Shinjitsu o motomeru (Seeking truth)

After the funeral, Seiryu and Reiji returned home. The house felt emptier than ever, its silence a harsh contrast to the echoes of laughter that once filled its walls. The dim light filtering through the cloudy sky cast long shadows, as if the house itself was mourning.

Reiji broke the stillness, his voice gentle but firm. "I know it's hard for you, Seiryu, but you have to do your best. As you know, I live in Tokyo, so we'll be moving there from here in Kagawa, Takamatsu."

Seiryu's face remained somber, his eyes reflecting a sadness too deep for his age. "I understand, Uncle. But… can we move a few days later? I want to say goodbye to this place and all my friends."

Reiji nodded thoughtfully. "That's okay. You should probably thank all your friends and this place for what it's given you. I'll make arrangements for our departure. We shall move in a week, okay?"

"Okay," Seiryu whispered, turning to head upstairs.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Reiji called after him. "You need to choose which school you'll attend in Tokyo."

"Got it," Seiryu replied quietly, disappearing into his room.

Outside, the rain had stopped, but clouds still hung heavy in the sky. Seiryu sat by the window, lost in thought.

"So this is the new beginning," he sighed. "Even if Uncle Reiji has shown me kindness, I can't be a burden to him. I have to figure out what I'll do. I need to choose the right path."

His mind drifted back to the funeral, to the relatives who had whispered cruel words.

"Monsters, eh?" he muttered bitterly. "Why would they say that about Mom and Dad? They were good people. Were they hiding something?"

Reiji's voice broke his thoughts, calling him down for dinner. The rain began again, heavier this time, its rhythmic tapping against the windows matching the tension in Seiryu's heart.

The next morning, Reiji left early for work, leaving Seiryu alone. The emptiness of the house was interrupted by a knock at the door. His friends, Tama and Sei, had come to see him.

"I'm really sorry about what happened," Tama said softly, her eyes filled with concern.

"Hey, Tama, don't get all gloomy on him," Sei cut in, his grin forced but trying. "We're here to cheer him up, not make him sad again."

Seiryu let them in, offering a faint smile. "So, what's the plan now, Seiryu?" Sei asked, trying to sound casual but his voice tinged with genuine curiosity.

Seiryu sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know. This whole thing has left me scattered. Uncle said we're moving to Tokyo, so I guess I'll be staying with him."

"You're leaving the city?" Tama's voice trembled slightly, her hands clenching around the strap of her bag. "When?"

"In a week," Seiryu replied hesitantly.

Tama's eyes welled up, her lip quivering before she quickly turned her face away. A tear escaped, rolling down her cheek. Sei gently put an arm around her shoulders.

Tama wiped her tears quickly, forcing a shaky smile. "Then let's make this week memorable. We'll create so many memories you won't ever forget us."

Seiryu managed a small smile, pulling Tama into a gentle hug. "I won't forget you guys."

"Why not visit the winter festival this weekend?" Sei suggested, trying to lift the mood.

Seiryu nodded. "I'll come."

The days that followed were filled with bittersweet adventures. They visited the old shrine where they had written their wishes years ago. Seiryu ran his fingers over his faded handwriting, a childish scrawl wishing for eternal friendship. Tama watched him quietly, her heart aching with unspoken words.

They spent an afternoon by the sea, the cold wind whipping through their hair as waves crashed against the shore. Tama picked up seashells, handing one to Seiryu. "A keepsake," she whispered, her fingers lingering against his hands a moment longer than necessary.

On the last evening before the festival, they climbed their favorite hill, the city lights twinkling below like scattered stars. Sitting under the vast sky, Tama finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Seiryu, you… you're really important to me. You mean more than just a friend to me." Her words hung in the cold air, fragile and raw.

Seiryu turned to her, surprised, but before he could respond, Sei's laughter echoed as he pointed out a shooting star. The moment passed, unspoken but etched deeply in both their hearts.

After his friends left, Seiryu wandered the city, trying to clear his mind. He found himself at a park, staring at the swings where his mother once pushed him. He watched a child cry over a toy, remembering his own childhood tantrums. The sky brightened, but his heart remained clouded.

Standing on a bridge, he stared at the river below, the dark water reflecting the faint glow of distant streetlights. The cold wind bit at his skin, and the rushing water echoed his turbulent thoughts.

 "Maybe I shouldn't be living at all," he whispered. "I'm just a burden to Uncle. Everyone hates me."

"What are you doing here, Seiryu?" Reiji's soft voice startled him.

Seiryu flinched, quickly wiping at his face. "Oh, I was just trying to clear my mind," he stammered.

Reiji stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "That's okay, but don't leave the house alone. At least inform me before you go anywhere."

Seiryu nodded. "Okay."

Back home, Seiryu told Reiji about his plans to attend the festival with his friends. The next day at the evening, Sei and Tama arrived to pick him up.

"You look great, Seiryu," Tama said with a smile, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Let's make this festival a beautiful memory."

"Yes, we will," Seiryu agreed.

While Seiryu enjoyed the festival with his friends, Reiji was back at the house, standing in the dim light of Seiryu's parents' room. His hand hovered over a dusty drawer before pulling it open, revealing old documents. His eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of something—concern? Fear?—passing through them.

At the festival, fireworks lit up the sky. The vibrant colors reflected in Tama's eyes as she stole glances at Seiryu, her heart aching with the fear of goodbye.

"Don't forget us, Seiryu," she whispered. "It wasn't long, but these days with you… they meant everything to me. Promise me you won't forget us."

"I didn't get to know you that well," Sei added, "but I enjoyed our time together. I hope you won't forget us."

Seiryu couldn't hold back his tears. "I won't," he promised, hugging them both tightly.

The next day, Seiryu packed his belongings, each item a memory of the life he was leaving behind. Standing by the car, he looked back at the town, the familiar sights etched into his heart.

"I've gained so many joyful moments here… the Kanakei Gorge, the Kotohira-gu Shrine, the sea. All of it adored me, but it's time to say goodbye."

He remembered Tama and Sei's words. "I won't forget you. I never will."

Shedding a few tears, he wiped them away as Reiji called him to the car. Taking a deep breath, Seiryu stepped forward, ready to face his new life.

A new beginning awaited him in Tokyo.

Shedding a few tears, he wiped them away as Reiji called him to the car. Taking a deep breath, Seiryu stepped forward, ready to face his new life.

A new beginning awaited for Seiryu in Tokyo.