The End of a Chapter

I’ve chosen not to fully discuss what followed that day of Yuta’s accident. To summarize: we had rushed Yuta and myself to the hospital. Yuta was given the all-clear from the medical doctors, while I received the news that I broke my arm. That was amazing news for Yuta, but since my dominant arm was broken, I had to struggle in my classes during university. When Mister and Missus Mitamo found out about Yuta’s accident, it turned ugly for Misako, Hiroshi and I. It took almost a month to get them to accept our apologies, they never had to accept them, but they did. Yuta was the sole person that was able to convince his parents that it was his mistake, and Yuta was grounded for two months. Mister and Missus Mitamo had finally approached me in the October season, thanking me for saving Yuta, but I could not accept their gratitude. It was my fault in the first place.

It was a tumultuous few months; Hiroshi and I barely spoke to each other after that day, even though we lived in the same room. It was worse between Misako and I. They wanted to speak to me, but I could not return their conversation. I hated myself, for everything that transpired. The Mitamo family had nearly lost another child, I could not forgive myself for my actions. I’d chosen to keep to myself, to finish my studies, then go back home to Britain when university was over. I hadn’t had a proper conversation with Misako and Hiroshi in four months, but that was okay with me. It was a day before Christmas, and my birthday had come to be. I was counting the days to return home, it was soon approaching. After Gradutation, I wanted to make my exit swiftly. To not return. I did not want to hurt anyone anymore. I did not want to hurt Misako, I'd caused too much pain in one year alone.

On my birthday, I sat outside on the back porch of the shared-house. I wanted the days to move faster and faster. I wanted to go home, to never involve myself in anything ever again.

“David?” Missus Takahashi asked as she walked out.

“Yep.” I responded.

“It’s nice to see you outside of your room.”

“I go out.”

“I mean, other than the bathroom or university.”

“Sure.”

Missus Takahashi sat beside me taking in the air.

“Are you just going to sit here? What about tomorrow, it’s Christmas. And New Year’s is around the corner.” She stated.

“Don’t celebrate them.” I responded.

“And what about Misako? You just forgot about her? Aren’t you both dating?”

I kept quiet.

“David…you can’t go on like this.” She exclaimed.

“I’ll speak to you later, Missus Takahashi.” I interrupted, walking out on her.

I wanted peace, so I’d decided to walk out of the house to take a stroll along the street. Before I could begin my stroll, Mister Takahashi stopped me in my tracks.

“Kid.” He stated.

“What?”

“You are being a child. Stop it.”

“I know.”

“Misako and Hiroshi won’t stop asking me about you. That poor girl lives in this house and she never sees you.”

“I see.”

I walked around Mister Takahashi, going for my walk.

“David. She loves you.” He said as I walked away.

‘She should stop loving me, I cause pain and hurt and sadness. Where I go, I cause it to those I love.’

That day of all days they wouldn’t stop bothering me. I wanted to be by myself. I strolled through the streets as the sun declined. It was peaceful, no chattering’s nor busy people. Then, I was interrupted once again.

‘BRRRING.’

‘BRRRING.’

I received a phone call from my father, I debated on picking it up and answering, but I did.

“Hi.” I greeted.

“Kiddo! Happy birthday!” My father yelled.

“Thanks.”

“How are you doing?”

“I’m good.”

“Do you have any plans for your special day?”

“Not really, no.”

My father took a moment to himself.

“Kiddo, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, dad.”

“It sounds like everything’s wrong. What happened to your friends over there?”

“Never had friends, dad. Only acquaintances.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is dad.”

“David…”

“What do you want?”

“Turn around, David.”

Then, as I walked, I felt a fist fly into my stomach. I fell to my knees instantaneously. I hadn’t felt physical pain in some time, but it still hurt as it ever did. I turned my head upwards to see the culprit.

“You.” I spoke.

“You are such an idiot, you know that?” She replied.

Misako was in front of me, but it was not just her; so did Hiroshi, Yuta, Yuki, Misako’s mother, Mister Takahashi, Missus Takahashi, Mister Mitamo and Missus Mitamo. All of them stood behind Misako. And there was another:

“Long time no see, kiddo.” He said in English.

My father was in front of my very eyes. I thought I was dreaming.

“Dad?” I asked in English.

“The one and only.” He responded, “Or, I hope so. I hope I’m not just a ghost right now.”

My father was in Japan.