Capítulo 24: A Father's Regret (Fuji's Story)
Jhon Shikimori sat alone in the dimly lit living room, his face etched with regret and sorrow. He couldn't shake the feeling that his son's disappearance was somehow his fault. The cruel taunts and mockery Fuji endured, especially from people like Erica and her father, weighed heavily on his heart.
**Jhon Shikimori:** (*whispering to himself, choked up*) "I should have protected him... I should have shielded him from all those hurtful words."
Miyabi Shikimori entered the room, her eyes swollen from tears, and she noticed the anguish etched across her husband's face. She approached him with a comforting hand on his shoulder.
**Miyabi Shikimori:** (*softly*) "Jhon, don't blame yourself. We both know how strong Fuji is. He's been through so much, and he's never given up."
**Jhon Shikimori:** (*teary-eyed*) "But those words... those taunts... I could see how they affected him. I should have done more to protect him, Miyabi."
**Miyabi Shikimori:** (*holding back tears*) "We both did our best, Jhon. We've always been there for him. This isn't your fault. Fuji is strong-willed, and he has a spirit that won't break easily."
Jhon looked at his wife, gratitude filling his eyes. Her words offered a glimmer of hope in the midst of their darkest hour.
**Jhon Shikimori:** (*with determination*) "You're right, Miyabi. We have to stay strong for Fuji. We'll find him and bring him back, no matter what it takes."
Miyabi nodded, and they clung to each other, united in their resolve to bring their son back home. Fuji's absence was a painful reminder of the challenges he faced, but his family was determined to face those challenges together, no matter what.
On the other side Alice couldn't shake the guilt that gnawed at her. Seeing Fuji's tears and the pain in his eyes haunted her throughout the night. She knew she had to make amends for her actions. The next morning, determined to apologize, she headed out to find Fuji.
However, Fuji was nowhere to be found. She couldn't spot him in their usual meeting spots, and her anxiety grew with each passing moment. In desperation, she decided to approach some of Fuji's friends, even though she knew they might not be inclined to help her.
She spotted Yuki and Hiroshi, two of Fuji's closest friends, talking near their school gate. Approaching them with a nervous heart, she hesitated for a moment before gathering her courage and addressing them. Alice, her heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and determination, approached Yuki and Hiroshi, two of Fuji's closest friends, who were engaged in a hushed conversation near their school gate.
**Alice:** (*tentatively*) "Yuki, Hiroshi, I know I've been terrible to Fuji, but I need your help now. Something's wrong, and I need to find him."
Yuki and Hiroshi exchanged skeptical glances, their mistrust of Alice evident. They had witnessed her harsh treatment of Fuji and weren't sure what to make of her sudden change in demeanor.
**Yuki:** (*cautious*) "What do you want, Alice? And why should we help you?"
**Alice:** (*pleading*) "I've realized how wrong I was, and I genuinely want to make things right and I'm genuinely worried about him. Please, I need your help."
The sincerity in Alice's voice caught Yuki and Hiroshi off guard. They could see that she was being earnest, and her arrogance had vanished.
**Hiroshi:** (*softening*) "Alright, we'll tell you what we know, but you have to promise us that you'll do everything in your power to find him and make amends."
**Alice:** (*nodding earnestly*) "I promise. I'll do whatever it takes."
Yuki and Hiroshi recounted everything they knew about Fuji's recent struggles and his increasing distance from their group. They also shared whatever information they had about his last-known whereabouts.
As Alice absorbed this information, she couldn't escape the weight of responsibility for Fuji's predicament. She had caused him pain, and it was time to make amends, not just for his sake, but to soothe her own conscience.
**Yuki:** (*sympathetic*) "We hope you find him, Alice. And when you do, please make things right."
**Hiroshi:** (*supportive*) "Yeah, for all of our sakes."
After Alice had left Yuki and Hiroshi, she found herself in a nearby park. The weight of her past actions bore down on her, and she sat alone on a bench, tears streaming down her face. The guilt and regret she felt were overwhelming.
