He knew his father's behaviour was erratic, but today was a whole other level of crazy. His movements were jerky, as if every action was taken at twice the normal speed. His eyes were wild and bloodshot, darting back and forth as if trying to take in everything at once.
His father had stopped drinking thankfully; yet he almost wished that was the problem. The man had become manic. A shell of what was left, nothing of the man that Eren used to know.
"Come, come! I made you breakfast, my son! Pancakes!" The older man gestured at the table. On top were pancakes, a small stack. They looked... both burnt from its exterior, and leaking mixture from its interior.
"How is the job search going? Anything yet?" Eren asked. His father had been unemployed for the last two weeks. It was not through a lack of trying. The job market was tough; even tougher when one has ties to the underworld.
"No. No. Not yet. But I've decided to go into business for myself instead." He said proudly, puffing out his chest, with the air of a man who had made the biggest decision in his life.
"That reminded me. You're a big shot at that Guild. Can I have a loan?" His father's request came out of nowhere.
"Sorry dad, guild rules. I can't." Eren replied.
"Fine. Fine. I see. You have changed since joining that guild, no longer a good boy." The man huffed, crossing his arms with a pout.
*Sniff* *Sniff*
Bloodshot eyes, red nose, dry mouth. He was on something, something new. Eren's heart sank, the realization of what was happening was like a punch to the gut. But he had somewhere to be today. Eren would have to deal with this later.
"We will be back later dad. Come on Emi; I'll take you to school." The girl was sitting on the couch, knees tucked in tight, arms wrapped around them, face buried in her knees. Emi also saw what was happening to their father, but she had been too timid to mention it to Eren.
"Hey. Don't worry about dinner. I'll cook us a big feast, yeah? Just like your mother used too." The older man smiled at them both, teeth wrapped in yellow film, gums receding.
"Yeah..." Emi gave a sad smile, taking her bag, and leaving the apartment with Eren.
Once more Mr. Heart was left all alone in the world, no friends, no wife, no family, and no home. A place to sleep, a place to eat, and a place to take shelter; but no longer was this a home. Not without any love to fill its empty walls. No one could save that man, not even Eren.
***
"Good morning." Baelor stood upon a small stage in the yard of Kaname boys High School. However, boys while physically present; their minds were elsewhere. Huddled in groups, some sitting down, leaning against the wall, others fiddling with their phones. Some looked like they had just woken up and were still rubbing the sleep from their eyes.
*Phwwwwwhht*
Eren whistled loudly, getting everyone's attention in an instant. The sound pierced through the air like a sharp needle, pierced through their drums.
"Hey." His voice was cold and demanding. A stark contrast to the soft and gentle demeanour of Baelor.
Winter's wraith had begun and provided no warmth to this yard. Sun blocked out by thick blankets, casting grey shadows on the ground, cold and lifeless. Eren's breath came out in puffs of white mist, like a ghost in the moonlight.
The boys quickly turned to face the front, all eyes on Eren, and all conversations ceased. His presence alone was enough to command their attention. Yesterday's trials had at least brought him some recognition.
Baelor spoke again. "Welcome, young men of Kaname High school. My name is Baelor, the head of the Silvermane guild. As I understand you were once wards of the crimson bandits. Today you have been entrusted to the care of myself and my guild." His voice, calm and soothing. Like a father speaking to a crowd of children.
Yet, the mention of the crimson bandits; brought forward painful memories. Memories that none should ever have to bear. They looked at the ground, shame filled their minds. Yuri, duck tail and buzz cut, all had sombre looks in their eyes.
"This is your new mentor. Mr. Eren Heart. He will oversee you from now on. Please respect him." He smiled, gesturing to Eren who was stood beside him. Eren remained unmoving, scanning the crowd with cold and lifeless eyes.
"Ha! A new mentor. He won't last a day." "He will be just like Hattori." "Fuck all the guilds. They'll find new ways to fuck us."
Whispers among the cohort of boys were filled with doubts and concerns, questioning the intentions of the men. They had seen it all before, a new mentor, a new guild, yet the result was always the same. It was a hard thing to imagine that someone could truly care, could truly change them for the better.
