Atrocities

Chapter 15

When the movie was finished, Kaito sat up and stretched. "Do you wanna go somewhere?"
"How about the library?" Maki suggested. Kaito nodded, and they drove there. Once they arrived, Maki immediately went to the medical section. She carefully read through each book about chemotherapy and cancer. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't accept the fact that Kaito would soon be leaving her side.

The thought of it made her think of a poem. "In spring, a flower will bloom. In summer, it will sear." She thought. Maki wrote the poem she made in her notebook. She stared at Kaito who was reading a book about space. He sighed with melancholy as he traced the constellations with his finger. Not even a library date could go without the harsh reality hitting them like a violent wind.

Maki sat next to him and rubbed his back as he flipped through the pages. "Hey, Maki, Y'know the nurse Kaede beat up?" He asked. Maki sighed. "Mhm."
"Well, she's my cousin's friend. I begged her not to bail her out, but she won't listen." Maki nodded. "Well, I'm sure she learned her lesson. Plus, the court deemed her guilty. There's no doubt she's gonna get fired."

Kaito tilted his head as he read through the book. He shut it and looked at Maki. "Maki, do you believe in miracles?" He asked curiously. She signed and crossed in her arms. "I'm an assassin. I don't believe in miracles. Only atrocities."
"If that is the case, then why do you have such a great boyfriend?" Kaito teased as he kissed her cheek. Maki smiled. "Well, I believe in some," Her smile dropped. "But it's hard to when there's a whole world out there full of mischief and savagery. We assassins don't see the good side of the world. All we do is kill, make money, and go home for the day. Then we repeat it all over again. Why'd you think I'd quit? I don't like killing people. I don't like hurting people just for a couple of bucks in my wallet."

Kaito thought deeply about her words. He felt the same way as an astronaut. He didn't like going on physically demanding journeys. He didn't care about being famous. He just wanted a job. Something that could support him. He sighed and put a hand on her lap. "I understand the feeling, my princess. But we're gonna go through it."

The library was warm. It smelt like wood and old books. It felt much better than the hospital, but it'd be better if Kaito could leave. Maki felt like she already lost. The panic attacks, the restless nights, the intrusive thoughts. But she had hope. "Kaito, it's July 1st."
"Yes, and?"
"So that means there's gonna be a couple of festivals happening. You know how wild summer is in Japan, right?"

Kaito smiled. He hasn't seen a good festival in a while because of work. "Can we see one tomorrow?"
"Of course."

Maki watched as Kaito read through the books. Her smile widened at his happiness. She knew it wasn't home he needed. It was Maki.