Chapter 24: Andy and Minerva Flashback Chapter 1: Opposites Attract (Vol. 1)

25 Years Ago:

It was a typical Monday morning for Sophomore student, Minerva Takahashi, a Japanese girl, who had just transferred schools, after being expelled, indefinitely, from her last one, due to fighting.  She had just finished her early-morning workout which consisted of body weight movements, endurance training and some stretching that her father had shown her.  She was drenched in sweat and was about to shower, before her father drove her to school.  Standing at almost 6 feet, she was quite tall for her age and, on top of that, she was incredibly toned from all of the working out she did in the mornings which was revealed by her well-defined abdominal muscles.  Minerva had light hazel eyes, long dark black hair tied back in a ponytail and a stern and serious expression on her face that rarely changed.  Ever since she was young, her father had trained her to be strong...strong like him...one of the best martial artists in Japan.  When Minerva's mother was still alive, she would always say that he was too hard on her and had unrealistic expectations for her.  Unfortunately, Minerva's mother passed away when she was still incredibly young due to a violent mugging.  Apparently, she was stabbed to death by a random street thug and, for some reason, Minerva's father blamed himself for this.  He believed that if he would have trained his wife how to defend herself, then she would still be alive to this day.  Regardless, it was too late for that.  Although, in his mind, he could redeem himself by teaching his daughter how to protect herself so she would never find herself in the same position as her mother.  Ever since her mom's death that occurred 10 years ago, Minerva had been trained, relentlessly, by her father, in the hopes of cementing his martial arts knowledge into her mind.  Despite not having too much interest in her father's teachings at first, Minerva had come to love the field of martial arts, over time, and even began training without her father being present.  More recently, she had developed an intense interest in American boxing and her father and her had actually bonded while watching some fights, together.  This gave her father the idea to slightly alter her training so that it was focused more on using her hands so that one day, she may be able to have a future in the boxing field.  Usually, Minerva would finish her workouts with some heavy bag work but realized she didn't have time because of school.

"Damn, I guess I'll do some, tomorrow morning," Minerva said to herself, looking at the heavy bag that was inside of the house’s dojo.  "Although, that would require me to wake up and go to bed, earlier. Hm...I guess I could..."

As Minerva began to drone off to herself, trying to think of a way to make more room in the mornings for training, another voice said, "I'm happy to see that you're still making time for training, despite school starting."

Minerva turned around and saw that her father, who, despite his age, was incredibly muscular and tall, was standing at the doorway of the dojo.  His short hair was the same color as his daughters but, rather than hazel, his eyes were dark brown.  Minerva had gotten her eyes from her mother and every time her father looked into his daughter's eyes, he couldn't help but be reminded of his wife.

"However, please make sure you leave yourself enough time to shower and eat, before you head out."

Both Minerva and her father's English had gotten very fluent since they had been in America for a little over five years.  They rarely spoke in their traditional language, these days, unless they had family visiting from Japan.  

"Yeah, I will," responded Minerva, nonchalantly.  

"Hm, I imagine that you aren't too excited to be returning to school?" 

"Of course not.  I hate it.  It's a waste of damn time.  How is school going to help me become a boxer?" 

"Haha, you're just as headstrong as I was when I was your age.  I used to think in the same naive way.  Learning is something that can benefit, anyone, no matter what their profession may be."

"Yeah, sure."

"Also, do be aware of the reason you were expelled from the last school," warned her father, much to his daughter's annoyance.  "I'm proud of how strong you've gotten, both in terms of your ability and your spirit.  However, what I've taught you and what you've learned on your own in terms of fighting, is not meant to be shown off in a public setting such as a school."

"The girl got what was coming to her," mumbled Minerva to herself, recalling how she had beaten a girl, who was bullying her, so bad that she was sent to a hospital because of how bad her injuries were.  "I warned her not to mess with me.  And...she ignored me and kept going.  Didn't you teach me all of this shit so I could protect myself?"

"There's a difference between protecting yourself and beating a girl half to death."

"She was badmouthing mom!" hollered Minerva in response.  "She was saying...so many awful things about her...I-I just couldn't take it."

Instead of getting mad at his daughter for raising her voice at him, her father simply sighed.  

"Your mother...more than anything...just wanted you to have a happy school life...to make plenty of friends...and get along with everyone.  I can't help but feel like by training you, I've somehow jeopardized that.  Strength like yours...shouldn't be used to cause pain...but, rather, to protect...oneself...and others.  For your mother's sake, can you please...actually try to get along with the kids at this school?  I know it would make her so happy."

