"1, 2, 3…"

He thought no one could hear him. But he had failed to notice one presence standing quietly beside his door, holding his breath.

His brother raised his leg up again, shaky even with the support of the bookshelf. It wavered in the air before quickly coming down to the ground with a soft thud. It never landed directly in front of him as he intended.

Yuuta licked his lips; he was taken aback when he tasted a familiar coppery liquid: blood. He brought up his hand to touch his lip. He had bitten through the skin unconsciously. He wiped his mouth for good measure, though he was sure it was not bleeding excessively. He could still hear the steady but soft counting that escaped through Syuusuke's lips. He hesitated by the door, his pajamas clinging to his hot back. It felt wrong to spy on him like this. Especially today. It was as if he was intruding on something markedly private. Probably, if he knew, he would have wished him never to see this. Never to see him even living like this. Yuuta glanced inside again and only caught a glimpse of a racket propped up precariously beside a tartan chair. Gulping with nervousness, he slipped past the door with as quickly as he could.

-------------

Yumiko licked her finger clean of the batter. It was consistent as well as thick: exactly the required properties of a cake batter. Humming to herself tunelessly, she poured the batter slowly into a prepared pan, glancing at the oven briefly in the process. She pushed back her bangs that had escaped her ponytail carelessly all the while waltzing through the kitchen in search of a spatula; she had never been one for organization when cooking. She always preferred to 'go with the flow' and grab utensils as they were needed. It seemed to be less of a clutter than laying out all the needed ingredients.

"What cake did you choose this year Yumiko?"

Fuji Yoshiko smiled as she pulled her apron string taut. She pushed back her hair in the same manner Yumiko had done before checking the settings on the oven.

"I've gone with strawberry short cake this year, though it's a little early in the season. Still, both Syuusuke and Yuuta like strawberries so I suppose it's okay."

"That's true. Otou-san enjoys strawberries too as I recall. Of course he would never admit that."

Yoshiko laughed lightly. She checked the consistency of the batter thoroughly. Yumiko busily moved through the kitchen, carrying all the bowls to the sink. So typical, yet the atmosphere was entirely dissimilar. Both knew but refused to admit that this year it would be different.

"…I didn't cook anything Cajun this year. I was afraid it might be bad for his health."

The older wrung her hands on the apron while looking sadly into the oven where the cake had entered just a moment ago. She blinked rapidly as if it hurt her eyes to look; maybe the last cake they would cook for this rare day that only came once every four years.

"The health forum said… said that spicy food was bad for one's health. I hope he doesn't mind."

Yumiko stared blankly at the bulletin board beside her mother's head. It was filled with various printouts from an assortment of health-related articles. They threatened to engulf the florescent post-its that notified the family of any changes in plan or special event coming up. A yellow one was posted over all the white printouts. In curly writing it said 'Syuusuke's birthday'.

"Okaa-san…"

She burst into tears like water burst through a dam. Each sob shook through her whole body all the while making her more vulnerable, less a mother. Yumiko rushed over from her blank spell to comfort her mother. She couldn't remember the last time her mother had cried. So long ago…

"It's okay he doesn't mind. He doesn't mind at all."

It had nothing to do with why she was crying but he seemed to lessen Yoshiko's violent sobs. Yumiko patted her mother's back soothingly, repeating constantly that meaningless phrase.

"It's okay. He doesn't mind. He doesn't mind. Really."

Today was a happy day. A day to celebrate. So no crying. At least not for her. Even when her mother's crying had ceased, she whispered it again and again. It's okay. It's okay. He doesn't mind. He doesn't mind. He doesn't mind. It comforted her; she couldn't deny she needed it. This stupid phrase that had now lost all of the trivial meaning it had previously had. Everything had left her already.

"He doesn't mind. Really."

------------

"Here's the gift. Would you like to have it wrapped?"

Fuji Shunsuke looked at the plain brown box skeptically. To be honest, he had no idea what was in the box. However this sense of distrust seemed to provide him with a reason to do so.

"Yes please."

The young woman smiled brightly before wrapping the box in a shiny pink paper. He raised his eyebrow. Pink. Not his first choice for wrapping paper, but it was too late to object; the employee had already started to tape down the last flap. She reached under the counter to produce a mauve ribbon to tie the already secure package down. When she was done, he had his card ready for her.

"Thank you for shopping at Tokyo Mall. Please come again."

Shunsuke nodded to the woman before taking his leave curtly. It was strange to hear so much Japanese again. He had gotten more adapt at listening to English that he sometimes forgot he came from a bustling city full of Japanese people.

His car sat by itself in an empty section of the parking lot. Yet another surprise. Japanese parking lots were rarely empty, if there was even space for that. Placing the package in the seat beside him, Shunsuke started the car. Throughout the drive, he frequently turned his head to look at the gift sitting innocently in the passenger seat. He occurred to him he had never actually bought a gift for his eldest son. Well he bought them but he never had a chance to pick one out. The last time he had done it, he was sure Syuusuke was about eight or so. A toy car. Yes, it must have been. If he was right, it was still in his son's possession. He remembered seeing it some time ago above the book shelf.

