It was during the break of dawn, there was once a small worn down hut on the base of a mountain surrounded by Wisteria trees. Not so far from the hut was a lake, a bubbling stream of water flowing from the mountain to the lake. On the edge of the lake was a boy with wavy hair black as coal and bright brown eyes that shined under the sun.
The boy was on all fours trying to catch a catfish. The fish was wriggling to escape for it's dear life but was losing more space as he made sure to corner it to the edge of the lake. As the wriggling became slower, he seize the opportunity and snatched the fish by its tail.
He stood tall and held the catfish as if it was a trophy he just won with a huge grin on his face. The fish was almost as long as his arm and was quite heavy too.
He then went to a fishing basket on a flat stone and placed the catch he got into it. Well I better hurry, before okaa-san notices I am missing and gets worried where I went off to, he imagined after realising the sun was already up. Hopefully this should last us until tonight, he thought while wiping off the sweat on his forehead with his sleeves. He then lifted the basket onto his back and carried it back to the hut.
The boy was now nearing the entrance of the hut. He peeked first just to make sure if his mother was still sleeping while with only his top half of his head exposed before entering. It seems she is still asleep huh? well now is my chance, he thought. He quickly but also taking his time tip toed every step into the house and placed the fish basket just on the corner of the hut beside the fireplace. He then sat with a cross-legged form in front of the fireplace.
The hut was quite small and had little place to move, it only had one rickety bed made out of bamboo which was where his mother was sleeping, a fireplace where they also did their cooking and a bamboo carpet where the boy slept just between the fireplace and his mother's bed. The hut was mostly made out of bamboo, since bamboo was very easy to find and grow. Despite all of this, they never seem to be bothered but were always cheerful as long they were surviving through life together.
A beautiful and soft voice spoke. "Good morning Hiroyuki-kun. You have been up early haven't you?". The boy while being surprised, turned his head behind him to look into the direction from where his mother was sleeping.
"Good morning okaa-san! I was outside by the river trying to catch a fish for today. I am sorry if I worried you." The boy now facing his mother while bowing down.
His mother was getting up to sit down on her bed while having a worried face. "My dear, it's dangerous to go outside during the dark. You may not know what's lurking out there."
"I won't do it again, truly!" he answered with a hint of sadness when he realised he made his mother worried.
She then put her palms of her hands onto each other and slightly tilting it to the side. "It's all fine Hiroyuki-kun, as long as you take care of yourself". She smiled with her pearly white teeth showing while her eyes slightly closed. "Your clothes are wet, you better get them change before you catch yourself a cold!".
The boy blushed while rubbing his forehead with his fingers "Uh yeah, I forgot about that." He then hurried to fetch the clothes outside while almost tripping over some wood near the fireplace which made his mother giggled.
Her right hand covering her mouth. "You're always clumsy Hiroyuki-kun." She chuckled quite a bit for sometime.
The boy now with fresh clothes, sat down near the fireplace while facing towards his mother. He noticed his mother is now sitting down with her back against the wall while closing her eyes. He then had a feeling that his mother was still feeling not too well.
Hiroyuki said with a tone of worriedness. "Okaa-san, you don't look too well. Is there anything I can help with?."
Hiroyuki's mother struggled to open her eyes only slightly and then looked at her child. "I am so sorry my dear for being so weak, It must have been so hard for you to see me like this everyday." She was feeling guilty she thought she was a burden to him. "We are too far away from the city to get help and it would be too dangerous for us to get there."
"It's all otou-san's fault and that woman, especially that woman! She stole otou-san from us!" Hiroyuki was furious and once again deeply wounded when the memories returned to him. "We won't be in this mess if it wasn't all because of that woman!" Hiroyuki was almost at the brink of tears. "Why did otou-san chose her and left us behind? Are we not good enough for him ?"
His mother with all her strength went to Hiroyuki and raised his chin while having that same beautiful smile from before. "Hiroyuki-kun, it's no use to blame the past on our misfortune. It's better to focus on what we have right now my dear. It might be not so much right now, but I am grateful to have this sweet little boy as my child and I would never trade it for anything" Hiroyuki's mother was patting his head to help him calm down. "You're good enough for me Hiroyuki-kun, please remember that"
Both mother and child embraced each other, both glad that they were still together despite their situation. Hiroyuki was crying even more than before. "There, there my dear. Let it all out and never be afraid to show your true feelings to people you care for". A couple of seconds had passed, Hiroyuki had already calmed down and both were still hugging each other. Both smiling happily and wanted to enjoy this moment a little longer. Hiroyuki wished this moment could last forever.
Almost two minutes later, His mother puts her hands on both of his shoulders to get his attention. "Hiroyuki-kun, I have one favor to ask you. Before this sickness gets the better of me I need you to promise this."
