Makoto opened his eyes under the water, and swam down urgently. He wrapped his arms around Kayo's limp body, pulling her to the surface. He gasped for air as he reached it, struggling to swim, as he held her unconscious form.
"Kayo..! Kayo, stay with me!", he pleaded as he coughed hard, kicking against the cold water. He gripped the edge, and managed to lift Kayo up first, before pulling himself up.
He coughed, falling to his knees, wheezing hard. He shook his head urgently. "Not now lungs...not now!", he quickly took his inhaler, catching his breath.
He turned his attention back to Kayo, who was unconscious. "Kayo!", he gently shook her, but noticed she wasn't breathing.
Makoto's heart sunk, he then began pressing his hands to her chest. He had learned CPR from class. "C'mon, Kayo! Breathe!", he pleaded shakily, pumping on her chest hard.
When she didn't respond, he bit his lip, but then leaned down pressing his lips to hers, filling her lungs with air.
He then pumped on her chest again, and blew air into her lungs once more in a pattern. He was starting to lose air, when finally Kayo stirred.
She coughed up water, grimacing as she turned onto her side. "Kayo! That's it! Breathe!", Makoto encouraged, rubbing her back, as he helped her sit up.
She coughed more, as Makoto gasped for air, breathing hard. His lungs were weak, so that took a lot out of him.
When Kayo finished coughing, she looked at him weakly. "M-Makoto...?", she asked, seeming in shock he saved her...or that anyone even noticed her.
"Come on..you're going to get sick..", Makoto staggered to his feet, shaking as he helped Kayo up. They hurried into the locker room. Makoto grabbed a stack of towels, and handed one to Kayo.
Kayo took it, as she dried her hair. Makoto wrapped a second towel around her shoulders, and he dried his own hair.
"Kayo...are you all right? Why did you fall in? Did you faint?", Makoto began questioning her, a worried look in his eyes as he continued to struggle to catch his breath.
Kayo looked away, silent at first. She sighed shakily, as she stood up. As she did, she winced and actually hissed in pain slightly doubling over.
Makoto's eyes widened, worried. "Kayo, are you hurt?", he asked fearfully. Kayo didn't answer at first, gritting her teeth.
Because she was slightly bending over, the bottom of her shirt had lifted up. And Makoto could see a large bruise on her lower back.
Makoto's heart sunk. "You must have hit your back in the pool...", he went to lift her shirt up.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!", Kayo suddenly cried, in an urgent tone. It made Makoto flinch, as she pulled away from him, shaking like a leaf now.
"Kayo...", Makoto said softly, and worriedly. She faced him, a dark look in her eyes.
"You should have let me drown...", she said then, angrily. Makoto froze at her words, his heart sinking.
Before he could say anything, Kayo hurried out of there. Makoto stood there, completely horrified and in shock as it sunk in. Kayo didn't fall in by accident...she...did it on purpose.
She tried...to kill herself. And the bruises he's been seeing...Makoto wasn't stupid. It was obvious...Kayo was being abused by someone. He wasn't sure who...but...it had to be bad, to push her...a 10 year old child...to attempt suicide.
The next day, Makoto entered the classroom. He sat at his desk, and noticed Kayo wasn't there. The teacher came in, after the class was seated.
"Kayo Hinazuki will be absent for a few days, class", the teacher announced. Makoto's heart sunk. "Ma'am, why is that?", he asked anxiously.
The teacher blinked, Makoto never spoke without raising his hand. "It's rather personal, but its due to a self harm incident. Her mother took her to a hospital out of town", the teacher replied simply.
Students whispered in horror, while Makoto froze. Self harm incident? He glared, raising his hand then. "Ma'am...I..I really think Kayo is being abused. I saw bruises on her", he blurted out then.
The class went eerily silent at the accusation, while the teacher looked at him. "Kayo's mother has informed us the bruises are self inflicted...Makoto..", the teacher sighed then.
"Outside with me", she ordered, as Makoto blinked. But he got up, following the teacher out in the hall as the class all murmured.
