ch5

A/n: I have been listening to the song Snowfall (slowed+reverb). You might want to do the same. It just fits this chapter.

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-12 years later, in the year 2125-

"We're back, mom, dad!"

Me and my sister came back from our work.

We both have managed to achieve well paying jobs.

I have become an important government official, while Shiro has become the head engineer of a big company.

I don't know how she managed to get such a high position at her age but I guess she is just that good.

We have managed to accumulate a rather high summ of money and have decided to invest in the stock market to generate passive income.

While we found success in terms of money, our parent's health has deteriorated.

Their health declined for 5 years, and doctors told us that they got half a year left to live.

Apparently, they got the worker lung disease.

This disease makes it difficult to breathe and reduces the oxygen levels in the blood.

This happened because of the amount of stress from work and the high amount of pollution in the air.

Even if you always used the highest quality filter mask, they would have received this disease eventually.

It was a common disease that no one likes to talk about.

For me and Shiro, it has been hard.

We couldn't beare to see our parents attached to an oxygen gas mask and sickly expression.

To avoid seeing them like this, we have done extra hours at our jobs.

Anyway, I looked at my sister's pained expression.

"Hey. Are you ok, Shiro?"

-pov of Shiro-

After seeing my parents again like this, I felt miserable.

I was tired, but as soon as I looked at my parents, I just wanted to go back to work, to escape the sight in front of me.

I still remember how it all happened.

-flashback, 5 years ago -

Me and Sora were playing a combat simulator.

"Sora, let's finish for today. I'm hungry."

"Ok, sis. Then let's end this with one move!"

We ran at each other with our final move, and I was defeated this time.

We both had 500 wins against each other.

It's kind of incredible how we manage to always end up with a draw.

Sora has gotten so many wins against me because he was better at martial arts, but I got so many wins against him because I was better at predicting his moves.

After we logged out, my brother noticed something.

"Huh. Mom and dad aren't home yet. That's weird. They usually aren't that late."

"Now that you mention it. Where are they? Can you go cook this time? I'll call mom and ask when they are coming back."

"Sure."

Sora went to the kitchen and I went to the phone. The phone suddenly rang and I answered the call.

"Hello? This is the Vinsmoke residence."

"Hello, it's me, Dr. Dumbshin."

"Oh? Dr. Dumbshin, did something happen? Usually, we are the ones to call you."

"I have some bad news, young Shiro. Can you get your brother? I need to tell both of you."

"Ok."

I was a bit uneasy, but I went to Sora.

"Sora, Dr. Dumbshin is calling. He told me he has some bad news he needs to tell us."

"Really?"

Sora then started talking while I listened intently.

"What happened, Dr. Dumbshin?"

"It's about your parents. They collapsed at work today. They are currently in the hospital, and I suspect that they may have the worker lung disease."

I was surprised and asked. "Will they be alright?!"

"Calm down, Shiro. I'm sure they will be alright. After all, Dr. Dumbshin is taking care of them. Right doctor?"

"For now, they are alright, but they will stay the night in the hospital. If you want, I can come and bring you two to the hospital to see them. They should wake up in half an hour."

Sora looked at me, and I nodded.

"We'd like that, doctor."

-location hospital-

After Dr. Dumbshin brought us to the hospital we rushed to our parents.

"Mom! Dad! Are you ok?!"

We both shouted as we were running to their bedsides.

Dad patted me on the head with a grin and said, "Don't worry, dear. We will b-" he suddenly started coughing.

"We will be alright." Mom said after dad's coughing fit slowly died down.

A nurse came and wanted to talk with Dr. Dumbshin outside our room.

After they were done, he came back with a clipboard in his hand and said, "Shiro. Sora. Could you two wait outside for a bit? I need to talk to your parents privately. I'll let you know when I'm done."

I hesitantly nodded while Sora held my hand and led me out of the room.

I asked with a meek voice, "Are they going to be alright, Sora?"

He looked at me with a complex expression.

"I'm not sure, Shiro, but I sure hope they are going to be alright."

After 5 minutes, the doctor came back and told us we could enter and that he'll be gone for 10 minutes before rushing away.

"Come here, you two. We'll be alright. The doctor said that we just overworked today. Now then give mom and dad a big hug!"

Mom lied.

I wish I could believe her, but I couldn't.

I just smiled and buried my head into her.

She rested her head on top of mine while whispering, "Don't cry. Mommy and Daddy will be fine."

'liar.'

After that night, they always coughed, and after the first year, they sometimes coughed up a bit of blood.

The second year, more blood came.

In the third year, they had to use oxygen masks for a few hours a day.

The fourth year, they couldn't stand up anymore and had to use wheelchairs.

The fith year, they couldn't even get out of bed.

-end of flashback-

"Hey. Are you ok, Shiro?"

I looked at my brother's tired face.

Ever since our parents were diagnosed with this damn disease, he started to put on a vecade that he is fine, but I knew better.

He was just as miserable as me, but he didn't show it since he wanted to be my support so I wouldn't break down crying.

"Shiro?"

"I don't know."

He remained silent and hugged me.

He is really strong. I wonder if he had lost someone important before in his past life.

After a few minutes, we looked up to see if Yggdrasil had been announced.

We did this every day this year since that was the only thing that could keep us going.

It was our hope for a better future.

"Shiro, look! It was announced! It was announced!"

I cried. This was our ticket out of this hell hole of a world.

"Finally. After all this time."