The next day, we started getting ready to go on a picnic.
"Hey, Riku, can't you help your dad to carry all this stuff. Don't you intend to show your gentlemanly side a bit?" called dad when he was putting all our luggage into the trunk of the car.
Hearing that, I, who was currently sitting in front of the house eating sweets, answered in a relaxed tone of voice.
"No, dad. Actually, I'm also working right now, because my dream when I grow up is to become a CEO. I'm currently training to monitor my employees who are working... Come on, hurry up, don't complain too much and pick up all those things. Isn't it the duty of parents to support their child's dreams?"
"Damn, I'm sure you'll definitely create a black industry later. Dad is really worried about your future. I can only hope you don't get stabbed in the back by your own confidants."
"Thanks for the advice, but don't worry, dad. I don't intend to make something like a confidant. Everyone will move in the palm of my hand if I slap them with a lot of money."
"You're the worst CEO ever. Sometimes I wonder if you're really your son or not? Where did you come from? Do you really have the genes from your mom and dad?" my dad said with a tired face.
Doubting his own son like that, he really is the worst father.
"Don't worry, dad. I definitely have mom's genes, my genius comes from her superior genes. But, I guess you're right, I also sometimes wonder whether you're really my dad or not?"
"Alright, let's stop this topic of conversation. I'm sorry! So please don't continue this sensitive conversation anymore or you will start to doubt your own father's love!" my dad shouted desperately and tried not to take what I said seriously.
He really is a troublesome father.
After that, while we continued talking like this, the door of the house suddenly opened and there Shina along with mother walked out.
"Sorry to keep you guys waiting."
They were currently wearing white one-piece dresses and similar straw hats. It is perfect for summer clothes like now. Not only that, they also braided their long black hair in the same style, making the two of them the perfect combo for a summer hottie.
Seeing that, my dad and I froze.
We are both mesmerized and captivated by their beauty.
"What do you think?" my mom asked with a gentle smile and gave her dress a little grace.
"Onii-sama, is Shina pretty?" asked Shina who also imitated my mom's movements.
In that instant, simultaneously my dad and I gave both of them our steady thumbs up.
It seemed that I really was his son.
***************
"All right, is everything ready? Is there nothing left?" asked my dad as soon as he got into the car and sat in the driver's seat with mom beside him. While me and Shina sat in the back seat.
"Everything is ready, dad!" replied Shina enthusiastically.
But, the only one who answered was her, so it made the old man a bit unhappy.
"Hey hey, I didn't hear my other son's voice, could he have missed it?" Seeing that I didn't answer, my dad asked once more and everyone looked at me with expectant eyes.
Yeah yeah, alright, I'll do it, I just need to cheer up, right?
"O-Ooohh…" I said in a low voice.
It's a little embarrassing.
"Hey hey, I still haven't heard you?!" asked my father once again.
It made my eyebrows twitch.
He's really noisy.
"O-Oooohhh!"
I raised my hand and cheered even louder.
Hearing that, my father smiled and he started his car engine.
"Good, looks like everything is set. Time to go! Hold on tight, because dad is going to race!" my dad said and he started to drive his car.
"Yeeyy~!"
On the other hand, my mother and sister look very compact. They really are a noisy family.
I sighed tiredly.
Just looking at them makes me tired.
As the car started to move, I leaned my head against the car window and looked out of the car with a listless face.
It's definitely going to be a very tiring day.
While thinking about that, we finally set out to go on a picnic together.
***************
During the trip, there were absolutely no obstacles whatsoever. I casually ate the snacks I brought with my sister, while my mom and dad were also engrossed in chatting with themselves.
"Onii-sama, when you get there, what will you do?" my sister asked.
"What am I going to do huh? I guess I'll just go hunting for rhinoceros beetles," I replied while eating the potato chips.
Maybe because he heard our conversation, my dad responded to my answer.
He laughed. "Ahaha, just for now you look like a normal kid. Are you planning on having a beetle fight at school? That's really nostalgic, dad did that too before," he said.
But, hearing that I tilted my head in confusion.
It seemed he had misunderstood.
"Who said they were for fighting? I intend to sell them, because currently rhinoceros beetle fighting is becoming a trend in my school. I'm sure it will sell for a high price," I argued.
"You really, can't you just act like a normal child a bit?" replied my father back with words that were difficult to understand for a normal child like me.
What did the old man say?
I'm definitely a normal kid who only likes money.
For example I was asked to choose whether I want a super power or a power that can make easy money. I would without a doubt choose the second option.
I'm not that different from the average kid.
"Onii-sama, can Shina come with you later?" asked Shina with her innocent smile.
I stroked hers head. "Of course, let's look for it together," I replied with a big smile.
Hearing that, she looked very happy.
Well, Shina had a weak body after all, so she very rarely could go out playing like this. Because of that, she didn't have any friends to play with either, so it was only natural that she was currently looking forward to this picnic.
Oh my, I guess I'll take her out to play sometime when I get home from this picnic. Even though she has a weak body, it should be fine if I take care of her.
As I was thinking about how to help Shina make friends, my father suddenly stopped his car, it made me a bit surprised.
"What's wrong, dad? Why did you suddenly stop?" I asked irritatedly and leaned over in the front seat to see what was going on.
