Chapter 192: Menhera-chan

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C͇a͇l͇m͇ ͇s͇t͇a͇g͇e͇

After telling my mother everything about what happened to me in all this time, after we were reunited and I only felt that affection from my mother again, she would leave to tell the good news. Meanwhile I just could not process all this what was happening, I sat on my bed where I fell down leaning back on it, I was staring madly at the ceiling and again I only thought of one thing, I pinched my cheek where I said.

『...I really came back..... I didn't think I'd ever say it.....pero.....I'm very proud of myself』

It gave me encouragement that despite everything I went through, I could resist being in accordance and not lose hope, that I could return to my home, from the bottom of my heart I felt that if this lasted for a long time, sooner or later I could not resist it and I would end up becoming something totally to what I am now, now my goal was to be able to be me again, I have to learn to lead a quiet and normal day, adapting in the process everything that I have become now.

My mother for a long time, it must have been for both of us like in the beginning, of living the 2 of us in this old 2 story building, in this apartment where we would both struggle, I would walk down the stairs and still could not believe this was happening, my mother had come out with a mountain of papers that she hugged them very tightly. My mother is very sentimental and emotional, even though she often does not show it, she really lets flow what she feels at the moment, for sure, maybe she did not want her son to see her still crying. A mother or father should not allow her child to see her suffering, although this was not the case.

She walked slowly towards the garbage can, where she kept hugging tightly that mountain of papers where she said that her son was missing, that they should call that number, and even that there would be a sum of money if they found him, and in the largest part, the photo of her son when he was still small. His mother hugged him tightly, she was in front of the garbage can, where she simply stopped pushing and threw everything inside, my mother turned to see the apartment and smiled with joy, she wiped her tears and just kept smiling. She had long been told or felt that it was time to move on, but she simply did not want to be left with that bitter feeling at the end, she could finally continue her life with a smile on her face.

Menhera who was passing by the place, walked with a normal expression on his face, the day was calm, it was sunny and the bustle was little, he walked with his hands hidden in the pockets of his sweatshirt, where out of curiosity or unable to avoid it he looked to the side, he ran into a post where he was stuck on the papers of his friend, Menhera looked at this and did not avoid feeling again that emptiness in his chest. She did not avoid remembering those moments when they were still together and they had a good time, when they were both still small and she was very close to her friend.

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It was when they were still in elementary school, when M was still little, although it would be better to tell her for who she was back then. Yashiro was totally different from M, he was introverted, mostly he became a withdrawn boy because of the place where he lived before, but when his family moved to this new neighborhood everything changed drastically, one of those factors may be Menhera, that since their first meeting, it was noticeable that a friendship that would last for a long time would be born.

Although they were always 3, Menhera, Rino and Yashiro, there were many times when it seemed that Menhera wanted Yashiro all to herself, she took advantage of every little moment to spend time with her new friend, she felt that this boy would not leave her despite the way she is and everything she does.

They walked calmly through the neighborhood, with their uniforms on their way back home, Menhera was the one who most brought up topics of conversation so that Yashiro could participate, she did everything possible and succeeded in not suffocating her friend with all that affection that Menhera was characterized. They came across a drink vending machine, Menhera would take the opportunity to have a drink, while she took out her drink she asked Yashiro if he wanted one too, she would invite him.

『No thanks, I'm fine like this』.

Where in a kind way this one was refusing her friend's kindness, this arguably the most casual and repetitive topic of conversation they have.

『And again we initiate *smiles* Come on, I'll buy you a drink, although I always find it funny and cute that several times you refuse to accept the affection of others』.

『You're right, I still don't know why I do it, but the thing is I don't want to, I'm fine like this, really』.

『It's getting really hot, and you're very noticeable that you want one, besides I know when you want something and when you really don't want it, you've already run out of your drinks you bought earlier, haven't you? Go ahead 』米＾-＾米.

