Plum Blossoms in Snow

1

Whether it was cleaning silt and grit between the cracks of the weathered marble tiles, sweeping up dust and crumbs from the dusky pantry, or polishing the firm glass panes that upheld the tall, framed windows.

Tetchou always did as he was told. All for the sake of his poor, weary family who lived in small worn down shack in the country side of Takayama. 

Today he mopped the sour, spoiled milk clots out of the tile cracks, he dusted the little gray clouds off of the housekeeper's shelf, and shined his new black slippers and cleaned the soles, bleaching every lace and strip of leather.

The housekeeper, Mister Akichi lit up the tip of his cigarette and blew out the cloudy grey fog, creating a slight smog. He rummaged through a pile of letters, bills, certificates and handed Tetchou a bright yellow envelope, sealed with the family stamp.

"2,000 yen," He simply explained, puffing out the smoke, and facing the young boy.

"Thank you sir." Tetchou bowed gratefully, his worn out getas slipping between the creaky wood planks of the porch. 

2,000 yen could support their family's meal for 3 days at least, he'd enjoy some sweet red bean soup, and creamy, fluffy pan bread with a side of milled rice and hot tea. 

Maybe one day.

Right now, he had to go to the street market to get his mother's medicine for her tonsillitis.

"I need my mother's medication." The old man nodded and gestured to a shelf full of crumpled paper bags with label tags. "Check here," 

Tetchou slid behind the tent and rummaged through the sealed baggies and plucked out a tag that read, "Daily Dose - Patient, Ame Suehiro." 

As he walked though the dirty, tree stump rigged mountain path to home, he thought about Sayaka, his sweet 8 year old sister who worked as a training midwife in the Ladies' Nursing Home, about a 20 minute walk. He would have to pick her up soon.

8 year olds being midwives? Ha! What a joke.

"Mother, I have your pills," His mother looked up weakly from the worn out bed frame and stared at him with pained amber eyes. 

"Mmmm...Tetchou...is that you?" She coughed hoarsely, as if hacking up a hairball. 

"Mother please rest." Tetchou ordered, filling a glass of water from the run down sink in their house and popping out a pill for her.

"D-don't" She wheezed, "-worry about me, son. Go get Sayaka, y-" She coughed again, "-your father will be home shortly." 

Tetchou exited the house and head back down to Takayama where he found Sayaka waiting outside, her uniform draped in sweat and chemical stains, she clutched her work bag with sweaty, red hands and a towel pushing her brown hair back, a few pieces of sweaty strands clung to her sleek face, her bright amber eyes shone with energy, unlike the rest of her, as she spoke with her co-worker, about her age, a girl named Midori Kaigara.

She smiled and puckered her lips as she saw Tetchou. "Nii-sama! Your just in time! Onee-sama made some karaage from the meeting this morning, you should have some." 

Tetchou shook his head, "I'm fine, no worries." 

Sayaka put her hand over his sweaty forehead, "Your burning up." She rummaged in her bag and took out a clothe and draped it in cold, icy water and pushed it under his messy bangs. 

"You don't want to end up like mom, now." She said sternly, unlikely for her young age.

Tetchou grunted, "I don't intend to. We best get going now." Sayaka waved at Midori quickly before almost tripping over her gown catching up to Tetchou.

"Nii-sama, wait up!" She panted, clutching her gown as she tiptoed over the tree roots, her tote bag slapping her side wildly.

Tetchou kept his eyes straight, "How was work?" Sayaka caught her breath, "I....I....It was g..good...but..." she panted and looked up at him.

"Onee-sama wants to make me an official worker!" She announced. 

Tetchou furrowed his brow, "That's ridiculous. Your 8. That's hardly an age to even be pedaling a bike to school by yourself ." 

Sayaka looked up at him, "But it's a good chance! I'll get more money to help out the family!" She protested, throwing her arms up.

Tetchou swept his hair back into a tight, slick mess of sweat. "It's a hard job, Saya. I know you've been doing it for a year now, but it's the dangers that await you there. There's-"

Sayaka interrupted, "I know! I know! There's been countless Yakuza in and out of here lately, but I'm mature now, Nii-sama. I can take care of myself." She huffed proudly.

Tetchou sighed, "One day you'll realize I'm right."

He jolted as two small arms wrapped around him. 

"But if I do get in a danger one day, I want you to save me Nii-sama. Your my hero, my big brother!"

Tetchou smiled warmly at his little sister. "Of course, I'd never let anything happen to you."

Sayaka's stomach growled. "Hmmm...I think I brought some karaage!" She pulled out a paper bag and popped a few small pieces of karaage into her mouth. 

"Eat some," she offered, "You need your strength if your gonna protect me!"

Tetchou shook his head and ate a few, "Ridiculous. Save the rest for mother and father."

Sayaka skipped along the dirt path back to their old rustic cabin where their mother was brewing some hot lemon tea.

"Oh. T..Tetchou, Sa..ya..ka, you're back?" She limped over and combed her fingers through her daughter's hair. "How w..as work..k?"

Sayaka smiled happily, "It was great! Onee-sama wants to give me a promotion!" 

Her mother smiled back, "T-that's great..t...y-you'll be an amazing d-doc...tor.." 

Sayaka clasped her mother's hands. "And when I do, I'll find a cure for your sickness!"

Her mother chuckled softly, "I believe in y-you...my dear." She replied, pushing back Sayaka's hair and pushing a porcelain cup of hot tea to her lips.

Tetchou took out a worn down, messy mop and a scarred, plastic bucket full of water and cleaning chemicals. "I'll go clean the kitchen." He said, hauling the wooden mop to the soiled kitchen tiles and pressing the water down firmly in between, and pushing it back and forth until tiny little crumbs of dirt popped out. 

"N-no need Tetchou, I'll do it.." His mother struggled to lean against the counter. 

"No mother, you're too ill right now, you need to rest." Sayaka said sternly, resting her against her small mattress. 

Her mother smiled warmly, "Oh, Lord. Whatever did I do to deserve such kind children? I truly am blessed."