I am Mizuno Reiko! I am currently 9 years old. My life is a little bit boring. I do play with some kids every day in the afternoon, but I feel sad everytime I see my friends going home with their younger siblings. Every single day, I always ask my parents if when will I have a little brother, I really want to play with him! I’ll teach him how to read because I have plenty of stars from my teacher! Nee-san will teach him how to be smart too!

Something is strange, at first I thought mama was getting fatter, but her tummy is big… could it be… A MONSTER WILL GO OUT ON HER STOMACH? I run as fast as I could while crying to ask my Mom

“MAMA! YOUR TUMMY IS GROWING! IS IT GOING TO EXPLODE?” I asked

“Hahaha Reiko-chan you are cute, remember your request?” my mom responded.

I stopped sobbing when she answered.

“You will have a little brother soon, be a good girl and wait for him ah” my mom added.

I am so happy! I feel like I want to run around the neighborhood and tell everybody that I will finally have a little brother!

*The next morning*

I wonder when will he come out of mama’s tummy, it could be any moment…

“Oy, I’ll go home now! I need to do something” I said

“Okaaay! See you tomorrow” nene replied.

“Let’s play again tomooorrow” Loyd added.

I went back home and started gathering my art tools. I have to decorate our room before he gets here. Hmmmm… I think he will like stars! I like stars, I’ll make some stars and put them on the wall. I should color the walls blue because I like blue, he will probably like it too, he is my brother after all. But there is only one color blue on my crayons. I have to ask my friends at school tomorrow.

*The next day*

“Oy, Nene, Loyd, Do you have a color blue? I’ll trade a different color if you have one!” I offered.

“I like red, here you go Reiko-chan” Loyd said.

“I run out of orange when I draw a huge tower, I’ll swap my blue for an orange crayon!” Nene replied.

“Wooaaah that is a nice tower! But why all orange?” I asked.

“Papa is a farmer and Mama sells a lot of orange near our house, I want to have a tower of orange to help them sell more!” She answered.

“I’ll buy some oranges too! Bye bye, I’ll ask for more blue crayon!” I replied.

This is going good, I already have 3 blue crayons. I better keep going. I continued asking for blue crayons with the whole class. I wonder if 10 blue crayons are enough to cover our wall. Maybe I should Color the crib instead, Papa said that he will buy one today. Can’t wait to see it!

*Later that day*

“Welcome home papa! Where’s the Crib that you said!” I asked.

“It is inside this box but we have to assemble it, would you like to help?” my father replied.

Papa is building the crib but it is already color blue… I know! I’ll just keep this for now, we will draw lots of pictures like cows and stars and dogs. Can’t wait for him to finally come out!

*After a month*

I am afraid right now, all of a sudden we rushed here to the hospital. Papa is panicking, is Mama going to be alright? Feels like little brother is eating his way out of Mama’s stomach..

*After some hours*

The doctor said we are now allowed to enter the room, I wonder what happened… OH MY GOD IS THAT MY LITTLE BROTHER! He is so cute, so small, I wish he could see me! But it is kinda strange, why does Papa and Mama look sad?

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“Mama what is his name?” I asked.

“Hmm.. Papa and I decided to name him Ryuu” my mom answered.

“IT’S A GOOD NAME! I PROMISE I’LL TAKE CARE OF RYUU!” I happily replied.

Don’t worry Ryuu, Nee-san will take care of you, I already have 10 blue crayons for you.

*After 3 years*

It’s strange, Nene said that her brother started walking at 10 months old. I wonder what happened to Ryuu.

“Maaaa, what age did I start walking?” I asked

“You are a strong kid Reiko-chan, You started walking when you were 9 months old” my mom answered.

“Then why is my brother not walking?” I added.

“Listen to me Reiko-chan, your brother is fragile, he was born weak, that’s why he still cannot walk” my mom replied.

I’m sad because of his condition, I wish I could heal him like those magical mages on TV. Don’t worry I’ll wait for you. I am sure that you’ll find your inner strength soon!

*After a year*

HE IS FINALLY WALKING! I’m so happy! Come here Ryuu, let’s play outside!

*Ryuu’s legs are trembling as he walks*

I guess he cannot run in this state, don’t worry Ryuu, we can stay here inside the house and draw pictures. I’ve been saving lots of crayons, finally we can use it!

*After 3 years*

I finally understand his case, the internet said that Bone cancer is a really serious disease. I've decided, I’ll study hard and someday I’ll be a doctor! I have good grades after all.

*Later that evening*

Mama is crying? Papa looks sad too, it’s bad to listen to other’s private matters but I’m worried. I’ll listen for a while.

