[I feel my head spinning right now...]
[Hurry up! We've got more stores to check out.]
The large shopping mall is filled with people, forcing them to zigzag around. The clean, white tiles reflect the countless glowing crystals hanging on the incredibly high ceiling.
Countless stores of all sizes encompass the mall, ranging from clothing shops and jewelry to restaurants, tailors, and more.
[Wait, Kanna... This is our 12th store... D-don't you think it's enough?]
He raises his voice to be heard over the loud banter of countless passersby.
Kanna: [Not at all. I've still got money to spend.]
Ayumu falls to the ground in defeat, people walking around him.
Hinozu: [I can almost feel his soul leaving.]
He chuckles at the sight as Kanna enters the store, growing impatient. The boys follow soon after.
The shop is pretty small, with only a few items for sale. Kanna strolls around, examining each piece with focus.
The air smells of clean clothes and an overwhelming scent of cologne that makes Hinozu's head spin.
Hinozu: [You were right. I can also feel my head spinning now...]
They both sit down at a nearby spot, extremely relieved as their legs finally rest.
Ayumu: [Please... I pray to whoever... Save me from this...]
Hinozu: [Or, pray for Kanna to come to reason.]
The girl stares at them, clearly offended.
[Sorry... Won't happen again.]
Ayumu pats Hinozu's arm as support.
Ayumu: [We're in this together. Endure... Plus, it can't be harder than training.]
[Speaking of which... how's it going?]
[Hm?]
[Training, I mean. Getting stronger, are you?]
Ayumu smiles widely, his eyes lighting up.
Hinozu stays silent, looking the other way. A soft smile appears on his face.
[It's going really well.]
Ayumu: [Cool!]
They fall silent. After a while, Kanna shoves a shopping bag into Ayumu's hand.
Kanna: [Here, take it.]
Ayumu: [Why...?]
He says, almost whispering. Kanna stays silent, and that's enough for him to take it.
As the boys stand up, Ayumu looks at the receipt, baffled.
Ayumu: [How much do you have left?]
Kanna: [Around ￥25000]
Ayumu comes to a stop.
Hinozu: [I can definitely see your soul leaving now.]
His eyes widen, too.
Ayumu: [How do you even have that much?!]
She smirks.
Kanna: [I actually save-up, when they give me my pocket money.]
Hinozu: [I'd call it funds, given how much you get.]
Kanna: [Whatever. So, there was this other sto—]
Ayumu kneels down in front of her, both hands joined as if in prayer.
Ayumu: [I'm begging you... Can we at least eat something?]
Kanna turns her head at Hinozu.
Kanna: [Do you know this guy?]
Hinozu: [Is he a friend of yours?]
Ayumu stands up, brushing invisible dirt off his pants.
Ayumu: [Seriously... We should rest for a while. It seems the mall isn't as packed as before.]
Kanna: [Yeah. So... I can buy you some candy.]
Ayumu: [Am I a kid or something?]
Silence.
Ayumu: [Am I a kid or something?]
Hinozu: [We heard you the first time.]
Ayumu: [Then why won't you answer me?]
Silence.
Sighing deeply, he grabs Hinozu and Kanna's arms, dragging them to the restaurant area.
Kanna: [W-why'd you do that?]
She rubs her wrist, staggered. Ayumu points to a random restaurant.
Ayumu: [I'm hungry.]
Hinozu: [So you are a kid, after all.]
Kanna: [Right.]
Ayumu's brow twitches, making Kanna raise her arms placatingly.
Kanna: [Okay, okay. We're going.]
Ayumu: [About time.]
He sighs as they enter. It seems to be a fine diner, with plush chairs and polished wood tables draped in fine cloth. A man at the entrance greets them.
Kanna: [A table for three, please.]
Man: [Of course. I'll lead you there, if you may.]
The man leads them to a table right next to the smooth, dark gray wall. They sit down, Ayumu reading through the menu right after dropping all the shopping bags on the floor.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Hinozu glances at the lit-up chandeliers hanging over the ceiling as they paint the surroundings in warm, orange light.
It still feels alien.
Kanna: [Can you decide already?]
Ayumu: [One of everything.]
Kanna: [No way.]
Ayumu clicks his tongue, earning an irritated expression from Kanna.
Ayumu: [Then... I'll have the lamb's leg!]
