Later that morning.
Beep beep beep. A pale looking woman is sitting in a white hospital room staring out the window at the city below. It’s Murata’s mother Kimiko, she’s wearing a cap to not show the fact that she is bald from the cancer treatments. She’s spent the last two years fighting an aggressive form of leukemia. Her eyes still sparkle and her demeanor is that of a proper lady. You can tell she used to be an astounding beauty, but the cancer treatments have made her extremely skinny and slightly sickly looking. Murata is sitting in a chair quietly reading a Shakespeare novel. He glances at his watch and a small smile rises on his face. “Mother it looks like Mio will be here soon. She’s been looking forward to seeing you for a while now.”
His mother turns to him and her lips curve slightly into a soft smile. “Mio has always been a very considerate girl. You two have known each other for a long time. I consider that girl to be one of my own children. That Benjiro could use a little work though, I hope my daughter can pull him out of his slump one day.” Kimiko sighs. “He still has a lot of growing up to do for sure.” There is about a minute of silence. “You know my darling son that Mio has grown into quite the beautiful girl. I am sure there are plenty of men who are eyeing her as a potential partner. Have you thought about making your move yet, you might be too late if you wait any longer.”
Towa got a stern look on his face “I’m well aware that there are others who are looking at her. I haven’t made my move yet, but I will soon. I can tell she only sees me as a friend at the moment. We have grown up together and at times we are as close as siblings. Getting her to look at me as a romantic interest has been challenging to say the least. I just recently had to drive off a boy who was getting too close to her.”
Kimiko’s smile faded. “I hope you didn’t go too far my son. You realize you’re not in a relationship yet right. Please do not let jealousy cloud your judgment, it could harm our family’s reputation. I understand your frustration and I empathize with you, just don’t let it blind you. That’s why I’m telling you to make your move sooner than later. She may not wait for you and I’m sure you understand that. What I’m saying is that I support you, your father and I support you son. If need be, we can arrange the marriage between you two if you like? Our families are close and your fathers influence could help her father a lot.”
Towa thought for a minute. “Let’s see if I can woo her on my own first. It would be easier on everyone if I could convince her to love me first. I’ve loved her since we were children, I can wait a while longer. I just need her to become conscious of me as a man. I don’t think that should be to hard now that I’ve grown up. That’s why I distanced myself from her a little over the past couple of years. I needed her to think of me less as a brother and more as a man. I know this is going to sound arrogant, but I know I’m handsome. I just need her to see me for who I have become, not the boy I used to be.”
Towa’s mother smiled a little. “Yes, you sure have grown into a handsome young man. I wish you luck. You should go down stairs and greet her at the entrance. It will seem more manly if you do.” Towa stood up immediately nodded and left the room. Kimiko giggled a little and sighed. “Ah love. It sure does change people, he used to be such a sweet boy. But now all I feel is intensity and drive from him to win the heart of Mio. He needs to relax it would probably help him win her over much easier.”
Ten minutes later Sakurai was walking up to the hospital as her thoughts turned to the past. "It’s been a long time since I have seen Kimiko I’m kind of excited. It’s been two years since she got cancer. I miss the bright and vibrant aunt that I had grown up with." An image of a beautiful black-haired woman standing in a rose garden purple eyes sparkling like stars with a smile on her face appeared in her mind. "Towa kind of changed after his mother got sick." She thought back to a younger looking Towa with a sad expression on his face as he told her about his mother’s cancer. "It seemed like all he did was focus on basketball and school after that. I guess he was just worried and used it as an outlet. I was sad at first that he distanced himself from me but I guess I understand that he was going through some things. He seems to have gotten better lately and we’ve been spending more time together. He’s not the same as he used to be, he seems to have grown up a lot. I miss the kind eyes he used to have, now when he smiles It feels like something is off."
Standing there waiting in front of the building was Towa is talking to an old man in a wheel chair. Sakurai blushed a little when she saw him. "That damn Ren made me conscious of him and now it feels kind of awkward." Towa was conversating with the old man and hadn’t noticed her yet. "You know Ren is right about one thing he sure has grown up a lot. He definitely isn’t the young boy I used to know. He is rather handsome now that I’m actually looking at him. He has always been kind to me, he does have a good family, and he is driven. I can see why some girls would be attracted to him now that I think about. Damnit Ren now I can’t get your words out of my head. Does Towa like me as a woman or just as a friend? I’ll start paying more attention to him when we talk maybe I can figure it out on my own." She continued to approach Towa and the old man. “Towa what are you doing down here I thought you would be waiting for me upstairs?”
