Subject: Sid

The music of the subway placed in the morning in the station. Sid stood at the platform with roses in his hand. Arisu was coming home for school today. He learned about that last night. The grim darkness that he had lived with the summer was suddenly lifted away with those words. He practically had to read the e-mail over and over again to see if he was dreaming or not. Sid almost read it aloud to one more time before leaving this morning.

Momma and I are coming home tomorrow. Meet me at the subway station at 10 a.m. I have missed you so much.

Norman at to try and pull his son away from the laptop screen in order to get him to bed.

“/You’ll see her in the morning son,/” he said. “/Just go to bed!/” So here he was now, at the subway, waiting for his girlfriend and her mum. Sid even put on a suit today. He just couldn’t wait to see his girlfriend again.

The subway pulled up to a stop. Sid’s heart raced as the doors blew open. The flood of people got off the train. The boy kept looking through the sea of folks. He couldn’t see a head invaded with multiple hair clips. It’s been six months and Arisu still wouldn’t let good of the excessive hair clips. Sid had grown to love them over the summer.

Suddenly, a white-silver glitter caught his eye. Sid looked up and saw Arisu standing before him. She was dressed in her schoolgirl uniform. She looked just the same as she did before she left for Mongolia. Sid held the bouquet of roses in his hand.

He took her to MacDonald’s for breakfast. The couple walked side by side on the street. Seems like the perfect romantic morning for teenagers, right? Well, almost. Sid looked behind him. The girl’s mother staggered behind them. She looked really pale and half-dead. The bloke turned back to his girlfriend, nervously.

“No, she just had too many Russian Vodka bonbons and many mini-sake samplers on the plane and subway.” Sid looked at her in discomfort.

“Yeah.” Sid looked at her grimly, nervously. Arisu gave him a sweet little smile.

“It’s how she is, Sid. She’s just sick, that’s all. Jin will take her home after breakfast.” Sid looked at her nervously.

“Jin’s having breakfast with us!” Her boyfriend began to look really nervous.

“/That’s what I was afraid…/” he mumbled. Arisu just giggled at him. The trio made it to MacDonald’s. Arisu had to drag her mother into the restaurant. Near the window, Jin looked up and saw his family.

“Big brother!” she cheered. The girl hugged her brother as she giggled. Jin looked up and saw Sid staring at him. The boy gave him a nervous wave.

“Hm?” She turned and looked at her boyfriend. Sid looked at them rather pale. Awkward. Arisu smiled at Jin.

“I invited him with us!” she announced. Jin tried to look nice at the boyfriend.

“Thank you for getting my mom and sister here safely,” he said. “You can go now.”

“I do not want him here,” Jin told her, trying to keep down his temper. “He’s the reason that you ended up depressed.”

“No!” Arisu barked. “He’s staying here with us.” Her brother looked at Sid again.

“I SAID HE’S STAYING!!!” *Sweat drop on Sid’s head as he noticed people staring at him* “I hate when it gets like this!” he thought. In the end, Arisu won. Sid sat in discomfort next to his girlfriend with her brother sitting across from them. Jin glared at him the whole time. *Sweat drop on Sid’s head the whole time* “Why does he hate me so much?” he thought. He looked over at Arisu.

“It’s okay, he’ll warm up to you soon.” Sid looked at Jin nervously. The older brother was giving him the stink-eye. The boyfriend bit his lip nervously. So far, it wasn’t looking like that was going to happen any time soon. This now became the breakfast from hell.

Jin took his mother home after the two hours of silent hell in MacDonald’s. Now, Sid and Arisu were alone again. Sid smiled as he looked over at his girlfriend.

“He’s going to be busy with Momma all day,” she said. “In fact…” The unstable girl took her boyfriend by the hands. Sid looked at her quite surprised. Arisu looked him deep in the eyes.

“Yeah! Pleaseeee?” The boy found himself in a slight dilemma. He loved Arisu, but yet he didn’t want to get in trouble with Jin again. Yet, this was Arisu’s first day back in Japan. But, Jin still hates his guts. Looks pretty close…

Sid sighed in defeat. “/Fine, I’ll stay with you./” Arisu looked overjoyed.

“Oh thank you, Sid-kun!” she cheered. The girl hugged him tightly. Sid felt really uncomfortable about this. He couldn’t escape the feeling that something bad was about to happen.

