Character Arc I: Noah Mizuhara – Library of Forgotten Cries

“Clean it up. NOW!” The imponent voice rang across the apartment as the sound of shattered glass accompanied it, like music to a masochist.

In the midst of chaos, helpless me crouched in order to get rid of both the glass shards and the wine tainting the wooden floor. There was no way to ask for help, no way to leave without a bruise on my body. All I could do was hope that my father could come back from work, and that even if it was for a few hours, have some peace of mind.

“M-mo—” I couldn’t even talk, I was not allowed to.

“Who gave you permission to talk? Show some filial piety and make me something to eat, along with some alcohol, of course.”

Her secret stash…How come dad hasn’t found out about it? I stopped my racing thoughts, and did as instructed. While the reason behind it isn’t as flowery… let’s look at the bright side! At least I learned how to cook…

As long as my father was nowhere to be seen, things would just go out like this…. “I made you two some food, here! Enjoy!”

She said with a smile, as she gave us two plates. There’s nuts… I’m allergic and she knows… Behind the facade of a caring mother, she tried to poison me and get rid of me. The sole person who brought me to this world, wanted to take me out of it.

“…and don’t you dare contact us any further. I’ll have custody of Masa, so you’ll have to pay child support naturally.” Being protected by my father’s strong back gave me hope… hope of a new beginning as I finally left the place I could never call home.

“Hey little guy, I’m Noah. Pleased to meet you.” In front of me and my father, was a woman who was to be my new mother, along with her son… a few years older than me, he seemed… gentle. However, appearances could be deceiving, so I could only hide behind my father.

“He’ll warm up in no time, Noah. Let’s leave him be.” The woman said with a wry smile, to which his son, Noah, also smiled.

My new family… huh… They’ll probably be the same as that woman. So don’t get your hopes up, Masataka. Because before you know it. You’ll be trapped in an intermission that would be written for all eternity.

❆

(So my apologies, we won’t get to eat lunch together. Himeka and I were told to help move some stuff. Sorry Yae.)

[It’s okay, I’ll eat with the friends I told you about then.

Will I see you after school, at least?]

(Of course, so don’t worry.)

As the other person went offline, Yae turned to her childhood friends who were waiting for her to join them. “All good?” Aurora asked, to which she nodded. “Yes. no problems at all, let’s go.” She said and the others followed.

“So essentially… I could compare at a glance our heights… and it looks like even years later, I’m still the shortest of the four.” Maki said with a disappointed sigh.

“…I do have to look down a little when making eye contact with you… huh, no wonder.” Myu said while still looking forward.

“She’s missing my whole head in height, haha— ouch?!” Interrupting Aurora’s hearty laugh, Yae annoyingly pinched his side, not letting go until a few seconds later.

“Making fun of a woman’s height… you’re awful, brother…” (Aoi)

“Look at how she’s trembling, why don’t you reflect on what you’ve done?” (Myu)

“Turning on me all of— w-w-wait! S-stop stop stop!” Aurora continued crying in pain as Yae pinched him once more, this time with a little more force and with prolonged length.

“Noah, h-he— ouch?!” (Aurora)

“I politely decline…” Noah said, avoiding any type of conflict himself. The six went to the rooftop, they chose a corner where there was a good amount of shade, fitting all of them inside.

“This place is heaven!” Maki jumped in delight. “The breeze really is nice, huh.” (Aoi)

“Well, it’s autumn and then, in a few months, winter so no wonder… Still, it is a little chilly out here.” (Yae)

A cloudless sky, and the blinding light of the sun was all there was on the sky, the wind felt a little colder than usual, which if it wasn’t for the blanket beneath them, would surely be felt.

While the girls were all engrossed in their group chatting, Noah and Aurora sat leaning back on the metallic fence that guarded the rooftop. As Aurora read something from Noah’s phone, he lost himself for a moment, and finally regained consciousness once again, he looked at Noah and gave an approving smile.

