Stage Fright
Coming Home

The smell of the medical wing made Sakon's stomach lurch as he wasn't at all pleased with the fact he was still stuck in the mental ward. He wondered if it was normal for people to feel as trapped as he felt and he also wondered if it was normal for people under medical care to stay at a mental hospital when another hospital would better serve the treatment. He placed a hand on his forehead, glad that he was supposed to be released today. He couldn't shake the feeling though that he had been made to stay because he was mental in some manner.

He changed into his usual outfit and picked up Ukon's box, his muscles still shaking a bit from his ordeal. Doctor Ikimono came in, smiling at him as he did so. "It will be another day until you'll be able to use Ukon like you usually do."

"About..." Sakon paused, looking at the box. Without Ukon his confidence was null.

The doctor remained silent for awhile. "You're wondering why I didn't move you to the hospital after Doctor Frost tried killing you with an overdose?"

"Yes. I am." The young teen looked at the floor, his fingers twisting around the box tighter.

"I could have. My specialty is mental issues. While you're not insane there is the fact you were made to believe you were insane. There was also no telling how a new doctor would treat you as you were coming out of a mental hospital and your family history. Let me repeat the fact you're not insane Sakon."

The boy took a deep breath as he remained sitting on the bed. "Hey! Sakon!" Tomonori stood in the doorway with a smile on his face. "I'm here to take you home?"

"Not Aunt Kaoruko?" The boy frowned.

"Hey... I asked to bring you home. Come on. Can't be that bad, can it? Me taking you home. I'll carry Ukon for you as well so that you don't accidentally drop him. How much longer until you can use him?"

"Doctor Ikimono says that I should be fine by tomorrow." Sakon looked at the ground, nervous about having to speak to people without Ukon. He swallowed, his voice having been taken over by the emotions running through his mind.

"If not be sure to call me. I'll make a house visit... though I may go ahead and make a house visit anyways."

Tomonori carefully picked up Ukon in his box from Sakon's lap and began to carry it out of the room. Sakon stood up and followed him, his lips pushing together. He managed to open the car door and slide in. As soon as he was buckled in Ukon was placed on his lap. He couldn't help but notice that the car smelled and that there was hamburger trash on the backseat. It wasn't an awful smell, but it was obvious that the car was owned by a bachelor. The green haired boy leaned back against the seat with a sigh closing his eyes.

"Everyone's happy you're coming home Sakon."

"That's nice. Did anyone tell Aunt Ayano what happened?"

"No..." Tomonori frowned. "We didn't exactly think it was a good idea, what with her mental state. I mean, we're not planning on not telling her. We just didn't want her to think you were dead and then... well..."

Sakon sighed, knowing full well why his mother's cousin didn't continue what he was trying to say. The car arrived at the house and Tomonori hurried over to help him with Ukon. The boy stood up and followed him in, suddenly blinking a couple of times upon seeing the gathering at the table as well as the cake. Kaoruko held up a new years cracker and popped it, causing Sakon to suddenly jump. "Surprise!"

The boy blinked a couple of times. "Hello."

"Are you surprised?" Shiho asked.

"Yeah. I mean, Tomonori-san said that you guys were happy I was coming home, but I didn't expect a surprise party."

Kaoruko let out a deep sigh before standing up and pulling on her cousin's ear. "Seriously? You had to say that?"

"He still didn't figure out that there would be a surprise party!"

Sakon went and sat down on the cushion, trying to smile as he did. Tomonori went and placed Ukon's box next to him while his mother placed a piece of cake in front of him. He didn't try touching the cake, his stomach still doing twists as his mind tried comprehending what had happened to him. Shiho of course tried talking his ear off while Zenkichi remained silent. Eventually his mother came to clear the plates away except for his.

Shiho let out a sigh. "Seriously... it's the last week of school here. I can't wait to start high school." She paused, realizing that Sakon had made a face. "Sorry... I'd forgotten that you're not interested in going to school." She stood up and dusted off her clothing. "I'll come and see you later then. Come on Zenkichi."

"I need to talk to Sakon about something."

"All right." The girl waved her hand, letting out a sigh before stepping out of the room.

"What do you need to talk to me about?" Sakon finally put his fork to the cake as the vast majority of people had left and it was now just him, Zenkichi and Ukon.

"I'm going to be going and photographing an end of the year production. Tomorrow's the dress rehearsal. I'd like you to come with me."

"I guess Ukon and I could come."

Zenkichi sighed as he suddenly tugged on his hat. "Sakon... you shouldn't agree to things without knowing what all is involved. There are going to be people there from our elementary school." Zenkichi watched as Sakon froze. "So..."

"Never mind." The fork clattered onto the plate. "Just... never mind."

"I think you should face this. I mean, you have Ukon with you. You do so much better with him around."

"Yes... but." Sakon frowned, biting the inside of his lip.

"Do you think you can do it?"

"So long as..." The boy paused, frowning. "So long as she isn't there." He remembered that she had moved away and breathed a sigh of relief. "No. I can do it. That shouldn't be a problem."

"Great! I'll come by tomorrow morning to get you." Zenkichi clapped his hands together.

"Why though?"

"What?"

"Why have me do this?"

The other boy frowned. "It worries me sometimes, how it's hard for you to interact with people. Our elementary school days come up and suddenly you freeze up. Sometimes even when you have Ukon. I know it is a gamble, but I'd rather you not have to live with it for the rest of your life. This fear of your past bullies."

"It may not work out."

"Yeah. As I said, it's a gamble. It may make things worse. Particularly after what happened. Ms. Deshika said I could bring you along. She's kind of excited about meeting the head of the Tachibana school."

Sakon sighed. "That's really not me."

"No, you're grandfather is still in charge, but you've been named head of the school. That is pretty cool." Zenkichi stood up, a smile on his face. "I'd best be going."

"What have I gotten myself into Ukon?"