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It was a regular sunny Sunday afternoon, the one time Mari could relax and distract her mind from school. She was at the park with her friends, friends she could never lose. No matter what happened, the group would stay together. While it may seem a bit childish to spend time at a park with people three years younger at 16, she didn't care. This had been the same for five years and, despite their adolescent phases, this wouldn't change anytime soon. No matter what happened, the group would stay together and their special meeting spot would still mean everything to them.
Something was odd: Sunny and Kel were missing. Normally they arrived with their siblings, and Mari could have sworn she walked there with him.
The thought left her mind, replaced with 'they'll be fine, they're probably together'.
She continued to inspect the insects crawling along the blanket, holding her finger out to have their legs scramble over it. She realised it was probably immature to play with them like children do, making her question whether she matured at all.
She would look over to the three having fun, not to say she wasn't also enjoying herself as a spectator. She would join them, of course, if only it wasn't for her knee.
It wasn't long before Kel and Sunny returned, together.
Sunny!
Mari, who had previously been waiting for their arrival, was the first to notice, rushing over to give him a sisterly hug, just like she always does.
It was after everyone had greeted the two that Mari realised something. No one had seemed to notice their absence, and everything was normal afterwards, as if this was completely natural. Do they know something I don't?
It was on the journey home that Mari watched Sunny's face. As it commonly did, his unchanging face displayed nothing. Does he want to hide it?
Sunny?
she spoke, slowing her walking pace.
Sunny copied, rotating his head to look - no - more like stare at her, inquisitive. He met his sister's loving eyes looking back at him with a smile.
Where were you and Kel before?
she enquired, We were all so worried about you!
She knew her brother well - while it may not seem like it, he was always moved by other people's emotions. The lie, she felt, was necessary.
We spent time together - alone,
he answered blankly.
Mari frowned. Why? Did you not want to spend time with us?
she asked, understanding his trouble explaining his intentions.
Since we started going out,
Sunny's flat voice stated.
Upon hearing this, Mari failed to decide on a specific emotion, eventually staying with a smile with the mouth slightly open, shock evident in her eyes, over time morphing to a welcoming expression over the serious nature of his confession.
Sunny's eyes scanned Mari's face while it remained constant, unchanged. Cute, she thought.
That's very open, Sunny. You should be more open with your emotions! I hope it works out well for you both!
She spoke with enthusiasm, wishing to support him in any way possible. Giving him confidence is one of the ways she planned to do that.
However, there was always a chance people could find out. While she worried about it for a second, she didn't let it bother her. She was happy for him and showed confidence it would go well, no matter what.
The following school day, Mari and Hero sat at the back of maths class, just as they always do, silently excelling in every aspect over most people there.
Mari noticed Hero furiously staring at one question, clicking his pen once every two seconds precisely. After about a minute he looked to his right to see her looking straight at him.
He laughed awkwardly before forcefully breathing, preparing to speak.
Hey, err, Mari, could you help me? I just- I can't think straight today.
Hero, struggling with maths?
Mari chuckled with her signature smug expression, Sure, what is it?
Two root two times root ten all over two root five. It's the third question and my head - it's just not working today.
That's fine. Root two root ten is root four root five, equal to two root five, multiplied by two is four root five over two root five. I thought you were good at surds,
she replied mockingly.
I am - well, normally. I've just got things on my mind, you know?
Instantly, she recognised what it was.
Kel told you he's gay, didn't he?
Hero's eyes went wide at his brother's secret being so openly used in discussion.
Wh- how did y- Sunny told-? Ahh... how long have you...
Hero stopped with a puzzled yet cautious look.
Have I ever told you how cute you are when you're flustered?
Hero blushed.
Mari! Not here.
Okay, okay. Sunny told me last night. Seems like we found out at the same time,
she spoke, still giggling from his reaction to the compliment.
I feel like... I don't really know. It's just- I- I don't know. It's hard to think about. I've just never imagined it with him - nor Sunny in fact. It's just strange to think about. I want to say it feels like betrayal, but that's a bit harsh. They're growing up.
I get that. They've always been close, so if they both feel that way, they must be perfect for each other. Besides, they're our little brothers, how could we not support them? We love them and they love each other, so jus-
You two at the back!
the teacher piped up, her squeaky London accent especially prominent, I know you can both do this, but talking all lesson is plain ignorant. Get on with it.