**Alice:** (*through sobs*) "I can't believe how awful I've been... How could I treat Fuji that way?"
As she sat there, the memories of her bullying actions and hurtful words flooded her mind. She had belittled him, mocked him, and contributed to his misery. Now, faced with the reality of his disappearance, she realized the magnitude of her wrongdoing.
**Alice:** (*whispering to herself*) "Fuji, I'm so sorry... I never knew how much pain I was causing you. I wish I could take it all back."
The park, usually filled with laughter and play, seemed desolate and silent to Alice. She couldn't help but think of Fuji and where he might be. She wondered if he was okay, if he was hurt, or if he felt completely abandoned.
**Alice:** (*voice trembling*) "I need to find him, no matter what it takes. I have to make amends and tell him how truly sorry I am."
As Alice wiped away her tears, she understood that the path to redemption would be difficult, filled with uncertainty and challenges. But she was willing to embark on that journey, even if it meant confronting her own past actions and facing Fuji's wrath.
With newfound determination, Alice stood up from the bench. She knew that the first step in finding Fuji was to uncover any clues about his whereabouts. She would talk to their classmates, visit places he frequented, and do everything she could to make things right.
**Alice:** (*resolute*) "Fuji, please be safe. I'm coming for you, and I won't stop until I find you."
With that promise to herself and to Fuji, Alice set out on her quest to locate her classmate, her former victim, and her opportunity for redemption.
Meanwhile, in a lavish and opulent mansion on the other side of town, Erica and her father, Lawrence, were lounging in the living room. Their conversation, unlike Alice's introspection and remorse, was filled with arrogance and mockery.
**Erica:** (*with a mocking grin*) "Did you hear, Dad? Fuji's gone missing! It's like he vanished into thin air!"
**Lawrence:** (*chuckling*) "Oh, Erica, it's not a surprise at all. After all, who would miss a loser like him? He probably realized that he doesn't belong in our world."
Erica and Lawrence shared a laugh at the expense of Fuji, completely oblivious to the turmoil they were causing by belittling him. They reveled in their perceived superiority and power over others.
**Erica:** (*continuing to mock*) "I mean, seriously, Dad, he couldn't even stand up to us. It's as if he was born to be our punching bag."
**Lawrence:** (*smirking*) "Exactly, my dear. Some people are just meant to serve as stepping stones for the elite, like us."
Their laughter echoed through the extravagant mansion, painting a stark contrast to Alice's genuine remorse and determination to find Fuji. While Alice sought redemption, Erica and Lawrence found amusement in the misfortune of others, blissfully ignorant of the consequences of their actions.
Unbeknownst to them, their cruel words and actions had played a part in Fuji's disappearance, pushing him to a breaking point that led him to flee his previous life.
**Erica:** (*still laughing*) "I can't believe he thought he could ever be on our level."
**Lawrence:** (*raising his glass*) "To the weak and insignificant, may they always know their place."
The conversation in the opulent mansion continued, with Erica and Lawrence reveling in their cruel mockery of Fuji. They believed they were untouchable, shielded by their wealth and status.
**Erica:** (*sipping her drink*) "Dad, you know, it's almost comical. Mr. Shikimori is hailed as a business tycoon, but his own son is utterly worthless. It's like he's a stain on the Shikimori legacy."
**Lawrence:** (*smirking*) "Indeed, Erica. People must be talking about it. The great Mr. Shikimori, the master of business deals, couldn't even raise his own child properly. It's a shame."
The father-daughter duo continued to belittle Fuji, their words dripping with condescension. They relished the feeling of superiority and reveled in the notion that they were invincible.
**Erica:** (*raising an eyebrow*) "I wonder if they'll ever find him. Not that it matters; he's better off gone."
**Lawrence:** (*leaning back*) "Precisely, Erica. Fuji's disappearance might as well be a favor to everyone around him."
As they continued their heartless conversation, unaware of the turmoil they had unknowingly caused, they failed to realize that their words were having a far-reaching impact on the lives of those involved. Fuji's disappearance was a turning point for many, leading to unexpected transformations in the hearts of those who had once mocked him mercilessly.
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