Hiroshi stopped outside his mother's hospital room. He looked through the small hole in the door. She was sitting up in bed. Her hair had gone thin. Face pale. But her eyes were open. That was enough comfort for him. He smiled slightly.He pushed the door open.Emiko turned her head. Her whole expression changed when she saw him. Her eyes lit up in joy. Those tired eyes."You came." Her voice was thin. But warm."Always mama. I have missed you." Hiroshi pulled the chair close to the bed and sat down. He took her hand. It was cold. The bones felt closer to the surface than he remembered."How are you feeling?" he said."Better. The doctors say I'm improving."Hiroshi smiled. "Good to hear." His voice came out hoarse."It's good to see you." She looked at his face and frowned. "You look tired. Have you been overworking again?"Hiroshi laughed."Stop it. I'm fine.""You always say that.""Because I always am. Okay. Relax."Emiko squeezed his hand. "What are you doing to yourself?""Nothing

Ren bounced the ball against the pavement. His sneakers squeaked. The sun was hot that morning. Sweat dripped down his face."Yo, Ren!" a voice called out. "Stop showing off and pass the ball."Ren laughed. “You called for it.” He spun around. He passed the ball to his friend, Takeshi. Takeshi caught it and shot. The ball swished right through the net."Yeppy. That's what I'm talking about bro!" Takeshi shouted. He pumped his fist in the air. His face was split in a wide grin.Ren jogged over. He slapped Takeshi's hand. "Lucky shot.""Lucky? That was all skill."The other players jogged over. They were all grinning. Sweating. Breathing hard. One of them, a tall guy named Ryo, grabbed a water bottle and sprayed it in the air."Best game… we've had in weeks," Ryo said. "You've been holding out on us, Ren."Ren shrugged. He wiped his face with the back of his hand. "I been…been practicing.""Practicing?" Takeshi laughed. "You've been disappearing for weeks. Where have you been hiding?"

"Drink," Ren said with a lightheaded voice.He slid the glass across the table. The liquid sloshed against the sides and the ice in it clinked.Hiroshi looked at the glass. Then at Ren and replied with a serious face, "No.""Come on man. You need to relax.""I don't drink." He said firmly.Ren leaned back. He took a sip of his own drink. "That's what you think. But tonight, you do. Tonight, you are going to let loosen up. Tonight, you are going to have fun."Hiroshi shook his head. "I have things to do. Work.""C’mon man. You always have things to do. Invisible things." Ren gestured at the club. The dancing. The laughing. The people who were dancing aware their sorrows. "Look at them. They are enjoying life. You should try it."Hiroshi looked at the glass. His jaw was tight. His fingers were drumming against his knee."I shouldn't," he said."Why not? Because…" Ren leaned forward. "Hiroshi. You have been working nonstop. You have not slept in days. You have been running around the cit

Hiroshi pushed open the door to his mother's room and went inside.The machines were beeping softly and steadily. The curtains were open. Sunlight was coming through. It hit the white sheets and made everything look brighter than it was.Emiko was sitting up. Her color looked better. Not healthy yet but better. The tube was still in her neck but her eyes were clearer. It didn't look pale and tired compared to the last time he was there.When she saw him, her whole face changed. Her eyes lit up in joy and a smile spread across her lips."There he is," she said. Her voice was weak. But warm. "I was wondering when you would come."Hiroshi walked to her bed and leaned down. He kissed her forehead. Her skin was warm."I was going to come, mother. You shouldn't be stressing yourself thinking about me," he said."Could have fooled me." She patted the bed next to her. "Sit. Tell me everything."He sat on the edge of her bed and took her hand. "What do you want to know?""Everything. What have