Our main protagonist is high school student Akihito Kayiba. Growing up Akihito was a happy, kind, bright child. He excelled both in studies and sports. He also took part in clubs with his friends. At home his beautiful and kind mother Haruka Kayiba prepared for his return. He was greeted with a kind smile and a hot bath every day after he returned home. He would then help his mother set the table for dinner. Usually, his father would come home from work at this time. This mother would greet his father, and he would hop in the shower. They then sat down and had dinner together as a family.
Everything changed in his first year of High School. Akihito's father, Jirou Kayiba, committed suicide by hanging in a hotel room. It was Christmas Eve. Akihito was devastated. Haruka collapsed, entering a comatose state. Jirou and Haruka were middle school sweethearts. They grew up together and started dating in middle school. Haruka could be seen crying while in her comatose state. She cried the entire week she was in that state. Akihito now having lost his father, and his mother being in this state, was at his lowest. Everything that was most important to him had been lost. His friends reached out to him, out of concern for his safety. But Akihito, to not inconvenience them, stated he was fine. He remained confined to his room. Only exiting to visit his mother at the hospital. The only person who somewhat got a reaction from him was Misaki, his aunt. She was able to get him to eat, and bathe. She was devastated herself but put on a strong face for Akihito. Promising to never leave him, and always be by his side. Akihito could only cry in response.
When his mother woke up, she was completely different. She no longer smiled, and her eyes lost their shine and color. She remained completely silent, only nodding in response. She would voluntarily eat and could do all tasks as usual. When Akihito heard his mother awoke, he rushed to the hospital. When he entered the room, he saw two others-already in the room. His aunt Misaki Tachibana, and the doctor assigned to his mother. His aunt turned toward him. At that time Akihito called for his mother. His mother spoke for the first time since waking up.
"Get out"
Akihito stopped in his place. And both the doctor and his aunt turned towards his mother. His aunt spoke.
"What's wrong Haruka. Do you ne…"
"GET OUT!!! Haruka points at Akihito "GET OUT THIS INSTANT" She continued
"Hey now. What are you saying?" Misaki asked while attempting to calm Haruka.
"Mom. What's wrong. It's me Aki, your son." Akihito said while a single tear came down his cheek
"YOU ARE NOT MY SON. YOU CAUSED ALL THIS. THIS IS YOUR FAULT. I WISH I NEVER GAVE BIRTH TO YOU!" His mother shouted passionately.
By that time the doctor had administered a sedative. And Haruka began to fall asleep.
His aunt, who was in a temporary state of shock, turns towards Akihito and begins to stand
"Aki don't list…"
At that moment Akihito turned and ran out of the room.
"AKI!! WAIT DON'T GO!!" His aunt pleaded. Collapsing back into her chair.
"Honestly what were you thinking?" she asked an unconscious Haruka.
Akihito now outside the hospital drops to his knees and shouts as he breaks into full tears. He was crying hysterically.
Misaki reached him soon after and embraced him.
"There, there. Auntie is her for ya"
Akihito embraces Misaki back and cries on her shoulder.
Now they're in Misakis home. Akihito, standing in the middle of the room, mumbles while looking down at the floor.
"I'm sorry" he proclaimed as Misaki entered the living room with tea.
"fufu What are you apologizing for. Come on sit down with aunty?" she said while gesturing to her lap after taking a seat.
Akihito takes a seat next to Misaki and then proceeds to lay his head on her lap. Misaki begins to run her fingers through Akihitos hair.
"You're my biggest concern right now" she said while looking down at him with a smile.
[I've made Misa worry about me. Yet another person I'm bringing down by being around.] Akihito thought
Akihito stands. His head hanging low and looking downcast.
"huh. Aki…" His aunt exclaims as he stands
"I'm sorry for worrying you. But I'm fine now, I think I'll go to my room. You should go be with mom." He says as he walks towards his room.
*Misaki had an extra room. Akihito would use the room when he sleeps over. *
"Aki, wait." Akihito stops moving short of entering the room. "Why don't we go back together. Maybe I can speak with Haruka…"
"SHE DOESN'T WANT ME THERE!" Akihito shouts.
"Aki" His aunt says in a saddened voice
"I'm sorry Misaki" Akihito lets out as he enters his room. Slamming the door behind him.
[You haven't called me Misaki since you were 3] His Aunt thought to herself. Tears welling up in her eyes.
She knocks on the door a bit later and states she's going to go speak with his mother. She left some money on the counter so that he could grab something to eat for tonight. And that he should call her if he needs anything. No response can be heard.
"I promise you, ill work something out with your mother"
She then leaves the home. Akihito can be seen sitting against the opposite side of the door crying quietly.
Now back in the hospital. Misaki enters the room. But finds nurses clearing the room.
"Excuse me, was the patient in this room moved" Misaki asked.
"No. She left on her own accord about an hour ago
Misaki began to panic, fearing the worst."
Misaki immediately tried calling Haruka on her cell phone, while running back to her vehicle. Haruka answers.
"Hello. Haruka. Where are you?" Misaki asked.
"I'm boarding a train." Haruka replied. Much to Misaki's shock.
"What are you talking about Haruka. Stop joking around, I need to speak to you about Aki in person." Misaki pleaded.
"I want nothing more to do with him. Goodbye." Haruka then hung up the phone.
Misaki was at a loss for words. She tried calling Haruka again, but the phone was instantly sent to voicemail.
