THE IMMORTAL'S FRIEND

Chapter 25: Hiro & Hina

Third Person's POV

flashback~

When Galen lost his parents in year 2016, he was taken to the Smile Orphanage as he doesn't have any relatives around to take care of him.

He just turned sixteen when he was introduced to the other kids in the orphanage and he got shy because he is taller than all of the kids living there. Galen thought he's too old to play with them but when he met Hiro, the guy who is the same age as him, he realized that what he thought was wrong.

"You shouldn't be shy around us. You can play with us whenever you like because from now on, you are part of our family. You should smile because that is what this house is about." His eyes sparkled when he heard that. Those words have melted his heart like a snow melting by mid March.

It made him realize that if you want to start over again, the best way to do it is to start the day with a smile.

Hiro has always been so kind to him. He was his first ever best friend. He has a younger sister who has cute bangs and two dimples on her cheeks. Hiro introduced her to him as Hina. Hina is only nine years old. Like Hiro, she also has a pretty smile.

He became friends with all of the kids inside the orphanage but he got more closer with the two siblings.

Because he is good at art, he taught Hina how to draw. But Hina prefers to ask him to draw her favorite cartoon character rather than doing it herself. Hina only likes to draw when she's alone. She doesn't want to show her drawings to anyone because she said she wants to show it once she's already confident on her skills.

Galen and Hiro respected her decision and patiently waited for Hina to finally have that confidence without forcing her.

Whenever they have free time, Hiro would go to Galen and teach him how to sew clothes and do some crochet. Galen is a fast learner so he immediately learned how to do all of it without a sweat. Months have passed, winter is approaching so Galen decided to make two scarves for Hiro and Hina.

"Is Santa real?" Hina asked while all of the kids were busy decorating the Christmas tree inside the orphanage.

Galen and Hiro both looked at each other before they looked at Hina at the same time with a smile.

"Of course, Santa is real, Hina. You can ask him what gift you want to receive this Christmas and he'll give it to you if you'll behave and continue to be a good girl." Hiro answered.

Hina's innocent eyes sparkled in excitement.

"Then, can I wish for Santa to bring our mommy back?" she asked.

Galen noticed Hiro's smile instantly faded. He saw his eyes glimmer with sadness and seeing his friend like that made his heart sad.

"Santa can't bring back someone who's already dead, Hina. You can wish for something else." Hiro answered. His voice sounded hurt even though he tried to hide it for Hina not to notice.

Rather than wishing for someone to return from the dead, she can just wish for herself to be healthy so she would live longer.

It is always fine to wish for yourself and not just for someone else.

"What is your wish, brother?" Hina asked after a moment of silence while her head was facing down.

It took a minute before Hiro could answer his sister's question.

"I wish for you to live longer and have a brighter future," he replied.

It's true that you can always wish for yourself, but wishing for someone who is dear to you is the best way to make you feel at ease.

His voice was soft, it was a genuine answer. Galen can't help but to admire Hiro for being a sweet and caring brother to his little sister. If he also has a younger sister, he would probably treat her the way Hiro treats Hina.

Christmas came in a flash that year and Galen wished for Hiro and Hina to be happier in the future. He wanted them to be happier and he promised himself that he would do everything to make it happen.

##

When Hina got sick, both of them got so worried. It's rare for Hina to get a fever so Hiro can't help but to panic. He hopes he's the one who caught a fever and not his sister. He hoped he was in Hina's position right now, however, Galen calmed him down even though the guy himself is also panicking from the inside.

"Hina will be okay, let's not worry too much, Hiro." Galen whispered after tapping his friend's shoulder.

Hiro cried.

"I can't stop myself worrying, Galen. What if it is not just a simple fever? If I also lost Hina, I don't know what to do anymore. I can die in her place just for her to live longer. I don't want to see her like this."

"What do you mean you can die in her place, Hiro? No one is going to die here, okay? Don't say something like that. Such a thing won't happen." he said.

He would never let it happen.

Galen promised to himself that he would protect Hiro and Hina and all the kids inside the orphanage. He would protect them all because they are his family.

He won't let the new family he found be taken away from him.

It took Hina 4 days before she totally recovered from the fever. She slowly opened her eyes and got surprised when she saw her two brothers sleeping on both of her sides. Galen is holding her left hand while Hiro is holding her right hand.

She smiled while looking at them. Her two brothers really care for her. They love her so much.

Her mother might not be in this world anymore, but having two loving brothers are more than enough. Hina couldn't ask for more.

Hina sat carefully and slowly moved her head to plant a soft kiss on both of her brothers' cheeks. After doing that, she went down on the bed without making any noise so she wouldn't wake them up.

She stared at her two brothers for a minute before she quietly walks towards her table to get her sketchpad and crayons and went outside to draw something.

Her two brothers got awaken the exact time she finished coloring the drawing. The two got shocked when for the very first time, Hina excitedly showed her drawing to them and the two eventually smiled after seeing it.

It was a drawing of three people smiling.

It's them...

Hiro knelt down to hug Hina on his arms. Galen didn't think twice to join them on the hug.

He hope they could always smile like on Hina's drawing forever.