Chapter 23

"I know," Sora answered. "I won't give up Roro. We still have a day. Let's not lose hope. We'll save Saika."

Hiro got up and laid down on the bed. He was exhausted. Both physically and mentally. All he wanted to do was rest but he couldn't help thinking about Raiden.

It annoyed him to hell but Raiden was the only person he could think about at the moment who could help. He just didn't know what to give Raiden in return. Raiden didn't want him anymore and he didn't have anything Raiden could possibly want.

Earlier, he had made up his mind never to have anything to do with Raiden again but given the situation, he knew he'd have to go back. And this time, he didn't care if he'd be humiliated. He would go on his knees and beg if he had to. He would do anything.

He couldn't let Saika die.

********

"I can't believe you guys did it," Saika exclaimed, happily eating the dumplings Hiro bought for her. "I'm getting the transplant?"

Hiro smiled as he gently wiped the oil stain by the corner of her mouth with a tissue. "Yes, sister. You're going to be just fine."

If one looked closely, they would see that Hiro's smile didn't reach his eyes and there was a twinge of pain in them. The pain that came from lying to his sister about her life.

He just couldn't look her in the eyes and tell her that they had no money. They had already raised her hopes when she had none. They had told her not to worry. That everything would be fine. He didn't have it in him to tell her that they couldn't afford the transplant anymore.

Besides, he wasn't completely lying. Sora had told him to tell her that all was well and her surgery was going to happen. He said he would get the money by all means. Although Hiro didn't believe Sora could get 5 million in so little time, he couldn't break his sister's heart and for some reason, he still held on to hope.

Hope that things would be fine.

"How? Where did you get the money?" Saika asked.

"Big brother did," Hiro answered. "I don't know how but he did it."

More like how he would do it.

Saika sighed, shaking her head. "Brother never ceases to amaze me. He always achieves the impossible. Even when we were kids, he would make sure he did whatever he set his heart on. When father assigned him projects, he always made sure he completed them. Brother has never let anyone down. I should never have been worried in the first place."

"Yeah. Big brother's great." Hiro sat on the chair beside her bed and placed his head on the soft mattress, facing away from her. He didn't want her to see his tears.

The doors to the room suddenly burst open and Michi rushed in, panting. "Hiro, there's something you have to see!"

His sudden entrance startled both Hiro and Saika. Hiro quickly stood up. "Hey be more quiet next time. Do you want to give my sister a heart attack?"

"I'm sorry." Michi apologised, hurriedly bowing to Saika. He grabbed Hiro by the arm and pulled. "Come with me. You have to see this."

Saika giggled. Michi had always been dramatic. She waved at them both. "Go on. I'll be fine." Nothing could ruin her mood. She had just learned that she was going to live. What could ruin such happiness?

Michi dragged Hiro outside and he didn't stop until they got to the balcony where privacy was ensured. He then handed Hiro his phone. "Read this."

"What is it?" Hiro asked, collecting the phone.

"Just read it. Hurry." Michi pressed.

Hiro sighed and scrolled the page Michi had opened. It was an article that was released a few minutes ago and it had his brother's picture and name boldly placed on top.

The title of the article read; 'BIG TONY'S NEWEST PORNSTAR: WATANABE SORA!'

Hiro gasped in shock. He felt like a bucket of cold water was dumped on his body. The phone slipped from his hand but Michi luckily caught it before it fell to the ground.

"I still can't believe it," Michi said, stuffing his phone into his pocket. "Is this what he has to do to pay for the heart transplant?"

Everything that happened the night before suddenly made sense to Hiro. Sora was already knee-deep in debt. No one would loan him money but he was able to get 5 million. He must have signed a contract with Big Tony and was paid upfront. Then the money was taken from them by Ginro.

Hot tears flowed down Hiro's cheeks as he sunk to his knees in despair. Why was everything in their lives turning upside down? He couldn't make sense of anything at all.

His brother was going to be a pornstar?

"We can't let him do this Hiro," Michi said, also going on his knees. He held Hiro's hands and squeezed. "This isn't the time to cry. We have to do something. We can't let your brother do this."

"But what can we do?" Hiro sobbed. "Even if we go there, we can't do anything. He has already signed a contract and he was even paid yesterday. He has to do it."

"He was paid?" Michi asked, surprised. "So the transplant is covered?"

Hiro shook his head. "Ginro took the money yesterday, Michi. We don't have anything."

"Fuck" Michi cursed.

They both went silent for a while then Michi gasped, remembering something. "What about Raiden? Can you try again?"

"I was thinking about him too" Hiro answered truthfully. "Last time, he sent me out. He didn't want me, Michi. I doubt it will change this time but it's worth a shot right?"

Michi nodded. "I believe Raiden can solve everything. I don't know what it will take for him to do it though but as you said. It's worth a shot."

Hiro knew since last night that he'd eventually have to go back. He was just putting it off because his brother had assured him that he would get the money.

Now, there was no time and there was no money. His brother had signed a porn contract out of desperation. His reputation, his respect, his honour and Saika's life were all at stake. It didn't matter what Raiden wanted. He would do it. He would do anything.

Even if it meant he'd have to be Raiden's whore.

********

Raiden was seated in his office, going over some documents when the telephone on his work table rang. He quickly picked it up and answered. "Speak."

"Good afternoon sir," he heard his secretary say. "There's a person by the name of Watanabe Hiro here to see you. Should I let him in?"

Raiden's heartbeat quickened at the mention of the name 'Watanabe Hiro'. He closed his eyes and let out a long relieved sigh, leaning back in his comfy leather chair.

Hiro was back.