Vapor spreads through the bathroom, fogging the mirror as warm water runs on the boy's skin. He sighs, rinsing his body thoroughly to wash away the flour clinging to every part of him.
He stands still, eyes closed, as he lets the steady patter of droplets tap against him like soft percussion.
For a moment, he just breathes.
And he breathes steadily, lifting his head as the water streams down his face. There, he realizes.
How tired he had been.
How cold he had felt.
A knock on the door startles him. He turns the shower off abruptly.
Hinozu: [Y-yeah?]
A high-pitched voice, muffled by the locked door, is heard.
Kanna: [Hurry up! We're waiting for you!]
Hinozu: [I'm almost done!]
Hinozu grabs the nearby towel, drying off. After, he steps out of the shower, putting on his clothes hastily before stepping outside the bathroom.
Ayumu and Kanna seem to be sitting on their respective beds, talking about something. Kanna's hair —once powdered white with flour— now blazes a fiery red. Her deep, Kachi-iro colored eyes fix their gaze on Hinozu.
Ayumu: [Finally!]
Ayumu's eyes light up as Hinozu steps in. His white hair seems to sparkle as it complements the alizarin crimson of his eyes. He jumps off the bed.
Ayumu: [Took you forever! It's like you've never had a warm shower in, like... Ever!]
He laughs alongside Kanna. Hinozu grips his towel firmer.
Hinozu: [Why... Do you care so much?]
He whispers. Kanna glances at him, an eyebrow raised.
Kanna: [Hm?]
[I said why do you care so much?!]
He says, louder than he intended to. A flicker of recognition passes through Ayumu's eyes as he walks over to Hinozu.
Ayumu: [Don't worry, Hinozu. You can... Use it as long as you want... Okay?]
Kanna: [But you can't live there!]
She says, chuckling. Ayumu pats Hinozu's arm as the boy calms down. Then, Ayumu parts his lips.
Ayumu: [Let's show you the house! It's pretty big! Well, you should give me your towel first. I'll put it in the dryer!]
He suggests, though Hinozu doesn't answer. He stands frozen, towel in hand. Ayumu tilts his head.
[Hinozu?]
Hinozu shakes his head.
Hinozu: [...Hm?]
[The towel?]
[Oh... Right.]
Hinozu: [Here.]
He hands the towel, and Ayumu leaves the room —Or rather, leaps out.
Kanna: [You can sit down, if you want to.]
Her voice is steadier, now that Ayumu is gone. Hinozu sits on Ayumu's bed, sinking down on the soft mattress. Kanna smiles, standing up before sitting next to him. Hinozu fixes his gaze on the floor, paying little to no mind to her.
She stays silent, swinging her legs as she glances at Hinozu. She can almost see the stillness in him.
As if his whole being was in pause.
[I don't mind, Hinozu.]
She stops swinging her legs. In that moment, Hinozu's face contorts in angst and pain. A sound claws out of him—not a scream, not a sob, but something raw between. His hands travel to his face...
No.
To his eyes.
He covers them, but he doesn't know what he doesn't want to see.
The person next to him?
The room?
The Center?
The whole World?
Yet that's not the answer. Maybe, he's the one...
Who doesn't want to be seen.
[Hinozu...]
Kanna reaches her hand out, stopping just inches away. She hesitates.
But as Hinozu lets out a wail, she pokes his cheek. The boy seems surprised, meeting her stern gaze. Tears well-up in the corners of her eyes.
Kanna: [When people are sad, they cry! So cry, Hinozu! Don't hide it!]
He clenches his fists, his expression a heartbreaking display of anguish.
[I can't.]
[What?]
He tries to contain it, but another painful moan escapes him.
[I can't!]
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He shouts.
Hinozu: [Can't you see?]
He points at his reddened eyes.
[Not a single tear has fallen!]
Kanna's eyes widen. In that moment, a tear falls down her cheek, as she grabs Hinozu's arm.
Kanna: [Then...]
[I don't know what to do.]
Hinozu: [I know I can't go back, but I still can't get it out of my head. I want to feel happy but this sadness inside me... It feels like someone clenching my gut. It's painful. It's too much. I don't want to cry, but if I don't, I feel like...]
[Like something might die inside me.]
[What am I supposed to do? I can't cry anymore, but I feel sad. I can't go back to where I want to be, but that place doesn't leave my mind.]
[What... What would you do?]
