Amidst the shadows and the secrets

Night Thirty-Seven

Thinking of how he held Chisana in his arms after finding out about her mother, Reiji got out of bed early. Keeping his promise, he teleported inside the room and saw her in bed. He petted her cheek and left the next second. Teleporting close to the asylum, he walked inside the building. 

"Hello, you are new here. Visiting someone?" 

"I'm here on behalf of Chisana Kuroiwa and looking for Etsuko. The woman is her mother." He waited for the woman to check it on her computer. 

The woman found the name. "Etsuko Kuroiwa, yes, she's in the system. By the looks of it, she never received visitors." 

"Who admitted her here." He got some answers for Chisana. And it was no scam, as it turned out. 

"Her husband Masaki Kuroiwa did. That's all I can tell you, Sir. If Miss Kuroiwa would be here, more details could be discussed but it's for family only." 

Reiji nodded. Standard procedure. "What is the best time to visit?" 

"I have a card here with our openings times and visiting hours on it. I'm working here for a few years, so I can't tell her much. She can call to make an appointment to talk about her mother." 

He accepted the card. "Thank you. I will come back with Chisana. Most likely on the weekend." Sunday would be the best option, he knew that and left the building. 

*** 

At school, Reiji took Chisana apart and into an empty classroom. "You know I left earlier today. I can tell you that your mother is indeed admitted into the asylum by your father. I couldn't get any more details. That is for family only, but I have their card. If you want to see your mother, the visiting hours will be enough. Do you wish to know more, you have to call to make an appointment." 

Chisana read the times on the card and then looked at him. So she is there. Would I recognize her? Will she recognize me? Do I want to know why and how she ended up there? "Thank you, Reiji." She wrapped her arms around him. 

"I said I will help you. This is the first lead we have on one of your parents. Take some time to process it, and we can go on Sunday to see your mother." Reiji accepted the hug and hoped to have her back as his friend. "Come on and get to your homeroom." 

Stepping outside the room, Chisana found Laito waiting with his arms crossed but he uncrossed them while getting closer. "You heard?" 

"I know he promised to help you, Chisa-chan." Putting an arm around her, Laito guided her to their homeroom. "It's hard to believe she's in an asylum." 

She nodded. "It is quite a discovery." 

"Well, you get some time to process it all and on Sunday you'll visit her." Laito was happy for her to know something about one of her parents. "Your father comes after your mother. One thing at the time." 

Reiji witnessed her leave with Laito, who's arm was casually around her. He closed his eyes to calm himself before he would break Laito's arm. 

From a safe distance, Shu smiled for what he witnessed. Knowing he was right, he walked in the opposite direction and thinking of toying with his brother. This was going to be fun. 

*** 

"Alright, don't forget to write the homework down from the board," ended the teacher. "Next week a test." 

A moan escaped Laito as he put his head on his desk. "Not another one. As if three essays aren't enough, he has to add a test. Along with the amount of homework. I'll never get through it and finish on time."