Broken Glasses (2)

Shouichi stood alone in the quiet room, his gaze lingering on his mother. Yoko lay on the bed, her breathing steady as she slept soundly. Yet, instead of lying flat, she curled up tightly in a shrimp-like position, her body seeming small and fragile. He couldn't help but wonder if this habit had formed as a response to the trauma that had dug its roots deep into her soul, shaping even the way she found comfort in sleep.

"I'm so worthless. I couldn't help you during the incident, and I still can't help you now. I'm such a shitty son," Shouichi thought bitterly, clenching his fists. His eyes traced every feature of her; she still appeared beautiful, as she always did when her eyes were closed. But, deep down, he could feel the disgust and repulsion in her gaze whenever she looked at him.

"You were there for me when I was at my lowest. So why… why couldn't you let me help you? I'd do anything to see your sweet smile again." His mind spiralled out of control, and before he knew it, tears ran down his face. It seemed that his pain and suffering had finally reached its lowest point. Cursed with an unrelenting intellect, his mind couldn't stop analysing everything, searching for a solution. Yet, no matter how many times he replayed those scenarios, nothing could change the past. Not even the gods.

***

Seihei School, the most prestigious institution in Kurohashi town, had suffered a devastating blow to its reputation following a recent massacre that left 26 students dead and 21 injured. The school would surely go down in history as one of Japan's most tragic incidents. After significant renovations, the school did its best to transform the learning environment into a pleasant one, stripping away the old, horrific image of the crimson massacre. There was no trace of blood left behind, and Seihei now appeared completely ordinary, despite its terrifying past.

"It's like a completely new building. The layout, the colours, everything's changed," Shinji commented as he strolled past the hallway. In addition, the classrooms had been moved to disconnect students from the painful memories. As a result, Class 2-1 was now on the ground floor.

"That's our new classroom, right?" Shouichi pointed at the sign hanging at the front.

"Bet!" Shinji quickened his pace, eagerly sliding the door open. It appeared to be a solid metal door, disguised as a normal one with brown paint.

"Hi, Ayane-chan!" Shinji greeted, raising his hand as he entered the room.

"Where's Shouichi?" Ayane didn't return his greeting but instead asked about him. Shouichi, having just entered the hallway, heard everything.

"Hey! Did you miss me?" Shouichi poked his head out of the doorway with a gentle smile.

"No! Why would I?" Ayane crossed her arms defensively and turned to the side.

"Hahaha, I see." Shouichi chuckled.

"Why would I miss you when I was at your house this morning?" Ayane muttered, almost as if it was a whisper.

After a while, the class began to fill up as the clock approached 8:00, and homeroom soon started. The atmosphere grew livelier with distant chatter and laughter, gradually returning to normal.

During Monday's club lunch, Ito Toru, the captain of the rugby club, pulled Shouichi aside to discuss something personal. The pretty boy complied without objection, following his senior to a secluded spot next to the gymnasium. It was quiet there, far from the hustle and bustle of lunchtime.

"So… I've heard about it," Toru began bluntly, rubbing his chin as he fidgeted for the right words.

"Yeah…" Shouichi replied, staring at the ground.

"I mean, if you need time with your mum, just take it. Don't worry about practice or anything," Toru said with sincerity in his brown eyes. "Everything else can wait; family is the most important thing," He emphasised.

"Thanks, Ito-senpai." Shouichi forced a weak smile.

"That's all I wanted to say. You're stronger than you realise." Toru patted him firmly on the shoulder.

"Hmmm? I don't think I deserve the credit at all." Shouichi was conflicted. He had built a strong exterior for others to see, but internally, he was drowning in agony. The only thing he could manage was a faint nod.

Shouichi assumed the discussion had ended and turned his back to leave.

"Wait…" Toru hesitated, his expression revealing that there was more he wanted to say. Although he was often blunt and rough, he had a surprising ability to be gentle and considerate when it truly mattered.

