"Are you sure you don't want to go back and grab the rest of your things?"
"Yeah. There's nothing left there that I need."
After some time, I decided to accept Kanon's offer of letting me stay with them. Over the course of two days, I had already moved everything important to me inside of the cafe, but now with the mall closed, I'm now putting all my things inside Kanon's father's car. Apparently they'll have my uniform ready by tomorrow as he only needs to do a few little touches.
"Thank you, again..."
"Hehe. Well we might run into issues with your guardian."
"Well actually, technically I think I'm still under my grandmother's custody."
"Oh?"
I'm not 100% sure on that, but I like to believe that my grandma wouldn't just hand over custody so easily like that. There was probably some sort of negotiation or contract, but I think at the end of the day, my grandma is the one in charge.
"Haha, well that's a load off my plate."
Kanon's father chuckles at our conversation as he finishes loading some things; mostly things from the cafe, including the cats.
"Uhm. Do you not work the cafe at the weekends?"
"Oh we do, but we close earlier. Originally we opened for the same amount of time, but we found out that weekends don't make as much money past noon. So we like to close around 3pm instead of 7pm."
Interesting... I would've thought that weekends would be a lot more active.
"Oh but don't misunderstand. Weekends do make us the most money. Come lunchtime, the place is usually packed. Mainly by kids."
Kanon adds onto her father's explanation, clearing up my doubt. I guess even though I have only been here for a little bit, I have noticed that the amount of people we get is quite steady. It became the most busy around 4pm, probably due schools closing for the day, but apart from that, the cafe was relatively quiet.
"But are you sure it's okay for me to stay with you guys?"
"Of course! If Kanon says so, then I don't see any problem. Ah, but we'll have to introduce you to the rest of the family, haha."
Family... That words brings a sting to my heart, but I try and keep my composure as he closes the boot of the car.
"Now come on. Let's go back home."
The drive wasn't that long as we ended up arriving at the house in just under five minutes. It's quite dark now, but even as we pulled up to the house, I could tell how big it was at a glance. It's a two storied house, kind of like the house I grew up in, except ours was much more spacious I feel. But I guess that could just be 'cause of the perspective I had as a kid.
"Right! Do you need a hand with your things?"
"I'm okay, thank you."
I turn down the father's request as I get all my things sorted in a cardboard box before following up to the door.
"We're home~!"
Kanon opens it for us before announcing our return to the people inside as the cats from the cafe all flood inside.
"It's 'bout time! I was getting hungry!"
Oh? Someone comes down the stairs to greet us. They're much taller than Kanon so could this be her mother? Wait, but didn't she say that her mother was small as well? So then could this be her older sister?
"Sorry, Anna. We worked up until closing time, plus we-"
"Huh? Wait, who's that?"
Interrupting the father's explanation, the girl shoots her gaze towards me.
"Ah, this here is Reina. Reina, this here is Anna. My little sister."
"Nice to meet- you."
Wait... "Little" sister?
"She'll be staying with us for a while so try to get along."
"Fine, I don't care. Mom~! You can start on dinner now~!"
I was expecting some sort of conflict, but it seems like this girl couldn't care less about me as she moves back up the stairs.
"Oi, Anna! That's rude."
Kanon berates her sister, but I don't really mind. I know it's rude of me to impose myself like this to them. I'm basically a stranger to her sister, so-
"Ara? I see we have a quest?"
Just then, coming around the corner, wearing an apron is another woman. She looks to be just a little bit shorter than Kanon, but that doesn't take away to the mature aura that's cast around her. So this here is her mother?
"Yup! Sorry honey. But things came up and Reina here will be staying with us. Is that okay?"
"Is she the one you kept on talking about the past few days?"
"Yes!"
"Fufu, I see. Then I have no problem with it. Nice to meet you, Reina."
"L-Likewise."
How did I get accepted that easily? Also they've been talking about me when they're at home?
"Yes! Hey mom, do you need a hand with dinner?"
"Dinner's basically done, hehe. Ah~ But I might not have cooked enough now..."
"It's fine! I'm not all that hungry!"
I try to dispel the impending trouble, but the mom simply shakes her head.
"That won't do. If you'll be staying with us, then you need to maintain a good diet. Especially if you'll be helping us out at the cafe."
"But-"
"It's alright. It'll only take me little while to cook up the extra portion. Kanon? Could I take you up on that offer?"
"Mhmm! I'm on it!"
And just like that, Kanon joins her mom as they both move into the kitchen, leaving me with just her dad.
"Shall I show you to your room?"
"Yes..."
