Chapter 1: Riochiro.
Part 1
In the deepest darkness, I breathed, regretted, and cried. With this feeling, my neck stopped burning and started to get cold along with the rest of my body; somehow, it felt warm. After a few minutes, I saw my whole life pass before me and gradually realized that all the darkness in the distance was not just a backdrop, but my life itself.
And so, I began to remember... I heard the unsettling sound of rain falling on the ground and the smell of wet earth; these two elements combined brought me great nostalgia. Yes, this sensation is the same as that day, the day of "My Father's Funeral."
At that time, we were still at war with the neighboring country (USA). My father had been assigned an important infiltration mission across the border to the enemy base, but there was a miscalculation in the operation, and all members of the platoon were reported dead. After that, each family was informed about the incident, and we were given the place where my father's supposed remains were buried.
I remember that day, I was staring fixedly at his grave, while hearing desperate cries to my left. The person from whom the sobs came was my younger sister, who was screaming in pain with all her might while clinging tightly to the sleeves of my formal suit.
This reaction was normal for her; she never treated me like an older brother because I was smaller than her, but whenever she felt sad or needed a place to take refuge from others, she would seek me out and grab my sleeve, my wrist, or sometimes even hug me tightly.
To my right, there was another cry, the cry of my mother trying to contain her pain. She tried to be strong and hold back, covering her mouth tightly with her left hand, but it was useless. Tears flowed insistently from her eyes and mixed with the raindrops that slowly trickled down her face, making it hard to distinguish between her own tears and the rain.
In between the two of them, there I was. I was the only one not crying, but like them, I felt distressed and was on the verge of breaking down in tears. But I couldn't; I had promised Dad. "Promise me that, no matter the situation, you will never cry, Riochiro. You must be strong for your mom and your sister, so you can take them forward. This, my son, is a promise between men and must not be broken for any reason."
He said this before leaving and before I saw him for the last time... "It's like you knew you were going to die, don't mess around, old man." I clenched my fists and my teeth, held back my tears, and simply trembled with frustration. The rest of the day was like that for me, grieving and regretting that I couldn't cry for his death.
Part 2
The three months of mourning passed quickly, and both my sister and I had accepted the reality and managed to move forward. My mother seemed to be getting over it, but every night, she cried alone in her room.
After the first month passed, she seemed to leave it behind and devoted herself to taking care of us. She managed to get a job that paid well and allowed her time to take care of us. Thanks to this, we never felt that we were missing a mother, although sometimes she worked extra hours and came home a bit late. Nevertheless, she always found time to spend with us, and Kyouka seemed very happy about it.
Only one month was left until my 9th birthday, so I could go to school, meet people, and make friends. I was very anxious and excited because I hadn't been able to meet other people apart from my family, and I felt that I might mess up my first impression. But still, I wanted to take the step.
"Come on, Takanashi Riochiro, you can do it!" -I encouraged myself-
Even so, it felt like an eternity for the day to come, and I felt I wasn't doing anything for the house, so I took my sister and we started studying together. Later, when dinner time came, my mother prepared our favorite dishes, which she had been doing for the past two months, and we were a bit tired of eating the same thing every day.
And time passed until finally the day of my birthday arrived.
—Kyouka, Riochiro, come to the kitchen —my mother called out from the kitchen, which was on the first floor. My sister and I were in my room studying, on the second floor, but upon hearing my mother's shout, we ran down the stairs and went straight to the kitchen.
—Happy birthday, Rio-Nii —Kyouka said affectionately as she lunged at me to give me a hug.
—Happy 9th spring, Rio-chan —my mother said, sitting at the table where the birthday cake was.
—Thank you —I said happily.
—Well, if you want, sit down and have a piece of cake while I make dinner.
After hearing that phrase, my sister and I looked at each other, as if we were both thinking the same thing.
—What are you going to make for dinner? —we asked at the same time.
—Isn't it obvious? —she asked casually— I'll prepare your favorite again today.
After that, my sister and I looked at each other again, and after a few seconds, we nodded in unison and turned to our mother.
—Enough about us —we said decisively— it's your turn.
We grabbed our mother by her apron and pulled her to the nearest chair, making her sit down.
—What's going on? —she asked with an intrigued expression.
—Today, we'll cook for you —I said, putting an apron on my sister.
—What's your favorite dish, mommy? —my sister asked with the sweetness of a little girl.
—Kids, I don't think this is a good idea... —she replied uncertainly.
—Just let us cook for you today; this is your son's wish —I pleaded.
Mom fixed her gaze on the floor and gave a hesitant smile. Then she looked up at us, and her expression turned to one of joy.
