Chapter Text
“...are sorry to say that both of your parents are...no longer with us.”
Miya sat in his chair, numbness slowly spreading through his body, starting at the heart. It wasn’t cold, it wasn’t warm, and it definitely wasn’t unwelcome.
What are they gonna do? Am I gonna be taken away? Will I ever see anyone I love again?
“...do you have anybody who might be willing and able to take you in?”
“...can I call my…”
“Of course.”
“...may I do it privately?”
“Of course. I’ll leave the room.”
The man left Miya alone. Hands shaking, he reached into his left pocket, where he always kept his phone. He ran his thumb over the neon green and deep purple case, custom-ordered from a video game shop. As he lifted the object, he noted that it was slightly heavy, and a little warm. The screen protector had a few scratches, but not enough to buy a new one. As the phone was lifted, the screen automatically lit up, showcasing his favorite game character.
He slowly scrolled through his contacts, staring at the names as they whizzed by. The name he was looking for was about halfway through the long list. Thankfully, he didn’t see mom, and the second he saw dad, he looked away, feeling a sharp pang in his stomach.
When Nanjo Kojiro’s phone rang at 11:33 on a Wednesday morning, he didn’t think much of it. He had just finished opening up Sia La Luce, and was just about ready to start cooking for the day. When he saw that the number calling him belonged to Chinen Miya, he began to get worried. It was a school day, and Miya never skipped. He valued his grades too much. When he picked it up, his life changed forever.
“What is it, Miya? Shouldn't you be at school? It’s a weekday.”
His stomach twisted in a knot when he heard nothing but sniffles and sobs on the other end.
“You know what? No. Never mind that. Where are you? I’m picking you up.”
Miya almost started bawling again as he sat alone in a rickety wooden chair. He wanted to whisper it, but he knew he couldn’t get the words out properly if he did. So he spoke the same way he always did. Or, he tried to. It didn't come out right, but it was decipherable.
“I- I’ll send you the- the-”
“Okay. Okay. Do that. Do you want me to stay on the line with you?”
“...no.”
“Okay. Send me the address, I’ll be there soon.”
Click.
Nanjo really didn’t like hanging up, but Miya had said he didn’t want him on the line, and whatever the kid said went. He hurriedly pulled up the location he’d been sent, flipped the sign on the restaurant door to closed, and sprinted out the door, completely forgetting to lock up. He then called a contact of his own, speaking hurried instructions as he ran.
He hung up just before he got to the door. Miya would be inside, he knew, because he wouldn’t get the location wrong in a moment this important. He took a moment to calm himself. He couldn’t afford to lose it in front of Miya. He didn’t know what the situation was, but the kid was clearly distressed, so his emotions needed to take a backseat for as long as they had to be there.
When he walked in, as expected, it was inquired who he was.
“Kojiro Nanjo,” he said, “I’m here for Chinen Miya.”
“Are you family, sir?” A stout man in a stuffy suit had approached him.
He paused. How would Miya want me to answer this?
“I’m close enough. Now please, let me see him.”
“...very well. He’s over there.”
The man pointed to a door labeled Office 3. Nanjo had to stop himself from racing inside, but instead walked in and knocked quietly on the doorframe.
“You okay, kid?” He asked softly. “Do you need me to drive you home? Were you arrested? You don’t look like you were arrested.”
Miya didn’t say anything, but just shook his head repeatedly, fat tears rolling down his scrunched-up cheeks.
“Uh, sir,” the businessman in the suit whispered, “may I have a word?”
Nanjo sighed. “Of course.”
“His parents have...passed. Just passed.”
And suddenly everything made sense.