Chapter 26: 5

“Shapes of Things”

After that, I went back to Bristol…while leaving Boudicia in London. Since I caused JF a lot of worries, I went straight to the Bearpit, who was relieved when he heard that Boudicia was safe.

“Why’d she stay in London? That makes no sense!”

“Honestly, I don’t really get it myself.”

“If you don’t get it, then who else will!”

“Maybe she doesn’t really understand it herself, either.”

“What does that even mean…”

Since we just went in circles like that, I gave up and shrugged. Of course, the news already began reporting on the legal wall placed at the Caroline Circus. And no doubt, Sugar will know about it, too. That’s why…the final match will be held at the legal wall.

“Yoshi…The Ghost will come, right?”

“Um…Probably…”

JF was clearly worried, but I couldn’t dispel that worry, either. I remembered our conversation yesterday. I do believe Boudicia…But, there are too many things I don’t know. And it’s all because she didn’t tell me.

“It’s not that I don’t trust her, but…the what-if, y’know? What if she doesn’t come?”

“That’s…”

“You should know, right? If we can’t beat them now, we’re all over.”

“Maybe I could play the guitar to distract them?”

“Hey now, take this seriously.”

I tried to play the stupid guy in this slap-stick comedy to ease the mood, but yet again, I was reminded of the fact that I was powerless.

“We need a plan B. Anybody got something to draw?”

JF turned towards the crew, but no response came. As you would expect, since writing there meant shouldering the fate of Bristol. Is there really any writer who would take that upon themselves?

“Right…Guess I’ll have to…”

“Oh dear. It seems you’ve gotten a lot more confident in the time I have been gone.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice filled the Bearpit. And it was the voice we all wanted to hear the most right now.

“Captain!”

Everyone turned around in joy to look at their leader…But at the same time, they froze up. Lara was the same as always. Her bluish-green hair, her straightforward and reliable attitude…But, two things were different. First, the black eyepatch she wore over her eyes…as well as the white gips covering her arm.

“I’m sorry it took me so long.”

“Captain, is that…”

“Honestly, I would have loved to take a longer vacation. But since I was doing fine, the NHS kicked me out. Though, I bet they’re just busy.” Lara waved at us with her normal left hand, as she spoke with a light tone.

“How is Peni-san doing?”

Her expression changed for a moment and grew cloudy, but she gave a cheerful report.

“He still hasn’t gotten up, but his recovery is just a matter of time from what they said. It’s thanks to you, Yoshi.”

“…No, I’m just glad he’s doing fine. But, Lara-san…”

“Captain, can you…hold a spray can?”

The one who asked instead of me was JF. Needless to say, the other writers were curious about this, too, so it was a matter of time until someone asked this.

“I swear, you worry too much. Look.” Lara said nonchalantly and took out a spray can from her bag, beginning to write on the wall.

The familiar sound of it was fine-tuned in her rhythm, as her trademark beryl-green color filled the wall.

“One eye for one hand. Like a true Captain, no?”

The people in the crew got together and laughed in relief. However, something didn’t sit right with me. The graffiti itself was a simple slow-up, but during the later half of her work, I could faintly hear the spray shake. If one wasn’t involved in music, it may be impossible to pick up on this difference. Maybe it was just my imagination, too, but…

“But…I’m sorry, everyone. I couldn’t protect Peni…Or even Bristol.” Lara muttered with a hurt expression.

The other members of the crew also looked down.

“Well, Captain. I should be the one to apologize. I should have gone with you and Peni.”

Lara simply smiled, closing the eye that wasn’t covered by the badge.

“Thank you…But, I see this as a reward.”

Hearing a different voice from Lara they were used to, the whole crew went silent.

“I always believed that graffiti is something beautiful. That graffiti can make this city flourish. But, that wasn’t the case.”

“Captain…”

JF tightly closed his eyes.

“Of course, this might be Sugar’s fault. But without graffiti, this whole invasion wouldn’t have happened. We’re one spark that lit this fire. And I have the responsibility to carry. The sin to bear…So, this is my punishment.”

A long silence followed. Painfully long, so. Nobody said a word, and there was no sound. It’s like we were at the center of the storm. But finally, waves continued to spread.

“Captain, I can’t accept this.”

“JF…”

And this wave grew.

“I thought of quitting graffiti once. But, Captain, you told me to come back. Needless to say, I was really happy. But…”

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JF turned his back toward Lara. He then picked up the spray can next to him, and began writing on the wall. And not just any wall, he overwrote Lara’s own graffiti. His spray turned into a wave that swallowed Lara’s graffiti whole.

“I didn’t come back here because you told me to. I didn’t continue because you told me to. It’s because you’re so damn cool…and because I wanted to be like you one day. That’s why I chose to continue writing.” He stopped his hand and then said: “But Captain, let me be honest. You’re done for.”

It felt like a tsunami crashed into the beach.

