Peter and his parents arrived at the hospital on Saturday. Peter already felt tired, preparing himself for the inevitable struggle he was about to have with Noa.

There was more to the story. Noa had done something. And whatever he did, it tied into what happened to Amber. Noa was fighting to keep it secret, and Rion was willing to die for it.

This wasn’t going to be easy. Noa was the most stubborn person Peter knew. When he made a decision, he clung to it. Getting him to change his mind was like trying to beat down a steel wall with your bare fists.

Still, Peter had to try. He was ready to come back every day and ask Noa what he remembered.

And maybe after, he would see if he could visit Rion.

Peter was still upset. Knowing the truth wasn’t easy. A painful, disgusted feeling would pass through him whenever he thought too hard about what Rion did.

But Rion nearly ended his own life. That knowledge muted the disgust, adding bitterness and frustration to Peter’s mixed emotions.

Rion needed support right now. And Peter wasn’t sure if anyone else was visiting. It was probably just Mr. Blum. And if Rion had done what he did for Noa, that was even more reason to try to help.

“Did you get enough sleep, Peter?” his mom asked. “You look pale.”

“I’m okay,” he said. “I’m just worn down.”

“It’s the weekend,” his dad said. “You can leave early if you need to. Maybe it would be good to unwind with some video games.”

“Yeah,” Peter said. That sounded like a great idea. “Maybe. We’ll see.”

They were headed for the elevators when they stopped short. Peter’s mom came to a halt first, but then he saw where she was looking. Peter stopped next to her alongside his father.

Was that…?

Keiko Murata, Noa’s aunt, was standing just a few meters ahead of them.

Peter recognized her. She’d come to visit a few times, usually bringing her oldest sons with her. But they weren’t with her now. There was a man standing with her instead.

Peter recognized him. Even if he only had old family photos and childhood memories to help him put a name to the face.

Makoto Igarashi.

Noa’s dad.

Peter tensed, still frozen in place. His mind tried to catch up, tried to understand. Why was he here? How?

“Mom…” Peter started.

“It’s okay,” she said. “It’s okay, Peter. Just…”

Noa’s family spotted them. Keiko gave them a small wave, as if everything was normal and they were meant to be there. Makoto didn’t offer the same greeting, standing stiff and silent, watching them.

It reminded Peter too much of Noa.

Noa took after his father a lot. It was blindingly obvious the longer Peter stared at him. They had plenty of the same features, that same sharpened gaze. Noa’s wasn’t as cold and hard as Makoto’s, but…

“Keiko,” his mom said, stepping forward with a stiff smile. “This is…unexpected.”

“Good afternoon, Elaine,” Keiko said. Her English was perfect, but she had a noticeable accent, especially with her ‘L’s and ‘R’s. “It’s good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you too,” Mom said. “I thought you were in Japan?”

“We heard that Noa was hospitalized,” Keiko said with a strained smile. “We came as soon as we could.”

“I thought we agreed to wait,” Elaine said.

The comment was directed more at Makoto. He didn’t even blink.

“I’ve waited a long time,” he said.

If he had an accent, Peter didn’t hear it. His voice was low and serious, the way Noa’s got when he was upset. It sent alarm bells off in Peter’s head.

He wanted to grab his mom and pull her away. He knew who this man was, what he did. It was making his skin crawl. It took every bit of self-control to stand there next to him.

Peter only felt marginally better when his dad took a step closer to his mom, hovering next to her shoulder. Peter stayed close too.

“Now is really not a good time,” Mom said. “Noa’s been going through a lot. He’s been struggling, and–”

“You’ve said that,” Makoto said. “You’ve told me again and again that it isn’t a good time and that Noa isn’t ready. He’s in the hospital. He’s hurt. What if he died? Would it have been a good time for me to see him then?”

“Whoa, whoa,” Dad said, holding up his hands. “It’s not like that.”

“Isn’t it?” Makoto said.

“Things have been very, very difficult since our daughter died,” Mom said.