Upon entering my room upstairs, I'm greeted with quite a colorful room with a large bed and wardrobe, along with all the other things you'd expect from a bedroom... Unlike the barren state that was that man's place I was staying at until now.
"This isn't much, but I hope you can find comfort here."
"Th-thank you."
"Let me know if you need anything. Oh! And I'll probably have your uniform ready by tomorrow."
"Thank you..."
Tears well up in my eyes as I turn my eyes back inside the room before he could notice.
"Right. Then I'll leave you to it! We'll let you know when dinner's ready."
And with that, he leaves me alone in my new room, my tears still holding themselves in my eyes.
This is what I imagined it would've been like when that man took me in, so to finally see a bed again, let alone a window as well, on top of the warm atmosphere of this room- no, the entire house.
"Do I really deserve this?"
I know this isn't a permanent solution, but they never said how long I could stay here for, just as long as I needed is what Kanon said.
This room is just opposite of Anna's room who I met earlier, but judging from her attitude, I don't think I want to make her acquaintance just yet. So instead, I put down my cardboard box filled with all my things; or at least the things I hold dear to me. Even though there's room for me to put my things away, I kind of want to keep everything in this box. Who knows when I want to leave after all.
"Ah-"
Suddenly, I feel my knees buckle as I drop to the floor with a thud. Were my legs that exhausted? At least make it to the bed, Reina! Ah~ But even this floor... It feels so much warmer compared to the other place. I could just sleep like this... No, what am I thinking? Just make it to the bed! No, wait! Sleep after dinner! This is the first time in a while that I can eat a proper meal and not just sweets. Maybe this is why I suddenly collapsed, I haven't been eating well at all! Yes! Alright, then I have to stay awake, yup!
"Pfft, ehehe."
I couldn't contain my happiness any longer as I finally laugh at the situation I'm in. I'm getting this happy over a meal? Hehe. How hilarious is that? But as I laugh, I feel some strength returning to my legs as I slowly bring myself up, and that's when I notice the stuffed bunny in the box, immediately stopping my laughter in it's tracks.
"Ah~ Sis..."
I wonder where you are? Were you in a scary place like that? Or are you living in a place like this? The former sends chills down my spine as I imagine what it must be like for her. Would she be able to handle it? Honestly, without encountering Kanon, I might've seriously have broke into pieces, hell I could even be dead. My arm still stings a little from the cut, but with all the care that Kanon gives me, I feel it getting better every day.
"I just hope you have people like this..."
Although what I really want is to see you... To see for myself how you're doing. Are you even still alive? No! Don't think like that Reina! I'm sure she's doing okay... I think that, yet I find myself clutching the bunny plushie in my arms.
"Please be okay."
Back in "that" apartment-
"Mnn?"
I only just now realize that I fell asleep, but judging from how dark the room is, my guess is that I've woken up in the middle of the night.
"Ah-"
It's then that I remember where I am, and the blanket that's wrapped around me. I sniff the blanket once more as I can still pick up the smell of my sister. If only I was one of those dogs that can track scents then maybe I could find my sister. Oh right! Wasn't Reina meant to-!
Just as I was sitting up from the floor, I feel a sharp pain shooting up my back, stopping me in my tracks. Jeez... How could Reina sleep like this? Looking over around the corner, I see the bedroom with the man sleeping away on the bed. Why couldn't he have at least a bed or even a futon for her... But that just leaves me with the question; where is she?
My hopes would be that Reina would've come back at some point in the night, but surely she would've woken me up when she saw me sleeping where she was, I know I'd do the same. Hell I'd maybe even pick her up from this place and carry her all the way back to my apartment while she sleeps. She can be quite a heavy sleeper at times.
"Hmm..."
But now what? So far my plan isn't going as I thought it would, but I suppose this is only the start of the weekend. My brother and Mei gave me some money so-
"Oh!"
That's right! I forgot to send them a message!
Quickly, I grab my phone beside me, and that's when I notice numerous messages, not just from my brother and Mei, but also from Midori and the others along with missed calls. As for Reina's phone, there's nothing... Well, it's late, but I should let everyone know I'm okay.
After sending the message to my brother and Mei, I then go and open up Midori's messages.
Midori: "Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to do anything tomorrow? My mom helped me pack my things for my dad's so I have Saturday free."
Midori: "You okay? If you're at work then I'm sorry if I'm bothering you. Just let me know when you finish~."
Midori: "Luna? Hey, is everything okay?"
That last message was sent at 10pm, and from the looks of it, she looks a little worried. It's late, but I'll send a message real quick.
Midori: "Luna!"
But just then, Midori sends another message right as I was about to type my response. Wait... The time right now reads 2:42am... How is she still awake?
