3 THE ONE YOU SWORE TO BYSTAND

Hitotsu, satori o aita

The One, The Enlightened

It was a bright, wonderful summer evening. It was really hot outside and Ichika decided to take her children to the park. A childhood friend of hers also decided to take her child outside that day. They surprisingly bumped into each other at the park.

-???: Hey, you! What's your name? My mum knows your mum so we should be friends.

-???: My name is Akihito! Nice to meet you. Are those guys there your brothers?

-???: Yes, Raiden is the one on the left with the football in his hand, and Michiaki is the one on the left wearing a baseball hat. Do you have any siblings?

-Akihito: No, I don't and I want to have but, I enjoy being alone sometimes. Also, I get extra ice-cream teehee.

-???: I am happy you enjoy your life as it is. It is really important to appreciate what you have and find happiness in things.

-Akihito: Umm... Can I ask you a question? What class are you in? I haven't seen you at school. I knew your brothers attended the same elementary school as me but you? Where have you been?

- ???: I don't leave here. I leave far away, with my dad. That's why you haven't seen me. I am also one class higher than you, I attend 6th Grade.

-Akihito: Well I hope you get to see your brothers and mother enough. It seems really rough living away from your family.

-???: That's really sweet of you. I am really happy you care about me. You don't have to worry. I am not living in sadness or grieving. I am really happy to live with my father.

-Akihito: I see... Oh, I didn't ask for your name. What's your name?

-???: My name is...

Akihito suddenly collapses. Students surround him and Raiden tries to wake him. Soon, the rest of the group arrives at the scene.

-Michiaki & Hikari: Akihito! What happened? Wake up!

Miyuki silently stares from the back with a very stressed-out look drawn on her face.

-Raiden: Stay right here guys! I am going to call the nurse.

Raiden sprinted through the hallways towards the nurse's office. He enters and explains the situation to one of the nurses. The nurses follow Raiden back and try to wake up Akihito. Michiaki decides to throw a bottle of water at his face resulting in him waking up.

-Akihito: Wha- where am I?

Akihito wakes up confused, but after a moment he bursts into tears.

-Akihito: I-, I for-, forgo-

Akihito can't find the courage to speak. Everyone looks confused as they try to comfort Akihito. Michiaki hugs him to calm him down. The students slowly start to leave. Everyone eventually returns to their tasks and Akihito stands up.

-Michiaki: Aki, what happened? What are you trying to tell us?

-Akihito: I forgot Michiaki, I forgot!

-Michiaki: What did you forget? I am sure it's fine.

-Akihito: IT'S NOT FINE!

Akihito quickly apologizes for his loud scream and starts crying again.

-Akihito: Tell me, Michiaki. Who are the ones closest to you? Who do you call family?

-Michiaki: Family is a very broad term. It could either mean the ones related to you, or the ones that you trust the most and are happy to stand by. In the second case, I would have to say you, Raiden, and the two girls that are about to cry behind you.

Michiaki points at Hikari and Miyuki who anxiously look at both of them. Akihito laughs for a second but becomes even sadder than before.

-Akihito: No, Michiaki. I mean who is related to you. Who do you live with?

- Michiaki: Where did that come from...? Um, my brother and my mother, I guess.

-Akihito: What about your father?

- Michiaki: Well, I haven't seen my old man in years. He permanently lives in Europe now. We only talk on the phone twice a month. He always used to go on long business trips and make my mother sad so he decided to leave for good. He thought that it would make mum less sad but it made her even sadder. I wish I could see him...

-Akihito: What about your sister, Michiaki?

-Michiaki: Sister? What are you talking about? I don't have a sister?

-Akihito: In that sense, I forgot your sister's name

CHAPTER END