The New Three Musketeers

Chapter 1: The Birth


    It’s been seven months since you and Shizune got married. Since you both graduated from University you thought it would be the best time to start your lives together. After she immediately went into the workforce and earning a high position business job you’ve found yourselves with some money to burn while you look into internships. The clacking of her high heels echo through the hallway as she joins you in a waiting room. Her appearance will probably never change that much, other then her dark gray business attire she has the same figure hair and even glasses as when you first met. The only thing she’s changed was adding a light red almost pink lipstick to her attire. She smiles as she spots and sits down next to you. She begins to sign at you. “[Sorry I was late, those old coots at the office wouldn’t listen to my advertisement idea at first so I had to explain it to them very slowly and carefully. I think they were too busy looking at my legs and ass to get it the first time.]”

She makes a scoff motion with her lips before you wrap your arm around her. You kiss her cheek which is met with her turning and kissing your lips. You sign back to her “[It’s okay, you made it just in time. By the way I got a call from Misha earlier...]”

Before you can finish you hear the door open and see a middle aged doctor, hair greying over a bit, got a small bit of extra weight to him but overall still healthy as he asks for you two. You sign to Shizune before you two walk into his office. “So Anon and Shizune was it? So you two want to have children is that correct?”

You nod and repeat what he said to Shizune who also nods in agreement. “Well then let’s get started right away, have you two started trying so far?”

You sign about this to Shizune who blushes a bit before you look to the Doctor. “Well Shizune and I are...well fairly active. We haven’t intentionally wanted a kid yet but we wouldn’t have worried if we did. Shizune’s position in her job has left us plenty of money to remodel our home and afford a child.”

“I see. Well I can see your wife is fairly attractive, so it’s going to be hard to say this but for now you two should ease back on any funny stuff.” You sign this to Shizune who frowns thinking about the occasional wild nights you have, and how active you two really are. To be honest you two were almost thinking something was wrong with you two not having a kid so far which is half the reason you’re seeing an expert.

“I will ask you Anon to see me once a week to give me a sample of your semen to make sure you have healthy and plenty of sperm.” The doctor pulled out some forms out and hands each of you a copy.

“These are some general health tips that help with sperm count, I want you to try your best to follow these instructions.” He says before writing down some notes

“Also I’ll need you to keep track of your wife’s menstruation cycle so we can accurately gauge the best time you two can have sex again.” He chuckles, you cough after finishing Signing each thing you’ve been instructed.

“So as I read here your wife is deaf and mute? Also you have Arrhythmia?” You nod.

“Yes, will there be any problems with our child given our unique circumstances?” You ask and tell Shizune you’re both talking about it.

“Well, Inherited Arrhythmia is a genetic illness, and I’ve read your files for cases in your family and there is a chance your child may or may not have it, so we will monitor your child after birth. Same for your wife’s disability, we’ll check if the child is born deaf and or mute. I have a friend who specializes in children disabilities so I can write a referral to him, for now let’s focus on just getting yourself a child to begin with and we can cross the bridge when we come to it.” The doctor continues writing before looking to his calendar.

“So I’ll ask you to see me next Tuesday for our first check of your sperm count, and your wife can see me on...Friday.” He said marking you two down.

You two thank him and shake his hand before walking off. You sigh before signing to her “[That was nerve wracking. I hope our child will be alright, I at least don’t want them to have my heart condition. I’d never stop worrying about their health.]”

Shizune pats your shoulder. “[It’ll be fine, even if something is wrong we’ll know about it as soon as we can. Our child will have it better than we did at the very least if we find any issues.”]

You nod smiling holding Shizune close, suddenly she makes her loud snap of the fingers before walking in front of you. “[I remember, you said something about Misha! Did she say something.]”

You brighten up a bit remembering the message before signing. “[Oh yes she told me some great news, she’s found herself a girlfriend and recently graduated with her bachelor’s in teaching. She also said she’s moving back to Japan.]”

Shizune smiled brightly before adjusting her glasses and signing quickly. “[That’s great news! She should come over and we can party to celebrate.]”

You nod in agreement. “[But no alcohol, you sir are making sure you have amazing sperm.]”

You shake your head as she adjusts her glasses again smirking a bit of a devilish smirk. You agree to this because you want to grow your family beyond just Shizune, and your friendship with Misha.

It’s another month later when you and Shizune are ready to surprise Misha, as a welcome home and congratulations on her newfound love who after two weeks from the previous contact you were told they actually became engaged. Shizune stands behind a table with cake ready to pop a party popper. You hear a knock on the door and hear two women chattering before opening it to Misha and a blond woman standing next to her as the party popper in Shizune’s hands go off surprising the two. “Surprise!”

Misha laughs happily as she and her fiance walks in. Misha’s hair is long again going down to the middle of her back, there are no drills in them this time though, she looks though as if she lost around 10 pounds, she strides in holding hand with the blond woman. “Lisa this is Anchan and Shichan!”

“Oh hello, pleased to meet you.” The slightly thin woman gives a small bow and signs her greetings to Shizune.

“Anchan Shichan, meet Elizabeth ‘Lisa’, my fiance. We met in my advanced Sign Language classes in University. I couldn’t understand her language at first before we started speaking in Sign and learned she knew some Japanese. She wasn’t very fluent in it before I gave her some help.” Misha smiled as she talked while Lisa is signing her introduction and how she met Misha to Shizune.

“She’s trying to become a Designer and she says that to help work with people she learned how to speak other languages, she’s fluent in English from her parents, some French from her mother’s side and Italian and German from her father’s side. Her father is deaf so she learned sign to help speak with him.” Misha continued to explain as Lisa chuckled bashfully while signing.

“P-please, please it’s nothing big.” Lisa smiled. You can tell she’s a pretty modest woman, amazing considering how loud and open Misha is you’d think she’d be afraid of someone like her.

Shizune smiles at Lisa adjusting her glasses with a bright gleam in her eyes. “[Learning multiple languages to make communication between customers is a very noble goal Lisa. You should be proud for your multilingual heritage and ideals]”

“[Thank you Shizune, I was very worried about learning Sign, but Misha was very kind enough to help me out with the hard parts when I got to the advanced lessons. She was also very helpful when I came out about being lesbian.]” You all talked mostly in sign for the party before finally digging into some cake.

“So Anchan, you and Shichan are trying to have a baby?” Misha smiled looking at you while Lisa was having some coffee and Shizune prepared dinner.

“Ah yes, I see Shizune informed you.” You smile before drinking some coffee of your own, you were told to lower your caffeine intake while checking your sperm but the doctor said it was okay to have at most two cups because your count was fairly good.

