talk he was expecting. His mother who had not expecting her son to answer the phone at all was shocked. She let out a sigh or relief when she heard her son’s voice.
“Aiya!” an exasperated mother who had made a large mistake could feel nothing but guilt towards herself.
“I was so worried about you. I am so sorry, Aiya.”


Aiya had not said anything, though he was happy she found him, and not angry about it, he didn’t know what to say. Small sounds, attempting to be words came from Aiya’s parted lips.
“Kaa-chan.” Aiya mumbled softly, he was almost happy, but something held him back. The conversation that would derive from this, between Maruki and him burned in the back of his skull.


Hokuto sounded as if she was crying, that was very apparent. She was a poor woman that lost her husband and gave up her life to drinking, in hopes it would make her feel better. In the end, she ended up pushing her son away.
“I am so sorry. I would never consciously do such a thing to you. You know that right?” recollection of the night before was flashing before her eyes. She screamed inside. She didn’t show it often, but her son was her life.


Aiya cried inside, his heart in his throat. It was getting harder to swallow. This was exactly what his mother said the last time. His heart filled response was what he said the last time as well.
“I know kaa-chan. It was an accident.” It only happened twice, but it felt like dozens. It was getting harder to believe his mother the more it happened.


Aiya didn’t utter another word, it gave ample time for the door to open again, a wet, half dressed Maruki stood in the door with a towel over his dripping wet hair.
“Ai, what are you doing with my phone?” The slight petrification struck the young boy. There was nothing personal in the call or text history, it was the notes that Maruki was worried about. Maruki stepped farther into his room, still drying his hair. Aiya was his friend, he trusted him, but this small act was very different for Aiya, not what Maruki expected of him.


Aiya stood, his hand covering the receiver. He knew Maruki had a possibility of being angry, but the innocence in Maruki’s eyes proved that Aiya’s thoughts were already wrong.
“It’s my mother Maru-chan, she called.” An awkward paused hung in the air, Aiya needed to finish his thought.
“I assume she called to talk to you.” Not another moment passed before Aiya slowly handed the phone over to Maruki.


Maruki reached for his phone, thoughts running through his head in almost hyper-speed. He knew the main reason as to why his mother would be calling him personally.
“Hello Hokuto.” A rude greeting towards an elder as soon as Maruki placed the phone to his ear, calling them by their first name, a good conversation or not, Maruki was not prepared to be respecting towards Aiya’s mother.


Hokuto sniffed once, regaining herself. She new that Maruki was not as easy to break as her son was. A stern strong tone took over Hokuto’s whiny motherly voice.
“You were always such a rude kid, things never seem to change.” There was nothing worse then a mother being in denial about being a bad mother.
“I should have known that he would come running to you. You have that kid wrapped around your finger more then I do, don’t you?” a child abused is worse then a child neglected, somehow Aiya was both.


Maruki placed the towel used to dry his head, around his shoulders. He may have been young, but he was mature and intelligent. His cool headed personality could withstand the hot-headed personality of Aiya’s mother.
“I’m sorry Hokuto. But if it weren’t for the legal system of this country, he would no longer be your son. I will not allow my friend to be treated in such a manner from a so-called ‘loving mother’. Unfortunately for the sake of our friendship, I have to forgive you for a second time. Considering the circumstances that you will not do it again. Unlike a fish like yourself, I actually love your son, as does my mother. So think twice about what you do next time. Intoxicated or not.” Aiya stood off silently, struck deeply by Maruki’s maturity towards this whole situation. The Maruki he rarely saw, was once again taking his heart into his throat.


Hokuto chuckled slightly, it was an accident that the incident occurred. It wasn’t an accident that she knew it happened due to her drinking. Though she loved her son, she would not stop drinking for him.
“Maruki my dear boy, I will make no such promise. Now, if you do not allow my son to come back after school today, I will be forced to call the authorities and report this as a kidnapping.” There was no arguing this, Hokuto was going to get her son back, one way or another.


Maruki felt defeated. He would not put his mother and father’s job in danger, just to fight with Hokuto. They alone knew very little of Aiya’s situation at home.
“All right Hokuto. Aiya will come home after school today.” It may have endangered Aiya’s safety. But refusing would take away his refugee for good.


All the while Aiya was leaning against the desk chair, tuned out of what was going on. His main focus was on Maruki’s actions not his words. The fact that he had indirectly said that he loved Aiya was completely missed. Maruki’s maturity was far beyond his age, the amount that he cared for Aiya was more then brotherly love. He accidently lost control and let the chair slip back under the