A Ray of Sunlight

Chapter 33 - Let's Go Home (Haruto's POV)

Kazuki found me sitting on the bench in front of the cafe with red, puffy eyes, tear streaked cheeks and the jar of cranes sitting next to me. I purposely looked downwards so my hair could cover my face.

"Hey, you alright?" Kazuki pushed away my hair and was surprised to see me. "Haruto! You're back. Are you alright?" I nod. I have been crying for so long that I could barely talk. "Well, do you want to go inside?"

I nodded and obediently followed Kazuki inside. There wasn't anyone in the cafe so I sat down on the first seat I could find and wiped my eyes with a piece of tissue.

"Sorry." That was the first thing I had said in a long time.

"No, nothing to be sorry about." Kazuki said, bringing over a cup of tea. "So, how have you been?"

"Everything is just...too much." I said, trying to resist the urge to cry again.

"Is there a problem with your father or maybe your friends?"

"Everything. I caused everything." Tears started rolling down my eyes again. "Everything. My instructor died, my cousin got hurt because of me, my father tried to kill himself probably also because of me, everything happened because of me."

"That's not true. I'm sure it's all just a coincidence." I shook my head. "Haruto, have you tried talking with any of them?"

"No."

"Well, maybe you're misunderstanding the situation." Kazuki smiled. "Haven't I told you to talk to your father?" I nod. "It'll be okay, I swear."

"Is that Haruto?" Miss Mindy walked out of the kitchen, wiping her wet hands on her floral dress. "Oi, I haven't seen you for a few months and you are already so tall."

I stood up and gave Miss Mindy a polite bow. "Hi...hi Miss Mindy."

"Haruto! Your face is so red! Have you been crying?" Miss Mindy walks to the kitchen with her short legs and brings back a slice of cake. "Here, eat some cake and don't cry anymore, okay?" She hands me the slice of cake and a plastic fork.

"T...thank you." I said and took a bite. "I just remembered, it's my birthday today." I suddenly said blankly. So much happened today that even I forgot.

"Oh dear! How could you be crying on your birthday?!" Miss Mindy said. "I'll go make a special cake for you."

"There's really no need-" I didn't finish because she already walked away.

"How old are you now?" Kazuki asked as I was eating the cake.

"16."

"That's nice. You're going to be a real adult in a few years!"

"Yeah...Kazuki, I don't think I'm ready to be an adult. I can barely do anything right."

"No, you're great!"

"But that was before. Now, I'm such a disappointment. Maybe that's why father's depressed."

"Haruto," Kazuki said, chuckling. "How could your father be depressed because of you?"

"I don't know. I guess I just...suck at everything I do."

"Haruto, you don't suck. Maybe you don't see it now but you have many talents and many good friends who'll help you through your problems but I do find a place where you can work on."

"Where?"

"Haruto, I may not know your situation completely but running away from your problems won't make the situation better." Kazuki smiled. "You may not know how to prevent the problem but you have to at least stand your ground and solve it."