In a room, where silence has completely hugged the atmosphere, an emerald eyed sitting on a chair facing a black head, on his left was a desk middling between him and the empty office chair, waiting, leaning his arm on the desk with his chin resting on the palm of his hand, feeling the pity eyes killing his sight. He lowered his head, looking at those bare hands that can do nothing, wishing he could scream his lungs out.. But.. There lied the problem.
A creak was heard, cam in a mid 40's man holding papers. "Nanase Haruka?" stood up a certain sea eyed. "yes" replied the doc: "can i have a moment?"
"sure" answered Haru. Both of them getting out of the room as the brunette's sight followed them, hearing the door closing shut, sigh.
standing in front of the rooms door:
"Since what's going on with Tachibana san is related to his family, i believe you're his childhood friend, no?"
"Ah, yes"
"Then that makes it easier for me, plus, i can't discuss this with just anybody"
"….."
Before going on, the doctor stared at Haru, questioning himself about this odd silence, raising an eyebrow.
"?" as Haru tilted his head.
"Ahhem, nothing, moving on!"
"yes"
"As you saw, your friend is no more capable of speaking, in other words, he became mute."
"Tsk.."
"In detail, i'd like to let you know that he has Aphonia, but for the good news, i'd like to discuss them with the both of you and the patient."
Surprisingly, yet happily Haru raised his head, he followed the doctor again back to the room.
As Haruka and the doctor came in, Makoto calmed a bit.
"Hey Tachibana! I, Tetsurou Masato would like to discuss with you about a thing or two." Hearing that, Makoto nodded his head.
"What you have currently is called Aphonia. As we checked, it was due to a sustained injury to your larynx, in other words, this isn't the end Makoto-kun. It's not permanent, i'll lead you to a good voice therapy, your case is simple, it just needs time! Therefore there is a good chance that you will be able to overcome your Aphonia. Specially that it happened out of shock so things will go easily for you hopefully."
a bright small smile mixed with a sad look in his eyes crossed Makoto's face, warmly Haru returned that smile.
"i'll set an appointment for you with the therapist, i'll contact you once everything is set up! for now you can go back home and rest."
Nodded Makoto, "Thanks, doctor" bowed Haru and so did Makoto. Leaving the room afterwards.
As they were out of the hospital, walking down the streets, "Come to my place and clear off your head, leave the rest to me" stated Haru referring at informing his family.
In Makoto's state, all he wanted was to empty hisself from worries, responsibilities and all of that, he just nodded in acceptance.
[ At Haru's place ]
Under the night starry sky, Makoto sat on a wooden surface of Haru's balcony in the back yard, feeling the breeze hitting his face softly lost in thoughts while as usual, Haru's in his light blue tank and beige bottoms, in front of the oven cooking mackerel.
few minutes later.. Diiiing Dong..
Haru lowered the gas and wiped his hands with a small towel hanging on the side of his apron, making his way to the front door, opening it.
"Yo!" stated a redhead
"Ah, Rin"
"haah?! what's with that coldhearted greeting?"
"…"
"what? gonna leave us at the door?"
"..come in"
"Tsk! you and your freezing attitude!" commented Rin
The redhead took his way in following him a tall, turquoise eyed ikemen.
"Eh? got someone here with you?" asked Rin as he saw the pair of sneakers on the floor.
"Makoto"
"Oh, where's he?" haru trembled for a second to the question.
"hm?!" weirdly gazed Rin and the same look came from Sousuke towards Haru.
"Ah, he's in the balcony"
"oookay? was that so hard to say?"
"shut it, Rin.."
"yeah yeah whatever, gonna say hello"
Sousuke had both of his hands buried in his pockets, going after the redhead.
"Makotoooo!"
Shivered Makoto in response! that visit was totally unexpected for Haru and Makoto, he looked like a lost kid eyeing Rin, looking for Haru's whereabouts in tremble, doesn't know how to react or answer.
"Makoto..?" called again Rin, looking back at Sousuke in question and returning his sight back again at Makoto.
He looked down at the ground, completely lost, shivering in his place, he felt like he was in a tight spot, he stared back at Rin. as Rin kneeled down: "what's wrong Makot-" that question didnt last long when he suddenly felt a hand grip on his shoulder: "AAHHH?!"
"…"
"FUCK YOU HARU YOU SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME!"
"come with me"
"uh, yeah, okay"
Haru took Rin to the kitchen whilst Sousuke took his steps along too.
[ In the kitchen ]
The three of them stood facing each other waiting for Haru to start talking.
"Makoto isn't in a state to talk now, he's incapable of it, he's mute Rin."
"What?!"
"?!" Sousuke showed a great surprised expression.
"Wha- what the.. why's that?!"
"Simply, some kind of quarrel happened back at his place and things aren't sorting out so his condition right know is the result."
"Haru, dont "simply" me, do i look like I'm looking for a simple answer?
"Taku.. Too much to explain.. His parents, they're divorcing.."
"Hah?!"
"wasn't i clear? Rin?" replied Haru to Rin's questioning reply.
Sousuke stood there gazing, totally lost to all of the sudden news that kept on piling up.
"You were clear Haru, you were. But, ah, i understand that his parents are divorcing and all but, how would that make him like this?!
"out of shock"
"Hah?!"
"Making fun?!"
"I'm no-"
"Rin! dont you know Makoto?" Haru hit the surface of the kitchen table with his knuckled hand. "You know his strong relationship with his family! how close he is to his siblings! specially that he's living all alone in a department just to be close to his university! he's seeing his home shattering! how do you want him to react?! dance and laugh around?!"
"O-oi.. Haru.."
Haru jumped in surprise of his action that was out of control with both of his eyes widening. he turned around putting his hand on his face tsking while the other one rested on the table, he took his way out to reach Makoto but Makoto was already walking towards Haru, giving him a pat on the shoulder with a soft smile.
"M-Makoto?" he saw Makoto wearing his sneakers getting ready to leave.
"Oi !"
Makoto bowed at Haru as a thanking for his care and left immediately, Haru looked at Rin with a questionable expression.
"Haru.. uh-"
Rin couldn't continue his sentence because of a sudden action from Sousuke dashing to the front door, wearing his shoes and leaving as well.
"HAAH!? what now?!" Rin looked back at Haru with the same questionable look that Haru gave him a moment ago.
"Makoto!"
Makoto turned around in surprise as he was walking down the stairs, he saw Sousuke resting his arms on his knees taking a deep breath. Makoto stood there not knowing what to do! go to Sousuke? Turn back and continue his way? he knew that was rude so nothing would work except for waiting for a sign from Sousuke which actually came:
"Wait" said Sousuke as a nod came from Makoto in response.
"Wanna go for a walk?" he smirked warmly.
Makoto nodded again with a shrug.
To be continued..