When the sun comes up again

After nearly thirty minutes of searching, Keith finally unearthed his keys. Relief washed over him, lifting his mood as though the small victory had set the day back on track. 

With that, he set out on foot, trekking from Nishi-Shinjuku to Kabukichō—a walk that stretched nearly an hour depending on pace.

When he reached his aunt’s house, the memory of his bitter argument with his mother resurfaced, sharp and unwanted. 

He shook it off, brushing the thought aside like dust he refused to carry. To him, she was nothing more than a weight chained to his past.

As Keith opened the gate, his eyes landed on something familiar—his umbrella, abandoned in anger when he stormed off earlier. He picked it up, pushed open the gate, and stepped inside.

The moment he unlocked the front door, a familiar scent wrapped around him—the comforting blend of polished wood and faint detergent, the unmistakable smell of home.

He closed the door behind him, walking slowly through the house that had been the backdrop of his childhood. 

Each room whispered memories of laughter and warmth, making the years away feel all the more heavy.

He slipped into his room and quickly changed clothes. Now he wore a white shirt stamped boldly in black: "Otaku vibes" across the chest, and on the back: "Introvert for life".

A few minutes later, he collapsed onto his bed, arms folded behind his head as his gaze wandered across his room before fixing on the ceiling. His thoughts drifted, replaying the whirlwind of the past two days.

A lot has happened… To think I’d meet someone like her by chance… that was beyond luck. Maybe it was fate… Nah—can’t be.

But the memory of their hug surged back, sharp and vivid. His chest tightened, heart racing as heat rose to his cheeks.

Calm down, dude…

Keith draped an arm across his eyes, waiting for the blush to fade, and slowly drifted into much-needed sleep.

*****

Five hours later, a ringtone shattered the silence of his room. Keith stirred, groggy, rubbing his eyes as he fumbled for the sound. His phone buzzed on the table. He dragged himself up, snatched it, and answered.

“Hello…”

“Hey, kiddo.”

“Aunt Emily? Uh… hi—I didn’t realize it was you.”

“Didn’t you save my number?”

“Uh… I forgot. Sorry.”

“You’re still as hopeless as ever, huh? Hehehe…”

“No, I’m not—it just slipped my mind, that’s all.”

“Mm-hm. Well then, are you doing okay? Eating properly?”

“You left yesterday and you’re already worried?”

“Of course. Have you met yourself? You’re a junk food gluten, Keith.”

Did she seriously just call me a gluten? Keith thought, pulling a face.

“Don’t worry about me, I’m doing fine.”

“That’s good. Oh, and before I forget—your school called. Classes start again tomorrow, so be ready.”

“Oh… thanks.” His voice softened to a murmur. “I wonder which school she goes to…”

“Oooh, she? Don’t tell me you already found a girlfriend.”

Keith froze, horror flashing across his face. Crap. I said that out loud.

“I-It’s no one! No one at all!”

“Hahaha, sure… just don’t do anything naughty, okay?”

“I wasn’t—”

The line cut before he could defend himself. Keith groaned, flopping the phone back onto the table. 

“Great. Now she’ll never let me live this down.”

He wandered to the window, gazing at the vast stretch of sky. A smile tugged at his lips, his eyes narrowing in quiet delight.

“I wish life could stay like this… or better still, become even brighter than this.”

*****

At the same time, Akira woke to the sight of a paper message on her bed. She read it once, and a faint smile curved her lips. Her eyes shimmered with an emotion she couldn’t comprehend. Carefully, she folded the note and slipped it into her notebook.

She stepped into the hallway just as Kyotaro emerged from his room, a light backpack slung over one shoulder.

Akira stiffened at the sight of him, her gaze falling to the floor as if she couldn’t bear to meet his eyes. Kyotaro caught the shift while closing his door.

“What’s wrong?” he asked quietly.

Her body tensed at the question. She forced a smile—warm on the surface, but hollow in its edges—as she raised her head, eyes shut tightly against the pressure.

“Nothing. I’m fine. What about you? Heading back to the hospital?”

“That’s right. I’ll be back soon.”

“Oh… okay. Then please tell Onee-chan I said, ‘Get better soon… and that I’m waiting for her to come back.’"

Her voice cracked, words tumbling into a mumble. Suddenly tears spilled freely, catching her off guard. She wiped at them with trembling hands.

“W-Why am I—why am I crying?”

Without a word, Kyotaro stepped closer and pulled her into his arms. Akira broke, sobbing against his chest, clinging tighter with every breath.

“Just... let it all out,” Kyotaro whispered, his voice softer than it had been in awhile. “And don’t worry—I’ll tell her.”

“Hhh… huuuhh…” Akira’s cries came in waves, her eyes reddening as sorrow drained from her. “I-I’m sorry, Onii-chan…”

He held her until the storm eased, her sobs dwindling into quiet tremors. When she finally calmed, Kyotaro left, while she retreated to the bathroom to wash away the traces of her grief.

Kyotaro then stepped into the pulsing heart of Nishi-Shinjuku. The towering skyscrapers and neon lights gradually gave way as he made his way to Tokyo Medical University Hospital.

On the way, he ducked into a flower shop, emerging with a bouquet in hand. The city’s noise dimmed as the hospital loomed closer, replaced by the steady hum of machines, the low murmur of visitors, and the occasional crackle of intercom announcements.

He passed through the sliding glass doors, immediately struck by the sterile sting of disinfectant mingled with cool, conditioned air.

Navigating the halls, he finally reached her room. There, Minami sat upright in bed, gazing through the window. 

A stray breeze stirred her hair, making it sway like silk in the light. She turned, and her face softened the moment her eyes fell on him. Kyotaro stepped inside with a faint grin.

“Hey. How are you feeling?” He handed her the flowers.

“I’m feeling pretty chipper. Thanks for these, Kyo,” Minami said warmly, taking them into her hands. “You’re thoughtful as ever… though that scowl of yours still scares people.”

“Hey, now… that’s mean.” 

He tapped her lightly on the head with a playful chop. Minami chuckled, the sound lighting his face in return. 

He settled into a chair, and just like that, conversation flowed—easy, familiar, like the old days. The joy of being together  brightened the room.

*****

The next morning, sunlight streamed through Keith’s window as his alarm blared.

[Beep! Beep! Beep!]

He stirred awake, dragged himself through the motions of getting ready, and stepped out. Soon, he was on the train bound for Shibuya.

Disembarking, he joined the flow of students walking toward the school. Boys in stiff black gakuran jackets, girls in black blazers and skirts—all moving in rhythm with the morning.

At last, he reached the school gate. His eyes locked onto the bold lettering carved above it: [Yamaguchi Public High School.]

Keith lingered there, taking it in, when a familiar voice rang out.

“Keith?!”

He spun around. And there she was—her black hair gleaming beneath the sun, emerald eyes alight with surprise, her petite frame unmistakable, her cheeks as red as a tomato. That gentle voice could only belong to her.

“No way… Akira-san?!”

『To be continued…』