Tears started to well up once more in Hiroyuki's eyes. "But I don't want you to go okaa-san!"
Hiroyuki was interrupted with a slap on his left cheek which put him to shock. "Hiroyuki please, you have to be strong, I need you to keep smiling no matter what happens. I believe in you, because you're my strong little boy" his mother's voice was so soft and so much love put into it. "Can you please remember that my dear?"
Hiroyuki only managed to nod while wiping of his tears with his sleeve.
His mother acknowledged it and was a bit relieved. "Now for that favor I need you to..."
Hiroyuki interrupts his mother and said. "But okaa-san already asked me one." A smirk appeared on his face.
"Well, well. Aren't you the smarty pants here huh?" a vein popping out of his mother's forehead. "Not moment ago you were crying your heart out." His mother pinching both of his cheeks at the same time.
"Ouchhhh! It hurts! please I will listen this timeee okaa-san!" Hiroyuki was pleading while closing his eyes and holding his laugh.
Hiroyuki now giving eye contact and full attention to his mother. "Hiroyuki-kun, promise me that you will live a wonderful life with a loving girl when I am gone and also make sure that you will make her happy as how you made me happy, okay my dear?"
"I understand okaa-san." Hiroyuki nodded and then out of the blue a loud rumbling coming from his stomach which is hard not to notice.
His mother was surprised and placed her right hand over mouth while laughing. "Ara ara, looks like someone is hungry. Go on get some more firewood, I will light up the fireplace." Hiroyuki's face redden out of embarrassment and quickly stood up to head outside and chop some wood. Even from outside, he could still hear his mother's laugh which made him blush even more.
Some time had passed since Hiroyuki went outside to fetch some wood. It's now in the afternoon, sun was on its highest. Luckily for them, there were many trees giving plenty of shade to the hut. Hiroyuki was on his way back to the hut, with a bag of firewood on his back. While on his way, he was pondering about the favor of his mother.
"What girl would ever be with me in the place huh?" Eyebrows narrowed while stroking his chin. "Well I would need to see and wait it myself to find out" Hiroyuki shrugged as he enters the hut.
By the fireplace, his mother was kneeling in front of it while she was making sure the skewered catfish that is now hung up above the fireplace wont fall. "Ah that should do it." His mother still didn't notice of Hiroyuki's arrival.
"Konnichiwa okaa-san! I am back." smiling brightly at his mother while putting down the basket of firewood near the fireplace. He then sat down besides her and helped his mother to add the firewood into the fireplace.
His mother pats his back and looked at him. "That was quick Hiroyuki-kun! You're getting faster and stronger, aww my little boy is growing up into a man"
Hiroyuki smiled shyly while putting his head on his mother's right shoulder. "I am happy I was able to help okaa-san."
The sun was now setting, the petals of the Wisteria trees surrounding the hut started to become more brighter and it's reflection on the river made it much more beautiful. In the hut, the fireplace was the only source of light they had. Just beside the fireplace, Hiroyuki was just about to finish cleaning up after his meal.
While sitting down he also bowed ."Thank you for the delicious meal okaa-san!" He then picked up the plates and brought it to the waterfall by the lake to be washed. "I will be back soon!"
Hiroyuki's mother was preparing her bed for tonight. "Make sure you come back home early Hiroyuki-kun!"
Hiroyuki was now approaching the waterfall, he was only a few steps away. The sound of water flowing were relaxing and the sight itself was scenic. Hiroyuki gazed upon the whole lake and was admiring it's beauty. I think I could just lay down here and enjoy all of this.. hmm but I need to get these plates cleaned up and then get some training to get stronger so I could help okaa-san more, he thought. Maybe next time.
Hiroyuki was now heading back to the hut with the cleaned plates. He sees his mother was now fast asleep on her sides. He quietly puts the plate into a shelf under his mother's bed. Hiroyuki went for a light kiss on his mother's forehead and stopped a moment to see the beautiful smile she had. He then backed off slowly heading towards the door and observed if there were any movement from his mother. He was glad he didn't bother her sleep and went back outside to train near the waterfall.
Somewhere near the edge of the lake, there were stones lined up according to their sizes. Five stones in total. The smallest stone was as big as the catfish he caught earlier and the biggest stone was almost bigger than half of his upper body. He removed his robe and placed it onto a dry stone nearby.
Hiroyuki had somewhat an athlete body, his arms and hands were the most built. His training focuses more on his grip strength and arms. He lifts using his whole body for each stone from smallest to biggest bringing up the stones to his waist and holding it up there with only his hands and arms for a period amount of time. The stronger he gets, the longer and the bigger the stones he carries.
