Chapter 29

To the future/ Mirai e – Naoto Inti Raymi

Kaito's phone ringed. He checked his screen and saw that it was his sister calling.

"Hello?" Kaito answered.

"Kaito, I'm sorry I'm bothering you so late. The thing is, I haven't told you because I didn't want you to freak out… but now I feel bad I haven't told you… Mom got cancer and we thought that she would get better but the doctor told us that the chemotherapy isn't working and she doesn't have much time left. I'm sorry… I really should have told you sooner."

Kaito closed his laptop. "It's okay. I'll be heading over there right now." He held his phone with his shoulder and rushed for his luggage bag.

"I'm really sorry… I don't know how I'll make it up to you."

Kaito quickly grabbed some clothing and sighed. "Don't worry. I know you didn't want me to be worried in my career. But it's not important. I'll be there in the morning. We'll talk later ok?"

"Ok. See you tomorrow."

Kaito hung up and quickly packed up his things.

"Is something wrong?" Aoki said, walking toward him. "I'm sorry I don't have time to explain anything right now to anyone… Here… climb in my pocket." He put his hand out, and she climbed on.

Kaito took his keys and luggage bag and ran out his room.

"EH? Kaito? What is happening?" Luka said, as she saw Kaito run down the stairs.

"I have to go see my family. I'll let you guys know when I'll be back. Sorry, I don't have time to explain right now." He said.

"Ok, I'll let the rest know so they don't freak out. Keep us updated ok?" She said.

Kaito nodded and headed out.

"If I hurry I can catch the last train…" He mumbled.

"If I can help in anything just let me know." Aoki said, as he ran to the station.

"Not right now. But thanks."

He got onto the train and sat down. The train went to stop after stop and after a whole night, they finally arrived to the village.

"Here we are. The place where I grew up." Kaito said, walking off the shrinkasen.

Aoki peeked out of the pocket and looked around. "Oh!" She said and hid back in.

Kaito took his phone out and called his sister. "Hello?" She answered.

"I'm here. I'll be there in a minute."

"Ok"

"I didn't think you would come this early." Kaito's sister opened the door. "Everyone is sleeping." She said with a yawn as she wrapped herself up in a blanket.

"I didn't think I'd be coming so suddenly either." He said walking in.

"You can stay in your old room. It's been so long but we still left it as it was. We just clean it but it looks the same as you left it. Do you want something to drink? Tea? Oh! We have ice cream if you want some?"

Kaito walked into his room. "Actually I think I might take coffee because we have a lot of talking to do." He said.

"Ok. I'll go get some." She yawned and walked off.

"Sorry about all this. I have a lot of explaining to do to you. But I'm going to need you to hide, or my sister will think I've become a huge creep." He reached into his pocket, and Aoki climbed out.

She nodded, and he placed her somewhere she wouldn't be seen.

"Here you go. Topped with ice cream as you like it." She said, taking a chair and sitting next to Kaito. He took it and sipped some.

"How long?" He said.

"One month"

He stayed in silence. "And how long has she been trying to fight it?"

"It's been a year." She sighed.

"It just seems so strange. I can't actually believe it. It's like a part of me feels like it's a joke and none of this is happening." He buried his face in his hands.

"I'm sorry… I really thought the chemotherapy would solve this and everything would go back to normal." She hugged Kaito.

"Where's Kaito?" Rin said as she headed to the kitchen for breakfast. "He's always up early"

"It seems there was an emergency in his family. He had to go back to the village." Luka said, serving herself a tuna omelet.

"He left without saying anything!" Rin crossed her arms.

"Yeah I actually just happened to see him as he left but he was running when I saw him."

"I'm going to call him". Rin took an orange and ran out.

"Please answer… Please answer…" Rin mumbled.

"Hello! Kaito is busy right now, do you want me to give him a message?" A voice answered.

"Who are you?" Rin asked.

"Oh! Sorry. I'm Merli. Kaito's sister. I don't know if you remember me?"

"Merli! Sorry I didn't recognize the voice. I was calling to see what happened."

"I'm guessing Kaito left without saying a thing, right? I really don't know how to put this in words... The thing is that mom has been sick for a while… we thought she would get better but the doctor just told us that she only has a few days left."

Rin gasped. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't even be bothering in a situation like this. He needs to be with his mom. I'm sorry for bothering."

"No, it's fine. We can't just pretend nothing is happening. I'll let him know that you guys are concerned about him."

"Don't worry him more. If he needs us for moral support just tell us and we'll be there, ok?" Rin said.

"Ok! Thanks!"

"Mikuo?" Len held his phone on his shoulder as he put his hair in a ponytail.

"What's up?"

"I couldn't sleep at night after what you told me. I feel guilty myself now. I think I need to face this and forgive Miku. I mean… you said she was sorry."

"You can come over if you want. Miku woke up a while ago."

"Ok, I'll be there."

Mikuo hung up and went to the mirror to fix his tie.

"Someone called?" Miku said, bringing a leek to Mikuo.

"Yeah, we will have visitors today. I'm going to call work to say I'll be arriving late today." He turned to look at her.

"Uh… Do you have family coming over? Do you want me to go somewhere?" Miku's eyes turned big.

"Oh no! I want you here. Neither of us is leaving for right now." Mikuo pet her head. "You'll see when the visitor comes."

"I think they're here…" Mikuo cleaned the table.

"I'll open!"Miku ran to the door.

"HELLO! …" Miku frooze. "…Len?"

A/N: I don't even think there should be an author's note here since this is being posted in the same day. BUT … here it is! Lol Questions? Comments? You know where to put them.