XXXThe sun shone bright and hot, with a lovely cool breeze accompanying it as Akari arrived back home with a big smile. He still loved Mahoutokoro, with all the classes and his friends, but home was something that always kept a special spot in his heart. Akari took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar mountain air. Though it was tinged by the flavor of the sun’s heat, it was fresh as ever.
XXXHe couldn’t stop the small laugh that escaped him as he ran up the stairs amidst the greenery in full bloom. Akari opened the door, entering the genkan1 and taking off his shoes before hurrying into the living room with excitement. He set his bookbag aside before turning around to face his father, Hikaru, who was standing by the low table. He seemed to be in the middle of cleaning, with his wand out, though he stowed it once he saw Akari, his eyes widening slightly in surprise.
XXX“I’m home!” Akari chirped happily, hugging him. His father returned the hug, a familiar embrace, but it felt more tentative than usual. Akari noticed it instantly. He took a step back, blinking at Hikaru. “Is everything alright?” He asked. “Where’s Mother?” For the first time in a long while, he saw something wrong. His father’s eyes held a hint of mournfulness, exactly like a deliverer of bad news. Hikaru cleared his throat, straightening his stance. “Well… we didn’t want to tell you this over owl… but I’m sorry this is the first thing you meet when you come home.” He sounded faintly congested. Akari’s chest tightened. “What?” He asked quietly.
XXX“Amaya has dragon pox,” Hikaru said seriously after a moment of deliberation, as if presenting a strong front would somehow lessen the blow or make it softer. It took a small pause before Akari inhaled sharply as his mind caught up to the statement. “What? How did that even happen?” This was definitely shocking, but for some reason, he didn’t feel sad. Weren’t you supposed to feel sad about this? His father looked sad despite his facade, so why didn’t he feel sad? Well, he was… He was sad. But the feeling where your throat and heart close up and your head becomes hot… it wasn’t present. So then what was he feeling? Nothing?
XXX“…is she going to die?” Akari asked finally. At least his heart was pounding rather loudly. His father quickly shook his head, placing a hand on his shoulder. “No, no. Your mother is a strong woman, with a strong will and body. She will recover, in time.” His words were firm, with a tone like he was trying to convince himself but also provide comfort that Akari wasn’t quite sure he needed. “Oh. That’s… that’s good.” He shuffled his feet uncertainly.
XXXAfter a long pause, during which Akari took the time to come up with about a dozen questions, Hikaru quickly added hastily, as if he had forgotten, “And one more thing….”' Akari blinked in surprise. There was more??
XXX“I was kind of in the middle of disinfecting everything…” Hikaru held up his wand. “I was trying to get everything done before you arrived, but, well, here you are. And I can’t exactly disinfect you, so… you’ll have to stay home for a while.”
XXXAkari blinked slowly before nodding, looking down at his hands. They were the same as ever, albeit trembling slightly. “Oh, right. That’s perfectly understandable."
XXX"...how long…?”
XXXHis father took a moment to think about it before replying, "At least multiple weeks."
XXX"Speaking of which, when I attended school around your age, there would be a summer camp taking place-- the invitation will probably arrive in a few days. ...I don't think you'll be able to attend." He spoke with a slight waver in his voice, presenting more information like he was worried about his son's response. Akari just nodded again, his gaze wandering over his father's shoulder. He wasn't exactly upset about this either; It would have been pretty concerning if he was more worried about a summer camp than his mother. "That's fine," he said solemnly, clasping his hands together in front of him.
XXXTime could be strange. Sometimes it passed in a confusing blur, other times it dragged on in the loud, endless ticking of a clock. That summer was the silent trickling of sand in an hourglass. Quiet, monotone, and repetitive. It felt like Akari looked out the window thousands of times a day. The misty mountains stretched far below in the mornings, while the forest expanse bloomed in the afternoons. He worked on his homework, his ikebana, his cross-stitching, anything that he could keep his interest on without letting himself think.
XXXWhenever he heard footsteps, Akari glanced at his open door only to see his father walking past hurriedly, as if refusing to let his gaze slip into his son's room. He kept his gaze on his destination straight ahead every time. Akari wondered if he was feeling guilty, but quickly brushed it away. If he sat in silence and wallowed in his own thoughts for hours, he would probably go mad. If only he could think about other things, things that were faraway, things that didn't concern him...
XXXAkari tried. He tried to map the pathways of the science behind transfiguration, contemplated the heavy rain that would tap at his window every few days, wondered how his friends were doing. Is Fujimoto-kun at camp? Would he be looking for me? The invitation had indeed arrived, bundled up in a neat pouch. The contents sat emptied out on the table, slightly dusty.
