The corridor seems to stretch infinitely as they walk through. The flickering lights —almost a yellow hue— make visible small particles of dust floating around.
There is no one around, except the four.
Jenneah: [What did he say?]
She asks. Not out of curiosity, but to occupy her mind with something.
Hinozu: [...Nothing.]
[I see.]
Ayumu yawns, following sleepily as Kanna drags him.
Ayumu: [So tired...]
The rolling wheels of a gurney are heard across the corridor, with hastened steps followed by desperate pleas.
Jenneah: [You'll have to sleep at the Center for tonight, Hinozu. Is that okay?]
Hinozu: [Yeah.]
[Not like I have much of a choice.]
Jenneah comes to a halt, opening and closing her mouth several times.
Kanna: [Don't think like that, Hinozu. It'll be like... A sleepover. Nothing more.]
Hinozu nods as they resume walking. A door suddenly opens, a crying girl leaving the room, devastated.
[Die. Friedrich.]
Hinozu winces, shaking his head to brush off the thought.
As they near the exit, the boy looks down, sterile tiles reflecting the light.
Then, as sleep starts to claim him, everything passes by in a blur. Once he's in the car, seat belt fastened, he falls asleep.
Jenneah drives through the empty highway, in complete silence. No sound of cars whizzing by, no rustling of leaves.
But it's only the exterior that's silent.
She taps the steering wheel repeatedly, almost obsessively.
[I've got nothing to do with you.]
[Wasn't it you who encouraged them?]
[You made me feel guilty.]
There's no answering to his questions. No twisting to his words.
No excuse to the truth.
[Was I responsible?]
[...They've already decided... to do.]
[Was it me?]
[See?... fit for it, Friedrich. ...not have your strength yet... catching up... you know it.]
[Was it my fault?]
[They were still young, Jenneah. They had a whole future ahead of them.]
[And you.]
[You.]
[Let them die.]
Jenneah grips the steering wheel tightly. She glances back, making sure the kids are okay.
Kanna stares at her.
Jenneah: [You should go to sleep, Kanna. It's too late.]
Kanna: [Will you be alright?]
[What?]
Kanna: [Driving, I mean. You seem... Well, are, distracted.]
Jenneah: [Oh. Right. Sorry.]
Kanna closes her eyes, going back to sleep.
The old woman tries her best to stay focused on the road. As they arrive back at the Center, Jenneah wakes the kids up. They enter, sleepy, as they take the stairs to their room, plummeting on the mattresses.
Jenneah enters her office, sitting down on the chair.
She fiddles with a pen, growing restless despite her tiredness.
[They would be 42 now. Maybe... They'd have a family... And live happily.]
[It's surprising how quick everything can go downfall.]
The voice startles Jenneah. It is a familiar one.
One that can't speak in this world anymore.
[The Isothes have always taken from us.]
[That's why the IEM exists. That's why Exterminators do their job.]
[Is that why you hate him?]
[Because he failed to do the very thing he had to succeed in?]
[And you weren't there to correct him?]
Jenneah shakes her head, trying to clear her mind. Futile.
[He really is a coward.]
[But you would've done the same for me.]
[If not worse.]
Jenneah: [I... I'm s-sorry... Liliana... I'm...]
She sees her. Or seems to. Liliana's sitting on the desk, a gentle smile drawing on her lips as she swings her legs.
[You can't change anything now.]
[So you may as well do something to improve.]
The old woman closes her eyes as sleep overtakes her.
Or the much needed feeling of tranquility.
——
Hinozu's eyes flutter open, rays of sunlight projecting light into the room. He shifts in bed before sitting.
Ayumu seems to be sleeping to his side, while Kanna's bed is empty —made, even.
He stands up, walking over to the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth. The soft bristles brush against his teeth in a constant rhythm.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
After, he returns to the bed, sitting down.
Not moving, not thinking.
Birds chirp outside, offering calm as Hinozu closes his eyes, breathing deeply.
[What are you doing?]
He glances toward Ayumu, who's just gotten up.
[Nothing.]
Ayumu: [You don't have to wait for me! Go to the kitchen, Kanna's there!]
Hinozu nods as he stands up. Ayumu walks over to the bathroom, waving before closing the door.