Next training was to test his punching strength. A stone just as tall as him, Hiroyuki was considered tall for his age just slightly taller than his mother. Hiroyuki entered a stance, raising his fists just below his chin. With his right foot slightly forward, He used his whole body to land a right hook into the stone. He froze for a moment and instantly regretted as a wave a shock went through his body. He fell onto his back and rolled on his sides on the ground repeatedly to keep his mind away from the pain.
Once the pain had lessen, Hiroyuki mumbled "Next time, I am punching trees only." Hiroyuki was laying on his back while facing the sky. His exhaustion made him lost focus and now was admiring the sight of the bright moon. The moon was at it's brightest tonight. He felt like he could fall asleep right there. Hiroyuki's eyes were blinking, he was soon fast asleep until a massive dark figure appeared covering the moon. Hiroyuki quickly got on his feet and backed away as fast as he could. He never felt this frightened before in his whole life and whimpered. "Whaa.. what? There is no way that's a human." His whole body was clearly shaking out of fear. Hiroyuki then heard some sort of mumbling and beads clattering coming from the unknown figure. He was too confused and misplaced that he didn't noticed his back was now against a tree.
The figure started to move, it took a step forward and slightly to it's left. This started to reveal what was behind the shadow. It appeared to be a towering man with an incredibly built body. The man had spiky black hair and a notable scar running across his forehead. He was wearing some sort of uniform in black and white with an olive green happi covering his shoulders. Around his neck was a large beaded necklace and his hands were both holding an Ojuzo while it seems as he was praying.
"Konnichiwa." The man said while waiting for a response from Hiroyuki. He then realised that the boy was now frozen as ice, not moving an inch. The man lowered himself by placing his right knee on the ground. The man now almost at the height level of Hiroyuki and waved in front of his face. "Moshi Moshi." His voice was friendly and had no intent of harm.
This snapped Hiroyuki back to reality. He saw white eyes with no visible pupils and questioned who was he and what was his purpose here? Hiroyuki now feeling more at ease and was glad he was in no danger.
The man answered. "I am Himejima Gyomei, I was patrolling the area until I saw you training" His attention now directed towards Hiroyuki's right arm. "Continue training without proper technique, you might lose that arm." Tears started to well up in his eyes and stream down like a waterfall. "Such strong will at a young age and yet so naive." He continued pitying the boy while placing his left hand on his shoulders as an effort to comfort him.
Hiroyuki always had pure intentions, he believed himself that he would help everyone in need especially his mother. He kept in mind that even the ones who are doing harm to others are not completely heartless, not all of them at least. With that in mind, he encourages himself to seek guidance from the man in front of him. Hiroyuki now bowing down on all fours towards the man.
Gyomei stood straight and resumed his prayer stance. "Ah very well, but before that. What's your name boy?"
"It's Yuuto Hiroyuki, Himejima-san." Hiroyuki was admiring Gyomei, astonished with his physique. He couldn't imagine how much stress and trials Gyomei had go through to get to his level right now. Gyomei was a sight to marvel at.
Gyomei nodded at his response then proceeded to lift Hiroyuki up and helped him stand up. "Listen carefully, Yuuto-kun. There is one technique able to enhance one's mental and physical strength however it will hurt until you get the hang of it. It's called Total Concentration." Hiroyuki was all ears and his eyes were locked on to Gyomei'. Gyomei explained the fundamentals of the technique and ways to fully master it. He then continued to demonstrate it to Hiroyuki.
Assuming a stance, Gyomei focused on inhaling his breathe followed by controlling his breathe rhythm. He punches the air with his right arm producing a lot of force causing the trees leaves to sway. It felt like a breeze just went by the area for momentarily.
Hiroyuki now pumped up to try this new technique, he approached the previous stone he was training with. Now facing the stone, he remembered and memorised every fundamentals of the technique in mind. Slowly he went into stance and followed every step Gyomei did.
Gyomei decided to interrupt him, worried that he would injure his whole arm if he continued to use the stone. Instead he found himself surprised after witnessing Hiroyuki striking into middle section of the stone once causing a loud tap. When Hiroyuki removed his arms, the pain wasn't as bad as the previous. In the middle part of the stone, a clear indentation of his fists can be seen as if it was carved deep then little cracks started to form from it.
Hiroyuki was jumping with joy celebrating since it was his first successful punch to damage the stone with his bare hands. Gyomei was impressed and convinced that Hiroyuki had potential to become his apprentice and even replacing himself one day. He had plans and high hopes for this boy and smiled.
"Yuuto-kun! If you keep on practising, one day you might be stronger than me. Come and be my apprentice, I will guide and nurture you until grow into a capable man."
"Please take care of me Himejima-sensei!" Hiroyuki said while bowing down towards Gyomei.
