Family (1)

This time when I had woken up I did not have much chaotic thoughts, there was even company eagerly waiting for me to wake up.

"Hey… you two okay?"

I am honestly not sure how I had woken up this calmly, and talk as if nothing had happened.

Maybe I wanted them both to stop showing such guilt ridden faces, both my sister and Tang San were the only other people in the room other than me.

Seemingly wanting to say something, their mouths repeatedly opened and closed. Though most people would hold some sort of grudge, I didn't.

'Tang San went through all of this… silently… and on top of his desire for familial love… it must have really impacted him hard…'

Silently watching Tang San who had long stood up and was anxiously fidgeting with his hands, and my sister who had a look of shame on her face.

I could not chose between them on who was more pitiful right now, my sister who looked like a little puppy that had done something bad. And Tang San the protagonist who had went through hell, destined to become a god and ended up looking like this for a small situation like this.

But it did not matter, however I realized that…

Seeing these two right in front of me alright… it placated my tense heart.

"Brother Gao", "Big Bro"

Both of them started to talk at the same time which was new to me. Because both of them usually kept to themselves and talked very little unless I pushed for a conversation.

And even then they had only been arguing between each other, and although it was never serious it was at time very scary.

Now though they were looking at each other with resolution, one after the other both of them immediately said different things.

"May I be you brother?"

"Can Tang San be your brother?"

In an instant the room temperature plummeted, without thinking I kept a now 'kind' smile and coldly said, "Oi... are you sure that is what you two wanted to ask?"

My sister and Tang San had started to panic knowing I misunderstood and my sister had hurriedly corrected her previous statement.

"Bro can we adopt Tang San as our brother?"

Hearing that I calmed down.

Feeling the room temperature returning to normal, both of them visibly heaved a sigh of relief.

'Tang San don't think that you got way my friend... wait?'

"What?"

Surprised I reflexively asked, however once I had asked I wanted to slap myself.

Clenching his fists, Tang San said, "You, me and Gao Mingyun I would like your blessing for all of us to be... brothers and sister..."

Although he had gradually gotten softer and on the last part was softer than a normal mosquito's buzzing I could easily hear it.

Closely observing I could see him tightly closing his eyes, and slowly bending his head and his shoulders the longer i delayed my answer, almost as if facing a hopeless endeavor.

Seeing him start to turn and my sister nervously fiddling with her fingers around I knew I would regret it if I did not answer him here so I casually said, "Why not."

""Eh..?""

Giving a cheeky grin and feeling satisfied with both their reactions I asked, "What surprised? Well don't be I already considered you a good friend... and I had the feeling that our relationship might take a turn in this direction..."

Seeing him make a relieved expression I just had to add, "Don't get me wrong cause if this is a plot to get close to my sister, you better stop it and keep yourself away from my little sister... or else I will make you regret it"

Saying that in a jolly tone as I could make, I could see Tang San's face stiffened, and his lips started to twitch.

Continuing in a dark tone I slowly reeled in my grin i said, "Oh? So that was you plan huh... well then..."

"Big Bro can you please stop doing this to Brother Tang."

'Come on sis you just had to do that? And it was just getting good too…'

Grumbling, "Tch... fine, i was just joking with you."

Thinking for bit I realized, 'Wait I got a big brother image to keep up, have got to establish my seat ahead of time!'

'I need to say something to make a big impact on both of them… Ah I know…'

"Also stop calling Tang San by his 'family' name just call him Brother San or Xiao San."

Tang San who was at a loss for words had just been standing there, had suddenly smiled with some tears in his eyes.

Pretending to not see that I continued with a suggestive tone, "OR! Until~ we find out your mother's name you COULD~ take up our family name… so that we can call you 'Gao San'… of course if you're okay with that"

Looking at my sister and questioning with my eyes to find out if she was okay with that, getting a small smile as confirmation I said, "Come on man the offer is right there and waiting for you to pick it up, when ever you are…"

"Thank you…"

Looking at Tang San his face was red from excitement and there was even tears flowing down his face… he must have gone through a lot but he does not have to worry any more…

Looking at my sister I humorously said, "Hey sis do I have to do all the talking? Or do you want to say what comes next?"

"Let's say it together!"

Smiling warmly I nodded.

And at the same time we said, "Welcome to the family!", "Now get out I need some sleep!"

Shocked I turned my eyes towards my sister who just cutely stuck her tongue out and lightly knocked her head.

MOEEEE!!

*mental cough*

Although I do not know when Gao San had started laughing, I held that grudge towards both of them.

