Chapter 3: Unexpected News

As sunlight streamed through the windows of Ryuji's house, Haruki sat at the kitchen table, his mind still reeling from the events of the previous day. Beside him, Ryuji flipped through a magazine, occasionally glancing up at his friend, sensing the unease that lingered in the air.

What a mess... Haruki's mind echoed, unable to shake off the turmoil.

Suddenly, the shrill ringing of Haruki's phone shattered the silence, causing both boys to jump in surprise. With trembling hands, Haruki answered the call, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Hello? What's wrong, Saki?" Haruki's voice wavered with concern.

The voice on the other end was tense, filled with urgency.

"Saki... It's Mom. She... she fell down the stairs this morning. They're taking her to the hospital."

A wave of panic washed over Haruki as his sister's words sank in. His mother, injured and alone in the hospital... It felt like a nightmare.

No, no, this can't be happening. It's all my fault... If only I had been there... Haruki's inner thoughts spiraled into self-blame.

As Saki continued, mentioning Masaru's return from abroad, Haruki's unease deepened. His relationship with his twin brother had always been strained, and Masaru's sudden return only added to the tension.

Masaru... What does he want now? Is he coming back to stake his claim? Haruki's mind raced with apprehension.

Ryuji watched in concern as Haruki's face paled, his hands shaking as he clutched the phone tightly to his ear.

"Haruki, what's going on? Is everything okay?" Ryuji's voice was filled with worry.

Unable to find the words to explain, Haruki simply shook his head.

"I have to go. Something's happened to my mom."

With a deep breath, he stood up abruptly, his mind racing with worry for his mother and the looming presence of his twin brother's return.

And so, as the day unfolded with unexpected twists and turns, Haruki found himself grappling with a new reality—one filled with uncertainty, fear, and the looming specter of family conflict.

Haruki's footsteps echoed in the quiet streets as he made his way to the hospital, his mind consumed by thoughts of his mother lying injured and alone. The weight of guilt hung heavy on his shoulders, a constant reminder of his own failures and shortcomings.

Why did this have to happen now? If only I had been there... Haruki's inner turmoil intensified with each step.

The hospital loomed ahead, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the inevitability of fate. Haruki's heart raced as he pushed open the doors, steeling himself for what lay ahead.

Inside, the sterile smell of antiseptic assaulted his senses, mingling with the low hum of machines and the hushed whispers of worried families. Haruki scanned the crowded waiting room, his eyes searching for any sign of his sister or his mother.

Finally, he spotted them in a corner, huddled together in quiet conversation. Saki's eyes were red-rimmed, her expression drawn with worry as she listened to their mother's words.

"Haruki, you're here..." Saki's voice was filled with relief as she hurried over to him, enveloping him in a tight hug.

"Mom's in surgery. They said it's serious... I don't know what to do..." Saki's words trembled with fear.

Haruki's heart clenched at the sight of his sister's tears, his own eyes stinging with unshed emotion.

"It's going to be okay, Saki. We'll get through this together." Haruki's voice was a whisper of reassurance, though doubt lingered in his heart.

But even as he spoke the words, doubt gnawed at the edges of his mind. The weight of responsibility pressed down on him, threatening to crush him beneath its burden.

As they waited anxiously for news of their mother's condition, Haruki's thoughts drifted to Masaru, his long-absent twin brother. Memories of their tumultuous relationship flooded his mind, each one a painful reminder of the rift that had torn them apart.

What will Masaru do when he finds out? Will he blame me for this too? Haruki's mind raced with worry and uncertainty.

The minutes stretched into hours as they waited, each passing moment filled with unbearable tension. And as the day wore on, Haruki found himself grappling with a newfound sense of fear and uncertainty, unsure of what the future held for him and his family.

The waiting room felt suffocating as the minutes dragged on, each passing second filled with unbearable tension. Haruki's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the hospital doors, his mind consumed by thoughts of his mother lying injured and alone.

Finally, the doors swung open, and Haruki's father emerged, his face drawn with worry. With a sense of urgency, Haruki stood up, rushing over to him.

"Dad, how is Mom? Is she okay?" Haruki's voice was filled with desperation.

"She's stable for now, but... she sustained some head trauma in the fall. The doctors say she's in a coma." His father's words hung heavy in the air, crushing Haruki's hopes.

The news hit Haruki like a sledgehammer, the air rushing out of his lungs as the world spun around him. His mother, lying unconscious in a hospital bed, fighting for her life...

As Haruki struggled to process the news, his gaze fell on a figure approaching from the corner of the room. It was Masaru, his twin brother, his face bearing a scar that served as a permanent reminder of their tumultuous past.

Their eyes met, and in an instant, Haruki was transported back to their childhood, to a day filled with laughter and innocence that had ended in tragedy.

Flashback:

Young Haruki and Masaru were playing in the backyard, their laughter filling the air as they chased each other around. But in their excitement, they accidentally broke a window, sending glass shattering to the ground.

In a panic, young Haruki reached for the shards of glass, his hands trembling with fear. But in his haste, he accidentally swung a sharp piece towards Masaru, cutting his face deeply.

As Masaru fell to the ground, blood pouring from the wound, young Haruki could only watch in horror, his heart breaking at the sight of his brother's pain.

End of Flashback:

Back in the present, Haruki turned away from Masaru, his heart heavy with guilt and regret. He couldn't bear to face his brother, knowing that their past mistakes had brought them to this moment.

As Masaru walked past him, his presence felt like a ghost haunting Haruki's every step. Unable to contain the overwhelming emotions that threatened to consume him, Haruki turned and ran, fleeing from the hospital and the weight of his past.

Outside, Haruki gasped for breath, his chest tight with panic as he stumbled to a halt. He was lost, both physically and emotionally, adrift in a sea of regret and despair.

But then, amidst the chaos of his thoughts, an image of Aya flashed in his mind, her face a beacon of calm in the storm raging within him. With each breath, he felt her presence soothing his troubled soul, offering him a glimmer of hope in the darkness.

Meanwhile, back inside the hospital, Masaru watched Haruki's retreating figure with a smile playing on his lips. With a whispered promise to himself, he stepped forward, his eyes alight with determination.

"I'm back, brother," Masaru declared softly, his words echoing in the empty space left by Haruki's departure.

To be continued...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***