Chapter 6: Friends
Kazu's POV
I ran down the fancy street excitedly. The open letter clutched tightly in my hand as I ran.
I opened the gate to the familiar house and ran in. I was so excited, I didn't even take off my shoes.
"Fujiwara-san!" I called, running into his office.
He looked up from his desk at me and smiled, eyeing the letter in my hand. "I take it you heard?"
I nodded and smiled wide. "I did it! I got in!" I exclaimed happily.
He cheered, and got up excitedly. "That's my boy! I knew you would!" He said, tousling my hair.
I smiled at the praise. "I couldn't have done it without your letter of recommendation though. So, it's really all thanks to you."
He waved me off. "Don't even say that, this was all you. My letter just confirmed what they already knew, you're special."
I laughed. "I don't know about that… But thank you."
"Anytime." He said patting my back. "She'd be proud of you." He said.
I smiled and held the letter close. "I hope so."
I watched him organize the papers on his desk as I slipped the letter into my pocket.
"I should go. I'm picking up extra shifts at the ramen shop, and then I have to file for financial aid. Shit is expensive." I said.
He looked over at me. "No. Don't worry about financial aid. I'll cover your tuition." He said.
My jaw hit the floor. How could he just offer that casually? "I-I can't accept that… That's too much." I said waving my hands.
He gave me a look. "Kazu, my wife passed away years ago, and my daughter is gone. I have nothing to spend my money on. Let me do this for you."
I blinked. I didn't even like people buying me food, let alone a college education. "Fujiwara-san…. I… I can't."
"You can, and will. I'm not giving you an option. Understand?" He asked.
I gaped, at a loss for words. Why would he want to do this for me? Why would he go to all these lengths to help me? Did he really think I was special?
"I… I guess." I stuttered.
He smiled. "Good. Now go. I don't want you to be late for work."
I bowed low. "Thank you Fujiwara-san. One day I'll find some way to repay you."
He laughed softly. "Just do your best, work hard. That's how you can repay me."
I nodded before turning to leave.
"Oh Kazu, one more thing." He said.
I turned back to look at him. "Yes?"
"Before the new semester starts in April, I'm taking you to my barber. You're studying to become a medical professional. You'll need to look the part." He said happily.
I ran a hand through my long bangs. "Yeah, that would be a good idea." I said laughing.
"Good. Alright, now go. Call me if you need anything." He said.
I bowed once more and took my leave.
As I walked outside I looked up at the sun shining down on me. "Don't worry Yui. Your dream will come true."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
June 17, 1994
Like I said. Life goes on. I graduated top of my class and went on to Tokyo Medical University.
I couldn't believe it. Me, in college, med school no less. I wonder what my dirtbag of a dad would say if he saw me now.
The first few months were going well, and I settled into my role as a college student. Luckily I could still squeeze in a few work shifts here and there, between all my classes. I had mastered the art of studying and doing homework while working. Kimura-san even set up a stand I could rest my textbooks on by the kitchen window, so I could read while he prepared orders.
Med school would take me 6 years to finish, but in the end it'll all be worth it.
I met a bunch of different people at school. Of course I talked to everyone. I was outgoing, personable and always easy going. I helped my classmates and was friendly to everyone, leaving me with a large group of friends. However, I kept them all at a distance.
I was scared. Scared to get close to anyone again. I was scared of losing another friend.
However, there was always a wrench.
Just like I met Yui who would change my life forever, I met him.
Hatori Sohma.
It was by complete coincidence that we met. He was in his fourth year of school at the time. We didn't have any classes together.
The only reason I met him in the first place was because of all the books I read with Yui, so I guess I could thank her for that. Funny how life works out that way.
I was in the school library. It was one of my favorite places. They had so many medical books. I could've stayed there all day, and some days I did. Just spending hours pouring over graphs and texts. Most I wasn't even assigned to read.
I was deep in the aisles of the library, analyzing the various book spines. There was one I was looking for. If only I could just…
There it is.
I reached for it when suddenly another hand hit mine as they reached for the same book.
I pulled my hand back quickly. "Well isn't that cute?" I laughed looking up at the guy who now stood beside me. His blue violet eyes stared down at me. His dark hair fell into bangs that were neatly cut just above his eyes. He definitely looked like he belonged here. I was once again thankful for Fujiwara-san for regularly taking me to his barber.
"You're a first year." He said curtly, looking at me up and down.
I nodded and glanced back at the book. Was he gonna let me have it?
"This book isn't a required reading material until your fourth year. Why is it that you need it?" He asked.
I shrugged. "Oh I've already read all the required reading for the first three years. I needed something new."
He looked surprised at this. "I see. Well I'm afraid I need this book for an assignment, so if you don't mind." He said gesturing to the book.
"Oh, yeah it's cool take it. I'll just borrow it when you're done." I said holding in the want to laugh. Why did he speak so formally? He had to be in his like early twenties and he talked like a forty year old.
He bowed his head curtly. "Thank you." He said, taking the book.
My composure slipped and I laughed slightly. "Hey don't thank me. It's not my book. However, I have heard good things about it. You should look into his other works in Diphtheria toxin structure. Interesting stuff." I said, pointing to the book in his hands.
He raised a brow at me. "From two years ago? Yes I read that. Lead to a better vaccine." He said plainly.
Ah I found another reader I see.
"What about Dr. Molnar's book on Cardiovascular imagery? Have you read that?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Dr. Sato's study on brain tumors?"
"Yes."
"How about The medical journal on bone marrow transplantation?"
"Yes."
"International journal of surgery?"
"Yes."
I narrowed my eyes slightly. This was new territory for me. I usually stumped even upperclassmen with the amount of books I've read. I've never met someone who's read as much as I have.
He looked back at me and held up the book in his hands. "I actually already read this a few months ago. I just need to cite it for a paper I'm writing. I'll let you read it when I'm done." He said before walking off.
Dang he got me there.
There had to be a book I've read that he hasn't yet.
I caught up to him. "I'm Hirokazu Yanagi by the way. You can just call me Kazu though, everyone does." I said, extending my hand
He looked at my hand and shook it. "Hatori Sohma." He said.
"So what kind of paper are you writing?" I asked, analyzing his perfectly taken notes laid out neatly on the table.
"It's for my anatomy class." He said, his eyes watching me as I sat across from him.
I rested my head on the table and watched him work, as I waited for him to be done with the book.
He worked efficiently and quickly. He thumbed through the pages, running his finger along the page as he scanned each line of text. He definitely knew how to focus. I'll give him that.
"Principles of Neuroscience?" I asked, looking up at him.
"I read that in high school." He said, not taking his eyes off the text.
This was slowly turning into a challenge.
He wrote something down in his notebook quickly, before handing me the book.
I smiled and grabbed it. "Thanks. I'll give it a read."
I watched him pack up his things. "It's not bad. However, if you want a good read I recommend Dr. Wantanabe's studies on new uses for radiation."
Dang it I haven't read that either.
"I'll look into it." I said, watching him stand up.
"It was nice meeting you Yanagi-san." He said before walking off.
I made a face. Yanagi-san? I told him he could call me Kazu… Why in the hell would he be so formal?
He was definitely an interesting person.
I looked down at the book in my hands and laughed slightly.
Hatori Sohma.
I hope I can see him again. Maybe find a book he hasn't read yet.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
October 24,1994
"Schwartz's Principles of Surgery."
