The Writer Osamu FF

Chapter 42

Tokoyami's heart grew heavy as she walked into the hallway, where several flower pots and large wreaths of flowers could be seen. Behind her was her father with one of his new loves, whom he was just getting to know properly. It didn't matter to Kaede at the moment, as she didn't want her thoughts to be with them today.

With slow steps, Kaede walked along the corridor and could see several families in the various rooms who had also mourned someone. Some were louder, some were quieter. Everyone dealt with death differently. Just like Kaede.

It had been a long time since she had been in a mourning room like this. The last time was when her mother had died. Even then, Kaede somehow didn't feel as bad as she did now. It was probably because she now knew exactly why. Her mother had wished for it, so to speak. Wished to be rid of her pain. But the car accident was definitely not something she had planned.

Stopping at a mourning room, Kaede looked inside. There were only a few people inside, but they had given free rein to their grief. It broke Kaede's heart to see this family and she felt her hands grow clammy.

Swallowing hard, Kaede entered the room and focused her brown-green eyes on the photo of Kazumi that had been put up. She was beautiful despite her imperfections. The yellow eyes stood out even in the farthest corner.

However, no tears came from Kaede. The shock she had suffered was still far too deep. She hadn't said anything to anyone. She hadn't told the police or the doctor either. They would have sent her to therapy, which Kaede simply didn't want.

She had only said that she had seen Kazumi last and had found her bleeding on the floor, so that she had an explanation for her bloody palms. Kaede had simply not wanted to tell anyone the exact details. A big mistake that she would carry with her for a long time.

"You!" Nishida called out loudly. Her gray hair swirled briefly when she spotted Kaede. "It's all your fault!" the woman shouted, giving Kaede a sting. She didn't take it badly from Kazumi's mother. After all, she had to take her anger and frustration out on someone.

Since Kaede was the last person Kazumi had seen, she had expected this reaction. But Nishida was right. She should have acted. She should have seen that Kazumi wanted to jump. But no. Instead, she had just watched her best friend jump.

"Calm down." Mr. Nishida spoke softly. "Kaede would never do anything to hurt our daughter." That was true. And yet Kaede hadn't been paying close enough attention.

"You should have been faster!" the gray-haired girl cried loudly and hysterically. Feelings that Kaede couldn't get out of her right now. She simply couldn't.

"Say something!" the woman yelled, since Kaede had done nothing but listen to her and look at her. "Stop shouting at my daughter like that!" the Tokoyami intervened, which Kaede didn't need. It wasn't his problem!

"I'm...sorry..." Those were the only words Kaede had spoken today. She had been silent all day, lost in her thoughts.

"What are you sorry for?! That you let her die!?" her mother exclaimed. To be honest, yes. But Kaede couldn't get these words out of her mouth.

To Kazumi's mother, she would probably always be the one to blame. Kaede would also always blame herself. Because if she had gone looking for Kazumi earlier, she could have saved her best friend. But all that was too late now.

"Get lost!" Nishida exclaimed, out of pure grief.