“Actually me and Lisa are thinking of having some kids as well! Which is something I wanted to talk over while we were over here.” You’re stunned about this new information about her life. Misha got a bit serious as she talked with you and Shizune about something.

Shizune sat down taking off her glasses and rubbing her eyes in thought before sitting up and smiling. “[Misha you’re asking for something big, however you’re my closest and dearest friend, so I support your idea. I won’t ever deny you something like this.]”

Misha almost leaped onto Shizune hugging her saying ‘Thank you Shichan over and over’ before signing it to her. Shizune smiles as the two talk about the future and what they’ve done over the years before serving home made parfait as dessert. You two smile and see Misha off as she goes with Lisa to rest before they look for a place to live together.

It’s been about four months since Misha returned to Japan, she lives about an hour away from you and Shizune, the wedding preparations are all set, with Shizune as the ‘Best Man Bridesmaid’ Speaking of Shizune, she kisses you awake from your thoughts, you get up and rub Shizune’s less flat than usual stomach. It’s been two and a half to three months since you successfully conceived with her. Her job let her take extra days off while she’s carrying so she spends more time with you. With help from Lisa you and Shizune are halfway done designing the baby’s room. You were able to confirm that you have a single child growing inside Shizune’s womb. You caress the stomach as you and Shizune decide to laze the day away a bit with some games. You’ve recently gotten your hands on some video games that Shizune took immediate interest in thanks to her competitive nature. During a match to see who can beat an old NES game faster there’s a phone call. You inform Shizune about it as you get up to leave. “Hello?”

“ANCHAN! ANCHAN! ANCHAN IT’S GREAT!” Misha sounds overly excited over the phone and even the usually quite Lisa is excited enough to be heard.

“Whoa whoa Misha calm down, what’s got you so excited?”

“I’M PREGNANT ANCHAN! I’M GONNA BE A MOMMY!” Misha broke the news quickly and excitedly like a child finding out he has a candy factory, you’re surprised to hear this and feel glad.

“So did you check?” You ask wanting to make sure she wasn’t going off on a store bought pregnancy test.

“Yes Achan, I saw the doctor about it and he confirmed it. I’m gonna be Mommy Misha!” Her excitement continues to shine through the phone as Shizune walks up wanting to know about the call. You sign to Shizune who covers her mouth with excitement and signs to you asking to relay her own happiness.

The chatter on the phone continues and relaying Shizune’s sign. This excitement would only be met with a stunning surprise when Misha gets checked at the end of her first trimester two months later. “TWINS!?”

Misha and Lisa are in the room with the doctor you and Shizune see who pulled out the ultrasound and gives them a copy. She does in fact see two figures in the ultrasound photo showing she’s carrying twins. “So Ms Mikado we will ask to see you a bit more often since multiple births are more complicated than single births. We may even need to consider C-sections.”

“I understand.” Misha puts the papers in her purse before she and Lisa walk out she calls you to tell you the news before she heads over to your place for an afternoon lunch. Shizune has grown a bit more in her second Trimester. She wears a sweater despite the late August humidity, but in preparation for the fall weather.

Shizune has made some delicious sandwiches for lunch and signs that she prepared Misha a parfait for dessert. “[Oh Shichan, I’m going to be so huge when it’s time to give birth. This is going to make me so much bigger]”

Misha rubs her pregnant stomach which is poking out from her usual attire before prodding the Parfait. “Oh don’t worry too much about it Misha, once you give birth you can work it all off. Speaking of I heard you got a job offering for your Sign Teaching.”

“Oh Yes! I decided to wait until after I’ve settled in with my family and get it all sorted out before taking up the offer. Lisa decided to work out of home so the kids will be taken care off while I’m at work.”

The conversation continues. These happy days continue past the wedding day of Misha and Lisa with Shizune as the pregnant Best Man Bridesmaid for the Mrs.Mikado pair. The now married pair spent a week in Hawaii after you and Shizune told her of the time you two spent there. By the time they got back it was time. It was over a double date, in a fancy restaurant when Shizune gave a pained expression. “[Shizune?]”

“[It’s...time!”] She signs with a gap between words from contractions.

You remember sirens blaring as the ambulance drove your wife as fast to the hospital as they could. Misha and Lisa sat next to you easing you and Shizune as the truck makes it to the hospital. Many thoughts rushed your head as you and Shizune were taken to the operation room, Shizune breathing in and out through her nose. The doctors and nurses rushing to make sure she had a safe delivery. Shizune bites her lip as the head starts coming out. A good deep breath and Shizune’s face turns red before you hear crying. The doctors all begin to check your baby as Shizune looks over to you and signs slowly with less gusto thanks to the pain of birth. “[Is...the baby...okay?]”

“[She’s fine.]” You smile, the doctors told you it was a beautiful baby girl before Shizune sees the doctor bring her over and gently places her in Shizune’s arms. She smiles and cries looking at the small child whose hair shares the same color as her mother.

Shizune gently rocks her as you gently rub her with your finger as she slowly stops crying and looks at you two smiling at her. “[Shizune, remember the bet, you beat me at that Mario 64 race, so you get to name her.]”

You take your daughter so Shizune can sign. “[Yes. Her name is Minako.]”

“Hello Minako. I’m your daddy, and this is your mommy.” You smile as you rock her by Shizune and she coos confused.

The doctors take Minako away to take care of her as Shizune slowly falls asleep from exhaustion before you go to see Misha and Lisa sitting in the lobby. “She gave birth to a baby girl. Her name is Minako.”

“That’s great Anchan! Me and Lisa were just talking names ourselves while waiting. Make a girl like me nervous and I may pop myself!” She gives her usual ‘Wahaha’ before becoming serious.

“No really, the doctor says I could go at any time with twins. So don’t stress me out like that! Dinner was so good too.” You sit down next to Misha and Lisa before sighing.

“Yeah well when you give birth it’s gonna be chaos for our families. Still it’ll be the birth of a new three musketeers.” You smile and Misha chuckles before looking at the picture that you refer to.

“That day was so long ago now. If we were to ask ourselves then what our future would be like I don’t think it’d be like this.” Misha smiles before feeling some kicks and giving a huff.

“Please not today little ones. You still need some time. Don’t worry you two will have a bigger room in a few months.” She breathes a bit rubbing her large round gut as you and Lisa rub and feel the action inside her womb.

