Karasu's on his way back to his so-called "home", for the first phase of his preparations. His mind jumps from one thought to another, coming up with all the different scenarios that can happen once he steps foot inside the house. Remembering the past fills his mind with rage. He wants answers, to some important questions, and he will get them. This is probably the last chance he will get to get it. His anger consumes his mind, veins pop out of his skin and his wounds open up. The blood stains the bandages wrapped around his head trickles down his face again. Karasu was driving along the road gripping tightly onto the handle. He's seething with rage and his face contorts under the rage, being unable to maintain it.
He wants peace of mind and this is the only way for him to get it. Thinking of ways to force his parents to answer his questions only leads to a dead-end in every made-up scenario. Their dismissal will only follow calm questioning. "You have dismissed me always, but not this time." He thinks to himself. Aggressive interrogation may lead to physical altercations, which he doesn't mind but can't risk it. There's too big of a responsibility on his shoulders to risk going to jail.
Can he use logic? That has never failed him. Will it fail him this time? "They are too unreasonable to listen to logic. Should I ask 'Ma and 'Pa for help?" Karasu considers thinking about his grandparents. "I am sure they would help… No… even if they try they won't be able to help. That man won't listen to his own parents; never." Karasu says, talking to himself. Karasu dismisses these thoughts in favor of finding a place to live after he leaves for good this time. He will do as he promised. He needs to find a proper place to live as well.
"Should I ask for help on that matter…? But who...? Dammit. (sigh) I will see when the time comes." Karasu says, as he continues to ponder. He takes a detour to possibly find a 'TO-LET' sign, but he finds nothing. "Shit… What do I do now…? I couldn't find any place… Guess they might have to live there for an extra day… That's bad… Will they be okay?" Karasu asks himself, feeling defeated. He arrives back at his house, parks the bike and walks in. He looks at the clock, "6:02 AM". "It seems like there's still an hour before these shitheads wake up. Maybe I can take a nap?" He says.
Karasu walks into the living room and sees the couch. The cushions looking softer and squishier than ever. If he lays his head on them he will be in heaven. He's sure of the fact. Karasu lies down, resting his head on the cushion, and puts his arm over his eyes to block the sunlight pouring in through the partially open window. Karasu jolts awake and sits upright and checks the time. "6:05 AM", the clock reads. "Fuck… I can't sleep right now…" Karasu says, as he grasps his head. It feels like it will explode with pain. "I shouldn't have done that… Should not have done that... Should not have woken up so suddenly… FUCK!" he says as he gets up from the couch.
Karasu walks over to the window and slides on the curtains and lets the sun glance into his house. "Are you happy to see me, Sun? I hope you are, 'cause I certainly am," Karasu says looking up at the sky. He walks to the kitchen with a little smile on his face and starts preparing a mug of coffee. "Okay… Ice... Ice… Did that bitch keep some ice..? Hmm…" Karasu says as he fumbles around looking for ice in the refrigerator.
"Ah! There we go! There you are Mr. Ice! Can you help me? Hmm? Yes? Great." Karasu says, talking to a bunch of ice cubes as he puts in a clear Ziploc bag.
Karasu grabs the coffee and walks back to the living room. He sits down on the couch and puts the bag on his head. "Hope this help… God… Is this how a migraine feels?" Karasu talks to himself as he sips his coffee while looking at the clock. The clock ticks away with the time passing them by. "Never knew time went so slow… Yesterday it was too fast… and now… it's too slow." Karasu says as he thinks about Hiroshi. "Don't worry, my boy. I will do all I can." He says.
Karasu, bored out of his mind, opens the Ziploc bag and starts gobbling down the ice one cube at a time. The coldness of the ice distracts him from the time that, for some reason, is moving at a pace, slower than a snail. Karasu has a minor euphoric moment. "Shit…!" he says as he turns on the TV to watch the news. "Let's watch the TV for once. Wonder what they are saying about Hiroshi…" He says.
"Now we can see that the Investigators are withdrawing from the house as another team walks in. That is likely the team for cleaning up all the blood from this gruesome scene that happened last night." The reporter says. "It was last night, huh? Feels like a year ago…" Karasu says, "You better not slander my boy's name… be careful, Mr. Reporter."
