Chem Lab

Chapter Twenty Seven: Reconnecting

Everyone ran up the stairs... everyone except Masane, who stood in the same spot, her head down low.

How was she supposed to face her mother? How was she supposed to say, "My childhood best friend killed my autistic baby brother"?

It was... too much.

It was... too cruel.

The whole thing... made no sense at all.

"Masane?"

Masane looked up to see Kochi staring at her intently. Masane kept quiet even as Kochi approached her.

"Are you nervous to see your mother?"

Masane nodded, too emotional to get her words out.

"Well from what I've seen, she cares deeply for you. So it should be you who tells her of Yoshikawa's tale... not anyone else. "

Masane thought about it for a moment before sighing and nodded, agreeing with Kochi.

"Alright... let's go."

By the time They both caught up with the others, it was total mayhem. Amy was consoling Yumiyo as she cried to her butler Jero, who was pained hearing Yumiyo's anguish. Rigen was shouting, holding Fuuko as Suga's cousins screamed at her from the other side. Kougyoku was trying to explain to her mother about something while Kenho was being cried to from his adoptive brother.

And Kiu...

Kiu was holding Yoshikawa close, clutching his body to her, sobbing wildly. She looked up and her eyes met Masane who looked away, ashamed.

"Masane!"

I can't do this...

Masane looked to her mother, deeply in pain, as she took a deep breath. Then with conviction she walked up to the fence, putting her hand on the fence and staring at her brother

"I'm so sorry mom. I failed... both at protecting Yoshikawa and the cure..."

"I'm a failure... heh, I guess this explains why dad left huh?" Masane chuckled, humorlessly.

"What do you mean baby?"

"If I was him, I wouldn't want me either."

"Listen here Masane."

Masane looked up at her mom who was wiping her face furiously.

"Your father was a disgusting man to abandon not only me but the both of you. I have NEVER been more proud to have you both in my life."

"I didn't protect him-"

"Bullshit. I was supposed to protect you both, I am the parent. You did amazing... he would tell you the exact same thing."

"How do I stop, mom?"

"Stop what?"

"How do I stop feeling like this? Sad, angry, useless... I killed him mom..."

"Baby no-"

"My actions provoked the mastermind to bring Yoshikawa here. In turn he was murdered by my childhood friend. If he was never brought here, this wouldn't have happened."

"But it did happen. Nothing you can do will change that. So do something Yoshikawa would be proud of you for."

"What's that? How can I make it up to him?"

"Live baby. Get out and live. There is NOTHING he would want more. So stop with revenge because you've already persecuted the one responsible for his murder. And stop with the pity party. Instead, do what you have to and fucking live."