"Makoto Jaeger, this is a very private matter. Kayo's mother gave us records, showing Kayo is a very unstable and depressed child. She self harms often...and we have further evidence of it...", the teacher said.
"Yesterday, our video cameras in the pool room caught Kayo attempting suicide by jumping in the pool. We saw you save her...", the teacher continued. Makoto said nothing, listening.
"Your concern for Kayo is very admirable, and even noble. But Makoto, she's a very troubled girl. Her mother has had her to several therapists and on many medications. So please, I'm asking you to not get too involved. Kayo isn't a victim of abuse", the teacher said sternly.
Makoto glared. "Why would she hurt herself? Or try to kill herself?", he demanded. "Her mother thinks it has something to do with her father dying a few years ago, they were apparently quite close...now please Makoto, drop it", the teacher said.
Makoto fell quiet, his thoughts racing. Something about this...it just didn't feel right. He couldn't place it...but...Kayo just didn't seem like someone who would self harm.
He trusted his instincts, the instincts he got from his parents. And there was more to this. But for now, he dropped it.
Kayo was absent for five whole days, before finally returning. Armin, Rubi and Alex were back from their vacation.
When Kayo came into the classroom, she sat down. She didn't look at anyone or say anything. Makoto watched her, worried.
"That's your girlfriend?", Alex whispered, teasing. Makoto rolled his eyes. "She's not my girlfriend, Alex! Cut it out!", he hissed, blushing.
Alex chuckled, while Makoto remained quiet. Alex blinked. "Hey, you okay? You've had a serious look on your face all morning", he asked.
Makoto looked down. "It's a long story...I'll tell you later", he sighed. Titan, who was sitting by Makoto, whimpered a bit, licking his hand.
Makoto petted him. After lunch, Makoto was late for Math class. "Damn it! Alex, this is all your fault!", he cursed, since Alex had distracted him with the new Pokemon game.
Alex had Reading, so he was in a different part of the school. Makoto and Titan ran across the snowy courtyard as a shortcut.
When they were halfway across, Makoto suddenly coughed. He stopped, and bent down to catch his breath, panting. Titan stopped, and whimpered worriedly.
The Akita grew anxious, as Makoto continued to struggle to catch his breath. He clutched his chest, the breathing attack not easing up like they usually did.
He coughed again, before falling to his knees. Titan whimpered, hurrying over, nudging Makoto's arm. "I...I'm o-okay T-Ttitan...", Makoto tried to assure his dog, but then coughed hard, and suddenly drops of blood appeared in the snow.
Titan smelled it, and he instantly ran, hurrying to find someone to help. The large Akita barked urgently, as he ran inside. He looked, and saw Kayo several feet up the hall. She didn't see him, walking to class.
Titan barked, and ran over to her. Kayo blinked, turning to look. Her eyes widened a bit at the large dog sprinting towards her.
Titan barked, and ran up to her, grabbing her sleeve with his teeth. He pulled her urgently, whimpering. "Makoto's dog...what is it, boy?", she asked. She had recalled seeing Titan with Makoto, but never really asked why.
Titan whimpered much more urgently, pulling Kayo harder. "Okay, I'm coming...!", she followed, as Titan hurried over to the courtyard.
Kayo followed, running as fast as she could. She entered the courtyard, and she froze and even paled. Makoto was curled up on the ground, shivering and coughing.
Titan ran to his side, whimpering. "Makoto...!", Kayo ran over, feeling her heart sink. She fell to her knees beside him.
"K-Kayo...", Makoto weakly said, before wheezing. He was struggling to breathe, clutching his chest as he coughed up some more blood.
Kayo''s heart sunk, seeing the blood. "Don't talk! I'll go get help!", she assured him quickly, she removed her coat, placing it over Makoto, before sprinting inside for a teacher.
After an ambulance had arrived and took Makoto to the hospital, Eren and Mikasa were called. After waiting for what felt like hours in the waiting room, Rubi came out.
"Sis! Is Makoto okay?", cried Mikasa fearfully, as Eren also got up. "He's okay you two...he did have a pretty bad attack, the worst one he's had since he was a baby. But he's breathing easier now", Rubi assured the anxious parents.
