Chapter 20

Well, he couldn't be sure for he didn't know the full details of what happened between them. He only knew Hiro's side of the story.

"I'm leaving." Hiro suddenly said, standing up.

Michi glanced at the clock on the wall of his shop. "Hey, it's not even 9 yet. Why are you leaving so soon?"

Hiro slowly wore his jacket. He looked dejected and somewhat broken. "I'm tired Michi. I just want to go to bed. See you tomorrow."

With that, Hiro left. Michi sighed, staring at Hiro's untouched cup of tea. He hoped Hiro would be okay.

Hiro was slowly walking back home, hands deep in the pockets of his jacket, the chilly wind blowing against his face, sending his sandy locks flying. His lips quickly went dry and his skin went pale, like a person without blood.

He had never felt so helpless in his entire life. Even when he had nothing to eat, at least he still had hope that he would get leftovers from Michi's restaurant. When his clothes had holes or his shoes were too worn, he could get some from a donation centre. He could live on like that. He didn't mind and he had gotten used to it.

But this, this was his sister. He had only one and she could not be replaced like clothes and shoes. She could not be gotten like food. There was only one Saika and she had just two days left to live.

Could he get used to living without her?

The thought made him pause on the street. He stood still as it kept reverberating in his head. The future seemed so bleak and he couldn't think of anything beyond her smiling face. Fresh hot tears pooled in his eyes, making his sight blurry.

The answer was no.

Ever since his parents were imprisoned and they had to live on their own, she became everything to him. Sora was always too busy trying to get a job or provide food for them to eat so she took on the role of a father, a mother, a brother, a sister, a maid, a nurse, everything. She was always there for him. A day never went by when she let him miss their parents. She always brightened his day and warmed his cold nights.

Unfortunately, as time went on, the care their parents had given her could no longer be sustained by Sora and her health deteriorated. Soon, she was hospitalised but she remained his sun. A big bright source of energy and hope.

Now it was going to be snuffed out in two days. Hiro couldn't take it. Just the thought had him reeling with pain. He sunk to his knees on the sidewalk, letting his tears flow down his cheeks.

He was sad, angry and brimming with hatred. He cried because he hated his parents who produced drugs that would harm society just for money. He hated them for being in jail, leaving them to fend for themselves, going through four years of hell. He hated Saika's illness. He hated the hospital that demanded 5 million. He hated himself for being so useless. He hated himself for going around, begging and grovelling for money to save her and above all, he hated Raiden.

The humiliation, that condescending look, the hurtful words, he could never forget them. He hated Raiden so much.

5 million was no more than a single cent to Raiden. It wouldn't even put a dent in his wealth. Why was he being so stingy? Why wouldn't he help? Why embarrass him like that?

He recalled the way Raiden threw his shirt back at him and he gritted his teeth, annoyed by his own actions. He shouldn't have gone to Raiden in the first place. At least, he would have still retained his pride.

He then thought of his sister and stood up, wiping his tears. He had no time to be thinking of Raiden. His sister was all he had to think about. He'd have plenty of time to hate Raiden when they get 5 million.

With that, he walked back home.

"Hey, what took you so long? I've been waiting for you" Hiro heard his brother say as he walked into the compound.

Sora was standing by the door of their home with a wide grin on his face. He looked excited which was an emotion Sora hadn't shown for years. Hiro was a little wary.

"Are you okay, Brother?" he asked as he approached tentatively. "Is something wrong?"

Sora couldn't wait for Hiro to get to the door anymore. He rushed out and engulfed his little brother in a tight hug. "Nothing is wrong Hiro. In fact, everything is amazing!"

Hiro couldn't help but laugh as he was being twirled around. "Amazing? How? Tell me!"

"Why don't you guess for yourself?" Sora asked. "Come on, think Roro. What would make your big bro so happy like this?"

"You'd have to keep me down first so I can think!" Hiro laughed.

"Nope! That isn't happening. Come on, think!"

Hiro wondered what could make his brother so happy. Even offsetting loans had never made his brother so excited so it could only be....

He gasped. "Big sis is going to live?!"

"Bingo!" Sora exclaimed.

Hiro squealed as he hugged his big brother tight. He couldn't believe it. Saika was going to live! This meant his brother had already arranged the money! But wait, he pulled away and tapped his brother's hand as a sign to put him down.

Sora was confused but he still did it. "What's wrong? We should be celebrating."

"I know but," He gazed up at his older brother with doubt in his eyes. "Where did you get the money?"

Sora sighed. He knew Hiro would be worried about that. "You don't have to know Roro." He said, ruffling his sandy brown curls. "All you should know is that Saika is going to live."

Although Hiro was happy, he was also scared. 5 million wasn't a small amount. How could his brother have arranged it? "Is it another loan? He asked.

Sora frowned.

"If it is, you can tell me, Brother." Hiro continued earnestly. "I'll help you pay it off. I won't let you suffer alone. I'll work hard. I'll do anything. I don't have to go to school for now. What matters is our family. Us. I'll help you."

"Oh, Roro." Sora sighed, pulling his little brother into a hug. "You don't have to worry about anything."

"But I want to help!" Hiro insisted. He couldn't help but cry as he thought of how useless he was. "You take on all of the burdens and I don't want you to do that anymore. I want to help you. I don't want you to suffer. If we're to live a good life, let's live it together. I don't want to live it alone while you toil out there every day. Please, Brother, tell me the truth. Let me help you."