Wandering outside in the cold snow, Haruka was staring at the sky covered with white clouds. It was snowing, and really cold out. So, he was dressed in warm winter clothes. He wore a blue, button up coat, grey gloves, snow pants, that was the color of Haruka's eyes, and a pink scarf that didn't even go with his outfit. But he didn't care. He had his tiny, gloved hands in his pockets, letting small snow flakes hit his red face. He was thinking. Thinking about why his parents decided to leave him, and why they left him with a complete stranger. Why didn't they warn him first? Why didn't they tell him anything about the person who he was adopted by?

"Haru?" A gentle and kind voice called out. "Your hot chocolate is ready," it said. 'It' was Makoto Tachibana. His now adoptive father, who was a bit young to be a parent. But that's because Makoto looks like a high schooler, and Haru didn't know what age he was, nor did he really care as much.

Haruka slowly made his way inside, taking off his wet boots and socks. He left them on the mat in front of the door, and took off his coat, scarf, and gloves, putting them in the wash. Haruka, for a ten year old, is a very responsible individual.

Makoto was sitting at the table, reading some book with his own cup of hot chocolate placed on a coaster. His house was exceptionally clean, too clean. Everything was neat and placed in an orderly manner, and it smelled like a beach. Haruka did help with chores even though he doesn't have to, but he did it anyway just because he would be bored when he's on his own. Though, he's not on his own half the time.

Haruka crawled up onto the chair and sat down, his hands red from being cold. Makoto smiled warmly at Haruka and his green eyes beamed. "Did you take your medicine this morning?" He asked and took a small sip of his hot chocolate.

Haruka shook his head. "I forgot.." He said quietly, truthfully not liking the tiny pills he had to take from his doctor, who would also be Makoto. "They don't taste good," he said simply and looked up at Makoto, then back down at his cup. He stared at the extra marshmallows he put in it and slowly picked up the cup, taking a sip.

"Ah..Haru.." He sighed and shook his head. "You know you have to take them so you can keep your energy up, and not get so sick," he said softly and stood up. He went upstairs to the bathroom and grabbed a bottle of pills, coming back down with them to give to Haruka. He got two of the tiny substances into his hand and gave them to him. "Drink it with your hot chocolate," he said.

Haruka stared at the small things in his red hand and put them in his mouth quickly, trying to make them not melt in his mouth, but they did before he could wash them down, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. "Ew.." He whimpered and stared drinking a few more sips to get the bad taste out of his mouth.

Makoto sighed. "Plug your nose next time. You won't taste it," he laughed and sat back down.

This was a typical day at the household. But a bad day? Would be when Haruka was sick, which is a lot..

2:00am.

Makoto was sleeping in his bed, his back to the door. Makoto had thought that Haruka was okay for that day, but once again, he hid how he was feeling, and was sick the whole time. Therefore, a sharp cough could be heard from Haruka's room, right across from Makoto's room, making him jolt up. His heart was beating quickly since he got so surprised by it. "Wa..?" He rubbed his eyes, and slowly stood up.

Haruka could be heard whimpering from his room, his body achy and just feeling weak. "D-Dad.." He called out for him, only calling Makoto by that title when he truly needed help. The only time he needed help before, was when he fell off of the chair and hurt himself. But now? Was a whole different case.

Makoto quickly moved to Haruka, kneeling down. "H-Haru..? Hey..what's wrong..?" He asked softly and moved his large hand, slowly moving some of the hair that was plastered to his face from sweat. "You're running a fever," he said, frowning. "And your cough..sounded.." He glanced at Haruka's clenched fist, like he was hiding something. "Open your hand for me please..?" He asked softly.

Haruka was hesitant, but he did, revealing splotches of blood. This made a shiver go down Makoto's spine, and panic. The disease he had wasn't supposed to cause him to cough up blood.

Makoto picked up the small, freezing boy and wrapped a blanket around him. "Let's go to the hospital.." He said softly and slowly brought him downstairs and to the car. He placed the small child in the back, laying him down, and quickly got him to the hospital.

After 30 minutes or so of waiting, someone told Makoto what was wrong. "Bronchitis, but it's because of his autoimmune disease. He will need more medication and spend the night here. 24 hours of this medication should help him," the man said, sighing. "Did he take his medicine today, Makoto?" He man asked, being a coworker of Makoto's.

"He did..but it was way past his normal hour he takes it," he said softly. "I thought he would realize he would have to take it everyday, but obviously that didn't work," he sighed.

The man nodded, "Understandable. A parent trying to teach their child to remember things that are required. No harm in that, but?" He glanced back at Makoto. "Make sure you remind him a bit after he took it. Maybe an hour or so to make sure he actually did it, alright?"

Makoto nodded. "Thank you.." He said and slowly made his way to the child's room. Haruka was sleeping soundly, breathing heavily, but recovering very slowly. Makoto knew that he didn't like change, Haruka. But, he knew that he had to change something about the way he patented him. Was he too lenient? Was he too soft? Out of pity for his parents? Maybe, maybe not.

He had to figure out a way to protect the young Haruka, and his future, because if he didn't, he was sure Haruka may have a terrible future to come.