Returning Home

As the sun was setting, Haruto opened the door to his apartment and walked in, his steps heavy with exhaustion, heading straight to his bed and collapsed onto it seemed exhausted, his eyes closing in relief, "Finally, everything is settled now." he murmured to himself.

Reaching into his pocket, Haruto pulled out the apartment keys and held them up, staring at them. "After a long time, I'll be giving these keys back to the landowner." he said with a faint smile. Just then his phone began to ring.

Haruto swiftly sat straight up on his bed, grabbing his phone which was on the side table. Upon seeing Rensuke's name on caller id, a flicker of hesitation crossed his face before he answered it, placing it on his ear, "Hey." he said softly.

Rensuke was standing in his room, his phone pressed against his ear, "Father has called you like ten times, why aren't you picking up?" he asked with a sharp tone.

"Umm." Haruto began hesitantly, "I'm sorry, I was out, and forgot to take my phone with me."

"Hmm" Rensuke muttered, remaining serious, "Father wanted to know which ice cream flavor you would like to eat, he's out shopping for you."

A soft smile spread across Haruto's face, "Don't worry, I'll call him." he said

"No," Rensuke said firmly, "Just tell me, I've got few more other things to tell him"

Haruto remained smiling, nodded slightly, "Pistachio would be great," he said.

"Alright," Rensuke responded. Just as he was about to end the call, Haruto quickly called out "Rensuke!" stopping him mid-action.

"What?" Rensuke asked, his expressions still serious.

"Thank you," Haruto said, his voice filled with warmth, "Thank you for waking me up."

Rensuke listened in silence, his expressions remained serious.

"If you hadn't been there," Haruto added softly, "I'd probably be deep in depression by now."

Rensuke sighed deeply, his gaze softening. "You don't need to thank me, honestly, I guess, I should be apologizing, I kinda beat the crap out of you."

Haruto grins softly, "No, it's fine, it was really worth it." he said warmly.

Rensuke smiles back, "Yeah, It truly was" his voice gentle, "Haruto, coming back to home is the best you've ever made."

Haruto's smile broadened, "Absolutely, and get your playstation ready, because I'm coming back to take my throne back." he declared with playful confidence.

Rensuke's smile grew, "Naah, I've gotten a lot better now, you won't stand a chance against me now!" he responded with a confident chuckle.

Haruto's smile didn't waver, "We'll see about that" he replied, his voice beaming with confidence.

"See you soon," Rensuke said, his smile sincere.

"Yeah, see you," Haruto said with a smile before ending the call. With a broad smile he stood up saying, "Haruto The Deathrow Oshima is back!" He grabbed his pressed shirt and walked cheerfully towards the bathroom.

Meanwhile, Rensuke remained where he was dialing his father's number with a smile playing on his lips, he pressed the phone to his ear. anticipation in his eyes.

The father came out of the store holding bags on both hands and a cheerful smile on his face, with cheerful steps he began walking towards his car parked across the street.

As he was walking, his phone began to ring, holding all the bags in right hand. He pulled out the phone from his left hand and answered it, placing it on his ear, "Yes Rensuke?" he said with a bright enthusiastic tone.

"Dad, Haruto wants Pistachio." Rensuke said.

The father chuckled, then composing himself he said "I knew it, his taste hasn't changed at all."

Rensuke smiled, "Yeah, and what about the video games I told you, did you buy them?" he asked.

"Yeah, don't worry I've bought them all" His father said "I'm actually surprised why you are buying them again after giving all the old ones to your friends."

"Hmm" Rensuke muttered, "You know, I don't really like playing the playstation but I knew Haruto would definitely ask me to play, and he did."

"Don't worry about the games I've bought them all" The father said, "By the way, Where are you, have you bought all the snacks i told you to?"

Rensuke chuckled softly, "Dad, I'm at home for like fifteen minutes now, and have bought all the snacks and now I am going to help mom in the kitchen"

His father smiled softly, "I guess I'm late" he said quickening his pace, "I should hurry, Haruto might have left already"

"No dad, relax" Rensuke said "He's still at home, so there is no need to rush"

His father laughed heartily, "Are you worried about me?" he teased, "Don't worry son, your dad will drive sl-" suddenly a thunderous sound of an approaching truck echoed around him, Its headlight casting a harsh light on the father, his eyes wide in shock.

Rensuke's eyes widened in alarm, hearing the thunderous sound of an approaching truck.

The father slowly turned to his right and realized he was standing in the middle of the road and a massive truck speeding towards him, Its horn blaring menacingly.

"Dad?" What's going on?" Rensuke's voice trembles with fear and urgency.

His father's eyes widened with paralyzing fear, as he stood frozen, staring at the approaching truck.

"Rensu-" The words barely escaped his lips before a deafening crash tore through the air. The impact was violent and brutal, shaking the ground.

Rensuke's heart stopped as his eyes widened in horror, disbelief choking him, The air was filled with bone rattling screech of twisting metals and the shattering explosion of glass.

The sudden chaos and destruction from his father's end filled Rensuke with sheer paralyzing fear, seeming stunned, he let out a heart wrenching scream, "Daaadd!"

"Dad! What happened! Daaaad?" His voice was urgent, desperate and filled with raw concern, his face reflecting sheer terror and anguish. swiftly he ended the call, grabbed the keys and raced out of the room, calling out for his mother with frantic urgency…

Haruto stood before the mirror, looking ready, wearing his long coat, with a satisfied smile he was admiring his reflection, he then turned his gaze to the suitcase on the ground, his smile broadening. He then started taking a look at his apartment when his gaze landed on the bouquet of roses on the table, staring at the roses, he took a deep sigh.

"Kanna, I'm sorry I can't take you with me." Haruto said warmly as he walked and stood before the flowers, he gently plucked a rose, "I suppose one won't be a problem." he said, sliding the rose into his pocket, turning around he walked towards the suitcase gripping it, he then cast a final gaze around his apartment.

"Bye, and thank you for having me," he said, his smile widening before he walked towards the door. Just as he reached the knob, his phone rang with an incoming call, freezing his hand in mid-air.

Haruto reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone and saw Rensuke's name flashing on the screen, "Rensuke?" he murmured to himself and answered the call, placing the phone to his ear he spoke cheerfully "Yes Rensuke, I was just about to leave, I'll be there in an hour, please tell mom and dad not to worry."

There was complete silence from Rensuke's end, causing Haruto's brow to frown in confusion, "Rensuke?" he calls out.

Standing in the hospital, Rensuke's back was leaned against the wall, his shoulders slumped and his gaze downwards, his face was a dark, emotionless mask of sadness, devoid of any expressions, holding the phone to his ear in silence, his hands, arms and shirt, were smeared with blood and the only sound echoing around him was the slow drip of blood falling from his fingertips.