The couple ended up in Korea Town in downtown Tokyo. Arisu took control for the day. Sid didn’t really have much of a choice here. He just wanted to keep her happy. They went to an Asian Grocery named Chang’s. Arisu stood in front of the glass doors.

“I always wanted to show you this place,” she said. “Jin always took me here when I was really sad.” Sid looked on impressed. Maybe this day won’t suck after all. Arisu slid open the doors.

“Come along?” she offered. Then, the girl walked inside. Sid followed behind as if he didn’t really have anything better to do. The scent of curry went up their noses as if they just snorted some coke.

“/Whoa!/” Sid said. “/It feels like we’ve stepped into Ando’s living room./” Arisu just giggled. She walked over to the candy section. Sid followed behind.

“You want anything, Sid?” his girlfriend asked. The boy thought about it for a moment.

“Ooo maybe we can try some boortsog[1] here!” Arisu chirped. Sid eyed her in an odd way.

“/Oh./” Arisu browsed around for more treats. Sid stood behind her, looking around. He just felt so out of place here. They should be in school right now. Not downtown, in an Asian grocery store. Arisu made her final selections.

“Okay, ready!” she said. The girl walked all the way to counter. Her boyfriend followed behind while shuffling his feet. Arisu rang the front bell. A small Korean man walked over to them. Arisu gave him a warm, little smile.

“Hello Yong!” she greeted him. The old man straightened his glasses for a better long. He lit up just like a Christmas tree.

“Actually, I’m supposed to be there today. But I just got back and well, you know…” The store keeper quickly got it.

“Yes san.” The store clerk rang up the purchase and Arisu paid him the money. He began to hand back her change. She kindly held out her hand to him.

“Come on, Sid-kun, let’s go.” Both of them left the store. The store keeper smiled and watched the young couple leave on their day off from school.

“/So where are we going now?/” Sid asked once they got outside. Arisu turned to him and gave him a sweet little smile.

“Are you not having fun, Sid?” she asked. The boy quickly came back to earth.

“/Oh, yeah, yeah,/” he replied. “/It’s just…/” Arisu stopped in her tracks with her back turned to him.

“/Yeah,/” he replied. The only sound heard at the moment was the wind rushing over their heads.

“I don’t want to go back yet…” Arisu mumbled. Sid looked at her puzzled.

“Never mind!” she chirped. “I still have to show you my other special place! Come on!” Then, the girl ran down the street with the goodies in her arms. Sid watched her uneasy. Maybe, she wasn’t really ready to come home yet…

The couple made it to the park. They began walking through the woods. Sid looked around confused.

“Sure!” Arisu replied. “It’s right along this path. Just be careful of the low branches, okay?”

“Oh and be careful not to slip!” Sid mumbled out a reply. Arisu didn’t bother to ask what he said or if he understood her. She just kept walking. Sid had no choice but to keep following her. All to keep her happy, he guessed. Right, yeah…

They came to a beautiful shady spot with many trees and wet grasses. Arisu turned to Sid smiling.

“/So why are we here?/” His girlfriend said nothing. She just lied down on the ground under the trees. The snacks sat next to her head. The girl looked up at her boyfriend.

“Come join me!” she said. Sid sighed and shrugged. He might as well. The boy walked over to Arisu and lied down next to her. They shared a kiss in the shade. Arisu looked at the branches above.

“Lovely, isn’t it?” she asked. Sid looked at the scattered sunlight through the branches.

“/Yeah…/” he mumbled. He felt her head on his shoulder. Sid looked and saw Arisu going to sleep on him. The boy wanted to wake her up at first, but decided against it. What choice did he have today? She was in control today, not him. Sid looked back up at the sunlight through the branches. Good to have her back though. He felt lost without Simon and Arisu. Sure, Casper and them were there, but it wasn’t the same. Maybe with Arisu back, things will be different. With that hope, Sid slowly fell asleep as well.

Well late into the early evening, Sid felt a shadow standing over him. He slowly fluttered his eyes open and an icy feeling crept over him. Jin stood over the couple glaring at them. Sid instantly became nervous.

“/Hi… Jin…/” he mumbled as he gave him a little wave. The older man didn’t speak at first.

“So this is where you took my sister!” he yelled. “You two should have been in school.” Sid quickly shook his head.