"I've read that. The one from 1989 and the new edition that came out this year." Hatori said plainly.
I swore under my breath. I didn't even know there was a new edition.
"Okay, there has to be something you haven't read Hatori-san." I said, crossing my arms.
His eyes scanned the rows of books in the library. "My father was a doctor. For years he had me read all kinds of medical books."
"Okay, so what haven't you read?" I asked, leaning against the bookshelf.
Hatori pulled out the book he was looking for and held it up. "This one."
"Well that doesn't help me. I haven't read that one either." I laughed.
He smiled slightly, before going back to analyzing the shelves.
Well at least I got him to smile.
These past months I've spent a lot of time with Hatori. I don't know what it was about him that I found so interesting, but I just liked being around him. He was serious, curt, and sometimes cold. However, I could tell underneath all that he was a kind person who really cared about others.
I mean, why else would he hang around a guy like me?
I considered him my friend. Probably one of the only people here I really trusted. However, he probably didn't feel the same way.
"Hey you going to Toru's party tonight? Everyone's talking about it." I asked.
He shook his head. "I don't go to parties."
Of course he didn't. This dude looked like he never had a day of fun in his life.
"Oh come on let's go. It could be fun. When was the last time you relaxed a little?" I asked.
He gave me a look. A look that seemed to say he never relaxed a day in his life. "Come on. Besides I need a chaperone in case I get too drunk." I laughed. "Having a stick in the mud like you around will curb my drinking."
"And why is that?" He asked, giving me a questionable look.
I smirked. I had his full attention. "Because I wanna impress you, and getting sloppily drunk will ruin the image you have of me." I said as I attempted to cooly cross my ankles and lean a hand on the shelf. However, I failed miserably. My hand slipped and I fell forward to the floor.
Well shit.
The laugh pulled me from my embarrassment. I looked up to see Hatori covering his mouth with his book trying to hide his laughter.
I've never heard him laugh before.
"You don't have to worry about that. Your image in my eyes will always be an idiot." He laughed.
I laughed as well as I stood up. "Alright. But you'll always be a stick in the mud in my eyes." I said fixing the collar of my shirt.
"So you'll go?" I questioned.
He sighed. "I don't do parties. They're too…" He paused, searching for the right word. "Crowded." He said.
Crowded? What was he claustrophobic or something?
"I don't think it'll be too bad." I said, trying to convince him.
"Yanagi-san." He said in a tone that indicated I should drop it.
However I wasn't ready to give up. "Okay I'll tell you the truth. Today happens to be my 18th birthday. Toru said he was gonna have a cake. I just want you to be there. You wouldn't ditch a guy on his birthday would you?" I asked, sticking out my lower lip.
He sighed once more and massaged his temples with his thumb and forefinger. He seemed to be thinking hard about something.
"Will there be… Will there be girls there?" He asked without looking at me.
I held in the giant want to start laughing. In this moment he finally looked like the 21 year old he actually was. Did he get nervous around girls?
"Yeah a few. Why? Do you suck at talking to girls?" I asked. It was funny. Hatori was like, unnaturally good looking. All the girls always seemed to stare at him and blushed if he talked to them. He could probably get any girl on campus. The thought of him being nervous around them? Well it was just straight up comical.
He finally looked over at me. "Fine. However, I won't stay long."
I cheered, before covering my mouth as I remembered we were in a library.
"Alright, I'll see you tonight then." I whispered, glancing around to see if anyone noticed my outburst.
"Alright." He said plainly as he walked back to the table.
I smiled. Tonight's party might actually be entertaining after all.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
"Happy Birthday Kazu!" Toru cheered, laying the cake on the table. Everyone clapped and whooped as they watched me look down at the burning candles.
"You're a legal adult now." Toru said, patting my back.
"Yeah, just don't get arrested now, you'll be tried as an adult." My friend Haru said, tousling my hair.
I laughed. "Don't worry I won't."
Toru raised his drink. "A toast to baby Kazu entering adulthood."
Everyone raised their cups. My eyes glanced over to where Hatori stood. He was separate from everyone, but still here. He smiled at me slightly and raised the cup in his hand.
I smiled back.
"Come on, blow out the candles, before the wax gets on the cake." Toru laughed.
I blew out the candles and everyone clapped.
The music started again, and everyone went back to talking loudly and dancing.
I was talking with Toru and Haru when a couple of girls walked up to me. "Kazu, when are you gonna introduce us to your friend? He's stupid hot." Kyoko said excitedly.
I laughed. "You mean Hatori-san?"
"Yes!" They said like it was obvious.
Toru waved them off. "Come on girls, I'm way more fun than that guy." He laughed.
"Yeah but he's better looking. Plus he has that mysterious vibe about him that's really attractive." She laughed. "Kazu wherever did you find him?"
"The library." I said.
"I have to go to the library more." The one girl said dreamily.
Kyoko grabbed my hand. "Please Kazu, introduce us, pleassssseeeee." She begged.
I laughed. "I'm afraid I can't do that. I think he's shy around girls."
"Aww, that's adorable!" They giggled.
I looked to where he had been standing, but I was surprised to see he was gone.
Where could he have gone?
"Excuse me for a moment." I said, walking away.
I walked outside to see him smoking a cigarette, looking up at the night sky.
I smiled slightly. "I didn't know you smoked." I said walking towards him.
He looked back at me, seemingly surprised I walked out here. He shrugged. "It's a nasty habit I picked up after my father passed away." He said plainly.
I nodded. I didn't even know he lost his father.
"Well that's a relief, now I can smoke around you and not feel bad." I laughed pulling out a cigarette. "Care if I ask for a light?"
He pulled his lighter out his pocket and lit the cigarette between my teeth. I took a drag and exhaled, the smoke billowing around me.
I could hear the subtle thumping of the music coming from the house. "How come you're out here?" I asked, looking over to him.
"I should be asking you that." He said as he ran a hand through his hair. "And I told you. I don't do parties."
"All the girls in there are fawning over you." I laughed.
He made a face. "I'm sure they are."
"Hey, are you gay?" I asked suddenly.
He furrowed his brows and shot me a look. "No. Why would you ask such a ludicrous question?"
I chuckled and raised my hands. "Sorry. I'm sorry. It's just the face you made back in the library, and the fact that you showed no interest in the girls literally throwing themselves at you. I just assumed. I mean hey, I don't care if you are either way."
He sighed. "No, I'm not gay Yanagi-san." He said curtly, taking a deep drag of his cigarette.
"I just don't have any interest in being with someone right now. I'm too busy. I need to finish med school so I can take over my role as my family's doctor. Less I fail miserably." He said solemnly.
"Sounds like a noble goal." I said. "Hey you know you can call me Kazu right?" I asked. I feel like I reminded him of this multiple times.
"No, it's quite alright Yanagi-san." He said curtly.
I sighed. I knew it was a long shot. The truth was I hated being called by my last time. It reminded me of my father and I hated it. However, if Hatori wanted to call me that then fine, I'd allow it. However, I knew one day I would get him to call me Kazu.
"Well for what it's worth Hatori-san, You'll be a great doctor. I mean look at you. You're like the perfect definition of a doctor." I said.
Yes. Hatori was like Yui. Passionate, intelligent, and had a drive to become something. I was reminded once again that I was nothing but a filler. A poor replacement for someone who actually deserved to be here.