Kanna grips the bedsheets, tears rolling down her face.
Kanna: [I... I don't kno—]
[It's simple, really.]
The voice startles both as they stare at the figure now standing in the room. Ayumu. His face is serious.
Ayumu: [Come here, Hinozu.]
Hinozu hesitates, but stands up regardless. He walks over to Ayumu, standing in front of him. Then...
A sharp clap.
His head jerks sideways, eyes widening at the stinging sensation on his skin.
Kanna stands up, shocked.
Kanna: [Ayumu! What are you...]
Ayumu: [Sorry, Hinozu. It was necessary.]
Hinozu stands still, his hand reaching out to his face.
Kanna: [Necessary?! To slap him?!]
She asks, stunned at his sudden display of violence.
Ayumu: [If you can't cry... Leave it for another time! You're forcing it, Hinozu!]
He grabs Hinozu's shoulders, staring at him.
Ayumu: [It's like you want to feel sad! Instead of trying to be happy!]
Hinozu stumbles. But as he falls, Ayumu wraps his arms around him. Just then does he notice. Ayumu's body is trembling, even as he firmly holds Hinozu. Though surprised, he doesn't fight. He doesn't know why. Kanna calms down, sitting back again with a deep sigh.
In the silence that follows, they all stay still. The stinging sensation on Hinozu's skin still lingers, but it is soon replaced by another feeling.
Relief.
As if his lungs had breathed after being underwater for a long, long time.
He remembers.
The raindrops soaking him as he runs, the cold water of the bathtub prickling his skin. The stale noodles that offer a strange warmth and comfort. The rough carpet.
Her hand.
Hinozu closes his eyes. He breathes, calmly.
Until tears travel across his face.
He doesn't wail or lament.
He doesn't want to accept it, yet he's past denying it.
He reminisces, but he doesn't wish to go back.
He cries.
Not to let out.
But to take in.
After a while, Ayumu steps back. His crimson eyes shine brightly as he glances at Kanna. She stands up.
Ayumu: [Then... Let's show you around, alright? It'll get your mind off of things.]
A smile draws on his lips. Hinozu wipes away some stray tears.
Hinozu: [Alright.]
Kanna: [Took you long enough... So, do we start from the first floor?]
Ayumu: [I guess. Let's go!]
The boy grabs Hinozu's arm, rushing out of the room.
Kanna: [W-wait for me!]
They speed through the stairs, nearly tripping as they reach the first floor.
A laugh escapes Ayumu as Kanna grabs onto the handrail while running.
Ayumu: [You're a scaredy-cat!]
Kanna: [At least I don't risk falling!]
She sticks her tongue out. Hinozu watches the conversation, a light feeling bubbling up on his chest.
He smiles, one that draws unrecognizable on his face.
Ayumu: [This is the entrance! Do you remember this?]
Hinozu tilts his head.
Hinozu: [Yeah... It wasn't that long ago.]
Kanna: [Right? You're a dummy, Ayumu.]
Ayumu shrugs, walking over to the door on the left. He grabs the handle, opening it.
Ayumu: [This way!]
Hinozu and Kanna follow after him, walking through the corridor. Reaching a metallic double door.
Hinozu: [This is the kitchen, right?]
Kanna: [Yeah. It's where we do our experiments!]
Ayumu: [Yeah. Jenneah also cooks here, but that's not that important! I love doing things here!]
He chuckles as he slides the door open.
Kanna: [You mean ruining the whole kitchen?]
She steps inside after Hinozu. The kitchen's quite large, with plenty of counters and stoves, as well as cupboards. A pair of fridges and a freezer are on the left. While it does look clean, it isn't sterile as most kitchens this size.
The wood flooring makes it almost feel cozy.
Ayumu opens the fridge, which seems to be full with several ingredients.
Ayumu: [We use this to cook. Lots of things, right?]
Hinozu scans around, spotting just a few he recognizes.
Hinozu: [Yeah.]
Ayumu: [Let's cook something!]
Kanna: [No way. Jenneah told us to show him around.]
He hesitantly closes the fridge before following Kanna as she leaves the kitchen.
Through the entrance, they walk to the other door. Unsurprisingly, it's the same corridor —Long windows, wood elements throughout and several small chandeliers hanging above, as well as some flower pots. The only difference is it's fairly longer and has 2 doors.
Ayumu approaches the first one, though he doesn't open it.
