Swallowtail: Mariposa Radiante

Akihabara

Swallowtail:

Chapter 7:

Akihabara

"Son, what you did was uncalled for."

Kaikane remained silent as he held his phone to his ear. There were a million things moving through his mind, a hundred things he wanted to say, but he stayed silent as he walked. It had been a rare day where he had decided to walk to school rather than drive. He had been spending a lot more of his allowance on gas these days so he was trying to save as much as he could. There were a few other students from Asahi High walking past him, all heading to various places. Friday afternoons were usually when students would head off, not having to worry about school for the next two days.

Of course, the weekend just meant more studying for him, Futarou, and the Nakanos, something that had become his normal. He slowed down a bit, slowly descending the stairs that lead down to the sidewalk. The scowl that was on his face was enough to keep people away, and those that were curious gave him space, not wanting to mess with him, especially after he had exploded in the classroom earlier.

"That man's son reached out to you because he found something he felt the need to share with you. And all you did was yell at him and treat him as if he was responsible? That's now how I raised you."

"But you didn't raise me, I've spent more time alone than you have spent with me. When was the last time we saw each other face to face dad?" he said, pressing the crosswalk button. "Besides, it doesn't matter if he's innocent or not. I don't regret saying what I said. I could give a damn less about that man. What I told him to do was right. Kailani is the one that needs to hear that, not me."

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does dad! Yes, it does. I didn't need to get that call, but I did. I don't care about that letter either." Kaikane snapped angrily. "You best not be calling me to make me apologize because I won't."

Hideyoshi said nothing as his son continued to speak, hearing his loud footsteps as he walked. "These last few weeks have been stressful enough already with school and other shit, I don't need this over my head."

"It's a good thing that you mention school, son. Midterms are coming up and I want you to prove to me that you are taking your grades seriously. If you get a score of 400 on your midterms, then our deal will remain. Score 425, and I'll give you a bigger allowance so you can get something during your school trip. But if you fail even one subject, you'll be responsible for your own needs. That means getting a job and paying your bills, understood?"

"Yes sir."

He heard Hideyoshi sigh over the phone, the creak of a chair echoing in the background. Kaikane could hear the rattling of ice along with the sound of a bottle being uncorked. "I'm sorry son... I've been busy lately. All of these gigs I take, all the work I do... it's so that I don't have to worry about your financial burdens. The hospital..."

He heard him pause for a drink, sitting back in his seat. "The medical costs have risen again... I don't know what will happen. Kailani isn't showing signs of waking up but she isn't dying either. It's becoming more expensive to keep her in Honolulu. I don't know what else to do, son."

"You aren't gonna unplug her, are you? Because if you do then consider yourself not a part of my family."

"Dear God, no! Kaikane I know life has been hard for you and you've become a bit cynical but even I wouldn't go that far. I'm just saying, the money that I make is starting to be stretched thin. Be sure to conserve as much energy as you can, especially during the winter months. Limit the heat you use as well." Hideyoshi said.