Max's eyes stayed locked on Haruto who gently placed the bag back to Max hand's, placing his hand firmly over it to ensure Max held onto it.
"I can't take this Max" Haruto said, his voice calm yet heavy with emotions, "I can't take the money you've been saving for your family's future."
Max expressions crumbled, his face trembling with emotions with his tears falling freely, he tried to push the bag towards Haruto but Haruto's hand remained firm on the bag, keeping it in Max's hands.
Max closed his eyes in sorrow, crying silently, while Haruto held onto his weak smile, masking the pain beneath it.
Haruto then slowly lifted his hand off the bag, leaving Max to hold it, tears kept streaming down his face.
Without a word, Haruto then reached into his coat's pocket and pulled out the ring, extending towards Max, "Im here to return this" he said softly.
Max's eyes flew open in shock, slowly looking up he saw Haruto holding the ring he bought for Kanna.
Slowly shifting his gaze from ring to Haruto, Max gazed at him with disbelief, while Haruto returned the gaze with a weak smile, holding the ring.
Max quickly began wiping his tears though they kept flowing, with a heavy heart he quickly took the ring from Haruto, without a word saying he turned his attention on making the return slip, his movements shaky and breath uneven.
"I'm sorry, I forgot to bring the slip," Haruto whispered, his weak smile still hanging painfully on his face.
Max's heart clenched tighter, he worked faster, his silent sobs causing him to pause after every few seconds to wipe his tears off his face.
Once finished, Max quickly placed the slip on the counter before pulling out a stack of cash, frantically he began counting the cash before shoving It on Haruto's hand and firmly placed his hand on top of cash, his movements quick and desperate, as if he was trying to hide how much he was giving.
Haruto smiled softly, pulling his hands back from his grip and began counting. After counting he extended 50k back to Max, saying "I bought it for 100k" his tone was warm.
Max shook his head vigorously, pushing Haruto's hand back to him, his gaze fixed downcast, tears streaming down his face, "Please Haruto," he whispered, his voice breaking, "Take it, I will add 50k on receipt from my own wallet… I just want to help, so please take it and just go, please" he pleaded, his cries growing intense.
Haruto kept smiling softly, watching Max with calm eyes. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring case and gently placed it on the counter, "Sorry, I forgot it." he said quietly, without waiting for the response he turned around and walked out of the shop, his steps hurried.
Max's silent cries now echoing through the empty shop, he then quickly pulled himself together, vigorously wiping away his tears, he reached for the case intending to place it back but suddenly he froze mid-action, his eyes widened in disbelief.
He slowly opened the case to find it filled with cash. With stunned eyes he took out the cash and began counting… It was 50k.
Stunned, Max stared at the cash in his hands, realization dawned on him as he quickly rushed outside the shop, scanning the surroundings frantically, but Haruto was nowhere to be found. Overcome with emotions Max pressed his hand on his eyes, as tears continued to flow…
Haruto was now walking down the road, his face devoid of emotions, yet tears flowing freeky down his face, as he kept walking forward…
Haruto was now at his workplace, standing in his boss room, where the boss was sitting on his chair, flanked by his son and son-in-law, all three gazing at Haruto who seemed lost and defeated.
"Hmmm." the boss said, his tone sympathetic, "That's really sad."
Haruto stood with an emotionless face, "I'm here to request a loan of 500k. I assure you, I will repay it as soon as possible." He requested in a low tone.
The boss nodded thoughtfully before pulling out his wallet and tossed 5k yen on the table in front of him.
Haruto picked up the money and looked directly at the boss, "I'm requesting 500k." he stated clearly.
The boss let out a chuckle, a mocking glint in his eyes, gazing at Haruto, he said "A 500k? with that pathetic performance here at work?"
Haruto remained silent, his expressions still emotionless.
"Do you think I'm that stupid?" The boss continued, his tone sharp, "You always come late at work, you also take off from your shifts on weekends!" With a firm expression he said "You are not getting any more than this!"
"I'm asking for a loan, I'll pay it back." Haruto said, his voice slightly trembling.
"You're not getting anymore, didn't you hear?" the boss said firmly, "It's not my responsibility to feed your family."
Haruto's eyes widened with anger.
"This ain't a loan, it's just help." The boss said in a mocking tone "So be grateful and now get the hell out of here"
Haruto Inhaled deeply, his expressions turning dark with anger, he glanced at the 5k in his hands, "Thank you for your generosity," His tone low yet heavy, "I will never forget this help, and one day I will return your 'help'" he declared in a chilling manner.
