Part 1

“Again.”

“Mother I’ve already tried, it’s hard and I can’t—!”

“Yes you can,” she said as she walked towards his fallen body. She talked in that same tone, he didn’t know what to call it. He had listened to her when she was angry, sad, even happy and proud. But never like this. Her tone sounded…...like there was nothing there. To Yuuko, they sounded like words that didn’t mean anything….but he understood them anyway?

He sat upright, wiping the dirt off his pants, but nothing more. She crouched next to him.

“You need to learn Yuuko. I am going to have to work much more than normal, and there will be days I can not be with you. More importantly, in case something like that ever happens to you again, you must at least learn this much.”

“……………………”

“Yuuko..?”

“I wouldn’t if dad...if father....were here.”

“……your father………would want you to stay safe... Now come on, on your feet, we’re trying again.” He stood up as his mother walked across their yard. “Remember to plant your feet firmly and keep low to the ground so you do not get knocked back. Be firm, but not to the point you can not move. Try coming at me one more—”

Her child wasn’t paying attention.

Of course he wasn’t.

He stood up as she requested, but his eyes were glued to the dirt beneath his shoes. Not only that, but his shoulders were slumped, and his face….

Oh….Oh Yuuko…

She paced back to where she’d been moments ago, gingerly holding both of his hands.

“Yuuko, sweetheart, is something wrong?”

“Mother,” he said, meeting her eyes.

“Yes?”

“How did father die?”

For most of her childhood and adolescence, Hikari had to learn to control herself. Not just emotionally, but physically— she had to control every muscle of her body. And the face was always the most difficult.

For a few moments, she had to look down, to stiffen herself. She couldn’t afford to lose control. Not here. Not in front of her son that needs her.

When she returned his gaze, she had the bare minimum amount of control in both her face and voice— it was one of gentleness, maturity, one that she knew would convey to her son that he was far too young to understand.

At least, that’s what she prayed for.

“Your father…..Yuuko…um……..your father…….”

It was breaking. She had to be quick.

“Your father….ahh…...his heart stopped.”

“His…..heart?”

“Y-Yes…….your father was…..sick. It is not….the sickness you feel in your body, but one you feel in your mind….in your heart.”

“I see….”

She opened her mouth, but her voice caught nothing but cold wind. She couldn’t speak. She didn’t notice she gripped her son’s hands tighter until she felt more of his warmth, but by then—

“—mother?”

“Y-Yes?”

The warmth she felt earlier spread throughout her body. She was confused as to where it came from, the soft and familiar comfort it brought. It felt….like something she had not felt in a very long time. Something she didn’t know she needed.

“It is okay mom.”

Her son’s voice in her ear, and a small pair of hands embracing her back. She understood now. The stiffness of her muscles disappeared, and before she knew it, her own arms were wrapped around her son’s back.

It was warm….so warm………chipping away at the coldness.

No, not here. She couldn’t break here.

“You….are right, Yuuko. We are alright. We are okay.”

It took everything she had to control her body, leaving nothing left to stop the shaking in her voice. But that’s when she noticed that her son’s words earlier held that same tone.

Yuuko………….why?

Why…….aren’t you crying?

Part 2

The midday sun shined through the windows of the teacher's lounge, illuminating every teacher’s individual desk, rife with paperwork, decorations, and notes intermingling with the scent of coffee. It was an ironic setting for their conversation.

“It was then that I taught him how to protect himself. He had trouble at his previous school, I am sure you have read about it already, and I wanted to be sure a similar event would not happen here. I…apologize, for any trouble it may have caused you.”

“No no, not at all! The issue was, thankfully, resolved quickly thanks in no small part to both your son and the other student who was present. Both seemed uninterested in pursuing the issue any further…… at least….normally.”

“Normally?” Hikari asked with a tint of worry.

“It’s…….actually the reason I asked you to come here today….”

She sat upright, folding the creases in her business skirt away. Though it was Saturday and she was required by her office, she let them know she would be out from morning to midday. This request by Hiroka Eikyu seemed far more important.

“Is he…….doing something wrong?”

The teacher made a difficult expression and looked to his desk on the left. There was a sheet of paper covered in bullet points; normally that would worry her, but something about the teacher made her lower her guard in that it’s not Yuuko he struggles to talk about, but rather his actions.

“Contrary to whatever happened to him at his previous school, Yuuko is quite popular in class now. The other children almost seem drawn to his attitude, especially after he told them of his dream to become a man— a hero.”

She gave a sigh at which Hiroka could only respond with a wry smile.

“My son said that to everyone?”

“For the former, yes, but his mentioning of being a hero seemed almost by accident.”

“….I see. He never used to hide it…..but I am glad he is not causing trouble.”

“...well, that’s what I was coming to. There’s one student in particular who has difficulties with the class, the one he had an altercation with. Ever since the incident, I believe he’s attempting to befriend her.”

“..........how do I help a girl like that?”

