Different Paths

Part Two

"My ears were ringing. I saw Kiyoshi running towards me, and I could see his mouth moving, but I couldn't hear what he was saying. Kiyoshi stood in front of me and flicked my forehead to get me back to my senses. I rubbed my forehead. "So tell me, what did the doctor tell you?" Kiyoshi asked with a worried face. "She's gone," I said, lowering my head. Kiyoshi hugged me for a while and I hugged back."I am sorry" Kiyoshi mumbled "Don't be." I said. Mom's co-worker told me the company would help me pay for the bills.

After Mom's funeral, I find myself constantly staring at the graves of my family. I can't help but wonder how they could leave without saying goodbye. Tears keep falling as I wipe them away with my hand. I'm still in high school, and my aunt from my dad's side is supposed to take care of me. She's allowing me to stay in my house and will give me an allowance for my living expenses. She couldn't take me to her house since she had her own family to take care of, and since I was already in high school, I already knew how to take care of myself.

After the passing of my mom, I found myself retreating into the solitude of my home, shutting out my friends and neglecting my upcoming piano competition. The piano, once a source of joy, now sits untouched, as I struggle to summon the energy and motivation to play. It seems unlikely that I will find the strength to participate in the competition.

I checked my fridge and found it empty. It dawned on me that the last time I had groceries was almost a month ago when my mom brought them. Ever since Mom was gone, I forgot to take care of myself properly. I guess I also had forgotten that this time it was going to be just me taking care of myself. I grabbed my wallet and phone from the counter and left the house for the first time this month. I went to the nearest Family Mart to get groceries.

I was in the food aisle, I put so much food in my basket. I kept grabbing so much food that it would last a little longer than I had hoped. I accidentally bumped into someone's shoulder luckily it was only a slight impact and the food in my basket was safe it would be so unlucky if it did that it would be a hassle to clean up the mess. I heard the stranger mumble 'sorry' after we bumped into each other shoulder. "Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going," I said as I lowered my head slightly to the stranger. I stared at the man's face and noticed he looked shocked. Confused, I tried to continue on my way to get food, but the man stopped me by mumbling something. My bothersome eyes widened as I tried to make out what the man was saying.

"What?" I asked the man to repeat what he had just mumbled to confirm if I had heard the right thing.

"Your Suzuki Myoja right?" The unfamiliar man asks what he mumbled earlier.

"How do you know me?" I ask the stranger back.

"I am your parent's friend We met when you were a little kid you must have already forgotten about it I came back to the town when I heard about your mother passing"

"I am sorry about your mother I couldn't attend both of your parent's funerals since I was really busy"

"And I also heard you live alone now, I know you must not trust me because it's the first time you've seen me"

I stayed silent having no clue what to say I just kept my head slightly lowered. The man who claimed to be my parent's friend pats my head.

"It must be tough to be left alone troublemaker kiddo" I gaze towards the man with a shock on my face as I remember him in my memories from the nickname he just said to me. "So you finally remember your favorite godfather?" I nodded my head and spread his arms giving me a sign to hug him. I dropped my basket filled with food products not giving a single care. I hug him tightly, and he pats my back.

I paid for my groceries and we sat at the bench in the park. "How are you kiddo?" He asks softly, as I stare at the floor.

"I-I don't know anymore" I revealed I felt like I was going to cry I held my tears by closing my eyes.

I overheard him speaking in a gentle and reassuring tone, "It's okay to feel lost and not be fine right now. It would help if you didn't keep it all to yourself, kiddo. I am here for you, so don't hesitate to let it all out. Keeping it to yourself is only going to make it harder for you." I turned my head towards him and my tears started to feel out in my eyes. He moved closer and we hugged again.

Ren Akagi was a friend of my parents since middle school, and we had known each other since I was born. He used to visit our home regularly until I was 6 years old when he had to move to a faraway city after getting a job there. He was my best friend, as I didn't have many friends at that time I can only remember having one friend.

He revealed to me that he didn't have anywhere to stay. I told him he could stay at the house since I live alone now. His staying at my house would be great so it can be less lonely.

I finally opened Kiyoshi's contact after ignoring him for weeks. I called Kiyoshi's number, and he picked up after the first ring.

"Suzuki, you idiot!" Kiyoshi screamed at me over the phone, his voice filled with concern.

"Yeah, I'm so stupid. Can you come to my house?" I asked.

"Okay, I'll be there in a minute, and you better explain yourself to me because you've been ignoring me for weeks," Kiyoshi replied sternly.

"I'll see you," I said before hanging up. Ren-san was sitting across from me on the sofa, and he turned his focus on me after hearing Kiyoshi's loud voice.

"Is that your friend?" He asks while drinking tea.

"Yeah, He's a good friend of mine," I said, while my head was looking out the window to spot Kiyoshi's figure. I was thankful I met him.

When Kiyoshi arrived at my home, I immediately introduced him to Ren-san. After that, I told him everything that had happened to me in the past few weeks, and I apologized to him for ignoring him. He told me that he understood why I needed time alone, and he was okay with the fact that I had finally come back to my senses and realized that I couldn't keep all my problems to myself. 

"Are you still going to continue playing piano?" Kitoshi asked curiously. I told him that I hadn't played for a few weeks, and I had a competition next week.

"Honestly, playing competitive piano wasn't my dream at all. It was my older brother's dream." Kiyoshi's calm face turned into a shocked expression after he heard my answer.