Already many times as a habit, from time to time when I come back from school, I buy me many drinks of one and I keep them in the refrigerator, I do it that way already to have in reserve and when I feel like having something to drink I will not go out to the street and buy another one, at that time I was not much of going out and I preferred everything at home.

Menhera gave me a free pass to the vending machine to make my big purchase, with that smile and that playful tone that she wears several times, I was surprised and more because I did not know that Menhera knew that I did that, although I was not surprised that she knew it, without more before my denial that I had at first I went straight to buy some drinks, I bought about a half dozen or even more to have more, lately I buy many more things than individual, it must be because when they come back for me, I would like to have something to offer them for the occasion. I took out my drinks and put them in my backpack, Menhera also put in one more, saying that she was the one who was inviting me, at the end I felt very relieved and accepted with my hands the kindness of my friend. Now that I realize, Menhera was helping me to grow in little things long before, but those little things made me really happy.

Also on another occasion at school at recess time, as expected at the time you want to do your shopping in the cafeteria, it was crowded and looked like a war without truce and truce, everyone only saw for themselves although they were in a group, there were also my classmates and school friends, that when the bell rings, 1 of 2, or all go running to the cafeteria with the ball in hand, that although they left quickly and everything was already a <quilombo>.

<Translator: Quilombo in the Argentine vernacular. The Real Academia Española defines it as "Lio, barullo, gresca, desorden", although in the American South it acquires some more meanings. Quilombo is the name given to any conflictive occasion of difficult resolution.

But even so they were not discouraged, some even rolled up their sleeves and threw themselves against the crowd, in a sea of people and it even seemed that some of them fainted, they achieved their goal, more than raising their voices, they shouted like gorillas to be heard.

And when everyone had their purchases ready they would go eating together towards the patio, to me it always seemed incredible that they were able to do that, I really could not with such a crowd that I think I would be one of those who would faint, really faint, I asked a friend at the time and this is what he said.

『No matter the place, whether it's on the court or in the cafeteria, you have to fight to get what you want!!!! They are battlefields where you yourself decide whether you come out triumphant or not!!!! ( +･｀ω･)b Plus they were selling Melonpan!!!! No way I'm letting them beat me!!!!!』

That last one was the real reason, they were all with their melonpan and they were eating happily with their ball in hand, and many times they used that very thing to make their way, but you will say that after what my friend told me that time it would leave you shocked, the next day they were all standing around watching with poker face the cafeteria, they were not even trying, all that energy from yesterday vanished at once, for sure they got discouraged from one moment to the next, it usually happens.

『Well, .... vamo a juga』『Yes you're right, besides there's nothing good in the cafeteria (there's no good older girl in the crowd)』『The other time I got groped for throwing myself off one...』『I the other time I lost my money on the run and they gave the bread to another guy...』

Without further ado they would go to pelotear and for sure to challenge them or be challenged by another salon, at that moment I realized that if there is no reason for wanting to get something, it is not worth it, I on the other hand despite the fact that I carry my obento, there are many times where if I want something from the cafeteria, I stay until the end to wait for people to leave and be calmer, although many times I ask for luck in that there is still what I want. I was standing waiting for everyone to leave, before I realized there was no one, finally everyone had left, but when I looked at the counter there was no longer what I wanted, I was discouraged and to top it off the <seño> who attended saw me.

<Translator: Seño comes from the Peruvian vernacular. Abbreviation of "señora". It is usually said to saleswomen, street vendors or bodegueras> Example: Seño, sell me two cigars.

"Did you wait long? Are you going to buy something?

At that it was like my body stiffened, I wanted to leave the place as soon as possible, but now that I have the attention of the teacher I felt that I had to buy something if or yes, even if I don't want to, without further ado I walked to the cafeteria looking and choosing from the little that was there, my gaze went from one side to another.

"I'm back, you still have what I told you, don't you?

Menhera appeared beside me, the seño quickly understood when Menhera came, without further ado she took out from the bottom, she hid a portion of wrapped Dorayaki, when I saw it I was shocked, I didn't expect this, Menhera turned to me saying to take it, I was confused as I didn't know what was going on.

