Chapter 03: I'll Bring Her Back

Chapter 03: I'll Bring Her Back

The soft golden hue of morning crept into the room through the half-closed curtains, casting streaks of light across the wooden floor. Dust particles danced lazily in the air. The world outside was just beginning to wake—but inside, Kaito sat slouched against the door, his head resting on his knees, eyes heavy with sleep.

Knock. Knock.

"Wake up, brother. Hey, wake up?" Arina's voice called from the other side of the door.

Kaito stirred, eyes slowly fluttering open. His body ached. He'd overslept.

"Coming… wait a minute," he muttered groggily, wiping his face. But as he stood up, her words came crashing back.

"I'm leaving home tomorrow."

His chest tightened. His heart sank to his stomach. She will leave today. Leave for real.

His eyes shimmered with the threat of tears. But he clenched his fists. "No… I can't cry. I have to be strong. If I cry… who'll take care of Arina?"

He wiped his face with his sleeve, forcing the tears back down. Then, he opened the door.

Arina stood there, hugging a plush toy to her chest, her brows furrowed. "Brother… I can't find Mom."

Kaito flinched at her words, trying to keep his face still. "What is it, Arina?" he asked with a sigh, trying to sound calm.

"She's not in her bed…" she mumbled, eyes uncertain. "I thought she was in the kitchen but… she's not there either."

There was a pause. A long one.

Kaito's breath caught. His mind raced.

"Did she leave already...? Did she really go without saying goodbye...? Didn't she even think how I'd feel...? How Arina would feel...? That's how she calls herself a mother...?"

His hands trembled, but he quickly stepped forward and hugged Arina tightly.

"Wha—? Brother?" she murmured, her small hands gripping his T-shirt. "You're scaring me."

Kaito's voice was quiet, shaking. "It's okay. Don't be scared."

Arina looked up at him. "Did… did Mom say anything to you? About where she went?"

He didn't answer right away. His mouth opened… then closed.

"She… she went to work. Far away. Like Dad did," he finally said. "She told me last night, but I forgot to tell you."

It was a lie. A bitter one. And the moment it passed his lips, it felt like poison. Inside, he was screaming at himself. "Why am I lying to her? She deserves to know… but if I tell her, she'll break. I can't do that to her. Not now…"

Arina blinked. "Work?" she whispered. "But… but she didn't say goodbye. She always says goodbye."

"I know."

"She… she didn't even make breakfast today."

"I know."

"I—I thought she was just joking last night… when she said something about leaving," Arina said quickly, her voice rising in panic. "She said it so coldly. I thought… maybe she was mad and just bluffing. She always says stuff like that. But she wouldn't… she wouldn't really leave us, right? Brother?"

Kaito didn't respond.

"Right?" she asked again, grabbing his T-shirt. "Right?!"

He hesitated… and that silence told her everything.

Arina's lips trembled. "You're lying," she said, voice breaking. "You're lying to me!"

"I'm not," Kaito said softly.

"Then bring her back!" she cried, tears bursting from her eyes. "Tell her to come back! I want to say goodbye! I want her to hug me! Why would she leave without even saying anything?"

Kaito pulled her close, holding her head to his chest. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"

Arina screamed into his chest. "Why?! Why would she do that?! Am I that bad of a kid?! Did I do something wrong?! Is that why she left?!"

"No! No, Arina, no. You didn't do anything wrong," Kaito said, voice cracking now. "She just… she decided to leave. For herself. Not because of you."

"But why us… why me?" she sobbed. "Is it because Dad's never come home? Are we… are we alone now?"

Kaito clenched his jaw. His voice dropped, almost a whisper. "We're not alone. We have each other. I'll stay. I'll protect you."

"You'll leave too," she muttered. "You'll leave one day, just like them. Everyone does."

"I won't," Kaito said firmly, his voice a little louder. "Even if I say something stupid one day or even if I mess up… I'll never leave you. I promise."

Arina's sobs grew softer. Her hands clutched his back tighter. "I miss her already…"

"I do too," Kaito admitted, swallowing the lump in his throat. "More than you can imagine."

Then for a long moment, they just stood there in silence, wrapped in each other's arms, the world outside unaware of how it had just shattered inside this little home.

Then came the soft sound of wheezing. Kaito paused, alert. He glanced over and saw Arina, curled up on the couch, her breathing steady and shallow. She had fallen asleep.

"…Arina?" he whispered gently, stepping closer.

No response.

A small sigh escaped his lips as he carefully bent down and scooped her up into his arms. She was light—too light. He could feel how much weight she'd lost, how fragile she'd become since that day. Her head rested against his chest, her breath warm on his shirt.

