Rocko's Modern Life is not my property. The show and its characters belong to Joe Murray and Nickelodeon.
Ai from the Animal Crossing movie is not my property either. She belongs to Toho Company in association with Nintendo.
Zukin, Hiroshi, Lin, Liang and Principals Davies and Tanjel are my property though.
Heart of Sorrows
It was a nice day in O-Town. Ai, Zukin, Hiroshi, Lin and Liang were waiting for their buses to school.
"Hey, Lin-chan, Liang-chan," said Hiroshi. "Are you two excited for Valentine's Day in a few days?"
"Shi (Yes)," replied Lin and Liang, nodding their heads.
"What about you two?" wondered Hiroshi, turning to Ai and Zukin.
"Hai, hai, hai!" cheered Zukin, jumping up and down.
"Yes, I'm excited too," smiled Ai.
Just then, the school bus for O-Town Elementary School arrived.
"There's the bus for me, Lin-chan and Liang-chan," reminded Hiroshi. "See you after school!"
Ai and Zukin waved as Hiroshi, Lin and Liang got on the bus. Then it drove off.
On the bus, Hiroshi, Lin and Liang were having a conversation.
"Who do you want as your valentine, Jie Jie?" questioned Liang.
"I'm guessing Hiroshi because we've been boyfriend and girlfriend for five months," replied Lin.
"You've got that right!" giggled Hiroshi.
Later at school, Hiroshi, Lin, Liang and their friends were doing English in the classroom and it was a few minutes before recess. While writing on his school paper, Hiroshi started to feel unwell so he raised his hand.
"Yes, Hiroshi?" said the teacher.
"I don't feel too good," told Hiroshi. "I'm starting to feel a bit dizzy."
"If you still don't feel too good, I can send you to the school nurse," explained the teacher.
"Okay, Wodan-sensei," said Hiroshi.
Later, the school bell rang for recess. The kids ran outside onto the playground.
"Come on, Hiroshi!" called Lin. "Let's go on the jungle gym!"
"Can you wait up?" groaned Hiroshi. "I don't feel too good."
The twins ran up to Hiroshi.
"Are you okay, Hiroshi?" enquired Liang.
"No, I feel hot and dizzy," answered Hiroshi. "Can you get the teacher?"
"I'll stay with you, Hiroshi," Lin offered. "Mei Mei, will you get Wodan-laoshi?" (Note: Laoshi is Chinese for teacher)
"On it," said Liang.
Liang ran inside the building. When she reached the door to the 3rd grade classroom, she knocked on the door.
"Come in," called Miss Wodan.
Liang entered the room, where Miss Wodan was marking her students' work.
"Wodan-laoshi, Hiroshi still doesn't feel well," explained Liang.
"Okay, I'll send him to the school nurse," said Miss Wodan.
Miss Wodan followed Liang into the playground, where Lin was taking care of Hiroshi.
"Hiroshi, do you want to go to the school nurse?" questioned Miss Wodan.
Hiroshi nodded. But just when everyone was about to go inside, Hiroshi stopped in his tracks and started to breath a little quicker.
"Hiroshi, are you okay?" Miss Wodan asked with concern.
Then a shocking event began to unfold: Hiroshi grabbed his chest in pain, his left arm went numb and he started choking as struggled for breath.
"Hiroshi!" exclaimed Lin and Liang.
"Hiroshi, are you able to breathe?" asked Miss Wodan frantically, trying to stay calm.
"I…need…help…quick," Hiroshi choked before collapsing onto his knees, still having trouble breathing.
"Oh no!" Liang gasped.
"Hiroshi!" Lin yelled.
Soon, several kids stopped whatever activities they were doing and began to surround Hiroshi, even Alma and Stella.
"What's happening?" questioned Alma. "What's going on?"
"Hiroshi can't breathe," whimpered Lin.
"Oh no, this is terrible," gasped Stella.
Miss Wodan recognized those symptoms. It couldn't be, could it? Unfortunately, it was. It was the classic signs of…a heart attack! But Hiroshi was too young to have a heart attack. He was only 9 years old! Yet here he was suffering one.
"Miss…Wodan…" Hiroshi wheezed.
"Hiroshi, it's gonna be okay," Miss Wodan reassured, bending down to Hiroshi's level. "I'm going to get some help."