It wouldn’t take long for that day to come however, during one of the last few hospital visits you were going to give Shizune before her release Misha began to breath heavily when alone with Shizune and the baby. Shizune seeing this buzzes for a doctor who rushes in and she points to Misha who is obviously in Labor. By the time you hear of it at home and get there Misha has given birth already with Lisa in the waiting room because blood makes her squeamish to the point of dizziness. You ask if you and Lisa can see her yet, when you get there you see Misha crying tears of joy holding her son and daughter in each arm. “Anon, Lisa. Meet Diana and Shotaro.”

You see the two brown haired babes resting on Misha’s chest, they shared their mother’s natural hair color. You and Lisa sit down next to her and look at them resting as the doctor tells you three they need to take them away for now. Misha looks depressed as she loses her children from her hands, she reaches out for them stilling wanting them in her arms. The day passes as you rest at the hospital since the next day Shizune was going to be released with your daughter. You say goodbye to Misha and Lisa as Misha is holding her children in her arms.

You carry Minako to the car and take extra care to make sure the seat is secured before driving off, Shizune decided to sit in the back seat to be close to her daughter who was silently sucking her thumb. When you get home Shizune gently caresses Minako’s cheek as you two take her home. Your new family begins here.


Chapter 2: The Early Years


    “I’m sorry to tell you about this.” The old balding doctor shakes his head as he gives you the sad news. Minako was born hard of hearing you look at her playing with Diana and Shotaro. It’s been a year since the trio was born. You decided to see if anything was wrong with Minako and your fears were founded. While not as bad as Shizune she does have hard of hearing. Luckily that was all that was wrong with her, Arrhythmia was not on the list. You sign all this to Shizune who looks saddened but it glad to hear that Minako isn’t mute like her and can still hear somewhat.

“Just contact me if anything else happens. Some defects are immediately apparent.” You nod as you lift Minako up as Shizune looks at her a bit saddened and strokes her cheek with the back of her hand.

You walk out of the office as Misha and Lisa are brought in, they wanted the twins checked out for their own health as well so there wouldn’t be any surprises in the future. As you walk by the windows you see the doctor tell Misha and Lisa something with a face even more solemn than when he told you Minako was hard of hearing and Misha broke down into tears, you look at the scene and Shizune eventually catches it. The two of you look upset before giving Misha some space for the time being texting her ‘Call when you want to talk about it.’

Once you get home Minako is sat down in her high chair for lunch. As Shizune feeds her you sit around taking it all in before Misha calls. “Misha?”

She talks to you, crying all the while as your face becomes solemn as well. When the call ends Shizune asks you what’s wrong before relaying the message. She frowns and shakes her head before hugging you tightly over the news.

Months pass and you and Shizune are trying to get Minako to speak leaning expectantly towards her after she finishes a sippy cup of apple juice, you two have tried for a while with you being the main speaker of course. You point to yourself then Shizune as you speak. “Daddy. Mommy.”

She sits there head looking at each of you before tipping her empty cup over, you sigh before taking the cup and heading into the kitchen leaving Shizune with the baby as she readies to take her up to her bedroom. When Shizune is alone with with the baby while you work your internship she is able to take care of her through a vibrating sound sensitive device. Shizune has managed to be a pretty much normal mother to her daughter. Upon lifting Minako up the baby speaks and Shizune’s eyes widen. She just spoke, Minako said her first words. She brings her to the kitchen to inform you about this after placing the baby in your arms. You wait a minute to see if she speaks again, nothing. Shizune looks depressed and signs quickly “[I’m sorry...I’m sorry for ruining one of the most precious moments a parent can have...]”

Shizune storms upstairs as Minako yawns. You take her to her room and place her in her crib before you walk in on Shizune in your bedroom. She’s crying her eyes out at her dresser looking at herself in the mirror before she sees you and signs. “[Anon...not once in my life have I ever felt so bad about being deaf. I realized something when she spoke. I can never hear my own daughter tell me she loves me. I can never hear her laugh or listen to her problems. I thought I figured out how to work around all these problems and be a good mother.]”

You hold Shizune from behind as she continues to cry. You let go and kneel down to sign to her as she’s looking down. “[Don’t say that, you’ve been a great mother so far. You can tell when you finish burping Minako. You manage to tell when she’s full after breast feeding. Also you’re here. That is what matters most to any child is that their parents are around.]”

The night goes on as per usual. You have dinner that was your turn to prepare this time thanks to Shizune’s scheme of ‘We play 7 matches on Sunday and winner chooses who cooks when after each victory. Same goes for cleaning’ Shizune is still feeling down as Minako is being a tiny bit restless which Shizune responds to by placing her on her lap. She looks down before you serve your girls their dinner. After eating Shizune cleans the baby’s face before you clean up. Once you place the dishes in the sink you hear a sweet gentle sound. “Mah ma.”

You turn around as Shizune is look down, she probably didn’t see it but you rush over and kneel down as Minako says it again and you sign to Shizune. “[Shizune! She said momma!]”

She lifts Minako up and looks and her as she says it again, Shizune realizes those are the same lip movements as before and you nod to her and Shizune tears up before hugging your daughter tightly.


    “DADDY!” Minako walks up to you looking upset, she’s seven years old at this point. She needed glasses like her mother so Shizune decided to make her a ‘little her’ by cutting her hair like hers for a while to see how she likes it. It’s the middle of summer vacation. Shizune is off on a business trip leaving you to take care of Minako and Lisa is in America for overseeing a fashion line she made so you and Misha are looking over your three kids together.

“Di and Sho won’t let me play games anymore cause they say I cheat!” You chuckle and lift Minako up and walk over to Diana and Shotaro playing video games before you shut off the tv Diana is looking like a skinny young Misha pre-dye and Shotaro is also quite thing because he’s slightly athletic when not visiting your house where he plays games with his sister and Minako.

“Diana. Shotaro. Are you being mean to Minako?” The two stand up and look to you.

“She always wins Uncle Anon! It’s boring if she’s the one always playing!” Shotaro replies.

You sigh shaking your head and smiling thinking about how around 3 Shizune let Minako play video games with you two. You went easy on her, Shizune less so, but she plays quite often thanks to this. Shizune tries to ease up on her daughter to curb her competitive habit, it’s lessened more and more over the years, simply because she finally got to the top of the business food chain and has more work and because she can never be harsh to her daughter. This in mind you kneel down to Diana and Shotaro to talk with them. “Now you two, just cause Mina has a lot of practice at these games and beats you at them doesn’t mean you shouldn’t let her play. Shotaro, your mom tells me you play baseball a lot. How would you feel if you got good and no one wanted you to play because of it.”

He looks down. “I’m Sorry...”

“I’m sorry too.” Diana said.