“Looks like Mr. Sota’s writing style was properly passed down to you… it’s just like his previous books. The scene itself is also really interesting. It makes me want to sketch it so bad, well… I have my drawing tablet at home, so maybe another day…” (Aurora)

“I took a little inspiration from a movie I watched, the plot… wasn’t good. But there were a few salvageable parts. With a few revisions and changing some things heavily, I believe it really stood apart from the others.” (Noah)

“Heh~” He stretched a little, and in a voice no different from a whisper, he asked. “You also got printed, right?” (Aurora)

“Uh-huh.” Noah nodded, to which Aurora nodded back. “But man~ To think we get to be professionals at such a young age…” (Aurora)

“You call yourself a profe— that stung…” Noah said with a wry smile. “Of course it did, that was the purpose.” (Aurora)

❆

After school, Noah went a different way from the others, and passing by the supermarket and walking through the aisles collecting what he needed for today’s dinner, passing through the sweets aisle he found someone familiar.

“Masataka?” He called out on instinct.

“Wha?!” Startled, the boy turned around and with some weight due to the basket, he sighed in relief. “N-N-Noah, uhm… hi…” (Masataka)

The person in question was Masataka Mizuhara, Noah’s younger step-brother. “Eating too many snacks is no good, you know?” Noah said with a chuckle.

“I-I-I’m sorry!” Masataka said rapidly, putting the snacks back on the shelves, “Huh? No, it’s okay. I was just kidding. You don’t have to put them back.” (Noah)

“But–” (Masataka)

“Just buy them if you want. Since you’re here, wait for me and we can head home together.” Noah said, walking past Masataka towards another aisle.

“…let’s see what more can I get?” As Noah went on and about, Masataka quietly left the scene and went to the cashier to pay for his items. His father gave him some pocket money, so he thought of spending them on snacks and eating them while reading a book or catching up on a web novel he recently got hooked on.

“Oh, I thought you’d just walk away. I’m surprised you waited for me.” A little later, Noah came out of the supermarket with some bags and looked at Masataka, who just sat by the parking lot.

“…hm.” Masataka looked away and shyly stood up, he went ahead of him, intending for Noah to catch up to him. “Hey now, at least help me with the bags!” (Noah)

❆

“Welcome home, you two.” As the two entered the house, the calm voice of Noah’s mother welcomed them. With a small thump, Masataka’s door closes, leaving only Noah and his mother in the kitchen.

“No luck?” Noelle asked, with a sigh, Noah only shook his head and placed the groceries where they rightfully belong. “No… he won’t just open up. I bumped into him by chance. Well… even then it’s not like he will just suddenly drop his guard, you know?” He said, disappointed.

For the past few months, he has been trying to get along with his new brother, he has tried everything… yet to no avail. There was just not an ounce of progress. Sure, he wasn’t cold nor rude, but Masataka was still distant.

“…I’m sorry, Noah…” Suddenly, his mother’s head dropped, and in a shaky voice she apologized to her son. “Mother? What’s wrong all of a sudden?” He asked.

“I know you’re also pushing yourself for my sake, this is just my fault… I decided to remarry without knowing what your thoughts were… I’m sorry…Because of me—” (Noelle)

“I may be pushing myself, but what of it? I’m doing it because I wanted to.” Noah got up and leaned on the kitchen counter, crossing his arms. “Look, while I still feel you moved on a little fast from my dad… I can’t just… prohibit you from falling in love again, can I? After all, you sacrificed your happiness in order to give me mine… While I don’t know what dad would’ve wanted… I know that he would be relieved to know that both of us are safe and sound… so don’t blame yourself. That’s just life, the way of life I’ve accepted for a long time.” With that Noah walked through the kitchen door and headed to his room, leaving his mother alone as she prepared to make dinner.

“…I’m sorry… Noah… Sota…” She whispered, clouds still within her mine, but passing them off as no big deal.