While everyone was waiting for Hiro's aunt, Cassandra Hamada or Cass, to arrive, everybody decided to stay inside the room to keep him company until then. Thankfully, there are a few activities in the room, since this is the kids' section of the hospital. This is great for Fred because he was watching the TV set. Wasabi was reading one of the books, and Gogo was…simply looking at her phone, as to her, all of this was childish to her…which it is.
Hiro and Honey, meanwhile, were on the bed, helping Esai draw some doodles. Rather, they tried to. Esai didn't feel like doing much drawing. Therefore, Honey ends up doing most of the drawing. Esai was looking at the bed, still feeling a bit of guilt. Hiro looked at him, and then at Honey's drawing. There, she was drawing a lone flower in the middle of the ruins.
"That looks beautiful, Honey Lemon." he said, incidentally getting Esai's attention. He looked at it. Honey looked at him and smiled.
"Thank you, Hiro. What about you, Esai? Do you like it?" she asked. Esai looked at it, and after taking in a small breath, he nodded.
"It's pretty." he said quietly. Honey and Hiro smiled slightly before they heard Fred groan.
"Oh come on! Why are there no super-hero shows in the place?! All I could find is this Barney the Dinosaur show, Minions, and…really? Teletubbies?!" he shouted as he switched channels, showing the aforementioned shows. "Ugh, whoever enjoys these pieces of garbage shows, I can't help but pity them!" he complained. Wasabi and Gogo, listening in, nodded. Esai, however, cowered slightly.
"I…I like them…" he whimpered. Everyone winced at this, especially Fred. Then, he turned to him and chuckled.
"Uh, I-I was just kidding, little guy! T-They're not bad, e-e-especially the Teletubbies! I like the purple one with the bag, I forgot his name! I also like their vacuum cleaner; I think it's the Noo-Noo. A-And I especially-" he said, before Wasabi cut in with,
"Fred, just stop. I think he gets your point." he said as he gestured his head to Esai, who was looking at him, wiping his nose. Fred then slumped in defeat.
"Yeah. I should quit while I'm ahead." he muttered with a pout. Esai slightly nodded in understanding, and just stared at the flower. Seeing the ruins surrounding the flower kind of stung him, as it reminds him of his old home.
Then, the door to the room opened, and in walked a Caucasian woman in her mid-30s with green eyes and wavy brown hair. This is Hiro's aunt, Cassandra Hamada, or Cass for short.
"Is this the place?" she asked, making Esai look up at her. With her is Doctor Gothwood, who nodded.
"That is correct, ma'am." he said. Hiro smiled as he approached Cass.
"Hey, Aunt Cass. So glad you made it on time." he greeted. Cass smiled as she ruffled his hair.
"Of course, Hiro. So where is the little fella you told me about?" she asked, before eyeing Esai on the bed. "Oh, is that him?" she asked. Hiro nodded.
"Yeah. Esai, I would like for you to meet my aunt Cass. Aunt Cass, this is my friend Honey Lemon's little brother, Esai." he said as he looked at the both of them. Esai just stared at Cass, who gave a friendly smile.
"Hi there, sweetie. It's nice to meet you." she greeted. Esai gave a small smile while he just waved at her slightly. Cass frowned at this response and she approached. "Hey, Esai." she said. Esai said nothing.
"I'm sorry about what happened. One of your mothers, Elizabeth, was a good friend of mine since we were teens. She would talk to me a lot about you…She really loved you." she said. Esai listened with intent as she spoke. Then, Cass gently took his left hand.
"Esai…are you ready to head over to my place?" she asked. Esai gulped to himself, still feeling unsure. He then looked at Honey Lemon and pointed at her.
"Can…can she come with us?" he pleaded. Hiro and Cass looked at Honey, and then back at him. Cass nodded.
"Of course, if she wants." she said with a smile, and she looked at Honey. Honey nodded.
"Absolutely. If it helps make you comfortable, then I'll stay with you for the day and tonight." she agreed as she smiled at Esai. Esai smiled lightly. Doctor Gothwood then nodded.
"Alright, that settles it. Now, Miss Hamada, I do have some papers you need to sign so he would be under your foster care." he said. Cass nodded and after telling Esai that she'll be back, followed after Doctor Gothwood. Esai just looked at Honey and then at Hiro.
"I hope this goes well." he said to himself. Hiro and Honey smiled at him.
"Don't worry. Everything's gonna be fine." he said calmly. Honey nodded as she rubbed his back.
"We're here for you, Esai." she said. Esai nodded as he gently took Honey's other hand.
Soon, the four are on their way towards the Lucky Cat Café. Esai and Honey were sitting on the back, while Hiro and Cass were sitting on the front row. Cass looked at her re-view mirror, watching Esai silently looking at the outside mirror. There, he could see the large video screens on some blips displaying what has happened last night at his old neighborhood. Esai frowned upon seeing the news. Cass noticed this and sighed before she began to speak up, wanting to get his mind away from the situation.
