Chapter 120

Len.

Sunday ended, just like that, and Monday passed by, too. I didn't visit my mother on Monday because she insisted that I stay at home. She was getting better, too, so I was fine with that.

Rin was always beside me, helping me out. The thing is, even though I knew my mom was recuperating and that she'd be back on her feet in no time, the accident had scarred me, whether I wanted it to or not. I couldn't concentrate on things very well anymore; my mind kept wandering. Rin was there at those times, pushing me forward and helping me keep my head up. If it weren't for her, I would've probably gone crazy because of my mother.

I think it hurt more than it normally would because my mom and I weren't very close. I missed her and didn't like it at all when she wouldn't be in her room, sleeping. I knew she was working to secure our future, but I wanted her to be a part of my future; I didn't want a future where she worked herself to bits. That wouldn't be bright at all.

The accident really did bring us closer. I talked to my mom more than I ever had. I learned so much about her, and she learned so much about me, her son. It was strange how we had lived our lives for so many years without really knowing each other.

After school, on Tuesday, Rin and I left school, talking and laughing. Miku and Kaito were tagging along and we split up at the exit.

"Are your ready?" Rin asked, pulling me towards her car, "You wanted to go to the hospital, right?"

I nodded and she opened the door, getting in. I followed and put an arm around her shoulder. Kai started the car.

"After that, do you want to go for a walk?" I asked, grinning and pulling her close. She giggled and nodded.

"We could sit by the river down in the valley," she suggested, "It's really pretty down there in the summer."

"Alright," I said, pulling her close for a kiss.

Her face flushed and we kissed slowly, closing our eyes and forgetting our surroundings. I tasted oranges on Rin's lips and I wondered if she tasted bananas on mine.

"Let's continue later," she pushed me back playfully and gestured towards the window. We were almost at the hospital.

Once Kai had parked the car, Rin pushed the door open and pulled me out, laughing as I yelped and crashed into her.

"Tag!" She tapped my shoulder and sprinted towards the entrance.

"Hey!" I ran after her, knowing full well how immature it was to be playing tag around a parking lot and in a hospital.

She was still a few feet ahead of me, pushing the hospital's glass entrance doors open and giggling as she turned a corner. I dashed towards her, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her back.

"Gotcha!" I teased. She laughed and we headed towards the stairs.

"Wanna race?" She looked at me mischievously. I was already a little tired from my sudden sprint, but this was too much fun. I nodded and we both readied ourselves.

"On the count of three," I glanced at her, "One, two...three!"

We both bolted forward and up the stairs, climbing as fast as we could and leaving behind loud, thunderous sounds as our feet met the steps in unison.

"Third floor, third floor!" I said between breaths, trying to get ahead. It didn't work; Rin was really fast. She stopped at the third floor and fell to her knees, panting and grinning. I sighed and stumbled towards a corner, leaning against the wall.

"I win!" Rin exclaimed. I nodded, my heart pounding in my ears.

"Let's go," I said, offering her my hand. She took it, getting to her feet. We walked down the hall and to my mother's room. Kiyoteru was standing by the door.

"She's asleep," he said with a frown, "Len, there are some forms that need to be looked at..."

"Okay," I nodded as he led us into the room. I spotted my mom with her eyes closed, chest heaving rhythmically. There was a small office attached to that room and Kiyoteru began leading me there. Suddenly, he stopped and glanced at Rin.

"It'd be better if she stayed here," he said. I shot him a questioning look, "It's nothing much. She'll still be able to see you."

He gestured towards the doorframe and I understood. If Rin stood by my mother, she's still be able to see me.

"It's just some...confidential things," he explained, "Please."

I nodded and started to follow him when Rin stopped me, grabbing my shoulders and pulling me close. She kissed my lips quickly and smiled.

"It's going to be alright," she assured. I nodded and followed Dr. Kiyoteru into the room.

He rummaged through a shelf and pulled out a file that was easily two inches thick. With a sharp exhale, he put it down on the white table that separated me and him.

"Len, there's quite a few forms that need to be looked at," he began, "Now, I know you're still young, and your mother has taken a look at a few of them. I got them all out this morning, you see. But, the thing is..."