"Hmph, hell of a lot good that'll do, considering she's already dead," finished Minerva as she made her way past her father, towards her bathroom, to shower.  

Minerva's father looked at the floor of his dojo, sadly.  

"She...reminds me so much of myself and...that's what worries me most."

*

*

*

So far, this school doesn't seem to be any different from the last one, thought Minerva to herself, as she attempted to find a place to sit while carrying her hot school lunch.  

By now, most of the tables were already full, meaning that she was forced to sit by other students which was the last thing she wanted.  Minerva was hoping that she would just be able to find a seat by herself, somewhere, and ignore everyone.  So far, the first day at the new school wasn't terrible by any means but it was far from what she would consider good.  The students didn't pay much mind to her, even though she was new.  They didn't make fun of her but, at the same time, they didn't try to become friends with her, either.  They just kept their space.  Minerva couldn't complain about that.  The teachers seemed to be somewhat warm and inviting on the surface but Minerva recalled that the teachers at her old school were the same exact way until they learned how violent she was.  

Sorry, mom, doesn't look like I'm making any friends at this school, either, Minerva thought to herself, in reference to what her father had mentioned, earlier.  Still, as long as I'm not getting in trouble for fighting, I would say that's a step in the right direction.  Although, it is just the first day.  The students and teachers may become bigger assholes, over time.  That's usually how it works, after all.  Damn.  I fucking hate school.  I don't care what my dad says, this shit doesn't benefit me in the slightest.  It's just a big old pain in the ass.  

"Aye, there he is!" yelled a male voice from a slight distance from where Minerva was standing.  "Look, he hasn't changed a bit...still reading those stupid comic books of his, even as a sophomore in high school!"

The kid, who was speaking so loudly, was drawing the attention of a couple of students in the lunchroom, even Minerva, due to how his voice echoed.  When Minerva turned her attention to where the obnoxious voice was coming from, she saw a larger sized high schooler, who looked to be a football player, based on it his build and, surrounding him, were a small group of other kids his age, who lacked the size and intimidation of the loud mouthed one.  They were simply there supporting the larger high schooler's actions. The last student Minerva looked at was a kid sitting at a table with short, brown, curly hair, reading glasses and brown eyes.  He was probably the weakest and most frail looking one out of everyone in the area, in Minerva's mind, which led her to one conclusion.

Bullies, she concluded to herself.  Can't have school without them, it seems like.  Oh well, it's none of my business.  Although...

Minerva noticed that this frail looking boy was eating at a table with hardly any other students at it which was exactly what she was looking for.  She couldn't hear what exactly the bullies were saying to the student and, to be honest, she didn't care too much.  She just wanted to sit at that table.  As she made her way towards the table, the larger-sized bully had taken the comic book that the bullied boy was reading.  To her surprise, the kid, who was being bullied, didn't do a single thing about this and just waited, patiently, while the main bully and his friends read through the comic book and seemed to laugh and mock every page.  

Why the hell isn't he standing up for himself?  I would have beaten the shit out of them both if they tried to pull that shit on me.  Then again, this kid doesn't seem like much of a fighter.  Still though, if he doesn't stick up for himself, this shit is never going to go away.  He has to realize that, right?  What a spineless, dumb ass.

"Hey, give him back his stupid comic book and kindly fuck off," commanded Minerva, without hesitation, as soon as she arrived at the table where the bullying was occurring.  

The main bully and his friends just stared at Minerva in confusion, almost like they couldn't comprehend what she had just said.  

"Look, ass-hats, I honestly don't give a shit about the petty things you're doing to this guy but I really want to sit at this table so just fucking leave."

Again, the main bully and his friends couldn't do anything but stare at Minerva, blankly, which only caused her to grow more impatient.  

"You dip shits understand English, right?  Would you like me to tell you to fuck off in Japanese?"

"Oh, that's right," spoke up one of the bully's friends.  "She's the new girl that just transferred to this school.  I-I think she's Japanese."

Finally, the main bully's expression switched from confusion to a wicked grin.

"Haha, now that you mention it, you're right.  I do recognize her.  Since you're Japanese, are you going to use your karate on me if I don't leave?"

The main bully's stereotypical insults didn't bother Minerva much but she realized the longer she talked to him and his friends, the less time she would have to eat.  Not that she really wanted to eat the garbage school lunch too much, anyways.

"No, I'll just break your masturbating hand, if you don't listen to me."

