Toshinori was five years old when he was told that he'd never see his mother again.
He was playing with some of his toys in their neighbor's living room when there was a knock on the door. He perked up, expecting his mother, but instead there were two strangers, a policeman and a woman in a suit.
Having always been fascinated with Heroes and police officers, and other people like them, Toshinori abandoned his toys and crept closer.
"-as speeding. Ran right through a red light while she was crossing, she was still somewhat conscious when the ambulance got there, but was gone by the time they got her on the gurney. They couldn't save her." The policeman was saying.
Mrs. Hara closed her eyes and brought a hand to her mouth, then turned and caught sight of him.
"Oh, Toshinori..." She whispered. He was confused, why did she look sad? What was the policeman talking about?
Mrs. Hara beckoned him over, kneeling when he was in front of her. She rest her hands on his shoulders, and her mouth opened and closed, but she didn't say anything. Toshinori was alarmed when tears started falling from her eyes.
"Mrs. Hara? Why are you crying!" He looked at the policeman and frowned, trying to look like his mama when she caught him doing something wrong. "Mr. Policeman, it's not nice to make someone cry, you should apologize!"
The woman next to the policeman smiled and knelt next to Mrs. Hara, putting a hand on her back, but kept her eyes on him.
"Toshinori, my name is Aoki Ahmya." She said. There was a smell around her, like when he was tired and his mama was running late, when Mrs. Hara would hold him. Normally it would calm him, but the more familiar smell of Mrs. Hara was making his nose itch, and he knew it was because she was sad and he wanted her to be not sad anymore.
"Hello, Ms. Aoki." He bowed, because he had manners. "Mr. Policeman needs to say sorry to Mrs. Hara, he made her cry. That isn't nice."
Ms. Aoki smiled and nodded. "You're right, it isn't nice to make people cry, you're a good boy Toshinori." He blushed at the praise. "But he didn't mean to make her cry, he just gave her some sad news."
Toshinori lowered his brows and tilted his head. "Why would he do that? I think he still needs to say sorry."
Mrs. Hara sniffled, wiping her eyes before addressing him. "Toshinori... I'm sorry, but you're mother... she was in an accident."
His eyes widened. "An accident? Is she okay! Where is she? She needs to be home to get better if she's hurt!"
Mrs. Hara sobbed, pulling him into a hug. "I'm sorry, Toshinori.."
".. but she's not coming back."