"I don't know about that." He said, looking over at me.
"Oh come on. I'd definitely want you to be my doctor." I laughed. The few drinks I had must've made me bold.
"Hey when you become a doctor one day, you'll need an assistant right?" I asked.
He thought about it. "Yes, I suppose so."
"Great! I'll do it." I said with a smile.
He laughed and gave me a questionable look. "You seem very sure of yourself."
"That's because once I set my mind to something I don't give up. I have no idea what kind of doctor I should become. It's not something I've put much thought into. However, I know I want to work with someone like you. I have pretty high standards, but you fit them." I said.
He laughed and shook his head. "You should set your standards higher Yanagi-san."
"Nope. Don't wanna." I said crossing my arms.
You have a whole big life ahead of you. I know you'll do amazing things, and one day you'll discover your dream and chase it until it comes true.
Yui's old words played through my mind.
Maybe it was the fact I was slightly tipsy, or was just caught up in the moment. Maybe it was the fact that I was just a dumb 18 year old at the time, but I made another promise to myself.
I would become a doctor, and work with Hatori.
I trusted him. I respected him. I looked up to him. I honestly wanted to be like him. The kind of person who deserved to be here.
Yes. I made up my mind.
It would happen.
I'd make sure of it.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
For the next year and a half I was with Hatori.
He helped me a lot. He would show me how to write certain papers and I would always have him proofread everything I did.
I in return helped him work through some of his tougher conversions he would sometimes struggle on.
I still had yet to find a book I had read that he hadn't. He had seemed to have read so many. I wondered if Yui would've been able to name books he hadn't read, given they were both raised by people in the medical field.
However, I read all of the recommendations he gave me. I always enjoyed them greatly.
He taught me a lot. He seemed to know so much about all this stuff. I know it wasn't just because he was an upperclassmen. No, his knowledge came from experience. He was raised watching and helping his father at his clinic.
He learned things a book could never teach you. Things you could only learn from doing.
Everything he told me I absorbed. Which gave me an edge in my classes.
Hatori became my closest friend. The first person I really let myself get close to after losing Yui.
I always wondered if he thought the same. Expressing feelings wasn't something Hatori ever did. He never really talked about his personal life or family. He seemed to keep a lid on all that stuff. I never really pried. However, a part of me worried that he just didn't like me enough to tell me. I mean he still called me Yanagi-san.
However, even if he never expressed it he still let me hang around him. So he had to consider me his friend… right?
I shook the thoughts from my head as I plopped the large pile of books on our usual table.
"Alright. This should be every book I need for finals." I sighed, wiping the sweat from my brow.
Hatori looked over my pile before going back to his notes. "Yes, I believe you'll do fine. You always do." He said.
"I know, I know." I said sitting down and opening a book. I frowned slightly. I had been dreading finals. Not because I was worried about the tests. No, I dreaded it for a completely selfish reason.
This was Hatori's sixth and final year of med school. After he took his finals he would graduate, and I wouldn't get to see him anymore.
I wanted to ask him if I would see him after he graduated, but every time I went to bring it up I lost my nerve.
"You nervous for finals?" I asked.
"No, I believe I'll do fine." He said, without looking up from his notes.
"Yeah, I know that." I said laughing slightly.
No matter how much I wanted to put finals off, they still came and went.
We of course passed with flying colors, and before I knew it I was at Hatori's graduation ceremony.
It was bittersweet I guess. I was proud of him of course, but this also meant I would be pretty lonely at school. Sure I had other friends but none that I actually relied on.
None like Hatori.
I frowned and tried to shake the thoughts from my head. I sounded like an idiot. Like a little kid when their parents left on a business trip.
After the ceremony I saw Hatori talking to two other guys. They seemed to be congratulating him.
He looked happy talking to them.
Hatori told me once in passing that he was an only child, however he grew up with his two cousins and they were together a lot. That must be them.
I didn't want to interrupt his time with them. He probably didn't even want me here anyway. I was probably just a bother.
I stuck my hands in my pockets and started walking off.
"Yanagi-san." A familiar voice called.
I turned to see him walking up to me. "You came." He said.
I laughed slightly and ran a hand through my hair. "Yeah of course I did. Why wouldn't I?"
He smiled slightly.
"I suppose congratulations are in order." I said happily.
"Thank you." He said.
"Eh, don't thank me. I'm the one who should be thanking you. I don't know how I'm gonna get through the next four years of school without your help." I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
He shrugged. "You'll do fine I'm sure. You're good at all this." He said plainly.
I blinked at him. "You really think so?"
"Well I wouldn't have wasted my time showing you things if I thought you were a lost cause." He said in his usual matter of fact tone.
I smiled. "Well that's good to know. Here I thought I sucked."
He shook his head. "No. You'll make a good doctor one day Yanagi-san."
I looked at him happily. "Good enough to be your assistant?"
He just smiled and shook his head. "Maybe one day."
I cheered. "It'll happen. Like I said. Once I set my mind to something, there's no going back."
He made a small laugh, before looking back at his cousins. "I should go. I'm sure I'll see you again Yanagi-san." He extended his hand. "It's been fun." He said with a smile.
I looked up at him and shook his hand. "Yeah, it has been fun. And you know you can call me Kazu right?"
"No it's alright. Yanagi-san is fine." He said.
"One day Hatori-san. One day, you'll call me Kazu." I said.
"Don't hold your breath." He said with a ghost of a smile.
He patted my shoulder before turning and waking off.
I watched him walk away with a smile on my face.
"Hey Hatori-san!" I called.
He turned to face me.
"Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine!" I yelled.
I saw him laugh. "I read that in my third year of middle school." He yelled back, before walking off.
I rolled my eyes. It was worth a shot.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o
4 years later
After his graduation I didn't see Hatori again.
It was sad. I tried not to dwell on it though. I threw myself into my studies. If I ever had hopes of becoming a doctor and working with Hatori I needed to finish med school.
The four years flew by in a blink of an eye. I studied, worked, and even traveled with Toru over breaks. It was fun.
However, I never forgot about the second promise I made.
Once I graduated I got a lot of job offers from different doctors I did residencies and internships with.
I turned them all down though. None of them met my standards. None of them were like him.
"Kazu, why would you turn down these offers? They paid good money." My mom nagged as I made my coffee.
I sighed. "Mom this was never about the money. You know that. I want to work with someone good. Someone who I trust. Someone who has the right intentions. Not just some fancy doctor doing this for money."
Why couldn't she understand this?
"You're crazy. If I saw a job offer with this many zeros, I'd be accepting faster than you can say what's what." She said looking over at me.
"I'm sure you would." I said quietly.
"Kazu, I'm just worried about you. You sometimes get too fixated on one thing. You need to think about the big picture." She said.
"Don't worry mom. I'll be fine." I said, hoping to placate her.
She just didn't understand. I didn't just want to become any old doctor. I wanted to help people, and I needed to work with someone who felt the same way.
I needed to be the kind of doctor Yui would be. One that would help others.
I needed to make her proud.
My search for the right doctor to work with however, came up fruitless.
"Fujiwara-san, it's hopeless. I'll never find a good enough doctor to work with." I sighed, before taking a sip of the cup of tea he made me.
"Are you sure you're not just looking for Hatori-san in all of them?" He asked, laughing slightly.
