A Ray of Sunlight

Chapter 20 - Defense Center (Haruto's POV)

I didn't check the time but I knew it was late. I was lying on my bed, unable to fall asleep. It was weird to sleep on an actual bed with an actual bed frame after months of sleeping on a mattress. The bed was soft and comfortable but it felt strange, like how one would feel sleeping in a hotel. I couldn't tell what was wrong, just knew it was wrong. Perhaps that was the reason why I couldn't fall asleep. I turned again and listed all the possible reasons why sleeping might be hard.

One, I ate too much. That is the reason why I couldn't fall asleep when I was little but I don't think I ate too much of Yukio's cooking. Father had gone to bed early. Probably because of all the fighting and drama and wounds he got so I don't blame him but the problem is that I was hungry because he had gone to bed without cooking. Thankfully, Yukio came over and made some food.

Two, my head hurts but I was also tired so I think that shouldn't keep me up.

Three, I had too many thoughts. One minute I would be thinking about Kazuki. Next I would be thinking about Miss Mindy, then Shiro and Yui and Miss Mindy and even Miss Juri and Miss Sharotto.

I sighed for the ten, fifteenth time? I don't know. I had lost count.

I guess I ended up falling asleep because I woke up to the smell of porridge.

"Hi, Haruto. Oh you're awake!" Yukio said, gently opening the door. The door still squeaked when it opened. Just like how I remembered it.

"Hi, Yukio." My voice cracked as I spoke. I swallowed some saliva, hoping it would help but it only revealed that my throat hurts.

"Alright, let's get you out of bed." Yukio walked towards my closet and opened the door. Inside, there was dust everywhere. "Oi! We really have to get this cleaned out." He pulled out some clean clothes and handed them to me. "I'll be waiting outside so be quick." And Yukio walked out the door, closing it gently.

I sighed and got out of bed. The sun was shining and birds were chirping but I couldn't find my energy. Come on, Haruto, what's wrong with you? Isn't this what you wanted? I changed and walked through the door. As I was brushing my teeth when Yukio came in again.

"Alright, Haruto!" He had a big contagious smile on his face like the one Kazuki had on the day of the festival. I wish I had the energy to smile back. "We are going to make it an awesome day today. Now, the center hasn't changed much except...drumroll please..." he looked at my face with toothpaste smudged over it. "We got a new building! Now the science department is connected to the defense department! Isn't that exciting?!"

I rinsed my mouth. "Umm... yeah! That's super exciting!" I tried to sound excited but I don't think it was working.

"It'll be super cool, trust me." Yukio smiled and walked out of the bathroom.

I sighed and washed my face. I still don't know why I'm upset. Shouldn't I be happy that the Katsunori drama is all over?

Yukio led me to the center. Apparently father was tired so he slept in. Yukio said he'll come later. Finally, we got to the big center. The defense department still looked relatively the same but now there was a long transparent bridge, connecting the defense department to the science department.

"Isn't it cool?!" Yukio asked. He seemed oddly excited about the building and I have no idea why.

"Yeah...it's umm...a building."

"Exactly! Now, let's go inside."

"Wait, Yukio, but I'm not part of the defense force yet. Why are you showing me this?"

"Well, Haruto," Yukio smiled. "As a new member of the commanders of the Multidimensional defense force-"

"You got promoted?!"