But right at that moment, Hiroshi fell unconscious and collapsed onto the ground. This scared many of the kids. Some gasped and some screamed.
"NO!" Lin and Liang screamed.
The whole commotion caused two teachers, Mrs. Scott, who was one of the 5th grade teachers, and a 4th grade teacher named Ms. Donovan, to rush out. Several other teachers also watched on by the door to see what was going on.
"Lisa, what happened?" asked Mrs. Scott.
"I think Hiroshi may be suffering a heart attack," replied Miss Wodan. The teachers were horrified when they heard that.
"But he's so young," Ms. Donovan said with shock.
"Especially since he's a 3rd grader," said Mrs. Scott.
"Exactly, I don't know how that can be possible for a child his age," said Miss Wodan. "Madeline, get the kids to step away from Hiroshi. Lorraine, stay with him and start performing CPR. I'll tell Principal Davies to call for an ambulance."
Mrs. Scott and Ms. Donovan started doing what they were asked to do.
"Kids, stay there, don't go near Hiroshi, I'll be right back," reminded Miss Wodan to the kids.
Miss Wodan immediately bolted inside the school and ran as fast as lightning to Principal Davies's office. Once she reached the office, she knocked on the door.
"Come in," called Principal Davies.
Miss Wodan entered the office.
"Principal Davies, you need to call for an ambulance," said Miss Wodan. "I think Hiroshi's just suffered a heart attack."
"What?! Are you serious?!" Principal Davies inquired with shock.
"Yes, he was showing those recognizable symptoms," replied Miss Wodan.
"Very well, I'll call for an ambulance," said Principal Davies before dialling 911.
In no time, the ambulance quickly arrived at the school, lights flashing and sirens blaring. Miss Wodan was at the entrance waiting for it as Principal Davies had asked her to be on the lookout. The paramedics immediately rushed out of the ambulance with the life support equipment and a stretcher.
"Can you show us to the patient?" asked one of the paramedics.
"Yes, I'm his 3rd grade teacher," said Miss Wodan. "I'll show you where he is."
The paramedics quickly followed Miss Wodan into the school with the equipment they needed. Within seconds, they were in the playground where the kids were watching Ms. Donovan still performing CPR. Ms. Donovan and Mrs. Scott saw Miss Wodan arriving with the paramedics.
"Thank goodness you're here," said Ms. Donovan.
"We'll take over, ma'am," said one of the paramedics. "Thanks for your help."
Ms. Donovan stood aside as the paramedics started taking care of Hiroshi.
"Kids, stand back while they're taking care of Hiroshi," Miss Wodan reminded the kids.
And the kids complied. Lin and Liang could only watch with horror as they watched their friend receiving urgent treatment. Lin, being Hiroshi's girlfriend, was especially horrified.
Please be okay, Hiroshi, Lin thought.
Later on, the paramedics were rushing Hiroshi via stetcher into the back of the ambulance as the teachers, including Miss Wodan, and Principal Davies watched. The kids were also watching from the playground.
"Hiroshi Futaba, 9 years old," said one of the paramedics. "DOB: December 5th 1987."
The paramedics got into the back of the ambulance and closed the doors as it drove off and started blaring its sirens.
Meanwhile, the kids were on the playground, trying to come to terms with Hiroshi's situation. Some were in shock and some were in tears, especially the younger kids. Lin and Liang were the ones most affected.
"Mei Mei, will Hiroshi be okay?" wondered Lin, on the brink of tears.
"I don't know, Jie Jie," answered Liang, also on the brink of tears. "I just don't know."
"Hiroshi's been my boyfriend for five months!" Lin wailed. "What are we going to do if he dies?"
"Mei Mei, he'll be okay," Liang reassured. "For now, let's just pray for him."
Lin held onto Liang and started to cry. A depressed Liang held onto Lin back and also started to cry.
Meanwhile at O-Town Junior High School, Ai's 6th grade class group was in Art. Several students were doing collages set by their teacher Miss Tattersall. That happened to include Ai, Louise and Taylor. Just then, the intercom was heard.
"Zukin and Ai Futaba, can you report to the principal's office please?" said the principal.
"Ai, please hand in your collage as you exit the classroom," reminded Miss Tattersall. "You can finish it on Wednesday."
"Hai, Tattersall-sensei," said Ai, nodding.