The main bully grimaced at the image that popped into his head as Minerva threatened this.  After considering his options, the main bully tossed the comic book, recklessly, into the bullied kid's face.

"This girl's fucking weird.  She's perfect for you, Andy.  Maybe, the two of you can start dating and become the weirdest couple in school?"

Minerva watched as the main bully and his friends made their way back to their respective table.  Minerva, relieved she could, finally, eat, plopped herself in the seat in front of Andy, without a care in the world.  The tough part was over and, now, she could just eat in peace.  Plus, she was able to handle the situation without hurting anyone so she didn't have to deal with being lectured by teachers and her father.

"T-Thank you," greeted the boy sitting on the opposite side of the lunch table from Minerva, who the main bully had called Andy.  

"There's no reason to thank me," responded Minerva, coldly, not looking up from her lunch tray. "I just needed a place to sit and those dick heads were in my way.  That's all."

"Well, no matter what your reasoning was, I can read in peace, now," stated Andy, smiling.  "So, I do have a reason to thank you, after all."  

The two sat in silence for almost five minutes straight with Minerva focused on eating her less than satisfactory lunch and Andy invested in the comic book that he was reading.  Unfortunately, there was a burning question that Minerva wanted to ask him and she just couldn't keep it to herself, no matter how hard she tried.  

"Why didn't you do anything when that asshole took your book?" questioned Minerva, causing Andy to stop looking at his comic book for a second.  "I know...you aren't as strong as they are...but you could have, at least, done something.  If you never stand up for yourself—"

"Then the bullying will never stop," finished Andy, smiling, already knowing what Minerva was going to say.  "Haha, you sound like my dad.  That's what he would always tell me.  That it was partly my fault that I was being bullied so much because I refused to do anything."

"Probably should have just listened to him."

Andy's smile disappeared.

"I did.  I tried...several times to stand up for myself...and all it got me was beat up far worse than when I did nothing at all.  It sounds pathetic, for sure, but I've learned that sometimes not doing anything is the strongest defense against bullies.  Especially, for someone like me, who isn't strong enough to stand up for myself.  I don't want to get beaten and humiliated, anymore, just because my dad tells me to stand up for myself and that I'm weak if I don't.  I don't care if people think I'm weak."

Andy's words made no sense to Minerva, considering that her entire life had been dedicated to making sure she was strong enough to protect herself.  Although, she couldn't argue that fighting back sometimes made things worse.  The whole reason that she had to switch schools, again, was due to her fighting back against girls making fun of her mom.  Minerva chose to not give it too much thought and to just focus on the food that was right in front of her.

"Well, I guess it's none of my business.  You do whatever you think is best."

"Haha, I appreciate that," responded Andy, cheerfully.  "I don't think I got your name.  You probably know mine, already, since Dustin said it out loud."

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Minerva debated whether or not she wanted to give this strange student her name but figured it wouldn't hurt, especially because he didn't seem like much of a threat in any way.

"Minerva...Takahashi." 

"Such a bad ass name," commented Andy, much to Minerva's embarrassment.  "Well, it's nice to meet you, Minerva.  It's actually refreshing to have someone to eat lunch next to that isn't loud and annoying."

"Y-Yeah, I might sit over here, again, tomorrow, if that's alright?  I like the peace and quiet as well."

"Of course, it's alright.  I don't mind at all.  It sounds pleasant, actually."

*

*

*

"Hey, that's a different book than you were reading, yesterday," commented Minerva at the lunch table, realizing that the cover of the comic book Andy was reading looked different.  "Did you finish the other one on your own time?"

It had been a couple of weeks since Minerva's first day of school and, every day since, she had sat in front of Andy at his lunch table.  The two, normally, sat in silence but, occasionally, they would engage in some light conversation with one another.  The bullies, who usually harassed Andy, never showed their faces as long as Minerva was sitting by him which Andy was extremely grateful for.  However, Minerva was unaware that her presence was causing him such benefit.  She merely just sat by him because she didn't find him too talkative and annoying.  

"O-Oh, uh...y-yeah, I finished it last night so I decided to bring a different one, today," said Andy, nervously.  

Minerva knew that he was lying to her since she had already seen a bruise on his right cheek that wasn't there the day before.  She was able to deduce that the bullies must have harassed him when she wasn't around and stolen his other book from him.  Even though she hated to admit it, a part of her was actually bothered by this for several reasons.  One, she couldn't understand why Andy just let the bullies constantly beat on him so much.  Two, she thought it was weird that he chose to always act like nothing happened, like that would allow him to pretend like he wasn't actually being bullied.  And three, the idea of someone as nice and harmless as Andy getting beat on made Minerva consider beating the shit out of the bullies, herself.