Hinozu steps down the staircase, walking over to the kitchen. As he slides the door open, the smell of something sweet invades his nostrils.
[Good morning, Hinozu.]
Kanna places some pancakes on a plate, drizzling chocolate syrup on them.
Hinozu: [Good morning.]
Kanna: [Is Ayumu awake?]
He nods.
Kanna hands him the plate and a knife and fork.
Kanna: [Here, this one's for you.]
Hinozu takes it with caution.
Fearing it might break.
Hinozu: [Thanks.]
Kanna: [No problem! You can go ahead and eat in the living room, me and Ayumu will come soon.]
Hinozu: [Okay. I'll be waiting.]
The boy walks towards the living room, sitting down at the long table.
He stares at the pancakes, long enough for Ayumu and Kanna to sit down too.
Kanna: [They'll get cold, Hinozu.]
[Oh. Right. Thanks.]
Ayumu: [What's the matter? You don't like chocolate? That's weird but... If you don't...]
Hinozu: [It's not that. Just... It feels weird. I always saw these when I watched TV and... I've always wanted to try them.]
Kanna and Ayumu exchange glances, confused.
Hinozu: [I thought it'd be a special day when I finally did, but...]
[It isn't like that at all.]
Ayumu: [It's alright, Hinozu. I understand how you feel.]
Kanna: [You'll feel better after eating them.]
Hinozu takes a bite of the pancakes.
[They're good.]
His face twists slightly.
[They're great.]
They really would've been great.
If he wasn't the only one trying them.
Alone.
His thoughts wander —to nowhere at all— as he eats breakfast.
[You'll find the letter in my house.]
His eyes widen.
Jenneah's office. A knock on the door.
[Come in.]
Jenneah notices the boy entering, offering him a smile.
Jenneah: [Good morning, Hinozu. Have you slept well?]
A nod.
[I'm glad. Have you eaten breakfast?]
A Nod.
[Have you taken a bath?]
[Have you played with your cars?]
[Have you watched TV?]
[Have you eaten dinner with me?]
[Have you waited for me?]
[I am.]
[Are you?]
[No.]
Hinozu's breaths fall short. Jenneah runs to him, concerned.
Jenneah: [Are you alright, Hinozu? What's happened?]
He tries to calm down.
Hinozu: [N... Nothing. I... Wanted to ask you. Something.]
Jenneah: [What is it?]
[Can you drive me to... Friedrich's home?]
[To... Friedrich's home?]
He nods.
Hinozu: [Friedrich said he had a letter. From... From Sayaka. For me.]
...
[Okay.]
Hinozu: [Thank you.]
They walk to the entrance, leaving the Center after quickly waving Ayumu and Kanna goodbye.
They get in the car, driving off to Friedrich's house.
[So...]
[How's the Center?]
Silence.
[Do you like it?]
Silence.
Jenneah focuses back on driving, deciding not to press further. She parks the car on the driveway upon arriving.
Jenneah: [Do you want me to go with you?]
[I'll go alone.]
...
[Okay.]
Hinozu gets off the car, approaching the entrance door. Grabbing the handle, he twists it.
Click.
With a quick breath, he opens the door. The dark interior contrasts with the sunny day, creating an uncomfortable lighting for his eyes.
Closing the door behind him, Hinozu walks across the house, searching for Friedrich's room.
He stands in front of the door, reaching for the handle.
Click.
As the door opens, he enters the dark room, breathing heavily.
The air is suffocating. Bathed in stillness.
A nightstand rests next to the bed. A small compartment.
Opening the compartment, he sees them.
A photo, of him and Sayaka. And some sheets of paper.
His face shows melancholy as he stares at the photo.
Then, he sets it down, gently.
He grabs...
A hand.
[Are you alright?]
He gets up, wincing at his scraped knees.
[Does it hurt too much?]
[A little...]
[Well...]
[Maybe... Too much.]
They walk through the pavement.
[Let's go home to clean it up.]
[Yeah.]
The sunlight reflects her sable eyes, her hair swishing with the gentle wind.
The apartment complex can be seen just a little far away.
[You seem different today.]
[Why?]
[I don't remember you being this silent. Something happened?]
[Nothing. Well... Nothing much. It's alright. I think.]
[I see. If you want to talk, I'm here.]
[I'll always be.]
