Ocean's Sound

Shien had just opened the classroom door when...A sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway. Then a voice:— "Shien!!"Reina, running towards him, suddenly hugged him.Shien: "Take it easy, Reina... You're hurting me."Reina looked carefully at Shien's face. The cheerful expression in her eyes immediately turned serious, and her brows furrowed.Reina: "What... Did they beat you again? I swear I'll—"Shien lowered his head, his voice barely audible.Shien: "I wish it was just me they beat... But... They also punched my mom in the stomach."Reina's eyes widened in shock, not knowing what to say. A mixture of astonishment and anger filled her.Reina: "What?.. Are you serious? Did they... hit Aunt Nozomi? I'll—"A voice came from behind them. Firm but familiar:Teacher: "Hey! Shouldn't you two be in class already? I'm about to start."They both quickly snapped to attention.Shien & Reina: "Okay, teacher!"They entered the classroom. Just as the teacher was about to start calling the roll, he paused for a moment.Teacher: "Where are those three idiots? Does anyone know?"Reina confidently shrugged her shoulders:Reina: "They probably knew I'd hear what they did to Shien. They were scared I'd beat them up, so they didn't come. Cowards!"Shien: "I... don't think that's it, but..."Just then, the classroom door swung open with a bang. Souta appeared in the doorway. He walked in with a mocking expression.Souta: "Huh? Who's scared of you, bug? I'd flatten you in two seconds."Reina stood up angrily, but Shien barely managed to calm her down. Souta slowly walked towards Shien, leaned in close to his ear, and spoke in a tone as if whispering a dirty secret:Souta: "What kind of child are you? Your crazy mother is struggling for her life in the hospital, and here you are, sitting around. If she had any sense, she'd curse the day she gave birth to you."

Shien's body began to tremble.Shien: "W-What... What are you trying to say?"Souta: "Huh? Are you asking me? You should be asking our main character that..."The teacher raised his head and, with a bored tone, said:Teacher: "Hey! Stop wasting time and take your seats already!"Shien: "...Main character?"Shien was confused. At that moment, cold sweat began to bead on Tatsuya's forehead.Tatsuya: "I'm sorry, Shien... I'm not to blame. I swear, I really swear!"Souta, however, turned around and called out.Souta: "Hey, Kazuya! Show him that awesome video!"Kazuya, with a mocking grin, slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He turned the screen toward Shien.When the video started, Shien's eyes widened. His breath stopped. He didn't want to believe what he was seeing. His lips moved, but no words came out. His body trembled—was it anger? Fear? Or was it the possibility that something had happened to his mother that made him feel this way?Without thinking, as if on reflex, he started running. His heart was pounding, and the only thing on his mind was his mother. Nozomi...The teacher yelled from behind Shien:Teacher: "Hey! Shien! Get back to class!"But Shien had already disappeared down the school hallway. Reina quickly ran after him. At that moment, Kazuya, his expression now serious, immediately opened his phone and deleted the video. There could be no trace of it.Reina: "Shien! Wait, what happened? What did they show you?! Did they... Did they do something to Aunt Nozomi?!"Shien didn't answer. His breathing was erratic, his steps growing faster. He burst outside, his feet automatically taking him home. Reina was running after him. When they reached the street where he lived, they both stopped suddenly.Crowd.The sound of sirens.An ambulance.His eyes searched… and found it.

