Chapter 58: It Will be Okay

After the startling update that Natsume found Shin, it takes me a hot second to process what that means.

Where did Natsume find him? How did he find him? And how did Natsume, an unrelated stranger, end up coming to the rescue when he could have just walked away from it all?

He really is a good person, huh?

By now it shouldn't be a surprise to me, but the more I learn about this man the more I'm starting to believe that we don't deserve him.

Okay, weird thought, but am I wrong?

Ema brings me back to my senses, steadying me against the wall. 

"Are you alright, Mai-chan?"

"I-I think so." It's a relief to hear that Shin's been found. But for all my talk of trying to make things better I'm suddenly terrified of what will happen next. "You don't think Shin will run away again?" I murmur to myself. 

Ema fixes me a reassuring smile. "Daijoubu. Natsume-san said he's going to make sure Shin-kun won't run away. They're having a talk, man-to-man."

She sounds so confident recounting this, though I'm unsure of what "man-to-man" entails. What would they talk about that Shin wouldn't talk about with me? 

Boys...

In any case, we get ready to go see them. On the way out of the building Ema gives me more updates. Natsume found Shin near the train station and managed to talk him down. They're currently on their way back to Sunrise Residence, where he hopes Shin will calm down. 

"Why your place?" I ask, worried that Shin will only cause more problems there. Granted, the place is mostly full of men, but that's kind of what I'm worried about in the first place. 

Ema checks her phone again. "Natsume-san wasn't sure where to bring Shin-kun, but he thinks he'll feel more comfortable at our place rather than Natsume-san's apartment."

Meaning, Natsume lives alone, and while I know that Ema's older brother means no harm, there's no way that Shin would feel the same. 

"Are you sure your brothers are okay with that?"

"Mn. Natsume-san asked Masaomi-san and Ukyo-san if it was alright. They said it was okay if Shin-kun stays over for a few nights. They've been told that Shin-kun is your younger brother, Mai-chan, so they know he's a friend."

"Is that really the case?" I doubt that Shin being related to me is enough of a valid reason to let him stay, but I suppose it's better than nothing. If Shin doesn't want to see me, it's better he stays with trustworthy people rather than risking alone it in a capsule hotel.

Not to mention, if I ask them nicely the Asahina brothers might help make sure Shin doesn't run away again.

I don't know what Shin needs right now, so I can see why simply having a place to stay might be the best thing for him right now.

Ema and I take the train to Sunrise Residence. At the front gates we're greeted by Yusuke, who appears to be heading out on an errand. 

"Yusuke-kun!" Ema waves to him. He's wearing his signature track suit despite the humidity after the rain. 

Yusuke perks up when he hears Ema. "Yo. Were you out just now?"

"Mn. I went with Mai-chan to see Natsume-san for lunch."

"Ah." Yusuke nods in understanding. "There's a guest. Kyo-nii was talking to Natsu-nii about it."

"Did you see him?" I ask eagerly. "My younger brother? Is he there?" I try to peer past him to the upper floors. Sunlight reflects from the glass, wiping any chance I have of spotting Shin from below. 

Yusuke frowns. "There was a kid about Wataru's age hanging around. He was soaking wet and didn't look happy to be there. Natsu-nii didn't seem bothered, but then Tsuba-nii and Azu-nii came by, so he left." 

I gulp. "Tsubaki-san and Azusa-san came by?" 

Why do I feel like things suddenly got worse?

With a nervous laugh, Ema tries to console me. "I'm sure they're helping Shin-kun feel like home right this second."

"That's not really comforting to hear, Ema-chan."

Yusuke nods in agreement, making Ema stare down at her feet. 

Panicked at her reaction, Yusuke tries to change the subject. "A-Anyway, I got sent out to pick up some extra things." He shows us a hastily written list penned in someone else's hand. On it are the usual toiletries, like a toothbrush, dental floss, and towels. It's like they're running a hotel.

"I'm so sorry about Shin causing trouble." I bow to Yusuke. "It's my fault he ran away a second time."

He waves it off. "No worries. Natsu-nii wouldn't get involved if he didn't think it was important, and it's not like Masa-nii and Kyo-nii would turn away a kid who needs help. Shin's only a few years older than Wataru, so they've already got a soft spot for him."

I notice that he doesn't compare to Fuuto, who is probably closer in age to Shin than the middle-schooler Wataru. 

"Still. I'm sorry that my family and I keep imposing on you. I hope to take Shin back to my place as soon as I can."

"But don't you live alone?" Yusuke points out. "Like in a one-room apartment?"

"I can sleep on the floor if Shin wants the bed."

We say our goodbyes to Yusuke, who leisurely makes his way down the street. He doesn't seem at all stressed that his house just gained another person. Maybe living with so many brothers over the years desensitizes you to how busy your house gets. 

I follow Ema upstairs, a familiar nostalgia washing over me. It hasn't been that long since I moved out of Sunrise Residence, and I never thought about when I'd next come back here.

And to be coming to see my brother, no less.

The Asahinas are very patient people to keep dealing with us like this.

On the top floor we're greeted by an astounding burst of laughter. I startle, thinking that maybe I've got the wrong place. Ema leads the way, greeting Ukyo, who pokes his head out from the kitchen to welcome her back.

"Tadaima. How are you, Ukyo-san?" 

"Okaerinasai. Things are okay here. Did you get caught in the rain on the way back?"

Hearing the family lawyer's voice helps comfort me that there are mature adults on the scene. 

"Thank you for having me," I say, stepping out of the elevator.

