{The more the pain increased, the stronger my determination to return home grew.}
Almost two weeks have passed since that day we went to Mr. Jordi's shop. Nothing new has happened in our house or with Rena and Mayar, except that I received news that the police found that university student—Rena's friend and neighbor—dead in a car accident... I haven't told Rena what happened so she won't feel sad. This might be a vile and immoral thing to do, considering she was her friend and one of the first people she bonded with, but... I just... can't.
And she is still waiting for her to return from her family's home.
I don't know why, but I feel as though that terrifying incident she experienced that night with Rena was the cause... That's just a hunch.
Ever since that night... I haven't spoken to Hakan or anyone else about the "Witch," but... who knew that fate wanted our paths to cross again? From that point on, events took a turn for the worse, step by step. If you asked for my opinion back then, I would have told you that all of this was mere superstition and nonsense... Of course, that was before I saw how things would turn out in the end.
So, let's see what happens.
10:00 AM – Kenjin's House
Yesterday, I felt a bit dizzy and exhausted, so I went to sleep early. But right now, I'm still stuck in bed, feeling as if my limbs are completely numbed. I don't even have the strength to get up.
Tomorrow is going to be a long workday... Will I be alright by tomorrow?
~ "Mr. Kenjin, do you need anything?"
As always whenever I get sick, Maria stayed by my side despite my insistence that she go check on Rena.
"I'm fine now. If you have other things to do, go ahead; there's no need to worry about me."
~ "I won't go anywhere until you recover and regain your health."
(I feel like a child, but I can't really refuse her.)
"Please don't tell Rena that I'm sick, so she doesn't worry about me."
~ "About that..."
The sound of knocking echoed at the front door.
~ "I already told her before you woke up..."
(...)
~ "I'll go downstairs and open the door for her."
"Alright."
Maria went downstairs to open the door, but I could hear another person's voice with her.
I changed my clothes and went downstairs as well.
The moment I looked at our guests, I instantly recognized the second person.
Hakan's wife had come along with Rena... But... where was Hakan?
I welcomed them and tried to pretend I was fine despite the overwhelming fatigue I was feeling.
• "We apologize for disturbing you, Mr. Kenjin, but Maria told us you were sick."
"Thank you for visiting me. This morning I felt a bit tired, but it's nothing to worry about."
«Are you sure? You look quite pale to me.»
"Honestly, it's nothing serious, just a mild cold."
"By the way, did you leave your husband at home, Mrs. Gina? I don't see Hakan with you."
• "No, no, he'll be here shortly. He's just fixing a few things at the restaurant."
"I see. I hope he doesn't end up breaking anything."
«Kenjin, would you like some tea?»
"Maria will prepare it, just rest."
~ "Just sit back, there's no need for that."
After a few minutes of conversation, Maria placed the tea and refreshments on the table.
Maria sat down with us and started chatting with Gina.
But for some reason... Hakan still hasn't arrived. Perhaps he is extremely busy.
Alright... I'm tired of pretending to be fine. To be honest, I'm on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion.
I must stay awake no matter what.
«Kenjin...»
My head hurts.
«Kenjin!»
Rena was calling my name, but I couldn't focus on her voice.
"Yes? I apologize, I was a bit spaced out."
«You don't look fine at all. Do you want us to take you to a doctor?»
"No, no, I'm not that sick."
After a few minutes of back-and-forth, I finally managed to convince Rena that I was fine... or maybe she just pretended to be convinced, who knows.
And wait... why does this tea taste so different?
"Maria, did you put something new in the tea or something?"
~ "Just some herbs. They will help you recover quickly."
• "I give my son some herbs whenever he falls ill, too."
~ "That's what we were used to since childhood as well—it's what our parents used to give us."
(Did all of you suddenly turn into medical experts? Things like this should be taken after consulting a doctor, not randomly!)
«I can see you don't like the taste.»
"To be honest... it tastes like apple cider vinegar."