“/No, no! It was her idea. She dragged me all the way out here!/” he insisted.

“Sid, could you keep it down? I’m trying to sle--” she began to say as she was waking up. The girl looked up and saw her brother. He looked pretty disappointed at her.

“That’s it! We are going home now!” the older man snapped. He grabbed them but by the wrists and dragged them home. *Sweat drop on Sid’s head the whole time* He knew that he was in shit now. However, that was nothing compared to what was coming up at dinner.

Sid sat at the table with Arisu, her mum, and Jin for dinner. Their expressions varied with each person. Arisu smiled at her boyfriend the whole time. Mommy dearest was still drunk out of her mind. Jin… looked pissed at Sid. The boy tried his best not to look at the angry demon sitting before him. He stared intently at his plate. Jin lowered his chopsticks.

“So, how was your day off?” he asked. Sid felt his hands shaking in his lap.

“Arisu,” he said. “Why did you cut class today?” Sid could barely swallow. His girlfriend smiled and shrugged.

“Just felt like it. I’m not a child anymore, Jin.” The older man looked over at Sid.

“And he didn’t put you up to this?” Sid jerked his head upwards. Arisu shook her head.

“Yes, Jin,” Arisu said with clinched teeth. “Quit saying that Sid is a bad person.”

“But… he drove you to try to commit suicide!” Jin argued. “That’s why I moved you and mom to Mongolia.” Sid became angry at that comment. Something in his mind finally snapped. He looked up at Jin, glaring at him.

“/Oh, just because I make one little mistake, I’m no good for your sister?!?/” Sid yelled. Jin looked at him sharply.

“/I’m sorry, have you ever thought that you’re too over-protective of her?/” he questioned.

“/Look, I’m not the enemy here! All we did was cut school. Nobody got hurt! It was all her idea!/”

“/She’s not a little defenseless sheep, you know! Arisu can take care of herself!/”

“She needs to be protected from you, you monster!” Sid threw down his chopsticks.

“/I don’t need this bull shite!/” he mumbled to himself. “/I’m leaving!/” Sid got up from the table and stormed out of the apartment.

“Sid, wait!” he heard Arisu cry. The boy didn’t stop to listen. He just let the door slam behind him. To him, putting up with Jin just wasn’t worth the relationship. So, he thought that he would cut his losses at that very moment. Or at least, that was the plan originally.

By the time he got home, a wash of sorrow flooded into his mind. What was he thinking? Things had been so good between him and Arisu. Why was he even *thinking* to end it now? Jin shouldn’t be the reason to bring everything to ruin. But, why did that man even hate him in the first place? It didn’t make sense. None of it did.

Sid made it home in exhaust. His dad was probably drinking in his room now. He hadn’t been right since Matilda left him. The divorce was still on the fence. Sid doubted that either one knew what to do. Why worry with it now? He just wanted this crappy day to be over and done with. Sid didn’t really feel hungry anymore. Bed seemed to be the only option at the moment. However, even that was taken from him.

Sid noticed who he thought was Ando sitting on the porch, waiting for him. The older boy blinked for a moment. Yep, it was Ando alright. Plus, he wasn’t alone. That monkey was holding hands with… Ghost. Sid became really confused.

“/Ando?/” he asked. “/What are you doing here?/” The boy stepped forward, turning bright red in the face.

“Uh… hi Sid, I was just wondering if Ghost and I could have sex on your bed tonight?” he asked. The creepy girl cuddled up close to her “boyfriend.” Sid blinked in confusion. He looked at his house for a moment.

“/Right…/” Sid mumbled. Ando and Ghost hurried inside the house. Sid watched on in confusion. Okay… So now what?

Sid just went out to the bar/club War Hell. He had been coming here alone so Simon was in a coma and Arisu had been in Mongolia. This place gave him a little comfort in the nights when he didn’t feel like going home. He numbly walked inside. Tonight was packed. Goth kids all over the place. Some were even making out. Sid suddenly felt lonely in this place. He quickly shook his head. “Right,” he thought. “I need a drink.” Sid made his way over to the bar. The bloke sat down and looked around. Nobody really knows him here. Good for him. The bar tender looked at him.

“Hello there,” he said. Sid didn’t look up at him. The bar tender’s face didn’t change.

“Not in a talking mood, huh?” he asked. Sid looked up and then away. The bar tender went on talking.

