why should there be pain in this world?

“ I’m sorry that you couldn’t stay,” Takuto began, their voice mournful -- knowing just how much pain this decision had brought her. To live with the knowledge that even for a week or so, her mother was alive -- and now, Wakaba was gone again. Takuto could only imagine what it would feel if that had been their own parent -- or if it had been Rumi.

@idealnreal​

“C-crumbs,” The young boy said as he headed towards the stadium. He was always so nervous to battle. In the end he did enjoy it almost as much as his Pokémon did. He was about to enter the stadium when he caught the sight of someone he had not seen before. He was familiar with most in the town. “Hullo, ‘M Allister,” He introduced the Mimikyu at his feet gave its cry and seemed interested in the other. Allister scooped up the Mimikyu into his arms and it seemed content to stay there. 

“ Oh!” Takuto broke in a cheerful smile, seeing the other Mimikyu curled up in the boy’s arms, “ Wow, you have a Mimikyu too!” Takuto crouched down and picked up his own Mimikyu, “ And ah-- Hi, Allister. My name is Takuto! Nice to meet you!”

“Ah! You made it!” 

Maruki smiled as he walked over, showing Rumi and Akiyo what he’s been working on. Aza was with him, clinging to his leg rather tightly. It looks as though they’ve been holding onto him a rather tightly while he’s been making it. 

“You’re Akiyo-chan, right? It’s nice to meet you.” 

The girl bowed her head, and mumbled, “ N-nice to meet you too, Maruki-san,”

Rumi beamed, “ Lunch looks nice. Ah, Takuto is the cook here. I’m not very good, hah --,” She then noticed how Aza was clinging to Tak’s leg, clearly displeased. Of course they both spoke about this with them, but Aza still couldn’t help but feel jealous. Rumi just hoped that Aza will warm up eventually.

“ Aza, say hello to Akiyo-chan,” Rumi knelt next to Aza and combed their hair, slowly prying one of their hands from the hem of Takuto’s trousers, to reach for Akiyo. Thankfully Aza didn’t make a fuss about it, and Rumi turned to Akiyo, “ Aza is blind. So they can’t see you,”

Ms Tanaka piped in, “ Shake Aza’s hand, Akiyo-chan,”

The girl hesitated before reaching forward to shake Aza’s hand, and after a moment, Aza pulled away to cling to Takuto again -- now hiding. Rumi smiled at the girl, “ It’s alright. Aza’s just very shy,” She then got up to go prepare the tea and juice boxes.

“ This is our apartment, number 37. This will be your home for a while, Akiyo-chan,” She smiled at the girl, then nodded at the social worker, “ Please stay for some tea, Tanaka-san,” Rumi unlocked the door and stepped inside, slipping out of her shoes. 

“ Mmm, I smell lunch. Takuto? Aza? We’re here,” She showed both her guests to the sitting room, “ Is green tea okay, Tanaka-san?”

Ms. Tanaka set the girl’s bag down, smiling cheerfully, “ Yes, thank you. And Akiyo-chan would you like anything?,”

“Uh…Yeah we’ve had a bit of string of em recently.“ Was he trying too hard to be casual? Probably, but as long as he didn’t sound surprised he assumed he was in the clear. He glanced over, a new body? But that didn’t make any sense, they just rescued someone from there! Why would the pattern suddenly change. Yosuke focused back on the camping gear, grabbing the essentials since this guy seemed to just be replacing old stuff. “Well, they’re more kidnappings than murders.“

“ A string? Of murders?” A chill ran down his spine, and he wondered why the salesboy seemed calm about all this. This was a small town -- and to have multiple homicides was terrifying. Then the salesboy continued, and Takuto pushed his glasses up his nose, “ Kidnappings, huh. Wow ... Are the police doing anything about it? Do they have a suspect at least?”

“ It looks like it’s going to rain,” Rumi glanced away from the window and went to the shoe cabinet where they kept the umbrellas -- placing them into Rinri and Akira’s bags. She managed a smile, as she rejoined them in the kitchen, “ You’ll be fine. Both of you,” She looked between them, asking herself what would Takuto say to calm them down. She knew why they would be nervous. It was enough that it was a new school, in a new city -- but Rinri will be making that jump into high school while Akira ... well...

She can only hope that he can have a fresh and clean start here.

Maruki wanted to say something to her, to try and apologize for what he said… but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. All he could do was lay in his bed, wrapped up in his blankets as he stared at nothing in particular. 

This is what I deserve. She should hate me. 

His mental state was getting worse fast. If things weren’t taken care of soon, things could get really bad. 

She only forced herself to get up much later, when she heard her phone ringing. Wiping her eyes, she steadied herself enough to answer the call, knowing it must be the hospital. She told the administrator that she wasn’t feeling well at all, and would need someone to cover her shift. Rumi felt horrible for pushing this to someone else, and for deferring her appointments, but she resolved to thank whoever that covered for her.

“ Thank you,” She whispered before ending the call. Now what? Shower? Her eyes began to sting, but she marched herself down the hall anyway. But even as she sat in the shower, her thoughts replayed that night. Again and again.

“ Mum ... Dad ... Why ...,” She bit her lip and reached up to turn the shower off and pull herself up. She dried herself off and went to their room, seeing Takuto wrapped in the blanket. Her heart ached at the sight. Did ... he really want to die? Like that Shadow said?

She got dressed and sat at the corner of the bed, placing a hand on top of his shoulder, “ Tak ...? I’m sorry I snapped...,”

Maruki looked absolutely miserable now, if Rumi didn’t hate him before she was sure to now after how he just talked to her. 

It’s what I deserve, I’m a monster who deserves to die alone. 

“…But it was. He gave me multiple chances to go with him, but I was a coward… I was so scared, I couldn’t move. If I wasn’t… they’d still be alive! You’d all be happy!” 

“ How are you so sure of that? He wanted to kill you -- you know it -- What if you died that night? How could I ever be happy if you did?” There were tears in her eyes now, and angrily she got to her feet and stormed out of the room.

She knew that was the wrong thing to say, which only made her feel worse. And by the time she sat herself at the kitchen table, her panic had grown in her chest. How is she supposed to do this? How can she help him if --- if ---

Rumi sniffed, wiping her eyes -- trying to stop herself from crying. But she kept hearing gunshots and her body was shaking. And all at once, she wished to forget again.

“No… no, that’s wrong and you know it!” 

He snapped at her, eyes widening sightly as he realized what he just did. Takuto is a stuttering mess for a moment, attempting to apologize for his outburst before speaking up again. 

“…If I just went with him, if I wasn’t a coward… they’d still be alive.” 

Rumi blinked. Takuto rarely snapped or raised his voice -- and definitely never at her. And she was still in shock even as she continued to speak. The way he spoke, reminded her of that night again -- and despite everything, she could feel her heart start to race, and her stomach feel ill.

“…But… if it wasn’t for that night, you’d still have your parents.” 

Maruki was trying to avoid her gaze as he said that. Part of him didn’t want to say such things to her, but at the same time… he was in so much pain… and he didn’t understand why she’d want to stay with him. 

“…Rumi…” 

“…I don’t deserve you, Rumi… you should be looking for someone better than someone who ruined everything for you…” 

It was simple comment, but one that was said nonetheless as Maruki sighed and made his way to the bedroom to climb back into bed. 

“…Goodnight…”