Shit, what the hell am I thinking? Minerva asked herself.  It's none of my concern.  Besides, if I get in a fight at this school, it'll just end with me getting expelled and then I'll just have to get lectured by my dad for the 100th time.  I don't want to deal with that shit, again.  Andy's problems are his own.  It's up to him to solve them, not me. 

"Seems like I'm not a very good liar," admitted Andy, sadly, noticing that Minerva was in deep thought.  "You don't have to worry about me...although, I do appreciate it.  You've already done more than enough for me.  Just by sitting here every day, Dustin and his friends don't come over here to mess with me during lunch.  I actually get to sit here and read in peace.  I truly can't thank you enough for that."

"I-It's not like I'm sitting here to protect your ass or anything," grumbled Minerva, who could feel herself blushing at Andy's comment.  "I just sit here...because it's less crowded."

"Still, it's kind of pathetic, the more I think about it.  Having to rely on a girl to protect me like this.  I feel like it should be the other way around.  I really do wish I could be as strong as you."

"Hm...there's more to being strong than just physical strength...sometimes...true strength is shown through doing nothing at all...that's something that my dad told me one time while we were training, together.  He mentioned there was strength in showing restraint but, to be honest, I always thought he was just talking out of his ass.  Then again, I don't know much about showing restraint."

"Your dad...wants you to show more restraint?" questioned Andy, confused.  

He had been so used to being lectured by his own father about using violence to stand up for himself, that he was shocked another parent was telling their daughter to do the opposite.  

"He just doesn't want me to get expelled, again, because of my tendency to fight," answered Minerva.  "Who knows, maybe, some of your restraint will rub off on me?"

Minerva hadn't meant much by that last comment but it meant more to Andy than she could have possibly realized.  He smiled, warmly. 

"A-And who knows...p-perhaps, some of your strength will rub off on me," he responded, sincerely.  "Haha, you know, I've just realized that the two of us are pretty polar opposite of one another.  I'm surprised we get along so well."

"Opposites attract," Minerva said to herself, recalling how her father had mentioned that was her mother's favorite phrase.  "My mom...apparently, that was her favorite saying.  Gotta wonder if there's any truth in it?"

"Well, I certainly think there is.  I feel like we're the perfect example of that."  

There was an awkward silence between the two, as neither of them knew what to say.  

"Lunch is going to be over soon," claimed Minerva, in the hopes that it would end the conversation between her and Andy, before it continued, any further.  "I better focus on eating."

Andy nodded his head in understanding and returned to reading his comic book while Minerva tried to take her mind off of the conversation the two were just having by focusing on her food.  

*

*

*

Whack!  Crack! 

Blow after blow from Dustin and his friends, left Andy on the ground, behind the school, bleeding from both sides of his face.  The weather was appropriately dark and rainy, with each raindrop landing on Andy and the others’ bodies, making their clothes and hair soaking wet.  

"Haha, you are getting bolder," praised Dustin, mockingly.  "All of this anger just because I made fun of your little girlfriend.  All I said was that it might be fun for my friends and I to start hanging out with her, a little more, that's all.  I mean...she's just as weird as you, after all.  Plus, she may seem tough but I wonder how much of that is just for show?  She is just one girl, after all...she can't take me and my boys on all at once."  

"Ahhhh!" 

Andy forced himself to get up and began swinging, wildly, at Dustin, in the hopes of, at least, landing a single punch on him.  Unfortunately, due to Andy's lack of experience fighting, none of the blows landed on Dustin.  This was the exact reason Andy hated fighting back.  It never made any difference, unlike what his dad would tell him.  It would only make things worse...so much worse.  However, this time, he wasn't fighting to stand up for himself...he was standing up for Minerva, the one person in the school, who didn't treat him poorly...who treated him...with respect...and kindness.  The last thing he wanted was for her to be tormented the same way he had been for years by Dustin and his friends.  Dustin, after chuckling to himself from how pathetic Andy's attempt at fighting back was, socked him straight in the stomach, knocking the air out of Andy and causing him to fall onto his knees.  

"So...damn...pathetic," Dustin insulted.  "Reading all of your stupid comic books must have made you think that you could play the hero role and protect your little girlfriend.  Sorry to disappoint, Andy, but this is reality.  Besides, as I've said so many fucking times, you are the furthest thing from a hero...hell, you make a better damsel in distress."

