Translations/Meanings, Ch. 5:

Jeepney: Type of public transportation, like a jeep but bus length

Undas: All Souls/Saints Day, celebration of the Dead

Barong: Cultural men's clothing in the Philippines

Maayong Gabii: Good Morning

Gigutom ka: Are you hungry?

October 31st

Akira sat quietly in the jeepney. The wind made his hair flow in the air, and the sound of the beeping jeepney filled the area. He stared at the floor blankly. Although Undas was a time of celebration, it was always a sorrowful reminder for him. The jeepney came to a stop and Akira hopped out. He walked down the street market and went up to a flower vendor. He bought one bouquet of flowers, consisting of the colors blue, white, and orange, along with a few candles offered by the vendor. 

He made his way back home and placed the flowers and candles on the counter. His moms were packing some food into tupperware, and Vin was placing everything in a bag. Akira went up to his room and changed into his barong and a pair of black pants. Vin was wearing the same, and his moms were wearing white dresses. He walked back downstairs, then helped his family load everything into their car. After they were settled, they drove off to the cemetery. 

Once at the cemetery, the four of them took a short 5 minute walk to a grave. They placed the flowers, lit the candles, and set up a blanket. The tupperware of food was placed on the blanket and the family sat down. Akira leaned over to the headstone, placing a small kiss on it, “Happy Undas, Kuya Hikaru..”

The rest of the family greeted him the same way. Akira tried his hardest to hold in his tears, but was unable to, leading to the tears flowing down his cheeks. The first day of Undas marks the day Akira and Vin lost their older brother to cancer. Today was the fourth year without him. Akira, being only 12 at the time of his death, still felt lost and vulnerable without his older brother. Sora had Hikaru as a young teenager, making him much older than his two brothers. 6 years older than Vin, and 17 years older than Akira. 

Due to the large age gap, Akira relied deeply on his older brother. Their biological father was never around, so Akira saw Hikaru as his father figure. He helped him with everything and raised him his whole childhood. Even helping him choose the name, Akira, after transitioning. And so, he was left completely heartbroken and empty the day he passed. 

Akira wiped his tears quickly and turned to the rest of the family. They were also teary eyed, but he could tell they were keeping themselves together. Sora reached down in front of herself and opened the tupperwares of food.

“Let’s eat my loves, I’m sure your Kuya is hungry and waiting for us to eat.”

Akira smiled at this and handed out the plates. They filled them up with all of Hikaru’s favorite foods and began to eat. Vin scooted closer to his little brother and pulled him in as he ate. Sora snuggled into Riku and the two embraced each other tightly. Although they were silent, the air around them was filled with their love, and they all were just glad to be together.

November 1st:

The celebration of Undas continued. The second day, the Nakamura family decided to stay at home this time, spending time as a family in the comfort of their own home. Akira was wrapped in a blanket on the living room couch, resting on Vin’s shoulder. Vin had his legs up on the table with another blanket wrapped around him. The two boys were sitting together while their moms rested on the other side of the couch. 

The doorbell rang loudly and Vin looked over towards the door. He laid Akira down on the couch gently as he got up. He opened the door to Imani, Shiro, and Hyori standing there. Shiro was holding a bouquet of flowers, Imani was holding a teddy bear, and Hyori was holding some other gifts for the family.

Shiro smiled at Vin, “Can we come in?”

Vin smiled back at the young boy, “Of course you can.”

He let the three in and they placed their belongings on the kitchen counter. 

“You three hungry? We have plenty of leftovers from yesterday.”

They nodded and Vin set up the kitchen, handing them the food. As they ate, Vin asked them about their day. While talking, Vin felt something weigh down on his shoulder. He turned, seeing a sleepy Akira resting his head on his shoulder and looking at his friends.

“What are you guys doing here?”

Hyori grinned, “We came to celebrate Undas with you!’

Akira beamed, “You are?”

Shiro nodded, “Of course we are!”

Imani ran and hugged Akira, “Never a bad time to hang out with our Akira.”

Akira laughed happily, and wrapped his friends in a tight hug.

“I’m so glad you guys are here, I love you three so much.”

November 2nd:

It was the last day of Undas, and the three friends spent the night at Akira’s house to keep him company. 

Akira awoke to the sun shining in his face, and the smell of waffles coming from downstairs. He turned to his side, and noticed Imani fast asleep on the other side of the bed. The time on the clock read 7:15am, it was still very early. But since he was already awake, he decided to get dressed and head downstairs. 

When downstairs, he saw Vin cooking breakfast while Shiro and Hyori were on the couch watching TV together. He made his way to Vin to see what he was cooking. Vin looked over at Akira and took off his headphones.

“Maayong Gabii Akira, gigutom ka?” (Good morning Akira, are you hungry?)

Akira nodded eagerly. Vin grinned and grabbed him a plate, serving him breakfast. Akira thanked his brother for the food and went to the living room to eat. He sat down next to Shiro and smiled at him.

“Gabii Shiro!”

He received no answer. Shiro was too busy talking to Hyori.

“Shiro?”

He finally turned but was surprised to see him there.

“Oh, hey Akira! Didn’t notice you were there, sorry.”

Akira shrugged, “It’s fine.”

Shiro began talking to Hyori again, and Akira slumped in his seat.