Ai stopped doing her collage, got out of her seat, handed her work in to Miss Tattersall and exited the classroom.
In another classroom, Zukin's 9th grade class group was doing World History. They were doing research on the Roman Empire and were reading from their textbooks as instructed by their teacher Mrs. Yates.
"Zukin and Ai Futaba, can you report to the principal's office please?" the principal's announcement repeated.
"Take your textbook with you, Zukin," said Mrs. Yates. "You can catch up on this lesson tomorrow."
"Thanks, Yates-sensei," said Zukin as she got out of her seat and left the classroom.
In the office, the principal was waiting for Ai and Zukin to arrive and had just finished writing on two pieces of paper. She heard the door knock.
"Come in," called the principal.
Zukin and Ai came in.
"Hello, girls," greeted the principal. "Take your seats."
Ai and Zukin sat on their seats.
"Ai, Zukin, I just got an important call from O-Town Elementary School and I'm afraid I have some bad news," explained the principal.
"What is it, Tanjel-kouchou?" wondered Zukin (Note: Kouchou is Japanese for principal). Both girls began to have bad feelings as they started thinking about what Hiroshi could've been involved in. What they were about to find out would shock them.
"Your brother Hiroshi has had a mild heart attack during recess and has been rushed to hospital," explained Principal Tanjel.
Ai and Zukin gasped.
"Nani?! (What?!)" Zukin yelled out.
"How is that possible?!" Ai wondered frantically.
"I don't know, I couldn't believe what I was hearing either when Principal Davies told me what happened," said Principal Tanjel. "Principal Davies is in the process of telling your parents what happened. Also, because of today's circumstances, I have therefore decided to give you permission to go home early. I've sent out the vice-principal to tell your teachers that you won't be in for the rest of the day today and he'll tell them what happened."
"We understand," Zukin and Ai said together.
"I'd like you two to take these letters in case some people wonder why you're not in school today, especially if you visit your brother in the hospital. It has my signature on them," reminded Principal Tanjel, giving one letter to Zukin and the other to Ai. The girls put them in their backpacks.
"Arigatou," Ai and Zukin said.
"I presume Principal Davies may have finished making his call, so I'll call your parents to tell them that I'm sending you two home for the day and then I'll drive you home," reminded Principal Tanjel. "I'd like you to wait outside the office for me while I make the phone call."
"Yes, Tanjel-kouchou," said Ai and Zukin together.
Ai and Zukin got up from their seats and left the office as Principal Tanjel picked up the phone and dialled the Futaba siblings' parents' number.
Later, Principal Tanjel dropped Ai and Zukin off at their house. The sisters went inside their house.
"I so can't believe our brother had a heart attack at his age!" whined Zukin, who then burst into tears.
"I know, onee-chan," agreed Ai, a bit teary herself.
"What are we going to do?"
"I'll call Okaasan (Mom) and see if she's okay."
Ai went over to the phone, picked it up and dialled her, Zukin and Hiroshi's mother's number. After several seconds, the call picked up.
"Moshimoshi," greeted Mrs. Futaba.
"Hey, Okaasan," Ai greeted back. "It's me, Ai."
"Kyaaaaa, Ai-chan! It's nice to talk to you!"
"Me too. Okaasan, have you and Otousan heard about what me and Zukin's junior high school and Hiroshi's elementary school told you today?"
"You mean about Hiroshi having a heart attack during recess and being rushed to hospital and you and Zukin being sent home early because of it?"
"Yes."
"Yes! I can't believe my own baby had a heart attack! I'm praying that he'll be okay!"
"Me too, but I'm not sure how he's doing yet. Would it be okay if I give the hospital your number so they can call you if his condition changes?"
"Sure you can, Ai-chan. I really want to know if Hiroshi-kun will be okay! In fact, we're already booking a flight to visit Hiroshi in O-Town immediately."
"Arigatou, Okaasan. Me and Zukin would like to visit Hiroshi in the hospital if it's okay with you."
"Of course you can! You and Zukin-chan have every right to. Both of you are his sisters."
"True. I'd like go now, Okaasan."
"Okay, Ai-chan. Sayonara."
"Sayonara."
They both hung up. By now, Zukin had stopped crying a bit.
"Onee-chan, let's go to the hospital and see how Hiroshi's doing," said Ai. "Okaasan said we could."