"So, little guy…are you feeling hungry?" she asked. Esai looked at her and raised his brows.
"What?" he asked. Cass smiled.
"Are you hungry?" she asked. Esai shrugged.
"I don't feel like eating." he replied. The three frowned.
"A-Are you sure?" asked Cass. Esai nodded.
"I'm good, thank you." he replied. Honey shook her head slightly as she looked at Cass. She mouthed, 'Sorry' to her, and Cass smiled in response.
"O-Okay then. But if you, you know, change your mind, then I'll be around!" Cass replied with a bright smile. Esai smiled slightly with a nod, before looking back at the window. Hiro looked at Esai and frowned in sympathy. He could practically see himself inside the little boy. He knew that this wasn't gonna go away simply by talking. He sighed silently, hoping that he would find a way to help.
Soon, everyone arrived at the Lucky Cat Café. Esai looked at the restaurant as the car parked. He looked at Cass.
"I said I wasn't hungry." he stated with a frown. Honey shook her head.
"We know. Hiro and Miss Hamada live on the apartment above the café." she clarified. Esai nodded in understanding.
The four then entered the café, and Esai was greeted to a warm atmosphere in the restaurant. There are a few customers inside; they looked at the four for a moment upon hearing the bell, before they went back to doing their own thing…except for one.
Esai walked inside and was immediately greeted by a pair of arms wrapped around him. Esai flinched for a moment, not expecting this. Then, he heard.
"Esai, are you okay?!"
It was from Daniel!
Esai hugged him back after a moment of stunned silence. At this point, Ms. Grant sped towards him.
"Daniel, give him some space to breathe in!" she scolded as she gently pulled Daniel away from Esai. Honey and Hiro approached Esai, inspecting if he was okay.
"I'm fine." he replied. Daniel looked at him with a sorrowful look.
"Sorry, Esai. I was just so worried about you. I wanted to visit you, but…" Daniel explained before he gulped. Ms. Grant stepped forward and squeezed Daniel's shoulders.
"The recipient there wouldn't let us in on account that we aren't your family." she finished. Esai frowned at this.
"You're right…you two aren't." he explained. Then, he flinched at this. He immediately looked at Daniel, who was biting his lip. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean for it to come off like that!" he replied in haste, shaking his hands.
"It's okay, Esai. It's okay. We understand." Ms. Grant assured. Daniel nodded, although he still felt hurt. Cass, at this point, stepped forward.
"Excuse me, but um…are you guys friends with him?" she asked, curious. Ms. Grant nodded.
"Yes. His mother brought him over for one of those unofficial social gatherings for the homeschooled. It was him, Daniel, and this other girl. I forgot what her name was." she explained.
"Suritu. Her name was Suritu." Daniel corrected, and Ms. Grant nodded.
"Thank you." she replied. Cass nodded as well.
"Okay then. Um, is it alright if you two can hang out, in another time? You know, considering what happened." she suggested. Ms. Grant nodded as she looked down at Daniel.
"Come on, Daniel. Let's give them some space." she insisted. Daniel nodded and the two looked at each other as they walked back to their tables. Honey placed her hand on his shoulder, and they then moved forward.
They walked up the stairs and into the apartment. Esai looked at the apartment, examining it. Cass stepped forward and she gave a smile.
"So what do you think? Did you like the place?" she asked. Esai turned to her and nodded.
"It's…it's okay. I like it. Very…homey, I guess?" he went, shrugging. Cass just laughed softly at this. Then, they heard familiar barking. Esai perked his head up as two pugs rushed from the kitchen, playfully wrestling with one another. Esai's heart fluttered as he covered his mouth.
"Basco! Otis!" he called out. Basco and Otis turned to him, and they barked in excitement as they rushed over to him. Esai practically collapsed as he held the two pugs, kissing them and petting them repeatedly. Honey smiled as she knelt down and did the same with the two dogs.
After a while of hugging and kissing, Esai looked at the two Hamadas.
"H-How did you get them?" he asked.
"Well, Honey here managed to find these two wandering the streets after…what happened, and she pleaded that I keep them in, at least for a while. I…was unsure at first, but after what happened, I took them in." Cass said as she knelt down. Esai frowned at this.
"You don't like dogs?" he asked. Cass shook her head.
"No…I mean, I don't HATE dogs. I just, uh…I'm more of a cat person. You know what I mean, sweetie?" she clarified with an innocent smile. Esai kept his frown.
"Oh…I don't like cats. They bite." he replied. Honey shook her head as she took Otis and gently rubbed his belly.
"That was a feral cat, Esai. Cass's cat, Mochi isn't so bad!" she explained. Esai frowned at this, but he nodded. After a moment of silence, Cass then stood up.