Mikasa exhaled in relief, as Eren rubbed her back soothingly, also looking relieved. "Any idea what caused it?", asked Eren worriedly.
Rubi nodded. "He's been overdoing it a bit too much. Running too fast alone can trigger an attack. But he'll be okay, he just needs to take it easier. He can go home by tomorrow...you two can see him", Rubi added, seeing how worried they looked.
"Thank you sis", Mikasa looked relieved, as she and Eren went in to see their son. Akane was being watched by Armin, while Carly was still in school.
Makoto was laying in the hospital bed, hooked up to an oxygen mask, and a heart monitor. Titan was sitting by the bed, resting his big fluffy head by Makoto's hand.
Makoto was petting his dog weakly, out of it. "Makoto..!", Mikasa hurried in. "Hey mom...", Makoto gave a weak but brave smile.
"You okay, buddy? You scared us to death!", Eren asked worriedly, as Mikasa carefully hugged her son.
"Yeah...sorry dad...", Makoto replied softly, as Mikasa gently took her son's hand. Eren petted Titan, sighing in relief.
"Thank God you have Titan...", he said. Makoto's eyes softened. "It wasn't just Titan...", he said, as he continued petting his dog. Mikasa blinked.
"Kayo...Kayo saved me...Titan went and got her...and she...she got help", Makoto replied, breathing carefully.
"Kayo did...?", Mikasa's eyes softened, thankful to that girl. Eren glanced over, seeing Kayo's coat was on the chair.
"Is that her coat, buddy?", he asked softly. Makoto nodded weakly. "I need...to return it to her", Makoto realized, as he went to sit up slightly. "Ah, ah..no sweetie, you need to rest today. We'll all return it to her tomorrow, I want to thank her anyway", Mikasa gently made her son lay back down, rubbing his back.
Eren smiled. "It looks like you really care about your crush", he said. Makoto blushed a bit, as he rested. Mikasa smiled softly.
"You just rest today sweetie, we'll return it in the morning", she assured him, kissing his forehead.
By the next day, Eren and Mikasa took Akane and Makoto to the elementary school. Akane hurried off with her friends, while Makoto got out of the car, holding Titan's leash.
Mikasa held Kayo's coat, while Makoto scanned the front of the school for Kayo. He blinked then, seeing her.
"Kayo!", he waved. Kayo stopped, and she looked over. She looked so relieved he was okay. "Makoto..", she smiled, as she ran over.
Mikasa blinked, as she looked at Kayo. She got the...strangest feeling in her heart. Like she was looking into a mirror. For a split second, she saw herself when she was a child...right after her parents were killed.
Something about Kayo...not only reminded her of herself in some ways...but there was something else. That dark, nonchalant look in her eyes...it made Mikasa's heart sink.
"You're feeling better?", Kayo asked Makoto softly. "Yep! Thanks to you and Titan", Makoto answered, grinning.
"I'm glad...", Kayo paused then, noticing Eren and Mikasa a few feet behind Makoto. Her entire mood seemed to change from relieved...to anxious, almost fearful.
"Oh, these are my parents Kayo!", Makoto introduced. Mikasa stepped forward. She knelt down at eye level with the little girl.
"So you're Kayo? I've heard quite a lot about you from my son...I wanted to say thank you, so much for helping him", Mikasa said gently.
Kayo blinked softly, remaining tense. "Also thank you for lending your coat to him, here sweetie, I washed it for you", Mikasa gently handed it over.
Kayo carefully took it, she looked...surprised. "You..didn't have to do that...", she said quietly, as she held her coat close.
Mikasa's eyes softened, worried as she stood up. "It was no problem sweetheart, it was the least I could do in return", she assured as she went to gently pat Kayo's head.
Kayo froze, her heart pounding when she suddenly flinched. Mikasa blinked, worriedly. "Kayo..?", Makoto asked anxiously, while Eren also turned worried.
"S-Sorry...", Kayo squeaked out, looking down. "It's all right sweetheart", Mikasa assured her kindly. Kayo looked at Mikasa, and felt a lump forming in her throat.
