"MISAKI." Takahiro ran throughout the mansion, screaming for his brother as screams were heard outside. "MISAKI."
"TAKAHIRO." He turned back to see his longtime friend, Akihiko, with the same stressed look. "Did you find him?" He shook his head. "Akihiko, what if…"
"Don't think that. We will find him." They went to look in another room when they heard a loud scream coming from upstairs. "MISAKI."
"ONIICHAN, USAGI-SAN, HELP!" Akihiko kicked down the attic door and gasped at the sight. Misaki was standing with chains wrapped around his body, connected to a black hole underneath him. "HELP!"
"MISAKI!" Takahiro ran to him but was too slow. "ONIICHAN." He reached out but Misaki was pulled down until he disappeared. Akihiko was frozen, unsure what to do. Takahiro was on his knees shaking. "Mi...Misaki? Misaki?" His eyes filled with tears as he slammed his fists on the ground. "MISAKI."
Why am I alive? Kisa found himself thinking as he once again was walking through the park, coming from another meaningless one night stand. The number seemed to increase every week and Kisa was tired. He did not want to sleep around anymore but what else was there? He was alone with no family and not trusting people to be simply friends.
Who would miss me if I was gone?
He checked his watch, sighing when he saw it was almost 12 but glad he did not have work after classes tomorrow. He decided to go home when he heard a cry coming from the trees and even though every fiber in his body was saying run, Kisa cautiously walked towards the noise. "Hello?" Walking past a tree he gasped.
There sitting was a small boy, crying into his knees. His brown hair was wet with sweat and all over the place. He glanced up, his emerald eyes showing fear. "Are you alright?" Kisa noticed him wearing dirty white pants and an equally dirty white shirt. He also noticed he was shivering. Kisa took off his jacket and placed it on the little boy who flinched before snuggling into the jacket. "Are you lost?"
The little boy nodded. "What's your name?"
"Misaki." Kisa could not help but think that sounded like a girl's name. "Okay Misaki, my name is Kisa Shouta, do you remember where you live? I can take you there."
His eyes lit up. "You can take me to Aessa?" Aessa? "Where is that?" Misaki pointed up. "Up there." Kisa looked up at the sky. Did this kid hit his head or something? "Um, do you remember you parents' number?"
"My parents are dead." Misaki frowned. "I was with oniichan and then a fight was going on outside and then this weird hole sucked me in and I dropped down here."
Kisa just stared at him. Nothing he was saying was making sense. "Um, let's take you to the police station." He stood up and held out his hand which Misaki took without hesitation. "Kisa, you're nice." Kisa was taken back at the compliment, never hearing it before. "Thanks." Misaki smiled up at Kisa, blinding the man by how radiant it looked for a little boy.
"Sorry, no one has filed a missing person's report for a 'Misaki.'" The officer told Kisa. "It may come up later in the database and I can put him in the system to keep on the lookout. It would help if he had a last name." They turned to Misaki. "Do you have a last name honey?"
"Taka-ashi…Taka-ha-ashi…Taka…" Misaki was trying to say it but kept tripping over his words. The officer stopped him. "How about I just note that it starts with 'Taka.'" She began typing.
"Uh, what will happen to him until then?" Kisa asked.
"Not much can be done until his parents file the report. We will have to call child services and they will most likely put him in a foster home or orphanage."
"NO." Misaki jumped up and grabbed Kisa's arm. "I want to stay with Kisa."
Kisa was shocked. "Misaki, it may be best for you…" "No. I want Kisa. Don't let them take me away from you too." Misaki's eyes began to water. "Don't…Don't cry." Kisa picked him up and Misaki latched on to his neck. Kisa looked to the officer who had a sympathetic look. "Is there any way that maybe..." He could not believe he was considering it. He had no clue how to take care of a child; he barely could take care of himself.
The officer sighed, "I really wish I could help you but by law we would have to bring child services and they decide what is best for the child."
Kisa felt Misaki let go and glanced down to see Misaki facing the officer. "I have to be with Kisa. Kisa is where I need to be." The two had a staring contest before the officer turned to her computer. "You know what, the boy seems to be fine in your care."
Kisa gasped. "Are you sure? Is there some paperwork I have to fill out?"
She nodded. "We can start the process of guardianship but it will take about 30 days to be completed so it gives enough time for the boy's family to file a missing person report. Until then he can stay with you." She smiled and stood up. "Wait one minute I can give you the papers you need to fill out and you can bring them back tomorrow. I will be here tomorrow night at 6. For now I think you should take the little one home." Kisa looked down to see Misaki falling asleep.
"Yes, thank you." Once she gave him the papers and her card Kisa stood up, with Misaki still in his arms, and left.
At his small apartment of one bedroom, Kisa laid him down on his bed and then sat next to him. This was going to be chaotic. He was supposed to go to school tomorrow and being his last year of college it was crucial not to miss any days. Not to mention his part time job at Marimo books and then his interview Friday for Onodera Publications.
Even so, looking down at the boy, Kisa could feel no regret. He wished for his life to have some meaning. Maybe this was his wish coming true.
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I hope you all enjoyed my new story! Do not own JR or SKH
I do not know much about the legal system but it seems everything always takes 30 days in the movies so let's go with that.
Fun Fact: Hakken means 'Found' according to Google translate (still sounds pretty)