Baelor approached Eren, whispering in his ear.
"They are now your responsibility. Please guide them well."
"Alright then. I want everyone to line up; we have a lot of ground to cover." Eren's voice rang out loud, drawing the attention of the boys. They all looked at each other but made no move to do what was asked of them.
"Quickly now, I haven't got all day." He snapped, gesturing impatiently with one arm.
"Huh, you think we're just gonna follow you? We don't even know who you are." The biggest boy from the cohort spoke up, a thick neck, large torso, and an arrogant expression. Leaning against the school gate, arms crossed in front of his chest. His dark eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Yes. I am Mr. Heart. I will be your mentor and guardian from today forward." Eren's voice was calm and steady, yet it held an air of authority that was undeniable.
The giant strolled up with confident swagger, each step resounding in the yard. Towering over Eren; at least a foot higher than him.
"Yeah, what makes you think you can come here and tell us what to do? Huh, you white haired fuck?" The giant stared down at Eren, who didn't even flinch at the man's imposing size.
"Fair enough, I haven't shown you anything but words. Words are cheap..."
A nod from the giant.
"A challenge then?" Eren continued.
"Oh yeah, what did you have in mind?" The boy smirked, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. He looked at the other boys, who had started to gather around them. All of them seemed to be waiting for the same thing.
"A fight, one touch on the others body. If you win; all of you can leave the Silvermane. We will never bother you again. If I win; you all follow me for a week. Then we can talk about the future." Eren offered.
"Pfft, a small little thing like you? Sure, I'll kick your ass." The giant grinned, flexing out, showing the muscles of a grown man.
"I'll even make it sporting. My dominant hand behind my back." Eren raised his right hand, and folded his arm behind his back. Leaving his non-dominant hand to fight the battle. The crowd of boys began to cheer for the big one.
"Your funeral whitey. I'm going to beat the living shit out of you-"
*Flick*
With blinding speed, Eren gave a clip to the giant's ear.
"I win. Your mine for a week." Eren declared. A stunned silence fell over the yard. The giant's face was a mixture of shock, anger, and pain, the pain of a broken ego and a ringing ear. His hand instinctively went up to the side of his head, rubbing it gently.
"I-I wasn't ready, asshole!" The boy was angry, but Eren's cold eyes stared at the young man, daring them to make another move.
"Neither will the monsters."
"I want another turn!"
"Okay then, I'll give you more of a handicap. No hands."
"You're really gonna get it now. I'll make you beg on the ground-"
*Flick*
This time Eren shaved the other ear with a flying leg clip.
"You need to put your words into actions. Now move to the side please."
The giant was speechless. Both sides of his head were now burning hot, like fire in his brain. He moved away, holding onto his ears, rubbing the sides of his head. He didn't make another sound.
"Now. My offer extends to everyone else as well." Eren spoke to the crowd of boys, all of them were silent, looking at the giant who had been defeated in a matter of seconds.
"Alright then. I'll give it a shot." The duck tail boy stepped forward. He was tall, but not as bulky as the giant.
Eventually other began to line up, ready to fight. Yuri and the buzz cut, and the rest of the cohort.
'This is going to be fun.' He thought with an inward smile.
*Flick*
Buzz cut's nose was flicked; the pain was sharp and intense, a sharp stab in the nose.
"I win. Although you have good footwork. We have something to work with. Take a seat."
Buzz cut gave a slight bow, joining the ever-growing crowd of boys sitting against the metal gate.
"Next."
A boy whose lower face was obscured by a mask, like a ninja's cloth. A large scar that ran from eye to nose. He gave no words as he stepped forward. Posture low and ready for action.
He was quick and nimble, dodging Eren's first attempt to flick a touch onto the boy, but Eren was quicker. His second flick, like lightning, landed on the side of the boy's head.
"Your fast, very fast. But you lack control. You need to be in control at all times." With those words, Eren gestured for the boy to take a seat.
*Flick*
One after another, Eren flicked away the students. Some took it in stride, while others were visibly shaken, some even began to learn through their peers' defeats.
Lasting longer and longer each time against the man.
"Yuri. You're lucky last."
