Untold Part 1: The Strength Within

Chapter 10: Catching Up

"Where did you guys find my phone?" Iteijyu asks. Looking at Eiji and Eri feels like revisiting an old memory.

"I was walking with Eri around the town and she saw the phone. There was a wallpaper with you and the red fox. She remembered you guys so we decided to hang onto it. Don't worry we didn't take a peek; it was passcode protected anyway."

"Eiji knows someone who's good with these! I see them making technology!"

"Aha. Yeah. I called a friend of mine if he knows you guys and he does. You must be Iteijyu and Mabaru huh?"

"Who's your friend?" Mabaru asks.

"Kin. We've been hanging at my dorm just to tinker around with old equipment."

"Aw man. Kin's trying to conduct a heist I see." Iteijyu scoffs.

"What is it?" Eiji tilts his head.

"Kin is getting into the Ookami mystery. His roommate always hears him ramble about it." Iteijyu answers.

"Ah, me too! We sometimes fantasize about how we are going to solve this mystery. Who knows? It might be a hoax all this time. I can imagine breaking into a place. Anyway, we gotta go. It's nice meeting with you guys. Come on Eri. Let's go." Eiji gestures to Eri to leave the apartment.

"I want ice cream! You promise, remember?" She pulls both her hands down.

"Yeah. Yeah. Okay." Eiji rolls his eyes and follows with her upbeat mood.

"Dang. Who would've thought we'd see them again." Iteijyu closes the door while they went to their beds.

"I know right. I guess Eiji really is his brother."

"Yeah. I want to know what he's been up to with Kin."

"Well. No time to waste! My parents should be coming here any moment. They're like thirty minutes away from here."

"For sure. Let me take a quick shower!"

Iteijyu grabs random clothes inside his drawer and goes straight to the bathroom. Mabaru surveys the apartment; everything is tidied up. It's a perfect day to end on a positive note. He went to his drawer and surfs through many folded clothes for a right fit. He decides to wear denim beige shorts, a flowered button up with sandals and a black cap. He wants to feel the summer heat one more time. Upon rummaging through his drawer, he found a small, shriveled, paper with blurred handwriting. Mabaru takes a second to realize it's his own note. There were many writings engraved of a dark past he went through. His hands begin to quiver as he reminisces about the small notes. What was he thinking trying to ruin a day like this? A flood of memories rushes in his head.

Iteijyu left my place after we hung out but I couldn't take it. I was scared to call him...

I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm not good enough. Please don't leave me.

No! Stop! Stop thinking about it! I'm not weak...

Mom. Dad. Please stay by my side. I don't want to be alone anymore.

I hate being alone.

I can't even make things right.

I hate myself.

Mabaru pushes himself away from the drawer. He remembers what happened. It was the day Iteijyu first hung out at his house. After he left, his depreciating self came back. The loneliness without him shrouded him in shame. No. Stop. This isn't the time to reflect on it—not after the "power" he has. It's too much for him. Every bad thing has to stack endlessly. It will always be a never ending split between growth and denial. He already recovered from his faintness and it's coming back again. Mabaru clenches his fist on top of his lap and forces himself to think logically. These thoughts are stupid, weak, and meaningless. What good would it be if he believes them? He's been with Iteijyu for so long and he can't have it derail his strength, his growth. It would've been a waste if he accepts those unwanted beliefs. Focus as he yells internally. He already built the strength to move on. The constant struggle encloses within him. He continues to stay silent.