Puzzled

Chapter 11: Those Who Worry, Always Have Their Backs

Tantei: *curled up in a ball leaning on his apartment door*

Tomoko, Ryo, Saori, and Genji: *outside of his door*

Genji: Hey buddy? Are you alright in there?

Tantei: *stays in the same position remaining quiet*

Ryo: We can't leave him now.

Tomoko: *nods*

Genji: Tantei.. We know you're suffering man. Your uncle....was a great guy. A writer you looked up to. But still, he's in a safer place now. You know how to let things go, I've seen you do it.

Tantei: *remaining in the same position*

Ryo: You were able to stand by, even when your father wasn't around.

Saori: You stood tall, and stayed with us as a group.

Tomoko: *knocks by putting her fist on the apartment door* We're always here for you, whenever you need help.

Silence still remains.........................

Tomoko: *has a worried look on her face still as she looks at the others and shakes her head side to side*

Ryo, Genji, and Saori: *nod at her in agreement that their words have seemed to fail at reaching him*

Tomoko, Genji, Ryo, and Saori: *all leave the place*

Somewhere else....................

Ichika Hirono: *washing the dishes and putting them on the table as they are shown to have little specs of crumbs/liquid on them*

.........................

Ichika Hirono: *takes some of the clothes out of the laundry but some of them fall on the floor as she sighs* Why is this happening?

Doorbell rings.....

Ichika Hirono: *opens the door* Oh hello! You must be Tantei's friend. How are you?

Ryo: I'm doing well, thank you for asking. I wish I could say the same about your son.

Ichika Hirono: Hmmm? *has a concerned face* What's wrong?

Ryo: He hasn't been in a great mood lately because of what happened with his uncle on the news.

Ichika Hirono: *even more concerned as she knows what Ryo is talking about* My son.. Can you please, help in any way you can?

Ryo: I'll try my best ma'am. Oh and by the way. *takes out something from his pocket.

Ichika Hirono: Hmmm?

Ryo: *hands a note to her* I found this note on the ground. I thought you would know or have a clue to what it means. Take care.

Ichika Hirono: *opens up the note* Thank you, you too.

The note: A stars' brightness will always die out as time goes by.

Ichika Hirono: *squints her eyes in curiosity*

............................

Tantei: *in his bedroom on his bed staring into space with a frown*

Tomoko: *opens the bedroom door*

Tantei: *shocked* Tomoko!? Why are you here? And why'd you open the door?

Tomoko: You really don't know why?

Tantei: No?

Tomoko: Do you expect us to just ignore you for the rest of the week?