News

I was laying my head down on my desk. I was tired, exhausted and a bit scared of what happened the past week. I shifted a bit, not really feeling comfortable being in this room anymore…I rarely go in it now, but when I do, it's either I have to do work or I'm tired…I can just grab some books and leave to go to the kid's room so I can study.

"Jochen-san, is something wrong?" Mr. Mishofugi asked as he walked in.

I wanted to give him a dirty look. Was he seriously asking that? Of course there's something wrong! Why wouldn't it be? Two of my friends died—one killing the other before himself in my room, nobody's telling me about what's going on around here, everyone acts like this is all normal! But instead, I just turned my head the other direction.

"Are you sick, Jochen-san?" Mr. Mishofugi said with a bit of concern.

I gave a sigh as I sat up, rubbing my head. "I'm just…tired…that's all."

"All this work has finally caught up to you?" Mr. Mishofugi asked.

"Um…You can say that…" I stated as I rubbed my head once more.

"You should rest more at night." Mr. Mishofugi stated. "Especially winter will arrive in a few days. You don't want to get sick."

I didn't get much sleep last night anyways…I took the kids outside like I usually do, twice a day. They're getting excited about winter, since they want to play in the snow. "Ja—um, Hai, you're right."

"Try to get more sleep, okay, Jochen-san?" Mr. Mishofugi stated.

"Okay."

"Well, I'll be going then." He placed a couple of files on the table before leaving.

I began to feel more tempted to look and read them lately. I've been working on reading Japanese, though, still a bit shaky on it. But I tried my best to resist as I continued to organize them and put them away. When I finished, I went over to visit the three in their room like usual.

"Hello, Jochen!" Yuki ran up to hug me. "You look tired."

"Ja, just a little bit." I said. "But don't worry; I'll be back to my usual self in no time."

"Jochen, look at the leaves we've pressed." Kiyoko came beside me and showed me. "Aren't they lovely?"

I looked at the nicely pressed leaves of oranges, yellows, reds, and browns in the book I had given them just for that. "They're beautiful." I said as I smiled at her.

I felt my cheeks turn red a bit, so I quickly turned away. This feeling that I keep having every time I look at Kiyoko won't go away, it's so weird. I want it to go away, yet…I don't. I just tried to shake it off.

"Okay, so, Jochen, what are we going to do when it snows?" Masaru asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I want to do what we did with the leaves—how are we going to keep the snow inside without melting?"

I laughed. "That's impossible, you know."

Masaru gave a sigh. "I thought so."

"Don't worry; playing in the snow is enough for you." I stated as I sat down.

"Jochen, can you show me how to make one of those snowman people make when it snows?" Yuki asked.

"Of course, it's pretty easy actually." I said.

As we continued talking, the door slowly opened. Yuki and Masaru quickly grabbed their toys they had out and hid them within their clothes, in the back. I closed the book and looked over my shoulder to see who was opening the door.

"Mr. Bayer? What are you doing here?" I asked. "It's not the end of the month yet."

"Jochen…I need to speak with you." He stated gravely. I followed him out.

"What is it, Mr. Bayer?" I asked.

"First of all…I wish to tell you that I'm sorry about what happened to your friends, Aloisia and Vinzenz." He stated. "A young man who's new to all of this, that was probably shocking."

I gave a bit of a nod. Though, it wasn't shocking…more like terrifying.

"Second of all…I thought I would give this to you in person." He then handed me a letter. "I'm sorry, Jochen."

I read the address. "It's about my brother…" my heart sank.

"Another thing…Since I came here early, I won't see you exactly at the end of the month." He stated, then placed both hand on my shoulders. "Again, I'm so sorry about everything." Then he left.

I entered the room and sat down on the floor. I began to examine my letter. It appeared to be already opened…did he read it without my permission?

"A letter?" Kiyoko said.

"It's about my brother…" I stated.

The room went silent. As I pulled the letter out from the envelope, my heart began to sink even more.

"It say, 'Dear Jochen Reiher, We're sorry to inform you that you're brother, Erich Reiher, is-" I stopped.

"Is what?" Masaru asked.

My voice quivered as I tried my best not to let any tears flow. "…Erich Reiher, is now…is now d-deceased… His life ended by a bullet that went through both lungs… H-He was a b-brave, good so-oldier…and that—that he's going to b-be remembered…"

I stopped reading as I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. Kiyoko wrapped her arms around me in comfort. Reality felt fake to me now.

A/N: I only own what I own and stuff like that!

Weird Girl: Sorry for the suckish-chapter, I'll make sure they'll be better next time.

Bob: ...If we pray-

Weird Girl: D: SILENCE YOU FOOL!

Bob: ...Reviews will get any dessert of their liking, and silent readers will get cake-

Weird Girl: HAHAAHAH! GET IT! THE CAKE IS A LIE!

Bob: = =;; Not that again...