A Ray of Sunlight

Chapter 32 - Plasma Ring (Haruto's POV)

April finally came. Today's my birthday and the day I finished folding. My hands were sore from folding all night. I stand up and stretch, my limbs making cracking sounds from sitting down for such a long period of time. I walked to the mirror and stared at myself. Yeah, I definitely changed a lot from last year. My hair was longer and messier from the lack of brushing and washing, my face was experiencing the worst outburst of acne and I had eye bags from pulling all nighters often but for the first time in the months that Yukio had died, I smiled. Finishing folding the cranes was the best birthday gift I could ever receive.

I walked over to my desk and placed the last paper crane into my hands, warming up the cold paper. I closed my eyes and made the wish before placing the paper crane into the jar. 1000 cranes. 1000 cranes folded. A wish can finally be granted. I smile even harder, feeling a surge of excitement. I took a deep breath and walked out of my room and into the living room. The sun was shining brightly, making the brown wooden floor warm to step on.

After brushing my teeth, I quickly walked into my father's room and all the excitement I had bottled up disappeared when I saw he was still asleep. I sigh and walk out. Obviously the wish won't work that soon.

I'm not sure how fast the wish will work but I hope soon because even though it's the afternoon already, father still hasn't said a single word to me. I sigh, wanting to ask Rin when the wish will work but can't because of the ongoing shame I felt. Finally, it was lunchtime and instead of going to get lunch, I walked to the commander's office to see how father's doing but before I got there, I saw uncle Aoi walking my way. I instantly turned around and tried to walk away when I felt a firm grasp on my shoulder.

"Hi Haruto." I turned around and sure enough, uncle Aoi was standing behind me.

"H...hi uncle Aoi. I hope I didn't bother you."

"What? Of course not! I just wanted to ask you something."

"Okay."

"Are you guys doing spring cleaning or something because your father's giving out a lot of things?"

"Really?"

"Yeah. He gave me a whole year worth of his salary to 'pay for mortgage' and a new set of bowls because apparently mine was old."

"Oh. That's strange."

"Yeah."

"Hey, Aoi, can I talk with Haruto for a bit?" Father said. He was standing behind us this whole time?

"Yeah, yeah, I'll give you space for your father and son bonding moment." Uncle Aoi said and walked away.

"Haruto," father said once Uncle Aoi left. "Haruto, I want you to have this." He took my hand and was about to slide his plasma ring on my index finger when a feeling tells me to take my hand back.

"I don't want the ring."

"Come on, Haruto. Think of the benefits having 2 plasma rings will give you. More storage, a backup just in case one of your ring breaks. It'll be super useful to have 2 especially if you're in the defense force in the future." Something was wrong. I could sense it.

"But...but...but it's yours."

"If I'm giving it to you, then it'll be yours. You're so tall already! How could I not have realized?" He chuckled while I had a blank stare. "I'm sure you'll do really well when you get in the defense force. Maybe you can be a commander one day." Father said with a smile. "Here." Father took my hand again and gently placed the ring on my palm.

"I just don't understand why you're like this! I don't want the ring!" Father turns around and starts to leave. "Father! I don't want the ring!" I ran in front of him and tried to slide the ring back on father's finger but his hands were in a tight fist.