Any Given Afternoon #03: Rally

Anna Liu was used to pushback. She was the head of Downtown High’s Teens for Change committee, after all. She had dealt with all forms of talking behind her back, yelling in her face, slurs, and threats against her and her family. Each time she was faced with such adversity, she never so much as flinched. If she faltered, that would just give more reason for those on the fence to side with the ones who wanted to hang minorities rather than see a minor change in the world.

Yet there were still some blows even she couldn’t take without needing a private moment. Usually these were from those within the group claiming she was being too inclusive. Racial minorities who didn’t like queer people. Gay people who thought being trans was a bit too far out. Pointless infighting that only served the ones who wanted them all dead.

This was the first time her ideology was attacked for not being inclusive enough.

“Look at this!” Anna shouted in the club’s meeting room, shoving a flier in Prish’s face. 

ALL LOVE IS LOVE, the flier read. THE TEENS FOR CHANGE MAY NOT ACCEPT ALL FORMS OF LOVE AND TYPES OF HUMANITY, BUT OUR GREAT NEW GROUP DOES.

“What could they mean?” Anna continued. “We accept everyone!”

“What about Bantam?” Prish asked.

“Prish, we can’t go humoring everyone who’s obviously saying stuff in bad faith. He wanted us to protest for the right to marry a Pokéloid character.” Anna closed her eyes and leaned back in her seat. “Whatever we’ve been missing, we’ve gotta make up for. That flier says there’s gonna be a meeting in the park today. Let’s go and talk to the organizer and see what we can do to improve.”

So the two arrived in the park after school, where a small crowd had gathered around the stage area. Some people smiled at Anna while others glared, obviously here for something new to harass her over. Still, despite whatever their motivation brought them here, it was a decent sized showing.

And then everyone left because Bantam walked on stage.

Anna cupped her face in her palm. “God. Damnit.”

“Oh come on,” Prish said. “Maybe he has something to say. He must be passionate about this if he’s holding an entire rally for it. What’s that quote again? ‘The loudest roar begins with the tiniest squeak.’ This could be the start of something big!”

Despite herself and the direct eye contact Bantam was making with her, Anna stayed.

“Anna,” Bantam said, “I see you’re here to rectify your sins.”

“Just say your piece already.”

“Fine. I’ll get straight to the point. You have denied the notion that a man can truly love with a fictional character. However, I pose the idea that all love is merely misfirings of brain chemicals. Thus, how is love between a man and his woman or between two hot chicks more valid than love between a man and his waifu? We fall in love with them for who they are, at the end of the day. And as we bravely forge into a future of A.I. technology, these characters can truly come to life. Widespread love between man and machine is only inevitable, especially as machine cannot reject you and display such cruelty as females can.”

This would be an interesting discussion if it was coming from literally anybody else. Instead, all Anna could think about was one more question. “And what character have you fallen in love with?”

“Rin Hado. Only the most beautiful, loving, optimistic member of the--”

“She’s twelve.” Anna said, looking at her phone. “According to the Pokéloid wiki, At the age of twelve, Rin Hado is the youngest member of OngakuFes.”

“Oh, she plays the triangle!” Prish said, reading over Anna’s shoulder. “That’s adorable!”

“Exactly!” Bantam shouted, clutching a hand to his heart. “She’s the cutest girl in all of Nippon. Don’t you just want to lose yourself in her embrace?”

“I more of want to give her some milk and cookies and tuck her in bed. Maybe give her a forehead kiss so she knows she’s loved.”

Bantam shook his head in disappointment. “Why not a kiss on the lips?”

Prish continued to smile as she turned to Anna, or at least where she once was, as Anna was already halfway to the park’s exit. Without a goodbye, Prish hurried after her.