The End of Akira
Chapter 27: I Don't Want It

One morning at Akira's house...

Today is exactly 1 year anniversary of Mrs Souma's death. The Souma family had just returned from the funeral and were eating together at the dinner table.

"Kids, Papa wants to talk about something" Papa said on the sidelines.

"What's the matter Pa?" Ask Naoya.

"Look.. Papa wants to ask permission for you to marry again" said Papa who made everyone surprised.

"What did Papa say?" Shinji asked not believing what he had just heard.

"What does Pa mean? Isn't this.." Yuki did not continue his words. 

"Pa, isn't this.."

"Papa knew this was very sudden," he said again cutting off Naoya's conversation. "As we already feel, we still need a mother figure in this house. Although Papa and you still love Mama but we need a replacement for Mama to take care of us. Papa is also sure, Mama will agree with this decision. We can't keep Akira working hard to take care of all of us here. Akira even got sick several times because of fatigue, you guys feel it too, right?" Say Papa again.

Everyone is bowing their heads. They are busy with their own thoughts.

"Every day Akira had to get up early to make breakfast and prepare everything we need, every weekend Akira always sacrificed his playing time to wash and clean the house, Papa always felt sad to see Akira like that. We are also men so we are not good at taking care of the house. We're just troubling Akira" Papa explained.

"Why is Papa talking like that? Akira never felt at all bothered by Papa or Brother. Basically Akira is a woman so Akira does have to be able to do homework. Akira never thought to have been bothered by Papa or Brother, really" explained Akira.

"Despite that, Papa also needs a companion. It is true that Akira can take care of everything but there is a boundary between parent and child. There's something Akira can't do to Papa and Big Brother all, Nao and Shin are already big, surely you guys understand right?"

Akira lowered his head sadly. "Papa's right, there's something Akira can't do for Papa or Brother, there's a limit Akira can't get into. But this.."

"But Pa, isn't this too sudden? Today is the anniversary of the death of Mama and Papa even talk about something like this?" shinji Protest.

"Papa understands, but.."

"Enough Pa, we can talk about it later, not now" Naoya said.

"Well.." Papa breathed a rough sigh. "Papa's done, thanks for the food" he said, then left.

Everyone seemed surprised by Papa's words. They look moody especially Akira and Yuki who are seen very clearly from the faces of both of them. There was no conversation afterwards, not even the sound of the clanking of plates and spoons. All are immersed in their own thoughts. 

"About, can you get me the chicken again? Brother can't reach it" Naoya said, opening his voice.

"Ah, yes Brother. The plate," Akira said, then took the chicken to Naoya.

"Thank you" Naoya smiled.

"Hm" Akira nodded his head.

"Me too, please" said Shinji.

"Okay Kak" said Akira then take the chicken also for Shinji.

"Look." said Naoya, starting to open the conversation. "Papa may be tired or have a lot of trouble saying that. I can understand but-"

"But Akira really did not feel bothered Kak, Akira was fine. Akira instead is happy to be useful to Papa and Brother" Akira protests. "Why can Papa and Big Brother think like that?" Sendu Akira's.

"We've also grown up Kak, Yuki think Akira alone is also enough no longer need strangers. Can't we take care of ourselves?" Mumbled Yuki.

"Hm, Brother understands. Therefore let's think about this later," Naoya smiled. "Let's think about it later"

Even though Naoya told his sisters to think about the matter later but still they thought about it. All went back into silence, immersed in each other's thoughts.

"Ah right, I don't want to work anymore Brother" said Shinji who made everyone surprised.

"Eh? Wh why? Why don't you want to work?" Naoya asked confusedly.

"What's up, brother? Why not work?" Akira asked who was confused as well.

"Actually, I'm fed up" Shinji said.

"How delicious? Isn't my job more complicated than yours?" Ask Naoya again.

"It's not his job, brother,"

"Then what is Brother? What's up?" Yuki asked curiously.

"Actually I'm sick of getting greetings every day" he explained.

"Huh??" Say the other one in unison.

"How do you mean, brother?" Akira asked confusedly.

"Hm, I don't mind being called every morning, I'm even quite happy that everyone respects me. But that woman, that woman is so annoying!" Annoyed Shinji.

"Whose woman?" Naoya asked confusedly.

"That's sister, the receptionist, the mothers who are always waiting at the front desk are always wearing bright red lipstick" Shinji explained.

"Mom-mothers?" Naoya seemed to think for a moment. "What's Kim's mother?"

"True, she, the woman" Shinji confirmed.

"Why, brother?" Ask Akira again.

"You know? Every time I walked into the building she would greet me and ask me if I wanted to be her husband or not while shouting. She always forces me to be her husband" Shinji fights that makes Naoya, Yuki, and Akira laugh.

"What's so funny? I'm upset right now. The woman embarrassed me, every time she greeted me everyone came to look at me too" Shinji protested.

