Chapter 3 : Mio's Problem

*After class*

"Noel, I will become stronger than you, just wait!"

"Yeah, do your best. Steve"

He is a serious man.

"Micchan, shall we go home now?"

"No-kun, I want to visit the park before going home"

"Oh, may I come with you?"

"Y-yes"

Her voice, I never noticed before. Her voice is so small.

And then, we walk to the park, the place can be visited when you get tired.

"I want to buy something, can you wait for me, Micchan?"

"Oh, sure. I will wait here."

I buy a drink for her, I don't know what her favorite drink is, so just buy it and back to her, don't make her wait too long.

"Micchan! Here, for you"

I give the drink

"Arigatou¹...?"

"Nande?² Why you doubt. Douitashimashite³"

"No, just...."

She's spacing out.

"Micchan, kocchi⁴"

"Ah, gomen⁵"

"You've been spacing out since earlier, why?"

"Oh, I just felt so nostalgic"

"Do you have visited this park before?"

"No, it's my first time. But, back then when I lived in Japan, I always visited the park with my little brother"

"You have a brother? I didn't see it. He's good?"

"He passed away, a long time ago. When he at 4th grade, because he has complicated injuries"

"Oh, sorry about that"

"I'm fine. No-kun, Will you listen to my story about my little brother?"

"Yes, I do"

She takes a deep breath before starting the story.

"My brother's name is Itsuki, he is just two years behind me, and he likes football. He always told my parents about his dream,

'I will become a professional football player'.

He always plays football with his friends, and he always talks about football to me. Even though he knows I will not understand, he always talks to me.

And, the tragedy. His ankle was broken when football practice, and something happened"

"What's that?"

"His head gets crushed when his ankle is broken, and he falls. At the same time, someone stepped on his head. Blood flowed over his head, at this time my dad knew he passed away, and my mom just crying. He was rushed to the hospital, but it was too late. He's passed when his head gets crushed"

What a tragic story.

"And, I have an issue with my communication with others, Itsuki's gives me traumatic memories when I trying talk to others. I don't want the people to become closer to me, and then they just go"

"That's why you didn't have any friends at school?"

"Yes, I am afraid of others. But, when I moved here, I didn't feel afraid anymore. Because I met-"

Suddenly stop, what wrong?

"Who's that? Just said it"

"I can't say it now"

"Why?"

"Nothing"

Can I tell her now? About my past.

"A-ano"

"What's wrong, Micchan?"

"Don't tell anyone about it, okay?"

Oh, that will be a secret between us.