"Of course I am. You don't understand. Hatori-san is different from everyone else. All these other doctors just care about profit. They don't care. Hatori-san does. That's the kind of person I need to work with." I said, looking down at the cup in my hands.
"Always so determined." He smiled.
"Yeah, It's a curse I think." I said, resting my head on the table.
"Well I might have the solution to your problem. A friend of mine runs a pharmaceutical company. He's looking for a new pharmaceutical salesman. You could take the job." He said plainly.
I looked at him confused. "But I need to be a doctor… I promised-"
He raised his hand. "Let me finish. You could take the job as a temporary job. It pays fairly well and will hold you over. You'll also be able to meet lots of different doctors. You could find one that fits your standards." He said.
I thought about it. I had a vast knowledge of different medications, due to my time in school and all the books I've read. I didn't necessarily like the idea, but if it brought me to a good doctor… Well it would be worth it.
I bit the bullet and took the job. My mom thought I was crazy, accepting a job that paid noticeably less than the offers I turned down.
Maybe I was crazy. I was in way over my head. Maybe my life would've been easier if I just stayed at the ramen shop forever. That's all anyone expected of me anyway.
No. That wasn't true.
If you get your grades up you could go to college. You're very smart Yanagi.
Right about you doing more with your life. You're so smart Kazu, you could be anything you want
I know you'll make me and Yui proud no matter what you do.
You'll make a good doctor one day Yanagi-san.
Everyone's words replayed through my head.
Everyone expected a lot from me. I don't know why, but they believed in me. I couldn't let them all down. I had to trust my gut, and do what I thought was right.
I would make them all proud.
So I became a pharmaceutical salesman.
God I hated it. It was so boring and tedious. However, with my extensive knowledge and friendly personality, I quickly became my boss's favorite. Although I'm sure Fujiwara-san's approval helped too.
I snagged a lot of the most desirable doctors for my route. I was good at selling. I was personable, persuasive, and knew what the hell I was talking about. Most of the doctors started asking for me personally.
This led to resentment from my co-workers, most of which were doing this for years longer than I have.
I of course really didn't care. They didn't know this, but this was all temporary to me. I just had to find a good doctor.
I would fulfil my promise.
However, the search still came up fruitless. Months went by and I started giving up on ever finding a good doctor that met my standards. Maybe my mom was right. Maybe I did have too much of a one track mind.
I was too stubborn and now at this dumbass job I couldn't stand.
Great.
However, as much I hated that job it was a good thing I took it. Because it led me back to him.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
October 5, 1999
"What?! You're giving Dr. Sohma to Yanagi? But he's so new still, and that's one of our most prestigious clients. I mean this is the Sohma family we're talking about!"
I stopped walking as I heard Akira -one of my older coworkers- complaining in my boss's office.
My eyes widened. Dr. Sohma?
Could it be….
"He has the highest number of sales. So, now that Suzuki-san is retiring I'm giving Dr. Sohma to him. You can pick between his other doctors on his routes you want to take over. My decision is final." My boss said, before eyeing me through his door.
I panicked. I didn't want him to know I was eavesdropping.
"Ah Yanagi, come in." He said.
I swallowed and walked in stiffly. "I'm sorry sir. I heard my name and I stopped."
He waved it off. "It's alright son. As you heard, I assigned you a new doctor on your route. I want you to head over there today. Dr. Sohma is one of our better clients. However, I know you'll do just fine."
My breath hitched as I took the paper with the address on it. "Of course sir." I said bowing and excusing myself.
I practically ran to my car.
Don't get too excited. It could just be a coincidence.
For all I know Sohma could be a common name.
However, a part of me knew. It was him. It had to be.
I drove as fast as I could to the address on the paper.
It led me to a giant estate. One that was completely closed off by a massive wall. I pulled up to the gate and whistled as I gaped at the massive thing. The Sohma family must be stupid rich.
A man walked up to my car. "Can I help you?"
"I'm here to see Dr. Sohma… I'm the new pharmaceutical salesman." I said nervously.
"Oh yes. Suzuki's replacement. Go on in." He said as the massive gates opened.
I drove through slowly as I pulled up to the fancy traditional building.
I stared down at the paper to confirm the number.
I adjusted my tie and fixed my hair as I attempted to curb my enthusiasm. If it was Hatori-san, what would I even say? I hadn't seen him in like 4 years. What if he didn't even recognize me? That would suck.
There was also of course the chance that it wasn't even him. It could be a different Dr. Sohma all together.
I grabbed my briefcase and got out of the car.
Just stay calm, and don't look visibly disappointed if it's someone else.
I knocked and awaited anxiously outside the door.
"Come in." I heard a voice call from the other side.
I entered and removed my shoes and walked in. I looked around the house. That's weird… No one was here.
That's when someone walked out of one of the rooms. "I apologize, I had a few things I had to finish." The familiar voice said.
My face lit up like a kid on Christmas. It was him. Hatori.
"Hatori-san!" I said happily.
His eyes widened at the sound of my voice. He looked up from his file and looked over at me. He looked at me up and down. "Yanagi-san… What brings you here?"
Well at least he remembered me. Even if he didn't look as happy as I did.
I smiled and rubbed the back of my neck. "I'm here as your pharmaceutical salesman. You know since Suzuki-san retired."
He gave me a questionable look. "You became a pharmaceutical salesman? Why?"
Oh you know just on the off chance I would get to meet you again.
However, admitting to that sounded really dumb.
"Stepping stones?" I said, hoping it was a good enough excuse.
"I see." He said curtly. "Well sit. I'll make us some tea." He said, walking to his kitchen.
I nodded and sat at his table, pulling out his order.
I looked around the house. Guess this was his house. I looked over at his giant shelves full of books, no surprise there.
He came back and handed me a cup. I smiled. "Thanks." I said, taking a sip.
My smile wasn't returned by him though. He just sat across from me. Odd. I know Hatori was always serious, but not that serious.
I looked over at him. He hasn't changed much in the 4 years since I saw him. However, his hair was longer. It draped over his left eye. Why?
He also seemed different… He didn't seem happy. He just seemed… I didn't want to use the word depressed, but that was definitely the vibe he was giving off.
"You finished school?" He asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
I smiled. "Yeah of course! I got a few offers from different doctors after I graduated but… I turned them down. They didn't fit my standards."
"Well if memory serves you did claim to have high standards." He said with the ghost of a smile.
It was fleeting, but for a second I saw him. My friend. He was still in there, he just had it covered for whatever reason.
"I have very high standards." I said proudly. "I mean can you blame me? Nobodies gonna be able to compare to you." I said.
He chuckled dryly. "I see you haven't changed at all."
"Course not. Still the same idiot you met in college. What about you? You still a stick in the mud?" I asked.
"Appears so." He said, taking a sip of his tea.
"You know, how amazing is it that we ran into each other like this? I mean it's like fate." I laughed.
"I suppose you could say that." He said, looking over his order.
"Hey, so I still meant what I said back then. I want to be your assistant. You trust me, You know I can do the work." I said excitedly.
At the words 'assistant' I saw his face fall, and he slipped back into his stern facade.
"Yanagi-san, I don't need an assistant." He said in that matter of fact tone he had.
My heart instantly dropped. He sounded so cold. I mean he wasn't the warmest person ever, but his tone had a chill to it now. One that it didn't used to have.
To say I felt like an idiot was a complete understatement. Everything I worked for, everything I did led me to this moment. Now I was here, and I basically got shut down.