"Don't you remember? yesterday you said you wanted to eat Dorayaki, you had seen a program where they ate it and you felt like it, so when classes were over, I went to the teacher, and just tomorrow, today there was going to be Dorayaki, I asked her to save it for me and I paid her in advance』.

Before Menhera's explanation I was surprised, I could not believe that she had done that just for me, although it should not have been very difficult, rather it should have been quick and simple for her, the teacher seemed happy, nice and kind, it is something I had not noticed before, I always had that problem of not looking at people fixedly, where without further ado I thanked her, when they were in my hand, that emotion that only happens when I am about to do something I wanted to do, Menhera laughed because she saw me like that many times, my lips trembled as if I wanted to laugh, that meant that I was having fun and having a good time. Where after I took off the wrapper I went on to bite it and I liked it a lot.

『If you want more then I can make them for you, they are very good cooking *:ﾟ（｀・ω・'）ゝﾟ:*. if I had time I would have prepared them for you myself』 ('ｰ+｀)

With no more on Menhera's words, I interrupted him at the end, I was treating him to the Daroyaki, I watched as he broke it in half and handed it to him, I was thanking him, come to think of it, I could only behave this way if they are my friends like Menhera is. At this Menhera was happy because she did not expect it, and without further ado she also ate some of the dessert. The teacher who was watching us made a comment.

"You take good care of your friend, I also heard rumors about how you are little girl, maybe you already have a record of your friend's quiet friend?

My friend took a step back in surprise, and quickly denied what she had said.

『It's not that! It's more like you said, he's my friend! He is my great friend! (๑ÒωÓ๑)I just want to support him and be by his side, plus I have a partner right now and I love him very much』(๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و

Laño was laughing because Menhera's rumors were real, while Menhera had a little discussion again highlighting the above, I kept looking at her and again she turned to look at me, where again she took a bite of the dessert, it's like she was giving me a tender scene of her, at that time I also thought the same thing, I don't see Menhera otherwise, she is just my great friend, I am very glad that she is there for me.

In another situation while we were on our way back to our homes, it seems that we got carried away by our games, Rino was saying goodbye and had to leave sooner, for sure he had to go take care of his little sisters who were recently born, always when I think of Rino's family, I think I would have liked to know and know how he really was, how is it that the older brother decided to also take a personality accordingly and adapt despite how sudden everything was.

『Konomi-nee-chan will surely go to help you too!!! You can be calmer Rino-kun!!!』

Menhera raised her voice in order to be heard, Rino waved goodbye with a smile while waving her hand. Konomi, she's right, for sure even though she's not the best person to take care of and that she hates dealing with children, she'll surely go to help him anyway, she's one of those people who show up at the end even if they don't act at all at first. It was getting dark and we passed by a lot as the last route before going home, we wanted to take the opportunity to throw some things away and maybe get on the rides, but we found a group of kids even smaller than us, they were booing 3 against only one.

『Why do you always have to win!!!! Do you want to monopolize others so much? EH?!!!!』

A boy was shouting while they were hitting the other boy who was on the ground, he was protecting his face with his arms, as far as I can see they were playing marbles and for sure that boy was winning, the others for sure for not putting up with losing got upset and blamed the boy, I could also see in the hand of the booed boy how he had a bag of marbles that he had won.

Those who were teasing him were bigger than him, they could not stand the idea that someone small is showing them that he is better, I also do not like to lose, I think it is something we all feel and more when we are small, when I play with my mother or my sister some board game and I lose, I also show an attitude of rejection and annoyance, but I would never throw myself to hit the one who beat me, to do that kind of tantrum even when you are an adult.....should be ashamed of you.....

