Haruchiro

chapter: 6

Everyone was filled with joy and anticipation to welcome the second son of the Kabushiyo family little did they know the shadow that would soon darken our doorstep with my arrival. My father raced to the hospital with eager anticipation, eager to meet his newborn son. Had he known his tragic fate, he might have chosen to stay behind, spared from the cruel twist of destiny that awaited him. The moment I entered the world coincided with the exact time of my father's fatal accident. His lifeless body was too ghastly to even look upon, his life cut short in a cruel twist of fate. That night, both happiness and sorrow enveloped the Kabushiyo family. Whispers of blame fluttered through the air, some dismissed it as mere coincidence, but others believed that my existence had snatched my father's life away from this world. "It's just a coincidence, it's not your fault," my mother would tell me. Yet deep down, I couldn't help but wonder if she, too, harbored thoughts of blaming me. Despite my mother's attempts to console me, I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt, wondering if my presence had brought about such tragedy.

From my earliest memories, violence lurked within me, though I cherished the company of living beings, my pets, when they defied me, I would become lost in a haze of rage and confusion. And before I knew it, their blood stained the walls and my hands alike. There's this incessant voice in my head, urging me to strip away their freedom, their very existence, their harmony. It felt as though another self dwelled within, seizing control when I lost my grip on reality. In those moments, it was as if I were a mere bystander, watching helplessly as something else took hold of my mind, body, and soul.

'I'm definitely not alright.'

Since the day I was born, my mom was always unwell, barely leaving the house. Every time I talked to her, she'd mention dad. But I cherished those conversations, even though they always circled back to him. Then, one tragic day, she was taken from me in the most horrifying manner—murdered by an intruder, right before my eyes. I can still feel the shock of her blood on my face as she whispered, "Haruchiro, let's play a game. You hide, and I'll find you. Go!" Her breaths were heavy, but she managed a warm smile, the one I always longed to see. If only I hadn't begged her to come with me to that silly circus show. Would she still be alive? Could she have stopped me from becoming who I am now? None of it matters anymore.

"I'll be back soon," she said, but those words were empty promises. She never returned.

_______________

As I opened my eyes, the first sight that greeted me was her, Ishikawa Megumi, unaware of my wakefulness as she attended to her tasks. My voice, barely a whisper, called out to her, "Ishikawa?" inquisitively. Startled, she turned towards me, relief washing over her features as she inquired, "You're awake? How do you feel?" I managed to sit up, offering a brief response, "I'm fine now."Her expression softened with relief as she explained, "Luckily, Hiroshi-san knows some medical treatments he learned from the military. He took care of your treatment." Hiroshi's voice preceded his entrance, a mix of annoyance and concern evident as he chided, "Ishikawa, I told you not to tell him." With a tray of food in hand, he approached me, urging, "Here, eat, Haruchiro."Accepting the food gratefully, I ate in silence, feeling their eyes upon me, observing my every move as if I were a newfound creature. Finally, Hiroshi's laughter broke the tension, "Oh boy! You eat well." He collected the dishes and left the room, followed by Ishikawa. Before disappearing entirely, he added, "You can freely use the bathroom to freshen up," his laughter trailing off.After tidying myself, I donned my coat and made to leave, finding Hiroshi still seated, his expression mirroring the concern from the night before. As I moved to depart, he handed me a gun. "I also found this in your pocket. You can take it back now," he said softly, returning my gun and apartment key. Taking the items, I left his apartment, sensing his watchful gaze following me until I vanished from sight.

As I stepped into my apartment, everything remained as still as when I left. Dusty old books and the belongings I abandoned before departing greeted me, with only my gun and the coat I now clutched serving as new additions. Sitting in my small, cozy abode for a while, I mulled over recent events. Takumi had reached out, updating me on transpired events. Despite the Izumi case being temporarily halted, I resolved to linger in this village.

'What I once called home had become an impenetrable prison.'

Stepping outside, my mind wandered unexpectedly to Ishikawa. I yearned to chance upon her along the road, eager to fulfill the promise I made before my departure. My favorite spot beckoned, and there she was, accompanied by a girl who bore a striking resemblance to her, clad in a high school uniform. They appeared to be embroiled in a heated argument. As the younger girl stormed off in a fit of anger, I approached Ishikawa from behind.

"Trouble?" I inquired softly. She jumped, turning to face me. She jumped, turning to face me. Leaning against the guardrail, I lit a cigarette. Handing her the package of medicine, her eyes lit up as she examined it, then met mine with a mixture of gratitude and longing. To me, Ishikawa was a girl who inadvertently tiptoed into the periphery of my world.

"I had forgotten about this," she admitted, her voice soft with emotion, "especially after seeing you return with those injuries."

"I heard from Hiroshi that you tended to my wounds. Thank you, Ishikawa." "Call me Megumi," she interjected, a pause lingering before she continued, "It feels more comfortable."

"So, Megumi, where did you acquire the skill to administer treatment for injuries?" I inquired gently.

"I've been unwell since birth and spent much of my time in hospitals. I observed the staff and learned from them," she explained. The world had never been particularly kind to either of us.As I gazed at her with concern, I couldn't resist asking about the girl she had been arguing with.

"She's my sister," she clarified, her voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and concern. "She's been skipping her classes," she continued, her tone heavy with disappointment, which quickly ignited a spark of anger within her. I observed her closely, without blinking, as she poured out her feelings. "She's so stubborn and..." I interjected gently. "It seems like she really dislikes you... a lot." There was a brief pause before she resumed speaking, her voice carrying a weight of resignation. "Yes, in fact, she hates my existence," she murmured softly, her words trailing off into the air. "Being a big sister and the eldest daughter is hard," she confessed, her lips curling into a forced smile that failed to conceal the pain lurking beneath the surface.

The girl standing before me was slowly fading away, and I could see it happening before my eyes.

I despise the girl standing before me, or perhaps I envy her. I want to strip away her freedom, her life, her hope, and her happiness. If I can't do that, I'll settle for destroying them. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make her accept her fate, her destiny.

"Why do you wish to live? Why not just lock yourself away in your cozy little shop until the end comes?" I questioned, feeling the heaviness of the moment. She erupted into laughter before she confessed with a newfound determination, "I could, but I value my life. And I'll continue to live. I'll challenge fate, and I'll prove to fate that I'm not the kind of girl who can be easily destroyed," she declared, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes.

"You cannot escape it. You cannot destroy it. You cannot outrun it," I warned solemnly, casting a shadow over our conversation. An uneasy silence descended upon us, "Do you crave to explore the world?" I uttered, my voice betraying a cold edge. "I would remain here, in this village, until your last breath, revealing to you the harsh truths of the world," I declared. Her gasp echoed in the tense air. "This world only bring sorrow. Everything is fleeting, instilling fear in the hearts of humanity," I continued, my words heavy with solemnity.

Closing the distance between us, mere inches separating our beings, I leaned in. Her trembling lips betrayed the fear concealed in her eyes. With a tender touch, I cradled the back of her head, drawing her trembling form closer, and gently pressed my lips against hers.

"You're trembling," I murmured softly as our kiss ended, observing the shock that left her motionless. Uncertain of my own actions, I resolved to grant her every desire, even the pain she sought to avoid. The serene expression of harmony that adorned her face was something I loathed, and I was determined to strip it away, no matter the cost.