—Alright, I'd like to eat karaage. It's been a while since I've had any breaded food.
—Coming right up!
—Let's get to work, little brother!
—Older brother, Kyouka-chan —I corrected.
—Whatever.
20 minutes later
We finished cooking the karaage too quickly, or maybe I took my time. I don't really remember much; it happened years ago, but if I try hard to recall, I can picture my mother's smile as she tasted the karaage, my sister's happiness when she received a compliment from my mother, and my inner peace seeing them both so smiling and happy. That memory will never fade from my mind.
—This is delicious, Rio-chan, Kyo-chan. I'm so happy to see that my two children are good cooks —my mother said while savoring the karaage.
—Jaja, I think I should dedicate myself to cooking after all, and even my brother could study with me and become a famous duo of cooks.
On my dear little sister's face, I could see the obvious excitement about what she had just said. But, although I was good at cooking, I was interested in other things. I saw cooking as a household task since it's very useful to know how to cook when living alone.
—Maybe I'll consider it for the future —I said condescendingly not to shatter Kyouka's illusions.
—Really?!
—Yes, yes, really.
—Promise —she said, holding out her pinky finger towards me.
—I can't promise something I'm not decided on —I said with feigned severity.
—Awwww... —she lowered her gaze, disappointed.
—But- —I interrupted her reaction— I can be with you until you no longer need me.
—Really? —she raised her gaze again, her eyes shining— Even if it's forever?
—Yes, I promise, if not, I'll commit Seppuku.
—That's... —my mother looked at me strangely.
—And you, mother —I said sharply— you'll stay with us forever, right?
She looked away towards the plate and nervously played with the fork.
—Mother, I want you to always be by our side because we'll always need you.
After that, my mother emitted a sound of surprise. She stayed with her head down for a few moments, then looked up at me. At that moment, I saw a tear run down my mother's red cheeks, but those were not tears of sadness, but of happiness.
—Thank you, Riochiro —she softly stroked my hair— And thank you too, Kyouka —she did the same to Kyouka— I will stay by your side until you can take care of yourselves; that's what a mother does —she said lovingly.
After that, the tears that had been running down my mother's face disappeared until there was just one tear left, which fell gently and slid into my hair, spreading its moisture until it vanished.
"I hope this is the last time I see my mother cry, no, this will be the last tear my mother sheds. I'll make sure to make her happier than anyone else."
—Alright, kids —she said while removing her arms from around me and Kyouka— It's time for you to go to sleep, especially you, Rio-chan. Tomorrow is your first day of school, so you need to be well-rested.
—Okay, I'll sleep with you tonight, little brother.
—Older brother —I emphasized.
—Whatever.
We both turned to look at our mother before heading to the hallway. Our mother returned our gaze, smiling. Seeing her, we did the same.
—Goodnight, Mom.
—Goodnight, Mom —Kyouka and I said simultaneously.
—Goodnight, Rio-chan, Kyo-chan.
After saying goodnight, we quickly climbed the stairs and reached my room. There, Kyouka and I discussed how we could sleep more comfortably and concluded that my sister would hug my head, pressing it against her chest. We did this because there was only one pillow, and since I was the smaller one, my feet wouldn't hang off the bed if I adjusted a bit lower.
The three months of mourning passed quickly, and both my sister and I had accepted the reality and managed to move forward. My mother seemed to be getting over it, but every night, she cried alone in her room.
After the first month passed, she seemed to leave it behind and devoted herself to taking care of us. She managed to get a job that paid well and allowed her time to take care of us. Thanks to this, we never felt that we were missing a mother, although sometimes she worked extra hours and came home a bit late. Nevertheless, she always found time to spend with us, and Kyouka seemed very happy about it.
Only one month was left until my 9th birthday, so I could go to school, meet people, and make friends. I was very anxious and excited because I hadn't been able to meet other people apart from my family, and I felt that I might mess up my first impression. But still, I wanted to take the step.
"Come on, Takanashi Riochiro, you can do it!" -I encouraged myself-
Even so, it felt like an eternity for the day to come, and I felt I wasn't doing anything for the house, so I took my sister and we started studying together. Later, when dinner time came, my mother prepared our favorite dishes, which she had been doing for the past two months, and we were a bit tired of eating the same thing every day.
And time passed until finally the day of my birthday arrived.
—Kyouka, Riochiro, come to the kitchen —my mother called out from the kitchen, which was on the first floor. My sister and I were in my room studying, on the second floor, but upon hearing my mother's shout, we ran down the stairs and went straight to the kitchen.
—Happy birthday, Rio-Nii —Kyouka said affectionately as she lunged at me to give me a hug.