"This is where our report ends for today, but we will come back later to report on any further developments. Thank you." The reporter says as the news shifts back into the studio. "You got scared or something? Come on…" Karasu says, throwing his hands up in frustration. He sees a figure from the corner of his eye. Karasu quickly snaps his view to see his father standing in the doorway looking down at him.
"What the fuck are you smiling at, useless rascal?" his father says. Karasu's surprise fades away as anger washes over him. He clenches his teeth, tightens his fist and can imagine himself caving in his father's head. "Shit… I can't do that; at least not yet." Karasu thinks as he loosens his grip. "Is that how you greet someone?" Karasu asks his father. "You've already ruined my day by showing yourself to me first thing in the morning! The fuck do you expect me to do, you bitch?! Coddle you? Is that how you talk to your father, huh? You fucking dumbass! Apologize, right now!" his father yells out in anger.
"Father? This guy? Shit from a dog's asshole will be a better father than this man or whatever he is. I can bet my life AND freedom of Hiroshi's sisters that you disappoint 'Ma and 'Pa." Karasu thinks as he contemplates insulting his father, but decides against it for the time being. "Sorry for ruining your day. Will you let me make it better?" Karasu says with calmness in his voice, but his anger and hostility show themselves on his face. He hides these feelings while using his poker face. "I need to keep things under control… until I get what I want. Let's butter him up for now." He thinks.
"Is that so? Can you? You are so useless that I can't imagine you doing shit." His father says, dismissing his claim. "I knew this would happen." Karasu thinks. "Yes, I definitely can. Don't doubt me so much. I know I have done nothing with my life even though I am already 16. Have *some* trust in me." Karasu continues, "Where's mom?" His father was confused. "What do you need her for, huh?" he says.
"Before you experience the euphoric gift that I will give you, we need to talk. Together, like a proper family for once." Karasu says with a smile on his face. His father gets creeped out by the sudden smile and raises his hand to slap it off his face. "You got a death wish, right? You damned asshole." Karasu thinks. His father stops when his wife calls out from behind. "Good morning, dear. What's this commotion? (yawn)" She slowly walks down the stairs while rubbing the sleepiness out of her eyes.
Karasu, who was smiling a moment ago, drops his smile as disgust takes over his mind and body. The feeling of disgust was uncontrollable, to the point he wanted to strangle her. "The fuck are you acting all sweet for, you slutty bitch? If you are that sleepy I can help you sleep forever." Karasu thinks. "We just got out of bed and have to see his face… What could be worse?" his father says.
"There's much more you dumbass!" Karasu yells in his mind, trying to control his powers so that he doesn't slaughter them both. His mother steps foot on the floor and then hops to her husband, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Did you sleep well?" she asks. "Well enough." His father says, "He wanted to talk to us." His father continues while pointing his finger at him. "Aww! Come on! It's a Sunday, can't the talk wait? It's just 6:50 right now. Come on honey, let's sleep until 10," she says while hugging her husband's arm.
Karasu is boiling with anger, his veins pop out of his skin again. The bandage tries it's best to hold on while Karasu's anger overflows. His mother looks at him and notices his bandages. "Did you fight someone or something, sweetie?" The question infuriates him further. Karasu clenches his teeth so hard that they could break apart any moment. "Poker face poker face poker face poker face poker face poker face…" Karasu repeats to himself over and over again trying to contain his anger.
"Probably jumped off a building to kill himself. He's so useless that he failed to do that as well. What an unprecedented level incompetence! I am jealous! If I was like you, you wouldn't have been here. I wish I was like you! Can you teach me your ways, master?" His father says insulting him further. "You should be glad I have tied my hands with a promise. I wouldn't have minded joining Hiroshi and keeping him company." Karasu says to himself.
"It's really important. You can both sleep once we have talked." Karasu says getting closer to his mother's face. "I would love to maul you to death, but not now… Now's not the right time. Rejoice, you slut, and you cuck." Karasu thinks while maintaining a smile. "Now… Will you have a seat?" Karasu says while gesturing them to walk over to the couch.
"BUT, I will lose all the drowsiness!" his mother retorts. "I will put you to sleep forever, if you want to sleep so much." is what Karasu wants to say. "You can just take a sleeping pill. You have them, don't you?" Karasu says. "Oh, you! Fine, we can talk. (glances at her husband) Right, dear?" his mother says. "Fine, fine. But I will only give you 10 minutes. No more than that!" his father says. "That's more than enough." Karasu says reassuring them.
