もののけ | monster | soshiro hoshina (Kaiju No. 8) (COMPLETE)

じゅうご | fifteen

もののけ | kaiju | monster

15

[A lengthy chapter ahead]

2 months later...

Soshiro

SHINRINYOKU CHILDREN'S HOME, TOKYO JAPAN

TWO MONTHS HAD SLIPPED AWAY like a distant dream, yet their passing only intensified the unyielding torment that clung to me like a relentless shadow. Each day dragged on with a weight I could scarcely bear, an endless cycle of anguish and solitude that seemed to stretch into eternity.

The distant sound of children's laughter greeted me as I approached the orphanage. The cheerful noise grew louder, pulling me out of my thoughts and back to the present. As the playground came into view, I spotted Kenji, a familiar brunette boy, playing happily with other children. His laughter rang out, clear and bright, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight. Kenji had shown remarkable resilience after the incident, and I was proud of the progress he had made. I had feared the trauma would weigh heavily on him, but this brave kid had surprised me.

Kenji had been the one to alert the Defense Force teams during the Kaiju attack, ultimately saving Kiyomi and me. It was a debt I could never fully repay, and I had promised to look out for this little rascal as long as I could.

"Oniichan!" His excited shout reached me even from a distance, and I saw him break into a run towards me. Smiling, I knelt down, opening my arms. He dashed into my embrace, thinking I was going to hug him, but I caught him in a playful headlock instead.

"You little rascal," I teased, ruffling his hair. "How are you? You're not causing trouble, are you?"

Kenji wriggled free, laughing. "No, Oniichan! I've been good. I've got so many stories to tell you!"

"Oh really?" I said, raising an eyebrow. "Well, let's hear them then."

Kenji's eyes sparkled as he began recounting his adventures. "So, yesterday, I found this secret hideout behind the big tree. You wouldn't believe it, Oniichan! It's like a whole other world back there. And guess what? I found a box of old toys! They must have been left there by someone a long time ago. I brought them back, and we've been playing with them all day."

His enthusiasm was contagious. I listened, engrossed in his tale. "And today, we played a huge game of tag. I was the fastest, Oniichan! No one could catch me. Not even big brother Taro! And... and I helped Ms. Aoki with the garden. She said I have a green thumb because the flowers I planted bloomed the very next day!"

I chuckled, imagining Kenji running around the playground and helping in the garden. His stories were filled with such innocence and joy. But as I watched him, I couldn't help but be reminded of Kiyomi. His playful antics, his infectious joy—Kenji had so much of her spirit in him. Every day, my mind drifted to thoughts of her. The memories were a constant, bittersweet companion. Things were complicated now, more than ever...

And I missed her deeply...

Kenji continued his stories, and I let his voice wash over me. "And then, we had this big art project. We made this huge mural on the wall with all sorts of colors. I painted a Kaiju, Oniichan! Just like the one you fought! Ms. Aoki said it was the best Kaiju she's ever seen."