Creating a new family (Chapter 2)
Previous Chapters: 1
Satoshi looked out of his window and watched the buildings without really seeing them. His mind was in turmoil because of the events earlier and he was more than just a little amazed Nagase really succeeded to get a real police car. He thought the man was lying when he told him they could drive in one. But even that wasn’t as exciting as he thought it would be. Not after what he has witnessed.
When he closed his eyes he saw the lifeless body of his mother on the floor and his father standing above her with that wild look in his eyes. He hasn’t been scared of his father before. He was a nice enough father while they lived together. He and his mother had their fights and once or twice Satoshi had seen him striking her. But he had never yelled at Satoshi and he only hit him once in a bout of rage and had apologised to him crying right after.
But it was enough for his mother to pack their things and leave while his father was at work. She was apologising again and again for leaving so late for letting Mamoru hit Satoshi. Satoshi knew what his father had done then wasn’t a good thing and he was glad to be somewhere else. It was better than seeing his parents arguing with each other and hearing his name more than once in between. But it was strange nonetheless.
After they left home they went to a home for women. They helped them settling down in a little apartment near his old school and even if Satoshi sometimes missed his father he had only to think about the yelling and that he hit his mother and he was happy to be where he was.
Also Satoshi had actually met him twice, both times in front of his school. The first time was okay because Mamoru let him go when he was asked. The second time he was dragged behind his father and even hit when he struggled to get away. It was only because of the help of an older woman that he could flee and run to his home to tell his mother about what happened.
After that incident his mother went to the police, got a ban mile and after Mamoru broke it trice - each time more violent than the other - they got under police protection until everything would have calmed down.
And everything was good till yesterday.
A shudder ran over his back and he had problems refocusing when he heard Nagase clearing his throat.
“Yes?” he asked looking at the man beside him.
“Do you want to use the siren?”
Ohno blinked interested and sat more upright.
“Is that allowed?” he enquired. Nagase laughed and looked at him shortly before looking to the front again.
“Not exactly. No. But nobody has to know, right? And I can tell them that you just had to try all the buttons inside and as I am really concentrating on the traffic I couldn’t stop you fast enough. Not to tell that I never used them before and I had problems locating the right button to shut them off?” He winked at Ohno and the boy smiled for the first time since he had met him.
Ohno felt excitement building up in him. It would be really cool to use the sirens and he forgot all about his dark thoughts for the moment.
“So which one do I have to push?”
“This one,” Nagase nodded to one of them and Ohno smiled before pushing said button.
He looked around again and grinned when he saw the other cars turning away so that they could drive faster. He watched as the people looked at their car and had to sit on his hands so he wouldn’t wave.
He didn’t see Nagase’s look of content when the man shut the siren off again.
“We are nearly at the ice-cream parlour. I hope you like ice-cream,” he asked and Satoshi nodded a little bashful.
“I don’t have any money on me.”
“It’s my treat, kid. Come on.”
Satoshi smiled a little more when he exited the car.
“Thank you,” he whispered and was surprised how easy it was to talk to Nagase.
Satoshi followed Nagase outside and looked around before hurrying over to where the man had sat down. A deep sigh left his throat when he felt the warm beams of sunlight on his face and chose something to eat. He kept silence when the waiter came to get their order and left them alone once again.
“Do I have to go to school?”
“Of course. The holidays haven’t begun yet. You can’t just skip school. It will do you good. But not for the rest of the week. Don’t worry.”
Satoshi bit his lips and nodded mutely.
“Do you think, my father will be there? Won’t they ask what happened?”
Nagase sighed and waited till the waiter had set their orders down and left again before answering: “No, he won’t be there. He is in investigative custody and he won’t be able to get out before his trial unless he has much money on the side to pay his way out. And I will be there to bring you to school and get you from there, if you want. Also I think they’ll know what happened. Your teachers will at least and I don’t think they won’t tell the pupils. But regardless if or if not: You don’t have to tell them anything you don’t want to.”
They ate in silence and Satoshi tried really hard not to think about all of the things. But he just couldn’t help himself.
“Would she live if I had helped her?” he asked in a small voice and looked up startled when he felt a hand in his hair.
“I don’t think so. Your father is stronger than you. I think she would have been sad if he hurt you. You did the right thing to call for help.”
“Why doesn’t it feel like it?”
“Because that’s normal. Being right seldom feels good. Satoshi-kun it isn’t your fault, okay? You mustn’t forget that and I will remember you daily till you believe me. Nothing that happened is your fault.”
Satoshi looked up surprised and had to swallow hard to stop his tears.
“Is it bad that I hate him?” Satoshi asked and Nagase shook his head.
“No it’s not. I hated my mother when she left me for many years.”
“But not now?”
“No. I’m older now and I can understand her somehow. Perhaps I will tell her so someday when I visit Japan and find her. But even if you will hate your father forever it would be okay. Everything you feel, but to think anything that happened is your fault, is okay, understood?”
Satoshi nodded and played with the napkin while he thought about what he was being told.
“Satoshi-kun? Do you have any family here or anywhere else?”
Satoshi blinked and shook his head slowly.
“My parents left for Germany when they were freshly married. I don’t know if I have any other family in Japan left but I don’t think so. They never told me about it and we never visited them. Do you think I have to leave if they find someone?”
Satoshi didn’t want to leave. He was born here. He didn’t know Japan other than out of the stories his mother told him. He wanted to visit this country some time in the future but not live there. Not right now at least. His mother loved Berlin and he loves it, too. Besides he would miss his friends.
“I don’t think so. Shall I talk with Miss Schmitz to find a foster family instead?”
Satoshi thought about it and nodded slowly.
“Yes, please.”
The thought of living with foreign people was a little disturbing but better than the alternative and he was smart enough to know that he was much too young to live alone.
“Do you want something else?” Nagase asked suddenly and he shook his head. The man nodded and paid the bill before standing again.
“I think we should talk to Mi…” he stopped himself and sighed. She told him and Satoshi to tell her Lara and he should set a good example for Satoshi, “Lara once more. It would be better if she inspects your sleeping arrangements today and I think she wants to speak to you about different things.”
“Will you be there?” Satoshi asked without breathing and Nagase nodded.
“If you want. But I don’t think that you have to be scared. She is a nice woman and she wants only your best.”
“I know, but…” Satoshi stopped and sighed deeply. He couldn’t tell why he wanted Nagase by his side. He didn’t know why but Nagase was like a safety net and he felt better with him by his side. Nagase didn’t think he was strong or brave and that was good. He just didn’t know how to explain himself.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to explain yourself,” Nagase said when he realised what was going on and Ohno heaved a sigh of relief.
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. That’s why I’m here. You can tell me what you want. You don’t have to ask for everything.”
I hope it's okay ><
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