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Fifteen
I ventured into the kitchen area. On noticing my presence, Hiro-san spoke up. “Will coffee do? I don’t really have anything else here thanks to my caffeine addiction.” He chuckled.
“That’s fine.” I replied and stood to one side, quietly watching him after that. I wanted to tell him what had happened but I did not want to mope around about it either. Knowing him and with how well he knew me, my turning up unannounced at his place like this without any reason was already enough cause of worry for him.
“It’s been a while since you came over, huh?” He spoke again.
“Mm. I’ve never really had any reason to.”
“True. I’m over at yours all the time anyway.”
Would you come over even now that Aki-chan isn’t there anymore?
“Are you staying for dinner? Ah. But you have to go back for dinner, right? Maybe I’ll tag alo-”
“Aki-chan’s not there anymore.”
“What?” He turned away from the stove to look at me in shock. “What do you mean she
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I was exhausted by the time I got to our apartment complex after work on Saturday. It had been a long week and the ongoing project had compelled me to spend my entire Saturday at office too. Now that it was just Hikaru-nii and I at home, we had both let work keep us late, if needed. I did ensure that I was home in time to make dinner but I did not need to leave early like I needed to when I had to pick Aki-chan up from the daycare. Hiro-san’s visits had gotten less frequent because of how our timings had changed but every time that he did come over, it felt as though he was keeping a close eye on me. I had not had the need to show him any more of my vulnerable sides though. It wasn’t that things had gotten better. It was just that both Hikaru-nii and I were actively trying to avoid it all. I had let it be that way for over a week but considering that I had decided to step up and be her for my brother and support him in any way that I could, I felt that I hadto try a li
Home Seventeen
“How is your project coming along?” Hiro-san asked after we had been doing our own bits for dinner for more than ten minues without really conversing. “It’s in the final stages.” I replied. “Probably just a couple more working days.” “Your company must love a diligent worker like you.” “So much that they don’t want me to be away even on a Sunday.” I rolled my eyes. “You’re working tomorrow?” “I would have had to had I not pulled the previous few late-nighters. I don’t have to go tomorrow.” “That’s good. Man, I have forgotten what it’s like to live like that!” “Fancy being a freelance consultant and designer, huh?” “Well, yes.” He smirked. He was clearly proud of it too. “I don’t think I am enterprising enough to get to-” I began saying but stopped when I heard the front door open. Simmering the flame, I left the kitchen immediately. Surely enough, Hikaru-nii had come in. And along with him came the smell o
Home Eighteen
I woke up with my alarm. After switching it off, when I sat up, I felt the throbbing pain in my head. I had had way too much to drink the previous night. Thankfully, it was a Sunday. “Good morning.” A voice said from beside me on the bed. I froze. Hiro-san? I turned to see him smiling at me from where he lay beside me. I had a headache to begin with. And now, to see him- bed-head and all – right beside me as soon as I woke up… “Why are you here? No. Wait. Here-” I looked around. I was in Aki-chan’s room. “I… Hah?" What on earth was going on? “You don’t remember anything. Of course.” He exhaled heavily, stretched a bit and sat up. “You asked me to stay the night. I stayed with you till you sept and then came to Aki-chan’s room but you followed me here saying that you did not want to sleep alone.” I DID WHAT?! Hiro-san laughed on seeing my terror-stricken face. I felt the blood rush to my head. I couldn’t possibly
Home Nineteen
Kaori-nee’s mother had sent a few pictures to me to show that Aki-chan was getting along with her cousins. She had always been close to them and, hence, it was not a surprise. However, she also did admit that Aki-chan did not sleep too well and that there were occasions when she would cry. After having been abandoned and sent away by her own parents like that, it was definitely not going to be easy for her. And I felt responsible for it too. I had called Kaori-nee’s mother and asked to talk to Aki-chan. She came on call, said that she was doing fine and that she wanted to play and ran off again. She could spare me- her Kake-jii- less than a minute. It was clear that she was upset with me for not trying to keep her with us. Her response made me feel incredibly guilty. The most that I could do to make up for it was to pay her a visit. Given my work and that I did not want to leave Hikaru-nii, it was difficult to find the time needed to visit her three hou
Home Twenty
Hikaru-nii’s room’s door was open and we could see him lying on the bed, eyes closed. The alcohol must have already put him to sleep. There were empty bottles strewn all over the dining table and living room. Seeing that, I felt compelled to come home earlier than I did off-late. My brother was- no- IS not a drunkard. I will not allow him to be. For the sake of his daughter, at least, I will not allow him to do this to himself. The sight had given both me and Hiro-san pause but we spoke not a word about it. We just quietly went about clearing the bottles. Hiro-san addressed me only after we had finished clearing up. “Kakeru, have you eaten yet?” “I’m not really hungry. I ate at office in the evening.” I replied. That was a lie but I really had no appetite. “I’m hungry though.” “I’ll make you something.” I offered. “I’ll allow that only if you eat too.” He shook his head. Is that how you're going to do this? “I’m not hun
Home Twenty-One
“Kuronomiya, are you leaving?” Yamato-san stopped me just as I had reached the elevator. “Yes. I’m done for today.” I replied. “I see. Futaba-chan just completed a really big project today. She’s so proud of it that she has agreed to treat all of us. Come along.” He said enthusiastically and threw an arm over my shoulders. “I-Is that so? That’s great but… today isn’t possible.” I smiled wryly. I really did not want to be away from home any later than I needed to be. “Sorry.” “Hm? You’re really just going home?” “Yes.” “Heh… You…” He became a little serious. “Are you okay? You haven’t been hanging out with us and you aren’t as hyper about work as you used to be. You look tired too. I mean… I know about the accident and all that but… are things not okay at home?” People at work were starting to notice. “It’s okay. I just… want to be with my brother.” Yamato-san smiled and patted me on my back. “You’re a good little brothe
Home Twenty-Two
I had completely lost track of the time as I waited out there in the corridor. Eventually, I heard approaching footsteps and voices. I opened my eyes and looked down the hallway. One of the voices that I was hearing was most definitely Hiro-san’s. I could never mistake that. However, it was only when the two people rounded the corner and came into view that I became certain about the other voice. A woman. “Kakeru?” Hiro-san stopped in his tracks, the smile that he had had on his face till then disappearing. He had an arm around the rather elitely-dressed woman’s waist. She too had been coyly smiling up till then. It was so obvious what was happening that I sighed. So, this was why you weren’t at home. I should have known what to expect. I stood up and dusted myself off. “I should probably have called before coming. My bad. I’ll just come back later.” I began walking towards them to head out the way that they had come in. “No, Kakeru.”
Home Twenty-Three
Hiro-san had left a change of clothes along with an unopened pack of underwear on the bed by the time I had stepped out of the bathroom with just a towel wrapped around my waist. His clothes were indeed a little big on me but it would have to do. I could smell the instant ramen when I left the bedroom. I remembered what it was like to have Kaori-nee around. I remembered what home used to feel like. “Oh? You’re out?” He asked as he brought in the pot of instant ramen. … Home. “Mm.” “Are you feeling better?” Thanks to you. “Yes.” I took a seat at the table that had already been set. “Don’t you want to freshen up before eating?” “No. I’ll take a shower later.” He sat down in the chair opposite me. “I wish I had something more to give you. I have to go shopping to stock up on things.” You’re just presuming that I would come by again? “This is enough.” “It will have to do for now anyway.” He replied.
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