Everyone's serious gaze was fixed on him, Haruto then turned around and exited the room with hurried steps…
Now at the hospital, Haruto walks through the corridors reaching his brother who appeared worried.
"Rensuke." Haruto called out, stepping closer.
Rensuke quickly turned, locking eyes with Haruto who extended a big bag towards him saying, "Here's two million, I'll try arranging more."
Rensuke accepted the bag with a warm smile, "Thanks Haruto, this is more than enough, I'm asking for a big loan from my company and friends, so just relax, your brother got it."
Haruto flashes a comforting, warm smile. Just then Rensuke's phone starts to ring.
"Haruto, why don't you sit with mom? I need to take this call" Rensuke said, before walking away quickly.
Haruto with a smile, watched his brother go, turning around, his eyes fell on his mother sitting alone in the distance, sobbing silently, Haruto then walked towards her.
Standing near her. Haruto placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, Slowly she quieted her sobs, looking up at Haruto with tearful eyes.
Haruto flashed an assuring smile, "Don't worry mom," he said gently, "Dad is going to be okay."
Her mother held his hand on her shoulder, and continued crying silently.
Though Haruto wore a smile, a hint of anguish and pain flicker in his eyes.
Just then a nurse came to Haruto, and said "Mr Haruto, these are the papers which require signatures, which need to be signed before the surgery, please take the signs of your brothers, as soon as possible."
Haruto took the file, nodding in understanding. The nurse then walked away, gently easing his hand away from her mothers grasp, he turned and headed towards his brother.
Just as he was walking he heard the desperate voice of his brother from the next corridor, causing him to halt in his tracks, confusion washing over him.
"Please sir, I need this loan sir… Please try to understand you are my last hope" Rensuke's desperate plea echoed again, sending a shock through Haruto.
Taking a few cautious steps forward he slightly peaked from the corner to see his brother pacing anxiously speaking on the phone.
Haruto pulled himself back, standing there with disbelief.
"Sir please, one million will not help." Rensuke pleaded again, his voice trembling with emotions, "I'll do everything, I'll work double shifts, extra time, even weekends, but sir please grant me this loan, please" his plea was urgent, almost a cry for mercy.
Haruto's heart sank, pressing his back of the head against a wall, tears silently streaming down his cheeks, as he listened.
"No sir, please don't turn me away! I can't lose my father, please sir help me, please." Rensuke's voice trembling, at the brink of bursting in tears.
Haruto pressed his hand on his forehead, anguish etched on his face as each plea of his brother stucking him like a dagger to heart.
"Sir please no sir… Please…" Rensuke's voice trembling, his desperation clear, "Hello, hello? hello? Sir?" he lowered his phone sliding down the wall until he collapsed. Overwhelmed by emotions he started crying, his cries, heart wrenching full of anguish and pain.
Haruto couldn't contain his sorrow and began sobbing silently, listening his brother cry, Haruto's soul and heart got shattered brutally.
Haruto's sobs morphed into anger, his breathing coming in heavy and uneven gasps, clenching his fist and gritting his teeths. He quickly stood up and began walking away, his steps frantic and urgent…
Coming out of the hospital he kept walking aimlessly, his sobs remained silent, as he kept wiping his tears which kept coming, his efforts to compose himself slipping away with every tear that fell…
Haruto was now walking down the empty street, his quiet sobs echoing at the stillness of the street.
With every step his guilt weighed heavily on him, "None of this would be happening, only if I had just focused on my career! it's all my fault... It's all my fault." he cried inwardly, the pain inside him driving him forward with increased urgency.
"I have failed… I'm lost… I've failed as a son… As a brother… As a boyfriend, All my dreams, my ambitions, everything is gone." Suddenly he stumbles and falls on his knees.
Kneeling on the cold ground, bowing his head, his cries intensified, tear dropping on ground, then quickly looking up at sky he let out a loud desperate, heart wrenching scream, breaking the stillness of the empty street.
He bowed his head once more, clutching his chest as his heartbeat raced wildly, his face hardening with intense pain, suddenly he heard footsteps approaching, stopping right in front of him.
Haruto quickly began composing himself, taking deep, shaky breaths, looking up to see a pair of boots standing before him, slowly raising his gaze he saw
Haruma Kanzaki, a man sharply dressed in tuxedo, his expressions serious and his gaze fixed on Haruto.
With Haruto kneeling on the ground looking up at Haruma Kanzaki.
While Haruma stood tall, looking down at Haruto Oshima.
Both Haruto and Haruma locked eyes, a heavy silence enveloped the street.