Private Opinion

***Private Opinion*** is a prequel side story occurring before the events of **Banana Fish**.

## Summary

The story of how Ash and Blanca first met.

## Story

As Ash and Eiji are talking in the distance, an unknown figure watching them silently narrates how he did not at first recognize Ash as he has grown quite a bit since he had last seen him and that his facial expressions were much more rich in emotions in a way the person was not familiar with. The way that the teen was happily enjoying himself at the moment suddenly senses he was being watched has made the figure see the "old" Ash he knew.

Several years earlier, Golzine has called for Blanca, a highly trained soldier that he hopes will train Golzine's young ward but suspects that Blanca will reject the offer; especially since the teen in question is only fourteen years old. Golzine decides to introduce Blanca to his potential student first. As they walk, the recently hired math tutor runs out in front of them and right away begins making the claim that he had been lured in by his student.

The men enter the gazebo where they find a partially clothed Ash. Blanca right away is disturbed at the sight and tries to check on the teen but is warned not to touch him regardless of the situation. Golzine walks up and right away slaps Ash several times while scolding him about his unkept appearance. After giving the order to fire the tutor and telling Ash to clean-up, he sets a meeting to take place in the garden house.

Golzine and Blanca talk as they wait for Ash, with Golzine admitting this was only one of five times that Ash has been found in such a state and every teacher claiming that Ash had asked for such attention from them. Golzine then admits to Blanca that Ash had been "goods" offered to him at one of his clubs and his appearance had drawn attention from high class and powerful personnel. While Golzine found Ash's appearance to be beneficial in some ways, his behavior was quite problematic. However, he is aware that the teacher's accusations are most likely partial truths.

Blanca continues to ask why it is Golzine wants him to oversee Ash's training. The mafia boss reveals that he's had Ash tested on his intelligence on two different occasions and both times proved his I.Q. to be above 180. Wanting to capitalize on how smart Ash is while he's still so young, Golzine wants Blanca to assess Ash with his own eyes and "raise" him with his own knowledge and experience. Despite Golzine thinking so highly of him, Blanca feels that he is not suitable to be a teacher since he sees himself as a simple murderer. With Golzine bringing up Blanca's own past of being picked for intelligence and combat, he states he will give the man time to think things over.

Blanca begins to think things over when he spots Ash lying on the grass after appearing to have purposely skipped the meeting. He points out that he is aware Ash is not asleep and sits next to the curious teen. When Ash seems uninterested in Blanca's introduction, the former KGB soldier asks about some of Ash's favorite subjects and if he is interested in baseball. To Blanca's surprise, Ash states he hates baseball. The teen then states Blanca should leave him be if he is not after anything in particular. Blanca apologizes and starts to leave when he reveals he's picked up the faint Northern Irish accent Ash speaks with.

Later, Blanca is doing research on Ash's family and learns of Ash killing his assailant when he was eight years old. His concentration is broken when he notices Ash standing in the doorway. When Blanca points out his faint Irish accent, the teen explains that his father is a second-generation Irish immigrant and asks to know how Blanca knew this and why Golzine called for him.

When Blanca suddenly grabs his arm, Ash violently pulls away and demands to know why the older man grabbed him. Blanca opens his hand and shows a squashed mosquito that he killed when it landed on Ash. Noticing how Ash's anxiousness has increased to the point his breathing has become difficult, Blanca tries to check if he is alright, but Ash keeps clear of his reach and runs off.

Now more curious than ever, Blanca returns to his research and learns the actions of Ash's little league coach. Taking that information and adding it to Ash's behavior around adult men and hatred of baseball, he draws his conclusions as to what Ash has been through.

The next day, Blanca is sitting alone when he hears Ash struggling against someone. He quickly locates Ash who is being cornered by Marvin Crosby. When Blanca interrupts, Ash takes the chance to get away. With the situation dealt with, Blanca discovers that Ash's intelligence is a truly splendid gift as he is able to match intellect with the tutors who are experts in their respective areas. Blanca begins to study Ash in the city where he notices that other teens submit to Ash for various reasons, but that Ash's beauty also makes him a target to others.

He watches as a group of older men attempt to drag Ash away but the fourteen-year-old is able to fight them off which impresses Blanca despite Ash's basic fighting skills. He takes note how Ash uses his frail appearance to get others to lower their guard which makes it more advantageous to him, especially when he is able to shoot someone without the slightest hint of hesitation.

However, Blanca notices Ash's expression change to genuine fear when Marvin appears and escorts Ash away. After a while, Blanca spots Marvin leaving and is able to get the room number from the clerk. He heads to room 515 where he finds Ash naked in bed and his wrists lied to the bedpost. Ash right away becomes alert when Blanca enters the room and quickly falls into a full-fledged panic attack that Blanca coaches him through until he's calmed down.

Once Ash cleans up, Blanca asks if what's happening is without his consent and if Golzine knows. Ash confirms his suspicions but adds that Blanca should have known this from learning of his past. Ash then expresses how he goes through this torment numerous times and that all of his attackers claim that he was the one who asked for it. He questions if Blanca is going to tell Golzine but Blanca surprises him by promising to stay quiet if that is what Ash wants.

Blanca later has a meeting with Golzine about what he plans to do. Blanca decides that he will stay but warns Golzine that Ash may revolt against him one day and destroy Golzine and everything he holds dear. Golzine does not take the warning seriously as he feels certain that he can drill obedience into Ash to the point that he wouldn't think of crossing Golzine.

After Blanca accepts the job offer, he catches Marvin attempting to overpower Ash. He tries to warn Marvin to stay away from Ash, but Marvin pulls out his gun in response. In fluid motion, Blanca disarms Marvin and breaks his wrist. He then warns Marvin to never lay a finger on Ash again or else he will let Golzine know what he's been doing. From that point, Blanca began instructing Ash on how to become a fearsome fighter and master strategist.

In the present, Ash is brought out of his thoughts by Eiji who has grown concerned about him spacing out. Ash assures his friend that everything is alright and doesn't notice Blanca, the mysterious figure, having been watching them.

## Appearances

* Ash Lynx
* Eiji Okumura
* Dino Golzine
* Blanca
* Marvin Crosby

## Chapter notes

### Character revelations

* Ash and Blanca first met when Ash was fourteen years old.

* Ash has an I.Q. level, at minimum, of 180.

* At this time if his life, Ash spoke with a faint Northern Irish accent.

* Blanca is a former KGB soldier.

## Image Gallery

Main Article: Private Opinion/Image Gallery