Hinozu: [It's a good choice. I'm pretty hungry too, so we can just share it and—]
Ayumu: [Who said anything about sharing?]
Silence.
Hinozu: [Are you extremely confident or extremely dumb?]
Kanna: [Both, it seems.]
Ayumu: [It was a joke!]
He laughs awkwardly.
Kanna: [Was it?]
Ayumu scratches the back of his head.
Ayumu: [No...]
Hinozu: [Let's order that. For sharing.]
Kanna nods, calling a waiter.
Waiter: [Good evening. What may you want to order?]
Kanna parts her lips to speak, but falls short in embarrassment.
The waiter smiles, confused.
Hinozu: [Lamb's leg.]
The waiter writes their order.
Waiter: [Alright. Any drinks?]
Hinozu: [Water.]
Ayumu: [And a—]
Hinozu: [Just water.]
The waiter nods courtly, leaving as he retrieves the menus from the table.
A comfortable silence grows between the three.
Kanna: [How's the thesis going?]
Ayumu: [Much better than last month. It's like I've been blessed with wisdom all of a sudden.]
They both laugh.
Kanna: [It's incredible, I could never write so many words about something. Like, ever. Don't you get bored?]
Ayumu: [Not at all. I really like learning and writing about Isothes, they're... interesting creatures.]
A flicker of recognition passes through Ayumu's face.
[Sorry, Hinozu.]
Hinozu: [It's... Okay. I don't mind.]
Kanna: [Really?]
Hinozu: [I mean it.]
Silence falls.
Different from the one before.
The waiter arrives with a bottle of water, pouring generously into each glass before setting it down on the table.
Kanna: [Thank you.]
Waiter: [No problem. You should expect your meal to arrive in around 20 minutes.]
Kanna: [Understood.]
The waiter leaves once again, soles stomping on the tiles.
Ayumu: [Hinozu...]
[I said I don't mind.]
He says with a firmer voice.
Ayumu: [...Okay.]
The food finally arrives after 25 straining minutes, as the waiter sets three plates with tender meat and rice with various grilled vegetables.
Waiter: [Enjoy!]
He says before walking away.
Ayumu: [I thought it'd be a whole leg.]
Kanna: [M-me too...]
Ayumu chuckles.
[Is that why you got shy before ordering?]
Kanna glances around the restaurant.
[Not at all...]
Hinozu: [It's really good.]
He says after taking a bite.
Ayumu: [Yeah! Just what I needed after 14 hours of shopping!]
Kanna: [5 hours. It was 5.]
Hinozu: [That doesn't comfort in any way...]
Kanna sighs, cutting the meat with practiced movements.
Kanna: [I still want to buy more... But I think It's enough for now.]
Ayumu: [More than enough!]
He says as Kanna glances at him with a disgusted expression.
Kanna: [Do you ever eat without making a mess of yourself?]
Hinozu: [Doesn't even use the napkin. Gross.]
Kanna: [Right.]
Ayumu chuckles.
Kanna: [You look proud...]
Hinozu: [Concerning.]
After eating, Kanna pays the bill.
Ayumu: [Thanks, Kanna!]
He leans against the counter. Kanna slaps his shoulder, straightening him up.
Kanna: [You both owe me.]
Ayumu: [Oh.]
Hinozu sighs, checking his wallet.
Hinozu: [Oh, Indeed.]
They leave the restaurant, walking around the near-empty mall. Some stores have closed, while others are receiving their last clients for the day.
Kanna: [Well, I guess there's no other option than to return home now.]
A hint of disappointment.
Ayumu: [You really don't know when to stop...]
Hinozu: [Right.]
They leave the mall. The sun begins to set as it paints the sky with varying shades of orange, yellow, and purple.
Ayumu: [The sky's beautiful today, right?]
Kanna: [It really is.]
Hinozu focuses ahead.
After making it to the station, they get on the train.
The smooth sound of the moving train contrasts with the overlapping conversations.
Ayumu sets the dozens of shopping bags down before sitting.
Hinozu: [What a tiring day.]
Ayumu: [I'm never going to that place again. We can go to the restaurant though.]
Beep.
[... Iriya. The doors... will open.]
Kanna: [It wasn't that bad. And I've still got money left.]
Ayumu: [Help a poor soul out, will you?]
He reaches out both hands, backing off as Kanna slaps them.
