Chapter 5: Something That Can Never Be Severed

“Ugh, so boring! I’m totally running low on Okei-han vibes.”

“Same here… It kinda feels like Kei’s gone somewhere far away, doesn’t it?”

“It’s a family trip, so it can’t be helped.”

May 3rd. The first day of the second half of Golden Week.

Tsukasa, Chikage, and Sakurako were on their way back from a supermarket near their apartment, having done some shopping.

They clutched shopping bags in their hands. With Kei off on his trip, there was no way they’d get any home-cooked meals. So, they’d stopped by the supermarket to stock up on lunch supplies.

Instant noodles, snacks, rice balls—basically, they grabbed whatever caught their eye, resulting in bags stuffed with utterly unbalanced, nutrition-free ingredients.

“But seriously, Chikage, I’m so jealous it hurts! Getting that close to kissing Okei-han? I’m legit jelly! I wanna kiss Okei-han too… and, like, maybe even an adult kiss, y’know? Guhehe!”

Tsukasa’s imagination ran wild as she wiggled her hips playfully.

“So vulgar. But, I wouldn’t mind trying a kiss with Kei-kun myself.”

“Mrr… If you two hadn’t interrupted, it could’ve happened… Well, I kinda wanted my first kiss to be something memorable anyway, so it’s fine, I guess.”

“Yup, classic dreamy Chikage. Me, I’m all about a wall-slam followed by a chin-lift kiss—total dream scenario!”

“As expected, Tsukasa’s vulgar and has zero taste.”

“Ugh, shut up! So what’s your deal, Sakurako?”

“I’d want my first kiss with Kei-kun to be under the cherry blossom tree where we first talked.”

“Pfft, petals scattered! Somei Yoshino’s all fallen!”

“It doesn’t have to be blossoms. Leaves, buds, or even a withered tree would do.”

“Oh, that’s kinda poetic. But wow, it’s already May… The kiss mark I left on Kei’s gotten pretty faint, hasn’t it?”

Chikage’s casual murmur drew sharp glares from Tsukasa and Sakurako.

“Chikage, what!? When did you sneak a mark on Okei-han!?”

“Spill the details.”

“Oh, oops… Did I let that slip? You guys wanna know that bad? Nope, not telling!”

“Big Bang Tera-Angry Sunshine Venus Babel Rage-Master!”

“No right to remain silent. Spill it, now.”

Yelling and squawking in a way that’d make Kei clutch his head in despair, the three arrived at their apartment.

A shadowy figure watched them from behind a utility pole.

(Heh heh… Finally found you…)

A suspicious man in a deeply hooded parka sneered to himself.

In his pocket were a video camera and a kitchen knife.

Everything about him screamed danger and shadiness. His shifty, bulging eyes constantly scanned his surroundings, his behavior unmistakably that of a creep.

(…Tch, too many people today.)

The man clicked his tongue softly.

(Go ahead and have your fun. The last day of Golden Week will be your hell…)

With a cryptic smirk, he pulled his hood lower and slipped away.

May 5th. Nine p.m. At the campsite.

Sitting around a campfire with Akari in front of our tent, I gazed up at the starry sky, thinking about what lay ahead with the school’s three most beautiful girls.

It’s supposed to be a precious family trip, but my head was a jumbled mess, unable to sort itself out.

“What’s with the glum face, Nii? You bummed ’cause Dad didn’t catch any fish?”

“Well, maybe a little.”

“Don’t rag on Dad. He’s out there right now, driving to the nearest supermarket to grab stuff for hot pot.”

“I’m not blaming him or anything.”

Our dad just recovered from a back sprain.

He’s obsessed with fishing, so even with a bad back, he insisted on going. This morning, he’d boasted about catching a big one, so coming back empty-handed must’ve stung. Looks like tonight’s main dish will be a hot pot loaded with supermarket ingredients.

“So what’re ya moping about then?”

“Mmm, it’s not really moping. I’m just… thinking about the future, is all.”

“The future?”

“Yeah, like… hypothetically speaking, if three girls started showing feelings for me, should I respond to them?”