You hear the door open as Misha walks in carrying groceries and a box with a symbol on it. “Diana! Shotaro! I’m back!”

“Mommy!” The two run up to her and she clears her throat.

“Kids, what did I say about running around?” You take the groceries and separate the stuff you wanted from her stuff while she stays over.

“Sorry Mommy.’ The pair said as Minako looks over your leg.

“Hey Michan! I got you three lunch, are you hungry?” Misha said speaking a little loudly kneeling over.

“A lil aunt Misha.” She nodded as Misha opened the box with three bowls of ramen.

She gives the three kids napkins and chopsticks before helping you sort out the food. “So your kids decided that Minako was too good and didn’t want to play with her.”

“Kiiids, is this true?” Misha said loudly not turning around as the twins sip up some noodles.

“We’re sorry mommy.” They said.

“Promise to be nice to Minako or your birthday will have less presents.” Misha said and the pair looked at one another.

They said sorry to Minako. “It’s okay. I just want to play with you when you come over.”

You smile as the night continues on with relative ease. Dinner from Misha is delicious considering she doesn’t have that often to practice being a teacher now. She takes her kids with her to the guest room as you clean Minako up and take her to her room to tuck her in. “Daddy when is mommy coming home?”

“Before next week sweetie. She says she’s sorry and wants to see you again as soon as possible.” You cover her with sheets and give her her stuffed cat, which is thankfully a lot better than the one you won for Shizune back as kids.

“Daddy, why does Mommy look so sad all the time?” She asks you, you take a deep breath and sigh.

“You know how mommy is deaf right?”

“Mommy is dead!?” She asks scared and tightly hugging her stuffed animal

“No no DEAF sweetie. You know how daddy has to talk loudly to you because you can’t hear that well? Well no matter how loud daddy gets mommy can’t hear. She feels bad that she can never hear you laugh or cry or sit down and talk with you.”

“Daddy is those weird things you do with your hands talking to Mommy?” She asks.

“Yes, it’s called sign language. Me and Aunt Misha and Aunt Lisa know it, in fact ask Aunt Misha to teach you, she knows how to teach it better than I do. Then you can talk with mommy about anything you want.” You smile kissing her.

You leave the room and shut the light off. You pass Misha in the guest room as she tucks her kids into the bed before yawning. You walk into the room and explain the conversation you had with Mina. “Mrrrr Anchan It’s summer, I want to be AWAY from this kind of thing.”

“You can teach her better then me though. Come on, at least teach her the alphabet and one phrase. For me and Shizune, please.”

“Okay okay. I can’t refuse any request you give me really. I’ll sit with her tomorrow and teach her some basics.” You smile before heading to bed.

Like she promises Misha starts teaching Mina the basics of sign language. Two hours each day for the four days she has left. By the time she and her kids head home with the returning Lisa Minako learned the phrase she wanted to learn. Minako hugged Di and Shotaro goodbye as you try to help teach Minako more about Sign. Saturday rolls around and locks turn as you and Minako are reading a story together on the couching as Shizune tiredly walks in. You and Minako walk towards her. “[Hey Shizune, how was the trip?]”

“[Exhausting, didn’t help that we needed to talk about the potential of laying off some actually good employees in each country. So now I need to look over the files of 50 some people.]” Shizune gives a mute sign before looking at Minako and kneeling down to hug her and kiss her.

She moves her back a bit before signing to her mother for the first time. “[I love you mommy.]”

She gasps before tearing up. She smiles and removes her glasses and hugs her daughter tighter and kisses her over and over. “[I love you too sweetie.]”

Minako had learned enough to understand her reply as you joined in the hug. Your family grew so much close that day. You called Misha up and told her and she agreed to help teach Minako anytime she wanted.



    “Okay Mina...keep them closed.” Diana said covering Minako’s eyes. As they walked down the road to her house.

“Di....I know this is because it’s my birthday and you are all are planning a surprise for me.” Mina has changed a lot since her times learning sign language as a kid. She decided to grow her hair out to her shoulders because she didn’t want people thinking she was her mother’s sister as opposed to her daughter. Diana has changed too. She’s grown her hair to her back, and put on a tad bit of weight resembling her mother more and more sans the pink die she stopped using. It felt odd for a near 40 woman to have bubblegum pink hair after all. They walk up to your house and open up.

Party Poppers fly all around. Shouts of Surprise from You, Misha, Lisa and a roller from Shizune’s mouth all under a ‘Happy 14th Birthday Minako’ fill the room. “I KNEW IT!”

“Awwww Sorry guys she guess that I was covering her eyes for the surprise party.” Di stuck her tongue out bashfully rubbing her head as the two walked up for Minako to be hugged by you and Shizune. The years are beginning to show on you two as Minako still has plenty of youth to go. You’ve taken it more so then Shizune who still looks to be in her 30s while your age is more on the nose. “Happy 14th birthday sweetie, and no there is no car.”

She laughs at your joke before kissing you and Shizune signs happy birthday to her which she signs her thanks and kisses her mother on the cheek. “Where’s Shotaro?”

She signs the same thing as she asks out of habit. Misha sighs before responding. “Said he wanted to play some Baseball with some friends before heading over he promised he be here by now tho...”

“SORRY I’M LATE!” As if on cue the still dressed in his baseball suit teen walks in the still open door panting and wiping the sweat off with his cap.

“Forgot I left my present at home so had to run home THEN here.” He sits down to a frowning Misha and Shizune.

“I said Sorry!” He shrugs in a ‘wondering why everyone always blames me’ fashion before Diana laughs with a good ol ‘Wahaha.

“You always say sorry bro, just stop screwing up and we wouldn’t treat you like this.” Diana ever taking after her mother even in mannerisms.

“Well enough of pin the blame on the donkey and get to cake and presents.” You say with some cheers.

Minako blows her 14 candles with one breath before she cleans the smoke off her glasses and moves onto the presents. You got her more games that you, her and Shizune can play despite Shizune’s hands being a bit less strong as they used to be. From Shizune some books she had checked out at the local library that she looked sad giving up. From Aunt Misha was a Sign Language book that she had from University, a hand me down of sorts as well as some home made sandwiches that she learned from the Shanghai before it’s tragic closing. From Aunt Lisa it was some clothes from her and a fellow fashion designer for each season. Diana and Shotaro both handed her a single envelop. “From the two of us Mina. Shotaro and me spent our allowances on these.”

Inside were rainbow pens, with matching butterfly caps. 4 animal topped Bookmarkers, one a dog another a cat a bunny and a dove. Lastly was a 10 GB flash drive. Shotaro scratched the back of his head. “I uhhhh asked some girls of my class to help with this one. I filled it with some music they say they like.”

