Okara found herself beginning to like this boy even more with his smile she couldn't help but trust, still her thoughts drifting to her friend still in surgery. Opening her can of cola she took a slow unsteady sip.
"My friend Gen is having an operation, he broke his leg." She said softly.
"Ouch," The teen winced. "I hope he's going to be okay."
"Me too." Okara agreed as she looked up at him. "Why are you in here?...if you don't mind me asking."
"We don't know yet, my lungs haven't been the best for a while now and the doctors want to run some more tests." The boy said in a soft tone, his eyes betraying an inner toughness that made the young girl wonder.
"I hope you are going to be okay too." Okara said smiling up at him, their talk making her feel more relaxed.
"Hey thanks, that means a lot." The teen grinned, then extended a hand. "I'm Yota Mikado by the way."
"Okara Ayane." She smiled back as they shook hands.
"Well I'd better be getting back to my room before the nurse starts wondering where I am." Yota said as he started to leave. "It was nice talking with you."
"It was nice talking to you too and I promise I'll repay you." Okara called after him.
"Don't worry about it, see ya!" He answered back before vanishing around the corner.
Feeling a little better Okara finished her pop and tossed it in the recycling bin nearby just as her mother called her from the waiting room to tell her that Genma was out of surgery and was being taken to the recovery ward. He would be asleep due to the gas and so she wouldn't be able to talk to him right now, but her mother promised that they would come see him as soon as he woke up.
"I want to stay with him, please Mom please let me stay?" She pleaded with her hands clasped together.
"I'll be staying here for a while longer Haruka, I'll bring her home when visiting hours are over." Mia said as she placed a hand on Okara's shoulder.
Her parents agreed and left the waiting room to return to work, Mia and Okara were then lead by a nurse to Genma's room. Eager to see him again the young girl rushed on ahead and into the door marked 6A which the nurse said was his, upon entry Okara saw Genma laying in a large bed with an oxygen mask on his face. His right leg was in a cast and elevated, his arms were bandaged up with an IV drip in his left wrist. Walking over to the bedside Okara reached out and gently took his hand into hers, even thought they were so close together they may as well have been miles apart. It hurt her to see him like this as a tear slid down her cheek, leaning in Okara gently kissed her sleeping friend's forehead.
"Mm mm...uh..." The boy's eye lids trembled as he slowly began to move.
"He's waking up Mrs. Todoroki!" Okara said to his mother in an excited whisper.
Genma's head shifted slowly back and forth before slowly opening his eyes and looking up at them, his gaze dreary and his eyes were sleepy and dull.
"Kari...?" His voice raspy and slightly muffled by the mask. "Mom?"
"Yes honey, we're here." Mia said lovingly, reaching over she gently caressed her son's arm.
His vision was starting to swim as he managed a weak smile before drifting back off to sleep.
The following week everyday after school Okara would return to visit Genma in the hospital, often bringing with him the get well cards done by their classmates. Okara told him not to worry about their book and that she would finish up the rest of it and hand it in for marking, one day while on her way with an arm load of flowers for him she passed by a slightly open door marked 6B. Curiously she peeked in and saw a familiar face sitting in bed, the food table rolled in front of him as he was busily working on something. Lightly knocking on the door she waited for permission before going in.
"Oh hi Okara." It was that nice boy Yota again. "How's it going?"
"Okay. I was just coming to bring some flowers for Genma to cheer him up!" She said with a smile, happy to see another friendly face. "What'cha working on there?"
"It's a comic book for my little brother Gao, I'm just finishing up this last page." Yota replied, his eyes firmly fixed on completing his work. Okara being a fellow artist understood and didn't want to bother him too much, still she had a strong interest into what he was drawing and came over to his bedside to have a look. On the top of a stack of pages was a picture of a man with long hair surrounded by a dazzling light, looking back over his shoulder at the viewer and pointing with his thumb to the stylized sun on the back of his jacket.
"The Mighty Sun Fighter is Here." Okara read aloud with growing intrigue as she asked Yota if she could have a look at them.
"Sure, I don't mind." Yota said as he picked up his pen to begin inking the pencil work.