[Yeah. Thanks.]
Stairs. Hinozu focuses on each one, step by step.
[Hurry up!]
[Coming.]
Click.
She takes off her boots. Hinozu does the same, untying his laces.
[I knew you seemed different. Since when do you know how to untie your laces?]
[... Since today, I guess.]
She chuckles.
[Can you take a bath yourself too?]
[I'd rather you do it.]
[Okay, let's go.]
Warm water.
It wasn't.
[The water's a little bit more cold today. Do you...]
[It's alright.]
[Oh, okay.]
He closes his eyes, relaxing.
Before long, he opens them again. Afraid he might never get to see her again.
After the bath, she dries his hair and combs it tenderly. Leaving the bathroom, he sits on the carpet. He grabs a toy car, playing with it until she comes back.
Click.
A white buttoned-down shirt with elegant black pants. A towel wrapped around her head. She heads to the stove.
[I love them.]
[Hm? Love what?]
[I love the noodles you make. I could...]
A knot forms on his throat.
[Eat them... Forever.]
The girl nods, wiping a tear off her eyes.
[Thank you, Hinozu. It means... A lot to me.]
He smiles.
A while. Wrappers. Boiling water. Eggs.
[Come eat! Dinner's ready!]
[Coming.]
He sits at the table with her, eating eagerly.
[Thank you.]
[Yeah. No problem.]
[I wanted to ask you something.]
[What is it?]
Hinozu: [That letter... You made. What did you write in it?]
Sayaka: [So you knew... Okay. I'll tell you.]
[It's a... Diary, of some sort. I wanted to write how I felt so... I can read it when we're in better conditions.]
[So... I wrote about how I felt, and... You know, a summary of my life so far.]
[Do you... Really want to know?]
[Yeah.]
She looks at the boy's eyes for a moment. Hinozu grabs a tissue paper.
[I was born here... In Tokyo. Our parents were very caring, but we weren't in good conditions. Sometimes, father would go outside and come back with lots of money. He promised us we'll live well.]
[But then... Strange men would come home to ask them to return their money, and father would plead them for more time.]
Her lips tremble slightly.
[When I was 12... They ended up killing them. Our parents. Since then... I've been managing to survive.]
[Well... Not exactly...]
The girl bites her lower lip as she fiddles with her fork.
[I...]
[We're not...]
[We're not siblings.]
[... I know.]
[Y-you know?]
[Yes. I've always known.]
She sighs.
[Truth is... I found you near an alleyway when I was 14. You were just a baby, and I took you home. It was difficult, taking care of you, but... I managed to do so.]
He smiles. One that's both tender and sorrowful.
[Thank you, Sis. For everything you've done for me.]
[I haven't... Done much.]
Tears fall on the table.
[You've done enough. No...]
[You've done more than enough.]
She sobs, approaching Hinozu to hug him. He hugs her tightly, tears flowing free from his eyes, too.
[It's b-been so hard, Hinozu. Hasn't it?]
[It has.]
[It's been so overwhelming.]
[Yeah.]
[Sometimes it feels like... Like I might crumble...]
[It's too much. But... I have you. And you have me. Always.]
Hinozu closes his eyes. A painful moan crawls out of his heart.
[Hinozu.]
[I hope... When you grow up...]
[You don't end up like me.]
[I swear, Sis. I will...]
He clenches his jaw.
[I will hunt each one of them down.]
...
Hinozu folds the papers, placing them under the bed. His black hair brushes his ears as he crouches down. A knock is heard.
[Yeah?]
A young man enters the room.
[Hurry up, time's up. She's going to kill us if we're even a minute late...]
A teen. Around 15, dressed with a simple black T-shirt and knee-length bermuda jeans. His eyes fall on the bed.
[Whatcha hiding?]
He smirks.
[Nothing.]
Hinozu stands up, glancing at himself in the mirror.
[You look good, now come on already!]
He says, ruffling his white hair with his hand. His crimson eyes fix on Hinozu.
Ayumu: [Come... On...!]
Hinozu: [Alright, alright.]
They both descend the stairs to the entrance. A girl, her fiery red hair flowing as she stares daggers into the boys, arms crossed. She wears a soft blue sundress with thin straps, combined with a sophisticated tie-front.
Kanna: [You're almost late.]
