Protecting the Ones We Love

(The Present)

From: Takato

Time: 7:50 am

Date: April 26, 2013

Mom's condition is already stable. They'd be running a few tests on her so she's staying at the hospital for the night. I sent Dad back home to take a rest.

You don't need to come anymore.

I sighed with relief after reading the text message. What was supposed to be a beautiful morning turned out to be a chaotic and stressful day for our family. After tucking Yuuta for the night instead of going straight to bed I've tried to finish up my portfolio. Putting pictures here and there, arranging all the shots in order and compiling all my best work took longer than I expected. It wasn't after three in the morning when I was done with it and decided to call it quits. I was just about to lie down on my bed when I heard the clatter of pots and pans. When I went out of my room I saw my mom lying on the kitchen floor, unconscious. It was my first time to witness one of her fainting spells and was rendered senseless for a moment. Good thing my brother was a light sleeper and heard the noise in the kitchen. He quickly went out of his room and helped me get our mom on the living room's sofa. My father followed suit and was about to call the ambulance when my mother awoke. Apparently she was trying to make a bento for Yuuta's fieldtrip, which is why she was up early making food. She told us that she was okay and that she won't need the ambulance anymore and just opted to stay at home and rest. She insisted that her fainting was only due to anemia, but we all knew better.

My mom has cancer.

Last year, she was diagnosed with a stage IV colon cancer. My parents kept it a secret from Takato and me. They've hidden it from us for a year until Takato witnessed one of our mother's fainting spells. He learned all about Mom's condition when he took her to the hospital. He was furious then and called me immediately. At first, he was talking to me calmly but then he broke down into fitful sobs at the mention of Mom's illness. He told me that Mom wanted to keep it a secret from us because she doesn't want us to worry. She doesn't want to be a hindrance to us in achieving our dreams. She knows that if I knew about her sickness I'd quit my job in a heartbeat and go straight home. As it turns out, my mother was right. A day after that phone call I handed in my resignation letter ̶ packed all of our things and booked a flight back to Japan.

"Mom, is grandma really gonna be okay?" Big brown eyes stared at me from my side.

I tilted my head at his direction while keeping my cell phone out of sight. I didn't tell Yuuta that her grandmother was suffering from cancer. He was still too young to understand the situation and I didn't want to burden him with worry.

"O-Off course she's okay, honey. What makes you think that she isn't?" I stuttered as I tried to compose myself.

He lowered his head. "Nothing…it's just that she looks more tired than usual and she doesn't go out of her room more often."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "She's fine, Yuuta. Older people are like that. You get tired easily when you're old."

His eyebrows furrowed, like he was confused. He was about to open his mouth to say something but was distracted by the sound of students laughing outside. His head whipped to the side. "Oh no! I am so dead. My classmates will be so mad at me," he cried as he grabbed his duffel bag.

He was about to reach for the latch of the door but stopped. He gave me a sidelong glance, "Mom, I hope grandma gets better soon. I don't like seeing you this sad."

My chest tightened at what he said. Have I been so transparent that my son who's so little can tell when I'm upset? This can't be. I need to be strong for him and for my family. I am after all the oldest daughter. I need to pull myself together.

I put on the brightest smile that I can muster and pet him in the head. "Thanks, son. I'm sure your grandma is alright. The doctor told us that it was just her blood pressure. She'll be healthy in no time, as long as she drinks her medicine."

He hugged me in return and I put my arms around him. "Now don't forget to brush your teeth when you go to bed. Also, I packed some extra shirts and towels for you, so don't forget to−"

"I know, mom." Yuuta whined as he hugged me tighter. "Don't worry, I remembered everything. I'm a big boy now," he grumbled.

I chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, Mr. Big Boy. Now go and have some fun with your classmates before I change my mind."

And with that he let me go. "Okay, mom. Bye!" he yelled as he got off the car.

When he was outside I took my cell phone out and hit reply.

To: Takato

Time: 8:15 am

Date: April 26, 2013

Are you sure? I can drop off later during my lunch break.

From: Takato

Time: 8:18 am

Date: April 26, 2013

Yes. I can handle it. No need to worry. Did Yuuta make it in time?

I grinned at my brother's succinct message. He truly is a man of few words. Brief, concise and formal. That is my brother, but underneath all his impassiveness, I know that he cares deeply for us. He just doesn't know how to show it.

To: Takato

Time: 8:22 am

Date: April 26, 2013

Yup. He's already with his classmates. Just call me if you need anything.

From: Takato

Time: 8:23 am

Date: April 26, 2013

Ok.

I stashed my cell phone inside my bag and looked outside the window. Yuuta was frantically running towards the school bus, his duffel bag bouncing off his small frame. I smiled to myself. This is the first time that he'll be spending the night without me. I hope he gets along with everyone. I took a deep breath for a while to relax my tensed muscles, when all of a sudden a thought struck me. I wonder if Yuuta's hero-sensei is here? Let's see what that dude looks like. I was about to roll over the windows when my cell phone began to ring.

