The deafening police sirens were all that I could hear. As the people outside watched in curiosity at what was happening. Uncertainty and anxiousness filled my mind.
I look out the window. The police were ready to go inside the building. Then I saw two policemen go up the stairs. Yui-san came back inside the restaurant. All we could do now is wait here for confirmation.
After several minutes of agonizing, something finally happened. The first policeman went down the stairs with two men in handcuffs following him. Then, I saw the second policeman going down with Hasegawa-san. Suddenly, Yui-san got up from her seat then rushed towards Hasegawa-san.
[Y]"Sister! What happened? Are you okay?"
[Hasegawa-san pulls up her hoodie to cover up her face. She didn't even respond to Yui-san's questions.]
[Y]"What's wrong?"
[Hasegawa-san continued to walk past Yui-san without uttering a single word.]
[Y]"Sister..."
Tears were beginning to form in Yui-san's eyes. She held back her tears then returned to the table.
[Y]"Tanaka-san, let's go home." she said with a smile.
[T]"O-okay."
Yui-san began to push me in my wheelchair. I saw that her hands were trembling, but she was smiling when I looked at her. She was trying her best not to break down. On the entire way back home, Yui-san just smiled like nothing was wrong. I was still worried about Hasegawa-san, but I am also concerned for Yui-san. She had a closer relationship with Hasegawa-san than I.
I finally arrived home with the help of Yui-san.
[Y]"Well, see you." she said with a trembling voice.
*Tanaka grabs Yui's hand
[T]"S-stay"
[As Yui-san turns around. I saw that her tears were starting to fall from her eyes, but she immediately wipes it off.]
[T]"L-let's E-eat D-dinner."
[Y]"Oh, it's fine."
[T]"P-please."
[Y]"Okay, then."
We went inside then we were greeted by Aoi.
[A]"Welcome back, brother. Oh, Hasegawa-san, welcome."
[Y]"Yui is fine."
[A]"Then, Yui-san, you can call me Aoi too. Please make yourself at home."
[Y]"Well then, Aoi-san. I'll take you up on that offer."
[A]"Please, take a seat. I'll prepare dinner."
As Aoi went ahead to prepare dinner, Yui-san and I just sat in silence. She just stared blankly at the floor. She must be processing everything that had happened. I go closer to her.
[Y]"Tanaka-san, what do you think I should've done back there? When I saw my sister entered that room. What do you think I should've done?"
[T]"Y-Yui-san."
[Y]"I now realize just how little I know about my sister. I thought I knew everything about her. I wasn't even able to tell that she was in pain. I'm a failure as a sister."
[Then suddenly, I hugged her without even realizing.]
[T]"I-it's okay."
[If only I could speak properly. I could've said something better.]
Yui-san, couldn't hold it in any longer. She broke down, crying on my shoulders. Then she hugged me back tightly. I didn't know what to do. I just waited until she finally calmed down.
[I grabbed the handkerchief from my pocket and gave it to her.]
[T]"A-re y-you o-okay?"
[She took the handkerchief then quickly wipes off her tears.]
[Y]"I'm fine now. Thanks."
[I sigh in relief, then suddenly Aoi came to the living room.]
[A]"Dinner's ready!"
[Y]"I'll be right there."
[A]"What happened? Your eyes look swollen."
[Y]"It's nothing, don't worry."
[A]"Are you sure you're okay?"
[Y]"Yeah, I'm fine."
[A]"Okay then."
We all headed off to the dinner table. As we began to eat, I observed that Yui-san was not trembling anymore. In fact, she looked better than a while ago. After eating dinner, it was finally time for Yui-san to go back home. I went to see her off at the door.
[Y]"Oh, Tanaka-san, I'm sorry for what happened a while ago..."
[T]"I-it's o-okay."
[Then suddenly, I felt a warm sensation on my cheeks. It was light, but I felt its softness. That was the first time someone had kissed me.]
[Y]"...and thank you."
[Then she went on to go home.]
A couple of minutes after she left, I was still in a state of shock. To think that Yui-san would kiss me on the cheek, I was not expecting that, but I should not be worrying about that now. There's still this case with Hasegawa-san. I can't afford to be distracted by this. I should message Yui-san about what happened to Hasegawa-san.
[T]"Hey, Yui-san, are you there?"
[Y]"Yeah."
[T]"I wanted to know what happened to Hasegawa-san."
[Y]"Sorry, but I also don't know. I only know that she's currently at a police station."
[T]"Which one?"
[Y]"That's the problem. I also don't know. Right now, mom is worried sick about my sister."
[T]"How about your dad?"
[Y]"We weren't able to contact him. I think he turned off his phone."
[T]"Do you think he could be involved in this?"
[Y]"I'm not sure, but I think he could be related to the case."
[T]"If you ever need help, contact me. I may not be able to walk, but I'll try my best because I owe Hasegawa-san a lot."
[Y]"Thanks."
[T]"By the way, I have another question to ask."
[Y]"What is it?"
[T]"It's not related to Hasegawa-san, but it's about what you did earlier."
[Y]"What?"
[T]"You know... On the cheeks...?"
[Y]"Just forget it happened."
[T]"How could I forget about it? That was the first kiss I received."
[Y]"So, you're a virgin? Haha"
[T]"Shut it. What about you?"
[Y]"You know it's rude to ask a girl that."
[T]"But you said it to me first."
[Y]"It's because your fun to tease."
[T]"Do I look like some toy to you?"
[Y]"Generally speaking, yes."
[T]"You don't hold back on your comments, do you?"
[Y]"Why should I?"
[T]"Nevermind. Goodnight."
[Y]"I was joking. Haha."
[T]"Goodnight."
[Y]"Fine, goodnight."
I feel like an idiot for even thinking about that kiss. Did she mean that as a joke? I don't think she did. But at least I got more information about Hasegawa-san. Now time to think of my next move. It might not be my business to interfere with their family matters, but I owe a big favor to Hasegawa-san. When I think about it, she was the one asking for my help in the beginning, but I ended up being the person needing help. Now it's my turn to return that favor.