Seiji

Thirteen

Thirteen: Girlfriend, Life, End.

I heard the beeping of the medical machines that were surrounding the room. Tsukasa laid in the bed soundly. I heard the door opening slowly, and I saw it was Takumi. He rushed over to me.

"Is he okay?"

"Yeah, he's okay now."

"Thank god." He pulled a spare chair from the room, and sat next to me. "Your brother is a fighter."

"I know."

I wanted so badly to ask Takumi why his so called 'girlfriend' wasn't here, but I knew I would only get upset.

"Is there something you want to ask?" He looks at me.

"Where is...she?"

Takumi sighs. "The girl in the photos you mean?"

"Yeah."

"She's apparently scared, and Tsukasa told her not to ever visit. Your brother is weird."

"Then she doesn't really love him."

"She does, but I guess she's scared. I don't blame her. I mean...I'm losing my best friend. It will be a tough road ahead." He looks down as if he was about to cry. Takumi never cried in front of me before. I wouldn't know how to react if he did.

"He will be okay." I said, knowing perfectly well I am lying to myself.

"Yeah."

"So is that girl his girlfriend?"

"Yes. I'm amazed he didn't tell you."

My heart ached. Takumi was right. He didn't tell me. He kept avoiding it. "Yep." I mumbled.

"Takumi...?" Tsukasa finally awoke.

"Hey buddy, you okay?" Takumi touched Tsukasa's arm.

"I am now. Seiji...thank you for being here." He says weakly. "I can't wait to go home today. I do want a favor to ask of you two."

"Anything." I said.

"I want to dye, and cut my hair black. I don't want to have dyed hair right now."

I knew he wanted to die naturally. Hearing him say things so indirectly made my heart sting badly. I tried to maintain my poker face in front of him, and Takumi.

"Gotcha." Takumi nods.

"I'll take him." I offered. My brain was all over the place.

"Okay?" Takumi looked as if he was shocked.

======

Tsukasa came out of the salon with shorter black hair. He looked like a whole new person. Handsome I must say.

I don't want you to leave me. I thought to myself. I didn't want him to change, but I wanted to make him happy.

"Why didn't that girl visit yo-"

"Stop it Seiji!" He raised his voice.

"Why?"

"Stop asking!" He looked pained. "I met her in a club, and I fell for her okay? I didn't want her to visit me because I don't want to see her sad."

"So it's okay if I am sa-"

"You are my brother! I expect you to be there. She is my girlfriend!"

"Then why don't you tell me!"

"Shut up! I don't want to talk about her." He looks away. He seemed pretty riled up, and I've never really seen that. Why is he hiding her for?

"Are you ashamed?"