Chapter 3: Motivation
His feet take several large steps through the house. Quickly throwing his backpack on the ground, He stops in front of Kurai's bedroom door. taking a deep breath before walking in and over beside the bed. Kurai lays in his bed under his covers Looking away from Kaneko. An air of sorrow filling the room.
"Hey man… How are you doing…?" Kaneko reaches over and opening the bedside table. Kurai not moving.
"About the same as I've been for a while now…" kaneko sighs and digs through the drawer.
"Makes sense… Do you want any medicine, any pain anywhere?" Kurai sits up in his bed. His hair wasn't combed as his eyes were dull. Bags under them as he seems emotionless.
"Does my heart count?" Kaneko sighs and sits in a chair beside the bed. A med kit in hand.
"You know what I mean Kurai… Can you take off your shirt so I can check how your burns are healing?" Kurai stretches but not much as his back aches. He takes off the covers and lifting off his shirt.
"I take it Volleyball practice was the same as always?" Kaneko examines the burn scars on his back where the surgeons had to graft skin. His entire left leg covered in a big scar. Another smaller scar on his right cheek.
"Yeah, you could say that… i'm still kinda struggling to sync up with the setter since im still use to your setting" kurai flinches as Kaneko touches his back. Smearing a cream medication across it.
"It's honestly better for you to learn the new setter…" Kaneko squints as he grabs out a new wrap. Kurai aching in pain.
"why?" Kaneko starts wrapping the new cover across his back and leg.
"Cause i'm only just now starting to get the hang of walking at physical training… I might just give up on volleyball…" Kaneko clenches his fist on his leg.
"Wha- why?? You were so good at the sport why give up, is it what dad would want you to do!?" Kurai talks through his gritted teeth.
"Key word… Were… I used to be as good as dad… maybe better… everyone said that to me… now i'm bed-ridden unable to pick up a ball because dad died by playing volleyball!!" Kaneko's eyes widen as he's taken aback. He finishes wrapping as both his fists are clenched.
"He didn't Die from playing volleyball! He died helping others…!" Kurai slams his fist into the bed.
"IF YOU WEREN'T SO SELFISH... you would have realized by now that if dad never played volleyball we never would have gotten on a plane in the first place!!" Kaneko is slightly stunned as he can't find anything to say.
"That's- huh? J... just… if i can ask… just give the sport another chance… please i know that deep in your heart you still desire to play the sport… just please…" Kurai's long gray hair covers his eyes as he slowly unclenches his fist.
"We'll see… i've got physical training tomorrow… i'll see what the doctor says then…" there was silence as Kaneko relaxed in the chair.
"oh… okay… thanks for at least considering it man…" Kurai huffs as he lays back down shirtless.
"Can you stop calling me man? I'm your literal brother… your OLDER brother" Kaneko slightly chuckles before sighing as Kurai lifts his left leg up for Kaneko to check.
"Right… it's hard to believe it's been a few years… since then…" there's a Silence as Kurai sighs.
"yeah…" Kaneko hears something as he turns. Their mom stands in the doorway. Bags under her eyes. Her long, unkempt, black hair falling down her back. Her once bright smile no longer there. Kaneko standing and walking over to her.
"oh, hey mom… sorry about the screaming… I forgot you have a headache…" she reaches over and hugs Kaneko. The two hug for a bit as she breaks the hug.
"your fine Kurai, Kaneko… I just wanted to see what was going on here…" Kurai struggles a bit to turn. Sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I was… Kaneko was checking my Skin Grafts to see if they've healed any… and it was a bit painful… sorry for screaming…" she walks over to the bed beside Kurai. Kaneko following behind.
"I mean… it's a large injury… it's going to hurt but… I don't mind" she puts her hand on the bed and slowly sitting down. Kurai trying his best to help.
"you know, your dad was always the person who put others in front of himself… even if he got injured in the process… so when your dad jumped up and helped everyone calm down… he knew that there would probably a high chance of him losing his life or getting close to it… so when he said don't worry… I knew he had already accepted his death and didn't want you to worry about him… so do a favor for poor old Dad… and live your lives to their fullest for him… chase after your goals… cause you know what? Your dad won't be waiting for you at the end… he will be with you UNTIL the end… just as a guardian spirit… he lives on in your hearts" she taps Kurai's chest as his eyes water. He sniffles a bit.
"m-mom…" tears roll down his cheeks as he slowly hugs her. Not squeezing too hard. She turns to look at Kaneko. Struggling to hold back his tears. She nods as he jumps to hug her.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone