Suzuka answered the door, surprised that her brother's friends had come this early in the afternoon. She had told them that any time was fine, but that was before Yuma had decided he needed an afternoon nap before they arrived.
Her heart fluttered nervously when she saw Yukio on the other side. "O-Okumura-kun," she stammered quietly.
"I am sorry if this is too early," he said. "The mission I was on was completed earlier than I expected, and so I thought I would see how Yuma is doing."
"Nii-chan..." Su murmured. "Actually, he just fell asleep. He has been in a lot of pain, and so didn't get a lot of sleep last night. Would you like me to wake him?"
Yukio shook his head. "No, please don't disturb him. I can come back later if you need..."
Su wasn't sure how she looked to him, but something took him by surprise. "Please don't go," she pleaded with him. Shocked by her own words, she felt the blood rush to her cheeks. "I mean, it would be nice if you were here when Nii-chan woke up. And besides, I could use the company."
Idiot, she thought. Why would you say that? This isn't about you!
Yukio's exasperation seemed to fade as he gave her a warm smile. "I will stay," he said.
"Okumura...kun..." Su stepped aside to let him through the door. Feeling lightheaded, she needed to lean against the wall to steady herself.
"Yukio," he said calmly. He closed the door gently behind him.
"Huh?"
"It's Yukio," he reiterated. "There is no need to be so formal here."
"Uhhh..." Pull yourself together, she admonished herself. She forced an over-enthusiastic smile. "Of course," she chirruped. "My name's Suzuka."
Idiot! He probably already knows that. Embarrassed, she bit hard on her bottom lip.
"Shall we, Suzuka-san?" Yukio beckoned gently, gesturing for her to walk in front of him. "What did you decide to cook for dinner tonight?"
The casual conversation starter lifted the awkwardness a little bit. Su appreciated it. As she stepped in front of him, she answered. "Sukiyaki," she said.
"A good choice," Yukio said. "Nii-san will be pleased to hear it. Sukiyaki is a personal favourite of his."
"That's good to hear," Su replied. "I did want to do something special for Rin and for Nii-chan to congratulate them on passing their exam. And for you too, Yukio, to thank you for taking such good care of my brother."
"I really haven't done much," he said. When she turned to look at him he pushed his glasses as far up the bridge of his nose as they would travel.
"You were the first friend he had at this school, and you've been a mentor to him at Cram School. I would say you have done more than enough. I think - no, I know Nii-chan will agree. He talks about you all the time, and everything he says is good. It's like he can't speak highly enough of you."
"That's very nice of him," Yukio murmured. He seemed as embarrassed and flustered as Su felt. As they passed Yuma, she glanced over at her older brother. He was still sound asleep on the couch. He looked peaceful, as though all his afflictions had disappeared to let him have one moment of serenity. Su gave a small sigh. If only he could stay like this forever, free from all he had suffered.
She flinched slightly when she felt Yukio's warm hand brush hers. Wordlessly she sought it out, taking hold of it as though accepting his touch.
"You're the best friend he's ever had," Su said. "He's always had trouble, even when we were little. He wasn't into sports. He wasn't academically exceptional. He didn't play a musical instrument or join all the school clubs. He was always sitting by himself at school, not really talking to anyone. He never had any real friends. Not until he came here and met you and Rin."
"When I was seven, I began training to be an Exorcist," Yukio said. "I was the youngest in my class, and so I had trouble bonding with the much older Exwires. Nii-san was my only real friend, but he was always doing careless things and getting himself into trouble. All I wanted was to be as strong as him, to be able to look out for him and protect him. I guess that's what brothers are meant to do." When Su looked up at him, his lips curved into a small smile. "It's nice to have a friend who is not my brother."
A knock on the door interrupted the discussion, and Su tore her hand quickly out of Yukio's.
"Speaking of Nii-san, that's probably him," Yukio muttered. He looked slightly annoyed.
I feel that way, too, she thought. It was the most she had ever spoken to Okumura-kun, and she had enjoyed the way he held her hand. Pushing that sentiment aside, she made for the door once again.
Rin looked a little less presentable than his brother. His blue-black hair was messy and his shirt was untucked and crinkled. But he had a lovely warm smile.