"Eh. It turns out that Brother Shin is very popular among mothers, Brother is really great" said Akira laughing.

"Sister agrees with Akira" said Naoya, who also laughed.

"You guys are cruel, when I'm upset and sad like this you laugh at me" Shinji said.

"Why don't you just take it?" Ask Yuki.

"I already have a lover, after all who would want to be with a woman of her age. If you want, I can hand it over to you" said Shinji. "With the kindness and benevolence of a Shinji's heart, I willingly gave it to you" Shinji said as if he was giving Yuki a tribute.

"Yee, don't want to. I already have Rin, I am a loyal man" Yuki said proudly.

"Heee really?" Shinji Ejek. 

"Eh really?" Akira asked, mocking Yuki.

"Hm, that's right" Yuki smiled.

"Then I give it to Kak Nao alone, you don't have a boyfriend" Shinji said again.

"No, thank you" Naoya refused.

"Or not-don't actually Shin is very popular but among mothers only, among young people not" said Naoya who made everyone laugh again.

"Will you try boxing with me?" Tawar Shinji's.

"No thanks" Naoya refused again.

"But Kak Nao's words may have a point as well" Yuki agreed.

"You guys really! The point is I don't want to work anymore" cold Shinji.

"That's your fault because you're so popular. With this I am very grateful not to be as popular as you" Naoya smiled. "Forget it, let her be Kim's mother's husband. Now let's continue to eat it, it will be cold" he said again.

"Yes, sister" said Akira smiling. "But Brother Shin is really great" he said again with a laugh.

"True, Brother Shin is indeed the best" said Yuki who also smiled.

"Know it will be mocked better earlier I don't have to say yes" he said flatly.

"Hm" Yuki nodded her head.

Seeing her sisters who were laughing again, Naoya felt quite calm. "Nin's good work" Naoya whispered inwardly with a smile.

They then continued the delayed meal with smiles and laughter as if Papa's words had never happened. They seem to forget about the problem.

A few days later at the training building...

"About what's up? Why are you daydreaming, is there a problem?" Tanya Rena approached Akira who was sitting in the corner of the field.

"Hm, there is something stuck in my heart and mind" explained Akira.

"What's wrong? You had a fight with Sou?" Tanya Rena sat down next to Akira.

"No, we're not fighting"

"Then why?"

"My father decided to get married again" Akira murmured.

"It looks like you're the one who's happy not me" Akira said with a faint smile. "Why do you say that?"

"Is Akira unhappy?" Rena looked at Akira. "I feel like if you have a new mom, your job will be easier, right? Even though you are always smiling I know that you are very tired. You and your family are also there to take care of it later, you don't have to trouble your brother anymore if you get sick. Akira's house will be crowded but Akira's work will also be reduced. I'm sure Akira will be happy later"

"Is that so?"

"I'm sure of it. But it all comes back to you, sorry if I meddle too much" said Rena bowing her head.

"No, don't apologize Rena, you're not wrong. Thank you, my mind is a little open now" Akira smiled.

"really?" Ask Rena who is Akira. "Thank God" he said smiling.

"If you need a friend to tell you a story, come to me. I don't know if I can help you or not but at least you can share your burden with me a little bit" Rena smiled.

"Hm, you are the best. Thank you very much" Akira smiled.

"Yosh, let's fight. The loser has to buy ice cream" said Rena eagerly.

"Who is afraid, come on" Akira smiled.

At school...

"Good morning Akira" said Sou smiling.

"Good morning also Sou" replied Akira who was also smiling.

"I thought Akira's smile made me even more excited" Sou said with a smile.

"What did you say Sou?" Akira asked with a small laugh. "I went to my bench first huh" she said.

"Hm, the spirit of learning" Sou smiled.

"Sou is also spirit" Akira smiled.

Rest...

"Akira, let's eat" Sou smiled but there was no reply from Akira. He continued to stare towards the sky without caring for Sou who was already nearby.

"Akira" called Sou right in Akira's ear which made him flinch. "What's wrong?" Sou asked confusedly.

"You're scaring me, Sou" Akira muttered with his surprised face.

"Let's eat together" Sou asked again.

"Ah yes, come on" said Akira smiling.

As usual, they spent their break time on the rooftop. After they finished eating, they relaxed for a while on the bench there.

"Are you in trouble?" Tanya Sou brought her seat closer to Akira.

"No, why do you think that?" Akira asked smiling.

"You're not good at lying" Sou said then pinched Akira's cheek.

"Akh. is sick" Akira tries to release Sou's hand. "The evil Sou" whined as he whipped his lips.

"Are you teasing me hm? Don't be so adorable Akira, I'll completely lose my mind" Sou smiled.

"Sou's creepy" said Akira to stand up, but Sou prevented him. He again made Akira sit beside him without any distance.

"Are you sure you don't want to tell me?" Sou asked looking at Akira. Their eyes met and stared at each other for quite a long time.