Sorry Miss!
Yeah, I agree with you, thanks Mari. Thanks for the question too, God I'm stupid sometimes,
he whispered, hitting his temple gently with an open palm.
Anytime.
The end of the lesson approached, lunch period to follow.
The couple held hands as they left the classroom, only to break their grip due to the mass of schoolchildren hurrying through the maths foyer.
The journey to the cantine was as eventful as it always was - a conversation and dodging ravenous projectile first-years. Hero reacted in the space of such a small margin it was almost inhuman to save his leg from being swept twice his height into the air.
Woah! I swear, every year there are always those Year 7s that are about 4 feet tall that go straight for the knees as they fly past.
Yeah,
she laughed. Anyway, back to our previous discussion, do you think anyone else knows?
...about Kel and Sunny? I'm not sure if they will have told anyone else other than Aubrey and Basil, and even them knowing I find unlikely.
I guess we'll have to see,
she said as they arrived through the cantine's double doors.
They quickly found their usual table and it wasn't long before Aubrey and Basil waved at them from the entrance.
As the two sat down opposite Hero and Mari, it became apparent that something was missing.
Basil was the first to notice.
Oh. Have you guys seen Sunny and Kel? Sunny said he would wait for Kel outside his classroom, have they not arrived yet?
Mari and Hero looked at each other, shaking their heads to tell each other 'they have no idea'.
Well, I hope they get here soon. Meanwhile, I am starving.
The four consumed the home-prepared contents of their bags, worried after the two boys still hadn't shown up.
A familiar dissonance reverberated across the cantine. The bell: the end of lunch.
The four sat in silence at the realisation of the absence of the duo. Throughout lunch period, they hadn't seen either of the two.
All four students stood, silent, not exchanging a word as they left in different directions.
Mari walked down the familiar corridor, lost and alone, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, making it to her destination as if she was already there.
She wasn't greeted as she entered.
Did I enter at all? Was I daydreaming?
That didn't matter. All that mattered was- wait, what was his name? Anyway, he was all that mattered right now.
She opened her eyes fully. Everything was normal, her classmates were here, in the English room as normal. English... she was in English, normal according to her timetable.
Her teacher was someone different... someone that could be recognised by anyone throughout the school, one of the Deputy Heads, specialising in History, overall one of the nicest teachers in school. Having such an important role, he always carried a radio transceiver to get updated if anything urgent was to happen. The radio was sat on the front desk, unintelligible voices sometimes interrupting his lectures.
The lesson continued as, knowing little about literature, the replacement teacher began to explain conditions in the Victorian Era to support the context of the novel.
Sometime during the extent of his knowledge being spilled directly over every pupil's head, more radio messages were received, and this time it was clear.
Mari heard every word.
We have sights on Kel and Su-
The volume muted with a click, the room's noise flooding out for several seconds before returning moments later.
No one cares...?
The teacher's welcoming and soothing yet informative and authoritative voice came back with a half-joking statement, And that's why you just say 'K and S'. Anyway, the pollutants in 19th cen-.
His voice faded as Mari lost all hope.
Not even him...?
The total lack of worry left the vile stench of nothing lurking.
There was nothing but a tension in her eyes and waves of sorrow that Mari could feel. She couldn't concentrate on one person's voice for fear of letting the floodgates slip open.
It was as she was coming to her limit when a soulless figure appeared at the door.
...Mari Suzuki please?
The teacher covered the lock with his hand as he entered the PIN, but Mari wasn't looking; she stared through drying tears at the floor. She knew this was about Sunny. She knew he should have done what's better for him and kept it private. She knew she should have stopped him.
The thick wooden door opened silently. Inside the darkness was a table with several monitors showing the footage captured by the many cameras around the school. She dreaded entry.
Mari's frail legs guided her through the door, closing it behind her.
A chair was pulled up beside where she stood. She shook her head in polite refusal.
Now, Mari. We're not here to scare you, we're here to make you aware of the situation, understand?
he reassured, his voice soft and calming, one of a trustworthy person.
She nodded reluctantly.
Okay.
The sound of a mouse drifting over cheap laminate artificial wood accompanied several clicks attempting to navigate the camera system, before video appeared on the monitor in front of him.
Mari couldn't hold back the tears.
Kel and Sunny are sat on a grassy slope beside each other, hands linked, symbolising their bond.
