Tsumugu was surrounded by nothing but darkness. At first he started to panic as memories of his sister popped up in front of him.
NO! STOP! PLEASE! STOP!
He tried to forget and push away the memories, but it was no use. He fell to his knees and covered his eyes crying in frustration.
WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DO IT KINUE!? WHY WAS IT SO IMPORTANT!? WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DIE!?
"Tsumugu..." replied a voice.
Tsumugu slowly looked up and gasped with complete shock. His sister Kinue stood before him looking the same way she did before she died. She had a big smile on her face that made her glow.
"K-K-Kinue?..." Tsumugu whispered.
"Hello little brother." Kinue answered.
Tsumugu immediately stood up and wrapped his arms around his sister. She felt so real! And warm. Not able to stop himself he sobbed onto her shoulder. He felt her hand rest on his head and ruffle his Mohawk.
"Don't cry Tsumugu." she said softly. "You said you wouldn't cry since I died."
"I-I- I'm not crying!" he said in a defensive tone.
Kinue continued to smile as she wrapped her arms around him.
"I've missed you little brother."
Tsumugu tightened his hug.
"I miss you so much Kinue!" he wept
"Why did you have to leave me all alone?"
Kinue placed her hands on his shoulders and gently pushed him away to have him look at her.
"You were never alone Tsumugu." she replied "You have friends that love and care about you. But you seem to push them away."
Tsumugu said nothing as he stared at her.
"By the way hows Aikuro doing?" she asked.
Tsumugu knew that Aikuro use to date his sister and was even thinking about marrying her in the future. He seen how miserable he was when she died.
"He misses you and still thinks about you." he answered.
Kinue slowly moved her hand and placed it on his cheek. Tsumugu placed his hand on hers to welcome the touch.
"Tsumugu...why do you drive your friends away?" she asked "Especially that sweet young lady who wanted to take away your pain?"
Tsumugu turned his head away and looked down. He remembered how cheeful that kid was almost most of the time. He never seen her cry. And he couldn't help but feel a little guilty for hurting her. Just because he was hurting didn't mean he had to inflict hurt on her.
He sighed.
"I-I guess I felt weak and pathetic when I was surrounded by friends. I wanted to look strong and seem like nothing bothered me at all. But being with them made me feel supported and cared for. But I guess I didn't want friends cause I didn't want to be cared for. At first I thought it made me look soft and useless and that I needed to depend on others. But I've looked after myself, knowing that I don't have a family anymore. And that kid. Being damn happy all the time. I hated it. Because I could never be as happy as her."
A tear slipped out of Tsumugu's eye as he waited for Kinue's response.
"You can be happy Tsumugu." she said
"And you have a family. Your friends are the closest thing you have to a family. Maybe if you accept them you can finally be happy."
"How can I?" Tsumugu asked sadly.
Kinue smiled as she place her hand on his shoulder.
"By letting me go."
Tsumugu stared into her eyes. Could he truly be happy if he accepted their friendship?
"I have to go Tsumugu." Kinue interrupted.
Tsumugu wrapped his arms around her again.
"Please don't go!" he cried "I just got to see you! When will I see you again?"
Kinue wrapped her arms around him as she began to fade away.
"You will see me soon." her voice echoed. "I promise. I love you Tsumugu. Remember to be happy and take care of your friends. Good bye...little brother."
Then she was gone as Tsumugu found himself in the light again.
Waking up Tsumugu was lying on the ground. Aikuro and the Nudist Beach members were tending to him as he felt a cloth touch his face.
"Ow!" he yelled feeling pain "Dammit Aikuro that hurt!"
"Its about time you woken up Tsumugu." replied Aikuro. "You were out for a couple minutes. Seems that Ryuko has packed quite a punch."
One of the female Nudist Beach members crossed her arms.
"Well I think he deserved it." she grumbled "Making that poor girl cry. I hope your happy Tsumugu!"
Tsumugu groaned as he slowly got up. Aikuro placed his hand on his shoulder to steady him.
"Easy friend." he said calmy "You don't want to go out cold again."
Tsumugu finally sat up and felt his head pounding. Damn if he wasn't drunk he'd kick Ryuko's ass! But then he remembered how angry she was when he yelled at the kid. I guess he shouldn't blame her. What he did was real shitty.
"Wheres the kid Aikuro?" he asked.
Aikuro raised an eyebrow.
"If your talking about Mako. I'd say shes still hiding and crying her eyes out."
The female Nudist Beach member sighed.
"I saw her near the rocky edge with that huge boyfriend of hers."
Tsumugu attempted to stand up.
"I need to go talk to her."
"Whoa!" Aikuro cried as he tried to hold Tsumugu down. "Hold it right there! Your not ready to walk yet."
"Get off of me!" snapped Tsumugu "I need to apologize to the kid!"
"Let him go Captain Aikuro." said the female the Nudist Beach member as she placed her hand on his shoulder. Aikuro slowly moved aside.
He almost fell on his knees and the Nudist Beach members offered to help but he fought against it and tried to focus as he went to look for Mako. He just had to apologize. He had to take away her pain. He had to make things right."