"Fine." Hands lit with yellowed flame. Yuri was the last boy standing, and possibly the strongest of them all. The light licked the air like a snake, dancing and swirling around them, casting an eerie glow on their surroundings. His eyes were focused on Eren's movements.
*Dash*
Yuri closed the distance in an instant like lightning; Eren was already prepared. Eren's palm was open wide, ready to strike Yuri on the side of the head. Yuri saw the attack and leaped to the side, countering with his own strike.
*Whiff*
Too slow for the lithe mentor. Eren jumped away.
*Dash*
Yuri closed in once more. A flurry of punches.
'His got a plan. Good, don't hold back.' Eren could have ended this fight within the first second. Yet it would be a lesson for nothing, if the boy didn't learn anything from their encounter.
*Whiff* *Dash* *Whiff*
The punches were fierce, with each strike Yuri grew faster and more aggressive. Eren was able to dodge them all. But the brawler ranker had something else in mind, using his fist pummelled the ground.
*BOOM*
Yuri let out an explosive blast, sending chunks of asphalt into the air. Cracking the ground in a 360-degree arc around the boy, a ring of broken stone.
Eren lost footing on the broken ground.
"Got you, you fuck!" Yuri rushed in, fist ablaze.
*WHACK*
The boy's fist was caught in the air, stopped mid punch, momentum halted with a firm grip.
"Very impressive Yuri. You would make a fine Ranker." Eren praised the boy, releasing the hand.
Walking over to the seated boys, they all had looks of respect in their eyes. "Now that you are all mine for the week. We will-"
*Clutch*
Yuri took a chance with the teachers back turned. Aiming for a cheap shot while Eren was talking, the fist was caught without looking.
"You would strike a man with their back turned." Eren's furious eyes went unseen by Yuri. But the other boys saw the icy cold eyes of their new mentor. A new fear that the crimson bandits could never hope to achieve
"If you're going to be a coward, aim for the HEAD!" With a harsh jerk, Yuri was flung onto the ground.
Rolling away; dirt kicked up into the air. A cloud of dust surrounded the boy as he struggled to stand up. Coughing and spluttering, Eren's sneakers came into view, slowly approaching Yuri like a wolf stalking its prey.
'Here it comes.' Yuri braced for another hit, but it never came. A hand, offered out in kindness. Eren's eyes were not cold and hard as Yuri expected, but rather soft and forgiving.
"Come on." Eren extended a helping hand towards Yuri, who was still lying on the ground.
"You're not mad?" The boy hesitated to take the offer. But slowly reached out.
"Not at all. But don't go for a cowards punch… Unless your life is in danger."
Yuri was pulled to his feet by the strong grip of Eren, dusting himself off and standing up.
In the past, Hattori would have pummelled him for daring to attack the man after losing a fight. "I expected a beating." Yuri confessed, rubbing the back of his head.
"You made a mistake." The man's response was short, but his voice was kind.
"As I was saying. Now that you are all mine for the week. We will come here; Monday to Friday from 10:00 - 3:00. You will learn to be better than what the bandits tried to make you into." He spoke with authority in their voice. It was clear that this was no ordinary man.
"And every day; if you work hard, try your best and are respectful. Then every day I'll teach you to fight, maybe even take you through some gates." The boys looked at each other, eyes wide and hopeful. For some, that is all they wanted. The only thing that mattered to them was the thrill of adventure.
"We good?"
"Yes sir." The crowd answered as one, their voices loud and clear in the yard.
"Now, you've worked hard this morning. I have a treat."
*Clap* Clap*
Half a dozen workers, in orange uniform. Came with bags upon bags of food. Fried chicken, sandwiches, and soda.
"Lunches for today. Even enough for leftovers tomorrow." Each student was given an individual bag.
Each dug into the bag like they had not eaten in days. Some even looked like they hadn't eaten properly in weeks.
"Eat up. We've still got another 4 hours, and I want this place cleaned up. By the time we leave."
The boys nodded with filled cheeks.
This had all gone to Eren's plan. To reach these boys he had to show them strength, and if that didn't work. Food is one way into a man's soul. He just needed them to trust in their new mentor.
This was a start.