“JF…Who do you take me for?” She stomped on the ground, creating a loud bang inside the Bearpit.

“Nobody at all. Peni risked his life to protect you. What do you think that was for?”

“That’s…”

“The battle at the legal wall has the fate of all of Bristol resting on its shoulders. I can’t leave this town to someone who cries like that.” JF turned toward Lara. “Captain…No, Lara. I’m done chasing after you. It’s time for me to become you. So, give me the seat of the captain of Queen Bear’s Revenge.”

An eerie atmosphere reigned within the Bearpit. Normally, nobody would have paid any attention to JF’s words. However, he was determined. And the graffiti behind him spoke for itself. The beryl-green sea that Lara created was swallowed whole by JF’s blue tsunami. And the written letters JF in the center stood out, especially with the gold color. It was a bold graffiti that depreciated dedication and determination.

“This graffiti…You’ve grown, JF.”

“I didn’t waste my time just making coffee and recording songs, okay.”

The two glared at each other. It felt like this time continued forever. Finally, Lara glanced at me. She seemed relieved like a heavy weight was taken from her.

“…Very well. You can have it. From now on, you’ll be the captain.”

The crew whispered amongst themselves.

“However, if I think you’re doing a nasty job, I’ll kick your ass. Got it?”

“That’s exactly what I like to hear.”

“Everyone, are you okay with that, too?”

The crew was bewildered for a moment. However, they had to accept the facts. There was no guarantee that the Ghost would come, and their Captain had a broken wrist. The final battle between them and London approached. And, JF’s graffiti depicted strong determination. At first, it was only one of them who tipped JF on the shoulder to cheer him on. Then another followed, and even more came up until the whole crew accepted it.

“Thanks, everyone. And with that decision done, it’s time to get to work. I still have to practice my own graffiti, and we have to spread Queen Bear Revenge’s work. So for starters…” JF began giving out orders, observed by Lala and me.

“Lara-san.”

“Hm? What’s up, Yoshi?”

“Are you sure about this?”

“Yeah.” Lara laughed without much hesitation. “I knew this day would come eventually.”

“Aren’t you…sad?” I asked.

She’s been thinking about Bristol this whole time. She wanted to protect the graffiti of this town. And yet, she gave the seat of the Captain to JF this nonchalantly. Of course, I understand that her arm is a big point of concern. However, it didn’t seem like that would be the biggest problem for her.

“That’s true. Well, I can’t say I’m too happy about this, but it’s a fact that I’ve gotten weaker. Not to mention…”

“Yes?”

“…JF wanted to quit graffiti at some point, and yet he went this far. That just made me happy more than anything.” Lara looked away from me, glancing at JF.

His curled-up back was straight, emitting confidence.

“Well, I’ve got my own idea about this, so it’s fine,” Lara said and closed her eye.

Or actually, it was a wink, but because of the eyepatch, I couldn’t tell at first.

“More importantly, Yoshi…Will Boo be okay?”

“About that…”

Since she was hospitalized this entire time, she didn’t know the details of what happened. So, I explained everything. Except for the fact that I confessed my feelings because I was too embarrassed to do so.

“What should I do? Boo-san didn’t say a thing, and I don’t know where she is right now.”

“I think it’s fine even if you don’t do a thing.”

“Huh?”

Since she said so without hesitation, I was bewildered.

“I mean, Boo didn’t say a word, right? That means you don’t have to know.”

“But…”

“Don’t you have faith in her?”

“Ugh…”

I couldn’t argue against that. No argument in my mind could come out on top. Because deep down, I realized that Lara was right.

“Geez, pull yourself together. Don’t you remember what Boo said? You’re part of Bristol now.” She hammered her right arm and the cast onto my back, only to groan. “Ouch!”

“You’re one to talk. What if your fracture doesn’t heal?”

“Then that’ll be it. I’ll put it up to luck.”

“Don’t go inviting any bad luck, please.”

“Luck is something you grasp yourself,” she said and put one hand on her hip. “Some things are out of your control. Even if you wish for it, there’s no guarantee it’ll end up in your hands. Even if you act like a saint, good karma won’t always support you. But, I still don’t wanna give up. That’s why I’m searching for the best possible method. And surely, Boo is the same. She won’t give up this easily. On graffiti…as well as you.”

Hearing that, I gasped. Lara definitely has gotten weaker, just as JF said. However, even stronger than before, she believed. In everyone other than herself. In JF, the crew, graffiti, as well as all the people living in this town. That’s why she believes that everything will work out.

“How can you hold such profound faith, Lara-san?”

“Isn’t that obvious? Boo is the writer I love more than anybody else.”

I realized that I could never beat Lara. And at the same time, I was jealous of her. Believing in someone…can be so simple, yet so complicated at the same time. In my mind, I could see Boudicia’s golden hair, illuminated by the sun. At the same time, Lara’s beryl-green hair shone like the sea on a sunny day.

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