Both of them sit down on the couch. "Want some coffee? Or tea?" Karasu asks with the same smile plastered across his face. His father's disgust intensifies and he bursts out saying, "Are you fucking kidding? I am not drinking any poison." "How little do you trust me?" Karasu retorts with frustration in his voice. "I am not going to poison you yet, idiot!" Karasu thinks.
"Trust you? No. Sit down and finish your talk. Your time is ticking." His father says. Karasu glances at the clock and sees the clock ticking away like before. The clock shatters with the smithereens flying all over the room. The parents, jump up in surprise and shield themselves. Karasu drags a chair over and sits across the table in front of the couch. "Now. I have only one thing to ask. Why have you hated me all my life?" Karasu asks. He leans forward, his hands rested on his knees; he glares at them and continues clenching his teeth.
"'Cause you are a disappointment. Simple as that." His father says. "If that’s the reason, then tell me who raised me." Karasu retorts. "I don't care who raised you. You are a disappointment and it's your own fault for being so useless." His father says. "Do you think you have a right to call me a disappointment? When you bring a child into the world you are supposed to be raising the child. You should always care about what's happening around your child. When you can't accept such a simple responsibility which is also so important… Do you really qualify as someone who can call ME a disappointment, huh? Got some screws loose, have you?" Karasu says.
"You dare talk to me like that?! We never even wanted a piece of shit like you. You dumbass, take a hint!" his father yells and stands up to hit him. His wife drags him down and makes him sit back down. "What the fuck are you doing? Let go! GODDAMMIT!" he yells. "Dear, you are ruining my sleep." She tells him in a commanding tone. "Damn you…" he says under his breath. "Now, if you will answer my question." Karasu tells his father, "I want the full story." He adds.
His father stays silent while staring at the floor with a frustrated but blank look. "Will you say something?" Karasu says, prompting a response. "First, answer this. What job do I work at?" his father says. "You reply to a question with another question. How stupid. (sigh) I don't know. You never told me for fucks sake. How do you expect me to know?" Karasu says.
"Researcher. That was my job." His father said. "So? What does that have to do with anything?" Karasu says with his frustration rising. "Gene Researcher. I conducted research when mutation surgery was prevalent." His father says. "Mutation surgery? The fuck is that?" Karasu asks. "The powers! How fucking dumb are you? I can't believe you are alive while being this stupid." His father said with his anger rising. "Fine, you are a researcher. What happened after that? That's not all, is it?" Karasu says.
"Those powers… They ruined me… Everyone hated me… Even my friends… (turns to his wife) Honey is it my fault that those people turned out to be criminals? All I did was conduct research. Why do they hate me??!" his father yells out while grabbing onto his hair and vigorously scratching his head. "Don't worry, dear. It's not your fault." She assures him. "Yeah… thanks… FUCK THOSE ASSHOLES!" his father says in frustration. "What does that have to do with me?" Karasu says.
"Aren't you a FUCKING MUTANT?! YOU AND YOUR KIND! I LOATHE YOU! I WISH I KILLED YOU BEFORE YOU GOT OUT OF HAND! YOU FUCKING MURDERER!" his father yells at him. "Yeah… Maybe I am a murderer. But if you hated me so much why even give birth to me? What about that?" Karasu questions them. "You really don’t understand shit, do you? Things went to shit after you turned 2 and by that time you, for some reason, knew how to use your powers. FUCK!" his father says.
"Uh-huh. So people hated you for doing something and you vented your frustration on me. Pretty stupid thing to do, but fine. Don't think I can trust you, but it will do for now." Karasu says partially dismissing his response. "Aren't you both also mutants?" Karasu adds. They don't say anything for a moment. His mother breaks the silence as she releases her hold around her husband's arm. "What are you getting at here? Stop agitating your father." Karasu gets further annoyed by her words. "Too dumb, I see. Well, the point is, if you hate mutants so much why not beat yourself? Why not vent your anger to yourself? Why not beat this slut here? Why not jump off a building and kill yourself? The world would be a better place without you. You know that, right?" His father suddenly raises his head; his eyes wide-open and filled with rage. He turns around and grabs a vase sitting on the cabinet beside the couch.
