I never took much of a liking to promises. There is so much uncertainty when it comes to them. Depending on the severity of the problem it can lead to so many issues if it gets broken. In most cases, including my own, it destroys your ability to trust. Well, it did. It kinda sucks when two promises contradict as well, and you're stuck at a crossroad. The worst part is not being able to choose either and just staring hopelessly down each path. As if you are expecting the signs from heaven above to come and point you in the right direction. 

"Rei-san didn't you promise me you would come down and work today? I could really use the help today with taking orders our new part-timer quit."

It doesn't take much more than a dejected sigh to know how I feel about working here. I know I should be grateful though. It isn't easy to find a job with as many benefits as this one. I guess it does come with many complications though. 

Ever since the passing of my parents in a random house fire, I began living with my Uncle Asayama. I wasn't home for it though, so I don't know much about it. They ruled it for faulty wiring, so I received quite a bit from insurance and my inheritance. 

I should be using the money for university or something productive, but for now, it is just sitting in a bank account. I'm old enough to live on my own but my Uncle offered me a place to stay and work. For these past two years, it helped me come back out into the real world. I spent most of my early days with games and novels, just anything to make me forget the life I live in.

I never was anything special when it came to schooling, so I figured I'd try investing at a later time after learning a bit more about it. Even starting my own cafe hasn't been ruled out yet. As I have grown pretty accustomed to how things are run. 

From downstairs a gruff sounding man shouted out. "Oi, are you coming down or not? Did ya hit your head or something trying to get ready? If ya aren't gonna work then rent starts next month!" 

I rose from my desk where I was reading and started descending the stairs.

"There is my Prince! Oh, how I missed you," Asayama said as he threw a black waist apron towards me. "Put this on and get to work, and don't be afraid to smile for once. The older ladies love it." 

With a wide grin plastered on his face, I lean to left and see three older women that could each easily pass as my grandmother. He hands me a tray and with a slap on my back sends me off to hounds. 

[Stupid old man he never considers how I feel. I'd rather work behind the counter where I don't have to deal with people.] 

My day only just started and another sigh already left my lips. 

"Oh come on don't look like that! You're our favorite. Y'know if you smiled more you'd have any girl you want as a girlfriend. Don't tell me you don't have one yet?"

"Yea, and maybe straighten up your back. You look so depressed and small when you slouch like that. Confidence is key!"

"Maybe eat and workout more too, you're so slim and fair-skinned. If your hair was any longer, I'd confuse you for my own granddaughter."

Three daggers, one for each statement, stab down into my back. Get me out of this nightmare, please. 

The day passed by slowly, our business isn't necessarily busy. We are a small coffee shop at the end of a shopping district so there isn't much traffic. Most of the customers we have come to stare with oogly eyes at my uncle or to harass me. Uncle, you should be more worried y'know? How can you laugh and flirt behind a counter when your business is failing? Whatever, it isn't my problem.

After closing up and cleaning the floor, I finally take my apron off and start dragging my body up the stairs. 

"Not yet, boy, I got one more thing for ya and you do whatever ya want," my Uncle chimed out. He flips out a notecard from his front pocket. "I need you to go pick up some food. You do wanna eat right? Grab what you want to make up for it being last second, but be reasonable." 

Fair enough I reason, with the note in hand and cash he gave me. I head out the door and head to the closest market. It is already plenty dark out so I should try to hurry. Being out at night alone can be pretty scary. Especially for me, depending on what I wear guys even try to grope me! Mug me! Beat me to a pulp! God please just don't grab my ass! 

Thinking about my previous scare, my footsteps quicken. Racing around the lit areas left by the lamposts. Reaching the store I pause right outside, attempting to get a visual on the possible threats inside.

"In and out. Fast and silent. I am the night and no one can see me less I will it."

"...Umm."

[I'm an embarrassment to my ancestors and those that came before them.]

I turn around quickly and jump back. Standing before me is a young girl, probably a student for one of the local high schools as she is still in uniform. From the looks of it, she seems like the athletic type, as she has rather long spandex underneath her skirt.

"Oh, sorry to startle you. I just needed to get inside... The door, you're standing in front of it."

Locking up I quickly move over to the side without being able to say anything. Quickly looking down to the ground.

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"Well, if you'll excuse me miss." 

Miss... Miss... MIss...

Critical Hit!

Your hitpoints have been lowered to half by a single attack. You have suffered a staggering blow!

