Lesson Learned

When they arrived home their father wasn't in sight and their mom practically ran into the hallway, looking at them worriedly as they removed their shoes.

"What happened at the therapist's office?" Her brow was furrowed, walking over. "Your father looked like he'd been attacked off the street!"

Mitsuko shared a grimace with her brother. "Uh..."

"Did he say anything?" Gakushuu asked after some hesitation.

"No," Mom replied, moving closer to him when she looked at his hands. "Why are you hands bruised.." her voice grew wary, as he tried to move his hands out of reach. "Gakushuu?"

"It's..." He avoided her gaze. "I..."

Mitsuko's stomach churned as she watched, averting her gaze when mom looked over.

Mom's frown deepened, taking her brother's hands and lifting them up. "Gakushuu...did you...?"

Her brother stayed silent, tensing his shoulders as he looked at their mom. "...Yes. I did."

"Oh..." Mom's eyes widened briefly before a grim look settled. "Oh, sweetie..." She cupped his cheeks. "What did he do?"

"It's what dad did to me a few months ago," Mitsuko spoke up, looking at her brother. "He grabbed me and when I told Gaku-nii, things sort of..."

Gakushuu grimaced, looking down. "I was angry. I know I shouldn't have been violent but I was."

Mom sighed and pulled him into a hug. "It's okay." She kissed his forehead and smiled weakly. "I understand." Her smile faded as a sad look took over. "But I don't want you to be violent like that again, alright? That's not the type of person you are."

Her brother grimaced, nodding. "I know..." He looked down the hallway. "Is he home?"

"No." Mom frowned, looking at him and Mitsuko. "He left ten minutes ago."

Mitsuko stiffened. "Why?"

"I don't know, he didn't speak to me." Mom's expression tightened. "He went upstairs for a bit, and when I was trying to stop dinner from burning, I heard the door slam and he was gone."

"Did you call him?" Gakushuu looked more alert.

"Yes, but his phones off." Mom fidgeted, looking at them both. "I tried calling five times but it kept going to voicemail..."

Mitsuko felt like someone had poured ice over her. "And you're definitely sure he left ten minutes ago?"

"Yes, I'm sure." Mom's lips set in a worried line.

There were a few seconds of silence as the dread started to settle in.

"...Shit," Gakushuu swore, surprising their mom. "We need to find him now."

"I know." Mitsuko shakily pulled out her phone. "I think I can track him."

"But his phone's turned off," Mom told her.

That didn't mean it was impossible, Ritsu would know a way!

"Doesn't mean I can't track him." She fumbled to unlock it, a hundred horrible thoughts racing through her brain. "Ritsu, I..." She caught herself when she glanced at her brother. "Uh..."

Gakushuu came over. "What are you doing?"

She stumbled over her words. "It's um—I just need to...get something..." She moved around him. "In the...other room—"

"I'm here!" Ritsu's cheery voice boomed from the phone.

Ah, shit.

Ritsu appeared on screen and out of breath, wearing a purple tracksuit. "Sorry! I was trying to hack into the web so I could—"