『Hey kids!!! Stop what you're doing already!!!!』

Menhera quickly seeing this, had to interfere to stop it, she acted without thinking, while I just stood there watching how they kept hitting the little boy, maybe it was because there was nothing to do, I knew Menhera was here and she will solve all this, but I was clenching my fist without sense anyway, my look was simple, like watching a nature program, I hoped everything would be fine or maybe I didn't care, as long as I didn't get into this trouble.

『We are not leaving until he gives us back what he stole from us!!!! He is a liar for pretending to be weak when he is someone strong, that is abuse!!!』

Those words of the boy annoyed Menhera even more, he didn't say anything else, he remained silent, he delicately took the bag with the marbles, he asked the boy if he could do whatever he wanted with them, where the boy despite how weak he was, he nodded his head, maybe at that moment he didn't care about anything.

『Take your marbles and go away, it's really unbelievable..... how can you get to be such a harm, for a simple game, it's not the fault of the game, for sure the child wanted to have fun with you, that's why you exist...but you are bad losers.... you are bad losers!!!! Games are not for breaking friendships, they are for making friends and having a good time!!!! What should you do not to hurt someone.....ya even being good at something hurts others』-『I will repeat it once more, you better leave right now, I don't think you want me to be the one to give you your little punishment』.

In the end Menhera managed to chase away the 3 children, she always gives to understand that she does not like something and what she uses to chase away is with a pout (๑`н'๑), although in the end she gave to notice that she was serious, in her arms was that poor child who had many bruises on his body, Menhera to this would quickly decide to attend him, as soon as it became night a few minutes later, our mothers and the child went out to look for us since they saw that we did not return home. They found the scene where I was with Menhera, and in her lap was that child.

We told what happened, the child's mother understood and withdrew without further ado with her son in her arms, we also withdrew, my face and the whole moment gave to understand that I did not do anything, I did not do anything, but Menhera had the same face as that mother, she was indignant and annoyed, the damage was already done and it cannot be solved.

When Menhera was taking care of the boy, the boy opened his eyes and saw how Menhera was treating him, she was smiling at him in a gentle way, where the boy called him Onee-chan, I wish he had only stayed there, but the boy fixed his gaze also on me, I quickly did not want to make eye contact so I looked away, the boy was still looking at me, I was getting tense and nervous, where he told me....

『Onii-chan.....』

Again he went back to sleep, I was calm, I was not reacting, I turned to look at him again, and he was asking me the question why he called me Onii-chan, if I did absolutely nothing, why.....why is he counting on my help.....I am not able to do something in this kind of situation. As we were returning home with our mothers I was thinking about what Menhera said earlier. "What is it that one should do to not hurt someone.....ya even being good at something leaves others hurt "

I think there is no positive answer to that question, always your actions whether for good or bad will end up affecting others and others, a chain reaction, maybe your small action in the future will be someone's undoing, even when you do nothing, that nothing will become something that changes an action. If so, if there is a possibility that my nothing will become something bad, I...I could have also helped the child and not feel this, maybe the child will change his way of thinking, I know that events like this will change you, I have lived it. So if another situation like this happens again, I will not stand idly by, I will try to do something good.

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Menhera was looking at that wanted paper on the pole, she herself already long ago was who also put these papers all over the city, hoping that one day it will happen, she continued on her way after remembering other memories that she fondly has them in her mind, while walking she met Yashiro's mom, she was removing the papers, Menhera saw this and quickly became alarmed.

『Don't do it!!!』

Yashiro's mother turned around, there was Menhera exhaling with a serious tone and concern on her face.

『You much less should do it Nyoka-san, maybe it's been a long time.... but I know he will come back!!!! He is not dead!!!! I have seen him grow, fall and also get back up, even if he doesn't show it much, we know he won't give up so easily!!!! So please....stop...if you can't take it anymore....yo....yo...』

『Menhera-chan』

Yashiro's mother, Nyoka was paying attention to Menhera, who she showed signs of crying. Menhera knows, she knows what happened that day, many categorized M as dead, or that he has been kidnapped, but no. That day Menhera saw something else, she was very sure that her friend was not dead, always Menhera and Nyoka were firm with the search for Yashiro, there was not a day that they did not go out to distribute papers, to look for him, to make announcements on TV and newspapers, they were not the only ones at the beginning, friends, relatives, companions, all friends and people, They were not the only ones at the beginning, friends, relatives, colleagues, all friends and people who knew Yashiro decided to help, but as time went by, the faith that was there in the beginning disappeared, maybe they got tired of waiting and it was time to accept it, turn the page and continue with the life of each one, there were already many who were doing it.

