The One I Call Usagi-san...

The Perfect Gift...

Misaki's POV

I ignored both of the men in the car, who were sitting beside me. Their constant worry was making me uncomfortable begging them to hear my response to their question. "Are you okay? Misaki..." I look back at them and told them that I was. "Yes. I am fine. Please don't worry about me." In reality; I was not. The dream I had unlocked all my guilt I had and with that, I looked out the window without speaking to them. I felt my body heating up as my head becomes lightheaded. 

The car drove silently after the two had given up on asking me about my feelings. I then saw my house and attempted to open the door. It's locked. My nose feels itchy. "Achoo!" Oh no. Not another cold. I felt Takahiro's eyes stare at me, putting holes through my back, "I knew it. You did catch a cold!" Takahiro forcefully opens the door to let himself out. He opened my door with ease and began to cradle me in his arms. I struggle for a moment, telling him to let me go. I tried until an uneasy feeling of nausea swept over me. I couldn't move and fell asleep in his arms.

Takahiro's POV

Misaki. Please answer my question. As your big brother, I need to know if you're okay. I spoke once again as he stared out the window. "Are you okay? Misaki..." He stares back at me and gave me a gentle smile. "Yes. I'm fine. Please don't worry about me." Why must you continue to suffer alone? You have me, so why not use me to help you. Sighing in defeat, I left him alone, knowing I wouldn't get the truth out of him. 

We waited for what seemed forever as silence filled the whole car. Snow was beginning to stick, just in time for this year's festival. I smile at myself but at the same time, I felt worried for Misaki. We finally approached the front of our house, where I was greeted with lights shining from the windows. 

I look at Misaki, who is struggling to get the door open. Poor Misaki, the lock is still on the door. "Achoo!" I turn my head towards the sound and see Misaki's face flush red as he rubs his nose. "I knew it! You did catch a cold!" On a sudden brother impulse, I ran to the other side of the car to get Misaki out of the car.

I cradled him in my arms and began to make my way up the stairs. He struggled to break free telling me to put him down. I decline and he finally gave up, knowing I would win. His face flushed red and fell asleep in my arms as I began to reach the front door. I look back to see Akihiko running towards me.

"Is Misaki okay? He doesn't look so good." I looked down on Misaki and nodded. "He's alright. He's lucky he has no school until next year." I sigh in relief. Akihiko satisfied with this answer, waved back at him as he headed for his car. "Well, take care and I hope he feels better soon. I look forward to the festival next week."

"Okay! See you then!" I smile at him as he left. I finally rang the doorbell, since I had no hands to reach for my keys in my pocket. That's right. Christmas is next week. The door was opened by my smiling mother who looks down at Misaki. "Eh...Misaki!" She takes Misaki off my hands and walks off with him. "Ah. Welcome back Takahiro! Thanks for picking up Misaki-chan!" She looks down at Misaki and her eyes widen with the sudden heat emitting from him.

"Come in! We don't want someone else to catch a cold too." She says teasingly as she pulls me in. She sets Misaki into his bed and took off his jacket. She presses the back of her hand on his forehead and shakes her head. "Takahiro, can you get me the fever reducer medicine and a cold towelette. We need to get Misaki's body temperature a little lower. Oh! Also the thermometer please."

She stares back down at Misaki, who was now shivering. I grabbed the requested materials and return to the room. My mom gently kisses his forehead as Misaki lets out a whimper. "My dear Misaki. You poor thing. Take as long as you need to feel better." She grabs the medicine and pours a little on the spoon. 

"Misaki..." She whispers into his ear. He slowly began to open his eyes as he observes his surroundings. She looked down in shock once a tear began to roll his cheek. "Oh, poor Misaki. Please open your mouth. I have some medicine for you." She gently pushes the spoon against his mouth as he began to open wide.

He swallowed the medicine until there was none left on the spoon. Misaki then fell back to sleep, peacefully snoring. She later motions for me to get out of the room as she follows behind me. She closes the door and we were all sitting in the living room.

"Okay Takahiro, now let's get down to business!" My dad clenches his fist in front of me as my mother began laughing. "Okay! So...what shall we get him this year?" Everyone thought hard about what they should get Misaki for this year. Every would normally have a meeting as to who was getting what. This year was rare to get the chance to discuss since Misaki was normally with us. Now that he is sick, we could discuss freely instead of meeting up at a local store.

 "Hmmm...let's think for a sec. What does Misaki enjoy?" I ask. "Well we know he wants to take a liking to cooking and eventually baking. Let's get him some books about the two! He also enjoys manga but I am unsure what the manga he liked was called..." My dad places a hand on his head and began to rub it, trying to think.

"I don't know the name of the book but I know where he stashes it!" I exclaimed as I raced towards the room. I poke my head through the crack of the door and quietly tiptoed across his room and met with his bookcase. It was quite dark to see in his room since he was sleeping, so I grabbed a few of the books, hoping to get the book I needed. 

This book feels really heavy. This one, however, this one feels really light. I'll take them both since I'm curious. I sneaked out of the sleeping Misaki's room, hearing his little snores. I gave him a smile and closed the door behind me.

"I got it!" We all silently cheered, hoping not to wake Misaki up. "Well, let's see his books!" My mother reaches her hand out patiently waiting for the books to be placed in her hands. I look down only to be bombarded by the book's cover. "Eto....can any of you guys...speak or read... English?" I rub the back of my head in embarrassment while passing the book to them.

Their eyes go wide at the sight of the books that were bestowed upon them. "Um...no." My mother blushes at her response and gives the book to my father. "Wait! There's hope for us! On the bottom of the book, it says there's a Japanese translation of the book!" We all silently cheered at the beautiful kanji characters at the bottom.

Having the other book in my hand, I flip through the pages as my parents begin to read the other book. This book was more of a cookbook than a manga. I noticed there was one page with a sticky note hanging out. I flipped to that page only to be shown a giant red and green cake.

The note read 'This will be a great Christmas so make this Misaki! You can do it and make your parents proud! As well as Nii-chan!' I smile down at the paper and began to blush a little about the small boy's thoughts.

"What do you have there Takahiro?" My mother looks at me with happiness in her eyes and curiosity at the book I was holding. They can't know. Misaki probably planned this for them...as well as me. Dang it...I ruined my surprise. I turn my head towards her as I made a clever Idea.

"This book is from the library and it seems overdue. I'll return it to the library so he doesn't get fined." My dad raises his eyebrow at me. "You are going to return a book for your brother? Shouldn't he know about this so he doesn't freak out about losing the book?" He crossed his arms and gave me a serious expression.

"I'll get it renewed, so he can't tell I took the book." I cleverly made an excuse only to buy the materials needed for the cake. As my parents continued reading the book, astonished by the English, I made my way towards the kitchen and looked through the cabinets. We have eggs and flour but no frosting and sugar. I head out the kitchen and towards the front door.

"I'll be back. I won't be long." I step outside as I heard my parents tell their goodbye's. As I stepped out, the beautiful white moon shone through the clouds. "Such a beautiful view."