"I'm confused" Akira explained, opening her voice.

"Hm"

"Papa says he's getting married again" said Akira. Sou who heard it was a little surprised.

"Hm"

"Papa said Papa did it because I always had to work hard doing all the housework. He said there were things I couldn't do as his son, there was a boundary between parent and child. I also know about it but it feels like I can't accept it" explained Akira.

Sou then grabs Akira's head and rests it on his shoulders.

"Sou?"

"I'm sorry Akira, I don't know if I can argue about this or not, but a stranger like me can't seem to argue, right?" Said Sou staring at Akira. "But I'm sure your father loves you very much. Your father thinks highly of you, he doesn't want you to be exhausted" Sou said staring at the sky.

"You knew? Even though laundry is a woman's job, I still feel guilty if my mother did it. Mom always said, "it's okay, it's Mom's job" but I still feel guilty to her if I don't wash my own clothes. Maybe your father thought that way too. I know Akira is a great girl. You can do everything yourself, you are an independent girl, but sometimes parents have the intuition to always worry about their children. Although not shown but actually the parents are still worried about their children even when they are adults. I don't know if your Papa's decision was right or wrong, but what is certain is that your Papa has thought about this very well. Your father considered it very carefully. Roughly speaking, you and your brothers are grown, you can take care of yourself so no one else needs to help you, right? But your father's decision to remarry means there's something he's considering, right?" Obviously Sou smiled without looking at Akira.

"I'm about to cry" said Akira suddenly.

Sou then smiled, she looked at Akira who was ready to shed her tears.

"It's okay, cry" said Sou hugging and stroking Akira's back. 

"But Akira doesn't want to be like that" Akira said on the sidelines of his cries.

"Hm, I get it. Why didn't Akira just say that Akira didn't want Papa Akira to marry again?"

"About not being able to do it, Akira was afraid.hiks"

"What are you afraid of?" Ask Sou softly. 

"Papa doesn't love Mama anymore. What if the stepmother is evil, what if Papa leaves us later, Akira does not want to be like that" he said hugging Sou tightly. She squeezed Sou's clothes.

Sou then smiled. She kept stroking Akira's back to calm him down.

For a long time there was no conversation between them. All that was heard was Akira's sobbing, but slowly his cries also grew weaker.

"Is it calm now?" Ask Sou softly.

"Hm"

"Sorry yes, I made you cry like this" Sou cupped Akira's face and wiped away her tears.

"It's not Sou's fault, sorry" he said lowered his head.

Sou then re-hugged Akira's body at a glance.

"You listening to me again?" Sou asked looking at Akira.

"Hm"

"Thank you" said Sou smiling. "The world is filled with good and evil people. Indeed, many stories of children who are persecuted and abandoned by step parents, but not a few who are happy after getting new parents" said Sou smiling.

"The human heart is always changing, if you refuse because your Father does not love your late Mama it is not a big deal, I think, because even though Papa's love for your Mama is gone, the evidence they once loved is still there in this world, you and your brothers. That's something Akira can't deny," explained Sou who made Akira again shed tears. "You and your brothers are proof of your Papa and Mama's love. Even though his love is gone, you are still in this world. It can't change anything," 

"If you're afraid your father will leave you we can't do anything because the one who has the right to decide is your own Father. But I'm sure your father would never do it because he loves you so much. Something new is scary but sometimes it gives us a valuable experience. We don't know how it's going, but trying to believe it's not a bad thing,"

"Of course this is just my opinion, you decide Akira. Even if you don't agree to it, you still have to convey it well to your Papa, maybe that way your Papa will understand and cancel his intentions" Sou smiled.

Akira then splashed into Sou's embrace.

"Thank you Sou, thank you very much. I'm feeling better now. Thank you very much" said Akira tightened his embrace.

"Hm" Sou nodded his head. "I'm sorry I made you cry like this again" said Sou stroking Akira's head gently.

"It's not Sou's fault" said Akira releasing his embrace. "True, I can't remember the last time I cried" Akira said, wiping away her tears.

"really? Is this the first time you've cried?"

"Hm"

"My love is very strong as it turns out" Sou smiled.

"strong?"

"When my legs sprained first, I even cried in the room"

"Eh really?"

"Hm, I cried so hard because it was so painful. You said this is the first time you cry again means you are so strong Akira, I feel ashamed of myself" Sou smiled. "Don't cry anymore huh, I'm not the kind of person to say please, but I'll always be with you, so trust me. You can rely on me more"

"Hm" Akira cleared his throat with eyes that were back in tears.

"Eh? It looks like I made you cry again," Sou said in surprise. He hugged Akira. "Sorry Akira"

"I'm very lucky to have a lover like Sou. I love you, Sou" murmured Akira as she tightened her arms.

Sou was quite surprised by Akira's words but a second later he smiled.

"I love you more."