Nozomi, Shien's mother, was being carried on a stretcher to the ambulance.Shien's knees gave way. His eyes filled with tears. His throat tightened. He immediately tried to run to his mother's side, but the police stopped him.Police: "Hey kid! Who is this woman to you?"Shien's tears were unstoppable now. He yelled in response:Shien: "She's my mother! SHE'S MY MOM! Please... please tell me she'll be okay! Please, save my mom!"The police officer paused briefly, then broke eye contact and spoke in a soft voice:Police: "The nurses are taking care of your mother, don't worry. But I have a few questions for you. Can you come to the station?"Shien: "But... but I can't leave my mom! She's scared of hospitals... she always feels better when I'm by her side..."Police: "I promise you, before she wakes up, we'll get you back to the hospital. But this procedure is important, understand?"Just then, Reina arrived beside them. She didn't know what to do but tried to look strong. She hugged Shien.Reina: "Don't worry, Shien. I'll stay with your mom. You need to be strong now. Wipe those tears... big baby!"Shien was taken to the police station with an officer. He was brought into a small interrogation room. A cold chair, a dark room... and the image of his mother in his mind.Police: "Come on, wait here for a bit. The detective will want to see you. When he comes, you'll need to answer his questions, alright?"Shien silently nodded. He placed his trembling hands on his knees and lowered his head in worry. The police officer, seeing his condition, left the room for a while and went to get him a glass of water. At that moment, the door slowly opened.The detective entered.He sat quietly and opened his files.Tatsuya: "Nothing's going to happen, right? We didn't leave any evidence, did we?"Souta: "Leave me alone already! How many times do I have to tell you, nothing's going to happen. There's no evidence."Just then, Souta saw his father in front of the school. His eyes widened in surprise, and he called out to him.Kazuya: "Hey, isn't that your dad, Souta?"Souta: "Yeah, that's him. But why is he here? He should be at work right now..."

Tatsuya: "Damn, wasn't your dad a detective? Or… do you think he might have figured out what we did?"Souta: "Impossible. If he had, he wouldn't just have called me, he'd have called you guys too. Anyway, we'll see tomorrow."Souta quickly gets into the car. As soon as he enters, he notices the stern expression on his father's face.Souta: "Dad, you never really come to pick me up. Did something happen?"His father's brows are furrowed, his eyes filled with anger.Father: "Shut up! Do I look like one of those kids you bully?!"Souta speaks nervously:Souta: "Of course not, Dad... I just..."His father throws a plastic bag from his pocket to Souta, sitting in the back seat. The bag falls to the ground. Souta carefully looks at it, his hands starting to tremble. Inside, there's the empty cartridge from the gun he fired that day.Souta: "This... Dad, why are you showing me this?"Father: "Do you still think I'm stupid?! That bullet came from the government-issued gun! And for some reason, my gun was missing!"Souta: "Dad, I..."Father: "Idiot! What if I wasn't there?! What if another detective had come to the scene? Our family would have been ruined. Our reputation in the town would have been shattered. Most importantly... what if something happened to you?! What if you had accidentally pointed the gun at yourself?! Then I..."His father can't hold back his tears, his voice shaking. Souta lowers his head and speaks with regret.Souta: "I'm sorry... We just wanted to play a prank on a friend..."Father: "I don't care anymore. What's done is done. But there's one thing I want from you: You'll apologize to that kid and his family! No matter how crazy his mother is, she's still a human being. Go right now and apologize to them."Souta: "Okay, Dad... I'll do it..."Shien had spent the whole day at the hospital, holding his mother's hand tightly. Every time he looked at his mother's pale face, he felt an indescribable pain. Suddenly, the door to the room quietly opened. It was Reina who entered. Shien, startled, woke up from his sleep, quickly opening his eyes in panic.Reina: "It's me, Shien, don't be afraid. I brought you something to eat. You haven't eaten anything, right?"

Shien: "So it's you… Reina, I was so scared. I'm sorry. Thank you for always looking out for me… I'm so glad you're here. I'm so glad you're my best friend."Reina smiled shyly and handed him the food she was holding.Reina: "It might not be as good as my mom's, but... I hope you like it."Shien looked at the box in surprise.Shien: "Did you... make this for me?"Reina: "Yes, why? Don't you like it?"Shien's eyes filled with tears. He started to cry, but this time his tears weren't from helplessness, but from gratitude.Shien: "No... Of course not. This is going to be the best meal I've ever had."Reina smiled slightly. As she slung her bag over her shoulder, she glanced at Shien's mother once more.Reina: "Alright then... I have to go to school now, or else I'll get a big scolding from my mom and dad. I'll see you. I'll come back again, okay?"Shien nodded and waved her off. As Reina walked out of the room and headed for the hospital corridor, she suddenly saw Souta in front of her. Tatsuya and Kazuya were with him. Reina's eyes widened in anger, and she immediately grabbed Souta by the collar.Reina: "You guys... You're the real crazy ones! How could you do this? How could you treat Aunt Nozomi like this?! Because of you, Shien's life is falling apart! Do you have no humanity left?!"Kazuya: "Reina... Calm down. We're here to apologize. We regret what we did deeply."Tatsuya: "Really... We never meant for it to go this far. We're here to apologize."Reina: "Really? You're not lying, are you? If something comes up again... this time, I'll be the one to beat you, not Shien!"Souta: "Don't worry... We'll just express our regret and leave."Reina: "Okay... But don't waste too much time. If you're late, the teacher will be really angry, just so you know."As Reina walked toward the hospital exit, heading toward the school, Souta, Tatsuya, and Kazuya moved toward the hospital room.

