Call Me Akuma

Rafael ran toward the mall with a big, excited smile on his face. He couldn't believe his father was finally going to buy him a new pair of clothes. Behind him, his father hurried to keep up, but with a limp in one leg, he struggled to catch up with his enthusiastic son. 

"Rafael, stop running!" his father called out, his voice firm but tinged with worry. "You might get lost if you go too far. Come back here!" 

Hearing the urgency in his father's voice, Rafael stopped abruptly and turned back to look at him. He froze for a moment, realizing his mistake, then quickly ran back to his father. 

"I'm sorry, Dad," Rafael said, his expression filled with guilt. "I got a little too excited." 

His father sighed, his stern voice softening slightly. "It's okay, but remember—don't wander around the mall alone, and don't do anything without asking me first. Did you hear that?" 

"Yes, Dad!" Rafael replied without hesitation; his tone full of sincerity. 

With that, the two of them walked together toward the mall's entrance, Rafael's excitement bubbling just under the surface, though now tempered by his father's words. 

At the entrance of the mall, two beautiful girls were standing by the door, greeting customers as they came in. However, when their eyes landed on Rafael and his father, their expressions shifted, filled with judgment. One of them leaned closer to the other, whispering something and stifling a giggle. The other girl smirked, her gaze sweeping over them dismissively. 

Rafael's clothes told their own story—his patched-up shorts and shirt were torn in several places, barely holding together. His father didn't fare much better, carrying a large, weathered backpack with a handheld shovel and a cooking pot dangling from it. In his left hand, he held an old fishing rod, his clothes dirty and stained from a long day of fishing. His limp, a constant reminder of his disability, added to their disheveled appearance. Neither of them looked "presentable," but that still didn't justify the unkind stares they were receiving. They looked at them as if they were street rats trying to sneak into a place they didn't belong. 

The girls didn't even bother to greet them, their silence speaking louder than any words. It was as if they were silently denying the father and son entry into the mall. One of the girls nudged the other and tilted her head toward them, her expression amused, as if they were some kind of spectacle. 

Rafael noticed their judgmental gazes, and a familiar anger began to boil within him. His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening as he glared at the girls. He had seen those looks before, the ones that dismissed him and his father as less than others. His excitement from earlier faded, replaced by simmering frustration. 

Sensing his son's growing anger, Rafael's father placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, a silent signal to keep moving. He didn't say anything, didn't acknowledge the girls' stares, and simply continued forward as though nothing was wrong. His calmness was both a lesson and a shield, one Rafael struggled to embrace. 

Rafael's hands loosened, but he couldn't stop glancing back at the girls, their judgmental eyes burning in his mind. Even as they entered the mall, he could still feel the weight of those unkind stares on his back. 

The mall was enormous, bustling with crowds of people hurrying past, their arms laden with shopping bags. Its beauty was almost overwhelming. Vibrant advertisements flickered on massive screens, and intricate decorations adorned every corner, creating an atmosphere designed to entice shoppers to spend. The air was alive with the mingling scents of freshly baked pretzels, sugary pastries, and the faint aroma of coffee. Overhead, upbeat pop music played softly, adding to the lively ambiance. 

Rafael's earlier anger melted away as he took in the luxurious surroundings. For him, visiting the mall was a rare treat—he could count the number of times he'd been here on one hand. But today was different. Today, he wasn't just here to wander and admire. He was here to buy something, to experience what it felt like to shop like everyone else. 

Pointing to a store in the distance, his father said, "I think that's the clothing store—look over there." 

They made their way toward the store, but upon arrival, they discovered it had been relocated to a different part of the mall. His father sighed and walked over to the mall map, scanning it carefully. After a moment, he said, "There it is. It's on the second floor, all the way in the back corner." 

Together, they headed toward the escalator. Rafael's face lit up with joy as he bounced alongside his father. His father, watching his son's excitement, couldn't help but feel a quiet happiness of his own. 

When they reached the second floor, Rafael turned to his father with pleading eyes, a silent request. His father sighed, but there was a faint smile on his face as he said, "Only once." 

Hearing this, Rafael grinned from ear to ear and quickly dashed back down the escalator, only to ride it up again. The escalator was one of Rafael's favorite parts of the mall, and every time he came here, he made sure to ride it at least twice. 

As Rafael and his father made their way toward the clothing store, they passed by the Time Out Arcade. Rafael's eyes widened in awe as the neon lights and rows of arcade machines came into view through the store window. The flashing screens and colorful displays seemed to call out to him. He recognized the games instantly—Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Asteroids, and Space Invaders. These were the games his classmates at school often bragged about, their excited voices describing how much fun they had. Rafael had always felt a pang of envy, wishing he could join in their stories. 

Now, standing before the arcade, that longing surged through him. His fingers twitched with anticipation, and he took an unconscious step closer, his breath catching in his throat. He desperately wanted to step inside, to play even one of those games he'd heard so much about. But he knew better. They were poor, and his father wouldn't spare money for something as frivolous as arcade games. Taking a deep breath, Rafael tried to suppress his excitement, forcing himself to focus on their original goal. 

His father, however, had noticed everything—the way Rafael's face lit up at the sight of the arcade, followed by the shadow of disappointment that quickly replaced it. After a brief pause, his father reached into his pocket, pulled out a single dollar bill, and handed it to Rafael. 

"Here's $1.00. Go play some arcade games," his father said, his voice calm yet warm. 

Rafael froze, his eyes darting between the dollar in his father's hand and his face. He was sure he'd misheard. This couldn't be real. 

"Dad, are you really giving me money to play arcade games?" he asked hesitantly, his voice tinged with disbelief. 

His father smiled and nodded. "Yes, I am. Now take the money and go. But listen carefully—stay in the arcade until I come back from buying your clothes. Don't wander outside the store. Got it?" 

The words took a moment to sink in, but when they did, Rafael's heart swelled with joy. He jumped up and down, grinning from ear to ear. 

"Yes, Dad! I heard you loud and clear!" he exclaimed. 

Grabbing the dollar, he hesitated for a moment, looking at his father. He understood the sacrifice that the dollar represented. "Thank you, Dad. I promise I'll stay put," he said, his voice soft with gratitude. 

With that, he hurriedly ran into the Time Out Arcade, his excitement bubbling over as he prepared to finally experience what he had only dreamed about. 

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Also, Beggar King has left a few pop culture references and memes. If you find them, comment, and Beggar King will give you a like. 

If we reach 100 stones, I'll reward you all with a bonus chapter!