Second Revival

When we were taken back to the apartment for me to gather my things, I packed some clothes, my school bag, and headset. I took all essentials besides my computer. I knew they’d have a spare for me anyway. I followed my father’s wish, not that it felt like I had a choice in the matter. Before sending me on my way, he gave me one last hug, one last apology, and told me one last thing;

“I promise to work towards getting our life back to normal as soon as possible.”

‘Normal’, huh. At that point, I had no idea what ‘normal’ was anymore. One moment everything settles, then it changes again. It happened so many times within the year that I can hardly remember how it once was.

Since his rehab wouldn’t officially start until the following day, Steve’s dad decided to stay behind, sending us home with the hired driver. Later, Steve got a message that he was going to stay there overnight. Maybe it was for the best if my dad was going to stop drinking that day.

Steve’s house was 1 block from Komi Company. It was an average-sized 2-story home with 3 bedrooms. The spare room is intended for his sister, but there was no furniture whatsoever. As such, I had the choice of the couch or the floor in Steve’s bedroom. I chose the latter. Although it seemed as if not much had happened, the sun had set before I knew it.

In Steve’s room, Ryuuji is setting up a futon in the corner by the window. A white blanket and small pillow, he stands there staring at the floor knowing this is where he will be sleeping until further notice.

“Sorry you have to sleep on the floor. I wish we were more prepared.” Steve says.

“It’s not your fault.”

Steve wants to do more, but he has no idea what to say, and the continued silence only brings about a feeling of dread.

Ryuuji heads to the bathroom without saying a word. After closing the door, he stands with his hands leaning over the sink, looking at himself in the mirror, thinking; It only took one day for everything to go to hell again. To have to stay here to deal with Steve and his dad’s worried looks, their fake smiles to try and cheer me up. It only started today, but I know it will happen again and again. It’s not their fault, but…

“I can’t do this.”

Ryuuji swiftly grabs his two bags from the room and goes downstairs. Although he’s been there for a number of hours, he didn’t unpack one thing.

After he walks out, Steve runs after him and shouts, “Where are you going? You can’t go back home.”

Ryuuji stops in front of the door. “I know that!” With his hands clutching his bags, Ryuuji tries to hold in his frustration, “I can’t go home and I know you’re only trying to help, but I just…can’t stay here.”

Refusing to turn around, Steve is left facing his back. He lets out a huff and slowly descends the stairs, “You plan to go to Seiji’s right? Let me at least call a driver for you, it’s a long walk.”

“...thanks.”

As I left with the hired driver, Steve gave me the same worried expression I’ve seen all day. I couldn’t blame him for that, but it still made me sick.

The peaceful ride helped cool my head a bit. When I arrived, I thanked the driver and took my bags. Unsurprisingly, Seiji was waiting for me outside his apartment door.

“I guess Steve called you?”

“Yeah. He didn’t explain everything, though.”

In his apartment I told him what happened. From my rude awakening, to my dad’s rehab, to me feeling uncomfortable at Steve’s home. When Seiji asked how long I’d be staying there, I couldn’t give him an answer. It may take 3 months, or it may take a year. I had no way of knowing. He said he didn’t have a problem with me staying so long as I cleaned up after myself. He also added one condition; when he was studying, I had to study as well. I knew he planned to take full advantage of that, but it’s his home, I couldn’t argue.

Since it was getting late, we went to bed shortly after. Although I calmed down, I was barely able to sleep, stuck drowning in my thoughts instead.

October 15th 2018

The next morning at school, Sun confronted me with another lecture. I’ve heard this from her plenty of times, but it felt different.

“Ryuuji! I was so worried, why didn’t you call me last night?”

As she kept talking, I zoned out a few words in. Then, I dropped my bag and hugged her tightly, doing my best to hide the overflow of tears I could no longer hold back, all while saying the one thing she deserved to hear from me hundreds of times; “Thank you.”

Surprised at first, Sun feels a swell of emotions and hugs Ryuuji in return. “You’re not alone. We’re all here to help.”