"Yoshi," said Zukin. "We'll remember to bring Tanjel-kouchou's letters with us so we can explain why we're here."
"Exactly," said Ai, nodding.
Later, Ai and Zukin arrived at O-Town Hospital and walked up to the receptionist.
"Excuse me, you might want to read our letters," reminded Ai.
Ai and Zukin gave their letters to the receptionist, who read them. Once she finished reading, she nodding in understanding.
"Okay, I understand," said the receptionist as she gave the letters back to Ai and Zukin, who put them back in their pockets. She then turned her attention to a nearby nurse. "Ma'am, can you show these girls to Hiroshi Futaba's room please? They have letters explaining why they are here."
"Sure, what number is his room?" asked the nurse.
"It's Room 503 in the paediatric intensive care unit on the 5th floor," explained the receptionist.
"Okay. Follow me, girls," said the nurse.
Ai, Zukin and the nurse used a lift for the 5th floor. Then they walked into the paediatric intensive care unit and reached the door to Hiroshi's room.
"Here we are," said the nurse. "Try not to be too loud."
The nurse quietly opened the door, entered Hiroshi's room and ushered Ai and Zukin inside. In the room, a worn out Hiroshi was in bed hooked to a ventilator, IV and many tubes. The ECG was beeping normally.
"Hiroshi, you have visitors," reminded the nurse.
"Okay, thanks," said Hiroshi.
The nurse exited the room and closed the door. Ai and Zukin walked up to their younger brother.
"Otouto," said Ai. "Daijoubu?"
"Other then feeling weary, yeah," replied Hiroshi.
"You had us worried!" whimpered Zukin frantically but quietly so Hiroshi wouldn't be disturbed. "I never thought you'd have a heart attack at 9 years old!"
"I know," said Hiroshi. "But how could I have one when I'm only a child still? And if I've been exercising so much?"
"Don't worry, otouto," Ai assured. "Heart attacks are rare in children. You're gonna be alright."
"I'll live," said Hiroshi. "I promise, I'm gonna live."
Suddenly, Hiroshi fell unconscious and not only did the ECG slightly speed up, but the ventilator also started letting out really fast beeping. That meant only one thing: he had gone into cardiac arrest. Ai and Zukin became scared at what was happening.
"Otouto?" Zukin shrieked. "OTOUTO?!"
Right away, Ai and Zukin rushed out of the room to alert medical personnel.
"Help, our brother's in trouble!" Ai shouted in pure terror.
This alerted a physician, who immediately got out a pager.
"We have a Code White in Room 503," announced the physician. "I repeat, we have a Code White in Room 503."
The alarm went off and the emergency light started flashing.
"Code White, Room 503, 5th floor," a woman announced over the PA. "Code White, Room 503, 5th floor."
The resuscitation team sprang into action as they said stuff like "It's a Code White", "We have to be quick", etc. They rushed inside Hiroshi's room and started performing heart massages and CPR on Hiroshi. Ai and Zukin had to stand in the corridor to give everyone some space. They listened with worry as they heard the medical personnal working hard to resuscitate their brother.
"Imouto, will he like be alright?" whimpered Zukin quietly.
"I hope so," quivered Ai quietly.
At that moment, one of the medics had gotten out defibrillator pads.
"One, two, three, clear!" the medic called.
Ai and Zukin hung onto each other as they heard Hiroshi being shocked by the defibrillator. Finally, after a minute of drama, everything went back to normal and the resuscitation team left the room.
"Code White clear," the lead physician announced in his pager.
Ai and Zukin were both relieved that Hiroshi was saved from death. After the medics left the room, both sisters walked back inside the room and approached Hiroshi, who was slowly waking up.
"Otouto, you're okay," Ai said to Hiroshi. "It's gonna be okay."
"What happened?" wondered Hiroshi.
"You went into cardiac arrest," replied Ai. "The doctors saved you from dying."
"Girls, I hope I survive," sighed Hiroshi. "I'm your only brother."
"We know," said Ai. "We can't stay long. We have to go."
"Okay," said Hiroshi.
"Good luck on your survival, otouto," reminded Zukin, as she and Ai head for the door.
"I will," Hiroshi reminded back.
Ai and Zukin left the room. After the girls gave their phone numbers and parents' phone numbers to the receptionist downstairs, they left the hospital.