She let out a whimper from what she knew was to come.
Sunny's head rested on the boy's shoulder, brushing the ends of Kel's locks. He looked... happy.
Her breathing grew unsteady.
A tall adult approached and began to speak to the both of them.
Mari stood silently, her heart racing, trying to hold back everything, wishing it would be okay.
A second and third joined the regiment. The three surrounded the two boys in a forceful manner as if superiority was their motive.
Her vision became blurry, time seeming to stop except for that screen.
A man from the left grabbed Sunny's arm, ripping the embrace of the two boys apart.
Mari flinched. Her eyes were stinging. She passed a subtle squeak through her mouth as she watched her brother dragged by the wrist.
Kel made an attempt to escape the clutches of the other two seniors, only to have several feet pound his legs and torso. Sunny had tears in his eyes, inaudibly shouting his lover's name.
Mari wanted to look away. She wanted to scream. She wanted to close her eyes, to leave this dream, this nightmare. She wished she could stop them. She wanted to stop feeling powerless. With every kick came a wince and a whimper, her eyes still persisting to endure the torture.
Noticing her emotional pain, the supervisor switched off the monitor.
Mari. That was shown to you today so you could experience the punishment first-hand. We will contact your parents on the matter. A failure to change his behaviour will result in further harsh punishment.
His degrading, scripted words passed, ineffective, through Mari's hollow shell. She didn't say anything. She threw up in her mouth. She squinted at the elder. Mari saw his eyes glare informatively back at her, the same procedural stoicism and lack of remorse emitted throughout.
All the thoughts ringing through her head - she couldn't say a word of it. Even if she had the confidence to, what she saw was cruel, anarchic, barbarous. It was too much. It had gone too far...
She wasn't aware at what point she regained consciousness for the event that followed. Mari had woken at some point while held in her mother's arms in the bridal position on the path home. She was too weak to move. Did I throw up? Did I collapse? How could she have known? That didn't matter now. We'll be home soon, and everything will be fine as Mum, Dad and Sun-
Sunny... She jolted at the thought of his name. She remembered everything.
Mari's legs surged as she rolled out of her mother's embrace, beginning to sprint towards the school.
A sharp jolt in her knee left her hopping several times to come to a stop. It was when both feet had planted themselves to the floor that her back arched forwards, her upper body's lunging producing a faint yellow acid on the paving.
A hand reached around Mari to her shoulder, guiding her in the opposite direction - towards her house.
New tears erased the dried ones.
They continued to walk. A plain white door appeared before them as shaking hands explored countless unused keys.
The door opened, Mari expecting to be met with darkness, mouldy wallpaper peeling, broken furniture, cracked windows and infestation. Always in these stories, that happens.
However, there was nothing. Everything was normal. Everything was fine.
Sit down, Mari. You look tired.
Her mother's voice was strained and uneasy.
She proceeded to sit down, still with an overwhelming urge to run back to school.
We need to talk,
she spoke, yet not authoritatively. Sunny's... Sunny had some trouble at school with bullying.
This infuriated Mari, despite her complete lack of energy. She let out desperately, almost shouting, Yes, but they weren't- that's what they- that was-
Please do not interrupt.
Her mother transmitted a hard glare. So, you knew about it? Why didn't you try to stop it?
Well, yes but- I only- I never-
her stammering wasn't convincing. Why are we here? Why are we not over there trying to help him?
she shouted, standing to charge to the door.
Wait.
Mari conceded.
It took several moments for her to continue. ...Sunny's not at school.
Then where is he? I saw what they did, he needs help. Where?
He...
pain could be heard in her voice, seen in her face, tears beginning to form, ...he was hospitalised.
Then why aren't we over there?
said Mari growing impatient, beginning to cry, We need to get there, now.
We can't help him,
her mother spoke, a tear dropping from each of her eyes.
What?
Her mother stayed silent, her weary pupils never leaving Mari's.
No. That- no. No, no. No. No. No. No. No. No. That didn't happen. It's a lie. They didn't-
Mari ran to the door, opening it and taking rapid steps outside. She let out a scream which turned to sobbing uncontrollably before slumping, head in hands, on the doorstep.
A scene is pictured: the shadow of a distraught girl perching solemnly on her doorstep looking upwards through wetted eyes towards the pair of shoes suspended from the telephone wire.