Chapter Text
It was night in Tokyo, and under the glow of a full moon, the Amamiya apartment was alive with quiet, loving preparation. Ren stood by the stove, the soft hiss of simmering curry filling the air. The rich aroma wrapped around the space, giving it a warmth as inviting as any embrace. Nearby, Makoto was busy making sure every plate and utensil was in its perfect place. She glanced over at the baby stool she had set up, triple-checking to ensure it was stable. Yuuto and Sae would be over soon, bringing with them little Minoru, only four months old. It was an evening to share, an evening for family.
Ren, glancing over at Makoto, smiled and asked, “What’s got you fussing over every inch, Makoto?”
She looked up, her expression softening. “I just want to make sure everything is safe for Minoru,” she replied with her usual care. “Sae doesn’t need to worry about him here.”
Ren nodded, his eyes drifting to the living room, where Hideaki sat on the couch, unusually quiet. The young boy seemed lost in his own thoughts, gazing out the window as if trying to find answers in the night sky.
“Hey, Hideaki,” Ren called softly, a note of warmth in his voice. “Want to give your old man a hand?”
Hideaki didn’t respond at first, his silence echoing a quiet distance that hadn’t been there before. Makoto’s gentle voice followed, breaking through the silence. “Hideaki, sweetie,” she called, her tone gentle yet concerned.
The boy turned his head, looking at both his parents with a faint smile but with eyes that seemed to hold a weight he didn’t yet know how to share. He finally nodded, rising from the couch and moving to help his father. But his movements felt slow, as if he carried something invisible, something he was struggling to understand.
After a while, everything was ready, the table set and the warm aroma of curry filling the room. Makoto placed her hand on Hideaki’s shoulder, giving him a small, encouraging smile. "You did a great job helping your father, Hideaki," she complimented, her voice filled with a warmth only a mother could convey.
“Yeah,” Hideaki mumbled, barely looking up. The faint smile he gave was fleeting, as though a shadow lingered over him.
Just then, a knock echoed from the door, and Makoto walked over, opening it to see Sae and Yuuto, with Minoru cradled in Sae’s arms. Sae’s expression softened at the sight of her sister, and they embraced, sharing a comforting familiarity. “How have you all been?” Makoto asked, looking between Sae and Yuuto with a smile.
Sae chuckled lightly, adjusting Minoru’s tiny hand to wave at Ren, who waved back with a grin. “Busy but good,” Sae replied, her eyes briefly flickering with the exhaustion of motherhood, though a deep contentment lay underneath.
Yuuto pulled Hideaki into a hug, his demeanor both calm and gentle. “Hey, champ. How’re you holding up?” His tone held a softness, the kind only someone who knew hardship could express.
“Okay,” Hideaki replied, his voice just above a whisper.
Sae, with a curious glance toward the kitchen, asked, “What flavor is the curry tonight, Ren?”
“Oh, you’ll love it,” Ren replied, a glimmer of pride in his voice. “It’s got a hint of spice with a little twist.”
The family gathered around the table, the warm light casting a soft glow over everyone. The atmosphere was alive with the comfort of togetherness, a balm to the busy lives they all led. As Ren set out the curry, each dish served with meticulous care, conversations began to weave through the room.
Yuuto looked up, a slight smile on his face. “Business has been picking up lately,” he shared, his voice calm and steady. “Seems like more people are interested in unique cocktails these days, which keeps me busy.” He squeezed Sae’s hand gently, the two sharing a silent look of understanding.
Sae chuckled, glancing down at Minoru, who was babbling as she helped him with small spoonfuls of food. “And being a mom certainly keeps things busy too,” she said, her voice light but affectionate. “This little one is quite the appetite,” she added, laughing as Minoru eagerly leaned forward for more. “Aren’t you, Minoru?”
Ren laughed, watching the tiny hand reach out for the spoon with determination. “He’s going to grow up strong,” Ren said, warmth in his tone. He glanced over at Makoto. “And you, Makoto? How’s work been?”
Makoto sighed softly, a hint of exhaustion in her eyes. “Work’s been busier too,” she admitted, her dedication unmistakable. “But coming home to all of this makes it worthwhile.” She glanced at Ren, her expression softening as she placed her hand over his. “Especially when I get to unwind with you.”
Ren grinned, his fingers threading through hers. “Spending time with you is the best part of my day.”
Yuuto looked over at them, an easygoing smile crossing his face as he mirrored the gesture, taking Sae’s hand. “I have to agree,” he said, his tone light but sincere. “There’s nothing like coming home to this.” His gaze lingered on Sae, his thumb brushing over her knuckles with quiet affection.
Across the table, Hideaki’s eyes dropped as he took in the scene. Though he didn’t say anything, a faint crease formed between his brows. He clenched his hand tightly, a small tension radiating from him. It was subtle, but Ren noticed, his fatherly instinct sharpening.