“You talkin’ about Chikage-san, Tsukasa-chan, and Sakurako-neesan? The future, huh? Those three have been head over heels for you since they started coming over. What’re you going on about now?”

I faltered, at a loss for words. She had a point—it might be a bit late to bring this up.

At first, their feelings were just a vague hunch, but day by day, those feelings grew stronger, until now they were undeniable.

“So you’re just dodgin’ and weavin’ through it all, huh?”

“…Don’t put it like that.”

“Three gorgeous girls hittin’ on you, and you’re doin’ nothing? Man, Nii, how much of a goody-two-shoes are you? Ain’t there some saying about a guy’s shame in passing up a free meal?”

Akari burst into laughter.

“…Middle schoolers these days are something else.”

“Nah, it’s just that high schoolers like you are an endangered species. But seriously, Nii, ain’t that kinda… small-minded?”

Small-minded. Akari’s words stabbed right into my chest.

“I’m gonna give ya a psychological test to see just how small-minded you are, so listen up.”

“A psychological test for being small-minded? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Alright, say you had to start a family right now. Would you live in a rental or a house you own? Which one would you pick, Nii?”

“Rental.”

Instant answer. It’s the kind of question you’d debate over, but with the condition of right now, a rental’s clearly the better choice. …Wait, what’s this test even for?

“Why didn’t you pick owning a house?”

“A house is a lifelong commitment, right? Once you buy, you can’t just move easily, and you’re stuck paying a mortgage forever. That feels like a pretty unhealthy lifestyle to me.”

“Yup, you’re definitely small-minded.”

“…What’s with the ‘yup’? That’s just your bias talking, isn’t it?”

“No, no. I’m sayin’ why assume it’s a lifelong thing? If you get rich, you could buy three or four houses outright, no problem. You’re still in your teens, Nii—dream bigger! Why’re you shootin’ down your own potential?”

Man, my little sister’s got some big ideas.

“It’s the same with this. Three gorgeous girls are into you and they’re coverin’ your financial troubles, right? That’s a sweet deal. Even if the whole school turns against you, or you get slammed on social media, or you’re frettin’ over some lame reason, acceptin’ their feelings is what makes you a man.”

If only it were that easy.

“But… doesn’t it feel like it’d end up in some messy love triangle, like a daytime soap opera?”

“That’s why it’s like the house thing. Just make all three of them happy.”

She says it so casually.

“No, but… you can only marry one person, right?”

“Then move to a country with polygamy.”

“You’re throwing out some wild ideas so nonchalantly. Besides, I…”

I couldn’t finish with it’s for you. But for Akari, that was enough.

“You’re so focused on the present that you’re frettin’ about the future, huh? Why not look further ahead?”

“Further… ahead?”

I remembered a conversation with Sakurako under a cherry blossom tree.

“Yup. Set your sights way out there and charge toward your ideal self. That’s how you live without regrets, right? Your little sister’s tellin’ ya, so it’s gotta be true!”

Akari puffed out her chest proudly.

“I’m gonna use you to get into a great college, land a sweet job, and break out of this rat race. In this dreamless country, I’m gonna be one cool woman. I’ve got dreams of makin’ it big on the world stage.”

“Akari…”

“So you gotta be a cooler guy, Nii. Stay my awesome big brother forever.”

The campfire crackled softly.

Akari gripped my hand tightly. Her small, soft, yet strong hand.

Held by my warm little sister’s hand… I couldn’t show her a pathetic side of myself. I felt something shift inside me.

May 6th. The final day of Golden Week. Early morning.

After packing up the tent and sorting the trash, our family left the campsite and headed home, riding in a rental car.

The conversation in the car inevitably turned to Dad’s failure to catch a single fish yesterday. Akari teased him mercilessly, leaving him teary-eyed.

…As for me, I couldn’t shake Akari’s words from yesterday.

She might be right. I should stop worrying and overthinking what’s right in front of me. As long as I keep moving forward, I can shape the future however I want.

“Hello? Oh, Kei? You done with your trip?”