“Okay…” The bar tender went over to get the drink for Sid. The boy kept quiet the whole time. He glanced around once the bar tender was gone. Something caught Sid’s eye near the stage. Gabby and her band were playing on stage. He looked more confused again.

“I didn’t know Gabby plays in a band,” Sid thought. He listened to the emo-pop/rock techno blasting through the air. Sid then looked over at the entrance. Simon slowly walked through the door. He still looked rather out of it. Sid didn’t want to associate with him at first. “Maybe if I ignore him, he’ll probably go away,” he thought. The boy suddenly guilty for thinking that. Sid quickly shook his head and turned back to the bar. The tender came back with his drink. That made up the boy’s mind. He got up and walked over to Simon. His friend looked up and saw him.

“/Hi Simon!!!/” a voice cheerfully called out. The boys looked up and saw Gabby hurrying over to them. She leapt over and hugged the recovering boy wildly. Sid looked on in discomfort. Gabby playfully nibbled on Simon’s ear. He didn’t seem to feel anything at all. Gabby pulled away some.

“/Hey babe!/” she said. “/I’m so glad you came to see your girlfriend play with her band tonight!/” Sid just couldn’t take it anymore. He had to take a stand.

“/You’re not his girlfriend!/” Sid spoke up at last. Gabby and Simon both looked up at him. The snotty girl tried to play dumb and innocent.

“/I don’t know what you are talking about!/” she exclaimed. Sid didn’t back down.

“/I’ll be back!/” Gabby hissed. She stormed off in a rage. Sid breathed out once she had vanished into the crowd. Crisis was adverted. Or at least one of them. Suddenly, Sid didn’t want to be here. He walked away into the night.

As he walked around, Sid got lost in his thoughts. What the hell was he doing? He shouldn’t be alone tonight. He should with his girlfriend. Shite brother or not. He froze in place and sighed. How did it all turn out like this? It used to be so simple before Arisu left. But now… What the happened?

Sid quickly shook his head. Forget about all of that now! He had to go back to Arisu and take Jin’s wrath like man. The boy took in a deep breath and matched all the way back to Ozawa house.

Sid pounded on the door. He was about to pound harder when it opened. Arisu looked in at him on the other side. Sid gave her a little smile.

“/I have been thinking…/” he began. “/And… I really do love./” Arisu’s face didn’t change.

“And?” she asked. Sid swallowed really hard. This part was really going to suck. But, here goes.

“/I’m willing to put up with your brother, again,/” he confessed. This time, his girlfriend began to smile.

“Oh Sid!!!” she exclaimed. “That is so lovely!” The crazy girl leapt forward and hugged her boyfriend wildly. Sid sighed aloud once more. Anything to keep Arisu happy. Anything to keep her happy.

“/Are you sure this is okay?/” he whispered. Arisu gave him a little giggle.

“Oh come on, Sid,” she whispered back. “It’s going to be okay, just relax!”

“/Okay…/” her boyfriend mumbled. They made it into her room. Arisu closed and locked the door behind them. She gently kissed Sid on the lips. He kissed her back. They didn’t seem to stop kissing from there. Arisu took him over to her bed and lied down with him. He slowly slid off her shirt.

“/I won’t,/” he whispered back. Arisu let him keep on making love to her. By morning, Sid and Arisu walked out the front door for school. Sid happened to look up and see Jin glaring at him again. He turned around to the brother.

“/Look,/” he said boldly. “/I don’t know what you have against me. But, I’m not this ‘monster’ that you have imagined me to be. I love your sister very much and she feels the same about me! You can hate me all you want, but I won’t stop loving Arisu-chan, no matter what! You got me?/” Jin looked at him in surprised shock. The boy turned back to his girlfriend.

“/Shall we go now, Arisu-chan?/” he asked. His girl nodded at him like a happy little puppy.

“/Let’s go!/” her boyfriend said. Then, the couple walked out the door hand-in-hand. As the door closed behind them, Jin couldn’t help but get the feeling that he was losing his baby sister after so much effort to get her back.

[1] Boortsog is a traditional Mongolian biscuit of various shapes deep-fried in hot oil. Bouillon fat that remains from cooking meat is traditionally used for the frying purpose. It gives boortsog a specific bouillon aroma that Mongolians like. However, any vegetable oil can be used for frying.