When The Mist Loves || T. Muichiro

One

I became his pillar.

The world is a cruel, unjust place. Despite that fact, Mui and I tried to make the most out of every day. We bonded over almost everything, even the most trivial matters.

Honestly, it was amazing how suddenly every activity sought to be fun with him — how every color becomes bolder when he talks about it and how he makes the shape of clouds sound interesting.

The most fun I'd have was when we'd use twigs to build ourselves houses and use leaves as currency, and when we would pretend to be one big family together with animals as our children.

Those were the times we took for granted. When just as I thought I'd never see Muichiro's smile turn to tears, our life began falling downhill.

Same time, same place. I was on my way yet again to the clear spring by the mountain, but today was different. Muichiro often tells me about his family. Albeit living in poor conditions, his father never fails to work hard to provide for their family. Especially that his mother is sick. I knew well about the condition of Muichiro's mother, so I brought herbs that help with headaches and colds. It was the most I could do for him.

It wasn't a usual sunny day. It just rained the night before and still, the skies were clouded by darkness looming as if it's ready to pour down any moment. I didn't care about the rain, I just wanted to give the medicine to Mui. I hated seeing him gloomy over his mother's illness and if there's anything I can do to help, I would.

But I just can't ignore this bad feeling rising in me...

I shook my head to cast the negativity away. I needed to cheer Mui up so I can't afford to be distracted by these crappy thoughts.

I was nearing our place then I saw Mui already there. He must be resting as his head hangs low with his back leaning on the tree near the water. I smiled and ran up to him, waving enthusiastically.

"Mui! I have medicine for your mom! How is she?" I asked him, handing out the pack of herbs.

I was starting to get worried, confused as to why the ten-year old boy in front of me was being unresponsive. Had he not heard me? Was he sleeping?

"Mui?" I crouched down to face him and that was when I saw his tear-stained face.

Tears? Mui?

"Mui! What happened?" I reached him for a tight hug. No words were said as I embraced my best friend. I figured what might've happened but I'll let him talk at his pace. I let silence enveloped us while my shoulder got soaked until I heard faint sobs.

"My mom's dead, Mako. I couldn't keep her warm, I didn't take care of her enough. No matter how many blankets I put on her she was still trembling. Father hasn't been home yet since last night. I should've stopped him from trekking last night but my mom, she needed the medicine, I didn't know what to do and now we lost them both," he cried.

There was no way to calm his cries down and all I could do was hug him tight. I couldn't imagine the pain of losing your family.

Until what felt like an hour, Mui fell asleep after crying his heart out. I stayed that way with no intention of waking him out any time. Just now I got to see bags under his eyes and tiredness that washed his expression. He mustn't have gotten any sleep. I moved his hair away from his face and positioned him to a comfortable set-up.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Mui," I whispered.

I did my best to stay in place to let Mui sleep. After some time, he struck an agonizing expression... a nightmare, perhaps.

It pained me to see him in pain. It pained me that I couldn't do anything to even just assuage his mother's ailment. If only we had the means to have her checked by a doctor then maybe it would've been different.

I was angry. I was frustrated because I know how hard it is to be sick in a world where it was do-or-die to get treatment, especially for us poor people. I witnessed firsthand how my mother worked tirelessly just to obtain vitamins for my body. Money was just one of the injustices this world possesses.

I sighed. Losing a mother and a father so young, Muichiro didn't deserve that.

The trance I was in broke when I felt Mui waking up and sitting into a cross-legged position.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep! How long was I out...?" He spoke while rubbing his eyes.

"About an hour and a half. You needed the rest so I didn't wake you up, Mui." I answered.

"I'm sorry, Mako. We didn't get to have fun because of me. You should've woke me up," he frowned. Even when he's hurting, he's thinking of other people.

"Don't ever apologize for resting, Mui-chan! We're children so we need lots of 'em so it's tootallyyy okay if we spend other days sleeping. Besides, are you feeling better? I'm sorry for what happened, Mui."

He teared up once again when he heard what I said, sending me in a panic. Shoot, I knew I shouldn't have brought it up and let him talk about it when he wants to!

"Thank you, Mako. For being here, for everything," he smiled.

"I'll always be with you, Mui! I won't let you be alone and feel alone anymore."

I circled him with a hug again and we got into a hugging contest to test our "hugging strengths" and see who's stronger. We tried to flex our imaginary muscles and we ended up laughing, clutching our stomach and laying on the grass.

"Oh shoot! I forgot nii-san sent me to gather wood!" Mui suddenly burst up remembering what he was supposed to do. He eyed me with horror because he's about to earn an earful when he comes home and we fell laughing once again.

God, I hope to always see that smile.