—Happy 9th spring, Rio-chan —my mother said, sitting at the table where the birthday cake was.
—Thank you —I said happily.
—Well, if you want, sit down and have a piece of cake while I make dinner.
After hearing that phrase, my sister and I looked at each other, as if we were both thinking the same thing.
—What are you going to make for dinner? —we asked at the same time.
—Isn't it obvious? —she asked casually— I'll prepare your favorite again today.
After that, my sister and I looked at each other again, and after a few seconds, we nodded in unison and turned to our mother.
—Enough about us —we said decisively— it's your turn.
We grabbed our mother by her apron and pulled her to the nearest chair, making her sit down.
—What's going on? —she asked with an intrigued expression.
—Today, we'll cook for you —I said, putting an apron on my sister.
—What's your favorite dish, mommy? —my sister asked with the sweetness of a little girl.
—Kids, I don't think this is a good idea... —she replied uncertainly.
—Just let us cook for you today; this is your son's wish —I pleaded.
Mom fixed her gaze on the floor and gave a hesitant smile. Then she looked up at us, and her expression turned to one of joy.
—Alright, I'd like to eat karaage. It's been a while since I've had any breaded food.
—Coming right up!
—Let's get to work, little brother!
—Older brother, Kyouka-chan —I corrected.
—Whatever.
20 minutes later
We finished cooking the karaage too quickly, or maybe I took my time. I don't really remember much; it happened years ago, but if I try hard to recall, I can picture my mother's smile as she tasted the karaage, my sister's happiness when she received a compliment from my mother, and my inner peace seeing them both so smiling and happy. That memory will never fade from my mind.
—This is delicious, Rio-chan, Kyo-chan. I'm so happy to see that my two children are good cooks —my mother said while savoring the karaage.
—Jaja, I think I should dedicate myself to cooking after all, and even my brother could study with me and become a famous duo of cooks.
On my dear little sister's face, I could see the obvious excitement about what she had just said. But, although I was good at cooking, I was interested in other things. I saw cooking as a household task since it's very useful to know how to cook when living alone.
—Maybe I'll consider it for the future —I said condescendingly not to shatter Kyouka's illusions.
—Really?!
—Yes, yes, really.
—Promise —she said, holding out her pinky finger towards me.
—I can't promise something I'm not decided on —I said with feigned severity.
—Awwww... —she lowered her gaze, disappointed.
—But- —I interrupted her reaction— I can be with you until you no longer need me.
—Really? —she raised her gaze again, her eyes shining— Even if it's forever?
—Yes, I promise, if not, I'll commit Seppuku.
—That's... —my mother looked at me strangely.
—And you, mother —I said sharply— you'll stay with us forever, right?
She looked away towards the plate and nervously played with the fork.
—Mother, I want you to always be by our side because we'll always need you.
After that, my mother emitted a sound of surprise. She stayed with her head down for a few moments, then looked up at me. At that moment, I saw a tear run down my mother's red cheeks, but those were not tears of sadness, but of happiness.
—Thank you, Riochiro —she softly stroked my hair— And thank you too, Kyouka —she did the same to Kyouka— I will stay by your side until you can take care of yourselves; that's what a mother does —she said lovingly.
After that, the tears that had been running down my mother's face disappeared until there was just one tear left, which fell gently and slid into my hair, spreading its moisture until it vanished.
"I hope this is the last time I see my mother cry, no, this will be the last tear my mother sheds. I'll make sure to make her happier than anyone else."
—Alright, kids —she said while removing her arms from around me and Kyouka— It's time for you to go to sleep, especially you, Rio-chan. Tomorrow is your first day of school, so you need to be well-rested.
—Okay, I'll sleep with you tonight, little brother.
—Older brother —I emphasized.
—Whatever.
We both turned to look at our mother before heading to the hallway. Our mother returned our gaze, smiling. Seeing her, we did the same.
—Goodnight, Mom.
—Goodnight, Mom —Kyouka and I said simultaneously.
—Goodnight, Rio-chan, Kyo-chan.
After saying goodnight, we quickly climbed the stairs and reached my room. There, Kyouka and I discussed how we could sleep more comfortably and concluded that my sister would hug my head, pressing it against her chest. We did this because there was only one pillow, and since I was the smaller one, my feet wouldn't hang off the bed if I adjusted a bit lower.
Part 3
—Brother, help!!!!!
I woke up abruptly upon hearing the echo of Kyouka's scream, those echoes that wake you up from nightmares, or those strange dreams that you never remember. At first, I thought it was one of those, but suddenly I extended my hand to hug my sister again, but she was not by my side. At that moment, I quickly got up, didn't even take the time to put on my shoes, and hurried through the hallway on the second floor toward the stairs.