I was so stupid to come here after four years and thinking nothing would've changed. That we could just pick up where we left off.
However, I knew Hatori. He was a nice person.
This was a simple fact.
He wasn't cold or heartless. He just pretended to be. Something must've happened. He must have a reason to be this way. Something was definitely gnawing at him.
Maybe he didn't need an assistant.
Maybe he didn't want me to pry at all.
However, he was my friend. I wanted to be there for him.
I just smiled. "Well one day you might, and when you do you'll know who to call." I said pointing at myself.
He sighed. "Always so determined."
I laughed. "You know it."
Yes, maybe we would never work together. Maybe it was never in the cards. However, I knew one thing. Hatori needed a friend. He needed someone to be there for him.
Maybe it was stupid of me, but he was my friend. I couldn't leave him like this. I had to make sure he got better.
If that meant putting my doctor dream on the backburner and suffering as a pharmaceutical salesman for a little while longer? Then that's what I would do.
And it's exactly what I did. I stayed at my job. I brought Hatori his orders. Always being my cheerful self. Sometimes when he was in a good mood we would even talk about books like we used to. Before I knew it, a few months went by.
"You're going on a trip to the beach?" I asked, eyeing his suitcase by the door.
"Yes. I'm afraid my younger cousin has made plans for everyone." He sighed, reviewing his order.
"You lucky bastard. With all this damn snow, I wanna be on a beach." I said, taking a drag of my cigarette.
"I assure you it's more trouble than it's worth. The trip will definitely set me behind." He said.
"Well it still could be fun. You deserve to relax a bit." I said.
He made a humming noise as he finished reviewing over everything.
"I suppose." He said.
"Well I guess that means I won't be scheduled to see you till March." I said looking at the next month's calendar. "Day after white day work for you?" I asked.
He nodded. "Yes, that works."
"Alright, just don't forget." I said, writing it down in my book.
"Have I ever forgotten before?" He asked, looking up at me.
I laughed. "Just making sure."
The moth went by. I focused on my work. I moved out of my mom's apartment as well. Finally got my own place. I even helped my mom pay off some debts she had.
Maybe my pharmaceutical job didn't pay as much as a doctor's salary, However, it was still much more money than the two of us ever brought in. Especially with all the big named doctors I had on my route.
Yes life continued on, just as it always has. I settled into my job more. I don't know if I could say I was learning to like it, but it definitely became routine.
March came and with it came more work. However, work I was comfortable with. It became like my job at the ramen shop. Predictable, easy.
Of course you know what happens when life gets predictable. Just like with Yui and Hatori, life threw me another wrench.
Yes, my third and final wrench of this tale. Honestly the most unexpected one out of them all.
Erin.
It was White Day, and where was I? On a date? No. At some fancy restaurant at a dumbass work function.
Out of all the things I could be doing right now, I was stuck here.
I inwardly cursed as I had to be fake nice to all of my co-workers. All of which I know didn't like me.
The conversation dragged. I was bored out of my mind. Sure this place was nice, and the food was amazing, but the company was ass.
My eyes scanned the room in an attempt to find something more entertaining. Most people were on dates given the holiday. Lucky bastards. I'd kill to be on a date right now.
That's when my eyes landed on a particular table, and my jaw dropped.
It was Hatori. However, that wasn't what stopped me. What stopped me was the fact that he was smiling and laughing. He looked like the person I met years before… No, he looked happier.
What could've changed? I just saw him like a month and a half ago. He barely smiled, and now I'm sitting here watching him laughing and talking. His blue violet eyes were bright and happy, as he looked at the person sitting across from him.
Wait a minute, there was a girl with him… He was on a date.
I smiled and inwardly laughed. Well no wonder why he was so happy. Now who's the lucky girl he's with?
I finally got a good look at her face, and my whole body froze. It was like I had been hit in the head or something.
Yui.
No. Not Yui. Yui died years ago.
But my god she looked so much like her.
The long dark hair, the big brown eyes, the way she blushed and waved her hands frantically, even the way she looked to the floor when she tried to hide her face.
It was all so familiar.
I couldn't breathe. In an instant I felt like I was back in high school, talking to her about some book, teasing her for the weird way she ate ramen, or listening to her nag me about quitting smoking.
Things I thought I put away, flew out once more.
I shook my head and rubbed my eyes, as if that would make me forget about the resemblance.
I got up before I could stop myself. I didn't want to interrupt their date, but… I just needed to get her name. If I learned her name I would know it was a different person, and then I could put my mind at ease.
Plus I was also generally curious to get a better feel for the girl who made Hatori so happy.
"Hatori-san!" I called, walking towards them.
I saw the girl's big brown eyes drift over to me and look at me up and down. I ran a hand through my hair and adjusted my glasses, to make sure I was seeing clearly.
I bowed to both of them.
"Yanagi-San? I'm surprised to see you here." Hatori said flatly.
I laughed. "Hatori-san, always so formal. You know you can call me Kazu." I said with a smile. It was something I still reminded him of often.
"No that's quite alright Yanagi-San. What can I help you with?" He asked.
Shit. I didn't think of a fake excuse.
"Oh! Right. I saw you over here and wanted to say hello. That and I was shocked to see you of all people on a date. Oh, that and I have those samples you were asking about. I'll bring them by tomorrow. Oh, but where are my manners?" I said turning to the girl and quickly bowing once more.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Hirokazu Yanagi. But, you can call me Kazu." I said with a smile.
I could tell she was nervous at meeting someone new. Her cheeks warmed as she looked at me. However, she fought it and smiled. "I'm Erin. And you can just call me Erin I guess." She said awkwardly, her eyes falling to the floor.
I laughed. The whole shy and awkward thing she had going for her was pretty cute. I'll give her that. "Erin. I see, I like that name. Well you guys have fun, I don't wanna overstay my welcome." I said giving Hatori's shoulder a pat. I walked off with my hand raised. "See you tomorrow."
I walked back to my table.
Erin.
I was honestly shocked. She seemed so young, like she was still in highschool. I never thought Hatori would date someone so much younger than him. However, it didn't matter to me. She obviously made him happy, and that's all I cared about.
I thought back to his smile. The thought made me happy. Maybe Erin could be to Hatori what Yui was for me.
And she was. The change in Hatori was astounding. He was happier. He smiled easier, he laughed.
Upon spending time with the two of them I could see why Hatori liked Erin. She was a sweet kid. You could tell she was kind and cared a lot about Hatori.
The more I got to know her the more and more she reminded me of Yui. It was pretty pathetic, but I liked that she reminded me so much of her. It was like I got to have her in my life still.
However, the strangest thing happened. I didn't hear from Hatori for a few months. He didn't place any orders. I contemplated calling him, but decided against it. I didn't want to bother him.
I was worried though. What if something happened to him and Erin?
However, my worries were quelled when I got a phone call from Hatori out of the blue.
The phone call that changed my life forever.
"Hello?" I answered cheerfully as I always did whenever I answered the phone. You know it could be someone important.
"Yanagi-san, It's Hatori Sohma." His familiar deep voice came from the other end of the line.
I smiled. "Hatori! What's up? It's been a while, but I'm not scheduled to do your run for another week or so-" I started to say, but he interjected.
"I'm not calling about that. I wanted to ask you something." He said.
I could hear him tapping his fingers on his desk through the phone. I paused. What could he possibly want to ask me?
