Disclaimer: I'm not good enough to own pot…

Chapter 6: Forget about the woes of yesterday

"But the most unfortunate thing is….that…you only have about two years to live…"

My mom sank on to the sofa and I was trying to absorb all the information into my head.

"Please remain calm because we can try our best to search for a bone marrow donor and…"

Whatever the doctor said afterwards I didn't hear. I don't know how I had the energy but I felt my legs carry me out to the door and further outside. Tears were on the verge of coming out and I had to run away fast. This is a dream, nothing else.

I collided with someone and through the blurred vision due to my tears, I detected that it was Tezuka.

"Aizawa san what happened?" He questioned calmly like usual.

"Sorry Tezuka Kun" I apologized for bumping into him with a shaky voice and I ran off. Tears were rolling down now and I didn't want anyone to see me in this condition. I didn't know where to go but I ran. Anywhere but here, out of everyone's sight.

"Mina! Mina!" my mom came out after the nerve in her legs came back. But it was too late. She came face to face with a glasses face.

"Oh Tezuka Kun okaeri (Means welcome back)."

"Oba san did something happen? Aizawa san rushed out on the verge of tears."

"It's nothing. (Smiles)."

This family sure knows how to smile at any time…Tezuka secretly thought. "Would you like me to chase after her?"

"No it's fine Kunimitsu kun she'll come back soon. She always runs off when she's upset because she's afraid of being seen while she's crying. She never wanted the image of her to be seen as weak. Besides, she knows that having a personal space for awhile would help her calm down."

At 8o'clock…

Tezuka was sitting in his room because he just couldn't concentrate. History book was left open unattended even though it was Tezuka's favorite subject. His eyes fell on Mina's test. I was supposed to give it back to her today. He slowly ran his finger over the red inked 100. I should call now to see if she's back.

"Konbanwa. (good evening) oba san." he greeted as he stared hard at the phone and his right fingers that was crossed. Please let her be home.

"Oh Kunimitsu kun…Mina is not home yet. Is there anything I can…?" she gazed questioningly at the phone when she heard the dial tone after she said the words NOT HOME.

Tezuka put on his blue jacket and after telling his mother he'll be right back, he rushed out the door.

Aizawa san where are you? He questioned, hoping that Mina and him were telepathically connected. He ran around the streets, the nearby park, around Bouquet. But no luck.

"It's really peaceful to watch them since they seem so carefree!" Tezuka felt as though she was talking to him.

Her voice! But she's nowhere to be around. She said this last time but what was she looking at?

After pacing around a while, he caught a glimpse of a Sardine can.

I got it! Koi! She might be at school. He flew to school at the speed that he will use to avoid Inui's vegetable juice in the future but then his run was interfered by the school gate. This thing is tall. She wouldn't try to jump this thing right? He attempted to walk away but then…this is the only clue I have. I should check first. With all his might, he climbed up the fence and jumped off onto the other side. Good thing no one is looking. This is not something that Tezuka Kunimitsu should ever do. If I had a sister that acts the same way she does, I'll tie her up before she runs out! He fumed as he rushed toward the pond. Then he stopped when he saw the chocolate brown hair. It was her. Mina was perched on the rock with the gentle breeze blowing back her hair. He felt like rushing to hug her but he calmed down and remained composed.

I heard the leaves on the ground rustle. It was feint but I knew this was not the work of the breeze. It sounded like someone stepped on the leaves. Hurriedly I spun around to decide the intruder and caught a glimpse of a boy my age with glasses and chestnut brown hair.

"Tezuka kun?" my voice sounded more husky than usual.

"Aizawa san you should go home." He came to her side with a stern look. This was the attitude he used on the tennis court as the captain of freshmen.

My blood pressure rose instantaneously. He doesn't understand what I have to go through and he's commanding me? Who told him to come here anyway! My brain produced these messages. However, I stayed silent and the apathetic tone came again.

"I'll say it one more time Aizawa san let's go home." He regretted that his words came out harsher than he had planned but he doesn't have any experience in being soft.

I was fuming with his words but I realized he came through the trouble of looking for me so in response,

"Tezuka Kun thanks for coming but before we go, can you accompany me for few more minutes?"

After a few moments of silence, he settled on the rock next to me.

"Would you like to tell me what happened today?" He began more gently than the words he said awhile ago.

"Nothing's wrong," I tried to laugh it off.