Minako chuckled and hugs Shotaro. “That’s very sweet.”

You all partake in having slices of cake before Shotaro stands up and bow. “Mother if you would please excuse me I would like to play some more baseball with my friends.”

He said in a sarcastic monotone. She laughs. “Okay dear.”

“Mom mind if we go with? I wanna cheer my twin on after all. Sides we need the walking to help our girlish figures stay girlish.” Minako nods in response.

“Very well, just don’t come back with a boyfriend you two, and be careful not to run too fast.” Misha says as Minako explains the situation to her mother who nods and tells her it’s okay.

The trio walk off as the adults now have the fun act of cleaning up the party. The mid day soon starts to see the sun setting. Shizune asks when Minako is coming home, Misha and Lisa get ready to leave thinking their kids are home already when your cellphone goes off. “Hello this is Anon spea...”

“DAD! IT’S TERRIBLE!” You hear your daughter crying and screaming on the other side of the phone and chatter in the background.

“Mina what’s wrong?” You concern draws Misha and Lisa’s attention, and eventually Shizune’s.

“IT’S DIANA DAD! SHE JUST FELL OVER! DADDY I’M SCARED! SHE ISN’T MOVING!” You almost drop your phone, it seems the day you all feared would happen has arrived.


Chapter 3: Truth

You’re all rushing into the Hospital where Minako is crying into Shotaro’s shoulder, he’s visibly shaken as Misha is rushing past all of you. “MY BABY! WHERE’S MY BABY I WANT TO SEE MY BABY!”

Misha is hysterical at this point, tears flowing down her face as you all catch up to her being stopped by her son. “Mom! Mom please calm down! The doctors said she’ll be....”

Before Shotaro finishes Misha slaps him across the face. “SHOTARO YOU IDIOT! I TOLD YOU NEVER TO MAKE YOU SISTER PLAY WITH YOU!”

“Mom I’m sorry! I really am Sor...” She slaps him again

“SHUT UP! YOU DON’T GET WHAT YOU DID! YOU CAN’T SAY SORRY TO THIS!” Misha is on her knees crying her eyes out as you walk up to Shotaro.

“Shotaro tell me from the top what happened. Your mother grabbed the phone from me before Minako explained the situation.” You hold onto his shoulders as Shizune walks over to Minako and signs with her to get the story from her and to calm her daughter down.

“Well when I got back to play with my friends two of them had places to go so everyone was thinking of stopping for the day. I asked if Di and Mina could take their places since they were just basemen.” Shotaro says recalling the event.

“Well one of my friends hit a good one, and was running to second where Di was, she was focused on catching from the outfielders when my friend dove in, accidentally hitting her. She tried getting up...then then...” The rest you piece together. You sigh realizing why Diana is in the hospital now.

“Shotaro, this is why your mother warned you about playing sports with her...you were told to be careful around her and...” He pushes your arms away, you can tell this was his breaking point too, he tried to stay calm but he wasn’t.

“I KNOW OKAY! I FUCKED UP! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR!? GOD DAMN IT! YOU’RE NOT MY FATHER DON’T ACT LIKE YOU A...”

“HE IS YOUR FATHER!” Misha shouts as Lisa begins to cry as much as Misha is, as the truth is coming out at last.

“W-What?” Shotaro looks back in shock at his mother whose slowly getting up.

“Back when I heard Anon and Shizune were trying to have Minako I heard that he was getting his sperm checked every week. I asked Shizune if it would be okay to use his sperm for In Vitro to conceive you two.” Misha began to break down again as Lisa stepped forward after placing a hand on Misha’s shoulder.

“You probably figured the In Vitro part out, but I was told Anon and Shizune would be willing to listen since we wanted children so bad and...well then I found out I was infertile and couldn’t have kids. We didn’t want to adopt so this was the only way.” Lisa replied. trying to calm her wife down.

“So she took the healthiest sperm I had given to the doctor and the rest...was you and Diana being born. Then I found out after you two were born that she inherited my Arrhythmia. You were lucky Shotaro, you were born perfectly fine despite being her twin.” You explain to the still shocked Shotaro.

“Anon and Shizune were such great friends, I wanted children so badly and they accepted so easily. I was so happy. Even when your sister was diagnosed I still felt happy to be a mother. I’m such a horrible one though for not telling you about her condition. I thought if I told you enough you’d listen. I’m such an awful mother!” Misha continued to cry as Lisa patted her head saying ‘no’ in italian.

“Minako why aren’t you saying anything about this? Your father technically had kids with another woman.” Shotaro asked.

“I...I knew. My mom told me when I asked why I see you two so often. I didn’t mind it then and I still don’t know. Sho I always thought of you as like a brother and sister to me, when I found out I was...I was so happy that you were at least half siblings to me. T-that’s why...” She began to cry again worried about Diana’s health when the doctor came out. Misha scrambled to him.

“DIANA! MY BABY IS SHE OKAY!?” She asked as the doctor slowly removed her.

“The worst passed a while again Mrs.Mikado She’s been resting for a while and we’ve monitored her. She’s awake now but I ask we keep the visiting short so she can get some rest.” The doctor said as you and the adults decided.

“Mina, Shotaro. Me, Misha and Lisa are going in first then you two go in after we come back.” The three of you head in as Shizune looks solemn. She knows why you three are going in. This was their problem, not so much hers. She felt somewhat responsible but she wouldn’t know what to say.

You three walk in as Diana is looking at the door. Misha rushes to her and cries holding her close. “Mom...”

You’re the second to come close to her and sigh heavily as you sit down. “I’m sure the doctors informed you about our relation didn’t they?”

She nodded weakly. “They told me I have Arrhythmia from my biological father. I didn’t understand what that meant at first, then they told me about how it’s a heart condition. I remembered some times when we played at your house you’d hold your chest for a bit. I had it partially figured out when they told me you were my biological father.”

“I’m so sorry Di. I didn’t tell you because I felt we were always a kind of family, so to be honest I always figured you’d treat me like a father figure.”

“I did. I really did think of you as one. I’m not upset at you, I just wanted to know why you didn’t tell me.” Lisa’s crying is finally noticed.

“Momma?” Diana called out to her as she walked over.

“Oh Baby, you can still call me Momma? Even though I’m not really related to you by blood you can still call me that?” Lisa cried more and more.

“Of course I can, you’re always gonna be my momma. You have been there for me plenty of times to make me feel better, to hug me and kiss me and tuck me in. It doesn’t matter that we’re not related by blood.” Lisa hugged Diana on the opposite side of Misha as you sigh again.