She struggled to fight back her heavy tears. Kayo had never experienced such...intense, genuine kindness before from an adult.
"T-Thank you...for returning my c-coat...", Kayo's voice cracked, before she turned on her heel, hurrying into the school.
"Kayo, wait!", Makoto chased after her into the school. Eren and Mikasa stood there, both thinking the same thing.
"Eren...", Mikasa looked at her husband, anxiously. "You thinking what I am, angel?", asked Eren worriedly. Mikasa nodded.
"Something's not right Eren. It's not just the fact she flinched...did you see her eyes? They looked just like mine...back when my parents...", Mikasa tensed a bit, biting her lip. Eren rubbed her shoulder soothingly.
"But...Makoto mentioned she has a mother", he pointed out. Mikasa looked down. "I don't know what but...something's really wrong. The poor thing was shaky and everything...Eren, I felt like I was looking at a reflection of myself, when I was that age...", she confessed.
"What do you think is wrong, Mika?", asked Eren worriedly. Mikasa shook her head. "I don't know..it could be a hundred things, Eren...to make a child that nonchalant", she replied.
"I agree...something's off. We can't really do anything with no evidence though", Eren said softly. "Makoto really loves her too...", Mikasa stated, worriedly.
Inside the school, Kayo had escaped into the girls bathroom. She leaned against the wall, sinking down as she buried her face into her coat.
She was trembling badly, as she broke down, crying softly. Mikasa...was so kind to her. Kayo never felt a gentle touch from a mother before...and yet she still flinched.
Everything about Mikasa...made Kayo feel so jealous of Makoto. His mom..was so kind. Her eyes, her touch, even her voice.
Never had Kayo felt so safe, yet so sad at the same time. Was that...the way a mother was supposed to be? Was Mikasa...what a good mother was?
Kayo wiped her eyes, as she pulled herself back up. She exited the girls bathroom, her eyes red and puffy. Makoto was waiting for her.
"Kayo! You okay?", he asked worriedly, hurrying up to her. Kayo didn't answer at first, looking away. "Makoto...you're really lucky...you know that?", she asked then, her voice cracked.
Makoto's heart sunk, worriedly. He could tell by her voice, Kayo had been crying. "You're really, truly lucky to have a mom like yours...be kind to her, and please don't give her a hard time...", Kayo pleaded.
"I try my best not to...Kayo...", Makoto took a deep breath. "Would it be okay...if I visited sometime?", he asked. Kayo hesitated.
"Not really...", she replied softly. "But...I think I should know where you live. I mean...we're friends, right? You helped me when I needed it, so I want to return the favor! If you ever are in trouble and need help, I'll know where you live", Makoto offered.
Kayo bit her lip, as she looked at him. There was a tense moment of silence. Makoto needed to know where she lived...if he was ever going to find out what's going on.
Kayo glanced away from him for a moment. "Walk down Maple street about four blocks, turn onto that old dirt road called 'Levine Street'. Walk another 2 blocks and you'll see a trailer park to your right. I'm in Trailer #14", she told him then.
"Oh! Thank you!", Makoto felt relief fill him, he didn't expect her to tell him. "I live on the other side of Maple Street, closer to the school, my house number is 397", he told her. Kayo nodded silently.
"You can visit anytime Kayo", he added. Kayo nodded again. "Same...just...call first", she handed him her number, before turning to go to class.
"Oh, Kayo wait...um...we're friends, right?", Makoto asked then. Kayo blinked, looking back at him. "You...want to be friends with me?", she asked him.
"Sure! I really like you Kayo..you're really kind, and pretty and...", Makoto stopped then, seeing Kayo turn deep shades of pink at what he just called her. She blushed more, her eyes wide, for once not looking nonchalant.
"Oh..um...I..", Makoto started, nervously. Kayo looked away, still blushing. "Sure...we can be friends", she said. She turned, and hurried to class.
Makoto held the paper with her phone number tight, before writing down her address on the other side of the paper.
By the next day, Kayo was absent again from school. The teacher was told she was feeling sick, but Makoto doubted it.