"Shit," I cursed when I saw my assistant's name on the screen.

I reluctantly answered the call.

"Hello? Risa? Where are you?" the disembodied voice of my assistant echoed inside the car.

"I'm at my son's school," I said as I checked my watch. Holy crap! I'm going to be late!

"Can you make it in here in twenty minutes?" she asked with urgency.

"Sure, I think?"

"Well you better do it! The photographer is going berserk out here. I'm already at my limit," begged my assistant.

I put the cellphone in between my shoulder and ear and put the car in reverse. "Okay, okay. Let's just hope I don't hit someone on my way there. I'm hanging up now." I cut off the line and threw the phone on the passenger seat as I stepped on the gas.

March 10, 2006

"So have you decided what to get Otani for his birthday yet?"

"Not really," I sighed as I bumped my head on the table.

"Why don't you just ask him what he wants?" said Nobu before taking a sip of iced tea.

"What's the surprise in that?" I retorted. "Besides if I do ask him I know he'll just say that anything is fine."

"I guess you're right," mused Chiharu. "Maybe you can make something for him then?"

"Like what? Knitting him a scarf or baking him a cake?" I asked enthusiastically.

"Yeah, something like that, or you can buy him something rare," replied Chiharu.

I gasped, "That's it! maybe I can get him Umibozu's latest album!"

Nobu grabbed a fistful of of hair and shouted, "Aw c'mon! This isn't high school you guys. Those kinds of gifts aren't appropriate for college guys. And an Umibozu album? Seriously, Risa?" Nobu gave me a pointed look.

"W-what?"

"In the four years that you've been together with Otani, haven't you learned anything about him?" Nobuko scolded.

"Err. I have," I blushed as I continued, "I mean I do have a few ideas about it. I'm not exactly the most observant girlfriend in the world but I do know of the things that he likes…"

"But what?" Chiharu drew closer to me.

"It's just that, he wants a motorcycle!" I groused while tearing at my sandwich, "Do you have any idea how expensive that is? Even if I do take on jobs I wouldn't be able to make it on time."

"That is a problem," Chiharu gave me a concerned look.

"I want this day to be perfect," I sighed as I played with the straw of my soda. "I haven't seen him for a while. He's been so busy recently, what with all his paper and everything. Sometimes, I feel that he's slowly pulling away, like he's been avoiding me. He even cancelled our date because of some friend or something," I grumbled as I took another bite of my sandwich.

Chiharu placed her hand on top of my shoulders and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Nobu arched a brow as she tapped a finger on her chin. "Well, have you guys done it yet?"

I choked on the sandwich that I was chewing and coughed violently. "Water…" I managed to croak as I repeatedly hit my chest with my fist. Chiharu, my most conservative friend was blushing like a tomato while she handed me a glass of water.

When I've recovered from my coughing fit I shot Nobu an annoyed, yet embarrassed look. "Nobuko, what the hell!"

"'I'll take that as a no then?" Nobu shook her head. "You know, Risa," she edged closer across the table towards me, "Men have needs."

"Nobu, this is a family restaurant," reprimanded Chiharu.

"Oh shut it. Don't even get me started with yours."

Chiharu instantly closed her mouth.

Nobu grinned and whipped her head back to me. "As I was saying, men, no matter how sweet and caring you think they are, underneath that façade, they all want the same thing," she pointed her spoon at me, "S-E-X."

My already red face blushed even more at Nobu's vulgarity. "I, he, w-we…" I struggled to talk back but my mind was rushing with all this obscene pictures of Otani. I shook my head to rid all of my less than improper thoughts. "Otani is nothing like that!"

"Are you sure? Hmm?"

"Yes," I answered with conviction.

"Oh really?" Nobu purred maliciously, "Aren't you curious about this friend of his? Why would he cancel on such an important date with his girlfriend because of his friend? Haven't you guys been planning that date for weeks? Has he even given you the reason why?"

"No," I answered timidly.

"See? that's just plain suspicious. I bet that friend is a girl. He's probably having an affair with her."

My resolution faltered for a second, "No he's not! Otani wouldn't cancel on me if the situation wasn't grave or anything. I think he has a good reason why he did it." I know Otani isn't that kind of a guy. I have faith in him. I know he wouldn't cheat on me. What Nobu is saying is all rubbish.

"Stop teasing Risa, Nobu!" Chiharu cried, "Can't you see how hard this has been for her?"