Crying on my best friend’s shoulder right in front of her boyfriend. It was easily one of the most embarrassing moments in my life, but I felt so much better afterward.

Even if it made things better, I couldn’t understand why I reacted that way until I apologized to Steve later that day.

“You don’t need to apologize. Sun is the person you rely on and trust the most, right? When I called her after you left, she gave me enough of an earful to last into next year.” Steve looks exhausted just thinking about it.

“Trust, huh.” Ryuuji never considered it to be so simple, but perhaps that’s all it really is. He then looks at Steve with a mischievous smile, “You told her everything last night didn’t you.”

“I had no choice!” Steve says in a panic, “After letting Seiji know you were coming over, I made the mistake of calling her. I tried to tell her to wait until today since it was getting late, but she refused to listen! Then when I hung up on her, she called me over and over and over until I picked up! She could be a master of torture one day.”

“That sounds about right.” Ryuuji says with a chuckle.

Seeing a lighter reaction, Steve changes the subject, “Hey, if you prefer to stay at Seiji’s instead then we may be able to convince my dad. He didn’t come home this morning so he still has no idea, but I’m sure we can work something out.”

After school I told the others what we plan to do. Sun asked that I let her know what happens and, remembering the story from earlier, I made a mental note to at least send her a text. I’ll skip the torture.

Scott was already home when we arrived. I took a deep breath and confronted him, telling him of my actions the night before and how I felt. He was upset at first and after some back and forth, he finally said he wants to see Seiji’s home and parents before agreeing to anything. However, he was met with a one bedroom apartment and no parents in sight.

At the apartment, Seiji goes over his situation with Scott. He’s only disappointed by what he sees, “Another neglected child.”

“It is abnormal, but I get money every month and often have dinner with my girlfriend’s family.”

“Even so…” Scott looks at Ryuuji then back to Seiji, “I wish you’d let me help you as well, but you’d probably reject it just like Ryuuji. I can already tell you two are very similar.”

“No we are not.” Seiji says.

“Please don’t say that again.” Ryuuji says.

After finally cracking a smile, Scott agreed to allow me to stay here so long as I report to him at a family dinner at least once a week. I added it to my annoying list of conditions and thanked him for understanding. Scott finished by saying he wouldn’t tell my dad so as to give him less to worry about.

And just like that my new life began.

Ryuuji has a futon set up on the floor in the back corner of Seiji’s room. This is the same spot he slept at last night except he was provided with no more than a pillow and blanket. Seiji was unprepared for the sudden visit and couldn’t give anything else.

Ryuuji looks down knowing this is where he will be sleeping until further notice. To his surprise, it didn’t bother him in the slightest. A stark contrast compared to how he felt last night.

“Do you plan to keep working?” Seiji asks.

“Yeah. Steve’s dad said he would provide me with money, but I don’t see any reason to stop.” Ryuuji turns to Seiji, adding some sarcasm, “Don’t worry, I'll be quiet when I get back.”

“I’m not worried about that. As your new guardian I just want to know in case Sun interrogates me.”

Ryuuji would like to complain about his self-proclaimed title, but instead says, “I can't blame you for that.”

Despite Seiji having never lived with someone before, it didn't take long for either of them to adjust. They mostly kept to themselves at home, unless playing Starfight or studying. Hanabi would also visit at least once a week to make dinner. Ryuuji doesn’t know if she always did this or started when he moved in, but didn’t complain. Instead, he took advantage and offered to help, wanting to expand his cooking skills.

Ryuuji continued working every Friday and Saturday and visited Scott’s home on different days of the week. The busy schedule sometimes served as a good distraction, making it seem as if time flew right by.

October 30th 2018

“So how is everything?” Sun asks.

“It’s actually not bad.” Ryuuji says with a slight grin.

Sun wanted to give him time to settle in before asking, choosing to wait a few weeks. She could tell from his expression that this is one of the rare moments Ryuuji wasn’t hiding anything, causing her to feel satisfied as well.