“Yeah, I’m on my way back now. We’re making good time, so I’ll probably swing by around noon.”

“Come back safe, okay?”

“Yeah, thanks, Chikage.”

(Tsukasa) Hey, take a look at this.

(Huh? Whoa, what’s this!?)

“What’s going on? Something happen over there?”

(Um, well… it looks like there’s a thread about us on some news aggregator site, and it’s kinda trending on χ too. I’ll send you the URL.)

“Oh, okay.”

I opened the forum link Chikage sent via LIEN on my phone.

The title of the thread, which was apparently also trending on χ, read:

[Bad News] High School Boy Posts Crime Threat After Getting Dumped lol

Though no names were mentioned, the article was littered with mentions of Touriyou High’s three most beautiful girls, along with screenshots of an account on χ making criminal threats.

Seeing the contents, I caught my breath. a. Anyone know the three hottest girls at Touriyou High?

1. Those chicks totally played me.

   c. So I’m gonna make ‘em pay.

   d. I’ll sell the video for 50K.

   e. Ain’t gonna get a chance like this again.

   f. DM me before my account gets banned if you wanna reserve.

What… is this…?

The poster’s probably assuming it’s some dumped high schooler, based on the “played me” part. But this is clearly aimed at Chikage, Tsu-chan, and Sakurako, written out of spite to get revenge. If so, who could it be?

A male student connected to Touriyou High who might hold a grudge against them.

…One person comes to mind. Someone who’d film a video to humiliate women.

I have a hunch about one guy, but I don’t know if he’s still behind bars or out on probation after a trial.

I called out to Chikage over the phone.

“Chikage… don’t go outside, okay? Stay put until I get there.”

(Oh, yeah. Don’t worry so much, Kei. This kinda post pops up sometimes. It’s probably just someone using us as a punching bag to vent their stress.)

Chikage’s tough. But if something happens, it’ll be too late.

It was the same when Mom died in that car accident… A metal monster that ignored a red light. If I’d pulled her hand back then… I still regret it.

I never want to feel that way again. If anything threatens them, I’d risk my life to save them.

Wait… When did I start thinking of the three of them as precious people? When did that happen…?

Maybe it was because of my talk with Akari yesterday that I sorted out my feelings.

“Still, be really careful. If some weirdo shows up, call the police right away.”

(Got it. I’ll do that.)

I hung up and pocketed my phone, seething with anger.

Even if it’s a prank, it’s gone too far. If it’s a real threat? The police only act after something happens—they’re useless in situations like this.

“Dad, sorry. Can you speed up a bit, as long as it’s legal?”

“What’s wrong, Nii?”

“What’s up, Kei? You’ve got a scary look on your face.”

“My precious people might be in danger.”

“Precious people?”

“Dad, it’s that thing with Nii.”

“Oh, Akari…”

“I see. You’re at that age, huh, Kei?”

“Dad…”

“Alright. I’ll get us home safe and fast. Buckle up tight.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Dad floored the accelerator, and the car surged forward.

Our destination was the usual apartment.

Praying for everyone’s safety, I stared at Dad’s profile as he gripped the wheel.

“He said ‘until I get there’… Ugh, Kei’s too cool, I’m gonna lose it…! Kei, Kei, Kei… I love you! I love you so much!”

Chikage buried her face in a cushion on the sofa, kicking her legs wildly.

“Chikage looks, like, stupidly happy right now, doesn’t she?”

“A familiar sight. The happy chemicals in her brain are probably overflowing and spilling out of her body. A cycle of joy.”

“That makes zero sense.”

Tsukasa and Sakurako shared the same thought as they watched Chikage grinning on the sofa.

“But seriously, the creep who posted this is gross as hell. Usin’ us as their jerk-off material? Total trash.”

“Tsukasa, no crude language.”

“Oh, oops, ohoho. Goin’ high-class from now on.”

“Is Kei-kun here yet?”

“If he’s not here, he’s probably still on the way, right?”

“Chikage’s the type to feel time crawl when she’s waiting.”

“It’s not… exactly like that. But it’s been a while since I’ll see Kei, so I can’t help overthinking, y’know?”