Imani finally woke up and made her way downstairs to the living room. She plopped down next to Akira and flopped onto him. Akira hugged her, “Still tired?”

Imani nodded and reached over to Akira’s plate, grabbing a waffle and eating it.

Vin sat down on the other couch and turned to the four teens.

“What do you guys want to do today? It’s the last day of Undas so we should do something special.”

Hyori jumped in, “Well, we should do something you guys want to do.”

“I don’t mind what we do, so it’s up to Akira then.”

Everyone turned to Akira and he slumped further into his seat, embarrassed from all of the attention.

His voice was muffled when he spoke, “Well um..maybe we can just go to the beach? Kuya really loved the beach.."

The rest of them agreed and Vin stood up, “Perfect, we’ll get going in half an hour. You guys get ready, I’ll wake up our moms.”

Shiro hopped up and dragged Hyori to help him pick out his outfit. Akira watched them run away as Imani sat up. She grabbed his hand and pulled him up. 

“While they go together, you and I can help each other with our outfits.”

Akira smiled at the gesture and they made their way to Akira’s room.

The group met up in the foyer of the house. Hyori had on a cover up for her bikini and Shiro was wearing a sando and his swim shorts, Vin was wearing the same thing. Akira had on his cardigan over his swimsuit, and Imani was wearing a dress. 

They headed into the car and drove off to Maribago Beach on Mactan island. The 30 minute drive felt like a century to Akira. Their car was only a five seater, so Akira, Shiro, Vin, Imani, and Hyori were squished in the back. Akira was halfway on Vin’s leg, someone’s elbow was digging into his side, and everything was irritating him. Usually he doesn’t mind being squished in the car, that’s how it usually was in the Philippines. But today it annoyed him, he was hoping for a peaceful day to remember his brother.

Finally they arrived at the beach, and Akira immediately opened the door. Vin almost fell out and Akira moved him and hopped out quickly. He stretched and felt the ground, thankful to be out of that squished car. Vin adjusted himself and helped unload the car while the other three teenagers got out.  

They made their way to the beach and set up. Shiro, as well as Hyori, took off their cover ups and ran to the water. Splashing each other and laughing. Imani took her dress off, adjusting her bikini, and held out her hand to a sitting Akira.

“Let’s go join them!”

Akira rested his head on his chin and shook his head, “I’ll just stay here.”

Imani whined, “Please!”

Akira sighed and gave in. He stood up and took his cardigan off. He was wearing a swim dress, but still felt awkward. Wrapping his arms around himself, looked towards the water hesitantly. Imani smiled, and grabbed his hands.

“You look so cute Kira.”

He smiled and held her hands, “Let’s go swim?”

Imani nodded eagerly and they ran off to the water. Hyori and Shiro were throwing a ball around, and Imani and Akira were just splashing each other. Imani grabbed Akira into a big hug, making him laugh loudly and smile brightly.

While they were playing, Vin was relaxing on the blanket with his moms. He leaned over and laid his head on Sora's shoulder, hugging her.

Sora looked down and smiled at her son, “28 and you’re still my baby..”

Vin hummed, “28, but I’ve really only lived my life for 8.”

Sora stroked his hair softly and Vin closed his eyes, ignoring the struggles of adulthood, and taking the time to relax with his family. 

His peace was disturbed by a small sprinkle of water splashing on his face. He opened his eyes and saw Akira smiling down at him.

“Come swim with us Kuya!”

Vin groaned, closing his eyes again, “I’m old…let me rest”

Akira laughed and dragged him up, “ Let’s go, let's go! Spend time with your little brother!”

Sora giggled, “He’s right love, go spend time with him.”

Vin finally gave in and let Akira drag him to the water. 

      Shiro cheered loudly when Vin got in the water and threw him the ball. The two boys started tossing it back and forth while Akira and the two girls just gossipped and swam around.

The sun began to set and everyone was laying down on the sand. The orange rays shone on the seven of them, making it the perfect golden hour. Akira turned his head to his friends, smiling. 

“Thank you guys for spending this Undas with me..I really appreciate it.”

Imani gently held his hand, “Anything for our Akira.”

Shiro and Hyori nodded in agreement and Akira pulled the three of them into another hug. Grateful that he had some of the best friends he could ask for.

November 3rd:

Vin collected his luggage from the back of the car, ready to get on his flight back to Japan. Akira stood there sadly with his hands behind his back and swaying back and forth. When Vin finished, he turned to Akira and smiled, walking over to him. He grabbed his face and gently squished his cheeks.

“Don’t be sad, I’ll be back on your birthday..and this time with Kuya Amihan and Ate Malaya.”

Akira frowned, “But that’s over two weeks away..”

“Only two weeks. You’ll be fine without me.”

“But my Kuya!” Akira said sadly.

“No buts…I’ve been living away from home for years now, why are you more sad now?”

Akira swayed some more, “No reason..”

Vin exhaled deeply, “I’ll try to visit more often after my trip for your birthday, okay?”

Akira nodded and smiled slightly, “Sige…”

The two brothers hugged tightly, Akira making his grip tighter, not wanting him to leave. They finally let go and Akira waved bye to him. Vin waved back and entered the airport, not wanting to look behind him in fear that he might run back and stay with his little brother. Akira inhaled, and followed his moms back to the car, waiting patiently for the next time he’ll see his brother.