He walked slowly to his room, cautious not to wake her. The floor creaked under his feet, but Arina didn't stir. Reaching the bed, he lowered her onto the mattress, adjusting the blanket around her small frame. She stirred just a little, murmured something incoherent, then fell back into peaceful slumber.

Kaito sat on the edge of the bed, his hand hesitating in the air for a moment before resting gently on her head. He brushed a few strands of hair from her face.

His throat tightened.

She looked so calm.

His lips trembled as he whispered in his mind, "I'm sorry, Arina… I didn't want to lie to you. But you have to wait for that. Just wait a little longer. Until then…"

His fingers curled slightly.

"Your brother will take care of everything."

He turned his face away, eyes burning.

"But Mom… why did you do that to us? Why…?"

---

Some time passed. The house was quiet, save for the faint ticking of the old clock in the hallway. Kaito got up, walked into the small bathroom, and washed his face. The cold water didn't help. His reflection stared back at him with hollow eyes.

After getting fresh, he stepped into the living room again. His eyes landed on the table.

The credit card.

He hadn't touched it since he found it… just lying there, next to a neatly folded piece of paper that said, "Use it if you have to. – Mom." That paper had been the last thing she left behind. No goodbye. No warning. No explanation.

He clenched his fist.

He never wanted the card.

He didn't want anything from her.

But… they needed food.

"I'll… go get something." His voice barely escaped his lips. He looked at Arina once more before locking the door behind him.

---

The air outside was cold. He walked in silence, his hands buried in the pockets of his hoodie, head slightly down. His mind was far from the street.

"Why did she leave us alone?"

"What happened with Dad?"

"Did he hurt her? Or… did she leave him?"

"Why? Why didn't they think of us even once?"

He gritted his teeth.

A thought crossed his mind. "Maybe I should ask Dad... maybe there's something he'll say. Some truth I missed. He probably thinks I'm just a middle schooler. Just a dumb kid who won't understand. But I will ask. What harm can it do?"

He nodded slightly to himself.

"I'll bring her back. Somehow. I'll make her come back. For Arina."

But then doubt crept in.

"But what if she doesn't want to come back…?"

He looked up.

The store was right in front of him. He hadn't realized he had already arrived.

---

He stepped inside. It was a small local shop, warm and dimly lit, with shelves filled with snacks, lunch boxes, and drinks. He looked around awkwardly, unsure where to start.

Behind the counter, a voice called out, "One moment, please!"

Kaito stood stiffly, trying not to meet anyone's gaze. He wasn't the type to go shopping alone. Usually Aoi dragged him to places like this—nagging, pulling, insisting he go out more. She always said he was too quiet for his own good.

He glanced at the bento section.

Two simple options stood out—Beef Curry Bento and Salmon Teriyaki Bento.

He pointed at them when the shopkeeper arrived. "Uh… those two, please."

A girl came out from behind the shelf curtain. Probably his age. Blue hair. Long and smooth. Her eyes were sharp—a piercing blue like cold ice. She was wearing the shop uniform, sleeves rolled up a little. She looked at him and offered a short smile.

"Two bentos? That'll be 1000 yen," she said, handing him the boxed meals.

Kaito awkwardly handed over the cash. "Thanks…"

He glanced at her once more before turning to leave. She looked curious, maybe even worried. But she didn't ask anything.

Outside, he walked slowly, carrying the bags in one hand.

His mind was already spinning again.

"I'll call Dad once I get back. Even if he doesn't pick up right away… I'll keep calling."

"And for Arina… I should get something to keep her busy. Her classes end earlier now. Maybe drawing supplies? Books?"

"She used to like puzzles…"

He didn't realize how long he had been walking again.

---

Back at home, he quietly unlocked the door and stepped in.

Still asleep.

He placed the bentos on the table, then retreated to his room. The phone was there.

He picked it up. Dialed.

"The number you are trying to reach is currently busy."

Again.

"The number you are trying to reach is currently busy."

And again.

"The number you are trying to reach is currently busy."

No answer.

"Pick up the damn phone, Dad!" he shouted, slamming the phone down on the sofa.

"I want to know what happened between you two! I need answers!"

The screen glared back at him in silence.

He sat on the edge of the sofa, breathing heavily, fists clenched on his lap.

"You left us too, didn't you? Just like her."

He lowered his head, a tear rolling down.

"I hate both of you. But I still… want to know why."

~~~~~~~~~Chapter Ended)~~~~~~~~~~

To be continued...