But, at that very moment—
"Riku! Get down!" My father suddenly screamed in panic and pushed me back into the backseat.
"Ouch! What the—" It made me flinch in surprise, but my voice stopped at the sound of a crash from the shattered windshield.
'Crash!'
"Huh?"
At the same time, my mind immediately stopped working, my heart raced and my breathing became erratic.
'Zrut!'
Right before my eyes, I saw the bodies of my parents who were impaled by an iron pipe. It ruthlessly pierced through their stomachs and chests as they tried to protect us with their own bodies.
"Huff! Huff! Huff!" My breath was ragged and my body convulsed.
Upon seeing that, my father reached out his hand slowly and he stroked my cheek with a hand that was covered in his own blood. It raised my eyebrows.
"Are you okay, Riku? You're not hurt, right?"
"...." I was silent.
My father breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good that you guys are okay… Riku, please take care of your little sister. You are a strong and smart child, so I'm sure you can do everything yourself much better than father," he said with a gentle smile.
What is this person saying?
This is not the time for that, if I move to ask for help, they will definitely still have time to be saved.
It's still not too late.
"Uuh, dad…"
At that moment, my little sister who had previously fainted from the impact, finally started to wake up and slowly opened hers eyes.
But, I quickly pulled her close to me and closed her eyes. She can't see this, even though my brain is hard to work, but I know that this kid can't see what I'm seeing right now.
"Eh, O-Onii-sama? What's wrong? Shina can't see anything," said the girl who was still confused by what was happening.
However, I didn't intend to let her know what happened, so I tightly hugged her body close to me and covered her eyes with my trembling hands.
Shit, what should I do?!
I can't move from here, whereas my throat is dead now because I can't control my breath properly. Even though I have to help them immediately, why is it only at this moment that my thoughts stop?!
"Onii-sama, this hurts! Please let go of Shina! What happened?!" shouted Shina who tried to pull my hand away from her eyes.
No, that's not allowed.
She couldn't see this.
Whatever happens, I can't let Shina see this.
"Shina, I'm sure you will grow into a beautiful girl in the future," my mother said.
While I was tightly hugging Shina's body, my mother reached out her hand to Shina and she stroked her head gently.
"Mom?"
Shina looked confused, but my mom ignored her and continued to stroke the child's head as tears started to fall. I felt a tightness in my chest, as if a rock had fallen on me.
"Shina, please forgive mom. I'm sorry mom for not being able to give birth to you with a strong body. I'm sure Shina also wants to go out with your brother, right? Go to school together and play with your friends. Please forgive mom for not being able to fulfill all of that."
"Mom? What's wrong? Are you crying?"
"Don't worry, Shina. You have a big brother who is really great in the whole world. So, I'm sure he can take good care of you. From now on, you have to do what your brother says, do you understand? Be a good girl. I really love you."
"…."
Shina was silent, because she didn't know what was really going on, she also didn't know how to respond to everything my mother said.
A moment later, mother stretched out another hand towards me and stroked my head, my eyebrows raised. The warm feeling when it touches my head, it's like the sun melting my heart.
Just with that alone, I want to cry.
"Riku, take care of your diet properly. Even if mom cant cook for you anymore, you still have to eat a lot, do you understand?"
"...."
"I'm sure you'll become a great person one day, but at that time you shouldn't be arrogant. You should also take good care of your surroundings and help anyone who needs help, and also— Oh my, is that too much? Sorry, mom too much talk," my mom said with a chuckle, making me feel sick.
"…."
I just looked down in silence with a body that was still shaking. I tried so hard to hold back my eyes that started to heat up and wanted to cry.
Why?!
Why did things turn out like this?!
Various thoughts filled my head, but none of them calmed me down. There is only a feeling of pain that continues to thrash in my heart. Upon seeing that, my father suddenly said with a big smile.
"Oy oy, what's with that? Since when did my son become such a crybaby. Grow up to be a strong child Riku, and one day look for a great woman like your mother! Once you have found her, you must guard and protect her no matter what, do you understand?" said the man.
"…." I clenched my fists.
"—Oh, but you shouldn't forget about your little sister either! If Shina gets seduced by a trash man, then you must protect her properly, or dad will be angry!" continued my father.
"...." I was silent, but my heart was not.
You really are a stupid father, why only at times like this do you say something nice like an ordinary father?
Do you mean to cheer me up?
Shouldn't there be something you want to say besides, why are you even thinking about me?
Don't underestimate me, it doesn't make me happy at all you know. If you really want to cheer me up, do better, you idiot. Do you think I don't know what you're thinking?
Unlike you, I'm not a fool. I understand my own situation best.
Unlucky...
... This is why I can't hate you.
You stupid.
I held back my tears with all my might so they wouldn't spill. Then, I answered all of their words with a big smile.
"Leave it to me! I will definitely do well!"
When they heard that, they both smiled with calm faces. After that, they started moving again, mustering all the remaining strength they had, they embraced both of our bodies gently.
"Please forgive us for not being able to stay with you," my mother said.
"Take good care of yourselves," my father said.
"We love you both so much," they both said as they hugged us affectionately.
Then—
"...."
—Their bodies collapsed and they finally breathed their last right before me.
At that moment, while biting my lips regretfully, the tears that I had been holding back, finally fell down too.
"Mom…, Dad…"