Shien was holding her mother's warm hand at that moment. Her mother slowly opened her eyes. Shien excitedly turned to her, kneeling down, and resting her head on her mother's hand.

Shien: "Mom... we're going to leave this town. We'll see all the places you've always wanted to see, okay? The big ocean... You know, the one you showed me in the magazines... Then we'll get ice cream in the city, eat sweets..."

Nozomi: "Ah... auh..."

Shien: "Of course, we'll go to the zoo too! I promise... I've been saving money all summer just for you... So get better. Okay? Get better."

Shien placed a small kiss on her mother's forehead. Wiping away her tears, she stood up.

Shien: "I'm going to the bathroom now, I'll be right back, okay, Mom?"

When she left the room, she found Souta, Kazuya, and Tatsuya standing in front of her. They all lowered their heads in shame.

Shien stood frozen in fear and shock. The three people who had caused her mother to end up like this were standing right in front of her. Her breath became shallow, and her body froze. At that moment, all three of them lowered their heads.

Souta: "We're really sorry for what we've done... You're right about everything. We don't even expect you to forgive us."

Kazuya: "Yes, Shien... We're sorry."

Tatsuya: "I'm ashamed of what I've done... Please, forgive us."

Shien stared at them in astonishment. Deep within her heart, anger was rising, but she didn't express it. Trying to stay calm, she spoke.

Shien: "Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is learning from them... right?"

Suddenly, Souta grabbed Shien's hand, and unable to hold back his tears, he started crying.

Souta: "Shien... really, we won't bully you again. I promise."

Then, all three of them turned and walked away toward the school. A moment of silence followed. However, as they walked down the road, Souta suddenly muttered under his breath.

Souta: "Shien... you're such an idiot."

Kazuya: "What are you saying, Souta?"

Souta: "Because of her crazy mom, I've had more insults from my dad than I can count. And now, bowing down in front of her... it makes me sick."

Tatsuya: "So, are you going to keep bullying Shien?"

Souta turned to Tatsuya with a mocking smile.

Souta: "Don't be ridiculous. I don't go back on my word... but..."

Kazuya: "But what?"

Souta: "I said I won't bully her. I didn't say I wouldn't do it to the people she cares about."

Suddenly, Tatsuya stopped. His face became serious.

Tatsuya: "I'm sorry, Souta. I'm out. Our friendship ends here."

Souta: "Is that what you're saying, Tatsuya?"

Tatsuya: "What are you trying to say?"

Souta pulled a crumpled photo out of his pocket. The photo showed the moment Tatsuya shot Shien's mother.

Tatsuya's face drained of color.

Tatsuya: "Kazuya... You promised you'd delete that photo!"

Souta moved closer to Tatsuya and let out a low laugh.

Souta: "Some promises... only last until the need is gone, Tatsuya."

Of course! Below is the scene you provided, made more fluid and adjusted to suit a novella style. The dialogues and emotional transitions were placed more naturally. Here's the revised version:

Souta: "So, what? I've found someone to do my dirty work, why would I let them go? And I know you won't abandon me either. But if you insist, I'll end our friendship. I'll delete this photo too. But... I'll have one last request. You'll grant your friend's last request, right?"

Tatsuya: "This time, I'm not falling for your lies. How do I know there's no other copy of that photo?"

Souta: "Don't worry. I swear there's no other copy. I even deleted the video. Let's do this… Kazuya, pass me the photo."

Kazuya hands the photo to Souta. Souta rips the photo in front of them and throws it in the trash.