“I’m swamped with illustration deadlines, so time’s flyin’ for me.”

“Tsukasa, that’s work. Chikage’s talking about love.”

As Tsukasa and Sakurako bantered.

The intercom chimed through the room.

“Could that be Kei?”

“There’s some pitch-black creep out there… holdin’ a knife.”

Tsukasa checked the figure at the entrance via the intercom monitor, muttering anxiously.

“A knife?”

Chikage couldn’t believe her ears. But Tsukasa didn’t seem to be joking.

“Chikage, call Okei-han now and tell him not to come. Sakurako, call the cops.”

“Got it.”

“Wait, hold on! What’s going on? Why’s it a creep instead of Kei?”

The once cheerful atmosphere turned tense in an instant.

“If this guy knows we live here and rang the bell, he’s gotta be bad news. …Both of you, keep your voices down.”

“Got it. What if… Kei’s already on his way?”

“Chikage, stay calm. Panicking’s the worst thing you can do.”

As Chikage fumbled with her phone in a panic, a loud banging came from the front door.

Bang bang bang bang! Bang bang bang bang!

“Open this door! I know you’re in there!”

Threatening shouts echoed from outside. Chikage, terrified, nearly dropped her phone but the man’s voice kept going.

“…What do we do? I can’t get through to Kei. No read receipt either.”

“You just sent it, right? But if this guy and Okei-han cross paths, it’s gonna be bad…”

“Hello, police? Yes, yes. There’s a suspicious person trying to break into our home… Yes. He’s banging on the door and yelling right now.”

While Sakurako called 110, the man outside kept pounding on the door.

“I called it in. Chikage, any word from Kei-kun?”

“Um, hold on… No, still no read receipt.”

Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang!

“Come out, you bitches!”

The man started kicking the door. The sound reverberated through the apartment, more than enough to stoke their fear.

No, because of that, Chikage’s mind was consumed with the certainty that Kei must not meet this man.

“Sakurako, Tsukasa. I don’t want to drag Kei into this. If this guy’s the one who posted on χ, Kei’s got nothing to do with it. This is our problem…”

“We know. You don’t have to say it. You two, run as soon as we open the door. I’ll buy time…”

“Idiot! Don’t try to play the hero alone! No way we’re lettin’ Sakurako be the decoy by herself! We’ll tackle him with our triple-power and sprint like hell…”

Tsukasa, Chikage, and Sakurako stood at the door, exchanging glances and nodding. The sweat on their foreheads spoke volumes of the terror they faced.

Their hands trembled as they gripped the doorknob. But they weren’t afraid.

For Kei’s sake.

For Okei-han’s sake.

For Kei-kun’s sake.

That resolve drowned out their fear and drove them forward.

They turned the knob and flung the door open…

A man with bloodshot eyes, brandishing a knife, glared at them.

In that instant.

Their courage and resolve shattered, and all three collapsed to the floor.

But the next moment.

“UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

A familiar voice echoed down the hall, and the black-clad man vanished from their sight.

Ten minutes earlier.

I got out of the car at the convenience store parking lot across from the apartment.

“This good?”

“Yeah, thanks, Dad.”

“Huh? Someone’s shouting.”

Akari, who got out with me, looked around and pointed at the apartment across the two-lane road.

“Over there. Up high.”

From where we stood, I could see the balconies and windows of the apartment building.

Following Akari’s finger, I spotted the familiar Room 503.

I strained my ears. Angry shouting. Even from this distance, I could hear the rage-filled voice coming from the other side of that room. I pulled out my phone, which was nearly dead, and opened LIEN.

(Kei, don’t come. There’s a guy with a knife at our door.)

A message from Chikage.

I started typing a reply—Are you okay? Call the police first—but my phone died mid-sentence.

Damn it. Of all times… The χ post flashed through my mind. If the guy shouting is the one who posted it, and something happens to the three of them…

“Akari, go with Dad and get out of here. As far as you can.”

My tone must’ve been icy.

Akari, startled, asked, “W-What’s going on?”

“Chikage and the others might be in danger. I have to go.”

