Just a Little Longer

Chapter Nine: You Promised

"Today I admit to myself that I woke up in pain and today I will be my own healer."
- unknown

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KAI

Weak.

It was the first thing to come out of Riku Ishikawa's mouth when he heard the news about his son.

My brother had killed himself,

Only a week after school started last year.

He was only seventeen.

'I'm sorry.'

It was the only and last text I received from him just before it happened.

I had just finished training and taking a shower and when I checked my phone, the notification caught my attention immediately.

1h ago.

I stared at it confused before typing out a response.

'For what?'

But I receive no answer.

I threw on a shirt and some sweats.

I refreshed the page but nothing changed. I left the room to see if I could find him or ask someone where he was.

I knocked on his door and opened it when I didn't hear a response.

"Ren." I called out as I started to enter but was stopped by a guard.

"Sir." He called out. "There's some news that needs to be shared with you and your father."

I nodded and started to follow him. "Does Ren have to be here for this too? Cause I don't know where he is. Do you?"

He looked back at me but didn't respond and faced forward again, continuing to walk.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "I asked you something."

"Sorry sir umm... No... he doesn't need to be here for this."

I rolled my eyes when he still didn't answer if he knew where he was but I ignored it as he said we arrived.

We stopped outside my father's office.

I went in and he walked away.

I took in the familiar surroundings from the dark brown wood flooring to the white walls. The small bar to the right of the room. My father black desk sat between two windows further into the room.

My father sat behind it as usual. James, my fathers second in command, sat in a seat in front of the desk.

To the left of the room was a small black couch where Zara sat.

Zara sat with her eyes casted downward with a numb expression on her face. There seemed to be a slight redness underlining her eyes.

"Zara, you ok?" I asked, walking up to her but she didn't answer. She didn't even look up.

When I got closer I noticed a red mark on her face and I turned glaring at her father.

Before I could say anything Riku spoke up. "What is this about James?"

"Zara found Ren. Apparently he jumped from a building. He died."

I flinched from the coldness in his tone and the way he rolled his eyes when saying it.