Nobu's smug face fell, "Don't you think I know that already?" She took a deep breath and reached for my hands, "Listen, Risa, I'm not out here to sabotage your relationship with Otani, okay? I'm just here to knock some sense of reality into you. Look, whether you like it or not, Otani's a great catch and I know that he's not that kind of guy. I know you trust him more than ever and we do too, but that doesn't mean that you should also trust the females around him."

I couldn't speak with what Nobu was saying. All of it was true. I'm not blind, I can see girls leering at him like a piece of meat all the time. Despite Otani's height, he is an attractive guy. I know a lot of girls are interested in him. I'm worried about it too.

She squeezed my hands tighter and continued, "I just want you to remember that at this point in your relationship you can't afford to slack off. Otani's a great guy ̶ not as great as my Honey, though ̶ and I'm sure that a lot of girls are waiting for an opportunity to steal him away. You can't be prude all the time. You need to step up your game if you want to keep him away from these bitches. Show him your inner breasts!"

I smiled at Nobu, "Thanks, Nobu. But what can I do? I mean look at me? My sex appeal is just about as good as a log. I'm not even that feminine to begin with."

"That's not true Risa, you are a very pretty girl. Otani's just shy or maybe he just doesn't have the opportunity to express himself properly," interjected Chiharu.

"Speaking of which," Nobu pulled away from me and dug through her bag, "When you called me over the phone, I pretty much had this idea of what your problem is, so I got you these."

Nobu handed me two slips of paper. "What's this?" I asked.

"Two tickets to Hokkaido. I have a friend there who owns a resort. I've arranged for the two of you to spend two days and three nights at his place, all expenses paid off course!" she explained as she passed me a calling card. "When you get there, ask for Morikawa-san."

"Nobuko, this is…" my voice cracked as I was holding the tickets.

"I know, I know, I'm the best right?"

"I was about to say presumptuous, but, for a free trip to Hokkaido? Why not, I'd say you're the most beautiful creature in the world," I laughed as my vision blurred with unshed tears.

"Don't thank me yet, this is far from over. We have to work on your seduction techniques first or else all of this would fail," Nobu winked.

"Nobu!" chided Chiharu.

"What? Are you jealous? Do you want some tips as well?" countered Nobu while laughing.

"Oh boy, this is going to be a long day," I whispered as I ate the rest of my sandwich.

(The Present)

It was almost dark when I came to help the kids set their tents. From where I was kneeling, I can hear the entire clamor of students who were going about their chores for the day. Like me, some students are helping set the tents, others were collecting wood for the fire, while some of them are busy preparing for dinner. A trickle of sweat streamed down on my face as I work my way into finishing my third tent. I wiped at it with the back of my hand, leaving a trace of dirt in my forehead.

"Katsu-sensei, I'm done with the inner tent. Do you need help over there?" the boy who was helping me build the tent emerged from inside.

"Nah, I'm fine. But I think group four can use a hand," I pointed at the direction of his friends. "You might want to teach them how to use the pole correctly."

"Okay, sensei," replied the boy as he ran towards the group, flinging his limbs wildly.

"I wonder how that kid isn't tired yet," I smiled wistfully, "I must be getting old," I murmured to myself as I hammered the last stake into the corner of the tent.

"Oi! Katsupi!"

I frowned. I should have been very used to it by now but hearing someone call me by that name always gets into my nerves. Why can't they just use my name like a normal person would? Turning my head over my shoulder I saw a tall man trotting towards me.

Hojo Nikamura, the math teacher of our school happens to be one of my friends back in the University. I haven't been expecting our friendship to last this long, considering that I only befriended him because he was so good in math. I was failing in Calculus at that time and I was running out of options. What can a guy do? I was really desperate to not to fail. Hojo wasn't someone whom I'd be normally friends with. He's unsociable and doesn't like to talk to people much so asking a favor wasn't exactly an easy task. But, after putting alcohol into his system, you'd be surprised how talkative and accommodating he can be.

"What's up, Hojo?" I dropped the hammer to the side and grabbed the water bottle sitting beside me.

"You have to come with me," he grabbed me by the shoulders as he panted. "We have a problem."

"What?" I asked, anxious to know how he got in that state.

"Two of the students from 1-A are missing."

A chill went up my spine. Why do I have a bad feeling about this?

A/N

First of all, I would like to thank all the people who have Favorited, Followed and Reviewed this story. You guys inspire me so much. I'm happy to know that people are spending their precious reading this. I'm a novice in writing, so the updates may not come at regular intervals. Plus I'm sort of busy with other stuff. I'm taking this certification this December so you might not get to hear from me that much.

But still, who knows, I might find the time to still update despite my busy schedule.

Also, again, I haven't got the time to check this for any grammatical errors. I know, I should proofread it, but, I just want you guys to know what happens already. Hehehe… hey! Even writers get excited as well.

If you have anything to say/suggest/complain about don't hesitate to PM me. Let me know what you think about this chapter.