"How dare you talk about your mother like that?!" He says and throws the vase at Karasu's face with all his strength. The vase comes to a sudden stop mid-way through its journey to Karasu's face. It slowly flies to his open palm and Karasu sets it down on the table. "This is all you are good at. Now's not the time, so stop interrupting me." Karasu says while looking his father in the eyes, who was getting more and more frustrated with every passing second. "Now, a question for you. (Looking at his mother) Why did you try to get me killed when I was 5?" Karasu says.
"Well, why not?" She says with a nonchalant attitude. "What?" Karasu says with his anger turning into confusion. "Do you STILL not understand? Do you not see how much you hurt your father? We never wanted you. You are just an eyesore. Right now, you are even more of an eyesore. I also wish I didn't have you. Being stillborn would have been for the best. But… you just had to be alive. (sigh)" his mother says. "Why not kill me in the hospital then? Why not throw in the trash, or a compactor? Why not abandon me?" Karasu says. "Wait… … we could have just done that…" his mother says, with surprise, "At least you are smart enough to figure out an answer. I can't drop you in a compactor now; you are too big to carry." She adds with a disgusted look.
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"I knew wouldn't give me any straight answers. Fine, I am done. I am done with your bullshit." Karasu says with frustration as he stands up. "Now, you (pointing at his father). Give me a million yen in my bank account, and I am also taking your bike." Karasu adds. "What?! You here to rob us or something? A Million yen?" his father says, surprised at the sudden demand of money. "Remember, I said I will give you a gift? This is it. I am leaving. You can be happy now, right?" Karasu says with a wide condescending smile.
"OH! Is that it?! Fine, wait here." His father says as he walks out of the room. His mother gets up from her seat and slowly walks to Karasu. "Honey, you are going to leave us?" she says as she slowly grabs his hand. "DON'T YOU FUCKING TOUCH ME, YOU SLUT!" Karasu yells out pushing her away. His bloodshot eyes almost glow red with anger. "Why do you hate us? We didn't do anything to you!" his mother cries out with tears streaming down her face. "You want to die before your time? Is that it?" Karasu thinks. "Be happy that you are still here to see another day." Karasu says.
His father soon enters the room with a cheque and he sees his wife on the floor crying, while looking at their son, towering over her. "The fuck do you think you are doing? I am giving you a chance to run and you do this?" his father blurts out. "Giving ME a chance to run? Are you out of your mind, bitch?" Karasu thinks. "I don't want to hear that shit from you. Shut up and continue living, until I decide otherwise." Karasu says with sternness. "HUH?!" his father says making his dissatisfaction obvious.
Karasu grabs the cheque and walks away. "Let's pray that you never meet me again." Karasu says while putting his shoes on. He opens the front door and walks out. He gets on the bike and starts leaving when he stops. He remembered something that he feels like he needs to do before leaving. He turns to Kyoko's house and rides his bike to her house. Parking his bike, he rings the doorbell. A woman opens the door. It's Yumi, Kyoko's older sister. She rubs her eyes before opening them again. "Oh, it's you. Come in." she says. She gestures him to take a seat on the couch.
"Were you sleeping? I am sorry, I woke you up." Karasu says. "No, no… I was not sleeping… Haven't been able to sleep for some time now… Never knew nights were so mind-numbingly boring." She replies. "I see, but, you are looking sick, are you okay Nee-san?" Karasu says as he sits down. "No, I'm just… stressed… worried… You know; life." She replies. "What brings you here today? We probably haven't met in a few years. I didn't expect you to show up so suddenly." She says. "I just wanted to talk to you, you know. We might never meet again, that's why." He says. "You know I'm married, right?" she says while chuckling. "I am just here to meet you, before I leave for good." Karasu says.
["Nee-san" is short for "Onee-san" which is used to refer to older sister, older woman, or a woman who is a stranger to you. "Onee-chan" is used for the same purpose but in a more casual or familiar way.]
"Leave for good? What do you mean?" Yumi says. "I am moving away from this place." Karasu explains. "And go where? Do you have a plan?" Yumi says as she comes back from the kitchen and puts down a glass with fruit juice on the table in front of Karasu. "Yeah. I have something in mind." Karasu says as he notices the glass, "Come on, you don't need to do this." he adds. "Drink it. You haven't visited us in so long, at least drink some juice for god's sake." Yumi says scolding him for being hesitant.