It had been hours since Ai and Zukin left the hospital. In the living room, Zukin was sitting on the couch, holding her Luigi plush while Ai was watching their cats Yuriko and Nanako play.
"Imouto, everything will be okay, right?" wondered Zukin.
"We'll find out sooner or later," answered Ai. "Rocko-chan could be back from work. Shall we go to his house and try again later when he's not back?"
"Hai," replied Zukin.
Later, Ai and Zukin arrived at Rocko's house. Ai knocked on the door. Rocko opened it.
"Hello, girls," greeted Rocko.
"Konnichiwa, Rocko-chan," Ai greeted back. "How's your day today?"
"It's fine," replied Rocko, letting Ai and Zukin inside. "Work was stressful. My boss is very spiteful. He's always bellowing at me."
"Oh dear," said Ai.
"I'm just gonna go feed Spunky," reminded Rocko. "Would you two be alright for a moment?"
Ai and Zukin nodded. Then, Rocko left as the two sisters sat down on the couch.
"Onee-chan, what are we going to do?" wondered Ai. "What if Hiroshi dies?"
"I don't know, imouto," replied Zukin. "I really have no idea."
Then a rare thing happened: Ai started to cry.
"Hiroshi's our only brother," she sobbed. "I don't think we can cope life without him."
Ai buried her face in her hands and continued crying as Zukin can only watch on sadly.
"I'm back, girls," announced Rocko. "Did everything-?"
Rocko got the surprise of his life when he saw Ai crying. He wasn't used to seeing a child cry, especially Ai.
"Ai? Ai, what's the matter?" questioned Rocko, walking up to the couch and sitting next to Ai.
"It's Hiroshi," Ai replied, sniffling repeatedly as she unburied her teary face. "Something bad happened to him and now he's in the hospital."
"Oh no, what happened?" asked Rocko sympathetically.
"He had…a mild heart attack," Ai answered with sorrow in her voice.
"You're kidding!" gasped a shocked Rocko.
Ai shook her head as more tears escaped from her eyes then started crying more.
Oh my God, thought Rocko. I can't believe her and Zukin's brother had a heart attack at 9 years old. That's even more traumatizing than when I had that nightmare about Heffer dying from that dreaded River Nile Disease nearly two months ago.
Rocko put a hand on Ai's shoulder. Then, Ai hugged him, who hugged her back. Zukin couldn't stand her younger sister crying…or Hiroshi being in hospital so she got off the couch and curled into a foetal position.
"Ai, I'm so sorry," Rocko comforted, rubbing Ai's back gently. "I can't believe that happened to him."
"I know," agreed Ai, through her tears.
"I know how you feel," said Rocko. "Filburt had a massive one when he was 18. It happened when me, him and Heffer were in the last year of high school."
"Really?" wondered Ai.
"That's right and what I'm about to tell you will stun you," replied Rocko.
"Can I hear the story?" asked Zukin, uncurling from her position.
Rocko nodded.
"After he got rushed to hospital, he was in a coma and his heart stopped three times," Rocko said. "After the third time, he was pronounced dead. But when me and Heffer were about to say goodbye to him, his heart started beating again. Soon, he started to move then a couple of minutes later, he woke up."
"No way!" exclaimed Zukin. "That was a miracle!"
"I know," agreed Ai, beginning to stop crying.
"It sure was," said Rocko. "It was everywhere in the media nearly six years ago. It was on the radio, TV and newspaper not only here in O-Town, but also in the whole of the United States and even around the world! I still have the newspaper of it if you two want to read it. It's in the attic."
"We do," said Ai and Zukin.
"I'll be right back," reminded Rocko
Rocko went upstairs to the attic. Moments later, he came back down with a newspaper.
"Here it is," said Rocko. "Who wants to read it first?"
"I think Zukin should read it first," replied Ai.
"Okay," said Rocko. "Be careful with it."
Rocko gave Zukin the newspaper. On the front page, it said "Dead Student Comes Back To Life".
"A high school student who was pronounced dead astonished doctors and nurses by coming back to life," Zukin read to herself. "18-year-old Filburt Shellbach was rushed to hospital in a coma after suffering a massive heart attack while shopping at the mall with his friends."
Zukin read the rest of the article. She had an amazed look on her face once she finished reading.
"I can't believe you and Heffer-chan never stopped crying until Filburt-chan woke up!" gasped Zukin.
