The news that he has been suspended must have also got to his aunt. Knowing her well, she had already prepared a list of invectives with which she would welcome Kaeso. Therefore, he was unwilling to return home soon and considered staying at the mall. 

Especially in the summer, Kaeso often slept in the hideout. He had put there a mattress in the center of the room and brought two blankets from the house to cover himself during the night. Analyzing all possible scenarios, including one in which someday he will not have a place to return to, Kaeso also concealed there some clothes, a small amount of money, personal hygiene items, a backpack filled with snacks, and a pocket knife. 

Before falling asleep, Kaeso loved to watch the stars through the glass ceiling spread over the room. Unfortunately, during the winter, it was a  freezing place. Staying there, Kaeso would have a peaceful night but risk getting cold or even worse conditions. Then, he would need to remain home longer and spend his savings on medicines. Kaeso managed to earn his own living thanks to the salary from working at the mall but did not have available means for additional expenses. Therefore, being sick, he would be forced to take money from his aunt. Kaeso did not want to lower himself to this level ever again. 

Kaeso wandered around the mall, observing workers at shops, waiting impatiently for the end of their shifts. They were looking every now and then at their watches or phone screens, imagining the way back home. Some of them had a person who also looked forward to closing the shops, willing to meet up with them as soon as possible. Some were returning to empty homes, spending their free time alone. And some did not even have a place they could name "home". Kaeso wanted to know how many of those workers were miserable. How many were left alone? It was a selfish wish because even getting to know about it, he would not change it. Not because of the will to make others suffer or out of curiosity to observe how they fall. The only reason was that Kaeso would not be able to help them. He would need to learn about every individual story to do so. Even the bare thought of it made him feel overwhelmed. Each of those workers was wearing their own burden. The vision of opening up their old wounds or getting lost in the conversation and unwillingly mentioning his problems was terrifying. Kaeso would not forgive himself for causing additional trouble for someone. But, who knows, maybe none of them would care about his story...

If only it would be possible to open up to someone just once. And then make him forget about everything Kaeso said before the beginning of the next day. Just to let it go for a while. 

Once, Kaeso decided to call a random number and tell a stranger about what had happened in his life. In retrospect, it was an ill-considered and foolish decision. The only plan he got was to end the call with the statement that it was a joke. Shifting from foot to foot, with an earphone in his ear, which Kaeso "borrowed" from one of his classmates, he picked an unknown number. The dial display projected in front of him disappeared, and an avatar of the person he called appeared in its place. 

Kaeso waited for the person on the other side to pick it up. When he was just about to hang up, someone answered.

"Hello?"

Kaeso stopped his hand.

"Hello? Who is calling?" It was a manly voice, clearly irritated that someone was disturbing him.

Slowly Kaeso put the earphone back into the ear and waited in silence.

"Hello?!" He repeated, demanding the answer.

"Um, yes, I am sorry. I could not hear your voice clearly. Something, something, interrupted..."

"Do I know you?" 

"No, I don't think so. But I can't be sure about that."

"So, where did you get my phone number?"

"I just chose it."

"Chose it? What do you mean?" The man insisted on receiving answers.

"I know it may seem strange, but I wanted to reach out and see how you're doing today?"

"I am fine. Is that all?"

The question "And you?" was never asked...

"Now you will start talking about the shit you sell, or what? What do you want?"

"I am sorry…"  Kaeso had no strength to listen to more questions he did not want to hear.

For Kaeso, this story was one of those memories which torments you by repeatedly repeating in your mind for days, weeks, or months, not letting you forget. And then, one day, you wake up completely unaware that it finally disappeared, leaving your mind in peace. However, those memories also tend to return in the most unexpected and painful moments.