Chapter 12

…?

(I think I just heard a outside voice?)

(Did I just think it up? Or it’s a monster?)

(I’m curious but… Onii-chan said to wait here.)

(I’ll wait. ‘Til I can move again.)

(…What time is it now? Maybe time for kids to go night-night?)

(I wonder if Mom’s home yet. She’s always working hard, but then she comes home and makes yummy food—)

(Is she waiting for me?)

(…I’m hungry. And kinda lonely.)

(But I gotta get through it. Gotta get through it…)

(If I can get through it, it’ll be okay. If I can get through it, I’ll be a good boy.)

Hey.

…?

Hey. Yuuki-kun, right?

Mm? Yes, I’m Yuuki Makoto. Thanks for always—

You guys are bothering me.

…? …?

Can’t you just stop hanging around with Akiomi from now on?

Akiomi…onii-chan?

Stop calling him your onii-chan.

He’s mine.

Oh, really…?

Really. I did a lot of work to get ahead in the race. I even made them fall down on purpose sometimes—I did lots of bad things.

And I can finally just barely see Akiomi’s back.

I won’t let anyone get in my way until I’m standing right next to him.

? Uh? You did your best…?

Yeah, I did. I’m always polite, I take care of my hair and skin, I do good work modeling—

I did my best. I did the best of the best.

Mhm, I see~ Good job, umm…

Uhh, what is your name? Um, pleased to meet you…?

…! We see each other all the time at work but you didn’t even know me?

I’m sorry… I always do my best at the work I have to do.

It’s hard… so I don’t really… see… around me?

Sure it’s hard, but do you only ever think about yourself?

I grew up in a family where no one loved me. And Akiomi has to work and study really hard too. It’s hard for us too.

Akiomi doesn’t have time to deal with you guys.

But Akiomi’s really nice, and you guys are pathetic so he cares about you.

You should at least tell him thank you and stop bothering him so much, just like I’m doing—

If I have to deal with it, then you should have to too.

Deal… with it…?

I am dealing with all the hard things and the things I don’t like?

That’s what I promised Dad. I don’t remember a lot ‘cause I was little—

But if something happened, I should deal with it and support Mom. I think that’s what Dad told me.

That’s why I’m doing my best. Dad’s not here anymore, but he’s still my dad.

What about your dad?

…? Huh? What’s that?

Hey, are you listening? Don’t ignore me!

I’m standing right here, don’t ignore me…!

Umm, um, I’m sorry.

You, um—

I’m Narukami Arashi. But call me Naru, please, if you can.

Arashi’s the name my parents gave me. But it sounds scary and I don’t really like it.

Okay. I call you Naru, please.

Naru please, Naru please… Hehe ♪¹

What’s so funny? Are you actually listening to me?

(Grr… I can’t any kind of reaction out of him. What is this kid?)

(He’s so bubbly and mindless. He’s even more kiddy than me.)

(It’d be like I’m stupid for getting mad at kids like this. I feel like I’m the only one who’s serious about this—)

(I would’ve stayed a kid a lot longer if I could’ve, too.)

(But I had to think for myself and work real hard to get this life.)

Naru-Naru…onii-chan.

It’s Narukami. And we’re the same age, I’m pretty sure.

Wow~ You got it all together even though we’re the same age. You’re great.

What’s going on with you? You’ve been looking around for a long time…?

Umm…? Didn’t you hear a weird voice before?

Huh? No, stop! I hate things like that!

I hate monsters and stuff ‘cause I don’t get how they exist! Nobody’ll tell me either!

I think that’s Onii-chan’s voice!

Maybe Onii-chan’s back? You wanna go say hello with me, Naru… Naru-Naru? Naruru?

Is my name really that hard to remember?

Ahaha~ I’m sorry. I gotta remember lots of stuff, so my head is stuffed full.

But I have to do my best to remember.

I can’t mess up no matter what.

…?