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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
Kaugnay na kabanata
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.
Home Twenty-Four
“Good morning.” Hiro-san smiled at me when I entered the living room. “I was just going to wake you up. Your coffee is ready.” I stared at him. Last night, thanks to this guy, I had not wanted to go to sleep. This morning, thanks to this same guy, I wished that I had not woken up. This isn’t good. This isn’t good at all. “Good morning...” I mumbled and went over to the coffee table where he had set down two mugs of coffee just then. He had proceeded to sit on the two-seater couch. He raised an eyebrow in what looked like amusement when I took my mug and went to sit on the single-seater adjacent to the one he was sitting on despite there being space beside him but made no comment on it. “You have work, don’t you?” “Yes. I’ll leave after coffee.” “Mm.” He picked up his mug. “Stay for breakfast.” “I’ll get late.” I shook my head. “We can have a really quick breakfast.” “I can’t. I have to go.” I can
Home Twenty-Five
‘I will not be able to make it. I’m still hung up with work.’ I read the text, put my phone away and looked towards Hikaru-nii’s room. He had just finished his shower and stepped out. I texted Hiro-san back. I know that he hadn't quite asked about it but I reported it to him anyway. ‘He’s home and well.’ It took a minute for me to receive a reply. ‘Did he say anything?’ ‘No.’ ‘Did you talk to him?’ ‘No.’ ‘Shouldn’t you?’ I should, shouldn’t I? “Kakeru, have you eaten?” Hikaru-nii came out of his room and went over to the kitchen counter on which I had left the food. “No. Not yet.” I replied and got up from the couch. “Let’s eat together.” “Mm.” He grabbed a plate off the shelves and began serving himself. I sighed and followed him to the dining table after getting my own food. I really should talk to him about it. “What about Hiromitsu?” He asked as he began eating without e
Home Twenty-Six
Hiro-san ended up borrowing the bike like he had said that he would. He came by my place at around 05:00 am. Without waking Hikaru-nii up and locking up behind myself with my key, I followed Hiro-san out to the bike. It was a rather cold morning and, while we were riding, especially, the only way that I could fight the chill was by hugging Hiro-san from behind. It was very comforting and I held on as tightly as I could have. In fact, just for those three hours of journey between Hikaru-nii and Aki-chan, with just the two of us, I felt at my most peaceful. I had nothing to worry about except for holding on tight. Do not let go. We arrived at the old house that Kaori-nii’s mother and sister’s family stayed in a little before 08:00 am. Since it was early in the morning, the roads were open for us. We had covered good distance in short time. I cannot say that I was entirely mentally prepared for what that meeting with Aki-chan would mean to me and
Home Twenty-Seven
“They fell asleep in the TV room.” Akari-san came into the dining area carrying Kenta-kun in her arms. He was almost completely asleep. Or rather, it looked like he had been sleeping but got woken up when his mother had picked him up. He didn't look too happy about it either. “My husband’s putting Maki to bed.” I nodded, understanding what she had meant. “Coming.” We adults had sat down to have dinner only after the kids had eaten. We had had things we needed to talk about. The kids had been watching TV while we ate because Aki-chan had refused to go to bed without playing with me a little more even though she had visibly been exhausted. It was no surprise that they had fallen asleep just like that. Hiro-san followed me to the TV room. We had stayed to help Kaori-nee’s mother wind up while Akari-san and Natsume-san had gone to check on the kids. Kaori-nii's mother and the others had wanted to hear more about how Hikaru-nii was doing and that was why the kids
Home Twenty-Eight
Hardly two minutes had passed since I closed my eyes and stopped myself from thinking about much else when I heard the door open behind me, making me turn to see who it was. “Hiro-san?” “Haven’t slept yet?” He smiled at me and closed the door behind himself. He had also changed into night clothes by then. You've got to be kidding me. “Go back to your room.” I turned away again. I was not really surprised to see him though. “Don’t be so cold.” He approached me slowly. “I don’t need this.” “Is that so?” He knelt on the bedding behind me, then leaned over, placing both hands on either side of me, looking down at me. “Kake-chan.” “I have told you not to call me that.” I said but did not budge. What was with him towering over me like that anyway? “You’re in a foul mood. Did it upset you that much that she did not hold on to you when you put her to bed?” It upset me that I was as helpless as I was. “I’m beggin
Home Twenty-Nine
Aki-chan had kicked up quite the fuss when it had come time for us to leave. We had been slowly preparing her for it but when I finally got out of the house with my bag, she couldn't play brave anymore. She had clung to my legs and started crying, saying that she did not want to be left behind. She wanted to go home with me. I had wanted to bring her back with me too. The only reason I was able to hold onto my composure and my sanity was that Hiro-san was mediating. Kaori-nee's mother was too but I don't think I would have been able to deal with her desperate cries had Hiro-san not been there to step in whenever I found myself at a loss for words. In the end, we had started much later than we had initially planned. The ride beack home was largely silent too. Hiro-san had let me hold on to him without question for as long as I needed it. By the time we had gotten to my apartment and I had walked up to the front door, the turmoil within had dulled been dulled t
Pinakabagong kabanata
