Diana left after the final buzzer. “I think I’ve used up all my courage, but I’ll stay in touch.”

There isn’t much I can do for her, but sometimes a good kick is all someone needs to get a start. So, I’ll keep that in mind for the next time we meet.

Toro asked us to meet him by the bus the team used to get here but he’s taking his sweet time. I didn’t mind, but Manami was beginning to look tired.

“Sorry guys!” Toro runs over to us. Seeing a giant running full force your way is a frightening sight, and one his opponents had to see every game. “Some scouts wanted my contact information.”

“Woah, don’t forget about the piece of rice I gave you once, I’m collecting interest on it.” I replied, he was on his way to a fortune after all.

Manami pinches my side. “Congratulations Hiroto.”

“Thank you, Manami… Catalina.” Toro rubs his head as he struggles to make eye contact. Catalina was no better as she kept her head down and swayed back and forth.

“Myo.” Manami tugs my shirt. “Wasn’t there a thing you wanted to show me?”

“A thing? Ohhh, right, come on. Meet us out front when you’re done Catalina.” I whisked Manami away and she gave Catalina a pat on the back as we made way for a corner.

After passing the corner, I kneel. “Hop on.” I waited for a few seconds but felt no weight on my back. “Manami?”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I am. Now on you go.”

After she takes a deep breath, Manami gets on my back. She’s light. I stood up with no difficulty, as if she wasn’t clinging on to me.

“I’m not too heavy, am I?”

“No no, you’re…” I stopped myself. Her illness could be a reason for her low weight, and I didn’t want to remind her. “I’m strong enough to haul Toro home, you know.” A white lie.

“Then let’s see how far you can carry me.”

Manami rests her head on my shoulder. Her breast pressing up against me did make my first few steps difficult, however, I calmed myself as I’m carrying precious cargo.

After a few steps, her breath slowing, and her arms loosening gave away that she had fallen asleep. “Wherever you want, whenever you like.”

Catalina arrived at the entrance not long after we did. She had a big smile and was almost skipping on our way to the boat.

“Things must have gone well.”

“A lady never tells, and don’t ask Toro what we talked about.” She added at the end.

We decided to walk to the boat as I didn’t want to wake Manami yet.

After getting to the boat, I laid Manami on one of the bench seats and left to untie the boat.

Manami can tie a great knot, so I struggle to unravel it. As I do, I can hear the girls inside.

“Manami, good morning.” Catalina jokes. I was making good headway on the knot now. “Manami your, does Myo know?”

“Hm?” From outside, I couldn’t see what made Catalina sound so worried. Now that the knot had fallen in our great battle, I headed in to check on them.

As I head for the entrance, Catalina runs out and blocks the door. She spreads her arms out and shoves her boobs in my face.

I pull my head back and close my eyes. “Sorry Catalina, but I have Manami now. Do you mind stepping aside?”

“Not yet!” She yelled.

She was acting strangely. From the crevice between her and the door, I could see Manami sitting on the ground and putting her hat back on. Perhaps she had fallen after waking up.

“It’s ok now Catalina, thank you.”

Catalina let out a sigh of relief and walked inside. I walk in and kneel in front of Manami. “Everything ok?”

She nodded and spread her arms, asking me to lift her back up into the seat. Without a thought, I did as she commanded. The two girls sat beside each other, but there’s an air of awkwardness now, I must have missed something.

“Ready to head out?”

Both nod and, after a few kicks to the console, the boat breathes life. “Off we go.” Now filled with sea traversing experience, I steer our great vessel back to our island.

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Catalina was the one to break the silence after a while. “That was really fun, thanks for bringing us, Myo.”

“No problem.” I couldn’t let her know about my plan. Out here, my body would never be found.

“Maybe we could come next year too. What do you say, Manami?”

“That would be nice.”

“Are you tired? Here.” I hear Catalina tapping her legs. Manami takes her offer fast which makes me a little jealous. “Go ahead and fall asleep, I’ll wake you up when we get home.”

“Thank you.” Manami’s voice was no more than a whisper.

“She’s a sweet girl.” Catalina said after Manami fell asleep.

“The sweetest, and most beautiful, and most fun, and she’s a great cook, and-”

“Ok ok!” She giggled as she spoke. “If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”

“If I manage that, then I’ll ask you to.”

I can feel Catalina staring at the back of my head. “You’re much nicer than I thought you would be.”

“And you’re exactly how I thought you were.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Nope. It makes me happy that Toro found someone so nice.” I muttered the last bit, but I meant every word. Catalina is kind and honest, someone Toro deserved to find.

Now I just have to play my role of matchmaker.

After we arrive at the island, Catalina says her goodbyes and heads towards the train station. Manami and I were headed to the hospital in the opposite direction.

Manami was rejuvenated after her nap and dragged me by the hand to keep up with her. She was in a hurry, but her mom always picked her up a few hours from now.

“Myo, thank you for today.” She said as she continued to pull me.

“I still have more days like this to give you.”