“Di. You know this scare means you’re going to have to take more precautions, watch your health more often and take medication regularly right?” She nodded.

“The doctor said that too. Said when I get old enough for High School I’m heading to Yamaku where I can be cared for should this happen again. That’s where You and Auntie Shizune and mom went together isn’t it?” She asked as you nodded.

“I’m sorry. You had to suffer because of me and my faulty body.” She shook her head.

“It’s not your fault, I don’t regret any part of my life at all. I always knew mom was looking out for me when she told me and Shotaro not to run. I’ve felt my heart beat a bit faster at times. I knew there was something off about me, even more so when I was excused from gym so many times. It all made sense, but when I actually had an attack...I was...” Finally Diana herself began to cry.

“I was so afraid, everything went black and I thought I’d never see my moms, you, Auntie Shizune, Shotaro or Mina ever again. I thought I was dead. It scared me me.” She sniffed as her mothers cried on her worried sick.

“The worst is over Di, just...listen to what the doctors say and you won’t have to worry about anything like this again.” The stress of the situation begins to take it’s toll on you.

Like a chain reaction your own heart begins to tighten. The three look at you as you take your breaths. “I’m sorry Di, I’m trying to make you feel better yet I go and have my own heart skip some beats on me.”

“I-it’s okay.” You can tell it’s not, she’s shaken after realizing you showed a bit of her own future ahead of her.

You turn to leave feeling you’re making it worse. “Daddy please wait.”

For the first time in her life she called you daddy, it’s something you thought you’d be fine never hearing in your life. Hearing it now though and seeing Di tear up again you feel the barrier you wanted to put between yourself and the twin breaking. “Tell me, did you always see me as your daughter, did you love me?”

You feel yourself breaking as you hug her. “Of course I did baby. I loved you since the day you were born.”

You kiss her forehead as she hugs you. “Daddy! Daddy!”

You stay like this for a good five minutes before walking out and telling the kids to go in. The three of you sit down rubbing your eyes Shizune asking how it went. You were honest to her about it, and said she’s glad you came to terms with her about her being your daughter. She didn’t want to hide anything anymore. The kids slowly open the door to Diana’s room. Diana smiles and speaks up first. “Hey Sis.”

Minako walks in and sits down while Shotaro goes to the corner looking away. “So dad told you?”

“The doctors did, but he did say he’s my father. So we’re half sisters now Mina. Sorry I had to ruin your birthday though.” She shook her head.

“I’m just glad you’re okay. I got so scared when you fell down and wouldn’t move.” She said beginning to tear up.

“Not you too Mina, please I don’t want anyone else to cry. I’m fine.” Minako sniffed before Diana looked to Shotaro.

“Sho...come on bro don’t you be like this too.”

“BUT IT’S MY FAULT DI! I was the one who asked you two to play! You nearly died and it’s my own damn fault! Damn it, I nearly killed my own twin sister!” He hits the wall with a fist.

“Calm down Shotaro. I’m alive aren’t I?”

“But Di...damn it you’re my sister. My Twin sister. I should have figured out something was wrong with you, I should have noticed. I didn’t and because I didn’t you nearly died. I-I always have a hard time expressing myself but god damn it Di I love you. All the times we spent together, playing games and sharing stories about our days we weren’t together. All that stuff I love I could have lost forever. I couldn’t live with myself after that, I don’t know if I can now.” The boy slowly begins to break down, Minako got up and hugged him tightly. She then stepped back and opened her arms wide.

“Mina?”

“My mom told me when dad was depressed she did this for him before they could talk to each other. She opened up your arms and with her body said ‘Look at what’s in front of you.’ Well I want you to do that right now. What’s in front of you?”

“You and Diana.” He responded slowly confused.

“That’s right. Me and Diana. We’re both here. We’re both alive. THAT’S all that matter Shotaro. I know this event scares you, it scares me too, but what matters is she’s still alive and here. So stop crying, it’s going to be okay, we just now need to think of how much more precious our time together is.” Minako finishes her speech as Shotaro takes a deep breath.

“Di, Mina. You’re right. Damn it, here I was thinking I was the oldest then I go and find out I’m the middle child of two wonderful sisters.” Minako smiles and hugs her half brother as Di smiles before falling asleep.

Everyone spends the night there not wanting to leave should anything happen. Eventually you’re told Diana would be fine and you all should rest. You and Misha’s family head to your houses to sit down and talk with your kids about what’s going to happen. You’re sitting with Minako across from her. “Minako...I know you’ve adapted to your hearing issues, and can speak sign very well, but your mother and I are considering sending you to Yamaku with Diana. She just, I know what it’s like to think you’d be alone there, I almost felt I was sent there to die. We want someone to go with her so she won’t feel alone when she gets there. I know this is something you need to take into consi...”

“I’ll go. She’s my sister and now that we both know this I want to spend as much time I can with her. I just...I want Shotaro to come too.” Shizune looks puzzled as she is signed this by you.

“[But dear Shotaro has no disability and if he just wanted to learn Sign his mother can teach...]”

“[Mom. Please. I want the three of us to be together. Di almost died yesterday, and I want the three of us to be together as long as we can in case something bad happens.]” You fold your hands together and rest your chin on them, you sigh and look up.

“We’ll see if we can get him in but you’ll have to convince him to do so.” She nodded before heading up to her room, remembering to take her Birthday presents up. The first one she takes a look at is the USB Shotaro gave her and puts it in her laptop and begins listening to each song he got on it into the night before falling asleep.

A few days later you all arrive to take Diana home. She looks a little more thin as she’s leaving but the moment she walks out into the sunlight she stretches to the sky. “OOOOOHHHH Feels GOOD to be out of that place. Now I can run around all day!”

There’s an awkward silence before she shrinks realizing she may not have said the right thing. “Di you’re coming with me today, we’re going to grab your medication you need to take.”

Diana goes with you and Shizune as Lisa and Misha hugs her. She sits next to Minako who pats her shoulder. “It’ll be okay Diana. Dad promises he’ll make sure you’re taken care of. If he doesn’t I’ll tell in him to your moms.”

She nods and leans over to hug Minako. “Thanks Sis.”

“You don’t have to call me sis. You can still call me Mina or Minako if you feel better about that.” Diana shakes her head.

“I wanted a sister and to be honest I always thought of you as one. I’ll call you sis anytime I feel like it!” She sticks her tongue out at he, Minako laughs and goes to push her before remembering that could hurt Diana and stops. Minako sighs.

