Unbreak Me

Chapter 3

Helping the Nanjos over the weekend was exactly the break away that Kaoru needed, but what he didn't expect, was how it affected Kojiro. It was almost enchanting, watching Kojiro work so diligently behind his father. Kaoru found himself losing focus of the job, getting lost in watching Kojiro in the zone. The first two jobs they had back to back, the teens mainly helped wash and prep fruit and veggie trays, but then Mr. Nanjo got a call that his sous chef had gotten sick and that left Kojiro and Yumi to help their father more.  Bus boys, waiters, whatever spot needed filled the boys jumped right in to help. Kaoru watched as something seemed to light up in Kojiro, listening intently and mimicking everything his father did. Kaoru felt his own heart ache, wishing he could have time with his own father like this, but knew that would probably never happen.
Even still, this was nice. The Nanjo's had always been there for Kaoru, and it almost felt as if he was a Nanjo officially by the end of the weekend.
They discussed the plans for the following weekend, recruiting the pair of teens yet again for assistance with the business. Kaoru and Kojiro both more than eager and happy to oblige. The week passed quickly, the end of the school year testing was just around the corner. The idea of ditching no longer taunted Kaoru's mind, he was far to engulfed in working with Kojiro and his family. Focusing on his future. College. He had found a new love of coding, and while he didn't exactly love calligraphy, he was still damn good at it. He was even starting to use the coding to his advantage, tweaking things here and there to get that absolutely perfect angle in his writing. His next goal was to use the program to help him increase his speed on his skateboard. Kaoru was sure he could somehow figure out a way to skateboard even better, he just needed to think. Helping the Nanjos was therapeutic for Kaoru, and even when Mrs. Nanjo would try to pay him for his time and assistance, and he would vigorously shake his head and refuse, she somehow always managed to sneak him some yen in his pocket. It helped ground him, keep him sane. And even though the pair was stressed for exams, it was the end of the year before they knew it. Kaoru hoped for an easy, laid back summer where he could tinker to his hearts content, but Kojiro enjoyed the hustle and bustle of taking on more responsibility with the business.
This was the new routine. Kaoru's parents allowed him to spend his weekends with the Nanjo's, even if they weren't working on catering that weekend. Kaoru would dive into his coding when at home, now able to track his time and speed on his skateboard, mind you. It was almost exhilarating, being able to feel somewhat free. The year was a hard one, and the summer felt like it was his reward for having to endure so much garbage. Kaoru had his best friend, he had his codes and skateboard. He had distance from his parents, who seemed to stop arguing and fighting with each other almost all together as far as Kaoru had noticed. Things were finally looking up for the pink haired teen, and he couldn't have been happier.

Which was why the following events hit him like a freight train. He never saw it coming, and it was one of the most difficult weeks he had had to face yet. It would be one he constantly had to discuss in therapy later on. One that he looked back often, but never fondly. One of his crucial molding moments, if you will.

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The pair of teens were already getting settled into their Junior year. Next year they would be Seniors and then they felt as if they were free. They could get away from their homes and do whatever the hell they damn well pleased, or at least that's how Kaoru felt. Kojiro enjoyed being near his family, helping whenever possible to help take some of the burden off his parents. Just because he wasn't the eldest didn't mean he was going to leave Yumi with all the oldest sibling responsibilities. He was still the oldest son, and he felt a sense of pride in that. So, he would dutifully help at the restaurant whenever he could.

It was another completed mission, helping cook and cater with the Nanjo's. Kaoru and Kojiro both were beyond exhausted, but a bright smile never seemed to fade from Kojiro's face. Mr. Nanjo retired for the night as soon as they arrived home, Mrs. Nanjo following right behind, lovingly scolding him for overdoing it that weekend. Kaoru watched them wistfully, wishing he could just stay here again tonight but knew that wasn't an option. Monday tomorrow, after all. But what no one expected was Mr. Nanjo collapsing. Panic set in, all the color draining from his wife's face and she screamed his name over and over. No response. Kaoru was stunned, completely unable to move. Shock overtook him, his vision getting hazy as he tried not to panic. He watched Yumi and Kojiro scramble to their house phone and their cell phones, panicked and crying as they called an ambulance.  His own phone felt like a brick in his pocket, his body still unwilling to cooperate with his brain and move.