The alley's shadows stretched long and dark, swallowing what little light the flickering neon signs offered. Law leaned against the damp brick wall, breath shallow, blood trickling from his lips. His body was battered, but his mind was still racing from the fight. His grip on the paper bag was loose now.
A few paces away, the smaller man watched him with an unreadable expression. The cocky grin had faded, replaced with a quiet seriousness. His eyes flicked over Law's battered form, then he finally spoke.
"You're tough, kid," he said softly, breaking the silence. "Most wouldn't have kept fighting after that beating."
Law looked away, eyes narrowing. "Who… who are you? Why are you helping me?"
The man shrugged, leaning casually against the wall. "Name's Riko. Riko Takeda. I used to be a fighter, back in the day. Ran in the underground circuits. Saw a lot of fights, won a few, lost a lot more. Life's a lot like a fight, sometimes you get knocked down, sometimes you get back up, sometimes you gotta cheat to stay in the game. That's why I'm here. I see something in you."
Law's gaze sharpened. "You see what? I don't need anyone. I don't want anyone's help."
Riko's grin returned, but it was colder now. "Yeah, I figured you'd say that. But I see the fire in you. That rage. You're angry at the world, I get it. You have a quiet, heavy rage for someone so young. I've been through a lot too, a lot of things that have left a lot of scars,makes you want to fight, makes you want to tear everything apart."
Law clenched his fists. "I don't want to fight. I hate this whole damn thing. It took my parents, killed them. How can I love something that does that?"
Riko nodded slowly, eyes distant for a moment. "I get it. You're angry at the world, and fighting's just a way to channel that anger. But anger's a double-edged sword. If you don't learn to control it, it'll swallow you whole. I've seen fighters like that, they end up broken, dead, or worse."
Law looked at him, suspicion shadowing his eyes. "And what, you think you can teach me to control my anger? You think I can just walk away from all this?"
Riko stepped closer, voice lowered but firm. "No, kid. I'm not here to tell you to walk away. I'm here to show you how to use that fire, how to turn it into something stronger. You want revenge? Use it. You want to survive? Learn how to be smart about it. That's what fighters do, they adapt. They don't just punch harder, they think smarter."
Law hesitated, the rage simmering beneath his skin. "And what makes you think I can learn from you?"
Riko smirked, eyes gleaming. "Because I've been where you are. I've been lost, angry, desperate. I've been knocked down so many times I lost count. But I kept getting up. That's what makes a fighter, someone who refuses to stay down."
Law looked away, struggling with the words. "I don't want to be like you. I just want to get out of this mess."
Riko's expression softened, a hint of genuine empathy in his voice. "You don't have to be like me. You just gotta be better than what's holding you back. You want a different life? Fight for it. Not just with fists, but with your mind. That's the real power. You got it in you, more than most. But it's up to you whether you want to use it."
A long silence stretched between them. Law's breathing was ragged, but a flicker of something, hope? Maybe determination began to ignite in his eyes.
"Why do you care?" Law finally asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Riko looked at him, a faint smile curling his lips. "Because I see a kid who's been knocked down by life, but still has that spark. I've seen too many kids like you, lost and angry, wasting their lives in this city's gutters. I want to give you a choice, stay angry, stay lost, or learn how to fight smarter and live better."
Law looked down at his battered fists, then back at Riko. "And if I say no?"
Riko shrugged. "Then you keep doing what you're doing, getting into fights, risking your life, fighting to survive. But if you want out, if you're tired of this cycle… I can show you a different way."
The words hung heavy in the air. Law's mind was a whirlwind, conflicting emotions battling inside him. Part of him wanted to run, to hide from the pain, the loss, the anger. But another part, something deeper, wanted to fight for a different life, a life beyond the streets and violence.
Finally, Law broke the silence, voice trembling but resolute. "Alright… I'll listen. I don't know if I can change overnight, but… I want to try."
Riko's grin returned, broader this time, with a glint of pride. "Good. That's the first step. And I'll be here to guide you, if you're willing to take it."
He extended his hand towards Law with a genuine look in his eyes. "Welcome to the shadows, kid. Let's see if you've got what it takes to walk through them."
Law hesitated for a moment, then reached out and clasped Riko's hand. In that silent moment, a new chapter began, one of shadows, struggle, and the faint hope of something better.