Mother's Wrath

Sakata Akio's POV

I slowly blinked as I woke up in an unfamiliar place. My head was spinning. I felt confused.

Where am I?

A hand then touched my arm.

I looked at the person touching me. It was blurry but it's the silver haired woman who was touching me. It is my mom. Her familiar scent filled the room.

Oh right. I got knocked out. I made her worry again.

I was about to open my mouth but my eyes are so heavy.

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I woke up again and heard a loud argument between two familiar people.

Huh?

Mom and Dad?

Hina: I will never allow our child to fight in your school full of brutes. I have been doubting about Akio's last incident with Rei but I've been erasing my doubts because I trusted you! You are my husband! You are the father of my son! But what? You made him fight in a tournament where he might die? Are you crazy?!

Hiroto: Where did you hear that from?!

My father tried to reach my mother with both hands on her shoulder but she slapped his hand.

Hina: That is not important right now! What's more important is that you are making our soft-hearted son enter that school full of violence! What has happened to you?! You were never this kind of person!

Hiroto; Who did you hear this from?! From Akira?!

My mother slapped his face.

Hina: Y-you! You are the reason why Akira left us! My poor sons!

My mother's voice shook as she was about to cry.

Hina: It was not my son who told me. I should have dug deeper about what happened between you two. Akira has gone through a lot without me realizing! What kind of mother am I?! My poor sons.

I tried to stand to run to my mother. But my injury still hurt. I wanted to tell her it isn't her fault. It was never her fault. Nii-chan never blamed her for not noticing. I was about to say something but my mother continued to talk. We should not stress her. I am too weak to move.

Hina: I allowed them to learn martial arts but not to make them fight and make them prepare to die anytime. Are you even a father? Do you truly love them?! What has happened to you?! And it was not a normal tournament. It was a tournament where anybody is okay to die! All of this just for money?!

My father scoffed.

Hiroto: Hah! Money?! It is part of my plans but this is also for our future! Our future! You hear me!

Hina: Future, you say?! Are our children at war?! Why do they need to put their lives at stake just for the sake of the future you are thinking about? Are you on the right state of mind?! I am not going to allow this. This has to be stopped!

My father glared at my mother. His veins popped out of his head.

Hiroto: So are you gonna be in my way for OUR future?!

Hina: Yes! I am going to stop you from hurting our sons and other families' children!

Hiroto: The parents wanted this also! It's their greed that kept us having food on the table! The luxury you have right now! It is also because of them!

My mom was in disbelief from what she heard from her beloved husband.

Hina: Wow! So now you are insulting me right now?! Who do you think told me to stop working at my family's business?! It was you! You bastard. I never thought I have married a bastard like you. I've known you since we were in middle school but what happened to you?! You turned out to be a scumbag just because of money! Or is this your true self?! I am going to stop you. NO MATTER WHAT.

The door suddenly opened and my brother immediately rushed to my mother to calm her down.

My father shifted his fiery gaze to my brother.

Hiroto: You! My useless son! What have you told your mother?! It was you, wasn't it?

My brother's brows crossed. He was about to talk back but my mother slapped my father.

Hina: You hurt our children and now you won't believe me when I said that it was not our son who told me about this! That was why you let Akira out of the house and made your people watch Akira every time we meet. You shameless bastard. You have the nerve to blame your child when it was you who began tearing our family apart!

Hiroto: That's it! I am not letting you do things as you please! Just stay and don't get in my way. If you want our family back together, I am having Akira back to the house. Akira, go pack your things in the apartment you are living in. Nobody dares to defy me in this family! I am going to do everything to make things go according to my plans.

Akira: But father!

Hiroto: I am not going to listen to your complaints. Go to your apartment NOW!

My brother just went out calmly with his brows crossed.

He swiftly came back by the door and opened his mouth.

Akira: Please stop bickering in front of Ah-chan. He's been awake for a while. For goodness' sake, this is a hospital. Don't yell at mother. And you're making Ah-chan feel worse. Well, that's all. See you later, Ah-chan. And mother, please calm down. Stress isn't good for you. Bye.

He walked out immediately without giving my father a chance to reply.

My father massaged his temples and just snorted all his frustrations and sat near the door.

My mother took a deep breath and came to me.

Hina: I am sorry you had to hear our argument. How are you feeling? Are you feeling nauseous? Feverish? Should I call the doctor? Does your injury hurt a lot? Don't worry, mom is here.