“Things are going to be so different now Di. We can’t play like we did as kids I can’t push you anytime you say something dumb or silly that makes me laugh.” The somber feeling in the car is stopped when you arrived at the pharmacy and ask Diana to come with you Minako asks to go too because she wants to talk with Diana about something. Knowing what it is you agree and tell Shizune you’ll be back in a bit. She nods as you three walk in.

“What did you want to talk about?” Diana tilted her head.

“I told my folks I’ll head with you to Yamaku. I want to make sure we can spend as much time together as we can considering what happened, but I also want you to convince Shotaro to come with us.”

“Mina Shotaro doesn’t have anything wrong with him, how can we convince him to come?” Diana shook her head trying to think about it.

“I don’t know, look I just want us to try and get closer now that we all know we’re a family.” Minako said as Diana tapped her forehead thinking.

“GIRLS! Over here!” You call out at the desk as the bottles are being placed before you

“Okay dad!” They look at each other and giggle realizing this before walking over. You hand Diana all the pills she’s going to have to start taking.

“A-All these?” You nod she moans a little thinking how awful it’s going to be each morning and night to take these.

Minako pats her shoulder as you three walk back to the car, you drive up to your house where she sees her mom’s car and you walk up to the door, you open it and there’s a ‘SURPRISE’! When Diana walks in.

Misha and Lisa take Diana and sit her down. “W-what is this?”

She sees almost a part had been set up for her. “Silly it’s your welcome home party! We felt we shouldn’t feel bad about your condition forever and needed to celebrate you getting better and show how much you mean to us.”

Misha smiled as everyone she knew and loved gathered around her. “Everyone...THANK YOU SO MUCH! I’M SO HAPPY YOU ALL CARE SO MUCH ABOUT ME!”

She cried tears of joy hugging everyone. She looked to Shotaro after finishing the hug with him. “Bro...Minako and I...are both going to Yamaku. I know you’re perfectly fine and...”

He stops her words by raising his hand. “I’ll go. Because to be honest, I put on my glove earlier this week...and I just had a panic attack. I remembered how you were breathing, how you fell down and how you didn’t move. I got scared just putting my glove on. I heard Yamaku has some good shrinks. I don’t want to lose anything out of this whole ordeal. You or Baseball. If I can get closer to both at Yamaku I’ll go and force myself to stay back if I have to.”

Misha and Lisa were very concerned about this as it was their first time hearing about a panic attack. You look at the three. This to you was like looking a bit back in the past. A Single boy and two girls. The three Musketeer of Yamaku had been reborn.

Chapter 4: Ending Where it All Began



    “DAD I’M GONNA MISS YOU!” Diana is clinging onto you as you see your kids off at Yamaku. Misha, Shizune and Lisa are also there trying their hardest not to cry as Minako tearfully pulls Diana off you.

“I Know sweetie, it feels like just yesterday we started bonding like father and daughter. I promise we’ll come visit you anytime you want, we’ll take you home for vacations and you can call whenever you want.” You list off as Shotaro carries most of the luggage before wheezing.

“We’ll...BE FINE...Dad.” He says despite the heavy bags.

“Shotaro, take care of your sisters and...sorry I may not have been the father you wanted.” You reply before he turns around.

“Don’t say that. I wouldn’t have been born without you, and while I may not have treated you like my dad I always thought of you as one. I’m still pissed you never told us but you made both my moms happy so you’re a good enough father to do that much for me.” He said as Minako hugs you.

“Daddy, I promise I’ll take care of these two.” You pat your oldest daughter’s head and smile.

“I trust you, you take a lot after your mother, so taking charge will be second nature to you.” You four all wave goodbyes as your kids walk into into Yamaku, you turn to Shizune who frowns the most.

“[So much you wanted to say huh?]” She nods.

“[Seeing her go...makes me wish I could have her back as a small child again. When you told me her first words were momma. When she learned sign language to tell me she loved me. When I tucked her in and she wanted me to stay so she could tell me what words she learned to sign. When She became a teenager and told me so many things about herself that she wanted to share with me. I miss her so much already.]” Tears fill Shizune’s eyes and she buried her head into your chest.

“I’m just so glad even after all these years. I was welcomed into this family. Even when I barely had any part in the making of their lives.” Lisa sniffed.

“That day when Diana called me momma after recovering from her attack, I felt so happy Misha decided to marry me. She helped me experience a love that didn’t need blood ties. I always thought I was just the silent wife who watches her kids grow up around her until that day.” She smiled before blowing into a fancy tissue.

“I’m...I’m just so happy though. My kids that I gave birth to are happy, sure Diana needs medical care and monitoring but as a mother just seeing your kids happy is all I needed. When that last year rolled towards it’s end part of me wanted to die...now as I see two kids I brought into this world smile I just...” Misha began crying herself.

You try your best to hold back these feelings. You’re able to hold out better then that day your youngest daughter called you daddy after nearly 14 years. The two families get into their cars as they drive off.

Inside the school the trio each settle into their rooms. Minako and Diana were thankfully placed next to each other due to some ‘executive string pulls’ done by your wife. Shotaro was placed in the boys dorm of course. The first thing he did after setting up house was putting his baseball glove on. The memory of that day two years ago came back. Diana breathing heavily, falling over and ceasing to move. He quickly removed the glove feeling a cold sweat and his hand trembling. Some doctors claimed he had PDST, some people laughed at him for that calling it ‘A make believe illness.’ His friends who were there understood. Some even had the same issues he did, some got over it however one person besides him didn’t. He opened up before seeing a familiar face a young man with black hair with a messy bowl cut. “R-Raito!?”

“Shotaro!?” The two young men looked at one another, .

“Y-you’re here too?” He asked.

“Let me guess. You can get that day out of your head either.” Shotaro sighed.

“I-I wanted to call you man, ever since that day I see your sister falling down at my feet in my dreams, gasping for air looking up at me. I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD induced insomnia. I just...I’ve been so afraid since that day.”

Shotaro looked and saw his eyes were certainly baggy and looked like he lost sleep.

Shotaro goes to punch but stops before he hits his face, he pats his shoulder. “Man I’d punch you so hard right now if I didn’t understand what you’ve been though. I get panic attacks every time I try putting on my old glove.”

“Sho man. Can you ever forgive me?” He looks ready to break down and have a seizure or something as Shotaro puts his hands on his shoulders.

“Calm down man. Look I know something that might help you a bit.” The two walk out and head to the girls dorm room. Shotaro remember the girls’ dorm numbers, they hear some talking in Minako’s room meaning the two are in there as Shotaro knocks.

“Di. I have someone who needs to see you.” The two talk a bit quieter in confusion before the two open the door, upon seeing Diana Raito freaks out and begins to tremble.