“Hideaki, are you alright?” Ren asked, his voice gentle but attentive.
Hideaki’s head snapped up, his expression shifting as if caught off guard. He blinked, then pushed his chair back, the sudden movement catching everyone’s attention. “I… I just need to be alone,” he mumbled, his voice strained. Without another word, he turned and walked away, heading to his room. The door closed with a loud, jarring slam that seemed to ripple through the room.
Minoru, startled by the sound, whimpered in Sae’s arms, his small face scrunching as he clung to his mother. Sae held him close, whispering soothingly, while Makoto’s eyes followed her son with a concerned frown.
“What’s going on with him?” Makoto murmured, worry lacing her voice.
Ren sighed softly, his gaze lingering on the closed door. “I’m not sure, but something’s been weighing on him. I can feel it.” He looked at Makoto, a mixture of love and concern in his eyes. “Maybe I should go check on him?”
Makoto nodded, her worry evident. “Please… see if he’ll talk to you.”
Ren stood, his steps quiet yet deliberate as he approached Hideaki’s door. He knocked gently, keeping his voice soft. “Hideaki? Are you alright?”
There was no response. Ren frowned, knocking again. “Hideaki, please… it’s just me.” The silence was heavy, and then, faintly, he thought he heard something—a muffled, shaky breath, almost like… crying. His heart quickened.
“Hideaki?” he called, his tone now urgent, his knocks more insistent. Then, a sound pierced the silence, unmistakable and chilling—the click of a gun being loaded.
Time seemed to slow as a surge of dread flooded Ren. He didn’t hesitate; he slammed his shoulder into the door, wood splintering as he forced his way through. Behind him, he could hear the alarmed voices of his family, footsteps rushing down the hall as he finally broke through the door and stormed in.
Hideaki sat on the floor, a gun in his trembling hands, his tear-streaked face a mask of anguish. Ren didn’t waste a second; he lunged, wrapping his arms around Hideaki and tackling him to the floor. The gun skidded across the room, stopping at Makoto’s feet. She froze, her eyes widening as she bent down, carefully picking it up, her hands shaking.
“Hideaki,” she whispered, her voice barely a breath. “Why… why do you have this?”
Sae, horrified, knelt beside him. “Hideaki, what’s going on? What’s wrong?”
Yuuto’s face had gone pale, and he stood close, his voice uncharacteristically harsh. “A gun, Hideaki? Why?”
Hideaki’s face crumpled, the defiance draining from him as he shook beneath the weight of their voices, their questions. He looked at his father, tears blurring his vision. “I… I can’t take this anymore.”
Ren’s grip on his son tightened as he pulled him close, murmuring softly, “Hey… hey, we’re here, son. Just talk to us. Tell us what’s wrong.”
Hideaki nodded, letting Ren help him up as they moved to the living room. He sank onto the couch, Ren beside him, keeping a steady hand on his shoulder as the family settled nearby, each face etched with concern and heartache.
Makoto sat across from her son, the gun now resting on the table between them, a harsh reminder of the unspoken pain he’d been carrying. Her voice was gentle but firm. “Hideaki… sweetheart, where did you even get that?”
Hideaki wiped his face, swallowing hard as he searched for the words, his fingers twisting together in his lap. “I… I found it in the storage unit. I… I thought… maybe… if things got too much…” His voice cracked, and he buried his face in his hands, unable to continue.
Makoto’s hand flew to her mouth, and tears filled her eyes. “Hideaki… why didn’t you tell us?"
Ren leaned closer, his voice a whisper. “What’s hurting you this badly, Hideaki? Talk to us.”
For a moment, silence stretched across the room, heavy and suffocating, each heartbeat seeming louder than the last. Finally, Hideaki took a shaky breath, looking down at his hands as they twisted in his lap. “I… I’m lonely.”
Sae’s brow furrowed in concern, and she leaned forward, her voice gentle but steady. “What do you mean, Hideaki?”
Hideaki lifted his gaze, scanning each face in the room. His hands trembled as he pointed, his voice carrying a quiet bitterness. “You… Aunt Sae, you have Uncle Yuuto. And Mom… she has Dad.” He swallowed, struggling to contain the tears that threatened to fall. “Everywhere I go, all I see are couples. People who have someone… but I don’t.”
His words hung in the air, raw and vulnerable. “People tell me I’m good-looking, that I’m smart, that I have so much going for me. I work hard; I study hard. I have great parents and an amazing aunt and uncle… even a little cousin I’d do anything for. I have big dreams, big plans for my future. I come from the Niijima family, a family with a strong legacy.” His voice broke, and he squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head. “And yet… here I am. Still alone.”