As she looked through the comic the more impressed she became, the story and quality art work rivalling the many comics she had seen in the mall in town.
"Wow, this is good. Do you think I could show my friend Genma this comic? I think he would really like this!" Okara asked excitedly.
"Of course, just be sure to hurry back with it the moment you are done. My brother will be coming soon and he'll want to read it right away." Yota said smiling at her.
"Okay I'll be quick and thank you so much." The girl said with a bow and dashed off.
A half hour soon passed as Yota was putting the finishing touches on the final page when Okara came running in holding the comic in her hands, giving her a moment to catch her breath Yota asked how Genma liked it.
"He absolutely loved it Yota and he hopes he can read more when you write them." She smiled handing the comic back to him.
"Well I'll see what I can do." Yota grinned with a wink as he flashed the peace sign.
The start of the next month saw further improvement in Genma's recovery, soon able to get about the hospital on a crutch. Okara wasn't able to visit him as much as she would have liked, busy at home finishing school work left her with little time. When she did visit him he would eagerly read the Mighty Sun Fighter comic to her, having made a new friend in Yota made her very happy that he had someone to keep him company while she was away.
"You know Yota, Kari does really great art too." Genma said during one their visits to Yota's room, pointing at her art pad and pencil case that hung from her wrist. "You should show him that cat sketch you have been doing!" He said to her encouragingly.
"Uhh...well okay but it's not really that great." She said nervously as she opened up her art pad to the piece in question and handed it to Yota.
It was a light pencil sketch of a tabby cat in profile, Yota studied the drawing for a bit before a small frown crossed his brow.
"You sure Okara? This is quiet impressive." He said handing the art pad back to her.
"Wow, thanks." Okara smiled blushing a little at the complement. "I hope one day I can draw as amazing as you."
"You will Okara, just remember that no one is born skilled. People will try and bring you down by saying your work isn't worth anything, but what is most important is you keep following your dream. Keep practising and draw what makes you happy, that way...someday you will be an even better artist than I am." Yota smiled with a knowing wink.
"Yeah see Kari, Yota believes in you too." Genma added cheerfully.
"Thanks, you guys are the best." Okara said feeling so happy she could burst, taking a deep breath to calm down a bit. "Boy, I'm feeling a little thirsty so I'm going to get something to drink. Would you guys want me to get you anything?"
"I'm good." Said Yota who was in the process of working on another Sun Fighter comic.
"Me too Kari." Genma said totally absorbed in the finished copy he was reading.
Okara simply smiled and rolled her eyes before walking out the door, ever since she showed him that comic Gen could just not put it down. She often told him it wasn't polite to bother Yota so much as great art took time and shouldn't be rushed. On her way down the hall she passed a small boy that looked very similar to their friend, his hair was almost identical but with shorter points. Little red bangs stuck up all over the place over eyes as golden as Yota's. Okara smiled as she recognized the adorable little child as Gao Mikado his younger brother, on their first meeting he innocently asked if Okara was Genma's girlfriend. The look on Gen's face was priceless as he turned very red and hid his eyes under the bill of his hat, Yota firmly telling him they were just good friends and he shouldn't ask people such personal questions. Smiling she waved to him as he hurried on by into his brother's room.
"Hey Yota, did you finish it?" Gao asked eagerly, having been waiting on pins and needles for the next part of his brother's story.
"Hey, I get it now." Genma said, looking up at his friend as a sudden revelation hit. "You know that thing you said before?"
"Huh, what are you talking about?" Yota asked looking up from his work in confusion.
"It's what the story is trying to say, it's not the strongest or the smartest people that should lead. It's the ones that work the hardest on improving life for everyone else! That's who the people follow!" The excitement growing more intense in Genma's eyes. "They're the ones who shed light on the world, they are totally like the sun!"
"You really like the stories huh?" Yota asked with a smile, a little taken back by the sudden outburst of enthusiasm.
"Yeah." Genma nodded, his face still beaming. "You are saying those that are stronger and more capable should protect those that are weaker! Am I right?"
"Uh..." Yota began to say, starting to feel a little unsure.