Kanna: [Don't you dare beg me for money.]
Hinozu: [We get off next stop.]
Ayumu: [Next stop, why?]
The wheels screech slightly.
[I've got a place to visit.]
Kanna and Ayumu exchange glances before nodding.
Kanna: [We'll wait for you at the station.]
Hinozu: [Okay. Thanks.]
Beep.
[The next station is Minowa. The doors will open.]
Hinozu: [Let's go.]
Ayumu and Kanna stand up from their seats as the train stops with a loud screech.
They exit the train. Hinozu waves them goodbye, leaving the station.
Slowly, he climbs the stairs.
Night falls, streetlamps lighting the pavements as the sky turns black.
Closed shops, sleeping people.
Open bars, awake people.
Vandalized walls, litter, ugly buildings.
Nothing.
He glances to the right. A closed store.
One he knows well.
Shaking the thought off, he resumes walking.
Hinozu approaches an apartment complex, opening the rusty gate and stepping inside. The lights flicker.
A figure stands near the stairs.
[Only residents can enter this place.]
The figure approaches. An old man.
Countless wrinkles make up his face, thin arms an ironic contrast to what they once were.
[Do you live here, boy?]
A melancholic expression grows on Hinozu's features.
[I... Used to.]
[You see, it's wrong to lie to your elders. You should...]
A flicker of recognition passes through his face.
[Are you... You really are him. The boy, who lived with that... that girl.]
The old man approaches, his expression turning overly friendly.
[Ah... It's been a long time… you've grown so much. What's of Sayaka-san? Is she healthy?]
Hinozu clenches his jaw, stepping around the old man as he steps on the stairs.
Hinozu: [I'm not interested in talking with you. Goodnight, Kobayashi.]
Stepping through the corridor, Hinozu reaches for the door, opening it.
The dusty air smells of abandonment. The heat borders on unbearable.
He steps inside, glancing around the room.
Everything's the same.
The table.
The rusted fan.
The bleaching carpet.
The dusty TV.
Nothing.
Hinozu sits down at the small table, taking in the moldy scent of rotting wood and the creaking of the chair.
The moon's light offers faint illumination as he breathes deeply, drumming his fingers on the table.
He catches himself, wrapping a hand over the other. Shutting his eyes closed, he clenches his jaw.
[Still...]
[I still can't.]
Hinozu tries to calm down, breathing rhythmically.
[You know? I tell myself every day...]
[That...]
Something claws at his chest.
[... I can't. I can't do this.]
Ragged breathing.
Crickets don't chirp. Wind doesn't blow.
He stands up abruptly, leaving.
Closing the door.
He steps down the stairs, Mr. Kobayashi waiting for him.
Mr. Kobayashi: [Hey, boy. Tell Sayaka I'm grateful for her help, and that she should visit soon, eh? Also, I need a little favor...]
[What is it?]
He stares at the old man, narrowing his eyes.
Hinozu: [Do you need money?]
[Well... If you ca—]
[I can't.]
Mr. Kobayashi's eyes widen.
Mr. Kobayashi: [What?]
Hinozu: [I won't.]
[Oh, okay. Well, no worries. Anyways, I'm glad I could see you again. Sayak—]
[Enough!]
A loud thud startles Mr. Kobayashi.
Hinozu rubs his fist, head lowered.
[That's enough.]
The old man falters for a second before rushing to his apartment.
Hinozu sighs deeply.
He falls on the floor, trembling.
With sadness.
Shock.
Rage.
Hatred.
He catches himself.
Standing up.
Walking over to the door.
Biting his lip.
[Don't.]
He opens the door, leaving the apartment complex.
Nearing the train station, he sees Ayumu and Kanna from afar, talking about something.
Bright smiles on their faces.
Hinozu approaches.
Ayumu: [Done?]
Kanna: [Where did you go?]
Hinozu: [...Nowhere special.]
A train passes through, the sound of wheels on rails overlapping everything else. Light comes and goes in sync with its windows.
[Alright.]
Ayumu: [The next train is in... 22 minutes.]
They wait, patiently. Crickets chirp. Wind blows. People talk.
A soft voice.
[Hinozu.]
[Hm?]
[Are you...]
A drop falls on his face. He wipes it off.
[Are you sure you...]
[Want to be an Exterminator?]
