Love and Loss

Me and Airi we're now in our second year of middle school and the current day was October 11th the day also happened to be both of our birthdays. Me and my mom were waiting on Aunt Ai and Airi to get here with the cake since my mother didn't really know how to cook.

"I can't believe you're already in your second year of middle school you're growing up so fast I just wish your father was here to see you."

"I know Ka-san I'm just happy I have you"

"Me too sweetie," she said bringing me in for a hug.

"Have you given any thought to what you want to be when you grow up, a musician perhaps?" At her sudden question, I remained silent for a few moments before replying

"I think I want to be a hero…"

"Ohh a hero huh… I let you in on a little secret. When I was your age, I wanted to be a hero too though it didn't end up working out nothing would make me prouder than to have you carry on my dream" My eyes widened in surprise when I heard her dream before turning into a look of determination.

"I promise I'll make you proud I'll carry on your dream and become an amazing hero" She just smiled, but before she could respond there was suddenly a knock on the door.

"That must be Ai and Airi with the cake go open it and I'll make sure everything is ready" And sure enough when I opened it both were standing there, Airi with a cake in her hands.

"Happy birthday you little squirt" Aunt Ai greeted me with her usual devilish grin giving me a hug.

"Thanks, Oba-chan. Hey, Airi happy birthday."

"Yo right back at you. Now let's eat I'm starving"

…

Dinner was a pleasant time and had both me Airi's favorite food. And now we were standing around the table with a cake lit up with candles. And we're ready to sing the birthday song.

"Come on hurry up I wanna taste the cake I helped make," said Airi clearly in a good mood.

"I didn't know you helped I'm a little hesitant now"

"Ha Ha let's just get on with it"

And just when we started to sing the happiness that felt palpable in the air suddenly dissipated. I watched as my mother like playing a replay of one of my nightmares started to collapse like a puppet with its strings cut.

Coming out of my shock I quickly caught her.

"KA-SAN!!"

"Oba-chan!!"

"Shiro what happened!!"

"Call an ambulance!" I screamed in panic.

…

Sitting in the emergency room no one spoke a word we just sat there as I stared at the floor with Aunt Ai and Airi holding each of my hands. The only solace was that she was still breathing when we took her in. Finally, the doctor came in.

"Are you the son?"

"Yes, what's wrong with her? Is she all right?"

"She's currently alive but she's in a coma we aren't sure what's wrong with her but we're running tests"

"Can we see her?"

"Yes, but it's family only at this time"

"Ok…" I said turning to the mother-daughter pair.

"Go on sweetie we'll be right here," Aunt Ai said as they both gave me a hug.

Walking into the hospital room and seeing my mother laying on the bed I instantly felt my eyes becoming wet. She was the only parent I've ever had over both my lifetimes being an orphan in my previous life I wasn't used to parental love. It was a warmth that I found addictive. It gave me a happy feeling that once it was gone it's left me feigning for more. As I sat down beside her holding her hand and started to speak to her.

"I'm sorry… I wasn't strong enough… I saw this coming but I wasn't- I couldn't stop it, I'm so sorry, but I promise I will heal you. I promise you will wake up again. And in the meantime, I'll carry out your dream." After my declaration, I just sat there in silence until I was forced to leave.

…

Months passed and my mother still had not woken up.

"Hey let's go to school again everyone keeps asking when we're coming back"

"Mm"

"Are you even listening to me?"

"Mm"

"Akira! You can't just shut everything out I know you want to cure your mom but this isn't the way to do it you barely eat or sleep you can't just throw away your life like this!"

"How could you possibly know…"

"Wha-"

"I said how could possibly know what it's like to lose the only family you've ever had!" *Smack!* feeling a sudden heat in my cheek I looked over and saw tears streaming down Airi's face

"You don't know anything! Do you know what it's like to watch your best friend the only one person you could really call family bleed out and die!? Or maybe I was the only one that thought of us like that!?"

"Of course, not you know what I meant"

"Do you know how I felt after you died!"

"I'm sorry… I just wanted to protect you"

"Who asked for your protection!? What kind of a life is there for me if you're not in it!!!"

…

(Aira's POV)

As soon as I finished shouting, I was suddenly pulled into Akira's embrace.

"I'm so sorry Airi… I promise I'll never leave you again" My tears kept coming like a damn had burst the only thing I could do was nod and reply back softly,

"Ok… I promise too" Suddenly he widened the distance between us but still held onto me.

"Please don't cry you know It's not good for my heart," he said as he wiped the tears that were still falling. When I looked into his violet eyes which shined like two amethysts, I could suddenly feel my heart beating rapidly. I didn't know what to do with this strange feeling that felt foreign yet familiar at the same time. My confusion suddenly turned to a tinge of fear like I was afraid of this new emotion and what it would do to me. As if sensing my emotions Akira just smiled softly making the tears that had just dried up threaten to fall again. Bringing up his hand he moved the hair that had fallen in my face placing it behind my ear. Then without warning he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine.

"I told you I hate seeing you cry my heart can't take it"

"I…I love you"

"I know"