“Your salary is not enough, I have to work too” my mom requested.

“But honey, You have to take care of our kids, especially Ryuu.” my father answered.

“But his medication is too expensive, at this state, we won’t make it next month” my mom added.

“Don’t worry, I’ll find another job, I can do more, just trust me honey” my father replied.

“You already have 2 jobs, what if something happens to you?” my mom worriedly said.

I couldn’t help it, after knowing our current situation, I know I have to do something.

“Ma, Pa, I’m sorry I was listening to your conversation, let me work, I can work while studying!” I requested.

“Are you sure about this Reiko?” My father asked.

“I understand the situation, I’m already old enough to work, just let me handle my own expenses at school” I insisted.

“Reiko-chan… I am so proud of you” my mom said while crying.

“Just let us know if you need anything, Papa will help you any time” my father added.

At first I was nervous because they might not allow me or get angry for listening to their discussion. Thankfully my sincerity and dedication reached them.

*summer vacation started*

So far I have 3 jobs, good thing I squeeze it on my schedule. I told them that I have one but a single job won’t be enough, besides, part-timers have smaller salaries than the regular ones. This is exhausting, but I cannot stop here, today is his birthday, I have to buy him a gift.

*Later that day*

“I’m hoooomee! Ryuu where are you?” I said.

“Welcome home Nee-san” Ryuu greeted.

“I have a gift for you, charan! Open it!” I happily handed him my gift.

*Ryuu unwrap the gift*

“A walking crane?” he asked.

“Happy birthday Ryuu! For now this is my gift, it will help you walk easier, I picked the blue one! It’s beautiful isn't it?” I said.

“Thank you Nee-san, I loved it” Ryuu cried.

“Nee-san will be a doctor someday, I will cure you, so be strong, wait for me” I said.

Afterwards I hugged him tightly. I can feel the sorrow inside of his heart.

*After 3 more years*

I’m hungry, but I can’t afford a meal… I have to buy him a present, it is 10th birthday afterall. Good thing I bought a bottle of water with me. He cannot use his walking crane anymore, I have to buy him something that he can use while lying on the bed… But my budget is quite tight this time, plus things are getting a little more expensive… I guess I don’t have much choice here, I’ll just do better on his next birthday.

*Later that day*

“I’m home! Happy birthday Ryuu, I have a present for you. I’ll open it for you” I said

“Thank you Nee-san, I love it!” Ryuu replied.

“Sorry Ryuu, I only got you a blanket this time, my budget is a little bit off. But don’t worry Nee-san will enter college soon!” I explained.

“It’s fine Nee-san, you’ve done too much for me, you sacrifice your free time just to earn money for me. I wish you will explore the world more rather than doing all of this” He opened up.

“Don’t worry about me Ryuu, the world can wait, I hope you also do your best because someday we will explore the world together” I replied.

I could not think of more comforting words that time. What I do know is that Ryuu is struggling more than I do. I have to do better, I’m sure we will explore the world together.

*After 4 more years*

Yosh! It is his 14th birthday, I’ve been saving a lot these past few months, I will be productive this day! I already ordered him a brand new bed. Oh wait, Mama is calling.

“Hello Ma, what’s up?” I greeted.

“Reiko!” my mom shouted while crying.

From that instant, I am uneasy. I never heard my mom cry that hard on our phone call.

“Relax Ma, what happened? Why are you crying?” I asked.

“R...Ryuu.. Ryuu is dead..” my mom said while sobbing.

My mind goes blank as I drop my phone. It was the first time that a certain word kills every logical thinking inside of me. That can’t be right, I already bought a new bed with a beautiful frame this time. They are joking right? I’ve been working so hard, I’ve made it this far because I can see him fighting every single day. He promised that he will wait for me. We will see the world someday.

I continued walking randomly, Aimlessly, full of uncertainty inside of my head. I’m about to go to my work but I don’t know what I’m doing right now. Wait… Where Am I? That’s a beautiful garden over there. Is that Ryuu? I laughed with all joy in my heart. I knew he would not leave me. Maybe I misheard Mama earlier. That’s it! She was crying because Ryuu finally can walk again!

“Wait for me Ryuu! Nee-san is on the way!” I shouted.

All of a sudden something hit me. As I opened my eyes, I saw a lot of people around me, maybe someone got hit by a car? Wait, Where did Ryuu go? I was following him a while ago, this is strange, I can’t move my body… what is happening? This is bad, looks like I am the one who got hit by that car. I’m starting to get dizzy, is that Ryuu?

“Oy Ryuu! Happy birthday Ryuu! Let’s explore the world together this time…”