THE FORGOTTEN SPRING

CHAPTER 13

"THE FORGOTTEN SPRING"

by: Dark Flame Master

3RD PERSON POV

It was a long day for everyone, but especially for Kai. As his mother stopped his father from throwing another punch at Haru, Kai closed his eyes, letting out a shaky breath. He was too tired to care about the argument happening around him. The exhaustion, the panic, the fear—it all weighed down on him. The warmth of Haru’s earlier embrace still lingered faintly, soothing the edge of his fear, and for the first time in hours, Kai felt calm. He drifted off into sleep, his tense body finally relaxing.

Kai’s father noticed the change in his son and let out a sigh, his anger subsiding. He stepped forward and extended a hand to Haru, who was still sitting on the floor, touching his swollen cheek.

“Gomenasai,” (I'm sorry) Kai’s father muttered, guilt evident in his tone.

Haru glanced up at him, hesitating for a moment before taking his hand and standing up. He winced slightly as his face throbbed, but he quickly forced a small smile.

Kai’s mother, still holding Haru’s uniform, stepped forward and handed it to him. “Here, your uniform is dry. I’m sorry it’s my fault you got punched. Kai’s shirts just don’t fit you.” She smacked her husband lightly on the back, glaring at him.

“I-it’s okay, I’m fine,” Haru said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Don’t worry about it. Kinishinaide.”

As Haru held his uniform, he glanced at Kai’s sleeping form. “I should probably get going now,” he said, bowing slightly.

“Matte,” (Wait) Kai’s father interrupted, stopping Haru in his tracks. “Bangohan, tabete ikina yo" (Stay for dinner.)

“Yeah, just eat with us,” Kai’s mother added, her voice soft but firm.

“D-demo—” (B-but—) Haru began to protest.

“No buts,” Kai’s mother said, cutting him off. “Let’s eat, okay? Besides, Kai’s sleeping, so let’s leave him to rest.” She gestured for Haru to follow them out of the room.

Haru hesitated, glancing back at Kai, before nodding and following Kai’s parents to the dining room. The dining table was simple but welcoming, with a warm meal already set out. Haru sat down awkwardly, his hands resting in his lap.

“Tell me if you don’t like it,” Kai’s mother said kindly as she placed a bowl of soup in front of him. “I can make something else for you.”

“N-no, it’s fine,” Haru replied quickly, bowing his head. “Arigatou.” He picked up his chopsticks. “Itadakimasu.”

The atmosphere was quiet at first, the clinking of utensils the only sound. Haru focused on his food, unsure of what to say.

Kai’s father broke the silence. "Ano sa, Haru-kun, sakki no koto dakedo... nagutte gomen." (Um... Haru-kun, about earlier... I’m sorry for punching you.)

Haru paused, swallowing his food. "Kinishinaide." (Please don’t worry about it.) he said, giving a small smile. “It was my fault to begin with.”

Kai’s parents exchanged a glance before looking back at Haru.

“I’m really sorry,” Haru said again, lowering his head. “I didn’t know Kai... suffers from panic attacks.”

Kai’s mother stiffened, her chopsticks pausing midair. “What do you mean?”

Haru hesitated, his grip on his chopsticks tightening. “I-I kissed him earlier,” he admitted, his voice barely audible. The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.

Kai’s mother stood up abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. “You what?”

“I didn’t mean to!” Haru said quickly, his voice trembling. “We were just playing, and it kind of... happened. If I had known, I wouldn’t have done it.”

Kai’s mother let out a long sigh, her shoulders relaxing. She sat back down, pinching the bridge of her nose. “It’s okay,” she said finally. “You didn’t know.”

“I’m really sorry,” Haru repeated, bowing his head. “But can I ask... why does he have PTSD?”

Kai’s mother exchanged another glance with her husband. When he nodded, she took a deep breath and began to speak.

“He wasn’t always like this, you know,” she said, her voice soft and tinged with sadness. “Kai was such a cheerful kid.”

Haru nodded slightly, his brow furrowing. “I know... that’s why I was so shocked when we first met. It’s like he’s a completely different person now.” He muttered to himself.

Kai’s mother continued, her voice trembling slightly. “Something happened when he was seven. It’s not my place to tell you everything, especially since Kai doesn’t like us talking about it. He always pretends he’s fine, but we know he isn’t.”

She paused, tears glistening in her eyes. Her husband reached over to place a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“He went to therapy for years,” she said, her voice breaking. “But one day, he just... stopped. He said he didn’t want to go anymore.”

“I didn’t know,” Haru murmured, guilt washing over him. “I’m so sorry.”

Kai’s mother cleared her throat. “The main thing to know is that he doesn’t like being touched. That’s one of his triggers.”

Kai’s mother added, “Do you know Cyrus? He’s one of Kai’s classmates. He also knew Kai when they were kids. I asked him to look after Kai at school. I’m grateful for him.”

Haru nodded slowly, pieces of the puzzle falling into place. “So that’s why...”

The table fell silent again, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air.

Kai’s mother broke the silence, changing the topic. “Enough about Kai,” she said, her voice steadier. “That scar on your shoulder... can I ask what happened?”

Haru blinked, startled by the question. He touched his shoulder reflexively. “Oh, that. It happened when I was seven. I was clumsy, and boiling water spilled on me.” He smiled faintly. “It doesn’t really hurt anymore.”

Kai’s mother frowned. “Your mom must have been so worried when that happened.”

Haru’s smile faltered, and a shadow passed over his face. “I really hope she was,” he muttered under his breath.

“What?” Kai’s mother asked, tilting her head.

“Oh, nothing,” Haru said quickly, forcing his usual grin. “I just remembered something.”

After dinner, Haru stood up, bowing politely. “Thank you for the meal. I should get going now.”

Kai’s parents nodded, seeing him off at the door.

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.

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When Haru arrived home, the house was quiet.

“Okaeri,” (Welcome home) a woman’s voice greeted him softly.

Haru nodded in response, offering a faint smile before heading to his room.

The room was dark except for the dim light of a small lamp on his bedside table. Haru sat on the bed, his bag dropping to the floor with a thud. He let out a long sigh, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.

His face, usually so full of energy and smiles, darkened. His brows furrowed, and his jaw clenched as he stared at the floor. “What the f**k happened to you?” he muttered, his voice low and filled with frustration.

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.

“Nii-chan... Haru nii-chan,” a small voice called from outside the door.

Haru’s expression shifted instantly, his features softening. He stood up and opened the door to find his little sister, Yuki, looking up at him with a bright smile.

“Doushita, Yuki-chan?” (What's wrong, yuki-chan?) Haru asked, patting her head gently.

"Bangohan" (dinner) she said, tugging at his hand.

“Mou tabeta yo.. Gomene, Yuki-chan,” (I already ate... sorry, yuki-chan) Haru said, scooping her up into his arms.

"Zurui!" (That’s not fair!) Yuki pouted, pinching his cheeks playfully.

Haru chuckled, his usual cheerfulness returning as he carried her downstairs. For a moment, the darkness in his heart was pushed aside, replaced by the light of Yuki’s innocent smile.