Chapter 1:
The Boy Named Hiro.
'Let him grieve,' they told her. 'All children needs to grieve in their own way and they all grieve differently.' Cass wasn't an expert on parenting: the closest thing thing to a child she had her cafe. She wasn't a therapist either so she felt there was no choice than to listen to the professionals.
But the child never grieved.
That was just it.
Her young nephew experienced a horrible tragedy...him and his young brother. The boy had every right to grieve but he didn't. The accident changed her nephew but not in the way she's changed.
Tadashi never went through a bout of depression. Cass never heard a sniffle nor seen so much as a tear cascade down his face. Tadashi smiled, despite the pain, and he took life as it is. Placing one foot in front of the other - often he was the one who comforted his aunt when the pain overwhelmed her while helping her run the cafe when he wasn't in school.
He was an angel, aunt Cass believed, but deep in her heart, she couldn't shake a twinge of doubt, especially when 'he' was around. Maybe she had a 'mother's intuition' after all in her genetics.
Tadashi didn't grieve...he was ok.
Even if it meant, his hobby, made him ok.
So she listened to the professionals and let her Tadashi be. He was a strong boy after all and deserved whatever his heart desired, even if it was driving her crazy. She shouldn't worry over nothing, right?
That did nothing to ease her mind as she watched Tadashi's 'brother' make his way up the stairs, casting her an apologetic glance with his round brown eyes that resembled her sister's. The aunt doubted if the kid felt any remorse at all for what he's done.
"I should really buy books on parenting." Mumbling, the woman turned to her sweet display for some comfort. Grabbing a chocolate doughnut, Cass motioned for her older nephew to approach. Making sure, the younger Hamada was out of earshot, Cass implored, "Couldn't you have programed him to dislike bot fighting?" Biting the sweet violently, she raged, "This is the fourth time I had to bail you Tadashi and it's not changing! Look at me -" She gestured to the sugary sweet, "Stress eating and this is really good!"
"I'm really sorry aunt Cass." Truly, the eighteen year old was sorry for putting stress on his beloved aunt. "He's in a phase right now, is all." Tadashi admitted, "I'll think of something, promise."
"Why don't you just 'adjust' him, Tadashi?" This conversation has been going on forever and like his dear aunt, the bright college student was equally tired. He was tired of having this debate with her about Hiro. He did his best to avoid these touchy conversations and he'll continue to do so to the end of time.
Shrugging a bit, Tadashi replied, "If I do that, aunt Cass, then he wouldn't be Hiro in there." Before his aunt could argue, he pecked her on the cheek, adding "I will do something about it. Love you aunt Cass."
"Love you as well." it was tiny, tainted with shades of sadness, but it was enough for Tadashi as he ascended up the stairs.
The young man rubbed his neck, unsure of a plan at this point. Hiro's been sneaking out, almost every night, bot fighting. He's only been caught four times. Perhaps this is his rebellious age? Tadashi wondered, silently planning that if so, he'll have to make some adjustment and soon. First, he needed a way to get Hiro out of chasing money and thrills.
"You owe aunt Cass big time." He attempted to sound authoritative but failed the moment his eyes fell on young Hiro. The boy merely 'yup' at their computer as he typed away. Feeling his irritation fading fast (it could never last long with Hiro), the older Hamada tried, "I'm serious, before she eats the whole cafe."
Not sounding the least bit sorry, Hiro hummed, "Uh - huh" fully enthralled by the screen.
"Are you even listening to me?" Tadashi drew closer, annoyed at how weak he was towards his younger brother.
At that, said culprit turned on his swivel chair; a fake obedient look painted on. "Absolutely."
A closer inspection of the screen told the older brother otherwise. "You're going bot fighting again?" Does this kid understand the meaning of illegal activities?! "When are you going to put that big brain of you to good use?" He asked, after listening to his younger brother's rave about a fight across town.
Hiro was smart - a genius to be exact who didn't have to struggle to get by in middle or high school and don't get Tadashi started on his brother's knack for technology! With a brain like Hiro Hamada's, the future was full of opportunities. Doesn't he understand the good, he could do with that brain of his?