"Haha, maybe, that means his girlfriend is the hero, then?" added one of Dustin's friends, causing the group to all laugh at Andy.  

They're right, he thought to himself.  No matter how hard I try, there's no way someone as weak as me could protect Minerva.  Damn it.  I hate myself.  Why can't I just be strong enough to, at least, protect one damn person?

"I'm getting tired of this bullshit and it's getting late," claimed Dustin.  "I have to get home, before my parents start wondering where I've been.  Plus, the longer my buddies and I stay out here, the greater the odds someone sees us and getting in trouble doesn't sound too fun.  I think...one more good punch to the face should do the trick for today.  Then...we can resume, tomorrow, and, maybe, invite your little—"

Dustin was cut off by a brutal axe kick, where the tip of the assailant's shoe rammed right into the bottom of his chin and shot his head back, wickedly, as a tooth flew out of his mouth, in addition to some blood.  Dustin, dazed and confused, desperately turned around to face the assailant.  The only detail he could make out was that it was a girl with dark hair tied back in a pony tail.  The next blow that he received was an elbow strike to his jaw, that landed with so much force, that it knocked him straight onto the ground.  All his friends could do was look on in horror as Minerva stood in front of them, a cold and emotionless expression plastered on her face that was just as wet as her hair, from all of the rain.  Not knowing what else to do, another one of Dustin's friends charged her, recklessly, but the only thing he was met with was an instant chop to his throat, causing him to begin choking, gasping for air.  While he was busy choking, Minerva pushed him onto the ground, lazily, and stared, expectantly, at the remaining group of friends, who seemed too frightened to even attack Minerva.  

"F-Fuck this, the bitch is psychotic," said one of Dustin's friends as the remaining friends began to run away in fear, not wanting to feel Minerva's wrath.  

Dustin and his friend that was beaten were both able to pick themselves up, both bleeding from their mouths and began fleeing as well, without saying a word to either Minerva or Andy.  Minerva motioned like she was going to go after them but Andy put a hand on her shoulder, causing her to pause.

"D-Don't," Andy pleaded.

Minerva looked at him in confusion.

"They aren't moving fast.  I could catch up to them, easily, and—"

"No, y-you've already done enough...more than enough.  Y-Your dad...he said...he didn't want you fighting, anymore."

Minerva thought for a moment and shook her head in disagreement.

"That's not necessarily true," she responded.  "My dad...said he didn't want me to fight for the wrong reasons, anymore.  But, if he knew that I was fighting to protect someone...I think that would be a different story.  He would always mention that I should use my strength for protecting rather than hurting, after all.  I've just never really listened to him about it, before.  I just chalked it up as one of his old man ramblings.  Although, now that I really think about it, there may have been some truth to it.  So, just let me go and I'll—"

"No," interrupted Andy, still not allowing Minerva to pursue the bullies.  "I-I don't care if your dad understands.  If you get in trouble for fighting, you're going to get expelled, again...and then...you may have to leave the school, right?  I-I don't want you to go.  I...like you being here."

Minerva could see that Dustin and the rest of the bullies were getting farther and farther away while Andy held her back.  On top of that, she couldn't come to terms with what Andy was actually saying to her.  

"I-I may not be very tough," admitted Andy.  "No matter how hard I try, I don't think I'll ever be able to protect you, like I should.  A-As much as I hate to admit it, I'm the one, who needs protection.  I guess...some people just need protectors...but, at the same time, some people also, need someone to help them show restraint.  I...want to be that person for you, Minerva.  If you're going to be the one that protects me, I want to be the one to hold you back when you need me to."

Dustin and the bullies were completely out of Minerva's sight and she sighed, realizing there wasn't any way she was catching up to them, at this point.  She had heard every word that Andy had spoken to her and struggled to come up with a response of her own.  She wasn't particularly good at this kind of thing.  

"O-Okay then, that's a fair deal," finally, answered Minerva.  "I-I'll keep protecting you from assholes like that and you keep holding me back, when I need it the most."

Andy was going to say something else but found himself, speechless, looking at Minerva, who was drenched in the down-pouring rain.  In his mind, she looked...so strong...so beautiful...it was at this moment, Andy realized that he was in love with the girl standing in front of him, even though he lacked the strength to tell her this.  He decided to himself, then and there, that one day he would find the courage to tell Minerva how he truly felt about her and...that, one day, he would be strong enough to protect her.  That was the thing that he wanted, more than anything else...to be able to protect Minerva...just like one of the super heroes from his comic books because...he loved her.

 

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