Stitch By Stitch || Haikyuu!!

23

"I... I see..."

Yaku stopped outside his parents' room, turning to conceal himself behind the wall.

This tone of voice is...

"No, no, it's alright. I understand."

Mitsuka sighed, putting the phone down as she rubbed her temples.

I can't believe it... she thought to herself, hoisting herself up from her bed.

"'Kaasan..." Yaku said quietly, standing by the doorway as he scanned his mother's distressed expression. "What---who was that... just now?"

Mitsuka looked up, startled. "Morisuke. You heard?"

"What happened?"

Her face softened as he went over to her, and she pulled him into a hug.

"He's... gone," she said quietly, smiling sadly into his shoulder.

What...?

"He's really... never coming back now."

No, it... can't possibly be...

"You're kidding!" Yaku cried pulling away to look at his mother with disbelieving eyes. "It can't... he can't..."

But he paused, seeing her expression.

"Gomen ne, Mori-kun. A lot has happened this year."

He's dead. He's... really dead.

Yaku's eyes widened as he caught sight of his mother's tears, and his heart twisted at the sight.

He's never liked me, and so I don't think much of him. I've never really thought of him as a father. But...

He clenched his fists.

Despite all the constant fights they'd had, he still means a whole lot to her. And Haru-chan, too.

"D-don't cry, 'kaasan!" he said firmly, standing up.

"Morisuke...?"

"It's going to be okay, don't worry! I'll... I'll stay strong for you---no, for all of us. So... you can count on me!"

Mitsuka wiped her stray tears with the back of her hand, her eyes softening as she gave her son a sad smile.

"Thank you."

Yaku smiled back, turning around to exit the room, just as the reality of the situation fully materialized in his head.

He's only ever liked Haru. He's never payed much attention to me. But still...

His smile dropped as he lay his hand on the doorknob to his own room.

I guess there's something about the bond between a father and a child. After all... no matter how horribly I was treated, he's... still my father, anyway.

And, despite himself, a few tears slid down his cheek.

No... it won't be good to cry over this. I can't afford to do that.

Going over to open his window, he slid the curtain aside and poked his head out.

"Naomi! Naomi-chan... are you awake?"

Please, please, please...

Upon seeing the window across his open to reveal a girl his age with short, raven-colored hair, he let out a sigh of relief.