“C-Calm down man! She’s alive, not a zombie or something!” He held onto him tight as he took deep breaths.

“Shotaro isn’t this?” Diana vaguely remembers the person who crashed into her two years ago, but the wording Shotaro uses help put the pieces together.

“Di this is Raito, the idiot who bumped into you and caused your heart attack.” Shotaro slapped Raito’s chest before he bowed.

“I’M VERY SORRY! I’M VERY SORRY!” He looked up to see an extended hand.

“Pleased to meet you.” She said bluntly with a smile.

“H-Huh? You mean, you’re not mad?” Raito blinks standing upright.

“I was going to have one eventually thanks to my condition. You just kind of made it happen faster. I’m still alive that’s all that matters.” Raito nods and slowly takes her hand and she shakes it with gusto.

The next couple of days the trio settles in with Shotaro and Raito meeting the school psychiatrist. Minako signing up for Student council and Diana slowly adjusting her diet and light workout regiment. As part of their coping exercises Sho and Rai help run with Diana each time she does, after one of their workouts the three of them notice a blind kid swinging at a ball he tosses up, obviously missing each time. “Hey what’s he doing?”

“HEY!” Shotaro walks up to him.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to practice. I want to get onto the baseball team. They say I can’t because I can’t see.” He says trying to do it again.

“Well doing THIS isn’t going to help. You need the ball to REALLY come at you. Do you know any pitchers we can get?” Raito asked him.

“Not that I can ask to help without turning me down.”

“Damn. If only we weren’t a bunch of scaredy cats. We could toss the ball like amateur pros.” Shotaro sighs.

“I could throw the ball.” Diana replies.

“But Di...”

“AFTER SCHOOL! I do my morning workouts then after school I him the ball how about that?” The two former baseball players thought about this.

“What about catching? Even a newbie can throw a ball hard enough to hurt someone.” Raito responded.

“Mina can catch! She hasn’t gotten into Student Council yet so she has some spare time!” Shotaro nods before thinking ‘this could work.’

“Hey you, did you hear that?” The blind kid nods as Shotaro formulates his plan.

Each day after school He Minako and Diana come out with Raito carrying the gear to the field where the Blind kid would find a nice spot to practice. Shotaro would tell the girls proper throwing and catching, even teaching them certain tricks of the trade. As the first year went on the blind kind more and more was able to pinpoint each throw. Each type, at different speeds. Raito could only watch as Shotaro would give quick orders and like machines his newbie sisters would look like minor league players. He could tell partially it was because of the bond they shared as siblings. Each day the three would sling their arms around each other, mostly supporting Di as they made sure to take her to the nurse after each day.

By the end of the year Raito vanished. Leaving the three to help the blind kid, who one day after a particularly good throw from Di a crack of the bat echoed through the field. The ball flew over her head and into the actual baseball field. The many members looked at the ball and over to your four. They knew about you, they heard how you kept trying to help the Blind kid who wanted to play baseball. The couch walked over, the baseball in hand. “Who...taught him how to swing like that?”

Shotaro raised his hand slowly. That was a day he wouldn’t forget. “Raito!”

He ran into Raito’s room before seeing his friend was packing. “Raito! I’m the new Co-Coach for the baseball team! They were so impressed by how I helped the Blind kid, that...”

He smiles and chuckles. “Raito...where have you been anyway? And...what’s all this?”

“You and your sisters man...you’re really like three Musketeers. I didn’t need to help at all man. Watching you all though...it helped calm me down. The nightmares stopped man, I’m cured. I don’t need to be here anymore. I’m happy for you man really, and I hope we stay in touch. I just hope you and your sisters keep up the good work around here. Your older sis is already gunning for Head of Student Council position. Di’s been the ‘angel of Yamaku’ helping pretty much everyone’s problems. Now you, you’re helping blind kids hit a ball. You guys were special the moment you walked in through those iron gates.”

He lighty punches Shotaro in the chest. “I hope you get better to man, coach all you want but I want to finish that game we started.” Shotaro took a deep breath and sighed before hitting his friend’s chin.

“I promise. Di won’t play this time though, Nurse hounds me all the time for the workout throwing a damn ball gives her.” Raito left, one of the first people Shotaro Mikado would help.

He would become known through Japan for coaching Special Kids that were thought unable to ever play sports given their conditions.

    Graduation day comes as Minako steps up to give her speech as the top of the class student. “Everyone. I stand here today because I came here. I didn’t have to stand here at Yamaku. I could be standing anywhere else in Japan giving a speech about how wonderful my time was. How great I was. I’m not here because of that. I’m here because my half Sister, Diana Mikado had a heart attack much like our father who attended this same school. I didn’t need to come here, I overcame my hard of hearing YEARS before Yamaku was even brought up to me. I came here because I had family that needed me. That would have possibly felt lonely without me and our brother here. It was completely unfounded however. My sister as you know her is the ‘Angel of Yamaku.’ She’s made so many friends in helping out around the school. Despite her condition she ran herself ragged helping me in student council, her twin brother coaching many students here AND overcoming his fear, helping our school librarians organize books, helping almost everyone here. If I needed to say one thing up here, it’s that you can care for your family, but don’t worry about them. They can surprise even you with how strong they are. So Diana, you should be the one up here giving a speech. Not me.” Mina would follow her mother’s sense of business and opened up Schools for Deaf, Blind and Mute across Japan. Sports centers for Special Needs that her Brother helped founded and ran. And she would personally fund the Diana Mikado Orphanage for the Disabled.

Diana walked up to the Podium. She at a loss for what to say. “I...I have no words for the kindness my half sister has said. I...I really just wanted to help people. My whole life was changed that day I had my heart attack. I saw how precious each individual life was. When my brother and his friend wanted to help a blind kid play a sport he wanted to play. I saw myself. When my sister asked me to help the student council because one of the students was suffering from his illness. I thought of how sick I felt. I didn’t want people to feel bad like I did seeing my two mothers, my biological father and my siblings cry. I wanted to help make people happy. That’s All.”

You remember the speeches your two daughters gave, you remember signing them to Shizune who applauded so loudly as Lisa and Misha cried. You would remember that day as you lay in your deathbed, your wife and family looking over you. “I’m proud of what my children, the three of them became. I’m happy to have lived long enough to see them get this far. I wish you the best. My wonderful family.”

As you passed the memories of the days you had with Misha and your wife Shizune had together in Yamaku. The days you spent together made your life what it was today. You smile as you remember the first time Shizune signed those words to you before passing on “[I love you.]”

The End.