The thought of Amber stung horribly, especially knowing who they were talking to.

This man killed Peter’s Aunt Wendy, his mom’s sister. And he tried to drown Noa.

How could he be allowed here? Even if he was out of jail, or whatever, there should be something to keep him away, right? He wanted to ask his parents, but now wasn’t the time. There was only so much they could do…

“Noa took Amber’s death really hard,” Dad said. “He hasn’t been talking until recently. We were hoping that he was improving. We wanted to arrange something soon.”

“Not soon enough,” Makoto said. “I’m not going to wait. Noa is my son. I’m going to see him now, today.”

“No!” Peter said.

He couldn’t help himself. The word left his lips before he could think. But he didn’t regret it. In fact, he stood straighter.

Peter was tall, almost a full head taller than Makoto. He wasn’t going to let himself be intimidated, even knowing what the man had done.

“Who says that Noa even wants to see you,” Peter said, while his mother put a hand on his arm, calling his name in an attempt to get him to back down. “You think my parents are lying? Noa’s had a really hard time! The last person he needs to see is you.”

“I disagree,” Makoto said, as if it were that simple.

“Peter,” his dad said, “hold on a minute.”

Peter didn’t want to ‘hold on’. He didn’t want to stand down. Why didn’t anyone get it? This man tried to drown Noa. He tried to kill him! And he’d killed his own wife! Why would anyone want him anywhere near Noa? How could his parents be so calm?!

“Why don’t we talk to Noa’s psychiatrist,” Peter’s mom said. There was a plea in her voice, and Peter hated it. “We can sort things out. She can tell you how Noa’s been doing. You can get an update.”

“I don’t want an update. I want to see him,” Makoto said. “Nothing you can say will change my mind.”

“Makoto…” his dad started but the man shook his head.

“No. Nothing you can say will convince me. I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me. I’ve stayed away. I didn’t call. I didn’t write. I need to see Noa now. I’m done listening to you. It ends now.”

Makoto took a step forward, trying to go past them. Peter immediately stepped in his way, ready to do everything in his power to stop the man from reaching Noa.

“Peter, step aside,” Makoto said.

Despite feeling all sorts of weird at hearing his name come from Noa’s dad, Peter didn’t budge. Even though the way Makoto spoke reminded him of Noa in a strange, uncomfortable way.

Peter was taller than Makoto, but it seemed to mean nothing. The man had a gaze that could pierce right through anything.

“You hurt Noa. I won’t let you hurt him again,” Peter said.

“Peter, please,” his mom said, stepping over and grabbing him by the arm. “If we cause a fuss, security might come.”

“Good. They can kick him out,” Peter said.

“No… No, Peter, he has a point,” his dad said.

Peter whipped his head around, almost hurt by his own father’s words.

What? What did that mean? A point?

“I don’t like it. It’s a bad idea,” his dad continued. “But Makoto… He’s waited a long time to see Noa… Technically, there’s nothing we can do to stop him. He’s served his time and he’s Noa’s father…”

“But… But–!” Peter tried to protest. The words were sticking in his throat. He had to force them out. “He tried to kill Noa! He shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near him!”

“No, that… Peter, stop,” his mom said.

“We need to talk,” his dad added.

Peter was bewildered. He didn’t understand. Why were his parents acting this way?

And in his moment of confusion, Makoto moved, stepping around him. Peter half turned, wanting to stop him but he froze.

What was he supposed to do? Hit Noa’s dad? Grab him?

He faltered and Makoto strode down the hall. Peter took a step forward, clenching his hands into fists. His dad stopped him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Come on,” Charlie said. “Let’s sit down with Keiko, and… We’ll talk. Okay? Come on.”

It went against everything Peter knew to turn back to his parents and reluctantly go with them. He hated it. He felt like he was abandoning Noa, and he didn’t understand what was going on or why his parents were behaving this way.

Even worse, he had a horrible, terrible feeling that he had missed something else. Because there was no way his parents would go along with this without some kind of reason.

What the hell was going on?