retrospec | ayano's theory of bruises

ayano's theory of bruises - 9/19, 4:15PM

Ummmm

Is there anyone on here who’s like...good at make up that can help me...Like one of those instagram models or something...

I was clumsy enough to give myself a black eye, and I need to hide it from my parents so they don’t freak out or get the wrong idea…

[A picture of Ayano follows, purple and black underline her left eye--thankfully not particularly swollen. Even so, whatever she smashed into must have smashed into her pretty hard. She wears a weak, sheepish smile on her face despite the heavy bruise. If it weren't there, this would be a perfectly good Facebook profile picture, in fact.]

It’s not that bad, right? Silly me...
Maybe I should just do the emo hair thing...?

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I can't promise that.
It might be assault and battery.

What were you doing? Who was it?

it's not his fault, I made him do it...I provoked him and basically asked for it...

I don't want him to get in trouble or expelled...or make a big deal of it and have everyone looking at me as the girl that got beat up because she was stupid...

No, you didn't "make" him do anything.
The only person responsible is the person who acted.

What were you saying that provoked him?

we were having an argument, he kept saying how awful he was, and I didn't think so, so I said...if you're so bad, then hit me, hit me as hard as you can and prove it!

I didn't...think he'd really strike me the way he did...
It was really, really painful and now everything is gonna be all messed up because of what I made him do...

Ah. Hm.
That does complicate things.
While verbal provocation generally does not excuse battery, explicitly telling him to do so...

...I'll have to look this up in the laws. That's an interesting gray area.

...even according to the law it might be my fault.

I'm so dumb...

Do you like...know a lot about laws and stuff, Naoto?

No, I don't think it would be your fault in the slightest.
But legally speaking, a court might be more inclined to find that it wasn't entirely his.
Certainly more so than if he'd just gotten angry at something else you said.

My father and grandfather were detectives. I hope to follow someday.

oh! Like a P.I...no wonder I couldn't hide it from you...That's really impressive...Um...

Well, I don't want to get him in trouble, anyway, so...Maybe it's for the best? Maybe I should just...wait. And things might go back to normal...

He's still in high school, like us, so...

That said, mitigating circumstances do not completely absolve someone of blame.
It's possible that his willingness to hit you so easily does reflect an aggressive mindset.

You really should report it.

[There's a long delay between the previous text and the next one--maybe she was indisposed for a bit? She was certainly doing something all that time, enough to change her demeanor a bit.]

hey. sorry.

I'm being pretty stupid after all...you're right, naoto. I should tell someone before things get worse with him

Um

can you help me?

[The change in her tone is pretty striking, actually.]

Of course.
What do you need?

i know that this is a lot to ask for someone you probably don't even really know or care too much about but

can you help me come forward about this, somehow...

I dont really know how, and I'm too scared to do it all by myself...
You seem like you know this sort of stuff so...please?

I'll help in any way I can.
Do you want to go to the police? I work with them fairly often so I'd be happy to accompany you.

I could take the information down but they'd probably insist on talking to you.

You work with the police...?

[A high schooler?]

But, I'd really like it if you came with me to the Police Station...
I think...if I had someone like you with me, I could definitely handle it. I think.

It's scary but...

Yes. As I said, my family has long connections with the police. It's something of a work study.

I'll of course accompany you. You don't need to be frightened.

would it be okay with you if we did it as soon as possible?

I'm scared of what might happen to malik or what he might do if he isn't...dealt with

And...i need to make sure i still have the

Um

Evidence

I'll clear my schedule right away.

...thank you so much for this, naoto

[~*~*~Her Hero~*~*~]

There's no need to thank me.
I'm doing what anyone who cares about justice would.

And as you insisted the other day, we are friends.

Where should I meet you?

i'm still by school, but i can head towards the TT by myself and meet you by the Volunteer place? And we can walk to the station together?

That works. I'll need to stop by my apartment but I can be there in twenty minutes.

[She's getting her dog! She figures that Kanji will make it easier for Ayano. He's a very friendly good boy.]

roger that! I'll see you there

I uh...stick out atm...

thanks again

[Ayano will be waiting at the steps in front of the volunteer center, relieved to have made it there before Naoto. She takes out her phone to reexamine her eye. Yep, still awful. She'll be looking out for Naoto, and raising an eyebrow at the unexpected pupper.]

[Naoto is walking, or more accurately being pulled by, her big friendly shepherd mix. Kanji, when he sees Ayano, is probably going to try to nuzzle into her hand.

He senses something is wrong.] I thought, uh, you might feel more comfortable with him along. He's quite a good guard dog.

[A little sigh.] ...save his tendency to be affectionate towards anyone he meets.

[Ayano can't help but chuckle a bit as Naoto approaches with the dog. Naoto following quip makes her laugh a little bit louder as she's happy to pet Kanji for a bit, before turning up to Naoto. There's an immense gratefulness is the way that she smiles, here.]

He's sweet. Dogs are supposed to take after their owners, right? [Petpet. The police boy and his dog. It's really quite cute.]

I bet he's just a good judge of character...[Ayano rises up to her feet, gently brushing her bangs out of her face, a touch embarassed as the black eye is better revealed to Naoto.]

...Pretty bad, huh?

I've heard that, yes. Given that he's only been with me for a few months, though, I can't really take much credit for it.

[Kanji keeps nuzzling into the pets. He likes pets. Naoto, though, frowns as she sees the black eye.] It looks like it hurts.

"Malik," was it? That was the name you mentioned over text. What's your relation to him?

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