Haku

"I wanna sleep, Mum," I muttered as I planted my face on my bed sheets.

"Haku… If you don't want me to switch on the light now, then get out of bed and prepare yourself for the day. Your father and I wanna show you something." Mum said.

Begrudgingly, I left the comfort of my bed and wanted to walk out of the room until the door swung wide open where Dad was at. He looked in a hurry as he was gasping for air.

"We need to go now!" Dad shouted in a panic.

Confused as my mother was, she understood the situation and lifted me and followed after my father. Before I knew it, we were in the underground room beneath our house. It was an old complex that our ancestors made in times of crisis. Now, it was time to use it. My mother and I walked into the room. However, my father refused to do so.

"I will help in the rescue efforts. You two will stay here."

"Won't it be dangerous?" My mother replied nervously.

"Of course. But I can't just idly sit by when innocent people are dying out there."

"No. I will follow you!"

"No, you will not! I will go alone. End of story." When my father tried to walk away, my mother grabbed his wrist.

"I will not leave you alone while you fight! I am a former top Trainer. I can aid the others as well."

"What about Haku? Who will help him if both of us are gone?"

"This will." My mother said as she took out an Egg from an Egg Incubator. She passed it to me and said, "This is your partner Pokemon. It's a Snorunt born from Maggie and Maxi's offspring. Take care of him."

With those parting words, my mother and father sealed the hatch leading into the room. I powerlessly heard their footsteps fading away in the distance.

I did not know what to do or say. I was a young boy, incapable of taking care of myself. Yet, I was left alone in a room. I had nothing to tell the time. Sunlight did not enter the room. Only a tiny candle illuminated the room. I stared at the candle for seconds, minutes, hours, or even days. I don't know… I don't know anymore…

What is going on?

What is happening right now?

What is…

What is…

What is…

Why. Why. Why. WHY. WHY. WHY.

They were dead, weren't they? I sent that thought away, hoping it was false. However, it kept appearing and appearing until it stuck in my mind.

I spent an unspecified amount of time there until the hatch was opened. I had hoped that it was my parents. But it was dashed by my grandfather's presence. He carried a dark expression on his face. I knew what had happened.

Mustering all my voice left, I mouthed, "At least you tried your best." But I did not want to push the blame on my grandfather. It did not fit what I wanted to say.

That was the day I became an orphan at the age of 5.

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Humans. They are shitty people. My family was torn asunder by other humans—greedy ones at that.

"We are here to mourn the losses of Jas Yanagi and Alex Yanagi and other heroes who protected this town from the horde of Pokemon. Please give a moment of silence for them."

A memorial for them. How degrading is that! They did not die due to an unfortunate accident. They died due to the greediness of humankind. So why is it painted as a heroic action rather than a catastrophe? Why? Why? Why must my parents and grandmother die due to the actions of others? Why did they suffer the consequences of the actions of others? Why? Why? Why? Why can't I understand it?

My tears never fell since that day. It appeared that they dried out. I wanted to cry so severely, but I could not. My body would not let me.

Humans. They are the root cause of many accidents such as this. So why do they benefit and cause pain to others?

It felt like a sharp thorn had taken root in my heart. It hurts so much. Their voices. Lost to the wind. Their bodies and warmth. Buried underground. The empty rooms they were previously occupied. Remain empty like my heart.

I wouldn't say I like this. I wouldn't say I like this. I want to change something. I want to change something. Yes. I will change this system. I will change this system.

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…

"Reporting from Mahogany Town. The mayor is about to open the memorial for the heroes who saved the town from a horde of Pokemon a few years ago."

Suddenly, the screen turned black. I had shut the television off in anger. I hated how my family's situation was manipulated. I was trapped in the Yanagi compound as my face was plastered all over the town. Once, I went out, only to be swarmed by journalists. I could barely hide my disgust for them.

I wouldn't say I like being immortalised.

The conspirators were sentenced to death for their actions. However, my parents will never be here ever again.

*Sigh*

I can never let it go, can't I?