"Alrighty. Are you sure you guys aren't hungry?" she asked with a smile to lighten the mood. Honey and Hiro nodded, but Esai shook his head.
"I'm not hungry, thank you." he repeated.
Grrr…
Esai looked down at his stomach. Honey sighed again as she looked at Cass.
"Do you have any organic Mac N' Cheese?" she asked. Cass nodded with a smile.
"Of course! Coming right up!" she said as she walked away to the kitchen, leaving the three alone. Then, Honey sets down Otis as she stood up and took Esai's hand.
"Come on. Maybe there's something funny to watch on TV. Wanna join us, Hiro?" she asked. Hiro nodded before he raised his finger.
"I'll be with you in a minute! I've gotta get Baymax!" he said as he rushed to his room. Honey nodded before she guided Esai to the couch. She found the remote and turned on the TV. However, what was on the screen was news reporter Bluff Dunder reporting about what happened.
"The numerous eyewitnesses and recordings of the incident at the Cho streets in the Mission District have caused a lot of fear across the city. Authorities have searched the ruins of the house to see a charred corpse of a woman named Alba Flores." he began. Honey gasped to herself as she changed the channel…only to see another report of the night, this time showing the recording of the battle, as well as the voice of a woman speaking in Japanese about what has happened.
Honey saw Esai's reaction, and he was looking very uncomfortable. She tried to switch to another channel, then another, then another. It was nothing but news about the encounter. Eventually, she turned it off and tossed the remote back to the couch.
"Oh well, TV rots the brain, anyways. Right, Esai? …Esai?" she asked. Esai didn't reply. He was looking at his legs, breathing in and out slowly as the memories of the night came flooding back. Honey gritted her teeth at the sight. Then, Esai began to cry again, wiping his arms.
"I…I want my momma and meemaa…" he said to himself. Honey frowned at this and she scooted towards him and pulled him into another hug. Neither said a word as they held one another as Esai continued to cry into his sister's body.
"I know…I want them too. More than anything…" Honey replied, and Esai juts tightened his hold onto her.
Hours later, night has fallen, and it was time for bed.
Inside Hiro's bedroom, Hiro, Honey, and Esai were getting themselves ready for bed. Cass was just finishing up setting up the other bed for Honey and Esai to sleep in.
"Alright, you two. Bed's ready. Oh, please be careful with the rest of the stuff over there." she said, referring to some of Tadashi's old stuff. Honey and Esai nodded as th elater crawled onto the bed. However, Honey stayed up for a second.
"Miss Hamada?" she asked. Cass turned to her and smiled.
"Honey, you don't have to refer to me like that. Cass or Aunt Ca-Oh." she began before she was interrupted by Honey's hugs.
"Thank you. I cannot thank you or Hiro ENOUGH for doing this! You both have my family's eternal grace!" Honey said with gratitude in her voice. Cass just smiled as she patted her back.
"No problem, Honey Lemon. Remember, any friends of my nephews are a friend of mine." she said with a soft tone. At this point, Baymax, who was following after them, took a good look at Esai. He scanned the boy once more for any injuries that might have been overlooked.
Honey then pulled away with a smile. Cass smiled back as she then patted Honey's arms.
"Alrighty then. It's time for bed. Be sure to get some rest!" she said as she turned around to walk away, leaving them alone once more. Hiro then turned to the other two and smiled.
"Well…I hope you're enjoying your stay here, Esai." he said. Esai looked at him and nodded.
"Yeah…I like it…" he replied. In truth, he didn't enjoy it very much. It was comfy, but it wasn't like his home at all. In truth, all he wanted to do was go back to such a time. However, he knew that such a wish is an impossibility, and it upsets him dearly.
"Esai, are you okay?" asked Honey, gently pushing him. Esai looked at her and nodded.
"Yeah. I'm…I'm getting some sleep. Is Baymax gonna be up to watch us?" he asked, turning to look at Hiro, referring to Baymax, who was standing on the charging station to keep himself charged for the night. He nodded.
"Sure thing. I know you're still afraid of the mutants, and I don't blame you. Thankfully, Baymax has gotten scans of their biological data, so he should be able to detect them if they come near." he explains, which seemed to relax him a bit.
"He's not alone." a feminine voice said, making everyone jump in fright. They turned to where Baymax was, and from the side stepped Suritu. She waved at them.
"Hey, guys." she said with a small smile. Esai looked at her, and immediately rushed over to her, hugging her.
"Suritu! I…I thought you were gone!" he said. Suritu hugged him back.
"I know, kid…but I'm alive. And…I'm so sorry about…" she said, feeling glum about what happened. Honey then approached her as well.
"Suritu! Where were you?! I-I thought the explosion killed you!" she said as she and Hiro inspected her. Suritu nodded.
