予期せぬ救いの手
Driving at night wasn’t as scary as Atsushi initially had thought.
Of course, after his Father had made some extra purchases just so that Atsushi would just be able to get there, even though he didn’t find it particularly necessary, he made sure to be extra careful. He did NOT want to immediately cause destruction by accident, especially not after his Father went through the trouble… … But he’s doing a fairly decent job remaining in his lane, staying at a safe speed. Or, whatever he thinks a safe speed is, at least, because for a while now he’s been driving through dirt roads that’re now melting into mud because of the rain.
Atsushi almost found the rain to add more to the soothing atmosphere — driving all by yourself, late at night, when it’s lightly raining… except for the fact that the rain has actually begun to pick up in the last 45 minutes. It would’ve been a pleasure to travel via bus station, but right now, you can really only enter Yokohama through its agricultural patches. He sighs very softly to himself. He’d get to Yokohama in maybe about another 50-70 minutes. He can do this.
As long as he’s careful enough to stay on the road, that is, as the mud gradually develops into getting slushier the more the rain empowers it. He’s not sure how often that happens when it’s raining, given that he’s spent up to eighteen years old living outside the country he was born, and that he primarily isolated himself within the House of the Hearth up until the triplets gave him enough courage to play with the other kids.
Although that does get him thinking about the plan. It was a little bit abrupt, and as Father put it, “idealistic,” although if aunt Rosalyne died trying, he figures that it’s worth the effort. His Father has faith in him, she told him. She has faith in all of the children.
Unfortunately, the muddy road didn’t share the same amount of faith in his car tires, as driving all of a sudden feels like trying to draw a straight line with all of the joints in your dominant hand extremely tight. The rain wasn’t getting any kinder, so eventually, Atsushi’s car had gotten to a point where it could just push through anymore. Atsushi sighs. Repeatedly stepping on the brake won’t do anything but let the mud seep into the tires quicker. He brings his hand up to run it through his hair, and lets it slide off his face, back into his lap. … All of a sudden, Atsushi is jolted in his seat by the force of his car actually lifting above the ground.
Atsushi almost yelped, but that got interrupted when his car landed again, just off to the side of the road. Atsushi immediately perks up, hands on the wheel, undoubtedly more on guard than ever before. He’s almost hyperventilating, but he shifts all of his focus on hearing for what’s out there… … Then a figure emerges from the soupy body of mud that was once the road. This, Atsushi thinks, might be the perpetrator. He keeps his eyes on them as they walk around the front of Atsushi’s car, and to the driver’s window… The figure leans down to look back at Atsushi, who flinched at the reciprocation. The perpetrator is… … A boy.
A blond, freckled boy. With round, brown, and bright eyes. A very gentle boy, who lightly taps on Atsushi’s window, which Atsushi reluctantly rolls down. “The roads are unfortunately going to get worse tonight, sir,” the boy said to him, almost enthusiastically with how much natural cheer his voice held, “it would be safer if you’d settle for shelter tonight.” The boy’s coy smile coaxes Atsushi to come out.
He closes his car door, “I appreciate it,” he tells him. Standing before the boy, Atsushi finds himself taller; the younger one’s wearing blue overalls, with tattered sleeves, and a black undershirt. He’s wearing his straw hat, which, admittedly, doesn't do a whole lot to protect him from the rain. Atsushi then goes to take his suitcase out of the backseat. “… I know that there’s a Motel that’s not too far from here!” The boy chirped, “if it isn’t any inconvenience to walk.” Atsushi looks up, “That’ll have to do for tonight. Thank you very much…”
”… Would you like me to carry that?” The boy points to his suitcase. Atsushi hesitated, “Ah—no, you’ve already done enough… I couldn’t bother you more.” The boy shakes his head as if his reasoning was almost absurd. “Nonsense! I’d feel more comfortable if I saved you the inconvenience — it’s technically safer to have someone walk you home in this city.” Atsushi considers for a long moment. Finally, he very unsurely hands the boy his suitcase. The boy hoists and carries it over his shoulder as if it were a backpack. “I’m glad you trust me,” he says to Atsushi, “like I said it’s not too far; just about when you enter the more suburban side of the city.” With that, Atsushi follows the boy.
They make it about three fourths of a mile right down to a small, almost rundown motel. The blond boy finally sets down Atsushi’s suitcase (not too hard) onto the concrete sidewalk. “This should be good enough for the night,” the boy beams at Atsushi. He looked like an angel, despite it absolutely pouring. There are mini rivers all along the sidewalk, yet this strange boy is almost glowing, in Atsushi’s eyes. He politely takes his suitcase. “Thank you very much,” he lightly smiled at him, “but get back safely though…” “There’s no need to worry about me,” the boy smiled bigger, and brighter. Within a blink of an eye, he’s already trailing back on his path, waving and chanting his salutations. Atsushi takes a moment to turn around, and finally settle into some much-awaited shelter.
After checking in very briefly, Atsushi heads straight down the left-side hall, and enters a small, manageable room. He sighs deeply, before dragging his suitcase over against the bed and just collapsing. He’s a very mindful person, but he can’t help but brush off how drenched he is; the fatigue is wearing down on his body and mind, coaxing him into eventually falling into a deep sleep.