Chapter 12: Care for

Skip forward to 11th January 2006 and the work at university for us went like any other days, in the week we believe to have adjusted well to the culture and made a really good impression towards the students and teachers as a whole, the news of myself and Sara was something the people took well and it became a mix of emotions where some were extremely happy for us, some were sceptical which is to be expected due to the Ito family’s contract and others were jealous because she’s fit as fuck and a dreamboat. Was I happy? Of course I was, I felt on top of the world.

On the weekend I made sure to keep to Kosuke’s wish and asked Sara if she would be willing to show me some nice spots in the city, she was nervous at first bless her heart but she was very determined to do more things with me as we managed to do all sorts of things like nice restaurants, picnics on a nice day and the beach which managed to take her mind off of all that was going on which made me happy. On the other hand, Nathan and Yukia were starting to engage in conversation whilst Kyle didn’t want to bug Ena but the four would end up doing stuff together as they wanted me and Sara to have no interruptions whatsoever. After our day we were invited by Hozumi again to spar around 7pm as he did mention it would become a regular if we wished as they clearly enjoyed our company but it was also the day he would make a final choice on Sara’s proposed marriage, I keep my fingers crossed that he will reject the contract but in the past week of being in his presence, I’ve got a good feeling he will, whilst I was in thought about my parents again with Sara hugging me, both Hozumi and Akari wished to ask me something but catch my attention over Kyle screaming.

“Is Kyle going to be okay Isaac?” Akari says to me on the railing where we could see the backgarden. “Believe me he’ll be fine, he just recently bought size 7’s when he is a size 9 and has probably got a big rock in his shoe or something” I reply knowing full well he should have just bought a new pair but he can’t stop buying reeboks and adidas originals. “AAAA, I can’t get this big fucking rock out my shoe, feels like I’ve walked to London and back on lego!” he screams with some members laughing but other choosing to help. “You know your friend all too well Isaac, that sort of relationship is great to see from my point of view” Hozumi says to me. “He’s my brother after all, I can’t imagine where I’d have ended up if him and Nathan didn’t give me the motivation and help I needed when I lost my parents” I say to the two as Sara squeezes me tight which I appreciated but at times I hated being touched, however I started to grow calmer with Sara with her great nature and I had already accepted that my parents will live on in my memory forever. “Come, let us go for a walk to work those muscles of yours” Hozumi offers as the four of us walk round the mansion together, it was that big that we could talk for hours and hours and we still wouldn’t be able to do a full lap around. “What kind of people were your parents like if I may?” Akari asks me with confidence. “The best” I say giving a short and sweet answer. “Losing them left a hole in my heart that I didn’t think I’d recover from, crying to them when something went wrong to have no response is terrifying in its own way” I tell them. The look on the faces of Hozumi and Akari were as if I was about to break down and cry but in truth I’ve done all my crying over them when I was a child. “I do my best to picture the good times I spent; it may have been short but for what it’s worth it made sure I met the greatest people in my life so I make sure to thank them every day for it”. “You truly are one of a kind Isaac, we want to give you our thanks as Sara’s parents for not only saving our daughter but for looking after her, you have definitely shown me that money can’t buy love, long may this great relationship continue” he says putting his arm out for a handshake which I immediately nod and shake back.

“Oh my that reminds me Sara I’ve got a treat for you and the girls tonight, we’ll be going to that new hot springs that just opened up down the road if you’d like” Akari offers to her daughter. “Wow thank you mother, thank you thank you thank you” she replies releasing her grip on me and tightening it on her mother even somehow picking her up. “Isaac will you come and help me pack!” she says to me in an energetic as my hand is grabbed and rushed down the hall. It was becoming frightening how strong my girl was with that much speed. “Make sure you are there for as long as you can, I made sure to get you the longest deal, keep your phone beside you just in case” Hozumi says whispering to his wife. “Understood, I’ll see you shortly” Akari says after giving him a peck on the cheek and making way to the her room to get everything sorted.

Meanwhile whilst the boys were doing quick jabs with Kosuke in the garden, Hozumi and I made sure to say our goodbyes to the girls allowing us to continue with our training. The sun was beginning to come down on the day filling the sky with a bright red and orange light making the world shine and we were going to go until the sun when properly down. “Tell me Nathan, what made you want to get stronger because that raw power doesn’t just happen overnight, if you don’t wish to say I will understand and will found out in my own time” Kosuke says becoming intrigued about our secret to fighting as Nathan continues to jab. “I’m sorry if I’m wrong but I believe I mentioned earlier that all three of us attended karate and Shoshin Aikido classes as kids and then it just became a hobby, we were always hungry for more, the minute we left high school, our idea was always the cadets and nothing else, we had the mindset and desire but we just came up short, we had our own motto, if one of us failed then we all did meaning our options always changed, it’s probably the reason we’re all here now, all of us were fine with it because the talent we had could get us in anywhere but at the end of the day we are just immature teenagers, we enjoy the drink and bag, we don’t just look after one another but we stand by each other” Nathan concludes with.

“I see, so sheer determination and a goal is the key, knowing you can accomplish anything keeps you going?” Kosuke responds with an uppercut missing Nathan’s vital spot on his chin. “I guess you could say that” Nathan says wiping the sweat away. “I was meaning to ask, did you know anything about Navarro before we crossed with them the other day? It still bugs me to this day because there was no way it was a coincidence” Nathan asks. “I did not, that’s just how secretive that family are, myself or anybody present wouldn’t of known he was Junichiro’s retainer if we weren’t informed by your party, my guess is they were confident in telling you who they were because they didn’t see you as a thread to begin with, however this is the first time they have ever made a public announcement because of how big the occasion is but today is the day my father makes his decision and you all should feel at ease knowing he will not go along with it” Kosuke says.

“But will they take it well? They sent a fucking retainer after us before Isaac and Sara were even together, doesn’t sound very promising for our safety” Kyle says. “You should know this, when you are with us, your safety will be our number one priority, the grudges they hold against us won’t shackle us at all” Kosuke tells the two hoping to settle any nerves. Being at the Okamato mansion almost every day now soon became a common phase which we had no idea how it happened but the thought of seeing Sara all the time was something I really enjoyed, the days would go by quick but they would be sweet. The only thing that kept us on our toes was our guardians told us an important lesson that no matter how happy you were, there will always be someone out there to ruin it.