History Heartwarming / BananaFish

* Skipper's bond with Ash is also an important part of the latter's life. Skip was not only an assistant of sorts to Ash, keeping him on the loop about what was happening in the streets and with the police, but also a close and dear friend, to the point that he was the only one that knew about [[spoiler: Griffin]] and his connection to Ash.

* On the flip side, we also have Max and Ash's bond. At the beginning, Max was asked to help protect Ash in prison as a favor to Charlie and Ibe but, when they found out the connection they had through [[spoiler: Griffin]], their relationship strained temporarily, with Ash blaming Max for not doing enough at the time. Nevertheless, once they got past that, they became close allies and friends to the point that Max sees Ash as a second son and Ash trusted in him to understand what and why he was doing what he was doing.

* Eiji's pole vaulting and what it represents. While the height was nothing compared to previous times he did it before, there were also none of the security elements that would normally prevent an athlete from suffering a grave injury if something went wrong nor are the circumstances the most ideal, with dangerous criminals closing in on them. But Eiji still wishes to put himself in danger to somehow help Ash and Skipper who have done nothing but try to keep him safe and unharmed at their own risk. This also marks the first time that Ash realises that Eiji is fundamentally different from others, in that he expects nothing in return and seems to genuinely care for those around him.

** Later on, Ash's gang as a whole

* Skipper's bond with Ash is also an important part of the latter's life. Skip was not only an assistant of sorts to Ash, keeping him on the loop about what was happening in the streets and with the police, but also a close and dear friend, to the point that he was the only one that knew about [[spoiler: Griffin]] and his connection to Ash.
* How quickly Skip and Eiji get attached to one another. The former was impressed with the latter's courage when asking to see Ash's gun and declares that he likes him. When the bar is attacked and after they're kidnapped, Skipper does what he can to protect Eiji, even though he's the younger one in the duo. Eiji, while terrified and completely out of his depth, clearly tries to stay close to Skip and find a way to get help.

* On the flip side, we also have Max and Ash's bond.

** From the get-go, Ash has had a soft spot for Eiji. When Eiji naively asked to see Ash's gun and about his life as a gang leader, Ash let's him hold his gun and answers his questions. What's astonishing in that is that apparently, up to that point, anyone that has tried to even touch Ash's gun has been beaten or shot by Ash in retaliation and yet, he let's this awkward and innocent teen take it and in no moment does he shows any sort of ill-will towards him.

** With the latter, even though he has barely spent time with him, he has gone above and beyond in keeping him safe. He keeps a close eye on Eiji and easily becomes a close friend to him. Whenever there is danger and Ash is unable to help quickly, Shorter is the one that pushes Eiji out of harm's way.

** From the get-go, Ash has had a soft spot for Eiji. When Eiji naively asked to see Ash's gun and about his life as a gang leader, Ash let's him hold his gun and answers his questions. What's astonishing in that is that apparently, up to that point, anyone that has tried to even touch Ash's gun has been beaten or even shot by Ash as retaliation and yet, he let's this awkward teen take it and in no moment does he shows any sort of ill-will towards him.

** From the get-go, Ash has had a soft spot for Eiji. When Eiji naively asked to see Ash's gun and about his life as a gang leader, Ash let's him hold his gun and answers his questions. What's astonishing in that is that apparently, up to that point, anyone that has tried to even touch Ash's gun has been beaten or even shot by Ash as retaliation and yet, he let's this awkward teen take it and in no moment those he shows any sort of ill-will towards him.

* How quickly Skip and Eiji get attached to one another. The former was impressed with the latter's courage when asking to see Ash's gun and declares that he likes him. When the bar is attacked and after they're kidnapped, Skipper does what he can to protect Eiji, even though he's the younger one in the duo. Eiji, while terrified and out of his depth, clearly tries to stay close to Skip and find a way to get help.

* Skipper's bond with Ash is also an important part of the latter's life. Skip was not only an assistant of sorts to Ash, keeping him on the loop about what was happening in the streets and with the police but also a close and dear friend to the point that he was the only one that knew about [[spoiler: Griffin]] and his connection to Ash.
* How quickly Skip and Eiji get attached to one another.
* Shorter's friendship with both Ash and Eiji.

** From the get-go, Ash has had a soft spot for Eiji. When Eiji naively asked to see Ash's gun and about his life as a gang leader, Ash let's him hold his gun and answers his questions. What's astonishing in that is that apparently, up to that point, anyone that has tried to even touch Ash's gun has been beaten or even shot by Ash as retaliation and yet, he let's this awkward teen take it and in no moment those he shows any sort of ill-will towards him.

** From the get-go, Ash has had a soft spot for Eiji. When Eiji naively asked to see Ash's gun and about his life as a gang leader, Ash let's him hold his gun and answers his questions. What's astonishing is that, apparently up to that point, anyone that has tried to even touch Ash's gun has been beaten or even shot by Ash as retaliation and yet, he let's this awkward teen take it.

* The entirety of Ash and Eiji's relationship. It's a bond so important and precious to both teens it's hard not to wish for them to be able to stay together forever somehow.