Ukyo comes out to join us, wiping his hands on his cat apron. "It's our pleasure. It's good to see you again, Mai-san. You must have had a long day. Would you like some tea?"

"It's alright, thank you." I feel that if I accept hospitality now I'll forget my objective. "Where's Shin? I heard he was here for some reason."

"Ah." Ukyo pushes his glasses up his nose. "Shin-kun is in the living room with Tsubaki and Azusa."

My face falls. "Oh. I see."

"Not to worry. I'm sure our resident voice actors are entertaining him just fine." Ukyo doesn't sound overly worried about things, either. I'm beginning to wonder if the Asahinas ever get fazed at all.

"I'm really sorry to be imposing on you all again." I bow to Ukyo, this time at a deeper angle. This family has helped me out so much before, and it feels like I keep receiving without giving anything back. What will it take to repay all that they've done for me?

"It's quite alright," Ukyo says. "Shin-kun wasn't very open when he first got here, but Natsume said that he's been having a rough few days. Tsubaki and Azusa are helping take his mind off of things. Wataru will be home soon as well. It may help having someone closer to Shin-kun's age to talk to."

"I... I see." On one hand I'm glad Shin's calmed down. On the other, my own incompetencies are being thrust back in my face. The Asahina brothers are doing what I couldn't do for Shin. Effortlessly so.

"Can I see him?" I ask. 

Ukyo nods. "Come on in. I'll make tea."

I fight the urge to bolt to the living room. I didn't realize that walking slowly in times of chaos is a skill. 

In the living room I find the ever-energetic Asahina twins voicing over one of their anime. The show playing on the screen is presumably a shounen series that Shin likes. My brother is wedged between them, staring intently at the screen, eyes darting between Tsubaki and Azusa as they explain the process of voice acting and other behind the scenes trivia. Seeing my brother so relaxed and enthused brings a smile to my face. This is how I remember him being. This is how a kid his age should be.

Not wanting to interrupt this peaceful moment, I linger at the entrance to the living room, unsure of what to do. Now that I've seen that Shin is okay, I can relax, but there are still questions to be answered and issues to sort out. As soon as I make my presence known we'll be thrown back into reality. 

I slowly back away to the kitchen, where Ukyo pours me some tea. Ema rustles through the pantry for a snack. She finds some dried fish in a packet, which she breaks open for us to have with tea. 

"It's not raining anymore," Ema says. "It's become a nice day after all."

Ukyo turns toward the windows. "You're right. It's a great day to mark the start of summer."

I sip the tea he pushes in my direction, savouring the comforting flavour. Ukyo always manages to brew the blend to perfection. Once I graduate and start working full time I will definitely invest in these blends. 

"Natsume is upstairs helping get a room ready," Ukyo explains. "We can let Shin stay for a couple of days while he calms down."

"Thank you very much." I drop my head low. 

"It's our pleasure. Do you have any plans for what will happen after?" Ukyo asks. In other words, when can they expect me to take over for them?

I tap the handle of my mug. "I want to talk to Shin again and then bring him back to my place. I actually wanted to bring him back to my place to begin with, but things didn't go to plan."

Namely, our impromptu fight at the noodle restaurant.

I swallow. "I'll make sure to do things better this time around. I won't impose on you and your family for very long."

"Take your time," Ukyo says courteously. "Shin-kun has been through a lot in one day. Kids at his age have a lot to deal with emotionally, so I can imagine he just needs a day or two to himself."

"Yeah." I gulp down the last of the tea. All the same, I wish he'd do it at my place so we didn't have to get the Asahinas involved. 

"You must have been worried sick about your brother," Ukyo says. "Natsume tells me that you were anxious to go out looking for him again."

"R-Right." I hope Natsume forgets how I tripped and fell in the rain. "I was going to go to the police if we couldn't find him. I really owe Natsume-san for finding him."

As if sensing my nerves, Ukyo gestures toward the stairs. "Natsume is prepping the room you stayed in right now if you want to go talk to him. I'm sure you have questions about where he found Shin-kun."

"Is that okay?" I wouldn't have thought to go upstairs and ask Natsume for myself. Just because I stayed here once doesn't mean I'm given free reign of the place.

"Of course. Feel free to go upstairs." Ukyo smiles. "Ema. Would you mind helping me with dinner? We'll need to wait on the extra ingredients for the main dish, but Yusuke should be back with them soon."

"Hai," Ema says, shooting me a determined look. "It will be okay, Mai-chan."

I return her smile. "Hai." 

I head upstairs, sneaking another peak at Shin, who's still engrossed in the twins' stories. It must be because he's a boy that Tsubaki and Azusa's energy isn't too overwhelming for him. 

I follow the familiar hallway to the guest room where I previously lived. Nothing has changed in the short time I've been away. There's a twinge of loneliness that comes with being back here, though. 

The door to my old room is open, and I can see the light streaming into the hallway. Light flutters sound from within. I timidly peek around the door to find Natsume folding sheets on the bed. He's changed his shirt and pants, though his hair is still a bit damp. It didn't occur to me just how tall he really is until I see him in the small room.

Natsume notices me standing there and gives his usual frowning greeting. 

"Mai-san."

"N-Natsume-san."

Well, how do I begin to ask him...

Natsume sets down the last corner of the bottom sheet on the mattress. "I'm sure you've got questions. Do you want to come in first?"

Realizing I must look like a creeper hiding out in the hallway, I step in. "Pardon me."

There's nothing to be afraid of, but my heart starts beating rapidly. I tell myself it's just me being nervous about what Shin might have said to Natsume before he convinced him to come back here. 

Shin wasn't rude to Natsume-san as well, right?