"Aki. I promise I will bring your mother home. I swear this on my life."
She clutches her fist together and drives off. Exiting the frame.
Now 6 months later. Akihito wakes up in his room. He gets up and begins getting ready for school. He does this in complete silence. His face is emotionless. The house is a mess, with trash everywhere. Having completely removed himself from the life of those around him. The only person who he communicates with is Misaki. Who checks in on him often.
*RING RING*
"Hello." *mumble* "Yes, I'm up." *mumble* "Yes, I know. Anyways I gotta go or I'm going to be late. Bye"
[Misaki is constantly worrying about me. Not just her but everyone else. Well at least everyone else used to worry. Now Misaki is the only one left.] Akihito thought to himself.
He got to the door and began putting on his shoes.
"I really hope no one tries to talk to me. That would be best for everyone." Akihito said to himself.
He walked out the door and headed to school.
On his way to school he stumbled upon a girl crouched down near a tree at the local park near his home. He looks over at her as if she seems to be looking for something. She had some milk in one of her hands, and her phone in the other.
"Hey, where'd you go" she said playfully.
[I wonder what she's doing. Not that I care]
"No, come back I'm nice I promise."
[Who is she talking to?] He thought.
He looked away and kept walking to school. [I really hope that girl isn't in my cclass. Not that it will matter. Its not like we are going to interact at all.] as he finished his thought a cat ran past him from behind.
"Wait come back. Ugh"
The girl ran into Akihito, sending both crashing to the ground. The girl ended up on top of Akihito. Their eyes met.
"Ahh. I'm so sorry, are you ok. You're not hurt, are you?" She said in a panicked tone.
"Could you get off me first"
The girl looked down at their current position. Blushing she said
"Oh I'm so sorry about that, let me get up"
She began to introduce herself
"Hi im Asu.."
Akihito began walking away.
"Hey! What's up with that? Fufu" Asuna said jokingly.
"What's up with what?" [Why did I respond] he thought
"That face." She said while running in front of him and putting her face close to his. Akihito began to blush…
"Hey, what are you doing. Have you heard of personal space." Akihito retorted
"fufu. Im sorry, people complain im a bit pushy"
"A bit?" Akihito said softly, thinking she wouldn't hear him.
"Hey, that's mean." Asuna said and then began to pout.
"fufu. Wahaha" Akihito laughed. But soon he caught himself and instantly went back to his somber state
He turns away from Asuna and is about to walk off.
"Don't give up." Asuna said from behind.
Akihito turned to her and in that second something in him snapped.
"SHUT UP!" He clenched his fist. "What the hell would you know!?" he shouted looking down at the ground. Akihito snapped back in that moment. He raises his head to look at Asuna. Expecting not to see her there or see her in a state of sadness or anger. As his eye met her face all that could be seen, was a bright and beautiful smile.
"I don't know much, fufu. But… I know you shouldn't give up on that laugh"
She proclaimed, turning in the other direction and walking away. After a few steps she turns around
"Im Asuna btw."
Akihito is left there unable to move. He begins to cry.
The bell rings, commencing the first day of the new school year. Students are seated in their seats eager to start the new school year and make connections with their peers
"Ok I'm going to start roll call. Please reply with 'here' when you hear your name"
The teacher starts naming off names on the lists. When she reaches Akihito's name she doesn't get a reply.
"Does anyone know where Akihito is?"
"Maybe he already kicked the can." replied one student
laughter could be heard breaking out.
The teacher looks at a particular student.
"Izumi do you know where he is" Asked the teacher.
"Don't ask me. Me and Akihito aren't friends anymore." Izumi responded
"I see"
At that very moment, the door slams open" Akihito walks through the door and says a single word…
"Here"
"Thank you for gracing us with your arrival Akihito. Please take your seat, we are about to begin." His teacher said jokingly.
Akihito walked towards the only open seat left in the class. Akihito sees a familiar face. It is Asuna the weird girl from the park near his home. Shes seated next to the empty seat Akihito is about to sit in. Their eyes meet but Akihito quickly looks away. That entire class period Akihito could sense Asuna looking at him periodically.
[What is this girl's issue?] He thinks to himself. [Who cares? Why am I letting one girl be the center of my thoughts right now. I'll just keep my head down like usual and finish off the day without incident.
The bell rings signifying the start of lunch period. Akihito began to walk to his usual spot. It's an abandoned shed at the back of the main building. It used to act as a storage room for gym class. But it remained unused for the last 10 years, after a new building was added. Akihito arrives at the shed and opens the door.
"Well, hey there stranger" It was Asuna
Akihito jumps out of fear. Not expecting to see anyone else inside the room.
"What are you doing here." Akihito asked.
"Fufu. I didn't know you owned the school Akihito."
"You know what never mind, ill leave." Akihito reaches for the door
"WAIT!" Asuna yelled out while grabbing Akihitos sleeve.
"I just need a place to stay for a night. I can't tell you the reason as too why I need a place to crash at. But…
"Are you insane." Akihito interjected
He began to open the door.
"Please. I'm all alone right now."
Akihito's eyes widen. He clenches his fist and lets out a deep breath.
"Just a single night. And don't expect me to cook either" Akihito said while leaving the room.
After the door shuts, Asuna is seen in the room tears nearly pouring out.
[I knew you where a good boy.] she thought while blushing and wiping away the tears.