“Though I don’t oppose his efforts, I do have to admit I’m worried for his safety. She has…problems, and I’m not sure how she’ll react. I keep a close eye on her, but I just believed you should know as his parent.”

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“You do not…….oppose his efforts?”

“Miss Asahino?”

“You just admitted you worry for his safety, yet you do not oppose his efforts?” her tone had a dangerous edge to it.

“That’s not exactly what I meant but….”

“My son could get hurt again chasing this…….this ‘goal,’ but you are not opposed? As a teacher, should you not treat all your students equally?”

“That’s certainly my goal, but I meant—”

“—meant that my son can get hurt but this girl will not!?”

Seeing her suddenly stand up, the other members in the teacher’s lounge looked towards their direction; he could feel their eyes burning into them. Unable to meet her eyes, he looked to his notes and spoke.

“She is hurt. That’s why I want to help.”

Her eyes went wide with shock.

“.......there is a girl....she hurts........she is being hurt....”

“I wonder if even a useless teacher like me could do something…….so I want to help.”

She sat back down, bowing slightly.

“I deeply, deeply apologize for my outburst just now. Please forgive me, things have been…difficult.”

He was quiet for a few moments before deciding on his response.

“Since it’s so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them have at least heard of brave knights and heroic courage.”

She looked up at him, confusion strewn across her face.

“A quote from the woman who got me into teaching,” he explained. “It’s one of the reasons I’ve been helping Yuuko, but I also believe it’s not his responsibility. As a teacher, I’m doing everything I can to help Yuya’s, the girl’s, situation.”

“Is she….alright?”

He held the gentle smile he’d been giving her all this time, but it wasn’t reflected in his eyes.

“I wish it were different, but not all parents have the amount of care that you have for your son.”

“……….”

The silence stretched on for what seemed like hours. Eventually, it was Hiroka that cut the delicate air that had formed between them.

“Well, I mainly called you in to tell you that, about his fight I mean. Thankfully it should be water under the bridge soon, but it was necessary to inform you.”

“Yes….. thank you Mr. Hiroka.”

Both gently rose from their chairs and bowed before Hikari turned to leave.

“A final question if you do not mind,” she said holding the door ajar. “You said it is not his responsibility, correct?”

He made a difficult face as the question hung in the air. The silence wasn’t a dead one, but it was clear he was thinking carefully about his answer.

“I’m proud as his teacher to see him trying to help his classmate….but there are things a boy should, and should, not pursue.”

“……….I see,” she said without facing him. “Thank you, once again.”

Though the answer he gave was unclear, its weight was enough for both of them— the answer of what it is a child can do.

Part 3

“OUCH!” he said, violently stomping the kitchen floor. “STUPID…..OIL!”

He hurriedly covered his mouth, changing his words.

“Dumb…..I meant dumb oil…..”

*grrrruuuuuuumbleeee*

He sighed.

“I am making more food now, please stop growling, stomach.”

“gruph”

“Yes Toshi, for you too…but I am still not very good….”

The dish he was preparing is extraordinarily simple— eggs with a side of rice, but he was struggling much more than when he learned it from his mother, mainly due to one factor.

“Toshi…….she isn’t like you….she keeps pushing…”

In his mind, he replayed the countless times he’s tried to get close to Yuya during the week. Each and every time, she’s rejected him— even hit him a few times, though it wasn’t very hard.

There was the time he tried to go on the walk she does around the block, but she pushed him onto the sidewalk. Another day, he appeared behind her and offered to help her with homework she hadn’t finished yet, but she just yelled at him to “mind his own business”. Every time she said something like that, people in class would stare at her, and later come tell Yuuko that it’s okay— he never paid them any mind.

“Oh no!”

The smoke from the burning omelet clouded his vision, bringing him back to the present. Having no time to think, he threw the dish— pan and all— into the sink, pouring water on it; that resulted in even more smoke. In a blind rush, he climbed the countertop and opened the window above the sink, jumping off and landing hard. His feet ached from the pain, but he had no time to think about it. He quickly opened the rest of the windows in his home, and by the time he got to the last one, the smoke was already clearing out.

Returning to the kitchen, he looked into the sink to see steam rising from a soggy omelet floating on the water in the pan.

“…………….”

He sighed and sulked against the kitchen wall. If he had been paying attention, this wouldn’t have happened, and he and Toshi would be eating.

“No no no!” he thought, violently shaking his head. “Don’t look down!”

Though he forced himself to look up from the floor, he just didn’t have the energy to keep it up.

“Maybe that’s why she always does it….”

“You and your friends STAY AWAY FROM ME!”

“I wonder…….why things get hurt…..”

“grph.”

Toshi pawed up to him with dark, marble brown eyes.

“It hurts though boy…… every time she….. it just hurts every time…….”

Toshi didn’t say anything, and Yuuko almost smiled because he remembered the first time he met him, he kept thinking to himself that a dog couldn’t talk.

“He wrote in his letter— that I should try again. Even though he said it would hurt….”

