✪ Boundaries || HanaNene ✪

C H A P T E R T W E L V E

Remembering all the boy's suffering was hard for Tsuchigomori himself. The countless times where he had to bandage the boy and ask him what was wrong, only to leave him be. The boy stood strong while carrying the burden of life on his shoulders. He was a shield, a rock, and a fighter.

It was supposed to be end good for him, that's why Tsuchigomori didn't bother to help.

That would be the greatest mistake he has ever made.

"Amane was once a really happy and great kid before his mother passed. He still was a great kid when you looked behind after his family fell apart," Tsuchigomori told her, remembering all the times he saw the boy struggle, "He was a rock, a shield, and a fighter. He was always positive no matter what was told to him or done to him, whether good or bad."

Yashiro couldn't help but smile, that surely was the Amane she knew.

"Though, there were a lot of things he didn't explicitly show it," The teacher shifted his gaze to the auburn orange sky, "He never showed his worst to anyone."

Yashiro swallowed hard. This was what she wanted to know, and she was scared of what Tsuchigomori had to say.

"I only happened to see it a couple of times. Those times when he truly felt lonely, where he'd cry to himself and curse the gods for giving him life. He'd shut people out and suffer on his own."

Tsuchigomori blew a cloud of smoke and watched the moving clouds in the amber sky.

"God knows how many times he actually broke down. Obviously, he was very mature for his age when he was in elementary," The sensei closed his eyes, "But he was still a kid."

Yashiro quivered a bit. Tsuchigomori knew that the girl couldn't handle what he was going to tell her and that she'd break down if he continued. It wasn't time for him to tell her yet, and it was much better if she heard it from the person herself.

"But I have to say that Amane was a lot happier when he met you. The last time I saw him that happy was before they moved to the area. It was really refreshing seeing him with a friend again." 

Tsuchigomori smiled to himself, looking back on the days where he saw the boy with a genuine smile just a few days after his first day at school. He remembered the boy muttering something about fat ankles, and couldn't help but chuckle when he found out what he meant.

"Amane... was really strong, wasn't he?" Yashiro let out a small laugh, "I can't believe such a happy and strong boy had to suffer so much and end up dying. He didn't deserve it."

Tsuchigomori couldn't help but agree more.

"Anyways kid, that's all I'm going to tell you about him for now," The teacher told her, "Is there anything else you wanna ask me?"

Indeed there was one more thing Yashiro did want to ask, Tsuchigomori already knew.

"Ano, sensei," Yashiro looked away for a split moment, "If he didn't die, how was his future going to end up like?"

"His future... Hmm..."

Tsuchigomori stood from his seat and walked over to the windowsill. Yashiro turned and watched him bring the smoke pipe into his lips.

"For middle school, he would've been going to the same one you went to. He'd then be going to this very school for his high school, but by the mid-year, he'd be under his aunt's custody and he would've transferred to Tokyo because of his aunt's job."

"I see..." Yashiro turned away, disappointment written all over her face. Of course, at some point in time, they would be separated. Possibly, permanently.