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The old man immediately spoke as soon as he saw her. “My young man you sure have gotten yourself a cute girlfriend. Aww to be young again.” The old man smiled softly.
Sakurai’s face turned red immediately “G-girlfriend.” she stuttered.
Towa smiled mischievously “Were still just friends.”
The old man smiled “I see, well good luck young man and tell your mother I said hello.”
“I will and it was nice talking to you sir.” Towa looked at the blushing girl in front of him. “Come on Mio my mother is waiting.” He thought "It was a smart idea to pay that old man to say that. I bet that will make her conscious of me." Mio was still staring at him as he walked up to her. Mio flinched a little as he got close. “Is something the matter?” He mischievously thought "Yup that definitely worked like a charm. It might be a little awkward for a while but it was worth it."
“N-no I’m alright let’s go. I don’t want to keep Kimiko waiting.” Towa and Mio walked into the hospital and took the elevator up to his mother’s hospital room. They were quiet on the walk and elevator ride. Towa was right, the old man had made things a little awkward but she wasn’t that happy about it. She was internally cursing "Damnit old man I had just calmed myself down and he had to say that. Between Ren and that old man in a wheelchair things have gotten awkward. I need to calm myself down before we reach Kimiko." Finally, they arrived at Kimiko's room somewhat lessening the tension between them.
Entering the room Sakurai’s nervousness disappeared somewhat and a slightly sad expression could be seen on her face. Kimiko smiled softly when she saw the young couple enter the room. “Mio, I’m so glad that you came to see me. It must have been six months since we’ve last seen each other.” Kimiko notice Mio’s expression “Don’t worry Mio I’m fine now. I just finished my last treatment and I should be out of the hospital next month.” Kimiko's smile never faded. While she was tired but she wanted to cheer up the obviously sad girl.
Sakurai forced herself to smile. She walked closer and sat in a chair next to the hospital bed. “Aunty, I’ve been so worried about you. I’m happy to hear you are going to be released soon. Sorry if I seemed a little shocked when I walked into the room. I’m just not used to you having no hair.”
Kimiko smiled at Mio “Oh, sweetie don’t worry about it, it will grow back. I know the feeling though, the day it all started to fall out I cried my eyes out. I was so shocked at how much it changed my look, it felt like looking at a stranger in the mirror for a couple weeks. But I’ve come to terms with it now.”
“Aunty you are still as beautiful as ever with or without hair. So, you said the treatments went well and you will be released soon. I’m happy to hear that, I’ll come visit you for tea after you get settled at home.” Sakurai smiled brightly. The two talked back and forth for awhile with Towa chiming in every once in a while.
Kimiko smiled mischievously. “How is high school going for you Mio? Knowing you, your studies are going fine, but how is your social life. Such a beautiful girl as yourself must have a boyfriend already.”
Mio blushed at the question. She glanced over at Towa who was sitting in a chair near the foot of his mother’s bed. “A boyfriend! N-not at the moment. I have had a few upperclassmen confess to me since the first year though. I didn’t know any of them well enough to date though. I guess I just don’t really have anyone I’m that interested in at the moment.” A flash of a certain blonde-haired boy appeared in her head. "Why did I just think of him?" “But I wouldn’t be apposed to the idea I guess.”
Kimiko studied Mio for a few seconds. She thought "This girl definitely has someone she’s interested in, I’m just not sure it’s Towa." “So, no one interesting huh? I wish Towa would find someone as cute and responsible as you. I would love to have you as a daughter in law.” Sakurai’s face turned completely red. Kimiko giggled a little. “Don’t worry little Mio I’m just teasing you.” The two chatted back and forth for the next hour before Sakurai got up to leave. Kimiko glanced over at Towa giving him a look. Towa got up and immediately offered to walk Sakurai to the station.
Towa and Sakurai walked out of the hospital having idle conversation. The atmosphere between the two was still a little awkward but had slightly calmed. When closing in on the station Towa finally broached the subject he had been wanting to bring up. “Have you been to the pool this year Sakurai. If you’re up to it, would you like to come over to the house and go swimming? We used to do it all the time when we were little. I thinking it would be like old times, you, me, Akari and Benjiro used to swim all summer long.” The thought of the girl he liked in a swimsuit was something he was looking forward too.
Sakurai thought for a second. “S-sure sounds fun but I have to buy a swimsuit so how about I get back to you on the date. I’m sure Benjiro will need a new swimsuit so I’ll take him with me.”
Towa smiled “Alright sounds good, let me know. It’s almost summer so we have to study pretty hard for exams for the next two weeks anyways.” The pair said their goodbyes and Sakurai boarded the train headed towards the closest station to her house.