It had been two weeks since Mom came back.
The house finally felt alive again — laughter, footsteps, the smell of her cooking filling the air. For the first time in years, Rei felt like his world had color again.
"Rei," someone called from the living room.
He turned. "What is it, Mom?"
She smiled softly. "Do you know what day it is today?"
Rei frowned. "What are you talking about, Mom?"
"Your birthday," she said, grinning.
"...Eh? What?" Rei blinked in surprise.
She laughed. "You forgot again."
Rei rubbed the back of his neck. "Ah, I guess I did."
He looked around the room. "Where's Miyu?"
Mom replied, "She went back to her village for a few days. She'll be home tonight."
"Really?" Rei's eyes brightened a little. "That's good. It'll be nice to see her again."
He didn't say it out loud, but having Miyu around always made the house feel lighter.
---
That evening, the sky was painted orange, fading slowly into purple. Rei's dad came home early, carrying a small cake box in one hand and flowers in the other.
"Today, huh…" he muttered with a gentle smile. "Okay, I'm on your side, honey."
Mom laughed from the kitchen. "You'd better be."
When they brought the cake out, Rei was genuinely happy. They sang quietly, the three of them — awkward but warm, like old memories piecing themselves back together.
The candles flickered gently as Rei closed his eyes and made a wish.
I hope this moment lasts.
---
But when he opened his eyes, both his parents were staring at him — not smiling anymore. Something was heavy in the air.
"Rei," his father began softly.
Rei tilted his head. "What is it, Father? Mother?"
His mom's eyes trembled. "My dear… when you were very young — two years old — we adopted you."
Rei froze. "...What?"
Dad sighed, guilt written all over his face. "Forgive us, son. We kept it secret all this time. We just… wanted to protect you."
Rei looked down at the cake, still glowing faintly with candlelight.
"Why tell me now?" he asked quietly.
Mom's tears fell first. "Because you're old enough to know. And because… we didn't want to leave this world with lies between us."
Rei bit his lip. His voice trembled, but it didn't break.
"You two always fought," he said. "I saw you cry so many times, Mom. And Dad, you broke glasses almost every night when you were angry… that scared me."
Dad looked away.
"But," Rei continued, his voice softening, "you always held my hand when I was alone. Both of you did. And… even if we weren't blood, I love you. I don't know why, but I feel safe when I'm with you two."
Mom covered her mouth, crying harder now. "Rei…"
He smiled faintly. "So, it doesn't matter. You're my parents. That's enough."
They hugged, the three of them, under the soft kitchen light — the candles still burning on the cake, melting quietly like time itself.
---
Later that night, Mom and Dad packed their bags.
Their wedding anniversary was on the same day as Rei's birthday. They were leaving for a short trip — "Just two days," Mom had said. "We'll bring you something nice."
Rei waved as they left.
"Be careful, okay?"
Mom laughed, "Always," and Dad gave a thumbs-up.
When the door closed, the house fell into silence.
---
Rei sat outside, under the clear night sky.
The stars looked brighter than usual, scattered across the dark canvas like tiny dreams. The moon was full, glowing silver.
He smiled to himself.
They'll be fine. It's their day too.
He leaned back, whispering, "It's beautiful tonight… almost like the sky's smiling back."
Then his phone buzzed.
The screen lit up: Unknown Number.
He frowned and answered. "Hello?"
"Hello… is this the Mitsuki family?"
Rei hesitated. "Yes, I'm their son. Who's speaking?"
A short pause. Then a man's voice, low and careful:
"Sir… we're calling from the city hospital. There's been an accident."
Rei's heart stopped. "W-what kind of accident?"
The voice continued, "I'm… sorry. Your parents were hit by a car. The driver was drunk. They… didn't make it."
Rei's hand went cold. "Wait— what are you saying? No… that's not… they just left—"
"Sir? Sir, are you still there?"
The voice blurred into static. The phone slipped from Rei's fingers and hit the ground.
---
For a moment, everything was silent.
Then Rei laughed. A soft, broken sound.
"All I wanted… was a happy family," he whispered, staring at the stars that now looked like they were fading.
His voice trembled as he looked up, eyes wet with tears.
"Family… huh?"
He clutched the necklace his mother gave him that morning — a small, silver charm shaped like a star — and held it tight to his chest.
The sky above seemed endless, but Rei had never felt so small.
---
He stayed there all night, under that same moon — the same one his parents must've seen before they left — until the first light of dawn touched the earth.
The world hadn't changed. But his did. I shall go now. I leave to you, sis. Goodbye, Miyu and sis.
Rain That Never Ends.. Is this my end?
"Is this what justice means to you, my god...? Answer me. Please..."
I was supposed to love you — but I saw the rain.
I blinked my eyes, and you weren't the same.
Do I love you? I don't know if I love you — Father, Mother.
What now? What have I even done these last few years?
Everything worth wanting disappears the moment I obtain it.
And nothing I pursue is worth the cost of prolonging this life.
I lied to myself. I'm not brave enough.
I'm not strong enough.
All I wanted was a happy family.
Everything is gone — except you, Miyu.
"Miyu... Are you in there?"
My voice trembled. "Look, I'm crying. I'm feeling sad.
Am I sad, or happy? I can't tell anymore."
It was such a beautiful night.
He will learn more about life than any being in history,
but death will forever be a stranger to him.
People will come and go —
until even names lose all meaning.
"Miyu..."
Somewhere far away, her voice answered faintly:
"Rei... so you decided to leave, huh?
Okay... rest easy, my dear Rei."
Her voice broke between tears and laughter.
"To the next world... I'll wait for you next time."
Then silence.
--
Miyu's eyes were red and swollen. She whispered,
"Rei, my dear... I loved you since the day you were born.
I was so happy when you came into my life.
Rest well... next time, I'll protect you."
She cried like a child, laughed like a dream,
and then walked away beneath the fading rain.
---
The next morning, at school—
"We're... very sorry about what happened yesterday,"
the teacher said quietly to the class.
"Rei Mitsuki's parents passed away in a car accident.
And after that... he disappeared. He hasn't been found."
The classroom went still.
Someone shouted, "What nonsense are you talking about, teacher?"
Another voice trembled, "My Rei... my brother Rei is gone?"
A chair scraped against the floor. Someone collapsed.
Tears followed — soft at first, then spreading like rain.
"Why, Rei...? Why?"
Outside, the weather matched their hearts —
grey skies, endless rain.
Classmates, friends, teachers —
they all stood together in the downpour
in front of the Mitsuki family's graveyard.
Raindrops mixed with tears as the wind whispered his name.
Rei Mitsuki — the boy who wanted to be kind.
Rei, I love you.. Don't forget me. I know you will but please remember me little by little.