Current status is reduced by half until health is fully recovered.

[Tomorrow. I am getting a gym membership tomorrow.]

I take a moment to gather my shattered manhood off the floor while she walks past me and enters the store. 

"I guess, it'll be a while before I can manage conversation outside of work."

After waiting a bit I head inside and grab everything as quickly as possible. Avoiding people, even if it means waiting for them to leave an aisle I need in. This is my normal routine as I even take my goods to the self-checkout. 

It didn't take much longer to checkout and leave. Heading back home the way I came. Hurrying as quickly as possible to avoid any further confrontations. 

[Oh no please don't rain.] 

More often than not, my prayers fall on deaf ears. Tonight was another one of those nights. Looking around for quick shelter I dart under a small overhead from a closed shop. The rain was now falling heavily. Waiting seems to be the only option for now seeing as I did not pack an umbrella. Thunder is now ringing clearly, as several streaks of lightning continue to fill the sky.

BOOM

"Gahh!" A scream forces itself from my throat. That seemed like it hit really close-"

I froze. Forcing myself to stay still. Hoping that maybe, just maybe, if I stay perfectly still. They will all go away. I know fully well, as terror begins to well up inside me, that it won't happen. It isn't the fact that I am scared that fills me with dread. I'm ashamed.

"You promised me. Rei we promised. I'd be the world's hero. You'd be mine. Where did you go when I called for help."

"Rei, my son... Where were you that night. Your mother and I, we needed you. You said you'd come right home. We waited so long for you to return. We never left even as our bodies began to burn."

I fell to the ground to my left, a friend of my past. Tatsumi, my only friend. I betrayed his trust. He always held absolute faith in me and I failed him. To my right, my parents. I told them I would be right back. After receiving a call from Tatsumi that seemed urgent I rushed out to meet him. Only pausing my run when I reached his home. Screams and bangs were coming from the inside. I stood there for a long time unable to comprehend the sounds coming from my friend's home. I was scared and instead of going in, I called the police and ran. By the time I reached it back to my house, the fire already brought the house down to rubble. 

If I didn't wait too long. If I didn't be a coward... I wouldn't have lost everything I had in one night. So no, I am no hero. I'm not even human. Looking up at the clouds above me only anguish fills me. I understand it too, I see and hear these things to remind me. To punish me for thinking someone like me could deserve to live happily. I don't want to be happy either. I don't want to lose the one thing that reminds me of them. Even if it is my greatest regret. The tears were flowing fully, mixing with the rain that ran down my face. I could only stare at the dark clouds above, lightning flashing through at times. I lay here as if I am waiting for my end.

Strong arms wrap around and under me, lifting me from the ground. Besides his breathing and the storm that raged on inside me. A certain calm weighed over me. Even as onlookers left and right watched. Some pointing out, with worry on their face, others recording. It wasn't until we reached the outside of the cafe that I could no longer stare up at the sky. The sun was too bright.

------------

"Asayama-san please be reasonable, we want to find him just as much as you do. I implore you, is there anything else that could have caught your eye?" 

Sitting across from him was a woman of mature appearance. Business attire, black skirt with a black suit top. A white shirt underneath filled completely. She pushed her glasses up and looked up from her notebook.

Asayama let out a sigh, "No, After finishing the morning shift I sent him to go get food for lunch. It started taking a while so I went out to find him. I found him five minutes away laying on the ground staring at the sky. After that, I took him home and left him to his room." 

"And knowing his current condition you sent him out like that? I know you aren't his legal guardian, but you do understand how asking him to do that is problematic. You should have gone with him."

"I know, but he's done it before. Rei's been getting better. I just wanted him to keep improving. If I left him on his own he wouldn't leave his room for anything but necessities."

"Okay, I understand. After that?"

"As I told you before, I went to check up on him that next morning and he was gone. No clothes, bags or anything missing. He didn't take a single thing with him."

A look of confusion was plastered on her face, and after writing a couple more things down she stood up. 

"Alright, that'll be all for now. If you hear anything at all that you think might even remotely be related, give us a call." 

Asayama looked at his hands as the female investigator left the room. Slowly he pressed them together, "Boy... Rei, I don't know where you are or what you want. I need you to know it isn't your fault. Please be safe. Love yourself and forgive yourself. I know its hard, but it is what they would want as well." 

And after the short prayer, Asayama rose to his feet and left the room.