Pray For The Broken Blue Shoelaces

Step 3

"Takumi," Aunt Mimori woke him up, "we're here..."

He slowly opened his eyes and tried to adjust his glasses that was about to fall off. As his vision has cleared enough, for some reason he started to get hysterical again.

"G-get me out of here," he tried to push himself back. "I have to go home! AUNTIE! I'm here! HELP ME! He's doing it again~!"

"Sweetheart, calm down!" Aunt Mimori held him in his face. "I'm here. We've just arrived!"

He finally calmed down after seeing his aunt's face. Now that he knows that he's safe, he went back to his blank self.

"Are you having a nightmare again?" she asked him worriedly.

But instead of answering her straight, "I'm hungry."

"Sweetie, you've just had your lunch an hour ago. You might get nightmares again if you will sleep after eating--"

"Don't worry, Takumi-kun," Dr. Kuchiki interrupted. "We could have a nice snack when we get to my house."

"What do you have there?" he got interested.

"Rice cakes?"

"Ok."

He was calm again. Whenever he hears food, he suddenly takes focus. Mimori just shook her head. She knows how big Takumi's appetite is but it just grew worse after that incident, it was like his metabolism reacted to the emotional and physical trauma he got back in Tokyo.

"You will like there for sure," the psychiatrist kept on convincing Takumi like a child. "Aside from rice cakes, you'll be able to get to know my son. He's almost the same age as you. I'm sure you'll get along well."

"Speaking of which," and Aunt Mimori remembered when Dr. Kuchiki mentioned her son, "How's Kouji doing lately?"

"He's somehow lively. He's able to eat as normal as he could but with a few restrictions on his diet. He said that he can't wait to go back to school..."

"On his condition right now?"

"He insists. He said that he wanted to graduate from high school, at least--"

"Uh," Takumi tried to interrupt, "is he...also--"

"No, Takumi-kun," the psychiatrist replied in a snap. "Let's just say he's a special case."

And then Takumi didn't bother asking any more questions--unless if it is about food, that's fine by him. While Mimori can't help but to shake her head again. The trauma has left a big effect on him in every aspect.

-----

"Here we are," Dr. Kuchiki finally arrived in a white and blue duplex-type house. "Welcome to my home."

Mimori smiled when she saw her friend's house. This is something that has never change since she left Byakkoin. But she's sure that what's inside will be something new. While Takumi didn't even took notice of the house which will be their home for the time being, and still thinking about rice cakes.

Dr. Kuchiki lowered the car window and took out a remote control when they reached the garage. In just a push of the button the garage gate opened so they could park the car and be able to get off. She first got off followed by Aunt Mimori, and Takumi holding her hand like a child scared to get lost.

"This will be your home from now on," Dr. Kuchiki welcomed them. "Please make yourselves at home."

"I really appreciate your help," Mimori thanked.

"I'm specialized in Takumi-kun's cases. However, his is quite new to me, and I take this as a challenge. Besides, what are friends for? This is better since it's only me and Kouji here..."