The white colored ceiling helped him focus his thoughts. He kept the letters in a book upstairs; they have a lot in them, and they reminded him of something.

“Dad always called mom a flower….and mom said that girls are like flowers a lot of the time. What kind of flower do you think she is, boy?”

Of course, Toshi gave no response, but that was fine with him…..because he could remember.

“Yuuko, you’ll need to know something about flowers for when you’re older.”

“Mother, flowers are for girls, I do not even like them!”

“Ara, but this is a different type of flower.”

“A different kind?”

“You see Yuuko…….the prettiest flowers……..”

He grabbed a pencil and flipped open the white journal that lay on the kitchen table. His face was centimeters away from the page, furiously scribbling away, until he finally looked up from it with determination scrawled on his face.

“These plans…….I think that this time, they will work.”

“grph.”

“Yeah, even if it hurts…..because that is what father said.”

“grph.”

Yuuko picked up another pan and resumed his attempts at creating an omelet for him and his dog.

Part 4

“There’s no way that’s true Red!”

“You need to learn how to talk to girls Katsuo,” she pouted. “That was a mean way to say it!”

“Sorry, sorry…..it’s just that, do you really think that’s true?”

“I just read about it, I don’t know.”

“Yeah, I guess…...but it’d be TOTALLY COOL if it were true, right?”

She couldn’t help but smile wide at his overreaction.

“I think it’d be pretty cool….but it’s just plant stuff. I didn't know you’d be so interested in plants changing colors if you change the color of the water.”

Sunlight filtered gently through patches of white clouds as the two talked under the backyard porch in Katsuo’s home. The melting ice made soft clinking noises in their cups as the two enjoyed the air of the Sunday afternoon.

To most, it seemed like their relationship was oddly close, but it didn’t seem like that to Katsuo and Red, who’d known each other since before they could remember. Red lived two doors down from Katsuo, and visited whenever she wanted; Katsuo actually found it strange that she said she should always be the one to visit, never him. He had been to her house a handful of times, and he thought it may have something to do with her older sister always asking him strange questions.

“Say Katsuo~! Do you want to get married someday?”

“Big sister!!”

Well, he never gives it much thought, but she has a nice family.

“Hey, Red.” he began with a frown.

“What’s wrong?”

“Do you think……Yuuko has been weird, lately?”

“Weird?”

“Yeah I mean…….he doesn't really talk to us anymore. Since school started, we became friends but….he hasn’t talked to us since last week.”

“Oh,” she said, the smile disappearing from her face. “Now that you mention it, I guess he hasn’t.”

Katsuo leaned back on his arms while Red pulled her legs to her chest.

“Yeah. He also talks a lot to Yuya…I guess since the teacher moved us around that makes sense, but she never talks back.”

“She did….tell us to stay away from her….”

“But Yuuko doesn’t.”

She turned to look at him, and she could see it right away.

“Katsuo….”

“It’s just……….I want us to be friends but…….it hurts when he ignores us…….”

Besides his own family, there was no one who knew Katsuo better than Red. His shoulders always scrunch up whenever he gets upset, and she couldn’t stand the look on his face.

She couldn’t help but think that if it hadn’t been for Katsuo, she would still be too scared to talk to people. Well, she was still scared, but not as much as she used to be, the proof being that she could talk to Yuuko after only knowing him for a few days. He was never around to see it, but when Katsuo talked about Yuuko, especially that first day he introduced himself, his eyes would always light up, it was something she never got tired of seeing. She knows why it happens, and knows how much it means to him.

With newfound fervor, she moved to crouch down by Katsuo.

“We’ll ask him!”

Her sudden outburst caused his arms to give out under him.

“K-Katsuo! Are you okayI’m reallysorryI didn’tmeantohurt—”

“No, that’s a great idea!”

As quickly as he fell, he recovered, regaining his balance and quickly getting himself on two feet.

“That’s a great idea Red! Yuya is going to hurt him bad if we don’t stop this— she already gave us a warning, and we can’t let a new friend get hurt!”

As he finished his speech, she noticed how strongly his fists were balled up. Katsuo had never left Red alone since helping her, and she wanted to repay him.

“I’m going to help too!” she said violently erupting from the wooden porch. Though she had the energy, she began to sway as soon as the words left her mouth.

“Red!” screamed her friend as he caught her. “Hey hey, are you alright!?”

“I….stood up…..too fast…….ahh, Katsuo, there’s four of you.”

Her sight was making copies, but she could see his energetic smile as clear as day. It made her feel better every time.

“You’re the best Red…….ah! Hey! Your face is getting red! Are you sure you’re okay!?”

“I’m okay but...can you let me go now please?”

He looked down, noticing he still hadn’t let her go.

“Ah!” He retreated backwards. “S-Sorry, I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

“No,” she said trying to cover her face with her bangs. “I’m okay. Thanks.”

He took a deep breath and tried to calm down. They had a plan now.

“Yuuko,” he said, looking at the rays of sun. “Friends don’t let friends get hurt!”