Chapter 15:Toya

"He's my brother…"

I open my eyes, to wake me up from this dream. My dream becomes more puzzling than before. Yesterday, after Toya said that Seiji is his brother, Chitose came back, so I quickly pushed Toya out from the room. It was a bit awkward when Chitose asked us what happened and nobody answered her. I couldn't answer her because I was shaking terribly and Toya was stared blankly at fire. Puzzled Chitose leaved us alone as she thought that we had been into a fight. At night, Toya and I still didn't talk nor said good night to each other like we usually do.

I get changed and wash my face. As I raise my head, I see Toya on the mirror who is waiting for his turn to wash his face.

"Ah… Good morning…" I open my mouth first. But his reply is just a nod.

We take our breakfast in the table as usual, but we don't talk too much like we usually do. It's been this awkward since yesterday. Man, I really hate this atmosphere. I wish I can yell like before.

"I'm finished." Toya says.

"Eh? You barely touch your food." Chitose asks.

"It's Okay. I'm not that hungry. Atsuma can have it." And he walks toward his room.

Aw, come on Toya. Again? Locking yourself in that tiny room of yours again? Every time you have a problem, you lock yourself as your escape. You're very childish!

"Were you two had a fight?" Chitose curiously asks me.

"N-no… We just… we… well, we just had a small argument." My cold sweat runs fast.

"Okay…?" She narrows her eyes. Like Chitose will believe with such lame excuse. "You can have Toya portion if you want. I don't think he wants to eat it anymore. Maybe he's sick?"

I'm not that full, but I don't want to eat anymore either. But I don't want to waste the food, so I grab Toya's plate and start to eat the porridge. It's delicious indeed, but the more I eat it, the more I want to vomit. Feels like something sticking on my throat. Very uncomfortable. I still give my best smile to Chitose when she asks about the porridge taste.

The morning is end with I went to bedroom and Chitose went somewhere again. I lay down on my bed, closing my eyes and trying not to remember the taste of the sticking porridge. I'll hate to eat porridge again if I still thinking about the taste.

'Proceed…'

Damn! That voice again! Get away from my head, you noisy voice!

'Proceed… Proceed…'

"Damn!" I open my eyes and the voice suddenly gone. I cover my eyes with my small palm.

'Tok! Tok!'

I hear something being knocked from somewhere. I try to listen it carefully to find where it comes from.

'Tok! Tok!'

Ah! It's from Toya's room. What is he doing?

"Atsuma…? Can you hear me? Could you come to my room?" Toya's voice comes from next door.

"Ok." I go to his room without any hesitation.

Upon arrive in his room; I see Toya is staring out the window.

"Toya…"

He turns around his head, his blue eyes are glowing with his tear. As he realizes that I entered his room, he rubs his eyes roughly.

"Can't you knock!?"

"Sorry…" I'm pissed; I know that I didn't knock, but it because I respect the sad atmosphere you made earlier.

I approach him, "So, what's up?"

He hands me a photo. "Well, it's a picture of Seiji, your brother, right?"

He silence for a while, I wait for his reply or at least a reaction. I see him taking a deep breath, and he start to speak.

"Seiji is my big brother indeed. He went to Yokohama for study and after graduated from there, he never returned to our village. But he still sent us letter every week. I've always waited for his letters those days. But one day, the letter stop came. At first, I thought that he might be busy with his research for a golem called infinity. So I didn't bother too much." I hear his slow sigh. "One day, I heard there's a conflict between government and bro's research. He then moved somewhere else. It's said that he moved near Gravekeep Holm. From that on, I didn't hear anything about him again."

Toya's eyes fill with tear. He tries to hold his tear from falling down to his cheek.

"It's okay to cry, Toya…" I try to comfort him, though it's useless.

Back in my room, I flip the book Chitose read to us several days ago. I can read it without problem, but sometimes I forget how to read some words, so I need Toya's help. But in time like this…

I'm worry about Toya. That boy… he already had so many hard times, even before he came here. I wish I could help, but what a boy without past know anything about his best friend's feeling?

I keep staring at the word that I can't read. It makes me sleepy, so I close the book. I don't know what should I do, my eyes feel heavy and everything looks blurry. I think I should close my eyes for a moment.

Thus, I fall asleep.