“Wait, wait, wait! What kinda danger? Nii, you’ve got a scary look!”

Akari clung to my arm, trying to hold me back.

“What’s going on, Kei?”

Dad got out of the driver’s seat and hurried over.

“Dad, stop him! Nii’s got that look… It’s bad. It’s the same look he had when… when Mom died…”

Akari’s face was pale, her voice trembling.

“Kei… Tell me what’s happening.”

I quickly explained the situation.

“…Don’t be stupid. If this is real, leave it to the police.”

“Yeah, Nii, no way. Chikage-san and the others must’ve locked the door. Just wait.”

“Sorry. But if something happens, it’ll be too late.”

“I won’t let you go, Kei. I promised your mom I’d protect you both. If something happened to you, if I lost you too, I… I…”

“…Dad. Would you say the same if Akari were the one in danger?”

Dad’s face twisted like he’d bitten something bitter, and he looked away.

Akari looked like she was about to cry.

“Then I’ll go! …Ow, ow, ow, ow!”

“Nii! Dad threw out his back again!”

“Dad, you okay?”

Of all times… But seeing Dad and Akari like this warmed my frozen heart just a little. Phew.

“Don’t worry. I’m not going in unarmed.”

At Akari’s suggestion that I could practice swings at the campsite, I’d brought a bamboo sword on this family trip.

I pulled the sword bag from the back seat and showed it to Dad and Akari.

“My kendo teacher said kendo’s for protecting people. This is that moment, Dad.”

“You idiot son… You’re stubborn as hell, just like Kyoko. Don’t… overdo it. You get out of control when you’re holding that sword…”

Worrying about the other guy instead of me—that’s so Dad.

“Ugh, fine, I give up! What’s with you two!? Dad, you idiot, what kinda parent lets their kid run into a mess like this!? The Kyosaka family’s full of morons! Nii, you dumbass, you idiot! Hurry up and… go be a hero!”

Half-frantic, Akari smacked my back.

“Nii… Just don’t do anything reckless, okay?”

“No way I’d leave you and Dad behind. I’ll take the scolding later.”

“Idiot…”

I slung the sword bag over my shoulder and ran toward the apartment across the two-lane road. I love you, Akari.

He was at the end of the fifth-floor hallway.

A shady guy in all black, gripping a knife, standing in front of the door.

The door was open. Why’d they unlock it?

My body moved faster than my thoughts.

The moment I realized Chikage, Tsu-chan, and Sakurako were in danger—I launched myself at the creep blocking the entrance.

“UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

As the guy noticed me, I threw my full weight into a tackle.

“Gah!?”

He flew sideways, crashing onto the floor on his back.

“Close it! Lock the door!”

I shouted to the three, who were frozen on the floor inside.

“K-Kei…”

“Hurry!”

Chikage stumbled to her feet and locked the door.

…That was close. A second later, and…

As I thought that, the guy slowly got up, pointing his knife at me.

I quickly drew my bamboo sword from its bag and gripped it.

Tossing the bag to the floor, the guy let out a creepy hee-hee-hah-hah laugh.

“That hurt, you bastard…! Didn’t expect you to show up, Kyosaka. Playin’ the hero, huh? Hah-hah!”

His eerie laugh. I know that voice.

“You’re Rokujou, aren’t you? …Why are you out of jail?”

I had a bad feeling it might be him. Now it’s real.

Rokujou tore off his hood, exposing his face.

Bloodshot eyes, jutting jaw and cheekbones, gaunt as hell.

“My old man hired a fancy lawyer, that’s why! Don’t you know what probation is, you moron!?”

“The moron’s you, Rokujou. I thought you were smarter than this.”

Brandishing a knife in broad daylight, yelling at someone’s door—I don’t know what impulse or rage is driving you. But.

“If you can’t control your anger, you’re no better than a beast.”

“Shut up! You’re just a nobody with no demand, even with a camera rolling! Who do you think you are, preaching to me!?”

Rokujou glared at me with bloodshot eyes, waving his knife and shouting. His tone was erratic, his words incoherent. He’s lost it. His mind’s probably broken.