"Don't worry," Genma said hugging the comic close. "I'll become strong and I'll do all I can to help people who aren't. I promise to protect the weak and to stop injustice!"
"I think you're missing the point Genma..." Yota began when suddenly pain began to clench his chest and he began to cough uncontrollably. Gao a silent witness to the previous events was over taken by fear and ran to his beloved sibling side.
"Yota, are you okay?!" The terrified child asked before turning to Genma, tears welling up in his panic stricken eyes. "He needs help! Call someone! Do something please!"
"I'll go get the doctor!" He reassured Gao, forgetting the crutch by his side Genma stepped right on his still healing limb as a seering pain shot up his leg. "It doesn't hurt...I've got to get stronger..."
Okara exiting the elevator carrying a bottle of water she had bought from one of the vending machines in the lobby was shocked by the sight of Genma limping towards her.
"OKARA!"
"Gen what are you doing!?" She shouted as she rushed toward him but he quickly went on by her.
"I've got to get the doctor for Yota, you go back and stay with Gao!" He called over his shoulder.
"O-okay!" She stammered, worried for their friend's safety she ran back to his room to find him laying back in his bed, his face soaking in sweat and flushed.
"Oh no Yota!" She gasped as she ran to his bedside. "Oh no, oh what can I do?"
"G..Gao" Was all Yota could manage between coughs, pointing weakly at his sobbing brother.
Turning Okara saw Gao with his little hands over his face crying bitterly, kneeling down she put her arms around him and lifted him up. She felt him wraps his arms around her neck, gripping fistfuls of her shirt. He was so scared Okara could feel his small body trembling, looking over at Yota she gave him a slow nod which he returned.
"Shhh...it's okay Gao, Gen's going to get the doctor. It's going to be okay." She whispered softly to him, gently rubbing his back.
Soon the doctor followed by two of his nursing staff came quickly into the room pushing a large med cart, gently one of the nurses ushered the children out the door so they could get to work on Yota. Genma was breathing heavily and leaning on the wall, setting Gao down Okara went to her friend's side and handed him his crutch.
"Good job Gen, they got here just in time." She smiled as she put his arm over her shoulder.
Genma just panted from the stress as the adrenalin was starting wear off, the pain from his broken limb came back with a vengeance in shooting waves up his thigh and hip making his stomach twist from the agony. The colour starting to drain from his face, he raised a hand to his mouth and squeezed his eyes shut.
"Uhhh...Kari...I think I'm gonna puke."
"Uh oh!" Quickly Okara helped him to the nearest restroom and opened the door for him, when little Gao tried to follow them in she looked back over her shoulder and said "You might want to wait outside, this is not going be pretty."
Genma doubled over to the toilet and vomited violently as Okara took his hat and gently rubbed his back, as miserable as this was he was amazed how little it bothered her. When he was finally able to stand back up she handed him the bottle of water to rinse his mouth, not a word was spoken as she gently wiped his forehead with her scrunchie she soaked in cold water. The heat warming his face as he looked into her kind golden brown eyes.
"You gonna be okay?" She asked gently as she handed him back his hat.
"Yeah...uh you're not going to tell anyone about this are you?" Genma asked nervously.
Okara smiled and shook her head causing her friend to feel very relived though not surprised by her answer as he put his arm over her shoulders and they left the restroom. Once outside they were met by a nurse who was talking to Gao, she informed them that Yota had just suffered from a small attack and was sleeping now so they would need to wait until he woke up after getting some rest. Genma was still too sore to walk any more so Okara helped him back to his room so he could lie down for a while, she then waited with Gao who was munching on some candy she had bought him from the lobby venders until his mother and sister showed up.
"Thank you both for looking out for Gao and helping Yota, I am very grateful." Suzumi Mikado smiled.
"No problem Mrs. Mikado, I'll let Gen know you said thanks when I go see him." Okara bowed politely in response. Waving at little Hana who shyly waved back, Gao thanked her for the candy as he shared some with his sister. Okara watched the small family go into Yota's room before she turned back down the hall to Genma's.
