Chapter Twenty

-After All-

So this is Mom…and Dad.

Hiro thought as he tried to recognise the couple within the photograph in his grasp. His eyes at first fell on the young slender woman whose straight black hair fell over her shoulders, and her lips that curved warmly in a smile as she watched the infant cradled in her arms lovingly.

Then his sight shifted towards her tall husband beside, whose appearance and build would have resembled Tadashi's if not for his bushy crop of black hair and a larger pair of eyes that glowed brightly at his child as he wrapped his arm around his wife's waist.

"Joshua and Hiroko with their first child…" Hiro flipped the photograph over to read the words behind when he suddenly heard footsteps coming in from the direction of the staircase.

"I knew you'll be awake," Aunt Cass smiled knowingly as she came into view before making her way to sit beside the quiet boy.

"Aunt Cass…" Hiro began, "I wish I knew them."

"Hiro…" Aunt Cass gazed at him tenderly. After which, with a breath, she recounted, "Well, your father was a great man. He was kind and calm, never angry without a reason, and he was incredibly smart, too."

The woman then chuckled a little to herself, "You can say he's got the Hamada brains! He met your mother while they were in college and after that, they dated for a few years before they decided that they were truly meant for each other and got married."

"How was Mom like?"

"Your mother…" Aunt Cass paused for a moment as she tried to recall her impression, "I thought she was pretty, to be frank. Joshua always told me how much he loved her spirit though, that she was gentle yet strong-willed, and believed in doing things for the greater good."

"I see…" Hiro turned to stare at the photograph in silence, to which Aunt Cass sighed in worry.

"Hiro, you don't have to blame yourself for not knowing them," she placed her hand onto his. "You were only three when they passed away in that accident."

"But I want to help Tadashi!" Hiro argued, "I…I just can't leave him helpless and alone."

Aunt Cass became quiet upon hearing his words before she proceeded to hug him.

"Look, sweet-heart," she told him. "Tadashi said he's helpless because he thought no one can understand how he feels. But I do, that's why I went over to talk to him about it."

"And what did he say?"

"Well, he now knows that he has to get over it. His past, I mean," Aunt Cass caressed his head softly. "All he needs is some time and support to recollect himself, just like you during his 'passing'."

She then retreated from her hug and placed her hands onto his shoulders, "That's why you don't have to do anything yet. I understand you want to help because of all the things he did for you and that you love him as your only brother, but for now we have to let him recover alone."

Hiro contemplated her words before he eventually let out a heavy breath, "Alright, but can I do something like talking to him even for a while? I want to help a little, at least."

"What do you want to tell him?" Aunt Cass asked. The boy then leaned over to whisper in her ear, leading her to think carefully over his words for a few moments until she nodded with an approving smile.

"Sure, but don't take too long," she said. "I'll drive you there tomorrow at nine in the morning."

"Sweet. Thanks, Aunt Cass." Hiro proceeded to give a surprising soft kiss on her cheek before he launched himself off the bed and walked towards the staircase, "I'm going down to get a drink."

"Alright…" Aunt Cass watched him disappear gradually from the room. She soon turned around to find the photograph lying lazily on the bed.

Joshua…She picked it up and looked closely at her brother's face. I miss you and Hiroko so much. I wish both of you can be here to see how much your children have grown. And how I had done the impossible, too: taking care of them!

She chuckled softly to herself before she composed herself again, as she began to recall her memories for the past decade and a few months.

To be frank, when both of you left me, I was really worried that I couldn't take care of them. I'd always thought I'm poor with children because of the way I am, and I know I haven't been able to be there for them as much as I should...

She then shifted her sight towards the sleeping infant in Hiroko's arms, to which she smiled softly.

But I'm glad I did it after all. I love them as much as if they were my own children, and I hope you and Hiroko can finally be at ease.

-End of Chapter Twenty-