"I was knocked out by the explosion, and the fire and blast scarred me quite a deal. However, I teleported away in time. As for my injuries…well, watch this." she said as she extended her wrist blade from her metal arm and cut off a piece of skin from her regular arm. Hiro, Honey, and Esai gasped in shock, the latter covering the child's eyes. Then, to their shock, the wound healed in a few seconds. Hiro looked at the spot where the cut was.
"Woah…if Fred was here, he would be jumping up and down like a child high of caffeine." he said. Suritu chuckled.
"It comes with being a former assassin." she said, before frowning slightly at the mention of her former life. Honey noticed this, and gently grasped her metal hand.
"Don't worry about that, Suritu. Your father is a despicable man for manipulating you to do such terrible acts. None of that was of your own volition." she explained. Suritu gulped to herself as she looked at Honey.
"Thank you…but does that change the fact that I killed those people and kidnapped others?" she asked. Honey frowned at this, knowing she was right, but she still shook her head in denial.
"Does that matter now?" she asked. Suritu was briefly taken aback by this, and after a moment of thinking of an answer, just said,
"Well…not really."
Honey nodded at this before she cupped her metal hand.
"Suritu…there's no denying that what you did was bad…but it doesn't matter now. Even if it's a fact that you did such terrible things…you've showed remorse. You showed me that you feel guilty for your past. To top it all off…you helped us keep Esai safe." she said as she gently ran her hand on Esai's hair. She smiled as she then said to her,
"I can't speak for the others, but to Hiro, Esai, and myself…you've earned our trust…and we're grateful for that." she said, before pulling her into a hug. Suritu gave a smile at this gesture, and after holding in a small sob, returned the gesture. Hiro and Esai gave a small smile at the scene.
After a while, they pulled back and Suritu gave a small chuckle.
"I…I guess you guys should get some rest. Tomorrow's a new day." she said as she began to step back. Honey and the others nodded.
"Good night, Suritu." Honey said. Suritu nodded in response before disappearing in a flash. The three stared at the spot she was at, and Baymax tilted his head, blinking.
"She has disappeared." he stated. Hiro chuckled.
"Yeah. One of the many things that makes her…well, her." he said before he turned around.
"Well, time to get some shut-eye, guys. See you in the morning." he said. Honey and Esai nodded.
"Yeah. Come on, little guy." she said as she guided him back to the other bed.
Soon, after the lights were turned off, everyone tucked themselves inside and before long, most of them dozed off, except for Esai.
Esai looked at Baymax, who was standing as still as a statue, surveying the room like a sentry. Then, he looked at the window. He sighed to himself as he remembered everything that has happened so far, from the news of the murders, to the argument at SFIT, to the attack last night to him moving inside to Hiro's apartment. He felt Honey's arms subconsciously wrapping around him protectively, and he leaned into the embrace.
"I…I don't know what's gonna happen now. Are they gonna come after me, even with my big sister and her friends?" he thought to himself sorrowfully.
As he pondered, drowsiness soon overcame the boy, and before long…he closed his eyes and lost consciousness.
Meanwhile, Baymax was surveying the room, scanning for any mutants that could potentially be in the area. He moved his head to where Esai and Honey are sleeping and scanned Esai. His scanners detect slightly lower than average brain-waves when the boy is sleeping, but it is nothing concerning for the robot, understanding that it is due to the loss beforehand.
Then, as his scanners examined him, he noticed something in the boy's genetic coding. His computer examined the DNA, and noticed that aside from the extra, artificial base pairs of nucleotides…the DNA is genetically similar to two other patients he has known.
He then pulled up the DNA profiles of Cass Hamada, and Hiro Hamada, and compared them to the two. What he found was something unusual;
The DNA similarity between Esai and Cass are around 50%!
The DNA similarity between Esai and Hiro are around 25%!
Baymax blinked at this knowledge: Tadashi had never informed him that Cass had a son, or that he or Hiro had a half-sibling. He wanted to inform Hiro and Cass straight away, but he saw that they were still sleeping. Blinking, Baymax decided to store the information into his save files for later.
"They need rest anyways." Baymax spoke to himself quietly. And thus, he stayed silent, watching out for them in case they need anything…
AN: Hey everyone. superkoola here!
Another chapter of Big Hero 7: Empathy done and out of the way. Let me tell you, while I was searching for information about how children grieve, it is…quite interesting. I wanted to do the research right because…well, I wanted this to be done in a realistic manner. I still might've done parts of it wrong, but I hope it is at least satisfying enough for the moment.
And yes: Esai watches kiddie shows like Teletubbies sometimes, get over it.
In addition, the twist at the end; I've had the idea for a while because…well, I thought it would be interesting and a unique way to connect him with the Hamada family! What other information will be revealed about him? Well…I know, but I ain't telling yet!
Anyways, that's all I have to say. Hope you enjoy it, please be respectful if you think differently, and stick around for more!