Faith was rekindled when one of Yashiro's companions, Cliston also disappeared suddenly, everyone was sure that something strange was going on, Menhera was the most sure of all, she was the one who understood the most what was really happening, the search continued again a little more, but when one appeared and the other did not, the fine line that existed was broken. ...Now if everyone was doing their normal lives, even Menhera did not act on some days, Yashiro always liked to stop more at home than elsewhere, Menhera visited that apartment that moved his friend and that one day, when he goes find him there, that was his only livelihood not to leave him forgotten.

『My son came back, Yashiro came back!!!!』

Nyoka without further ado said with joy, hearing this from her brought her great happiness, more than happiness it would be called a miracle, Menhera was already with tears in her eyes, maybe she thought she was playing a joke on him or maybe she finally got mad, but Menhera knew she wasn't lying, those dull eyes of Nyoka, were brought back to life, she even showed signs that she cried before.

Without further ado, Yashiro's mother continued on her way, removing the papers from the neighborhood, Menhera wanted to check it out, without further ado she ran straight to that old apartment where she used to live, she moved in with her friend so as not to leave him alone, that's what she told him that day. Menhera ran and ran but rather than being happy and smiling, she wanted to cry. Nyoka, who could no longer bear the joy, shouted to the four winds happy and proud.

『MY SON!!!! YASHIRO IS BACK!!!!!!』

Menhera ran until she finally reached this old 2-story building, she saw something on the second floor, a boy standing with those clothes that she herself gave to her friend, she was surprised, the words didn't come out, where suddenly she saw how the boy squatted. Without further Menhera of her adrenaline from before, everything calmed down, she was gently and slowly climbing the stairs, many questions and doubts were coming in her head, that if he is really her friend, they will not be deceiving her, that she also perhaps has hallucinations, Menhera had her eyes down where she already had things clear.

『(I believe.....I believe.....I believe that if he came back.....and if it's not him.....I'll go on with my life too)』

She would look ahead with a heart full of hope, her steps took a little more strength where as she climbed up to the second floor she saw him, where without further ado she called out to him like the way she always told her friend.

『Yashi-kun.....』

She said it with doubt, as she didn't believe that it was really her friend, maybe it was someone with the same clothes or similar, but no, she knows that there is only one person with that style of clothes, since after all it was a gift from her and Rino. The boy who was crying turned around when he heard her and when their gazes collided it was clear to both of them. Menhera couldn't believe, she couldn't believe that her friend, that boy she wanted to be by her side, finally came back...her miracle has been performed, she was very surprised Menhera, since the last time she saw him he was a little boy, but now that she sees him well, he is even a little bigger than her, when the boy took a step, in a weird way Menhera stepped back, she herself didn't even know why she did this, maybe she was afraid, afraid that in the end it's a lie.

『Yashiro!!!!』

Without further ado Menhera rushed to hug his friend tightly, when he hugged him he knew that if it was him, he was here, it was really him, Menhera cried with happiness and told himself that he will never let Yashiro be alone again, he will always have his help and he will always be by his side, but he also realized something, when he saw his childhood friend again, that feeling that always perduro was returning to take shape as well.

『Kurumi.....Kurumi Kurumi.....I'm back....thank you for not being a lie』

M hugged her friend warmly while leaving more crying and tears in her, all in all this time she also didn't forget her great friend, she was always in her heart remembering fondly also moments she spent with her, after all, Menhera was the first person M trusted and loved her with all her heart.

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