Upon descending, I looked ahead and witnessed a devastating scene. My sister lay unconscious on the entrance floor, and at the door were two men in black roughly grabbing my mother by the arms.
Without even thinking twice, I ran towards where my mother and her captors were, intending to take her back.
—You bastards!
Approximately two steps before reaching them, I jumped and put my fist in attack position, sure I would land a good hit and take my mother back. But the opposite happened. While still in the air, one of the men in black thrust his leg at me and delivered a powerful kick to my stomach, full force.
—Puagh
The impact was so strong that it sent me flying back towards the stairs. When my back hit the edge of the steps, I heard a "crack," followed by immense pain in my sides. Surely, I had broken a rib.
—Agggghhhh!!! —I writhed on the floor, screaming in pain.
Immediately, I tried to get up, but as I attempted, the man in black approached me and without hesitation began to stomp and kick me mercilessly.
—Ough! Agh! Augh!
Every second was agonizing; my whole body hurt, and with each blow, I felt my arms, legs, and vertebrae breaking and separating. I even thought he was going to kill me, but in an attempt to stop him, my mother grabbed him by the shoulder.
—That's enough, please. This has nothing to do with them.
Upon hearing my mother's words, the man stopped kicking me and grabbed her by the arm again. After that, the three of them crossed the door and stopped for a moment. At that instant, my mother turned back, while I lay on the floor, dying.
—Riochiro, take care of your sister and always remember to keep the promise you made with Dad.
She looked at me for a few seconds, and I looked back at her, but my vision was unstable, blurring with each blink. Even so, before my mother turned away again, I saw a tear run down her face.
"I'll kill them..." —entered my mind— "I'll get revenge..."
My eyelid covered my field of vision, and in a moment, I lost consciousness. But even in that lamentable state, I kept repeating that line of hatred, feeling like my brain was burning.
"I'LL KILL THEM."
Suddenly, I stopped thinking and decided to let my consciousness rest in the vast blackness that surrounded my vision.
"How irrational and painful that day was; how could I have thought of attacking people bigger and stronger than me? If that had been a real fight, I would surely be dead now. What could a child have done in that situation?"
"But even with that thought in mind, I would have done the same. Nobody would stand by and watch their mother being taken away, even if you hated her or were a coward. You wouldn't stand idly by, and I can assure you that from personal experience."
Part 4
I woke up feeling drops of liquid falling on my face. It wasn't as constant as rain, and if I were under a faucet or shower, I would be completely soaked.
I opened my eyes gently and saw my younger sister's distressed face in front of me. She was pouting heavily, and her eyes were filled with tears that ran down her face to her cheeks and then dripped onto my face.
—Brother... snif y-y-you're alive...
Her line seemed a bit odd to me, but given the state I was in after that man's beating, it didn't surprise me she said it so directly.
—What are you saying? Of course, I have to be alive. Otherwise, how would you manage?
—Yes... —she said disheartenedly— They took Mom, and I thought you were going to die, just like... —she trailed off, struggling to complete the sentence without crying.
—Yes, you don't need to say it... Remember, those things are behind us. We must move forward.
—Brother... I'm amazed you can stay so calm; they took Mom... THEY TOOK HER!
Her crying intensified, and Kyouka began rubbing her eyes frantically, trying to dry the tears, but it was useless as they kept pouring out of her eyes. I hugged her around the neck and pressed her head against my chest, at least so she could hold onto it. But still, every sob from Kyouka pained me in the chest, so much that I'm sure I shared her same pain.
On the other hand, I was calm because seeing my sister in that state reminded me of two very important things.
The first made my mother's last words resonate in my head repeatedly, like a catchy melody: "Remember the promise with your father."
It was true. If I broke down and started crying in front of my sister at that precise moment, I would make her desperate. Even her crying wouldn't be enough to calm her. Even after she calmed down, we would both live with the inevitable fear of leaving our house because of the men in black. I wouldn't agree with that even if I cut off my feet willingly.
The second... let's say it's hard to explain because I couldn't convey all my feelings in a few words, but let's put it this way:
Remembering that my mother was kidnapped before my eyes and I couldn't do anything about it, seeing my mother's stifled cries while those men took her away, seeing my sister in such a lamentable state because of that incident, even thinking it would be the last tear I would see from my mother or my sister. It was my duty to make them happy, both of them. No, I would even say it was the first promise I made to myself. And someone had to come and ruin it all.
At that moment, I looked towards the door and felt a sensation eating me from the inside, like flames devouring wood. I felt Rage