“I look forward to them.” She turns to give me a quick smile. “I lo-”

“Manami!” At the sound of her name being called, I also heard our hearts collectively drop.

Manami’s mom walked over from the parking lot. Manami let go of my hand and rushed over to her mom, “Mom I.”

Manami’s mom walked past her and right over to me. Then, her hand came down hard to deliver a good slap on my cheek. I felt blood spill from my mouth but didn’t retaliate.

“Mom!” Manami runs back to us.

“Get in the car Manami!” Manami stops, unsure of what to do. I gave her a nod and smiled. Although she still hesitated, Manami left for her car. “Who the fuck do you think you are?” Manami’s mom raises her hand again but stops herself midway. “All of sudden, Manami started taking interest in makeup and looking cute. It made me so happy, but I guess she was doing it for you… level with me kid, do you know about her illness?”

“I do.”

“I see. You aren’t doing this for some self-fulfilling purposes are you?” She asked in a somber tone. As if having dealt with others who only showed Manami pity many times before.

“I would never do that. I have liked Manami since we started high school. I asked her out before, but she rejected me. After she told me about her illness, and how she doesn’t think she deserves happiness… I couldn’t let the girl I like so much think that way. So, for as long as I can, I’ll do whatever I can to make her happy. Because seeing her smile… makes me so happy.”

Manami’s mom embraces me. “Thank you. She hasn’t been eager for anything in so long and seeing her smile at home has just been…” She pulls back and holds my shoulders. “But there’s a process to this, understand? I need to know where she is always, if you want to take her out then I need to make sure she has her medicine and is safe. So please, don’t do this again.”

“I promise.” I bow. “And I’m very sorry.”

Manami’s mom gives me one final scan and returns to her car. She brings Manami out and gives her what looked like a good scolding. Afterwards, Manami ran over to me.

“Are you ok?” Manami rubbed my cheek.

“Mhmm, you didn’t get in too much trouble, did you?”

Manami shakes her head. “She’s pretty mad but glad I’m ok.” Manami gave me a quick kiss on my cheek, I almost fainted at the sensation. “Call me when you get home.”

Manami left before I could find the composure to respond. “I will.”

I still need to return Pablo’s key. While Manami’s mom was scolding me, I saw him from the corner of my eye. He waited for me by where he sits while watching the kids play.

“Thanks for letting me borrow the boat.”

“I’m disappointed in you Myo.” He said as he grabbed the key.

“I’m sorry. I should have told her mom.”

“You should have.”

“You didn’t get in trouble, did you?”

“No, her mom just asked if she was here since she wasn’t answering her phone. Sit.” He taps the spot beside him. “You know, right?”

I nod my head. “Pablo, is there a way to…”

Pablo didn’t respond, he just rubbed my back without making eye contact. “I know you. So, I know you aren’t doing this because you feel bad. But I’m worried about you.”

“You don’t need to be.”

“Yes, I do. I spend the most time with you. You may deny it, but I can tell. It’s time for you to take a break and let it out.”

I don’t respond. He’s right. But I’m too stubborn to do what he asks. Or, too afraid. Releasing years’ worth of anything isn’t going to be easy. And I don’t have the time to waste right now.

“Myo, if you really like her. It’s going to be way worse than anyone else. So, for your own good, it’s best you learn how to deal with that now. Does your mom know?”

“I haven’t mentioned it.”

“Dios mio. I’ll tell her if you don’t.”

“I’ll do it. Thanks again.” I get up but Pablo pulls my shirt.

“You owe me a thirty-minute nap.”

The next morning, I woke up to the smell of eggs and sausages.

Mom had woken up early for the first time in a few days and was filling the table up with what she didn’t make then.

“Good morning!” She said as I walked in.

“Good morning mom, didn’t you want some more sleep?”

“You always leave for the hospital before me! We didn’t even see each other yesterday; I want to spend some time with my boy.” She finishes her cooking and waves me over. “Eat until you’re full and then some more because we don’t waste food in this house.”

I did my best to fulfill her order, but I couldn’t make it past half of the plates on the table. The rest would have to be dealt with for lunch.

“Mom, there’s something I need to tell you.”

She almost barfed her breakfast. I can’t remember the last time we’ve talked about anything more than our days.

“You didn’t get a girl pregnant, did you?”

“No no. But I am dating someone.”

“Really?” She sounded just as surprised. “Who is it?”

“Do you remember the girl with blue hair that started coming to the hospital?”

She dropped her fork. “Myo…”

“I know.” I explained everything up until the point where I asked her out. “She was honest with me. I understand and want to be with her.”

“But are you being honest with her?” She glared at me.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, it’s not fair if she is opening up to you, but you aren’t opening up to her. Do you think she would be happy to know you’re keeping secrets?”

“She doesn’t need to know that.”

“Yes, she does. I don’t want to you see like that again. The same way you’re helping her, she can help you. If you won’t open up with me, at least let her do that for you.”

Our conversation ended there. I’m sure she knew I wouldn’t do as she asked. It’s just something I don’t have the strength to do.