He rubbed his eyes at the red light; he had worked an extra shift the other night. Asking for a transfer was definitely the right choice, though it meant that he was demanded more work. He mind began to drift again to the gift that he had picked up. Both Yoshiko and Yumiko had gone to pick the gift. They had been excited about it the whole night. He hadn't bothered to ask what it was though. Maybe it was… no he had quit tennis. He had to. It still bit through him that he could no longer brag about his son's athleticism. However his son's health was what was most important; if one didn't have health, they had nothing. Shunsuke yawned this time, disrupting his train of thought. For better or for worse though, they came back on track. This time they wadded through the many possibilities the gift could be.

It continued for a while until his drive way came into view. Than all he could think about was meeting him face to face and what to say.

-----------

"Thank you Tezuka. And yes, I will thank my parents."

"Ah."

Fuji smiled. He was a person of few words so even getting a 'happy birthday' out seemed like a day's worth of talking. He always wondered why Tezuka preferred to have only a maximum of five words per sentence. Than again, being straight to the point wasn't bad either.

"Ne, how's the team doing?"

There was a brief silence before another monosyllabic answer came.

"Fine."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Fuji leaned his head near the bed, thinking of another question to keep the conversation alive.

"Are they as productive as before? Or have you let them slack off?"

He could practically see Tezuka blink nonchalantly at his collection of bait while listening to his question. Somehow, it seemed right to imagine Tezuka like that.

"They are working as hard as before."

Seven words, he thought. Perhaps he could drag it out even longer.

"What about Echizen? Is he developing the way you wanted?"

"Yes. He will be the new pillar of Seigaku. There is no doubt about it."

His voice resonated confidently. He could not find a trace of uncertainty. There was no doubt about it.

"I see. That's good than. I suppose Seigaku will continue to progress well after you're gone."

"Yes. After we're gone."

Fuji felt a smile playing on his lips. He hadn't missed the change in the pronoun. He had said 'we'. No matter how many times he sensed it, he couldn't suppress the overwhelming sensation of hope. It could be knocked down again however maybe just this time… He sighed; his cheeks were beginning to hurt.

"Thank you for calling Tezuka. I'm surprised you remembered my birthday."

"Hn."

A giggle ran through his throat faster than he could register. It erupted from his diaphragm to the top of his lungs abruptly. He could hear concerned whispers outside his door but he paid no attention to it. He wanted to ignore it for a little while, his growing disability. There was just so little to laugh about, even something so underlying as this seemed funny.

"Mah, thank you. I'll see you in school sometime."

"…You're welcome. Good bye."

"Good bye."

He stared at his phone for a minute before snapping it shut. He tossed it onto his bed where it bounced on the soft covers and mattress. Fuji looked at the door then look out the window. When he felt assured of his privacy, he let his head drop to his bed.

He was so tired. He had never been this tired. Not physically, no. He hadn't exercised nearly enough to be tired physically. It was a feeling inside his chest that built up every day. This sluggishness that influenced the functioning of his body was almost too much. He didn't want to move anymore, let alone smile. He couldn't describe it any other way than fatigue. Even hours of training could not compare to this. He let out a breath, the warmth coming back to him through the covers. He groaned quietly while hoping the bed muffled his cry. He didn't want to move…

"Syuusuke!"

He raised his head quickly. For a moment there was panic stirring inside him. However he quickly recovered and pushed himself up slowly.

"Syuusuke! Hurry down! It's all ready!"

Fuji straightened his clothes as he fixed his hair quickly. He rubbed his eyes in an attempt to stay alert. It was his birthday. For the sake of his family he had to be happy. His fifteenth birthday…

"Hurry! The food's going to get cold!"

"Coming!"

Smile, even if it hurts. Be happy. Turning fifteen only happens once. Be happy. For them.

------------

"Happy birthday!"

It seemed to overwhelm him at first, his blue eyes opened widely. Gradually the congratulatory cheer sunk into him; he formed the familiar smile while graciously saying thank you. He was gently supported at each side by his sister and mother. They led him solemnly but happily to the table filled with steaming food. He noticed that they were all cut smaller than they usually were. Just for him.

"Here here. Before we eat. How about presents first? Just for a change."

A tightly wrapped package was dropped onto his lap. He picked it up as best as he could before turning to his mother.

"Could you unwrap it for me?"

Instead of unwrapping it, she passed it to Shunsuke.

"How about you unwrap it dear?"

The father of the house stared at the present before grabbing it unhurriedly. His large fingers undid the paper deftly. Soon the plain brown surface of the box appeared.

"Here." He gave it to his wife, who passed it to the birthday boy.

"Here you go. Open it."

Fuji placed it on his lap. He looked around the table. His mother looked at him warmly, with nothing but motherly affection. His sister smiled, fading at the edges but nevertheless genuine. His father looked on, a strong presence in the room. But he too looked comfortable sitting at the table, waiting. And Yuuta. Despite his eyes drifting once in a while, he was also looking. And in his eyes he could see it: worry, care, and support.

He couldn't imagine anything more blissful. So it didn't really matter what his present was. Nothing could be better than family.

Even though I have been hurt before by those heartless glances…this also helps me understand around me, there still exists some gentle glances. Therefore, I won't run away. That's what I'll do. Definitely, always.

-1 Liter of Tears

Well this chapter didn't really have any purpose really. Just to put more family stuff. I'm kind of disappointed with this chapter since it didn't end up in the way I wanted it to. And I rewrote the whole thing too XP I guess that says a lot about my writing skills.

Anyways I hope I didn't make you guys angry because of the long wait. I just wanted to make it perfect since it was a change in mood. Hope you guys aren't disappointed!