"Like what? Go to college, like you? So people can tell me stuff I already know?" Nonchalantly, the younger boy shrugged.
You'll be more productive there than at some dark alleyways, with thugs who don't take kindly to losing. I will he would join my college - That was it. That was an opening to the doors Tadashi was searching for.
Quickly, he grabbed the opportunity before it passed him by. Picking up his trusted moped helmet, he threw it at his uncaring brother. "I'll take you." Smiling to avoid suspicion from his intelligent brother, Tadashi reasoned, "I can't stop you from going, but I'm not going to let you go on your own."
Fortunately for the older teen, Hiro's trust for him was higher than he admitted. "Sweet."
The boys snuck out, one without a care in the world and the other, praying to God for this plan to work. If it did, then Hiro may learn to see the world more caringly, than he did his bot fights. God, please let this work.
Hiro was too trusting and he realized that downfall too late as his brother parked in front of the college he attended. He eyed his older brother descend from the moped, a bit too jolly for his liking. Irritatedly, because he had a fight to get to, he questioned, "What are we doing at your new school? Bot's fight that way!"
"Gotta grab something." Reluctantly, the younger Hamada followed his brother up the steps, unaware of the change that was brewing ahead. Trudging down some halls, the two quipped at each other, good naturedly but in Hiro's mind, he didn't want to be anywhere near this place.
He loved his brother but there was a reason he graduated high school at the age of thirteen. If his old schools were any indication, then college wouldn't be any different. It all will be boring! Hiro had a brain, and it came in handy to making money and friends, but he understood too much in a short period of time.
He'll figure out everything before the semester even ends because all teachers do is talk about books and many times, they don't understand they lessons they teach! Hiro disliked sitting, not being able to create and get his hands dirty. He didn't enjoy the envy of his classmates or their bullying...everyone just yapping on and on.
The kid rather create beautiful robots - they were more nicer than the humans. It made him feel safer, more comforted being near robots than other people, aside from his brother of course.
Secretly, Hiro wished to be more like his older brother, Tadashi. The older one may not be a genius like him, but he was determined, strong willed, and his ideas was nothing short of revolutionary. Tadashi had a heart that looked at the good in others and for the good of others. All hiro, himself, could see was his own shadow...any other human that wasn't Tadashi, was merely wandering in the darkness of said shadow.
"Is this going to take long?" Hiro whined.
Tadashi rolled his eyes. "Relax, you big baby. We'll be in and out." They approached a door, that Hiro assumed was a classroom of some sort. "Anyway, you never seen my lab."
Sarcastically, Hiro quipped, "Oh, great, I get to see your nerd lab!" He thought it would be a classroom, cold, and unfeeling but as the doors opened, a whole new world welcomed the lad. His brother's lab wasn't what he expected; it was chaotic but beautifully so. Not even a crazy fast cyclist could ruin that awe in him.
It was just the beginning as Tadashi began introducing him to everyone here. He met Go Go who worked on revolutionizing transportation with her electromag suspension. Next was Wasabi who he learned was major orderly and OCD but created some cool laser induced plasma that cut an apple in extremely thin sheets. Then came Honey Lemon who lived up to the Honey part and was a brilliant chemist who didn't mind causing a mess with her chemicals.
If Hiro's pride allowed it, he would be jumping over the moon with joy. This college certainly wasn't anything Hiro believed it would be. It was certainly different than Hiro's experiences with school, especially the people. Given, these people were much older than his old classmates, and intelligent, so bullying probably wasn't in their vocabulary.
How refreshing but one thing didn't add up. "Honey Lemon? Go go? Wasabi?" Hiro chuckled a bit as the man called Wasabi whined about spilling wasabi on his shirt once. "Who came up with these names?"
"Fred is the one who comes up with the nicknames."
"Who's Fred?" On the side of his, a lizard thing answered, scaring Hiro more than he'd admit.
"This guy, right here!" Opening up the mouth, an unkempt hippie looking man popped out. "Don't be alarmed. It is just a suit. This is not my real face and body." He said, going back in and offering his hand to shake Hiro's. "The name's Fred."
