Part 7: Even If One Is Missing
Haruto turned and ran toward the group waiting ahead.
"Hey!" he shouted, smiling. "I'm here!"
As Haruto reached the gathering spot, he saw everyone already there—Amaya, Arashi, Ayame, Izumi, Kaito, Souta, and Yuna. Relief washed over him.
Before he could greet them, a familiar hand reached out.
Ayame gently but firmly caught his ear, pulling him a little closer. "You," she said, narrowing her eyes the way only a big sister could, "where were you?"
"Ouch—Ayame," Haruto protested softly.
She leaned in, worry clear on her face. "And what happened to your head?"
"I got bumped into by a cycle," Haruto replied quickly.
Yuna stepped forward, her voice full of concern. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Haruto nodded. "I'm fine. Really."
Souta glanced around. "Then where's Misaki?"
Arashi answered quietly, "Her father's sick. She's at the hospital with him."
Izumi added, "I don't know how bad it is, but… it seems serious."
Ayame finally let go of Haruto's ear, resting her hand on his shoulder instead. The group fell silent for a moment.
Then Haruto smiled faintly. "Let's enjoy today—for her too."
Everyone agreed.
The eight of them set off together, walking side by side. They laughed, joked, shared food, and talked about small, silly things. The evening air felt lighter as their voices filled it.
For a little while, all that mattered was that they were together.
Before the night ended, all of them stopped by a small shop together.
Without even discussing it much, they bought jackets—nine in total.
"One for Misaki too," Amaya said quietly.
No one argued.
They put the jackets on, standing side by side like a gang, laughing and teasing each other. A passerby helped them take a picture. Afterward, they got it printed nine times, making sure each of them had one copy.
"Even Misaki," Yuna said, holding hers carefully.
With that, the night slowly came to an end.
One by one, everyone headed their own way.
Haruto walked home with Ayame and Kaito, the three of them side by side under the dim streetlights.
As they turned onto their street, Haruto felt it.
He glanced up.
For a brief moment, it felt like someone was watching them from the rooftops.
"…Did you feel that?" Haruto muttered.
Ayame looked around. "Feel what?"
"Nothing," Haruto said after a pause. "Probably just tired."
They reached home and stepped inside.
"Hey," Haruto said lazily, kicking off his shoes. "Aka, Brother Renjiro—do you want the explanation now or tomorrow? 'Cause I wanna sleep… but I'm also hungry."
Ayame crossed her arms. "You just ate."
Kaito pointed at him. "You ate more than I did."
No reply came.
The house was quiet.
Too quiet.
When they entered the hall, it was clear—only the three of them were home.
Ayame spotted a letter on the table and picked it up. "There's a note."
She read it aloud:
Ayame, take care of your brothers.
If anyone feels hungry, food is in the kitchen.
You can sleep.
Renjiro and I will be late—we're in a meeting.
Take care.
The tension eased.
They warmed some food, ate quietly, and soon headed to their rooms.
Haruto lay on his futon.
He shifted.
And shifted again.
His breathing grew uneven.
Though his eyes were closed, his body moved restlessly—
as if trapped in a nightmare he couldn't wake from.
The room remained silent.
But the feeling from earlier…
refused to leave.