"I know," agreed Rocko. "It was because he is one of me and Heffer's best mates."
"Your turn, imouto," said Zukin.
Zukin gave the newspaper to Ai, who started reading the article. She put it down once she finished.
"I'm glad he's alive," said Ai, starting to smile.
There was a knock at the door. Rocko went over to it and opened it. It was Heffer and Filburt.
"Hi, Rocko!" greeted Heffer and Filburt.
"Hey, guys," Rocko greeted back. "How are you two doing?"
"We're fine," replied Heffer.
"Ai and Zukin are also here," explained Rocko. "But don't upset them because they've not had a good day."
"Why?" wondered Filburt.
"Hiroshi had a heart attack," Rocko explicated.
"A heart attack?!" Heffer and Filburt exclaimed.
"Yep," answered Rocko. "At 9 years old."
"Oh my gosh," gasped Filburt. "Can we come in?"
"Sure," answered Rocko.
Heffer and Filburt came in as Rocko closed the door. They walked up to Ai and Zukin.
"Hey, girls," said Heffer.
"Heffer-chan, Hiroshi had a heart attack!" wailed Zukin, hugging Heffer. "It was terrible!"
"We heard," Heffer consoled, hugging Zukin back.
"Filburt-chan, Rocko-chan told me and Zukin that you had a heart attack when you were in high school and you woke up after you were pronounced dead," said Ai.
"That's true, Ai," smiled Filburt. "I never knew that happened until I was told about it."
"This is the newspaper about what happened to you nearly six years ago," explained Ai, showing Filburt the newspaper. "Rocko-chan showed it to me and Zukin so we could read it."
Filburt looked at the front of the newspaper.
"Oh boy, I looked so young back then," said Filburt.
"I know," agreed Ai.
"Ai, Zukin, I hope your brother wins his fight for survival," Filburt told.
"He's a great friend to us besides you two," said Heffer.
"And may Hiroshi have a full recovery," Rocko assured.
"Arigato, minna," smiled Ai and Zukin.
Later that early evening, Ai was sitting on the couch, waiting for news from the hospital while Zukin was playing Micro Machines V3 on the PlayStation. Just then, the phone rang. Ai went over to it and answered it.
"Moshimoshi," greeted Ai.
"Hello, is this Ai Futaba?" asked a woman.
"Yes."
"I'm Dr. Wilson calling from O-Town Hospital. I've been assigned to your brother Hiroshi's case. I'm calling to inform you some good news about his progress." (Dr. Wilson was the same doctor who treated Louise after she was hit by a car, causing her to fall into a coma for a while and break her leg)
"Is he okay, doctor?"
"His condition has improved excellently. Your brother is going to live."
"That's great, doctor!"
"His heart attack hasn't caused any complications to him so he will be staying in the hospital for three days."
"Okay, doctor. Bye."
Ai put the phone down.
"Who was on the phone?" wondered Zukin, as she finished the race in 2nd place.
"It was the hospital," replied Ai, happily. "The doctor said that Hiroshi's going to live."
"YAAAAAATTTTTTTAAAAAA!" Zukin squealed with delight, jumping up and down and running around the room. "HIROSHI'S GOING TO LIVE! HIROSHI'S GOING TO LIVE!"
"Calm down, onee-chan," said Ai. "No need to get too excited. Hiroshi will have to stay in the hospital for three days, so we'll have to wait a while before he comes home. But we can go to the hospital to visit him tomorrow if we want."
"Okay!" cheered Zukin.
"I'll call Rocko-chan," reminded Ai.
Ai picked up the phone and dialled Rocko's number. The call picked up.
"Hello?" greeted Rocko.
"Rocko-chan, it's Ai," said Ai. "I have great news! Hiroshi's going to be fine!"
"That's wonderful! Your brother must be lucky to be alive!"
"I know."
"Ai, I have to go now. I need to make dinner."
"Okay, I need to make mine too. Sayonara."
"Bye."
They both hung up.
The next day at O-Town Hospital, Hiroshi was in bed in his recovery room. He heard a quiet knock at the door.
"Come in," called Hiroshi.
The door opened and a nurse came in with Ai, Zukin, Lin and Liang.
"Hiroshi, you have visitors," said the nurse.
The nurse left, closing the door behind her.