He paused and sighed, rubbing his temples, appearing stressed. "Apologies. Every time I see you, I can't help but feel sorry."

I chuckled and put my hands in my pockets. "Are the forms really that bad, doctor?"

"N-Not the forms," he exhaled, unable to make eye contact, "Len, your mother is extremely ill. She has cancer."

My heart stopped.

Gumi.

I was at Yuma's place, sitting with him out in his balcony and drinking some carrot juice that he had made for me with his juicer. As I glugged the stuff down, he watched me with an amused smile on his face and a napkin in his hands.

"You don't have to wipe my face," I smirked, putting the empty glass down. He leaned forward and wiped it anyways. I squirmed and gave him a hard time.

"Are you going to keep eating carrots now?" Yuma asked. I sighed and nodded.

"They're so good!" I exclaimed. He laughed and ruffled my hair, kissing my nose as he did it.

"Maybe I shouldn't have given you that carrot during the fireworks," he said. I frowned.

"Then I'd miss out on something amazing."

"Hey, I'm kidding," he bonked my head and I yelped. He chuckled and I pouted, eyeing the black beanie on his head and swiftly pulling it off.

"Hey!" He tried to grab it but I held it out of reach, falling back and laughing as he climbed over me and grasped at his hat, "Gumi!"

"Nope!" I laughed. He sighed and started to tickle me under the ribs, catching me by surprise. His hat slipped from my hands and I started squirming and laughing like crazy, trying to get away, "S-Stop, stop!"

His legs held mine down. I grabbed his hat and smacked his face with it, making him fall. I sat up and hugged the beanie to my chest, giggling and grinning evilly. He frowned and I swiftly put it inside my shirt.

"You'll never get it now!" I crossed my arms. He paused and looked at me suggestively, making me turn red, "Okay, okay!"

I pulled it out of my shirt and threw it at his head. He pulled it on just before my phone buzzed.

"Hello?" I pulled it out, "Rin?"

"Gumi, I don't know what's wrong!" Rin sounded like she was freaking out, "He's just not..."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" I said, "Slow down, Rin, calm down! What's wrong?"

"Len! He was talking to the doctor and he suddenly just f-fell to his knees and now he's not reacting to anything and..."

"Rin!" I yelled. She stopped talking. I heard her sniff and could practically see her crying, "We're coming. Don't worry, just hang on, okay?"

"R-Right...," she whimpered, "Gumi, I'm shaking his shoulders but he just won't look at me, he's..."

"Rin, I swear, we'll be there," I assured her, "You need to calm down."

Yuma scooted over beside me and examined my expression, which must have been pretty worrisome, too. "What's wrong?"

"Something's wrong with Len," I whispered, "Hospital, now."

"Right," he nodded and I kept Rin on the line, listening to her sob.

"Len, Len...please..."

"Rin, I'm going to hang up now," I said, "But don't worry. Yuma and I will be there as soon as we can."

"Okay," she croaked hoarsely, "Okay..."

Rin.

"Dr. Kiyoteru, please!" I begged, holding Len close, even though he wasn't reacting, "What's wrong with him?"

"He's...he's in shock," Kiyoteru whispered, "You see, his mother has cancer. I told him and he..."

"What?" I burst out, "She has what?"

"Rin, please calm down!" He pulled a chair over and insisted that I take a seat, "Len will be fine, you just need to make him take a seat. His mother, on the other hand..."

"No, no...," I sobbed into Len's shoulder and looked into his blank blue eyes. His lips were parted slightly and he felt like a doll in my arms, "No...please, no...not Len's mother, too..."

How do you like my Writer's Hammer? Nice, huh?
This chapter wasn't supposed to end here. I wanted to maximize shock value, that's why I cut it here.
This one was hard to pace, because I initially wanted 'something' to be wrong with Len, then I wanted to lead you into the whole 'his mom has cancer' thing. Ah, well, it works, anyway...
Vote, comment, tell me how much you want to kill me, whatever.
I'll see you next chapter! ^___^