"Okay… Wait… If we haven't met in so many years how did you recognise me?" Karasu asks, confused after his realisation. "Oh, I have seen you. But, there was no formal meeting like today." Yumi replies in a matter-of-fact manner. "I see. That makes sense. Things have been too chaotic the last few years. I forget to notice the small things." Karasu says in a disappointed manner. "It's fine. Everyone has their own life to live. They need to prioritize that first. I don’t blame you for not noticing." Yumi says reassuringly, "Also, your body might have changed, but you are still the same sweet guy. So, it doesn't take much to recognise you, you know." She adds.
"I thought I had changed. Who knew I am still pathetic?" Karasu says as he thinks about his previous days. "Are you deaf? You are not pathetic. You have never been pathetic. You are one of the best people I have had the pleasure of knowing. Stop saying such idiotic things." She says, scolding him again. "Uh… Got it, Madam! " Karasu says. Yumi laughs at that line and says, "Why are you calling me Madam? Weren't you just calling me Nee-san?"
"Don't sweat it…" Karasu says as he brushes off that comment. Yumi inspects his face and notices the bandages. "What happened to your head? Are you okay?" she says as she lightly caresses the bandages. "Yeah… uh… This happened yesterday… I fell down the stairs." Karasu says trying explain away his injuries. "Hmm, is that so? You should be more careful. It could cause deaths also. You know that, right?" she says with a suspicious look on her face. "Yeah, yeah… Sorry. I will keep that in mind." Karasu replies. "Karasu…?" Yumi says.
"Yeah?" Karasu says, turning to look at her. "You can stop lying." Yumi says. "What? What do you mean?" Karasu says chuckling nervously. "I saw you leaving on the bike last night; in the MIDDLE of the night." Yumi says, "Where did you go?" "Uh… Why do you want to know?" Karasu asks. "Because I know that the injury is related to that. It has to be." Yumi says. "…Fine. I went to the jail." Karasu answers. "Why? What happened?" Yumi says, worried. "My best friend, Hiroshi, he got jailed. He killed his parents. I went to talk to him and understand as to why he did it. He basically said that his parents' abuse got to the point that his father threw his youngest sister on a bunch of broken glass and was going to brutalize her further. So, he jumped in and put an end to it, with… well… a knife to neck. His mother retaliated but he killed her as well." Karasu says.
"W… Wow... that sounds harsh. How- How is he doing? Is he fine?" Yumi asks with her concern increasing, as she remembers that Hiroshi is Kyoko's friend as well. "Yeah, yeah… He's doing… Well… Sounds weird, but he's doing better than ever, except the whole 'being incarcerated' thing." Karasu says with slight cheerfulness. "And… What about his sister? Is she alright?" Yumi says. "Well, first correction. It's 'Sisters'. He has 2 sisters. And, yes, she is doing fine. When I initially talked to her she was a bit-gloomy, but after talking for a bit she cheered up. But the older one, well, she was just kept on blaming herself, saying that she's at fault for not stopping her brother. They also had a pretty good impression of me. (chuckles) Kids… After talking to Hiroshi, I have decided that I will take care of them. At least until he's out of jail, which is at least until he's an adult, so… 2 years, I guess. He may be tried as an adult because of the gruesome nature of the crime and get a death penalty or a life sentence. I hope that doesn't happen. He has had it rough his whole and then not being allowed to enjoy even a day with his sisters… That's too cruel, even for my standards. I wouldn't give 2 shits if he wasn't my friend to be honest." Karasu explains.
"That… (sigh) God… Kyoko will be so very sad to learn about this… You guys are friends but I don't know if I should even tell her about this…" Yumi says. "Right… That reminds me, how is Kyoko? I haven't talk to her in a long while. And how are uncle and aunty?" Karasu asks as the Kyoko's name piqued his interest, distracting from the worries about Hiroshi. "She's… Well, she's doing fine. Although she sometimes asks about how you are doing and that she misses you. You should talk to her at some point. She would love it. She might even faint by being too happy." Yumi says as smiles at the thought of her sister fainting in that way and starts chuckling.
"I wouldn't want that… She might get hurt. She has always been soft on the bones side of things, so she might end up cracking her skull… and… I really wouldn't want that." Karasu says. Yumi starts laughing harder and says, "Don't worry about that. It's not a problem anymore. She has become a lot tougher." "Oh, that's great. I will test with a punch of mine." Karasu says as he raises his fist. "No… DON'T DO THAT! YOU WILL KILL HER!" Yumi yells out.