The tension in the room was almost unbearable. Hideaki’s voice rose, cracking with the weight of his emotions. “Damn it all!” The tears he’d been holding back fell freely now, each one a reflection of his frustration and longing. “How come no one wants me? Why can’t I find someone? What’s wrong with me?”
Makoto reached across taking her son’s hand, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Hideaki,” she murmured, squeezing his hand, “I understand how you feel. I truly do. But sweetheart, you’re only seventeen. You have so much time.”
Yuuto stepped forward, his usually calm and composed expression softened with empathy. “Hideaki,” he said gently, “you’re just at the beginning of this journey. When Sae and I got together, we were both adults, and we’d already been through so much on our own. The right person didn’t come along until later, and that was okay. You have so much yet to experience.”
Sae nodded in agreement, her gaze unwavering. “Hideaki, you’re remarkable at this age. You have so many accomplishments ahead of you. And one day, I’m certain you’ll find someone who’ll see all of that, who’ll love you deeply. It just takes time.”
Hideaki looked up, his face still streaked with tears. “But… how long do I have to wait? How long until I find someone to call my own, someone who’ll love me back?”
Ren’s gaze softened as he placed a comforting hand on his son’s shoulder. His voice was tender, filled with the wisdom and patience Hideaki needed to hear. “Son… love isn’t something you can rush. Sometimes, it feels like everyone around you has found their person, and it can feel lonely. But trust me, when the right person does come along, it’ll be worth every moment you waited.”
Hideaki’s shoulders shook as he absorbed his father’s words, the quiet strength in Ren’s voice calming the storm of emotions raging within him. “I just… I just want someone to care about me the way you all have each other.”
Makoto leaned in, wrapping her arms tightly around her son. “You will, Hideaki,” she whispered, her voice carrying a gentle, unshakable conviction. “One day, you’ll meet someone who sees you for the incredible person you are, someone who will make you feel complete. I promise.”
Hideaki nodded, his eyes dropping to the floor. “I’m sorry… for ruining tonight.” His voice was barely above a whisper, tinged with guilt.
Yuuto, sensing the heaviness in the air, let out a soft chuckle. “Ruining tonight? Hideaki, this is a family dinner. Emotions are welcome here—even if they get a little loud sometimes.” He offered a teasing smile. “Besides, if you’re not a little dramatic every now and then, what’s the point?”
A faint smile tugged at Hideaki’s lips, a reluctant chuckle escaping him as he wiped his eyes. Just then, Minoru, nestled in Sae’s arms, reached his small hands toward his cousin, his fingers opening and closing as if beckoning for Hideaki.
“Well,” Sae chimed in with a mischievous grin, “looks like someone’s cousin wants a hug.”
Hideaki took Minoru from her, holding the tiny baby close. The baby’s big eyes studied Hideaki with a pure, unaffected gaze, and Minoru cooed, reaching up to touch Hideaki’s tear-stained face. Hideaki let out a shaky laugh, his heart swelling as the baby’s innocent warmth seemed to melt away some of his sadness.
Makoto’s gaze softened as she observed her son with his baby cousin. Then, her eyes drifted toward the gun resting on the table, her expression hardening. “Hideaki,” she began, her tone gentle yet firm, “what do you want to do with that?” She motioned subtly to the weapon. “Is it time to let it go?”
Hideaki’s face grew serious as he looked at the gun, its weight a reminder of the burdens he carried and the protection he once thought it provided. He took a deep breath, his grip tightening on Minoru for strength. “Throw it away,” he finally murmured, his voice resolute.
Ren nodded approvingly and stepped into the kitchen, returning with the garbage can. He placed it beside his son, standing by as Hideaki hesitated, glancing between his father and the gun. Slowly, he reached out, gripping the gun by its bottom, his fingers trembling slightly. With a final glance at Ren, he dropped it into the trash. The dull thud of metal hitting plastic was followed by silence.
Ren placed a hand on Hideaki’s shoulder, pride shining in his eyes. “I’m proud of you, son. That wasn’t easy.”
Hideaki nodded, looking down at his father’s hand with a mixture of gratitude and relief. Ren then wrapped his arms around him, careful not to disturb Minoru. Makoto joined the embrace, her eyes wet with pride and love. Sae followed, and finally, Yuuto, who gave his nephew’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
As the family pulled back, Hideaki’s gaze grew distant, a lingering trace of hope mixed with uncertainty. “I just… I wonder how long it’ll be until I find that person. When will they come into my life?”
Yuuto offered a gentle smile. “No one really knows when that person will show up, Hideaki. But when they do, you’ll feel it—like a jolt, something you never saw coming but that feels just right.”
Sae nodded, her voice soft but confident. “And until then, we’re here."
Hideaki looked around at his family, a faint smile finally settling on his lips. Despite the pain, he felt lighter, as though the weight he carried was finally beginning to lift.