Kanna: [That's Jenneah's office. We're allowed to enter, but we wouldn't want to disturb her.]
Ayumu: [Let's check out the next one!]
He says, already running towards it. He twists the handle, revealing a pretty big library, filled with a staggering amount of tall bookshelves. There seems to be a center area with an ornate settee and armchair, plus a large table with cushioned chairs.
Ayumu: [We study and read here! There's lots of books, but only a few of them are fun...]
Hinozu grabs a book, reading the title.
Hinozu: [The Three Sages... What's this about?]
Ayumu's eyes light up, but Kanna replies before him.
Kanna: [It's my favorite story! It talks about the Sages, three super-wise people who used magic to fight demons! They were amazing! Not everyone has magic now, but they were the best ones! I really like them! I want to be able to use magic too when I grow up! Do you? I'm sure you do!]
She continues rambling, Ayumu sighing as he ushers Hinozu out of the library.
Ayumu: [Not again...]
Both boys walk through the corridor.
Ayumu: [So? Not so bad around here, is it?]
Hinozu: [Yeah.]
Ayumu: [You're at home, Hinozu.]
Hinozu grabs the hem of his shirt, growing uncomfortable. Though now, the idea of living here...
Didn't feel so impossible.
As she finishes her speech, Kanna searches around the library, dumbfounded.
Kanna: [W-wait up! Don't leave me alone!]
She runs towards them. As they get to the entrance once again, Ayumu sinks on the couch.
Kanna: [Don't get lazy, Ayumu! We've still got something to show him!]
He sinks down further, earning an irritated expression from Kanna.
Kanna: [Ayumu... Get up!]
She pinches his nose.
Ayumu: [Ow! Alright, alright!]
He stands up, pinching Kanna's arm.
Kanna: [Hey!]
He sticks out his tongue.
Ayumu: [That's what you get for pinching me!]
Hinozu stands still, glancing around. With a sudden rush of determination, he parts his lips.
Hinozu: [L-let's go already, s-slowpokes!]
Ayumu and Kanna seem surprised at first, but glance at each other before exploding in laughter.
Ayumu: [You're funny, Hinozu!]
Kanna: [Yeah! Though insulting is not one of your strengths!]
They lead Hinozu to the room between the twisting staircases. As Kanna opens it, it reveals a large living room, decorated with several couches, armchairs, and coffee tables on the left, and a long dining table on the right. The room has some paintings, vintage standing lamps and collector's items throughout, and the long, wide windows that span almost the entirety of both lateral walls have red curtains in golden stitching.
Ayumu: [So? Do you like it?]
Hinozu: [It's... Amazing.]
Kanna seems to be satisfied at the answer, smiling brightly.
Kanna: [That's not all! Follow me.]
She points at a thick, wooden door at the far-left corner of the room. The other side reveals to be a backyard, with green grass and some trees. There's also a greenhouse.
Ayumu: [Too bad it rained earlier today... We could've played here!]
Kanna: [Too bad. Well, let's return inside. All this gray is really too much to handle.]
Hinozu nods, stepping inside as Ayumu closes the door. Kanna plops down on an armchair.
Kanna: [Sit around, Hinozu. Let's take a rest.]
Ayumu sits down at a couch, patting the empty spot next to him.
Ayumu: [You can sit here!]
Hinozu sits down next to him. They all relax, Kanna picking up a nearby book while Ayumu entertains himself by drumming the couch.
Kanna: [Do you feel better, now?]
Hinozu slowly nods.
Hinozu: [Yeah. Better.]
Ayumu: [Great! Let's play!]
Kanna: [Wrong moment, Ayumu. You're a dummy.]
Ayumu: [No, you!]
Kanna: [No, you are!]
They both stick their tongues out, as Hinozu glances awkwardly between both. A door slamming can be heard, making the children turn to the door.
A familiar figure storms out, wiping his face with a hand. He pauses before reaching the entrance, looking behind his shoulder.
Friedrich.
Hinozu stands up. He meets eyes with Friedrich, but the man, even after spotting him, leaves without saying a word.
A look of confusion and nervousness flashes across his face, as he runs towards the door.
Ayumu: [Wait, hinozu!]
He says, him and Kanna chasing after. As Hinozu reaches the entrance, he opens the door.
He steps outside.
His eyes widen, and his heart drops as he sees it.
Friedrich, with a look of anger and sorrow on his face, driving away.
From the house.
From him.