"What? NO, I wouldn't kill her! She's my friend. Best friend." Karasu says trying to clear the misunderstanding. "I mean, accidentally. I know you wouldn't do that intentionally." Yumi says. "Yeah… Also, how is her school life going? Has she got many friends?" Karasu asks. "Not really. As I said, she misses you a lot. But yes, she does have a few friends." Yumi says. "That's nice… She was really sad the day she had to move away because of all that stuff... Maybe I should go visit her?" Karasu says. "Yeah, that really broke her heart. She really didn't want to leave. She kept saying that she can't leave you alone. She never would've guessed that you would become such an amazing person; because she left…" Yumi says.
"Amazing? Me? A killer like me? The only changes that took place, were because I had to adapt to her absence… I just ended up being cruel or not making friends at all…" Karasu says. "Are you still hung up on that? It was a false accusation! You can forget about that thing." Yumi says. "Yeah, but that was the only killing that is widely known about; that you know of. There's so many more you couldn't even begin to imagine…" Karasu says, "I have killed hundreds of more criminals, indiscriminately. I really don't think that's something to be amazed about. I just want to change people's perspective about mutants. That's not the worst part. It's just that someone shouldn't be enjoying killing, but I… I get excited at the prospect of brutally killing someone who is ruining mutants' reputation…"
"W… what…" Yumi says. "Yes. I have killed hundreds. I say I want to fix mutants' reputation, but killing other mutants is not the best way. Even if I know it, I can't do anything else. This way at least deters any more criminals from doing something huge. Minor crimes are fine but the major ones like the hostage situation at the mall… I want to stop such incidents. I even slaughtered the culprits while enjoying it the entire time, just a tad bit worried about the hostages, but except that it was a blast for me… Literally and figuratively... I don't understand why I enjoy hearing their screams for help… It's just… like… you are crushing an annoying mosquito that has been buzzing in your ear as you are trying to sleep at night… That satisfaction… Like no other…" Karasu says. "Wow… That's… amazing…" Yumi says.
Karasu looks at her confused. "What?" he says. "It's amazing. I saw the whole incident on TV… I must say, you are pretty skilled, but a bit too brutal perhaps. I am saying you are amazing because you are at least trying to do something but other just lie down and take it like it's no big deal. Your efforts might be in the wrong direction but you are at least doing something… Also, the fact that the police is powerless in most such situations, doesn't help… So, well done." Yumi says. "Are you sure you should be praising me? I might use it as a sign to just keep on with the killings." Karasu says, questioning her. "I trust you. I trust you, that you wouldn't make any rash decisions, that you can change people's mindset." Yumi says.
"Thanks…" Karasu says with a sad expression. "It's fine. I have known you since you were this little kid. You had some horrible experiences. So, the least I can do is put my trust in you and be supportive…" Yumi says with a smile. "Isn't that pity at that point? I don't want people to pity me…" Karasu says. "I don't pity you. You are capable of fighting through that, I am sure of it. I am just here to support you as someone you can put your trust in." she replies, "It's the same I would do for my husband, you know." "Shouldn't you save your support for him?" Karasu says. "Why? You are like a little brother to me. There's no problem with it. You might be big physically, but mentally I am much older than you, aren't I? So, I will keep supporting you. Whenever I will see you on the news I will cheer you on!" She says.
"Alright, got it. Wait… that reminds me... Where is your husband? I don't see him. Whenever I have seen him he is beside with a wide smile… This is odd." Karasu says while looking around. "Uh… he is… he went back." Yumi says as her smile drops off her face. "Went back? Back where?" Karasu asks, confused at her response. "To the army… He went back to the army." She says. "Oh… He was an army man? Never knew that. Why are so worried then? Hasn't he been in the army for a long time?" Karasu says. "Yes… but he is involved in the war… he's fighting on the frontlines… Every day I am worried that I will get a phone call and… and that it will be bad news… like… he got crippled or … he died… Every day I am scared to death just hoping for that phone call to not come… It hasn't come till yesterday but… who knows what might happen, tomorrow… or even today...?" she says as she buries her face in her hands and starts sobbing.