At lunch break, Makoto went down to the lockers. He opened his, grabbing his bag. Alex blinked, seeing him.
"Hey, Makoto! Where are you going?", he asked hurrying over. "I got somewhere to be, and don't have much time...", Makoto replied quickly.
Alex gawked at his friend. "WHAT?! You're ditching school?! Makoto, are you serious?!", Alex asked him. "Shhhh! Keep it down, Alex!", Makoto shushed him.
"Sorry...can I come?", asked Alex, excitedly. "No, this isn't a fun trip. I'm going to check on Kayo", Makoto replied sternly.
Alex blinked. "Isn't she just sick?", he asked. Makoto sighed, closing his locker door. "She's not sick, Alex...I think she's being abused...I'm almost positive", he confessed.
"What? Makoto, come on...the teacher already said it. You told me yourself! Kayo has..well..issues. She hurts herself...", Alex started.
Makoto glared, he clenched his teeth, frustrated. "That's a bunch of crap, Alex. There's no way in hell Kayo hurts herself...", he growled, shaking. Alex blinked, noticing his best friend's sudden change of tone.
"You're...really serious about this?", Alex asked softly. Makoto nodded. Alex sighed. "All right...I'll cover for you", he smiled then. Makoto blinked.
"If you're late, I'll just make up a story to the teacher", Alex explained, winking. Makoto smiled then. "You're the best...thanks", he said.
Makoto and Titan left the school, and hurried down Maple street. They kept going until they saw "Levine Street"
"This way...", Makoto tugged at his Akita's leash, turning onto the dirt road. It was a very deserted type of street.
Nothing on either side of the road but woods. It was also pretty icy, and quiet. The road wasn't even paved properly.
Makoto kept walking with Titan, before seeing the Trailer Park sign. It was an old, dated sign that must have been hanging there for ten years.
It simply said "Trailers For Rent Or Sale"
They turned into the Trailer Park, and it really wasn't that best looking neighborhood. There was garbage littered outside, and several of the trailers looked old and falling apart.
One trailer had a large Rottweiler chained to the steps. The guard dog growled, starring at Makoto and Titan. Titan ignored the dog, focusing as Makoto kept walking.
Makoto stopped then, seeing an old trailer with the number 14 on the door. "This is the place...", he realized. He noticed no car was parked near it...maybe no one was home? Makoto walked up, and knocked on the front door.
He got no response. It also looked pitch dark inside the trailer as well. "They must not be home...", Makoto started, when Titan's ears suddenly perked and his head turned, looking towards the back yard.
He sprinted so suddenly, his leash got out of Makoto's grasp. "Titan!" Makoto chased after his dog, as Titan squeezed his body through an opening in the old fence. Makoto followed.
"Titan, wait up boy!", he squeezed through the fence, and saw Titan was digging frantically at an old shed.
His claws were scratching the door urgently, barking and whimpering. Makoto froze...he got a sinking feeling.
"Titan...what is it boy...?", he asked nervously, as he slowly walked over. Titan barked, whining like crazy now, digging at the door's bottom crack, trying to open it.
"Easy, easy...back up", Makoto unlatched the shed door, and pulled it opened slowly. It opened with a slow creak, and as light shined into the dark shed...Makoto saw Kayo.
She was laying there, on her side, covered in bruises. There were on her legs, arms and even her face. She was slightly curled up, her eyes closed, gritting her teeth.
Titan whimpered worriedly, while Makoto's heart sunk. "K-Kayo..!", he snapped out of it, he went to pull his own coat off.
"Don't look at me...", Kayo pleaded then, in a very quiet voice, shaking. "Kayo, you're going to get sick! Let me...", Makoto took a step forward.
"DON'T LOOK AT ME!", Kayo cried then, urgently. Makoto flinched back, his heart sinking. Kayo fought back tears, not looking at him as she winced painfully.
"Kayo...", he started worriedly, when Titan suddenly growled. Makoto blinked, and felt a presence behind him.
"Who are you?", an agitated voice sneered behind him. Makoto froze, and turned to see a woman...with a deranged look in her eyes stare down at him...she resembled Kayo...it was her mother.