'Hey don't do that to me just because I can't move doesn't mean I won't remember this…'

Ignoring her I looked at Tang San exasperated, and just said, "Seems like she is at it again…"

Mumbling my grievances with mock disappointment and hurt in my eyes, "…also how could you think I was going to say that…"

However Tan… no Gao San just wiped the tears from his eyes and chuckled, "However you can't deny that you do need some sleep right now,"

"Tch…"

'Well I can't deny that after all I do believe that I did get some internal injuries for being bashed around like that.'

However I cannot rest in peace until I get confirmation for both of them so I questioned in a severe tone, "Tang Hao, he didn't get to both of you did he?"

Shaking his head exasperatedly and forcing a wry smiling, "That's what you're worried about?"

Raising his voice slightly, "Did you even see your own condition?"

By now he was already tearing up, "The village medic said that you won't be able to walk for almost seven maybe even more months, "

"... and you're worried about us?… Why are you not more worried about your sister and anxious if she is okay!?"

Shouting the last part Tang San panted slightly.

Calmly replying, "Both of you are my family aren't you?"

Gao San nodded "So right now you are saying to worry more about my sister than you, even though we are family… you should know, I will never leave family"

Gao San just stood there and started to laugh until he had to hold his belly.

"Gao Bai, although I have not known you two for very long I hope that we will always be a family."

Staring at him numbly I said, "Wasn't that what you said just now? For god's sake Brother San stop repeating yourself."

Stumbling my sister butted into our conversation and straight forwardly said, "C-Come on can you say it again?!"

Using her two most powerful card against me… puppy eyes and the pitiful look… she said, "Pretty please with a cherry on top!"

Hearing that sugar sweet goose bumps rippled throughout my body.

'Why past me… just why did you have to teach her that?!?! Can I come an punch you!!!"

Of course I would not do something like that, it would hurt a whole lot… and I maybe don't want her to not know this technique… not just yet… what... you can't blame me okay!

Unable keeping my poker face up and I almost immediately caved in to her request, "Fine… The three of us… We… Are… Family!"

Shouting as loud as I could in the condition I was in, hurt like my nerves were being dissected but it was worth it. Although saying something that cool in this condition was not really… well cool.

Although I don't know why I just had the urge to have them both leave, it was probably because I was tired and stressed?

In a blatantly fake annoyed tone I said, "Now get outta here you two you better be having me trying to keep up with you guys next game! Also I need some more rest."

Nodding both of them left with, ""Okay!""

Gao San stopped by the door and said, "Gao Bai… get well soon the three of us… we will aim for the top…"

Hearing that a faint smile emerged on my face, "… Yea…we will…"

Then he exited the door.

Once both of them left, I could hear the two of them mumbling something, but I was too focused on my own problems right now.

I was almost shuddering with multiple broken bones and internal injuries, my heart was beating at an abnormal rate and I could barely pay attention to my surroundings.

Forcefully suppressing my rapidly increasing breathing, I took slow and purposeful breaths. I was only able to watch the ceiling I did not even know what was going on, without me knowing there were even a few tears in my eyes from the pain.

Focusing on the pain to keep my self forcefully conscious of my surroundings, I felt like a fish on land at this point I could not even feel my body.

Gritting my teeth and forcing myself to not make a sound so as to not worry those two worry warts outside.

I just forced my self to go to sleep, however as I had expected that did not work. Although it is really late I knew that I was having a panic attack.

Deciding to endure it for a while until it turned over. I attempted to go to sleep, until Old Man Jack the village chief came into the room without me realizing. I did not realize though that all of the previous ailments had almost vanished.

"Kiddo… you okay?"

With a pale face I barely spoke, "Do I look okay Old Jack?"

"... You sound okay… considering you injuries…"

After a short silence and just staring at the ceiling asked, "How bad are they?"

Staring at me Old Jack sighed and came to sit on the seat my sister sat on the side of my bed.

"... well kid I don't know what to say. You want the sugar coated truth, or the blunt one."

"... Blunt, I was never good with round about the topic kind of talks."

I attempted to add in a light joke to clear the tense atmosphere, though it looked as though that effort was of naught.

Shaking his head in slight distress he sighed, "Gao Bai… both your legs are almost in pieces, so you would not be able to walk for around four or five months. You arms are thankfully only dislocated… well your right fore arm has a minor fracture but that would heal in a short month or two…"

Tailing off at the end I could tell that there was some more important parts that he is leaving out.

"You are leaving some stuff out aren't you…"

Steeling myself for the worst I lightly closed my eyes and mumbled, "... You don't have to worry about me… the sooner I know the better it will be for me..."

Feeling his lingering gaze on me I could hear him sighing, "Your head was hit really hard kid, to the point that I would not really be surprised that you had a few mental… injuries form it…"

Pausing for a bit he then said, "... also kid you should tell people things… it would make life much easier."

Looking at him quizzically he then sighed and he placed his hand on his head exasperated, "Forgot you are not good at vague talks,"

"I know about…"