It was still Sunday.
Matsuda Ren was in his room, sitting in front of his computer, watching some funny videos. Quiet laughs escaped from time to time as he scrolled, looking for something better.
"Hmm… where's that video…"
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Ren didn't even take his eyes off the screen.
"Who is it?"
From the other side, a familiar voice:
"What are you doing, oniisan?"
He sighed.
"Ah… it's you, Touka."
He stood up and opened the door.
Touka was there, peeking into his room with curiosity.
Ren crossed his arms.
"Look, Touka… you're already 13, and I'm 16. Stay in your room."
"But I wanna play something…"
"I'm not even playing anything. I'm just watching funny videos."
"Funny… hmm…"
Ren was already closing the door.
"It's true. See you later, Touka."
And he shut it right in her face.
Leaning against the door, he went back to his computer.
"I need to find that video to show Riku…"
"Ren, come downstairs."
He froze for a moment.
"Ah… it's Mom."
Going downstairs, he found Touka already there, arms crossed. In the living room, his mother, Matsuda Nanami, was sitting in an armchair.
She looked at both of them calmly, but firmly.
"I want you two to behave. Stop fighting."
Ren frowned.
"Fighting? I didn't fight with anyone, Mom."
"Touka said you argued with her."
"T-that's a lie! She just wanted to snoop around my room and I said no!"
"I just wanted to play!" Touka shot back, pouting. "Stop lying!"
"It's the same thing! You're not a kid anymore, Touka, get it together."
"Both of you, stop!" Nanami interrupted.
Ren sighed.
"Ah… sorry, Mom. Don't stress yourself, okay?"
Touka looked at her mother, quieter now.
"Are you getting better, Mom?"
Nanami smiled softly.
"I just started treatment, Touka. Breast cancer isn't a joke… but I have high hopes that everything will be okay."
Ren nodded.
"I'm glad you started treatment, Mom. In a year, we'll be laughing about all of this."
Nanami looked at both of them.
"Well… in the meantime, I'd like you two to stop fighting, okay?"
Touka crossed her arms.
"Big bro is super annoying sometimes, Mom. That's why he doesn't have a girlfriend."
Ren raised an eyebrow, smirking.
"As if a brat like you already has a boyfriend."
Touka turned red instantly.
"I-I do have one!"
Ren and Nanami looked at each other… and said at the same time:
"What?!"
Touka looked away.
"H-he just doesn't know yet…"
Nanami put a hand on her forehead and laughed softly.
"Haha… alright. But keep those emotions under control, okay? Studying is what matters right now."
Suddenly—
The front door opened.
"I'm hoooome!"
"Welcome home, dear!" Nanami replied with a smile.
"Did you work extra today, Dad?" Ren asked.
Touka ran and hugged Daichi tightly.
"It's so good to come home and see you all," he said, laughing. "I brought gifts today, hehe."
He lifted a bag of sweets.
Ren chuckled.
"Dad, we're not kids anymore…"
But he stopped when he saw Touka stuffing three candies into her mouth at once.
He smirked.
"Oh really… weren't you the mature one with a boyfriend?"
"Aah, oniisan!"
Daichi sat at the table, suddenly getting serious, placing his hands on his head.
Touka blinked, confused.
"Dad… what's wrong?"
He took a deep breath.
"Has that time already come? You already have a boyfriend…?"
"Snif…"
Touka's eyes widened.
"Ah, Dad, I don't have a boyfriend!"
Daichi jumped up immediately.
"Yessss!"
Ren laughed.
"So it was a lie after all, haha."
"S-shut up, Ren!"
Nanami started to stand.
"I'll make dinner—"
"No!" Daichi cut her off instantly. "You're staying right there."
Nanami blinked.
"D-dear?"
He rolled up his sleeves.
"Ren, Touka… let's cook. Help me!"
"Yes!" both of them answered at the same time.
And just like that, they spent a good while in the kitchen.
They messed up ingredients.
Laughed.
Got confused.
But in the end, they managed to prepare something simple and homemade: Japanese curry with rice, warm and comforting.
Nanami closed her eyes for a moment, taking in the smell.
"Mmm… that smells so good…"
"Thanks for the meal!" Daichi said proudly.
"You didn't even take a bath first, Dad," Ren commented.
"You always bathe first, hehe," Touka added.
Daichi smiled, but then grew serious.
"Your mother is fighting breast cancer. Let's help as much as we can, okay?"
Touka nodded.
"Yes…"
Ren too.
"Of course."
After they finished eating, Nanami held her plate carefully.
"This… is wonderful. Thank you…"
She brought a hand to her face.
A tear.
"Mom?" Ren said softly.
Touka stood up and hugged her.
"It's going to be okay, Mom! Big bro said we'll be laughing about this next year, right?"
Ren forced a smile.
"O-of course… everything's going to be fine."
Daichi laughed.
"When we stay optimistic, good things tend to happen."
Nanami took a deep breath.
"Th-thank you…"
Later—
"Well, I've got school tomorrow," Ren said.
"Help me wash the dishes," Daichi asked.
"Ah… sure."
While Touka talked with Nanami in the living room, father and son stood in the kitchen.
Running water.
Dishes clinking.
"This routine isn't so bad…" Ren said.
He glanced at his father.
Daichi was serious.
Very serious.
"Ren… promise me something."
Ren frowned.
"W-what is it, Dad?"
Daichi hesitated.
"If… if your mother's treatment doesn't go well… and if something happens to me…"
Silence.
"Will you promise to take care of your sister?"
Ren's eyes widened for a few seconds.
Then he tried to laugh.
"Hah… Dad, what are you—"
"Promise me, Ren. Please."
Ren stopped.
He looked into his father's eyes.
They were… wet.
Daichi quickly looked away and wiped his face.
Ren swallowed.
"O-of course… I'll take care of her. She's my sister… no matter what."
Daichi took a deep breath.
"Your mother… has always been the strongest. I've always been trying to catch up to her…"
He squeezed the sponge in his hand.
"And you two… I love you."
"Dad…?"
He picked up a knife to wash it.
"But if the worst happens… I don't know if I can—"
"Ah!"
"What happened?!"
Daichi showed his cut finger.
"I'll go bandage this. Finish up here for me, Ren."
"S-sure…"
Ren was left alone at the sink.
The sound of the water felt louder now.
He looked toward the living room.
Nanami was smiling.
Touka was talking excitedly.
Everything looked… normal.
He lowered his gaze.
And murmured:
"Nothing's going to happen, Dad… we'll get through this…"
He gripped the cloth tighter.
"You don't have to worry…"