The Golden Pear [YA - Featured]

♫~Notes 99~♫

 Saturday had come, and as usual, they visited Sato's farm. Only this time, their smiles lacked the cheerfulness. Mrs. Sato-san didn't need long to figure out that something bad had happened with Kagetsu missing.

She understood he could fear horses after the incident with Rocket. However, not even the wildest nightmare would prepare her for what had happened to the boy.

"Oh, my!" She gasped as Rigaku finished the simple story.

He didn't exclude his brilliant jump from the third floor. Falling from stairs wouldn't work, and he didn't want to lie to such a wonderful couple.

"We came, so we could help as always," Aiyoku said, breaking the brief silence that filled the kitchen.

"Yes, physical work cleanse the mind," the oldest Kamini added, and Freya nodded.

"There is always work here," Mr. Sato-san agreed. "But don't overdo it. An exhausted body can't help the tired mind to recover."

"We'll keep it in mind."

Rigaku didn't change into his working clothes since his arm prevented him from helping, so he checked on the webpage, uploaded new pictures, and reminded Satos how to edit and add pages.

He wasn't excellent with graphical software, and the computer was too old to run anything complex, but he managed to apply simple changes to some photographs. He added effects like glitter, floating hearts, or vintage style, but Satos' eyes turned into big plates. For them, he was a wizard.

A ding came later from the kitchen, and a delicious aroma spread across the whole small house. It awoke Rigaku from his thoughts, lifting him from his squeaky chair. Like an animal, he sniffed and followed the sweet scent.

"Just in time!" Mr. Sato-san winked at him as she closed the oven. On the baking tray stood another tray, but with pockets filled with dough.

Rigaku had never seen this type of tray, so his curiosity got the best of him, and he came closer, watching over her shoulder like a small kid. One by one, she took out the baked goods that sat inside small cupcakes baskets of a sort.

Mrs. Sato-san let him observe her. The curiosity of a puppy brought a smile to her face as she decorated the small cakes with cream and strawberries. Finishing them, Rigaku's stomach rumbled.

"S-Sumimasen..." he mumbled, hiding his head between his shoulders.

"Why are you apologizing?" She gave him another smile. "I'm happy they make you hungry. You look too thin." Her critical eye scanned him from floor to top of his head. "You should eat more. Walking outside will also do good for you."

She placed all the muffins, he now recognized on a plate. Silly of him being confused because he didn't see them in their finished form.

'There is so much I need to learn.'

Following the invisible gong, the rest of the group gathered around the table, sharing the delicious treat. Mr. Sato-san told them about a small construction company that promised to fix the stable for a reasonable price. All they needed was to keep an ad for this company somewhere visible to get a nice sale.

Rigaku agreed and offered to get a sponsor or two whose logos would be on the webpages. That could help both sides to gain customers and people to know about them.

Mrs. Sato-san added a story of how she had sold her muffins outside of the farm. They didn't have time to cool down how fast they were gone. Since then, she baked a tray or two of them, covering the cost and earning a bit for the farm.

After almost all the muffins were eaten, the group had to say goodbye for the day, since they intended to visit Kagetsu in the hospital. Mrs. Sato-san packed the rest with them. Perhaps the aroma could bring the youngest brother back to them.

\\_(''>_<'')_//

In the hospital, nothing changed. Kagetsu remained on life support, sleeping an endless dream. The numbers on screens were at least in normal, so he didn't suffer from nightmares, and his health didn't worsen.

No matter how long they wanted to stay, the hospital had its order. They bid their farewell, leaving small presents behind for their brother and friend to know they care for him.

Outside of the room, they turned their back, heading back. Whatever warmth the muffins brought them, it was all seeped by the icy walls.

Little did they know a new visitor was heading into Kagetsu's room, outside of visitor's hour under special permission. One they could expect, but never thought he would come. Missing him by a few minutes, he entered the silent room.

The same scenery greeted him, but instead of coldness, he was wrapped into a warm hug. A vase full of flowers sat on the table, with a stack of books under it. Muffin on a small plate rested next to the novels. Its delicious aroma filled the man's nose to the brim. The cards wishing quick recovery sat among them.

But none of it caught his eye as a plush jester resting next to Kagetsu. The man didn't recognize this toy. He sat down on the chair that was still lukewarm from Aiyoku sitting there.

"Hello, my child," Kagetsu's father had spoken. "How are you doing?" His voice shivered. "From what I've heard, you are doing fine. You have even gained good friends."

The glitter of his tears reflected in the sun rays.

"I'm happy for you, my da... child. It feels so long since I've heard you being so cheerful."

His father clenched his fists he rested on his knees. His posture, despite showing age, sat straightened up. Not even a virus of cold would dare to come close now. Fire and rain danced in his eyes, fighting for the best spot.

"They informed me about what had happened to you." A thin streak of water slid down his cheek. The first drop landed on his fist. "What made you come closer to water? Did somebody push you? Did you jump off your own will?"

He took a deep inhale.

"Have you tried to conquer your fear to be strong? Strong as I always told you?" Lowering his head, he didn't try to stop tears from falling. "I should have never said that! I only wished for you to have a brave heart. To live your life without regrets!"

He let the pitter-patter of his tears shoo the silence for a few moments.

"I know... you may not hear me now. It's alright if you or your brothers are angry at me. I wasn't the best father I could be. I pushed you in directions you didn't like, yet you followed to fulfill my expectations."

Taking our a handkerchief, he wiped out the tears. The calm on his face lasted only for a couple of seconds.

"I should have declined the Golden Pear when it appeared. I shouldn't have been such a coward!" He dug his fingers into his knees, almost cracking them.

"No child should pay for the sins of their father!"