"Hey, otouto," said Ai. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," replied Hiroshi.
"We've brought you some Get Well Soon cards," Zukin told, as she, Ai, Lin and Liang gave Hiroshi some Get Well Soon cards.
"Arigato, minna," smiled Hiroshi.
"Otouto, me and Zukin went to Rocko-chan's house yesterday and you'll never guess what Rocko-chan told us," said Ai.
"What is it?" wondered Hiroshi.
"Filburt-chan had a heart attack when he was 18 and in the last year of high school," explained Ai. "He was pronounced dead but later, he woke up when Rocko-chan and Heffer-chan were about to say goodbye to him."
Hiroshi, Lin and Liang gasp.
"Really?" gasped Hiroshi.
"No way!" exclaimed Lin and Liang.
"It's true," said Ai.
"I'm glad he's okay," grinned Lin.
"Me too," agreed Liang.
"Hiroshi, I'm happy that you're coming out of the hospital on Valentine's Day," said Lin. "I've been your girlfriend for five months and I think you're the best boyfriend ever. So, I want to give you something…"
"What?" wondered Hiroshi.
Lin leaned in and gave Hiroshi a kiss on the lips. Hiroshi appeared startled at first but then felt relaxed. Zukin, Ai and Liang gasp happily. They were witnessing two 3rd grader kids having their first kiss! Once the kiss finished, Hiroshi's eyes were watery.
"Lin-chan…" smiled Hiroshi, tears streaming down his face. "We've just had our first kiss. You've made me so happy I'm nearly crying."
"Aw, Hiroshi," said Lin, wiping Hiroshi's tears. "I know you're happy but don't get too stressed. You don't want to have another heart attack."
"You're right," said Hiroshi. "I love you, Lin Xiong."
"I love you too, Hiroshi Futaba," said Lin, lovingly.
Hiroshi and Lin kiss again which lasted a few seconds.
"We have to go now," reminded Ai.
"Bye, guys," called Hiroshi.
Ai, Zukin, Lin and Liang left the room. Hiroshi felt happy. He had his first kiss at 9 years old…five months after he became Lin's boyfriend! He later got some more visits from people he knew: his classmates, Miss Wodan, the O-Town trio (which is obviously Rocko, Heffer and Filburt) and even his parents, who had flown from Japan to visit him for two days.
It was now Valentine's Day. Ai and Zukin had just arrived at the hospital. A nurse came out of Hiroshi's room, moving a wheelchair with Hiroshi on it.
"Hey, otouto," said Ai.
"Hi, girls," greeted Hiroshi. "I can't wait to come home!"
"We know," giggled Ai.
"Ready to go home?" said the nurse.
Hiroshi nodded He gets wheeled to the entrance with Ai and Zukin. He is then helped up by Ai.
"Bye, Hiroshi," said the nurse, as she went inside.
Ai and Zukin helped Hiroshi into Rocko's car. They all got in the back seats.
"Hey, Hiroshi," said Rocko. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling fine," replied Hiroshi. "I'm so excited to come home! It's too bad I didn't go to school today. Me and Lin-chan could have been valentines."
"Don't worry," assured Rocko. "There's always next year."
"Rocko-chan, when Ai told me about Filburt-chan having a heart attack years ago, I was shocked!" explained Hiroshi.
"It definitely was shocking," said Rocko, as he started his car and drove off.
"And guess what?" Hiroshi continued. "Me and Lin-chan had our first kiss two days ago. I nearly cried because I was so happy."
"That's great, Hiroshi!" smiled Rocko. "You should be proud."
"I am," said Hiroshi.
Later, Rocko arrived at Ai, Zukin and Hiroshi's house.
"Welcome home, Hiroshi," said Rocko.
Ai, Zukin and Hiroshi came out of the car.
"Sayonara, Rocko-chan," called Ai.
"Bye, guys," Rocko called back.
Rocko drove off. The siblings went inside.
"I'm home! I'm home!" cheered Hiroshi.
"We're glad to have you back, otouto!" hollered Zukin.
"Shall we play Micro Machines V3?" asked Ai.
"Hai!" replied Zukin.
"I can't play since I need some rest," said Hiroshi. "I'll just watch."
"Okay, otouto," said Ai.
So, Ai and Zukin played Micro Machines V3 on the PlayStation while Hiroshi watched.
THE END