Page 94 of Sixty Meters Under

Hearing this question felt like a punch to the gut. Ryosuke’s breath shortened, and his chest squeezed; he couldn’t look Lennart in the face anymore.

“I deserve to die.”

“Why do you think so?”

“I figured it would be for the best to end it,” Ryosuke’s voice quivered. “I would probably have ended up banished outside the bunker anyway. When proven guilty.”

“You admit you are guilty?”

“It was me who hit her,” Ryosuke said. He knew there was no reason to hide it.

“You confess it?”

“I do!”

Lennart was about to say something more but was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. They both turned at the noiseand saw the doctor walk in accompanied by Ryosuke’s parents and sister.

“Ryosuke!” his mother hurried to the bed first. Seeing her face Ryosuke could guess how worried she was. His father walked after her. Beside him, Aki.

“My child! What happened?” Matsuko asked, her eyes misty and red.

Ryosuke had not counted on having to answer these questions ever. He only watched them with horror in his eyes as they surrounded him on each side of the bed.

From the corner of his eye Ryosuke noticed Lennart get up from his chair and heard him say, “Excuse me. I should be going.” Lennart glanced at him and added, “We’ll talk later.”

Ryosuke followed him with his gaze until Lennart disappeared behind the door.

“What happened, Doctor?” Ryosuke’s mother asked.

“I would leave that to Ryosuke to explain to you. We gave him blood and cleaned his wound. When I called you, he was still sleeping. I’m going to check on him again; then I will leave you to talk in peace.”

Everyone turned their heads back to Ryosuke, and Ryosuke looked at the empty space above him.

What should I tell them?His insides formed into knots.

The doctor left, but Ryosuke was still without words.

“Ryosuke, dear…” his mother sat at the edge of the bed.

Noticing the sadness on her face, Ryosuke got the nudge to speak. “Mom, I’m sorry.”

She took his hand in hers. “For what?”

Ryosuke looked away. “I tried to take my life.”

Matsuko gasped and pressed her hand to her mouth. Isamu looked at him in disbelief, and Aki asked, shocked, “What? Why?”

“Because I’m a disgrace to this family.”

“No! Why are you saying that?” Matsuko squeezed his hand.

“I’m responsible for Scarlett’s death.”

Silence filled the room. His parents and his sister looked at him as if he had just grown another head.

“That’s ridiculous!” Matsuko was quick to react.

“No, it’s not!” Ryosuke raised his voice, visibly upset. “I hit her head! She died because of me.”