Gyomei eyes was tearing once more but this time with happiness. "Thank you for your hard work Yuuto-kun and forgive me for I have to return home as it's already nearing midnight . See you soon." He bowed slightly and began to walk away while Hiroyuki was waving goodbye at Gyomei.
It has been almost eight hours since Hiroyuki last seen Gyomei.
Hiroyuki was now back at the lake finishing up all the fish he caught. He was counting all the catches he managed to get, the fish varied in sizes. He counted six fishes in total. Feeling glad and satisfied he marched his way back to home. "I hope okaa-san is awake by now, can't wait to tell her about Himejima-sensei!"
As he enters the hut, he softly greeted his mother expecting her to be up. It was dead silence after that, no response from her. He was feeling worried and negative thoughts started to cloud his mind but he pushed them away. Ah she must be super sleepy, you're such a sleepyhead okaa-san, he thought while putting down the fish basket and then proceeded to check on his mother. He carefully peeked his head over his mother's shoulders without a single touch on her.
His mother was smiling with closed lips and her whole face had such a calm expression as if she was having a pleasant dream. A face so majestic and the priceless smile that could give hope to any broken hearts made Hiroyuki sigh with relief. Hiroyuki then decided to get some firewood and then start cooking up a meal while he waited his mother.
Somewhere by the lake, Gyomei was walking towards the spot he last met Hiroyuki. After Hiroyuki displayed his skills and strong spirit,it made Gyomei believe that Hiroyuki will fill a crucial role in the future. He decided to search the area for him and then heard a sound of wood splitting coming from the hut nearby.Must be Yuuto-kun, should be... since I see no other houses around, he thought while approaching the hut to investigate.
When Gyomei saw the person who was chopping up the firewood, he right away knew it was Hiroyuki. He then wanted to greet him first until he noticed something strange about the hut. Someone's inside, and has recently died, he thought. Gyomei didn't want to make any assumptions and wanted to know who was in the hut. "Konnichiwa Yuuto-kun." he said to Hiroyuki while he was still chopping.
"Eh Himejima-sensei? Ohayo!" Hiroyuki was caught off guard since he wasn't use to visitors and it was very rare for it to happen.
Gyomei chuckled after seeing Hiroyuki getting startled. "Don't be alarmed, I am just here to check on you." Gyomei was patting Hiroyuki' head.
"So you live here Yuuto-kun?" Gyomei said while seeing the hut right beside them.
Hiroyuki nodded with excitement. "Yup! me and okaa-san. I wanted to tell her about you but it seems she's still sleeping but it's fine I can wait.. since it's even better when you're here in person too!" Joyfulness was radiating from Hiroyuki.
Horror filled Gyomei's thoughts after realising the person in the hut was Hiroyuki's mother. Oh.. poor Yuuto-kun.. he doesn't even know, he thought while holding the tears from welling up in his eyes.
"Umm Himejima-sensei, would you please check on okaa-san? she has this illness making her weak, we tried reaching for help but okaa-san said it was too dangerous." Hiroyuki said with a worrying tone.
Gyomei simply nodded. "Sure, please lead me to her".
Hiroyuki grabbed Gyomei's hands and guided him into hut and whispered. "Himejima-sensei please be gentle, I wouldn't want to bother her sleeping. Okaa-san looks so peaceful."
Gyomei took Hiroyuki's advice to mind and proceeded as what Hiroyuki would have wanted. Gyomei went onto his knees and carefully checked for pulses around her wrists and the side of her neck. It only confirmed what he sensed earlier, he felt no pulse. He remained dead silent for a few seconds, thinking of the words to tell Hiroyuki the truth.
"She's gone, Yuuto-kun." Gyomei Heavy-heartedly said with his head slightly bowed.
Gyomei wanted to apologise but was cut off by Hiroyuki who was trembling with shock. "But... Okaa-san was fine yesterday. She was so happy...and laughing. I... I mean look! She's even smiling right now!" Hiroyuki was now pulling Gyomei's sleeve begging it to not be true. "You might did it wrong, I know she's fine because okaa-san is strong she always had been!"
Gyomei remained speechless and only could apologise for his mother's passing. Gyomei couldn't hold his tears no longer, he felt Hiroyuki's pain. Hiroyuki was now clutching the sleeves and his face buried into Gyomei's arm. Tears start to fall from his eyes while he gritted his teeth. Hiroyuki felt intense pain in his chest, his vision went blurry as remembers his mother's sweet smile.
Author's Note
Hey readers! Ani here, I really do hope you guys enjoy my writing.
So what did you think of my OC and his mother? Comment your thoughts it would help me a lot!
I aim to update new chapters every 1 to 2 weeks at most! Thanks for reading !