"What is it, Ito-san?"

"There are rumours going around that the video has spread like wildfire. That's what I've heard from the junior club members," Toru revealed. Like a nail in the coffin, things had taken a turn for the worse. Shouichi's legs trembled at the terrifying thought, and he covered his mouth in repulsion.

"So, someone recorded the livestream… It was inevitable, after all." He deduced this from Suzuki's speculation, burying his face in his palms. To him, it seemed almost certain. He clung to the objective truth, refusing to entertain any delusions.

"..." Toru remained silent, giving Shouichi a concerned stare.

"Thanks for letting me know. I'll keep that in mind," Shouichi replied flatly, his head hanging low. The weight of depression was evident in his body language — the way he moved, his sorrowful gaze. Toru watched as the man he held in high regard walked away, his spirit seemingly lifeless, disappearing around the corner of the building.

***

"Yoko-san, how is it?" The girl in a white school uniform asked the lady in a blue satin gown. The couple seemed to be in a joyous mood as the lady slurped from a bowl of miso soup. It was early September, and the morning weather was cold and pleasant.

"It's really good, Ayane-chan…" Yoko praised her after finishing the bowl. She wiped the strain from her lips with a towel.

"Awesome!" Ayane beamed, gently reaching out to touch Yoko's hand.

"Thank you for taking care of me for the past two weeks, Ayane-chan," Yoko finally opened up about her struggles following the traumatic incident. It had shattered her mental fortitude, leaving her broken. But as time passed, she had begun to heal. "It's like a fever dream… hazy and surreal," she lamented, her brown eyes distant and dreamy.

"Of course! You were always there for us. For me and for Shouichi-kun," Ayane said fondly, her violet-purple eyes fixed on Yoko's.

"Yeah… I haven't spoken to him since," Yoko averted her gaze, staring blankly at the space in her room, lost in thought.

"...Um… May I ask why?" Ayane asked curiously. Though she was hesitant to press Yoko further, her concern got the best of her.

"Yeah… He saw me at my lowest. I'm afraid he might hate me now… I couldn't bring myself to face him the same way," Yoko's voice was slow and monotonic.

"Is that why you keep pushing him away?" Ayane leaned in closer. Yoko nodded, confirming her suspicion.

"I highly doubt he would hate you for it," Ayane reassured her. She knew Shouichi wasn't someone who held onto trivial things like that.

"But… I'm not the same. I'm disgusting and broken. Something's changed in me forever," Yoko said, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Has your love for him changed at all?" Ayane's words struck deep. Yoko's cinnamon-brown eyes widened, realising something valuable had been lost — and Ayane's words helped her find it again.

"Yes, I love him…" Yoko said, her eyes glistening with the onset of tears. "I love him even more now, so much that my heart aches," She continued, her voice quivering.

"Then, when you're ready, please talk to him. Promise?" Ayane raised her pinky and smiled sweetly at Yoko.

"Yes… I promise." Yoko beamed, intertwining their pinkies together.

After a moment of hesitation, Yoko finally said, "Ayane-chan, I want to reopen my shop…"

"Huh?" Ayane exclaimed in surprise.

"I want to open my sweet shop again," Yoko clarified with a clearer tone.

"Oh, that's great to hear! Would you be okay?" Ayane asked, her concern evident.

"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure," Yoko gazed out the window, her voice soft. "But I figured it's a good place to start. I need to face reality sooner or later," She rationalised. It would be a leap of faith to re-enter the world she once knew, but she couldn't live in the shadows forever.

"I'll be there for you, Yoko-san! I really miss your coffee." Ayane slipped up, quickly closing her mouth in shame. She felt it was wrong to demand anything from Yoko given the circumstances.

"Fufufu. Oh, I owe you a hundred cups of coffee," Yoko giggled, making a lighthearted joke. There was a hint of immense appreciation for the high school girl in her words.

The two girls shared a laugh, the tension between them dissolving as they continued their lively conversation.