“Whatever… Hee-hah! I was gonna get revenge on you too!”

“Revenge?”

“Yeah! This is a chance from God! Hya-hah, Kyosaka, you’re gonna pay for ruining my life!”

“Don’t screw around, Rokujou.”

The first time you talked to me, I felt something dark and twisted.

Unable to suppress it, you tried to harm my precious people.

Not once, but twice.

“It’s all your own damn fault!”

I shouted, tightening my grip on the bamboo sword.

“Bastard! Spoutin’ the same crap as my old man! Bastard, bastard, bastard! Everyone’s always makin’ a fool outta me!”

Rokujou’s voice grew louder, his shoulders heaving as he panted, his bloodshot eyes gleaming. His trembling right hand shook the knife, its tip swaying side to side.

“Hee-hee-hee, I’ll kill you… I’ll kill you, Kyosaka…”

Shut up… Don’t throw around that word so lightly in front of me.

You don’t understand the weight of death. The tears, the sobs, the pain it takes to overcome it—you know nothing.

Even if an earthquake, a tsunami, or a meteor came crashing down, I swore to be a son who’d never let Dad cry, a brother who’d protect Akari’s smile.

Mom… I’m sorry for doing something dangerous. But let me make one more vow here. I want to protect Chikage, Tsu-chan, and Sakurako—my precious people. I won’t make a sad vow to protect them even if it kills me.

—I’ll protect their smiles, alive!

“Come on, Rokujouuuuu!”

“Die, Kyosakaaaaaa!”

Roaring like a beast, Rokujou charged at me.

A wild right swing—I stepped back half a pace, dodging the blade.

Whoosh! The sound of the blade cutting the air rang out, and red droplets sprayed before my eyes. My blood. It felt like slow motion. The blade grazed my nose, leaving a red streak.

“What’s wrong, Kyosaka!? That sword just for show!?”

Tap, tap. I stepped back, regaining my stance.

The hallway’s too narrow for a body strike. A horizontal swing would hit the walls. —Then! If I leave an opening on purpose, he’ll take the bait.

“ORAAAAH!”

Dodging his thrust to the left, I swung my sword down at his extended arm in a degote strike. Crack! A sharp sound echoed, and the knife flew into the air.

Clang, clatter. As the high-pitched noise rang out, my eyes locked with Rokujou’s.

“…Gyo, Gyosakaaa!”

“UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO—!”

I drove the hilt of my sword into his jaw, and Rokujou collapsed backward.

“Ha… ha…”

“…Urgh, guh… My body…”

“Give it up. You’re not moving for a while.”

“Sh-Shut… up, damn it…! You think you’ve won!?”

“If I’d wanted to, I could’ve shattered your jaw. No external injuries. I just rattled your brain.”

Dad told me not to overdo it.

I kept it to the minimum to avoid excessive force.

“Damn… it… damn…”

 

Rokujou lay on his back, groaning.

“I’ll… never forgive you… Hee-hee. Just wait… Next time, I’ll…”

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared of your vengeful obsession.

I played it cool, but a knife is terrifying…

But compared to the fear of losing someone precious, that’s nothing.

Even if you get back up, I’ll face you as many times as it takes.

I won’t let you hurt Chikage, Tsu-chan, or Sakurako. Never.

“Rokujou.”

It might be pointless to say anything to you now.

But I’ll say this.

“You did something unforgivable. Face your crimes and atone.”

Sirens approached. Soon, several police officers arrived, surrounding me, still standing, and Rokujou, sprawled on the floor.

At a glance, they couldn’t tell who was the victim or the attacker.

—That is, until Chikage, Tsu-chan, and Sakurako pushed past the officers and threw themselves at me, teary-eyed.

“Kei…”

“Okei-haaaan!”

“…Kei-kun.”

“You’re all okay. I’m so glad… really, so glad…”

I hugged the three of them tightly.

Thank goodness. They’re all safe… truly, truly.

Glancing at the sky, a ray of light broke through the clouds, as if blessing us.

Mom.

I protected my precious people.