"You must be Suzuka," he said cheerily. "I'm Rin."
"Call me Su," she said immediately. Part of her wished she had said that to Yukio. The other part liked the way the other boy said her full name. "Nii-chan is having a rest, so try not to make too much noise until he wakes up."
"Okay," Rin said, his voice lowering to about half the volume he had addressed her with. When he saw Yukio, he smirked. "Didn't realise you were finished already, Four-eyes," he mocked.
Yukio glowered at him, saying nothing. Su glanced down, adjusting her own glasses. She figured it was an insult he usually reserved for his brother, but she had been called that name before in less than friendly manners, so she still despised it.
"Oh," Rin cried, realising his mistake. "I'm sorry, Su. I didn't mean to..."
Su waved her hand dismissively. "It's okay," she said.
"Did you finish your homework, Nii-san?" Yukio asked seriously.
"Yes," Rin snapped obstinately. "And I got all those stupid jobs you left me done too."
"Good," Yukio said. "I'm glad to hear it." His stoic demeanour was infuriating Rin even more. Su could see him getting visibly irritated.
"Could you two please refrain from killing one another while I make a start on dinner?" she asked.
"Y-yukio?"
It was Yuma who called out. He sounded as though he was still half-asleep. "Rin? Is that you?"
"We're both here," Rin said. His entire attitude had changed. He had already started to approach Yuma. "How are you feeling?"
"A little sore, but okay," Yuma said. "It will take more than a few busted ribs to finish me off."
Rin chuckled at the half-hearted attempt at a joke. "It sure will," he said. "We Exwires are tough."
"That we are," Yuma agreed. "So, when do you go on your first mission?"
"Tomorrow," Rin said proudly.
"That's good," Yuma said. "I can't go on any until I heal fully and get medical clearance. I think in a couple of weeks I can start shooting again, though."
"As long as you don't push yourself," Su admonished him. She didn't like the idea of him shooting in the first place, let alone trying to start practicing again before his injuries healed. "You need to take it easy for now. Focus on your school work and whatever theory you need for Cram School, and I am sure the rest will take care of itself in good time."
Rin pulled a face, but Yuma gave her a nod. "I'll be careful, I promise."
"Good," she said. "Now I'm actually going to make dinner now. You can all make yourselves at home."
"Can I help with anything?" Yukio asked politely.
"It's okay," Su said, grinning. "I am sure I can manage."
"Oooh, this is so good!" Rin gushed as they sat at the table eating. "I haven't had Sukiyaki in forever!"
"Didn't I tell you how good Su-chan's cooking is?" Yuma remarked.
"It's as good as Nii-san's," Yukio said. "Actually, probably better."
"WHAT WAS THAT FOUR-EYES?" Rin yelled. "MY COOKING IS AMAZING."
Yuma and Su giggled simultaneously. "I'm sure it is," Su said. "Nobody said it was bad. Just that mine's better."
"THERE'S NO WAY YOU'RE BETTER THAN ME!" Rin cried.
"Is that a challenge?" Su teased.
"YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT IT IS!"
"Fine then," Su said. "Next time, you can do the cooking and we'll see which one was better."
"FINE!"
Yuma began to clutch his ribs as he laughed. "Stop, stop," he wheezed.
"Are you alright?" Yukio asked, reaching his hand instinctively towards his friend.
"Y-yes," Yuma stammered. "I'm okay."
"Sorry, Yuma," Rin said. He looked genuinely remorseful, but Yuma shrugged.
"Don't worry about it," he said. Su could see the agony in his eyes, though. She and Yukio exchanged a glance that told her they had been thinking the same thing. The fragile peace he had been in that afternoon was gone, and neither of them were sure when it would be back again. Suzuka knew the broken ribs were only part of the story. Even when they healed, such beautiful moments for Yuma would continue to be few and far between. At least, that was what it would be like if cancer continued to have its way.
She looked at her big brother, a fragile package of pain and suffering tied together with a beautiful brave smile. She watched him with his friends, Rin and Yukio, feeling confident that they would be there to look out for him when she couldn't.
The thought brought her comfort as she took another bite of her meal, grinning from ear to ear.