Saihara's POV:

Growing up I never went to a public or even a private school, instead, all my schooling was done online with occasional tutors for other subjects. Apparently going to a normal school setting would have distracted me from my responsibilities, too much 'pointless interaction' or 'distractions' when instead I could just stay at home under my father's watchful eye. I didn't question it much, it meant I could spend more time with my mother back then who was always in between hospital stays, but maybe I should have.

Growing up, I studied psychology and mastered chess rather than learning how to ride a bike or swim. My Mother used to protest, she used to try and get me interested in local organizations or clubs with other children, but I always preferred staying by myself with my hobbies. It didn't seem wrong to me, and those chess games with my father were some of my best memories with him, why would I want to have less of that? Maybe I should have listened more because I embarrassingly have a hard time getting the courage to talk to people my own age.

Growing up, I never once had a friend before in my life who wasn't my family.

I was fine with that kind of life, no fine is an overstatement, but I never realized what kind of freedom and joy life could have until I moved away from my Father.  I thought I was fine with having my only friend being Chiasa, even if I spoke with her infrequently. But I was blind because just the short time I had spent away from my father I got to meet other people, people who were flawed, who had a vulnerability, but also charm and personalities bigger than life itself. It was only a few months, not even a full year, but it was the most astounding time of my life.

And the real costs of a case, I could read the files and read about the damage that was cost, but once the case was done...well I never stopped to consider what happened after. The case didn't stop once the person was in jail, the effects and trauma weren't limited to just the people directly involved, but far-reaching. That my family wasn't the only ones affected on that horrible day, that day when both my Mother and cousin died.

That life was much crueler than that, and the truth...the truth that case wasn't solved. That Chiasa died with her name forever slandered and that the sole survivor had become a subject for an entire district's slander and ridicule. The true harsh nature of humanity, even inside of my own family...once I figured out the truth, I should have gone home. Should have begun a full-on investigation of the incident with the help and guidance of my father. It might have helped more if I did, it would have been solved faster and I wouldn't have to risk being questioned for my age or inexperience if my father was the one backing me up.

Despite that, I still wanted to stay there. Maybe it was selfish, but I had friends.  I even started to dream of a real-life, not one filled with books I was forced to read, but one where I had control, one where I could have my friends and maybe just one day help Ouma. A different path from what had been laid before me, to make one for myself and make a difference here and now rather than waiting for the chance to come by years later.

In one sentence that possibility was ripped away from me.

Why...? I thought when I arrived here I wouldn't have to think about you anymore, I...I think I finally started being my person...I had friends, I...was I happy? I don't know. I learned a lot of things that made me sad, the truth about Chiasa how she died that day, what happened afterward, and meeting someone who had been broken down by the world...I was supposed to help him. I'm sorry Momota. I'm so sorry Ouma, I left you alone there...I...

I felt guilt rising in my chest as I sat in the car, it was beginning to rain which only filled the dread inside of me, I'm so sorry Ouma. I didn't even answer your question. I wanted to, I just- The door was unlocked.  I raised an eyebrow as my uncle ran in not even a few seconds later, he was already igniting the engine and he was barely paying attention to traffic laws, driving like a complete maniac. "Uncle how did you get Ouma to school so fast it's ten minutes away-" I started but he quickly took a sharp turn that nearly seemed to cause an accident.

Maybe I should ask this later.

"Nevermind that Shuichi we need to hurry," he told me "you need to pack your bags and we need to leave" he instructed me and my eyes widened. "What? But Ouma needs me here, and where would we even go? I'm sure we both can just convince him-" I started "Shuichi do you think I would be doing this if there was some other way I could let you stay?" My Uncle screamed causing me to freeze. My Uncle sighed tired, as the car finally started to slow down.

"Shuichi...I don't want you to go back to your Father" He started "your Father is a changed man...I can't even recognize the person I used to love like a brother, the person who my sister,  married anymore" he responded somberly.

"Shuichi...I never should have brought you here" he told me "this town is one of the most corrupted places I have ever seen, many powerful people live here and if you tick them off...I...look at Ouma, I'm sure he told you, so I think you know the consequence," he told me.

Chiasa...

"So why aren't we taking Ouma with us? If this place is so corrupted how can you expect me to just leave him here?" I asked him "he needs me, Uncle! He needs someone to be there for him! He can't stay here all alone again! He doesn't have anyone anymore!" I yelled "this town is torturing him every single day! Someone here wanted him dead along with his friends! The same people who ordered Chiasa's death! What are they going to do when he is finally alone again? What if they finish what they started?" I argued.

My uncle sighed "you sound just like your Mother when you speak from your heart...she would have been proud to see who you became" he told me, tears streaming down his face "Shuichi...I already lost a daughter to this place...I already lost her friends who I remember and loved like my kids...don't make me lose you too" he begged.

"I still don't understand why we can't take him with us, we could kill two birds with one stone. I'm sure if we explain the situation, or even just lie to his uncle and aunt we can convince them to let him go" I replied standing my ground.

"He is too difficult to take with us, he has special needs and...I've talked to some clients and people I used to know outside this town...they'll help him, he'll be fine," he told me "and once they get him ready we'll come back for him," he told me.

"What do you mean 'get him ready?' I asked confused "well...Shuichi let's just say not all medical options and treatments are open to him here...and while some such as his blindness are irreversible, but treatment for his leg is possible. I'm going to work with his guardians to refer him to surgeons and specialists who can help him regain his mobility, but he can't have all those treatments if he doesn't have a permanent home to rest in" he told me.

"Will he at least get therapy?" I asked and he nodded "I will personally refer him to one, you've done all you can," he told me. I doubted that but sighed,  "what will my Father do to me if he gets here...?" I asked, "Shuichi remember how he was when I came to get you?" My Uncle asked.

The cold harsh house, the strict routine, and how I could've gone for weeks without seeing him, despite him working primarily at home, the memories almost made me recoil. I nodded "he's worse now, and it's going to keep getting worse," he told me.

"Can't you just reason with him? He's still a person, you can just talk to him" I asked, "he won't" My uncle immediately said and before I could argue further we had pulled up into the neighborhood as he rushed me through the door, "just pack and we'll-" my Uncle started when he froze as I turned to see what he had noticed.

He was in a suit, he always seemed to prefer those despite how uncomfortable they were, he had a tired and annoyed look in his eyes as he turned towards me setting down the photo he was inspecting my Aunt gave us a pitiful look.

"You're home early," my father said, as I froze.

My Uncle cursed.