LVI

February 13th, 2022

Dedicated to @AnimeBubbles, because she's suddenly decided to adopt Tamiko.

~Flashback: 1 Month~

Everything was set. Isuma could fly to California right now if she desired. But there was one small detail she hadn't taken care of yet.

Her brothers.

She was almost certain they wouldn't stop her from leaving, but they WOULD be upset for not having known sooner. Almost everyone close to her knew except for them. So Isuma sought Kita Hishari's help in informing them.

Hishari was a doctor at a hospital in Tokyo. While she was extremely busy, she made sure to meet Isuma at least once a week. In the past few years, Atsumu and Osamu had gotten close to her as well.

She usually met Isuma at a coffee shop they both enjoyed. They met on a Thursday, where their schedules had miraculously matched up for a two-hour gap period. Right away, Hishari noted Isuma's uneasiness. After a single sip of her coffee, Hishari asked, "Alright, what's going on?"

"Sorry?" Isuma blinked, looking up from her cup. Hishari tilted her head. "You have something to tell me, yes? Let's hear it."

"...my professor told me I should try interning somewhere for a few months." Isuma started. Hishari nodded. "That's a wonderful idea. Are you trying to find a place?"

"I've already found one. Everything's set; I could leave tomorrow if I wanted to." She swallowed. "There's just a small problem-"

"Wait, I'd like to try and guess." Hishari stopped her. "Alright, funds? Do you not have the money?"

"I have the money." Isuma shook her head. Hishari asked, "International issues? Passport?"

"I have a passport. We had to have one made when we went to South Korea, remember?" Isuma said. Hishari had taken her to South Korea for two weeks as a graduation gift. "I'd forgotten about that. That was a wonderful trip. Okay, are you scared? Personal issues?"

"No," Isuma replied, but there was a slight edge to her voice this time. Hishari clapped her hands once. "Ah, so it's a personal-"

Hishari stopped; her smile faded and she leaned forward as realization dawned on her. "Isuma. Have you not told your brothers?"

Isuma didn't say anything. Hishari's eyes widened. "I see. That is a big issue indeed. How will we break it to them?"

"-we?" Isuma was caught off-guard. Hishari smiled, already back to normal. "Well, that's why you're here, is it not? You were hoping I could speak with them?"

"...would you?" Isuma asked tentatively. Hishari shrugged. "I might be able to cushion the blow. Is there a particular time you'd like to bring it up? Occasion?"

"I haven't decided yet," Isuma answered, relieved. Hishari drained the last of her coffee. "I'll handle it, then. Isuma, stop worrying and go finish up your classes for this semester. Okay?"

"...okay."

***

'Calm down, calm down, calm down!! This is for Isuma.'

Hishari looked up to see Atsumu and Osamu still staring at her, their dinners untouched. Takahiro was beside her, looking thoroughly confused. He kept on glancing at his sister, prodding his food with chopsticks. Hishari took a deep breath. "I need to talk to you about something regarding Isuma."

It was surprising how the two brothers' reactions varied. Osamu's eyebrows knit in concern, while Atsumu's shoulders sagged in relaxation. Hishari said, "It's a good thing, I assure you. Isuma's been working hard at university for a while and-"

"Why isn't she here?" Atsumu asked, finally taking a bite of his food. Hishari glanced at the clock on her wall. "She's was going to be; I suppose she's running late."

"I'll call her." Takahiro immediately stood up, eager for an excuse to leave. Hishari sighed. "As I was saying... Isuma's been excelling at her college, and a professor there has suggested she gain some experience in her field."

"...sorry?" Osamu blinked. Hishari answered, "As in an internship somewhere."

No one said anything for a few moments; Takahiro returned to see them in silence. "...Isuma's on her way."

"Great," Hishari replied. Takahiro sat back down, his eyes flicking between everyone. Atsumu asked, "So... Isuma found one?"

Hishari hesitated. "It's more as if an internship found HER. Either way, she's found a good place and everything's ready. I've looked into it, and it's a wonderful place for her to learn."

"Why didn't she tell us?" Atsumu questioned. Hishari smiled kindly. "Atsumu-kun, there was a very slim chance she'd get in. As I understand, there was no point in her telling anybody before she got in. I only found out a few days ago."

"...okay. But is that all?" Osamu said curiously. "Is something wrong-"

Isuma entered the room, her greeting barely audible. She avoided her brothers' gazes and sat down on Hishari's other side. Osamu immediately asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," Isuma answered, her fingers tightening on the table's edge. Hishari said, "I've told them that you've found an internship, but that's all."

