Chapter 9: Missing Night

Chapter 9 - Missing NightHaruma stared at the notification with wide eyes, while the group's laughter echoed loud around him. Suddenly, he sprang on his feets, slipping his phone into his pocket and with urgency he began gathering his things. Drawing everyone's attention, leaving them all watching him with puzzled expressions. "Haruma what happened?" Masaru asked, his confusion mixed with worry. Quickly swinging his bag over his shoulder, Haruma replied, "I've got a go!" "But why? what happened?" Masaru asked, his concern growing. "Haruma, is everything okay?" Toru asked, his voice laced with worry. Haruma quickly stepped out from the group table, muttering, "Thanks for the coffee" before heading towards the exit. "Harumaa!" Masaru called out loud, causing Haruma to stop in his tracks. Stepping out of the group table, Masaru said. "I'm coming with you!" Glancing back over his shoulder, Haruma replied, "I'll explain everything to you later!" with that he hurried out of the cafe, leaving everyone behind in confusion and concern. Rukia sat quietly, her eyes filled with concern still fixed on the door from where Haruma had left. Masaru stood tensed, his fist clenched tightly, frustration etched across his face.... Haruma was now sprinting through the white corridors of the hospital, his breathing heavy, footsteps echoing with urgency, face clouded with concern. Bursting inside a room, he found his mother sitting on a bed with a drip attached to her hand. She looked up to him with a warm and calmed smile. While Haruma remained standing, still trying to catch his breathing, his expressions filled with concern. He quickly moved to her side and sat on the edge of the bed, "Mother what happened?" he asked anxiously. The mother's smile didn't waver, "Nothing, just a little headache" she replied softly. Still seeming unsure, Haruma kept his eyes on her, his concern visible in his eyes. "She blacked out and collapsed at the office" A firm male voice came from behind. Haruma quickly turned around to see a man in his mid-thirties dressed in a sharp suit and a long coat, his facial features clean and defined, standing with a commanding presence. "Thank you so much Mr.Ryusei." Haruma said sincerely, his tone laced with gratitude. The man named Ryusei Takanami stepped forward, "I've spoken to the doctor, she is ready to depart." he stated firmly. Haruma gave him a grateful smile and a nod before turning back to his mother, "But how did this happen?" He asked with his voice laced with concern. The mother smiled reassuringly, "Nothing, just some weakness, I guess!" she replied with a light tone. However Haruma still seemed unconvinced, gazing at her with uncertainty. "She got a call!" Ryusei said, "And after ten minutes of attending the call she collapsed." Haruma's eyes widened before his expressions hardened with anger, "Was it him again?" he asked with a fierce tone. The mother hesitated, forcing a smile, "No, it wasn't him, I just didn't eat lunch, so I think that's why!" Haruma and Ryusei remained silent, their expressions serious as they kept gazing at her with uncertainty. "We will depart in an hour," Ryusei said, placing a hand on Haruma's shoulder he added, "Haruma let your mother rest!" Haruma nodded, and stood on his feets, looking at the mother he said, "Rest up mother, I'm outside" The mother responded with a gentle nod. With that Haruma and Ryusei left the room. Once outside, Haruma leaned on the wall, closing his eyes, while Ryusei stood beside him watching him with quiet concern. "You think it's him again?" Ryusei asked with a serious tone. With closed eyes, Haruma slowly shook his head in denial, "I don't know!" he said softly. Ryusei nodded thoughtfully, "I know I'm no one to say this, but just don't let your mother get involved in this again." Opening his eyes, Haruma said, "Don't say it like you're nothing," he replied with a calm tone, "If you hadn't been here for us, we'd probably be on the streets by now!" Haruma then turned and met Ryusei gaze, "Thank you Mr.Ryusei, for everything" he said with a gentle grateful tone. Ryusei smiled warmly and nodded, "How's your football going?" he asked. Haruma gave a faint smile, "Yeah. My team is about to play in the All-School cup!" he said calmly. Ryusei's smile slightly widened, "That's Great! and if you ever need help with your training, then I can help you!" Haruma chuckles lightly, "Ohh, so you can play football too?" Smiling back, Ryusei replied, "Yes of course, back in the days my friends use to call me the next Cristiano Ronaldo" Haruma began laughing playfully, While Ryusei watched him with a warm smile. "If that's true, then yes, I desperately need your help!" Haruma replied with a playful tone. Just then, Ryusei's phone started ringing, after glancing at his phone he looked up to Haruma and said, "I'll take care of the departure process, you stay here with your mother, I'll drop you both off." Maintaining his smile, Haruma gave him. soft nod and with that Ryusei answered the call and walked off. Left alone, Haruma's smile slowly faded, closing his eyes he leaned his back of the head on the wall and slowly slid down to sit in silence... In the quiet darkness of the night a black Mercedes pulled up and stopped in the corner of the road. Inside, Ryusei was sitting on the driving seat, Haruma sitting beside him and his mother sitting on the back seat. Haruma unbuckled his seat belt and turned to Ryusei, "Thank you once again, Mr.Ryusei" Ryusei gave a smile and a nod, "No problem," he said before slightly looking back he said, "Mrs.Akari, tomorrow is your day off, make sure to get some proper rest." Haruma's mother named Akari slowly nodded, "Thank you sir!" she replied graciously. Ryusei then turned to Haruma and said, "Just call me if you need anything." Haruma gave him a grateful nod in response before exiting the car with his mother, making their way towards their apartment, and the car drove away into the distance... Haruma and his mother now stood inside the elevator. After a moment of silence, The mother turned to him and asked, "Haruma! Why didn't you use your keys last night?" Haruma furrowed his brow, looking at her with confusion, "Keys?" he asked with an uncertain tone. "Yes" The mother replied, "As I told you I had a night shift last night. And when I came back at morning I found you sleeping outside the door" Haruma's expressions shifted to one of deeper confusion, trying to remember what happened last night. "I brought you inside and make you ly on the bed," The mother continued, "And after half an hour you woke you and left for your training" "I don't remember." Haruma replied, his voice tinged with confusion, "And my football is missing too, since this morning" The mother got a bit worried, her brow furrowed in confusion. Meanwhile Haruma stood in silence, his head lowered as he was trying to remember his last night.