Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Warmer than Fire

Chapter 38:

Warmer than Fire

Julius followed me out the moment I made my way towards the door. Peeling himself away from the admirers as he kept stride with me. A pleased smile on my face, I held the gifts close to me. They were all wrapped and in their own little boxes within a bag.

I hoped that Yuriko and Cecelia would like it, but more than that I hoped that Julius would like his. As I looked to him, all I received was a cold glance before he looked away. The snow underfoot the only sound between us.

"H-Hey!" A young voice called out in distress, "Let go!"

The voices came from a side-street as we were walking past. Looking, I saw two children struggling with three men. Their faces full of ill-intent. With malicious smiles they were trying to take a bag from the children. Inside was a box as if for a cake.

"G-Give it back!" They shouted in unison.

"Come on, two kids like you?" The one trying to grab it sneered, "You can't possibly eat all that by yourself. Share with your big brothers."

Stopping in my tracks, my heart tore at itself. "In broad daylight..." Looking around, there were people walking by, pretending not to hear anything. Even as the children looked on for help, people ignored it. They were a boy and a girl. Bundled in winter clothing that looked worn and possibly handed down.

"They're not well off..." I furrowed my brow, noticing that even Julius had continued walking, completely ignoring the children, "Really? He stepped in at school..."

"No!" The boy shouted, "We saved up everything to get this! It's our baby brother's birthday!"

Looking down at the things I held in my hands, I could sympathize. I knew what that was like. "These kids...they need help, but..." Looking up, I knew I was no match for the three of them.

"Stop being stubborn..." The man grew angry, pulling the bag quickly.

Unable to stay silent, I just reacted.

"Hey!" I shouted angrily.

"Huh?" Scowling, he glanced towards me.

That's when the girl saw her shot. Helping the boy, she headbutt them in the stomach trying to get him to let go of the bag. Unfortunately, the bag gave way. The handle breaking as the box was sent flying. I watched in horror as the box smashed apart along with the cake.

As they turned their attention back to the kids in anger, I simply acted. Fueled by anger and flashes of my own past. Before they took even a single step towards them, I was in the air. I forgot the last time I moved like this. It had been years since I felt so furious.

"Leave them the fuck alone!" I found my fist connecting with the closest one's face.

My entire weight behind the punch as I came down into them. The impact sending them reeling back into the others. My fist ached, trembling as I stood before the kids protectively. "I'll be damned if I just sit by..."

"You..." The one I hit muttered, spitting out a bit of blood, "You'll pay for that."

That's when I saw it. The blades glinting in the light. Clenching my teeth, I prepared myself.

"Once we're done with you, we'll-" They never had the chance to say another word.

"He said..." A familiar, cold voice intoned, "Leave them alone."

A flurry of snow arose as a gust of wind blew by. Only, it wasn't the wind, but Julius. His fist connecting with several times the force I could ever muster. That familiar crimson spray colored the winter landscaped. My eyes wide in shock.

"He didn't leave..." I felt relieved now that Julius was there. Something in the way he fought was different from his sisters. He was definitely a boxer. He moved in and out of strikes with ease. His punches landing hard and fast.

Turning towards the kids, I knelt down before them with a gentle smile. I did my best to shield them from the violence behind me.

"Hey...are you two alright?" I asked genuinely.

"Y-Yeah...I think," The girl replied, putting on a brave face, "But my brother...I think he hurt his ankle."

Just as she said, the boy was holding his ankle in pain.

"Can I take a look?" Motioning towards his foot, I waited for him to nod.

As he did, I took it gently in my hands. Putting some pressure in areas and asking if it hurt. A few times he winced, but he was able to still move it. As I examined him, I began to ask them a few questions, trying to distract them and learn a bit more. The story was even sadder than I first realized.

They had saved up what little money they could to be able to afford the cake. The boy was 10 and the girl was 11. Their baby brother was just turning 6. He had been sick lately and was finally out of the hospital. With my heartstrings tugged, I immediately had to help them. I had the ability to do so.

"Where did you get that cake?" I asked them, trying to ignore the painful sounds behind me.

"That shop over there," The boy motioned to a store across the street.

Looking, I saw a clean looking building. A confectionery that displayed sweets, cakes, and other treats in their windows.

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"But...all our money is gone and..." They both grew sad at their words.

"Don't worry," I placed my hands on both their heads, "We'll get your little brother that cake."

The sounds behind me were finally quiet. Footsteps approached from behind as Julius knelt beside me. The kid's eyes filled with fear and uncertainty, and I couldn't blame them. Holding out his closed hand, they flinched. However, as he opened his hand, their eyes changed to apprehension.

Two candies sat in the palm of his hand.

"Here," He offered, taking their hands and placing one in each.

Looking at each other, they cautiously unwrapped their candies. Nodding to each other, they closed their eyes and placed the sweet into their mouths. The moment they did, their eyes opened wide as their expression changed.

"So sweet!" They exclaimed happily, sucking on them in delight.

I watched Julius, because the wheels that started turning earlier today were finally coming to a conclusion. There was a warmth beneath that cold exterior. I was sure of it but wanted to test it. I had to confirm my theory.

As we escorted the kids to the candy story, I helped the boy along until he could walk on his own. Their eyes were wide with delight as we picked up another cake. This delight turned to overwhelming emotion as we also got several other treats for them and their family to share. We left with several bags of baked goods.

With their help directing us, we made our way back to their home. Though they looked at Julius with wariness, their parents were grateful for their safe return. As they returned inside, Julius and I were left alone again. It was time to test my theory, to confirm it.

"Hey," I called to him quietly, "You know...you and Cecelia are the same."

"Excuse me?" His words were cold, but I ignored them.

Motioning to his face, he recoiled a bit.

"You should really learn to wipe the blood off you," I clicked my tongue in admonishment, "Both you and Cecelia are so messy..."

There was an awkward silence as he wiped the little bit of blood splatter off of his face.

"...So that's why..." I heard him mutter, his brow furrowing as he looked away.

"Speaking of your sisters," I continued, "Did you help me because of them? Same with the children?"

"I don't know what you mean," He answered coolly.

"Like...where the hell did you get those candies?" I inquired, rather puzzled, "I had no idea you had those on you."

"...Yuriko likes sweets," Julius responded, trying to play it off.

"I see..." Looking up at him, I was sure of it now, "So...You're a Tsundere."

Immediately, his face grew red, and a smile spread across my face. "Theory confirmed."

"W-What!?" Quickly looking at me, it was the first time I ever saw him so flustered, "That's not...!"

"Sure, sure," I laughed lightly, waving my hand dismissively.

As he composed himself, we began to walk away, but not more than a few steps I felt my heart easing a bit. Stopping, I had to say something.

"Julius..." Turning to look at him, I gave him a warm smile, "Thank you for your help today. My hand is killing me."

Blushing, flustered once more he shrugged it off as no big deal.

"I just helped the kids..." He mumbled, but I saw his eyes take in my hand, "You should get that checked."

"...I will," I nodded, ignoring the throbbing as I turned to walk away.

Everything finally making sense. The things Yuriko said to me about him, as well as all his actions today. He wasn't afraid of his sisters being upset, not entirely. He hid behind his cold exterior, afraid of showing what he felt. Behind that ice sheet of an exterior was a warmth.

He acted on impulse, even as he tried to make excuses. From making sure I ate, to ensuring my safety. Keeping pace with me and dissuading all the bad looks from others. He cared, but didn't show it properly. "Definitely a tsundere." I was amused the rest of the day with that thought.

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