On the ironic side of life, Fred was probably Hiro's favorite out of his brother's friends because he was normal. On inquiring his major, Hiro learned that Fred didn't go to this school as a student. He was the mascot and self proclaimed science enthusiast but that just meant he begged his friends to make him science fiction toys, and an invisible sandwich. The blonde man would be great to hang out with, maybe even teach Hiro to be a proper kid as well.
Overall, Hiro found himself liking the very place he vehemently teased his brother for. The older brother, of course, was over the moon by Hiro's genuine like towards his friends but that wasn't what he came for.
It was a pleasant bonus.
"Come this way." Hooked, Hiro obeyed, following Tadashi into a new room. It was Tadashi's personal lab. There were gizmos scattered around and a giant holographic computer on one side, begging for Hiro to use. Straight ahead, stood a giant window that resembled a pokeball. It was precious, much more space for experiments than what Hiro had back home.
"So, what have you been working on?"
"I'll show you." It was a weird to watch his brother take his arm but Hiro allowed it. He let Tadashi place duck tape on him, joking with the older one that the tape already been invented, until his 'dear' brother ripped it off. "Hey, dude! Ow!" he gritted, hastily snatching his arms back from the cruel fiend.
That was all it took.
From a red box that sat below the window, a white marshmallow of a man emerged. The brothers watched as this humanoid robot walked up to them; moving a swivel chair out the way and squeaking due to his legs rubbing together. "Hello, I am Baymax." It said, blinking down at Hiro. "Your personal, healthcare companion. I was alerted to the need for medical attention when you said 'Ow."
"A robotic..nurse?" Every bone in Hiro's brimmed with pride in his brother but he wouldn't give Tadashi the satisfaction of admitting that at first. He tested the robot on its health knowledge,
seeing if its scanners were proper, and checking the internal designs. "You've done some serious coding on this thing, huh?"
The hamads brother conversed about baymax for a couple seconds before being interrupted by a third party. "Burning the midnight oil, Mr. Hamada?"
"Hey, professor." Professor Callaghan was a prominent figure in robotics - a driving force that transformed culture. He also was the man Tadashi respected immensely and Hiro looked up to for his work.
That night, Hiro learned two things from Robert Callaghan. The first was that his brother talked way too much about him with people and the second was that the legend before him, knew the young boy's desire. His school wasn't a place for boring books - it was a place where people could build and push the boundaries of robotics. It was a dream...and why was Hiro wasting his skills on easy game like bot fights?!
"We got to hurry if you want to catch that bot fight?" Those words fell on deaf ears as Hiro looked back at the school - a longing in his heart, he never realized he had until now.
"I have to go here." If he went to this school, maybe Hiro would stop floating in life...maybe he could become someone like his older brother. Maybe this can help him feel - give him purpose maybe? Desperately, he looked to his brother. "If I don't go to this nerd school, I'm gonna lose my mind! How do I get in?"
It worked! Relieved, Tadashi thanked God that his planned worked. Maybe now Hiro can put that nogan to good use. Who knows? Maybe my little brother would invent something that would impact the world.
Only God knows what the future would bring.
Tonight, that future looked bright for the Hamadas brothers as they drove away from San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. Both remained unaware of the man that watched them from the comfort of his own office.
Walking away from his window, Callaghan pondered, "Tadashi's brother, hm?" Sitting at his desk, he verbally activated his computer. "Look up 'Hamada. Tadashi' personal file." His student's file was a simple one. Age 18; attends school, parents deceased, etc. It didn't mention any siblings… "Computer, look up 'Hamada Hiro.'"
There was no record on the kid, just a brief newspaper clipping. "Hiro Hamada, age four and in critical condition." That was ten years ago and the rest was locked away by Christ hospital database. The professor didn't want to risk hacking, in case it ruined his plans but that was ok.
Callaghan gathered enough information and he'll use it to his advantage. He knew Tadashi was a brilliant student - one of his best - but he didn't think he could be so clever as to invent such a realistic thing like Hiro. Then giving the robot, higher intelligence, yet keeping it in the dark about itself. "Mr. Hamada, do you realize the kind of power you've just given me?" Callaghan smiled, shutting his technology down before walking out of the room.
The wind of change was coming and it was coming to uproot everyone in its path - especially the boy named Hiro.