"I'm leaving the Sohma house. I won't be the family doctor any longer. I'm traveling for a bit but when I come back, I want to open my own practice. I don't know where or when or even how I will do it, but I will. And when I do I'll need to work with someone I trust." He said.
My eyes widened in surprise. Was he? Was he really asking what I think he is?
"You want to take me on as your assistant?" I asked, the surprise clearly in my voice.
"Yes. I do. If you're up for it when the time comes." He said.
"Of course! Of course I'll be here when you need me!" I exclaimed happily.
"Don't make me regret this." He said chuckling. "I'll talk to you in a few weeks." He said before hanging up the phone.
I hung up, and looked around my apartment. Did that really just happen?
That really just happened!
I jumped up and cheered. "Hell yes!" I exclaimed.
I looked over at the picture of me and Yui I kept on my shelf. "We did it Yui! We did it!" I said happily.
I would finally fulfill her dream.
Her dream that over time, became my dream as well.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
We finally opened the clinic. It was an exciting day, one we celebrated.
Working with Hatori was great. I loved going to work everyday.
It was so much different than how it felt at my last job, where I absolutely detested going everyday.
The best part was me and Hatori grew close again. It was like we were back in college. He put up with my dumb antics, and kept me grounded if I started going to far. I in return kept him fun, drawled him out of that shell he sometimes still slipped into.
Although it wasn't exactly like college. This time Erin was there too. Which of course made me happy.
Like I said before it was pretty pathetic, but since Erin reminded me so much of Yui, I was instantly drawn to her. Maybe it was selfish of me, but I couldn't help it.
My only problem was Erin was really shy, and was always nervous around me. She was also pretty skittish.
Something I learned the hard way when they came back from their trip. I tried to feel her forehead and she flinched and jumped back as I extended my hand.
Hatori tried to placate me, but I felt really guilty. I remembered when I was kid and how skittish I was after getting used to my dad hitting me all the time.
I knew something happened to her when she was young. I could see it plain as day. I wanted to ask Hatori, but I didn't want to pry.
I just needed to get her to like me. I wanted to be her friend.
It shouldn't be too hard. I was a pretty personable person. Most people liked me.
I started trying to make her laugh when I saw her. When she would hang around the clinic I would tell her stupid jokes and make funny faces at her.
It was really funny how she would try to hide her laugh.
Even though she would laugh and would talk to me occasionally, she was still nervous around me. I could tell, even though she tried to hide it.
I just needed to find a way to gain her trust. I just needed to wait for the right moment.
Then the right moment finally came.
It was late March. Right before she started college.
I was at my desk going through paperwork, when I saw her walk out of Hatori's office looking around.
She looked like something was bothering her.
Her eyes glanced into my office and she walked in tentatively. "K-Kazu?" She asked quietly.
I looked over at her and smiled. "What's up little miss?"
She blinked at the nickname, but didn't say anything about it. "Where's Hatori?" She asked.
"In with a patient." I said, twirling my pen.
She nodded sadly.
Now I didn't know Erin that well. However I knew her well enough to know something was clearly bothering her.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
Her eyes drifted to the ground as she rocked on her heels. "My ear really hurts." She said pointing to it.
"It's really sore and it makes a crinkly sound." She said quietly. "It's been bothering me all day. I just didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to be a bother. But it keeps getting worse." She mumbled.
I remembered all the ear infections I used to get when I was younger. They hurt like a bitch. I'm honestly surprised she went this long without saying anything.
"Well Hatori's patient at the moment is Takahashi-san. He's a talker. I don't see him being done anytime soon. But I can help you." I said, getting up.
Her eyes widened and she waved her hands. "Oh, you don't have to go through all that trouble!"
I smiled at the sight. "Hey, it's no trouble at all. I'm bored of doing paperwork anyway." I said, pulling up a chair. "Come sit."
She seemed hesitant. "I don't know…" She said, tugging at her dress.
"Hey don't worry, I don't bite." I laughed.
She nodded and sat down in front of me.
I reached into my bag and pulled out my otoscope.
"Don't worry me and my trusty otoscope here will get the job done in no time at all." I said.
She tilted her head. "Oh, that's what that's called? Growing up we just called it the ear thingy."
I smiled. "Ear thingy. You know I like that better. Rolls of the tongue easier."
She gave a dry laugh "Yeah right."
"Hey I'm serious. Now let me look in your ear." I said.
She tucked her hair behind her ear so I could look. It was at that moment I realized Erin must have a pretty high pain tolerance, or her anxiety to not be a burden was really strong.
She had a pretty bad ear infection. No doubt she was in a lot of pain. It must've been from the changing seasons.
However, telling her she had a really bad ear infection would probably freak her out.
"Well." I said sitting back. "You definitely have an ear." I said.
She laughed slightly. "You're so weird."
I laughed as well. "So I've been told. All jokes aside, you do have a mild ear infection. I'm assuming it's from the changing weather. I'll write you up a prescription for some antibiotics, and it should clear up." I said, writing out the prescription. "I'll let Hatori know and he can pick it up for you."
She nodded, but I could tell she was still in pain.
"I'll get you some ibuprofen, that should tide you over till I can get some antibiotics in you." I paused as my eyes drifted to my cabinet. I leaned in slightly towards her. "I also will let you in on my secret ear infection secret." I said, lowering my voice.
She looked at me questionably. "What is it?" She asked quietly.
I got up and went over to my cabinet, pulling out a big jar of lollipops and placing it on my desk.
"Sucking helps ear pain. So eating a few of these will help. Plus they're good."
Her brown eyes lit up as she smiled. "You have so many."
"Yeah I have a problem." I laughed, handing her a few.
She accepted them and looked up at me. "Thanks Kazu." She said with a genuine smile. The first one she had ever given me.
I smiled back. "Anytime."
Things were different after that. She was more relaxed around me. She was able to talk to me and joke around. She actually sought me out for conversation when she was around the clinic. I always enjoyed the sound of her excited feet running down the hall into my office to tell me about something.
Erin was funny. As I got to know her more I got used to her quirks and learned to get around how skittish she was. I also learned of her stubborn and snarky side. However, she looked so much like a teenager that it was hard to take her seriously.
I started hanging out with her more. I learned more about her. I would pick her up from school and therapy when Hatori couldn't. I took her for ice cream, I told her what Hatori was like in college, and showed her my taste in music.
I know I said I started spending time with Erin because she reminded me of Yui. That's true... However, it's not the only reason.
I actually owe Erin a lot. Without her Hatori would still be suffering, and he probably wouldn't have opened his own clinic. Which meant I wouldn't have a job.
That being said, I owe Erin because of all she has done for Hatori as well. She brought his smile back. I could buy her all the ice cream in the world and could never repay her for that.
I also genuinely like Erin. She's super fun to be around. After all the time I spent with her, well I've grown to consider her one of my really good friends.
The best part of Erin was that she considered me a friend as well. She's told me a few times… It was nice.
Friends were never something I was good with. I'm that person who has everyone yet no one at all. Everyone always talked to me and knew me, but I never let people in.
"Of course I did with you… But then you left." I said looking at the grave in front of me.
I sighed. "I know, I know, you didn't mean too. But still can you blame me if I didn't want to get close to anyone again? Hatori was the first person I really let myself get close to after losing you. Except after all this time… I don't even know if he really considers me his friend. I mean he's never actually said it. Then again Hatori Sohma isn't one for expressing his emotions." I said, with a small smile.
