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The seas of Okinawa crashed against the shore, close to Sei and his mother’s home.
The night is cold, and the young Sei is asleep in the living room. The chill of the night air brushes against Hisako’s forehead as she sits just outside, watching the sea ebb and flow on the beach nearby. It’s peaceful, though Hisako can feel that familiar tremble in her chest.
Hisako doesn’t consider herself a good woman, nor a good mother. A scientist, years ago, but never a mother. It’s a sore subject, really.
She looks towards the living room. She’s kept the back door open, so she can see inside at her son. He’s curled up under a blanket on the floor, just as he was when she came home. She doesn’t quite understand that boy, he never falls asleep in his room.
She stands up from the porch chair she’s been sitting in for the past hour or so, stepping into the home and closing the door behind her. She kneels down beside Sei, brushing his hair with her fingers. His white roots are growing in, she ought to pick up some dye tomorrow.
Sei’s face scrunches, his wispy eyebrows furrowing. She retracts her hand, tilting her head. A nightmare? Sei never gets nightmares.
“Get…” Sei mumbles in his sleep, curling into himself further. Hisako frowns, slowly placing her palm against his cheek. He flinches slightly, and his eyes crack open soon after.
He sat up quickly, staring into Hisako’s eyes. It almost looks like he doesn’t recognize her. She smiles at him, masking her worry.
“It’s okay now, Sei. I’m home.” Hisako opens her arms, and pulls Sei in for a hug. Sei grips onto the back of her shirt, his eyes still wide as he presses his face into her chest. She could feel a sob rip through his small body, and her eyebrows upturn as she traces shapes into his back.
“That must’ve been some nightmare, huh?” She hums softly, pressing a kiss into the crown of Sei’s head.
“Yes..” Sei replies, in a tone that Hisako had never heard from him. She presses her lips together, furrowing her brows a little.
Whatever. She’ll ask questions later.
Soon enough, Sei calmed down. Though sobs still emanate from him, they were softer, more manageable. She slowly stands up, lifting Sei up with her. He is firmly latched onto her, legs around her waist and arms around her neck.
“Lets put you to bed, hm?”
“Yes please..”
She carries the boy towards his room, setting him down on his bed. She brushes a small piece of brown hair behind his ear, pressing a kiss onto his forehead.
“Are you alright, Sei?” She asks, wiping his tears with her thumb.
“I am.” Sei replies, speaking with that same strange cadence. Children are just strange that way, Hisako supposes.
“Get some sleep then. I won’t be far if you need me.” She watches as Sei gets himself situated under his covers, laying on his left side. Hisako can’t help but recall that Sei usually sleeps on his right.
Don’t just make assumptions about him, Hisako. She thought, turning away from Sei and towards the living room once again.
“Close my door, please.” Sei asks, his voice warbly and small.
Hisako turns to look at him, confused for a brief moment, before she smiles.
“Alright, dear. Goodnight.” She hums, stepping out of his room and closing the door behind her.
Must be getting to that age, I suppose.