"It's not a big deal, Isuma. You could've told us. You've interned in Tokyo before." Atsumu said. Hishari and Takahiro exchanged anxious glances as Isuma prepared herself. "The internship isn't in Tokyo."

Osamu raised his eyebrows. "Oh? Is it back in Hyogo?"

"No. It's- it's not in Japan at all." Isuma swallowed. Atsumu's eyes narrowed. "Where, then?"

"...it's in the United States."

***

Neither Atsumu nor Osamu answered for several seconds. When he finally managed to gather himself, Atsumu replied, "Absolutely not."

"Atsumu!" Isuma protested. Atsumu shook his head. "Isuma, you know I want you to succeed, but halfway across the world? No. And for- how long is this internship? For an entire semester? Do you realize how unsafe that is? You can't possibly-"

"I'm not a child!" Isuma cut him off. "I'm not 12, or 14, or 16 anymore. I'm an adult, I can handle myself!"

"In another country? Where you don't know anyone?" Atsumu started rising. Hishari interceded, "Atsumu-kun, she won't be alone-"

"Hishari-san, aren't you against it?!" Atsumu demanded. "Isuma, no. If you were even mature enough to be in the United States by yourself, you would've told us yourself- without Hishari-san's help."

"Atsumu!!" Isuma stood up, raising her voice. Atsumu shot back, "It's true, isn't it? That's why she's here!"

"Hey!" Osamu grabbed his brother's arm, but Atsumu threw it off. "You can't expect me to agree." Atsumu snapped. Isuma retorted, "I don't NEED you to agree. I'm capable of making my own decisions. You aren't my parental figure; I'm not asking for your permission."

"It sure sounds like it-"

"I'm INFORMING you of my decision." Isuma cut him off. Osamu flinched as if she'd punched him. Atsumu wasn't put off. "No. I won't let you go. It's too- how are we supposed to send you to-"

"You're not sending me anywhere. I'm GOING." Isuma replied, her voice hardening. Atsumu turned towards Osamu in exasperation. "Say something!! Are you seriously okay with this?!"

Osamu didn't say anything for several long moments. "...I trust 'Suma. If she believes it's safe and she can handle it, then I believe her."

"So you're fine with the fact that she hid this for MONTHS??" Atsumu asked. Osamu hesitated. "I think she should've told us, but I understand why she didn't."

"What about Okaa-sama?!" Atsumu demanded. "Have you told HER?? What am I saying- I wouldn't expect you to, seeing as you didn't tell US!!"

Isuma's eyes narrowed. "You know Okaa-sama doesn't care about what we-" Atsumu cut her off and said coldly, "No, Isuma. She does care about what we do- only you wouldn't know, because you've never tried to reach out to her in the past four years."

"-what?" Isuma grabbed Hishari's shoulder, startled. Atsumu continued harshly, "We talk to her. We have been for three years. I visit her once every few months and call her every week. Osamu visits her once a week. But you? You've never tried to mend your relationship with her. You barely spoke to her at Oto-sama's funeral! She's CHANGED, Isuma, but you don't acknowledge it. Do you even care?!"

Isuma stepped back, looking as if she'd been slapped. Osamu snapped, "Atsumu!!!"

"It's true, isn't it?!" Atsumu yelled back. He glared at his sister, raising his voice with her for the first time in his life. "You don't realize how everything you do affects people around you! Isuma, you're still a human. Just look at your best friend, Tamiko. Has he told you nothing, or are you just that oblivious?!"

Takahiro stood in front of Isuma, his expression alarmingly dangerous. "Atsumu-kun, don't-"

"What? What about him?" Isuma asked, stepping around Takahiro. He grabbed her wrist. "Isuma, it's not imp-"

"Yes, it is!" Isuma replied, focusing on her brother. She repeated, "What about Tamiko?"

Atsumu regarded her coldly, not an ounce of sympathy or love in his eyes. "He loves you, Isuma. He has for years. Everyone knows- everyone except you."

Isuma's eyes widened in disbelief. Takahiro bit his lip and looked down, his eyes wavering. Hishari gently placed her hand on Atsumu's arm. "Atsumu-kun, calm down. Remember yourself."

Atsumu threw off her hand and yanked on his jacket. "I'm leaving. Once you've sorted things out, Isuma, and woken up, let me know."

He slammed the door behind him before any of them could say anything. Osamu sighed. "I'll talk to him. See you, 'Suma."