Tatsuya:"So is that it? Just because you tore up the photo, I'm not obligated to do what you say anymore."

Souta:"No, you still are. Why? Because if I make you my new target instead of Shien... Imagine it, the top student, the athletic Tatsuya... becomes Souta's dog. Isn't that terrifying, from your perspective?"

Tatsuya:"Fine... If I do this last thing for you, you'll leave me alone, right?"

Souta:"My word is my bond. Right, Kazuya?"

Kazuya:"Of course."

Souta:"Then let me tell you the plan..."

Meanwhile, Reina is walking quickly down the school corridor.

Reina's friend:"Hey, Reina! Where are you off to? Going to see your boyfriend Shien?"

Reina:"Yes... wait, I mean... yes, I'm going to see him, but he's not my boyfriend! You—Do you want a beating or something, huh? Come here!"

Reina's friend:"I was just joking, joking! Anyway, see you. Say hi to Shien for me!"

Reina:"I will... Wait a minute. His Shien? You..."Her friend quickly runs off. Reina, smiling, heads to the hospital to keep the promise she made to Shien. However, when she enters the room... it's empty, and only a note remains.

Reina slowly enters the room. Shien and her mother are not there. But on the bedside table is a note. She picks it up with trembling hands and begins to read:

"Reina, I'm sorry for leaving without saying goodbye. The doctors said my mom won't make it much longer... so I wanted to make her last moments unforgettable.I know how much you love me... and I love you too. If things were different... maybe I would have confessed to you. But I don't want to see you in pain.After you left this morning, Souta, Tatsuya, and Kazuya came. They apologized. I accepted, but... the anger inside me didn't fade. I followed them and overheard them planning to burn down my house.So I went and gathered my important things first. Don't worry, Reina, you've always been the strongest and most beautiful girl I've ever known. We'll meet again soon.With love,Shien"

As Reina reads the letter, she is overwhelmed with tears.

Reina:"Stupid Shien..."

At night, Souta, Tatsuya, and Kazuya silently approach Shien's house when suddenly sirens are heard.

Police:"Put your hands on your heads, kids!"

The three of them freeze, not knowing what to do. The police cuff all of them.

Tatsuya (in a panic):"I didn't do anything! It was all Souta's idea! He's the one who gave me the gun!"

Police Chief:"You said gun?"

Kazuya:"Yes! He forced us! He made us do everything!"

Souta:"You all have no idea—!"

Police Chief:"I think you've got a lot to tell us, son."

Meanwhile, Shien and his mother, Nozomi, have reached the city center. Though Nozomi cannot speak, her eyes shine with happiness.

Shien:"Yes, mom, we're in the city. Let's go explore together."

They first have a meal at a nice restaurant.

Shien:"Ah... you really love this, don't you?"

Nozomi:"Ah... augh..."

Shien:"I know you like it."

Then, to the zoo... penguins... the amusement park... on the Ferris wheel, with the city beneath their feet.

Shien:"Look, mom, the city looks so beautiful, doesn't it?"

Nozomi:"Ah... auh..."

Suddenly, Nozomi kisses her son's cheek. Shien can't hold back his tears.

Shien:"I'm fine, mom... Tomorrow, can we go to one last place? The beach you always wanted to see..."

Nozomi slightly shakes her head.

The next morning, Shien wakes up, gets ready, and goes to his mother's side.

Shien:"Mom... wake up. Today, we're going to the ocean you've always dreamed of..."

No answer comes. Shien's face falls. He strokes her hair with his hand and shakes her, but... Nozomi doesn't move. She has already closed her eyes forever.

Shien (in a hoarse voice):"Don't worry, mom... I promised you. I'll take you there. Watch from up there, okay..."

Shien puts a hat and sunglasses on his mother's lifeless body and takes her outside. After a long journey, they finally reach the ocean shore.

He gently lays her down on the sand, spreading her arms to the sides. He does the same, lying down next to her.

Shien:"Mom... just like you said, the sound of the ocean is so peaceful... gentle... Now I understand why you loved it so much. Because you're just like the ocean. Gentle and peaceful..."

 THE END

Author's Note: Every sane person can lose their mind one day. So instead of mocking them, let's extend a kind hand. Okay?