I am once again in this empty house. My parents went out. They don't care about my presence.
There was a time when they cared. They were devoted parents. When my illness came, they would immediately panic.
Over time, my illness disappeared like the rain.
They promised never to abandon me. I still live with my parents.
On this cold night, I wait for the rain. A rain capable of driving away my loneliness, even if only temporarily.
An old teddy bear keeps me company, for a moment I manage to smile. With a notebook and a pencil, I write cheerful, captivating poems.
I turn on the TV, watching programs and ads that have no connection whatsoever.
The remote control batteries were failing. I decide to turn off the TV manually.
With the teddy bear close to my chest, I hug it fervently. I pray that all this will pass soon. I don't know why they abandoned me, I still want to know.
My parents were at a fancy restaurant. They were drinking a famous wine. Surrounded by people who smelled of the rotten stench of money.
Impure desires were concentrated in one single place.
As they left the establishment, they walked toward the car. Before getting in, they ended up meeting an old friend.
— Mr. and Mrs. Mitsuzawa, long time no see. How have you been?
— Same as always, Mimi.
My father was not someone who spoke formally with friends.
— We are well, Mr. Ming.
My mother always spoke formally to everyone, even if they were close friends.
— By the way, Mr. Ming. Did you just get back from work?
I always had a curious mother.
— About this white suit I'm wearing. I just came back from the funeral of a colleague's child. The child died of cancer. The father laments not having spent more time with his son. He regrets not having valued him while he could.
I have to go home. See you someday.
They said goodbye. My parents didn't pay much attention to that man's words. They continued on their way toward entertainment.
I was still hugging a teddy bear. I felt a good feeling. I began writing stories about a happy family, true smiles.
Even while putting happiness in my words, I felt sad. I began to cry while writing beautiful sentences.
I started feeling pains in my heart. The pain grew stronger and stronger. I lay on the couch hoping it would pass.
My parents were still in that car. They gave themselves body and soul to impure desires.
— He laments not having spent more time with his son. He regrets not having valued him while he could.
The words of that man hammered in their minds. They began to remember their own son. All those impure desires surrounding them vanished. They wanted to go back home.
My heart ached a lot. The pain wouldn't pass no matter what. My strength was fading. Before I ended up falling asleep, I saw my parents entering through the door; they looked worried.
I could barely hear anything. I heard phrases like — "Don't sleep, Daichi." — "Everything will be alright."
My mother grabbed the phone, started calling the ambulance. My father tried to keep me awake.
Why are they calling the ambulance? Why don't they want me to sleep? I can't move my body, maybe I can speak.
My heart pounded frantically. I tried to speak, but couldn't.
When the pain lessened, I tried again to speak.
— Thank you very much for worrying about me, maybe I don't deserve this. I feel my body lighter. My heart is full of joy, finally after so much sadness, I found the joy that was lost. Thank you very much for being my parents.
I'm so tired, I need to sleep.
My eyes closed.
— Don't sleep, wake up!
My father tried to wake me up.
One day passed. All my relatives cried a lot.
I walked in front of them; they seemed not to see me. I think they were all playing a game where whoever sees me loses.
My parents were sitting on a park bench. They looked sad; I wanted to cheer them up. I don't want them to lose that game of not being able to see me.
— Dear, do you now believe that our son really died from that disease? When the doctor said it, you refused to listen.
According to the doctor, Daichi died from sadness. Each day that passed, his heart grew sadder.
— I know that. We were terrible parents.
After everyone left, both went to their son's grave.
The boy's father knelt down, began crying along with his wife.
— Dear, what we did to him is unforgivable, we don't deserve any forgiveness. Daichi forgive us for realizing so late. We regret it so much, I believe he hates us.
The winds produced breezes that seemed to sing a cold song.
— Don't worry, he doesn't hate you. On the contrary, he loves you very much.
Ming, dressed in his white suit, had just appeared with the gust of wind.
My parents looked at Mr. Ming.
The game was taking too long; I decided to show up.
They hugged me with such joy. I don't know why they did that, they must have been able to see me.
— Why are you crying? We were playing a game, no need to cry. What Mr. Ming said is true, I forgive you.
The atmosphere began to change; it was colder. Drops of rain fell on their dark hair.
— How nice, it started to rain. I've been waiting for this since yesterday.
Ming put his left hand on my shoulder.
— It's time to go, Daichi. I will take you to a place you will surely like.
— I don't want to play alone.
— Don't worry. There, besides toys, there are many children who would like to play with you.
— Really?
— Yes, I swear I'm telling the truth.
I remember feeling very happy.
My mother walked up to me, then hugged me.
— Daichi. No matter what, always remember that your parents love you very much.
— I know, mom. I have to go; I promise I'll come back.
My left hand rose like my mother's right hand. We made a pinky promise.
— I will come back. Promise me you will never forget me, okay?
It was the last time I saw my parents' faces.
Seven years passed.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitsuzawa walked hand in hand down the street. They still remembered what had happened seven years ago.
They spotted a child sitting on the ground. He was dirty, wearing torn clothes.
Mr. Mitsuzawa approached the boy and crouched down.
— Where are your parents?
— I don't have any. I don't even have a family. Do you know what a family is?
— Family is something we should never abandon no matter the reason. Family is something that helps us be happy. Do you want to have a family, boy?
— I would like to have one. It seems nice to be part of a family.
— Boy, do you have a name?
— No, sir.
The air turned cold; it started to rain.
— This rain brings me so many memories, he loved watching the rain. I will give you a name. You will be called:
Daichi
Daichi Mitsuzawa.
— That's a very nice name.
— You like it? Come with us to your new home.
From that moment on, a new Daichi was born.