Okara lightly knocked on the front door of the Todoroki residence, clutching a handmade story book with a blue ribbon attached to it. The door slowly opened as Mia looked down at the girl with a saddened look on her face, not noticing this Okara asked if Genma was home yet. It had almost been a month and a half to the day since Genma had his accident, his cast had finally been taken off and he was allowed to come home. Okara was glad he wasn't going to miss summer vacation and was thinking about all the fun they were going to have. Before he left the hospital Yota gave him another issue of the Mighty Sun Fighter to read, his only request being he return it so Gao could read it too. Genma invited Okara over so they could read it together like they always did, Genma had a check up today and took the comic with him to give it back. Okara had school and bid her best friend goodbye and asked him to give Yota her best.
"Yes he is...he could really use a friend right now." She said softly.
Puzzled by Mia's unusual downcast mood Okara went inside, slipping her shoes off she hurried upstairs to Genma's room.
"Genma guess what?" She asked cheerfully as she opened his bedroom door. "You know our story we did for creative writing? Well I entered it into an art and writing contest the school was having and it won first place! Isn't that gre-!"
The bedroom was darkened with the shades pulled down as the sunlight from outside tried in vain to get through, in the dim Okara could see Genma laying on his side on his bed with his back to her. He did not stir nor even respond to the sound of her voice as if she wasn't there. Slowly she walked over to his bedside as a feeling of great foreboding washed over her, looking over his body she saw that next to him in bed under his hand was an unsettling sight.
"Gen, it's that the Mighty Sun Fighter? Weren't you supposed to give that back to Yota today?" Okara asked softly.
Slowly Genma sat himself up in bed and looked at her, even in the dim light she could see his eyes were puffy and red like he had been crying for hours. The corners of his mouth trembled and turned down as new tears began to form in his eyes, letting out a half choked sob he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight.
"Yota...Yota's gone! He's gone Kari!" Genma sobbed over and over in grief and heartbreak, his tears soaking her shoulder as his young body trembled in despair.
Their book slipped out of her hand where it fell to the floor, completely forgotten as Okara stood there numb with shock at the terrible news. This couldn't be, this had to be some cruel joke or bad dream or something? The harshness of reality told her flat out that this was all too true as she buried her face into Genma's long dark hair and cried along with him.
"Kari...please, promise...promise you'll never leave." Genma asked, his voice horse from crying so hard as he squeezed her body against his. "Promise, you'll never leave me alone."
"I promise Gen, I'll never leave you ever I swear." Okara answered hugging him back just as tightly. "Never ever."
A few days later Mia drove the children to the cemetery to let them both say their final goodbyes to their dear friend, holding hands they followed the graves alphabetically by surname until they found the one they were looking for. Genma and Okara stood before Yota's headstone, the bright sun and even the clear blue sky could not cast away the darkness that clouded their hearts. Standing together yet alone in their thoughts, unable to piece together why such a young life had to be cut so tragically short. A close friend torn from their lives like a home in a hurricane, it was just so unfair it made them both feel ill.
"Why did he have to die Kari?" Genma said both hurt and angry as he stared at the headstone, his eyes a storm of torrential emotions. "Why?...He didn't do anything wrong. Why?"
Okara just shook her head, she simply had no answer to give him being just as confused as he. What great crime had Yota committed to deserve such a fate? This young man who had shown her nothing but kindness, when they first met, helping some kid he barely knew. She promised to repay him but now she didn't know how she could, she just hoped that where ever he was now he would forgive her.
Kneeling down with Genma she offered a quiet prayer with him before they rose and left the graveyard together, Genma letting go of Okara's hand and putting it around her shoulders. She wrapping her arms around him, never wanting to leave his side.
An hour after they left a black car drove up to the gate of the cemetery, parking beside the curb a young man stepped out holding a large bouquet of white roses. He was dressed in a white button up shirt and dark grey slacks, black shoes, black tie and was wearing large square framed glasses. Walking quietly through the garden of stone he stood before his departed son's grave as a gentle smile crossed his lips.
"Looks like you've had visitors Yota." The man said in a kind voice.
Laying upon his son's headstone were two long stem roses of pink and red, a drawing of a tabby cat, a pencil case and a can of soda.