"That's certainly not it. You are more worried because of something else…" Karasu says. "… You are right… My husband… Sato… he's a normal human… Most people on the frontlines including the enemies are mutants… I don't understand why he was put on the frontlines… Just thinking about it makes my head hurt." Yumi says, through her sobs, "I told him that he doesn't have to go, that he shouldn't have to go there. It's too dangerous. He said that he has always wanted to be a soldier just like his dad… Saying that he wanted to show his dad that he can also be just as amazing… That idiot… Why doesn't he listen to me…? Are my words not important to him?"
"I don't think that's the case. He probably does values your words... But he's set on doing something and he wants to achieve it…"Karasu says. "But… he's a human… He's powerless the battlefield. Whenever I talk to him over the phone, I can feel how scared he is… He tries to hide it but he's not good at it." She says, "He also asked me about maybe participating in the OSGM." "I have never heard of OSGM. What's that?" Karasu asks. "Sorry, it's 'On-Site Genetic Modification' if I remember correctly." She replies, "They have not told him about how safe it will be or any other details… I don't even know what to say." "See, I told you he values your words." Karasu points out, "Anyways… It's seems like they will do the gene modification surgery during the war… That's dumb. At best, it will result in failure and at worst he might not be the same anymore, forgetting about the fact that he might die… I'm sorry."
"What… What do you mean?" Yumi says with her fear all over her face. "Well, I am saying that, because when someone gets modified their body won't just accept the changes. The immune system will try to kill off the cells that have changed. Doesn't matter what part it is, spine, heart, limbs, blood vessels… Anything… Then, he will also have to take immune-suppressants to keep that from happening, which might increase the chances of him getting sick. Now, if all this doesn't cause any problems, then, he will be put through training to master, in massive quotes, his power. And, that won't be easy. They will try to make him do years of work in a matter of months or days… And, that's going to take its toll. So, this entire thing is quite risky. It is fine if he wants to get the surgery, but doing it during a war, is exponentially dumber than if it were carried in proper medical-care."
"Why… No, how do you know all that?" She asks in confusion. "Well, much of all that is just possibilities. But, the rest are things that I have found out when trying to study the history all these shenanigans." He says, "How long has he been gone for?" "… It's… Almost a year I think." She replied. "Wow… You have been alone this whole time?" Karasu asks. "Yes, for the most part. Every night when I go to sleep I pray that when I wake up it will all just be a bad dream and he will be right beside me sleeping…" She replied.
Karasu gets up from his seat walking over to Yumi. "What?" Yumi says looking at Karasu. Karasu kneels down in front of her and gives her a hug. "Don't worry. He will come back… I will make sure he does. So, don't cry." Karasu says. Karasu lets go of her and says while looking her in the eyes, "Show me a smile." Yumi smiles with her tears streaming down her face. Karasu wipes off a tear and says, "Save these tears. You will need them when you see Sato again." Yumi laughs at that statement saying, "I hope you are right… I can just hope for the best." Karasu stands up and replies with a serious expression, "No, it's not a hope anymore. It will happen. It will take some time, but it will happen. So, just wait and watch."
"Thank you… Don't worry about me. I will be fine." Yumi says. "How can I not worry when you are crying in front of me? It's ok to cry." Karasu says as he shifts his attention to the clock. "Damn, it's 7:30 already. I should really get going…" Karasu says. "Why? What's the hurry?" Yumi asks. "I have to first look for a place to rent. Oh, right! That's another reason I came here for! I wanted to ask if you know a place I can rent." Karasu asks. "Oh. Yeah, I know a place but I am not sure if they still have any free apartments. It's a small complex." Yumi says. "That's fine. You can just give their number and address. I will go check it out." Karasu says. Yumi writes down the details on a piece of paper and hands it to Karasu.
Karasu starts to leave as he stops to talk to her one last time. "Thank you for today. Hope we meet again soon. Perhaps… in a week's time." He says. "In a week? I don't mind, but will you have time? Won't you be busy?" She asks. "Don't sweat it. I can do that much for you. You will also get to meet Hiroshi's sisters. They are pretty sweet too. You will love them." Karasu says. "Can't wait to meet them." Yuki says showing her excitement.
Karasu puts his shoes on and gives Yuki a smile as he walks out of the door. "Stay safe kiddo!" Yuki says. Karasu chuckles and gives her a nod acknowledging her words. They wave each other goodbye and go back to continue their day.