"I mean he must consider me his friend right? He never denies it when I say it. I mean I was the first one he told about getting engaged, he trusted me enough to tell me about Erin's past, and he saw potential in me that I never saw myself way back in college." I said, continuing to clean off the gravestone as I talked.
"I hope he thinks so. I'd like to think he considers me one of his closest friends, but I guess I'll never know." I sighed.
I wiped the sweat off my brow and smiled. 'You wanna hear something funny Erin told me last week at the beach? She said that I was Hatori's best friend." I laughed softly. "She's adorable. She really does remind me so much of you. You would say something like that." I laughed.
I looked up at the setting summer sun. I sighed before my eyes trailed back to the grave. "I miss you soup hater." I said with a sad smile.
Even after all these years, I couldn't seem to fill the hole in my heart she left. I tried dating people, even had some serious relationships. However, they only made it worse.
"You wanna know something stupid? Hanging out with Erin is the only thing that makes me feel somewhat whole." I paused my voice cracking. I shook my head to regain my composure. "I know, like I said I know how sad that sounds." I said, leaning back on my hands.
I closed my eyes and allowed my mind to go back to Fujiwara-san's library. Sitting there watching her read, I allow myself to relax.
"Kazu?"
My eyes flew open at the familiar voice. I looked up to see a pair of big brown eyes staring down at me.
"Erin? What are you doing here?" I asked.
She kneeled down beside me. "My parents are buried here. I was paying them a visit today since the weather was nice. I was just leaving when I ran into you." She said, glancing over to the grave.
Well isn't that a coincidence, and after I was just talking about her. I hope she didn't hear me. That would be awkward.
"May I ask who you're visiting?" She asked, her eyes glancing back at me.
"Yui. She was my closest friend in high school, but she passed away in a car accident in my third year." I said.
A look of genuine sadness washed over her face. She frowned. "I'm sorry." Her eyes glued to the floor.
I smiled and tousled her hair. "Come on little miss, don't apologize. It's not your fault."
She smiled and shooed my hands away. "What was she like?" She asked.
I glanced back at the grave. "Honestly? She was a lot like you."
Her cheeks turned pink and she waved her hands. "Oh no, she was probably a much better person. I'm just… I'm just a bother you know?"
I laughed. "You're not a bother. However, I'm sure the two of you would have gotten along."
"You really think so? I'm not really good at making friends." She said, looking over at me.
"That's not true. I'm your friend aren't I?" I asked.
"Well yeah, but that's because you're friends with everyone."
I smirked and stood up. "I actually have pretty high standards when it comes to friends." I said extending my hand to help her up.
She accepted it and I pulled her up.
"Come on, I'll give you a ride home." I said.
"Are you sure? I don't mind taking the train." She asked.
"Of course I'm sure. Come on." I said, walking back to my car.
"Hey Kazu, what brought you to the temple today anyway? If you don't mind me asking… Was it because of the nice weather?" She asked as we walked together.
I shook my head. "No, tomorrow is Yui's birthday. I figured I'd get a head start and do the grave cleaning today. That way tomorrow, I could just spend time with her.
"Well you'll have to wish her happy birthday for me." She said with a bright smile.
I returned the smile effortlessly. "Yeah, I think that'll make her happy. She was probably happy to meet you, I've told her a lot about you."
"Ah...I'm not interesting…" She mumbled quietly before perking up again. "You know, that's actually funny because today I told my mom and dad the story of you getting those shells for me, and then the wave trying to take them back. I also told them about you and Jirou getting pinched by crabs because you were trying to catch them, oh and of course Hatori bandaging you two up." She laughed.
I smiled thinking back on it. "Hey, I never said the technique was fool proof."
She rolled her eyes and laughed, before continuing to talk to me about her day.
I smiled as I listened to her talk, allowing myself to feel whole for a little bit.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
"But yeah, Erin says Happy birthday. She also told me to bring something. Something about you can't show up on someone's birthday empty handed." I laughed, placing the bag on the base of the grave. "Number 4, no broth. Just how you like it." I said before sitting down.
"Happy birthday." I said smiling.
I sat there and took in the good weather. It was a little cooler than yesterday, there was a nice breeze as well.
I looked up at the rustling tree leaves.
This was nice.
"I hope I'm not interrupting." A familiar stern voice said.
My eyes widened in surprise to see Hatori standing behind me. "Hatori? What a coincidence, I ran into Erin here yesterday as well." I said looking at him in his light blue button down shirt. I rarely saw him dressed so casually.
"Yes she told me. She also said you'd be here today…" He said trailing off.
I could tell he was chewing on his words. Explaining his feelings still wasn't something he was best at.
"I wasn't going to come… I just… I was worried… about you." He said, his eyes falling to the ground.
I couldn't help it, I laughed. He was so bad at saying stuff like this, it was almost comical. "Worried about me? Aw Hatori that's adorable"
He gave me a look. "Don't make me regret coming here." He said sternly, but I could see the humor in his eyes.
"Sorry, you can come sit." I said with a smile.
He sat next to me and looked over the grave. "I'm shocked you never told me about her." He said.
I shrugged. "I wanted to… However, I just never found the right time. I mean you were going through a lot with Erin, and the trial… My sob story wasn't important. Besides, I don't really talk about her much to anyone, still kinda hurts."
"I understand." He said. "However, you're my friend. I want you to be able to tell me things."
Upon hearing those words, I looked over to him, surprise painted all over my face. "You mean that? Like seriously?"
He gave me a questionable look. "Of course."
"You consider me your friend?" I asked, almost not believing him.
He laughed slightly. "Kazu, I've considered you my friend since college. Why else would I put up with you all those years?"
"You've never really said it before." I said rubbing the back of my neck. I felt like a dumb kid right now.
He thought about it. "Hm… I didn't realize. I apologize. However, I thought it was obvious." He shrugged.
"Erin told me that I'm your best friend." I said, giving him a nudge.
He laughed. "Sounds like something she'd say."
"So is it true?" I asked.
He gave me a look. "Sure." He said with a smile.
I cheered. "I'll take it."
He rolled his eyes. "You haven't changed one bit, you're still an idiot." He laughed.
"Hey, neither have you, you're still a stick in the mud." I said, leaning back on my hands.
We sat in a comfortable silence, listening to the birds singing.
"Nakamura's book on Clinical Neurology and Neuroanatomy." I said looking over at him.
He went to answer, but paused. I could see his brow crease as he thought about it.
"Actually, no. I haven't read that one." He said surprised.
"Ha ha! Well isn't this just my lucky day!" I said happily.
He laughed. "Is it any good?"
"No not really. I wouldn't recommend it. It's dry. However it doesn't matter. I finally found a book I've read that you haven't." I said proudly.
"Took you long enough." He said.
I went to say something else when a voice cut me off.
"Ah, Kazu. I figured I would see you here today."
I looked up to see Fujiwara-san standing in front of us.
"Fujiwara-san! I was wondering if I would run into you here." I said happily, getting up. Hatori got up as well and Fujiwara-san looked at him up and down.
"Kazu is this him?" He asked.
I nodded. "Yup, this is Hatori Sohma."
He bowed. "I'm sorry for intruding sir. My fiancé informed me that Kazu would be here today, I just wanted to make sure he was alright."