Luna: "Hello? Why are you still awake?"
I reposition myself into a sitting stance, wrapping the blanket around my legs.
Midori: "I just felt like something happened. You usually respond, so I was worried."
Worried enough to not get some sleep?
"Haha."
Luna: "Everything's okay. Just something came up and I probably won't be able to hang out this weekend."
Midori: "That's okay! I'm just glad you're okay. But what is it that's going on? You don't seem like the type of person to stay up this late."
Luna: "Says you lol. Well, just something came up and I have a lead on my sister, so I'll be busy until Sunday night."
After messaging quite a lot now, I've gotten used to using a few chat-slangs. I still feel a hint of embarrassment when I use them, so I try to keep it at a minimum. I'd actually like to stay in this man's apartment until Monday morning, but with how uncomfortable it is, I'd like some proper sleep before the start of the next school week.
Midori: "Your sister?! Wait, so you found where she is?"
Luna: "Actually, I'm currently staying at where she's been staying. Although she hasn't showed up yet."
Midori: "What?!"
Oh no... Why do I feel like Midori won't get any sleep now? Or maybe she took a nap?
Midori: "Where?"
Luna: "I can't say. It's a bit sketchy here so I wouldn't want you to get involved."
I was about to actually send her the address, but after seeing what this place looks like, along with the streets surrounding it, it's not really safe in my opinion, especially considering my sister got cut by those men before… I'd hate for Midori to get hurt...
Midori: "I know you're strong, but that doesn't mean you should throw yourself into dangerous situations!"
She sends a pouting emoji which I thought was pretty cute. It's not just Mei that cares for me, but also Midori... To think people not from our family can care for us this much. I feel my corners of my mouth rise up just thinking about it.
Luna: "I know. My brother and Mei know about this. If anything happens, I'll be okay."
Midori: "Mei?"
Luna: "Oh, the school nurse."
Midori: "Oh~"
Before I know it, a whole hour passes while I'm on the phone messaging Midori.
Luna: "Anyways, you should get some sleep."
Midori: "Mhmm! Promise me to keep in touch!"
Luna: "I promise."
Midori: "Hehe. Then goodnight~"
Luna: "Goodnight."
With that, I finally put my phone down, but that's when I realize that I need to send messages to everyone else.
Thankfully, I managed to send messages to Shin and the others, as well as Yume without anyone suddenly messaging me back, leaving me back on my own. Midori did help pass time and truthfully, I wanted to keep talking, but I could tell how sleepy she was getting with all the typos she was making. If only Reina had her phone with her, then maybe-
"Oh-"
With the sudden thought coming to mind, I quickly input my contacts into Reina's phone, doing the same thing for mine as well. I know that it's stupid, but after having done so, I feel an odd sense of connection, like a tiny piece of me is now connected to Reina. It's not much, but it's enough to bring the slightest warmth to my heart, even inside this cold, damp room.
"...Hahh."
It's then that I realize how bad my hair has gotten as I go to itch my head. I was probably rolling around a lot trying to get comfortable, and now my hair has gotten quite knotted. I always think about cutting my hair when it's like this, but I quickly dismiss that thought. The ends of my hair is connected to the time when I was still with my sister... With my parents. If I cut them, then I feel like I'm cutting away my memories of them… That said, my hair is past my waist, but that's just the price I have to pay.
Moving into the only separate room, the bathroom, I try to find a hairbrush, but I'm only met with a small comb. I'm guessing this is what that man uses? Well, it'll have to do I guess.
.....
...
"F-Finally..."
It took far longer than I expected, but I managed to get my hair sorted with this small comb. I've always used hairbrushes, so I never thought how difficult it was to use a comb until now. It took me almost thirty minutes and now my arms feel like jelly. With how much I exercise, it's been a while since my arms felt this sore.
("Ouch! That hurt sis!")
("Sorry!")
Memories of me brushing my sister's hair come to mind as I look at myself in the mirror.
("Ah! H-hey! Reina.")
("Pfft-fufu. That's payback, hehe.")
It was our first time brushing each other's hair and I still remember it as if it were yesterday. We didn't do it all the time, but most of the time, if we could, we'd always brush each other's hair. It was my sister's idea at first, but I quickly grew in love it.
("Mmmm~ I love your hair, Reina.")
("Mm! I love yours too sis!")
We'd always compliment each other like this every time as well since we'd always be made fun of at school. We knew that we looked different, so we made it a routine to care for each other's hair like this. It came to a point where I no longer cared what people thought of my hair as long as Reina liked it.
"Reina..."
Where are you?