Osamu too raced out, his coat only half-on. Isuma was too shocked to notice; she slowly sank onto Hishari's couch, her hands going to her mouth. Takahiro sat beside her. "Isuma, don't-"

"Takahiro, does Tamiko like me that way?" Isuma managed to force out. Takahiro hesitated. "Well..."

"Does he? Tell me!" Her glassy eyes startled him and he swallowed. "...yeah. He does."

Isuma's eyes filled with tears; she wrapped her arms around her best friend, crying into his shoulder. He gripped the back of her sweater, his own eyes filling with tears. 'I'm sorry. I don't know for what, but I'm so sorry. Isuma.'

***

Isuma hesitated before the front door of her mother's home. She'd never set foot in here and had no idea what to expect. After a few seconds of gathering herself, she knocked.

The door opened surprisingly fast, revealing a young woman. She checked the tablet in her right hand and looked back at Isuma, puzzled. "Hello. I don't have any visitors scheduled for today."

"...sorry?" Isuma blinked, perplexed. "I'm here to see my mother. Who- who are you?"

"I'm Yuri- Miya-san's nurse." She glanced at her tablet again. "I don't recall Miya-san ever mentioning a daughter. Perhaps you've come to the wrong building?"

"My mother and I aren't on... great terms. It's been a while since I've seen her." Isuma hesitated. "Is she- is she extremely sick?"

"...I'm afraid so." Yuri pushed aside her suspicion. "Our hospital doesn't provide at-home nurses unless necessary. Miya-san is not well at all; her disease is getting worse. The doctors say we could lose her soon."

"I see." Isuma bit her lip. "Is she awake? I'd like to meet her."

"...she is, but I must ask her first. Please wait." The nurse bowed and retreated into the house. She returned after a full minute had passed, her expression less wary. "Miya-san's guest has permitted for you to meet them. Please step inside, and mind you be careful around the equipment."

"I will." Isuma walked through the door; the apartment might've once been beautiful, but every surface was now covered with various medical instruments. Wires ran everywhere, under doors and up walls. Yuri quietly said, "She's in her bedroom. Please stay for only five minutes, as she's in a fragile condition. As I said, someone else is with her as well."

Isuma carefully entered the room; her eyes immediately landed on the bed, where her mother laid- asleep. Besides several gray machines and devices, there were two chairs in the room- and Osamu occupied one. His eyes widened in surprise. "'Suma?"

"...hi." Isuma swallowed back her anxiety and looked down at her mother. Miya Sakura's body was now frail, but she was still as beautiful as ever. "I came to talk with her, but- what is it?"

Osamu had an unfamiliar emotion in his eyes. "I'm just... happy you're here. Sit down, at least, even if she isn't awake."

Isuma sat beside him; he reached out and took her hand automatically. Isuma tried to look anywhere but Sakura. "Have you been here long?"

"Yeah. I usually spend my whole Sunday with her. She dozed off after taking her medication around an hour ago." Osamu held up his phone. "I was just texting Atsumu."

Isuma tensed at the mention of their brother's name. Osamu quietly said, "He's just looking out for you. He shouldn't have said everything he did, but he's concerned."

"No, he's right." Isuma swallowed. "I'm going to cancel my internship. Atsumu's right; I shouldn't have-"

"What are you talking about?!" Osamu grabbed her arm. "No. Go to California, Isuma. You can handle it."

"And Atsumu? It's not worth having him hate me. It's- it's not worth losing Tamiko-kun." Isuma's hand was trembling. "I didn't know. I didn't- I never noticed. I was SO-"

"'Suma, this isn't your fault. You've just been working so hard that certain things have escaped you. None of us are perfect, Isuma." Osamu gripped her hand. "You came here to visit Okaa-sama. That's a huge step. And you aren't one to run from your problems; you never have been. Atsumu will understand, okay? Trust me."

"...yeah." Isuma swallowed, suddenly fighting back tears. She pulled an envelope from her pocket and handed it to him. "Give this to Okaa-sama. I- I don't think I can verbally talk to her yet."

"I understand." Osamu set it on the nightstand. "What are you going to do?"

"...I'm going to talk to Tamiko-kun."

I'm not sure where Tamiko's going to go in life. @AnimeBubbles has taken a great liking to him, and I'm leaving his story completely up to her. If she wants to kill him off, I will kill him off <3

Jk, I won't. She loves him too much to do that. 

Also, y'all, thank you SO much for all these reads. Seriously, whenever I see y'alls votes and comments my heart does a little happy dance. It means a lot to me <3