A week had passed since Takumi was adopted. The children were in the Fujimoto family's backyard which was a spacious area, filled with a swing set, a slide, and a sandbox. Riku and Aiko were playing happily on the swings, their problems seemingly forgotten in the joy of the moment. Takumi sat on a bench near the playground, his gaze distant as he watched them. The sun was bright, casting a warm glow over the scene, but Takumi's mood remained subdued.
Without warning, a raccoon scurried out from the bushes and lunged toward Aiko. The suddenness of the attack took everyone by surprise. The animal's sharp claws dug into Aiko's arms, causing her to scream in terror. Riku ran to her side, his face pale and his cries for help piercing the air.
Takumi's reaction was swift and instinctive. He stood up and moved toward the commotion, his movements determined. As he reached Aiko, the raccoon hissed and clawed at his hands, but he ignored the pain. Grabbing the creature by its scruff, Takumi tightened his grip, his face set in grim concentration. With a sudden, fierce effort, he strangled the raccoon until its resistance ceased. He then threw the lifeless animal onto the ground and, with a powerful stomp, crushed its head with his boots.
The chaos on the playground quickly drew Mr. and Mrs. Fujimoto to the scene. Mr. Fujimoto gathered Aiko in his arms, her face streaked with tears and her cries muffled against his shoulder. Riku clung to his father's leg, his own tears flowing freely as he looked up at the commotion.
Mrs. Fujimoto's eyes widened in shock as she saw Takumi's bloodied hands. She hurried over to him, her voice filled with concern. "Takumi! What happened? Why are you hurt?"
Takumi remained silent, his expression unreadable as he looked at her. He didn't respond, his gaze dropping to the floor. Mrs. Fujimoto's worry deepened, and without another word, she guided him inside the house, her hand gently but firmly on his back.
In the calm of the kitchen, she carefully washed his wounds, her movements tender and practiced. "Why did you go after the raccoon?" she asked again, her voice gentle but persistent. "You didn't have to put yourself in danger."
Takumi's eyes flickered with an inner struggle. He hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't want to lose another family member," he said finally, his words tinged with an underlying pain.
Mrs. Fujimoto's heart ached at his words. She recalled the briefings about Takumi's past—his previous traumas, the loss he had endured. She realized that his actions was driven by a fear of losing what little he had left.
Mrs. Fujimoto pulled Takumi into a tight embrace. Her arms enveloped him with a comforting warmth. "Thank you," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for standing up for Aiko and Riku. I know it must have been very hard for you."
She stroked his hair gently, her touch soothing. "You don't have to face things alone here. We're a family now, and we're going to get through this together. I'm so grateful to have you with us."
Takumi stiffened for a moment before his shoulders relaxed, the warmth of Mrs. Fujimoto's embrace offering a semblance of security he had longed for. The realization that someone cared enough to hold him, to appreciate his bravery despite his own fears, made the weight of his past a little easier to bear.
When she finally released him, Mrs. Fujimoto's eyes were soft with affection. "We'll make sure you're okay," she said, her voice steady. "And if you need to talk or just need some time, that's perfectly fine. We're here for you."
Takumi nodded, his eyes glistening with a mixture of gratitude and relief. Mrs. Fujimoto finished tending to his wounds, and led him to his room where she watched him sleep with his head on her lap.
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across Takumi's room. He awoke to find himself nestled in his comfortable bed, the previous day's events feeling like a surreal dream. As he slowly sat up, he noticed two familiar figures standing beside his bed—Riku and Aiko. Their faces bore expressions of earnest concern and tentative hope.
Aiko, her eyes red from the previous day's tears, was the first to speak. "Takumi," she said softly, her voice a mix of shyness and sincerity, "we're really sorry for how we treated you. We were wrong, and we want to make amends."
Riku, standing beside her, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I'm sorry too," he said, his tone earnest. "Thank you for saving Aiko. I know it must have been really hard for you, and I'm grateful for what you did."
Takumi listened, his usual stoic expression in place. The words of apology from his new siblings were unexpected, and though he felt a small shift in his heart, he remained composed. "I've forgiven you," he said simply, his voice steady. "It's okay."
Aiko's eyes brightened with relief, and before Takumi could react, she moved forward and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. The gesture took him by surprise, and he sat still for a moment, unsure of how to respond. Riku, seeing his sister's embrace, hesitated before joining in, placing his arms around Takumi as well.
"We're really glad you're our brother," Aiko said, her voice muffled against Takumi's shoulder. "Thank you for being here."
Riku nodded, his embrace firm but gentle. "Yeah, we're happy you're part of our family. We'll be better to you from now on."
Takumi remained still for a moment, absorbing the unexpected warmth of their embrace. The sincerity in their voices and the genuine affection they showed began to chip away at the walls he had built around himself. Slowly, he allowed himself to relax into the hug, feeling a sense of connection.
When the hug ended, Takumi looked at Riku and Aiko, a small, rare smile flickering on his lips. "Thank you," he said quietly, his voice soft but filled with gratitude. "I'm glad to be here too."