"I joined to become one," Mikado says, very earnestly. He straightens a little, and reaches up to touch one hand to bandage on his forehead.

"I know a lot of people aren't going to think much of me, but if I'm going to beat up, I'd rather do it trying to fight back than lying on the ground crying."

Not that he had exactly laid down and cried, but he had certainly cried afterward. And then moved to change the situation. But neither of the gangs were here to help him, so all he could do was make himself stronger.