The first epilogue

Tatsuha inhaled deeply the sweet scent of the cherry blossoms placed in the back of the temple.

This was his favorite spot, partially because this was the last place his father expected to find him, but specially because one of the only memories he had about his mother took place in here, where all the Uesugi children played under her sweet gaze.

He was content with just sitting under the biggest tree and remembering those days. It gave him peace.

Also, it provided him of a place where he could finally let his emotions take control. If someone had seen him right now and he wouldn't recognize him. Tatsuha Uesugi was crying.

Indeed, slow, warm tears fell from his closed eyes, as he allowed himself to remember it all.

On his left hand, he held loosely his cell phone. He had just hanged the phone with his elder sibling.

The day his brother-in-law had called him to tell him that Eiri was in surgery again had been probably the worst of his life. Only the death of his mother could be compared to this.

And as much as Tatsuha pretended otherwise, he was still a teenager, and the fear he had felt had been too much for him. Even worst had been confronting his father with the news. The old man had looked like he was about to have a heart attack and Tatsuha had almost panicked. He couldn't deal with his brother's state alone, having to take his father to the hospital would have been too much for him.

But it was all over now. He was now alone, smiling at the memory of his mother. No more pain for any of them, it was all beginning to heal.

His sister had told him not too long ago that she was taking a vacation as well. She had invited him to go with her to Europe, but for Tatsuha, being back to his little heaven was more than enough. Besides he still had school, and his beloved Ryuichi had promised to visit sometime next month.

After contemplating the sky one last time, he got up and began to walk towards the entrance of the temple. He had some errands to do.

Before leaving, he looked back, and smiled. That had been the place where he had broken his arm while playing with Eiri. He had been sitting there when Mika announced Eiri was moving to New York.

Tatsuha placed his cell phone in his pocked as he walked away from the cherry trees where he had gone to after the call he had received a few minutes ago.

"Hello?"

"Hey".

"Uh?"

"What? I can't call you anymore?"

"No, it's... It's good to hear you again... aniki".