SON

It was nighttime. The sky was dark, yet stars sparkled above, and the city below glowed brightly. But in one apartment, all the lights were off—except for a single room with a balcony.

A boy sat there, covering half his face with his hand. His long hair fell over his right eye. Lost in thought, he slowly leaned over and collapsed onto the dusty balcony floor, using his hand as a pillow. He fell asleep without a blanket, under the silent night sky.

---

The Next Morning

The alarm buzzed loudly inside his room. Akira slowly opened his eyes, still lying on the balcony. Sitting up, he ran his hand through his hair and held his head.

"Another bad day…?" he muttered to himself.

The bright sunlight lit up his face, revealing his soft, pale skin and a small mole just below the corner of his eye.

From inside the house, a voice called out:

“Akira! It’s time for school! If you're late, don’t blame me or bother me!”

Akira replied with annoyance,

“I’ve never bothered you. Just mind your own business.”

His father, under his breath:

“That idiot…”

Then louder:

 “I’m heading out.”

Akira frowned in disgust and frustration. He got up and walked inside. After a bath, he changed into his school uniform and sat at the dining table. The food his father had made was already there—left out for him without a word.

After eating, Akira stood in front of his mother’s photo, smiled softly, and said:

 “Mother, I’m off to school.”

He opened the door and stepped outside, whispering:

“Here comes another miserable day.”

---

Downstairs, he saw his friend Haruto waiting.

 “Good morning,” Akira said.

“Why didn’t you come up?” he asked.

Haruto hesitated.

 “Well… it’s because… your father…”

Akira glanced away.

 “I see.”

“No, that’s not what I meant! I just—”

“It’s okay. I’m used to it.”

Haruto looked down.

 “Still… forget it. Anyway, what a coincidence that you and your crush were born in the same month!”

They started walking toward school, Haruto rolling his cycle beside him as they chatted.

---

Akira’s Thoughts

 “My life is filled with darkness. But while I was walking through that dark path, I found two candles.

They gave me warmth.

Among them, one burned brighter… warmer than the other.

I want to share all of myself—my sadness, my happiness, everything—with that one person.

And I’ve already found them.

That person is—”

---

They reached school. Akira opened the classroom door with Haruto behind him.

He looked ahead and thought:

“That person is…”

He said out loud:

“Good morning, Hoshizuki.”

“Good morning, Akira,” she replied.

Then she added with a slight smile:

 “Did you sleep on the balcony floor again last night, like usual?”

She stepped closer and gently brushed some dust off his shoulder.

But suddenly, her friend approached and pulled her away. She acted cold toward Akira in front of her friend.

Akira still smiled faintly and said:

“Good morning.”

But her friend ignored him completely.

---

Akira and Haruto took their seats. During one of the periods, Haruto stared outside, noticing a tree glowing beautifully in the sunlight. His thoughts drifted to his mother. Without realizing it, a tear slipped from his left eye.

Akira noticed and whispered,

 “Haruto…”

But Haruto didn't respond. To distract the class and help his friend snap out of it, Haruto suddenly shouted:

“There’s a crow flying toward us!”

The teacher got angry.

 “What nonsense! Get out of the class!”

Haruto stood up and walked out. Akira wiped his eyes quietly and raised his hand.

 “Sensei… I need to go too.”

Without waiting for a response, he followed his friend outside.

---

Downstairs, Akira washed his face. Haruto waited silently.

Then suddenly, Hoshizuki walked up to them.

“What are you two doing here?” she asked.

As Haruto started explaining, Akira felt dizzy—his eyes fixated on a small swirl of water in the sink. He clutched his stomach.

Hoshizuki stepped closer, touched his shoulder gently, and asked softly:

“Are you okay, Akira"

He looked up, eyes wide, and slowly nodded.

---

Later That Day

The school day ended. Akira and Haruto walked together. When they reached Akira’s street, he said,

“I’ll go the rest of the way alone.”

Haruto nodded and waved.

As Akira walked under the gray sky, he stared at his palm. In the center, he imagined a small flame flickering.

 “I have to protect this fire.

I already lost the first one—the one that always kept me going.

I won’t lose this one.

I won’t make the same mistake again.”

Suddenly, rain began to fall. Akira looked up at the sky for a moment, then started walking faster.

---

Inside the house, his father muttered to himself angrily, waiting for Akira’s return.