"I don't believe crying will make you look weak. So if you want to cry, proceed as you please." Tezuka alleged while recalling what Mrs. Aizawa said about Mina.

I shook my head sadly, "Crying can tear a person apart. It reminds you of the very thing you are trying to suppress and forget."

"Then what do you do to forget your woes?" he questioned and thought That's one sad smile…

"I sing…"

"Then sing…"

"No it's ok."

"Then we're going back"

"Ok I'll sing…" Tezuka smiled in the dark as I began to sing with my soft soprano voice.

Have you wondered how it feels when it's all over?
Wondered how it feels when you just have to start a new.
Never knowing where you're going
when you face a brand new day.
It used to be that way.
Now I just close my eyes and say.

I just want to breathe again.
Learn to face the joy and pain.
Discover how to laugh a little,
cry a little, Live a little more.
I just wanna face today
Forget about the woes of yesterday
maybe if I hope a little
Try a little more.
I'll breathe again.

I stopped. This song reminded me too much of this afternoon and even though I thought I was out of tears; my eyes were welling up again. Tezuka extended a hand.

"Let's go." He said, though this time, he had a soft expression. That song was really soothing. Forget about the woes of yesterday? She seemed to know the exact lyrics to express her mood. He secretly thought.

I took his hand and we walked out of the school.

"Aizawa san did you really jump over this fence?" he mused.

"Yes" How else do you get in here? Stupid Tezuka.

After we jumped over the fence, he took hold of my hand again. It felt really secure with his hold. It prevented me from being wobbly on the street and besides my hands were frozen from being outside for couple of hours.

"Aizawa san, why don't you stay over to my house tonight?"

"Ehh no it's ok I don't want to trouble you. I'm already troubling you enough."

"Don't worry about it." Even if I said no, it was no use; Tezuka practically pushed me inside his house.

"You can stay here," he said with one hand pushing my shoulders and the other opening the door to the room next to his, "I'll be right back."

I'm pretty sure that was to tell his parents that I'll be staying here tonight. I felt rude for not greeting the Tezukas before I came into this room. I'm Aizawa Mina and my reputation should be always left as loveable and sweet. However, I hope they understand I don't feel like talking to anyone right now.

While I sat on the bed absorbing everything that happened today, I realized it wasn't so bad…I have two more years, it's not like I only have 10days. In the mean time, doctors will be searching for bone marrow donor so no worry. If there's no bone marrow donor, I'll just see how far I can live. I have to be thankful of what I experienced until now and get ready for an adventure in the afterlife.

While I was lost in my world, Tezuka came in with a cup of hot green tea in his arm.

"I heard that hot tea can calm a person." He handed me the tea and walked toward the veranda.

I didn't bother turning the light on so the night view was beautiful. Many stars filled the sky as though it was July 7th(If you don't know what it means, tell me in the review. It's a Japanese myth.)

Then a white light rushed across a sky. "A shooting star!" I gasped softly. When I turned to Tezuka, he was closing his eyes, making a wish.

"Aizawa san did you make a wish?" he said after a moment of silence.

"No, I don't really have anything to wish for." I'm not going to wish that I'll live longer, I'll leave it for God to decide...

"What did you wish for Tezuka kun? To not be a procrastinator?" I teased. I was beginning to regain some energy from the green tea.

"No, but it's a secret."

We stared at the sky for longer silently. I liked how with Tezuka, I can be silent as long as I want. Others pressure me into keep talking because I'm afraid they'll be bored if I don't keep taking.

"Tezuka Kun, go finish your homework." I urged, not wanting to trouble him further.

"Yes I should, but are you okay?" I nodded, happy that he cared and watched as he approached the door.

"Tezuka Kun…" I felt like hugging him but knowing his conserved nature, I remained still.

"Hmm?"

"Thank You…" without an answer, Tezuka closed the door behind him.

He was glad Mina seemed to be normal. She was even able to tease him a bit. She's so strong. Usually she has no other expression than that warm smile (just like Fuji but more sincerely) but this time she was on the verge of tears. How can she act so normal just in a couple of hours?

After about an hour, Tezuka finished his homework and packed for school. I should go check up on her. So without any second thought, he headed to the room next door. He entered the room and he was glad Mina was already fast asleep. He would not know what to say anymore. He inched toward her face, noticing some tear stains on her cheeks.

"You act like a brother to me." Her words rang through his head. He gently brushed away her bangs out of her face. I'll do my best to protect and cheer you up. He vowed as he gazed at the sleeping beauty.