Ah Hatori, always so polite.
"No, don't apologize. You're not intruding at all. I'm actually really glad to finally get to meet the famous Hatori Sohma I've heard so much about." He said happily.
Hatori gave him a questionable look. "Famous?"
"Oh yes, Kazu talks about you all the time." He laughed.
I felt my face get warm. "Oh Come on! It's not all the time!" I said, waving my hands.
Fujiwara-san laughed and patted my shoulder. "He always gets so embarrassed, it's adorable."
I shooed his hands away. "Hatori doesn't need to know that, Fujiwara-san." I said.
The two of them just laughed and I sighed.
This was definitely not going away anytime soon.
Fujiwara-san looked between the two of us. "Clinic going well?"
We nodded. "Too well." We both said, sighing slightly. Work had been insanely busy, which was good, but still tiring.
"That's good to hear. I'm glad you boys are doing well. Hatori, I hope Kazu is behaving himself." He said.
Hatori smiled and glanced at me. "I keep him in line, don't worry."
"That's good to hear. He was quite the wayward youth years ago." Fujiwara-san laughed.
"Hey, a rebellious phase is natural. Everyone goes through one." I said. "Besides, I'm not a kid anymore Fujiwara-san." I laughed.
"Get to my age and everyone is a kid." He said with a smile, sitting by the grave. "So Hatori, I hear you're an avid reader."
"Uh oh Hatori, you might meet your match in Fujiwara-san here." I said, sitting back down.
Hatori sat down next to me. "Finally, it's about time I had a real challenge."
I rolled my eyes and laughed.
I sat there and soaked up the nice weather while I listened to them go back and forth on books. Most of which I had never heard of. Most were western books. My inability to speak English coming to bite me in the ass.
I smiled at the sounds of their conversation as I thought back on the long story I told Yui yesterday. My life.
I was so unbelievably lucky. Sure I might have had a rocky start, but so many people cared about me. So many people pushed me forward, kept me going. Even when I was content to just give up.
They believed in me, thought I was someone of value instead of the useless person I thought I was.
My Mom
Yui
Fujiwara-san
Tamura-senpai
Kimura-san
Erin
And of course Hatori.
They all saw me as someone important. Someone capable of doing great things. Someone who was worthy of calling a friend.
My eyes drifted to Hatori as I thought of what he told me. Guess I did all that worrying for nothing.
Friends.
He considered me his friend.
It made me unbelievably happy. Probably too happy. I really did feel like a little kid. I just looked up to Hatori a lot. Always have and probably always will.
Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere.
Yes, the words I told Erin are true. I wasn't going anywhere. I would stay with Hatori as long as he wanted me to, and enjoy every moment that comes with it.
I had to be there for him. Keep him smiling. Keep him from being too much of a stick in the mud
And I would, I'd make sure of it.
Because hey, isn't that what friends are for?
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
May 10, 1999
Fujiwara sat at his desk, looking through his phone book. Kazu was coming over later today for tea. He needed to have this settled before he came over.
He smiled as he found the number he was looking for.
He dialed the number in and waited for it to be answered.
"Hello?" The voice answered.
"Yoshida-san, It's Dr. Fujiwara." He said happily.
"Fujiwara-san! It's good to hear from you again! I've missed hearing from you ever since you retired." He said from the other end of the line.
Fujiwara smiled. "Yes. I've missed you as well. Everything is going well I assume?"
"Yes, how about you? Doing well?" He asked.
"I'm alright. Listen I actually called you today to ask for a small favor." Fujiwara said, leaning back in his chair.
"For you, anything." Yoshida said.
He smiled. "Well it's about this boy I know. He was my daughter's closest friend back when they were in high school. I've taken him under my wing you could say. Very smart, very determined, and a very hard worker. He wants to be a doctor. However, he's quite particular on who he wants to work with. I figured if he works a little bit with you he could meet a couple of doctors, maybe find one he likes."
There was a pause, Yoshida was definitely surprised by his request.
"You trust him?" He asked
"Full heartedly. He's a great kid. I know he'll be amazing at anything he does. I just want to help him out." Fujiwara said.
"Well I could use an extra salesman, even if it's only temporary. If he's as good as you say, then I'll offer him a job." He said happily.
Fujiwara smiled. "Great. I promise he'll be great. You may end up not wanting him to leave."
Yoshida chuckled. "Have him call me when he gets the chance."
"I will. Oh and there is one more thing. Although it might be a long shot." Fujiwara said.
"Shoot."
"Well, there is one doctor he has his heart set on working with. Met him while they were in school. I know I can't get him to work with him. However, I can try to give him the chance of seeing him again. Do you happen to know of Doctor Hatori Sohma?"
"Of course I do. My company has been supplying the Sohma family medical clinic for years. They're one of our most prestigious clients. Hatori-sama took over for his late father four years ago." He said. "You want me to put Dr. Sohma on his route?"
"If it's possible." Fujiwara said.
"Well Suzuki has Dr. Sohma right now. I can't take it from him." He said.
"I completely understand. Like I said, it was a long shot." Fujiwara said, glancing out the window.
"Well you might actually be in luck. Suzuki is set to retire in October. I'll have to redistribute his clients to other salesmen. Now since it's one of our better clients I can't just give it to him. He'll have to earn it. However, if he's as hardworking as you say, he should be fine. If he earns it, I'll give him Dr. Sohma. You have my word." He said.
These words brought a wide smile to Fujiwara's face. "Thank you Yoshida. I owe one."
He laughed. "Just buy me a drink next time we're out and we can call it even."
"You got it. I'll have him call you as soon as he can" Fujiwara said before saying his goodbyes and hanging up.
Yui's dream… I… I want it to come true. I'll make it come true, I promise! Her dream won't die with her! I'll do it! I'll become a doctor! I'll do it for her. I promise… I promise!
Kazu was a good kid. He worked so hard. All for a dream that wasn't even his in the first place, and he did it all for Yui.
He smiled as his eyes fell to the picture of her on his desk. She cared about Kazu a lot. He always thought they would've ended up married one day.
They looked out for each other in a way he'd never seen before. So of course now that she was gone he had to take over for her. She would be so upset if he didn't.
He ran a thumb over the photo and smiled sadly.
"Don't worry Yui, I'll keep looking after him for you. I promise."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Okay! And with that the little Kazu backstory has ended! Next chapter will be back to normal. I have to say, I had so much fun writing this. Probably too much fun lolol. Writing Hatori in college was more entertaining than I thought. And of course I just kept writing and writing and didn't realize this chapter turned into 13,000 words! This is officially the longest chapter in the whole series. Oops lol.
Well I hope you all enjoyed my adventure in first person perspective. Maybe I'll do more who knows haha.
For today's character analysis we have Mr. Fujiwara.
I guess I should thank him considering he's the reason Kazu and Hatori were reunited.
His wife passed years ago and Yui was his only daughter, so he lives alone now.
Mr. Fujiwara took Kazu under his wing and definitely is a father figure to him. Considering Kazu didn't grow up with one I feel Mr. Fujiwara holds a special place in his heart.
He was a doctor for 30 years before he retired after the accident.
I don't think he'll come up in the story again, but I'm glad he got to be a part of this story. He played a big role for such a minor character. However, that's the cool thing about this story. There's so many different pieces to it.
I will see you guys next Saturday for Chapter 7: The Shop!
Love you guys!