He scooted closer, sitting near his big brother to eat... the tomato first, of course. There was a happy sigh as he did, as if it had been months since he had them.

When he thought back on how his brother was the first time he saw him, he -was- getting better. He could move around, and now he had even walked up the stairs twice. Maybe there was some trick, along with that oxygen tank, that would help. He paused as he recalled how scared he was when the doctor announced his back-then little big brother had not much left to live...

But then he shook his head and started on the porridge. After all, this time was behind them, and his niisan was still here!