I smiled softly.

Akio: Mother, you've asked a lot of questions. I am fine. Don't worry. How did you know about what happened to me?

Hina: That's not important anymore. Mother will do her best not to let her baby feel unnecessary pain anymore. I know very well you hate fighting.

My mother shifted her gaze to father.

Hina: Hiroto, don't ever let Akio join the tournaments in the school. That's the only condition I am asking from you and I won't get in your way.

My father stared at my mother fiercely and sighed in defeat.

Hiroto: Fine.

My father said in a cold voice and followed with mumbles.

Hiroto: I'll find other ways to gain money.

Hina: What did you just say?! You are making our child your money machine?! Is he a racing horse?! What the hell is wrong with you?!

Akio: Shh. Shh. Calm down, mother. Calm down. He says I am not participating the next tournaments. That's already okay.

I need to calm her down. My mother has a weak body. Too much stress can make her stay in bed for weeks. She has chronic fatigue syndrome. I can't have her dying on me.

Hina: I am feeling a little dizzy, Ah-chan. My head is starting to ache again. Mom will rest for a while, okay? Tell Hiroto if you need something.

Akio: Okay, mother. Sleep well. I'll be okay. Thank you and I love you always.

Hina: My sweet baby, I love you, too.

She kissed my forehead and slept by the bed with her hand holding mine.

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An hour has passed, the room was just silent. My father was busy using his phone, texting, while I was just watching television. My father broke out the silence.

Hiroto: Akio.

Akio: Yes, father?

Hiroto: What do you want to eat? You want me to order your favorite?

I paused in surprise. He was like this before I entered Seishin. But things were different back then.

Okay. Just for this short while, I want to feel my father's "care." Is it okay feel a bit happy? I just missed how we used to be. Can't we just escape this situation and live a happy life like we used to? How did we end up like this?

Akio: Okay, father. Please also include Nii-chan's favorite.

My father's phone rang. He checked his phone first and then gazed at me.

Hiroto: Okay. I'll take this call for a while. You just rest there with your mother. I'll also have our food delivered.

I just nodded in reply. He then went out slowly as to not to disturb my mother's rest.

But really? His personality changed? What the hell is going on his mind? He went from a mad bull then shifted to a soft panda bear. And it's been months since I last saw him as a "panda bear". I call my father a panda bear because he was too adorable when playing with me when I was a kid. Even if he had dark circles from overworking, he still managed to make time to play with me and Nii-chan.

I just shrugged off my thoughts when suddenly the door opened.

I saw Rei-kun and Yamazaki-kun catching their breaths.

Tatsuo: YOW! Ak----

Rei: SHHHHHHHHH.

Rei-kun covered Yamazaki-kun's mouth.

Yamazaki-kun's eyes widened and whispered.

Tatsuo: Oops. I'm sorry.

They tiptoed going to me.

Rei and Tatsuo: How are you? Are you okay?

They talked in sync.

I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.

Akio: Yeah, I'm fine. You won't have to worry about me anymore because it will be the first and last tournament I'd participate. I'll just help you from the sidelines.

Rei: Huh? WHY?

Akio: It's a long story. I'll tell you next time. Not now.

I said as I stared at my mom and sighed.

The two followed my gaze and just nodded slowly.

They understood and trusted my words.

The two then told me how the tournament went.

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Sakata Akira's POV

What has gotten into my father? Make me move back home?! My pride won't allow this but knowing I can see mom and Ah-chan everyday made me follow my dad's wants. I've been investigating everything about dad's school but I have to hide the files somewhere now that I have to move back.

As I arranged the things I had in my apartment, I received a message from my dear baby brother.

DIIING!

"Hurry back to the hospital. Dad's ordered our favorites. Dunno what's gotten into him tho. Btw, Rei-kun and Yamazaki-kun is also here. I can't wait to live with you again Nii-chan. Hurry hurry hurry!"

Huh? Dad ordered our favorites? Seriously?

I just sighed and changed my mood since my brother wants to be with me so badly.

Another message popped out on my screen.

DIIING!

"We have another lead. It is still not that reliable. But it is far from what we expected. Let's meet tomorrow."

Tomorrow? Knowing father, I won't get to do what I want especially now that I'm moving back home.

"Not tomorrow. My situation has changed. I'll just contact you again."

-Message sent-

Now, what should I do now? I don't want my brother to suffer.

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End of Chapter 16