Chapter 2
Tadashi faces Hiro, both of them sitting down on Hiro’s bed. Tadashi was still shocked, but had calmed down after a bit. Hiro has dried up tears and leftover snot all over his face. He plays with the pillow in his lap, dwindling his fingers around as he paces back and forth calmly. “Hiro, I want you to answer these questions honestly, please? I will not judge you for your answers either,” Hiro nods, eyes still looking away from Tadashi’s face. “So, uh, how long have you been.. making yourself throw up?” Hiro grimaces from the sentence.
“Around, maybe, a few months? I’m not too sure though.” Hiro mumbled, eyes diverting to multiple places to ease the awkward tension between the two.
“What about, why did you start?” Tadashi asks again, hoping for more fuller answers.
“I’m not sure. I just hate when I get full and it takes so long to get rid of that feeling, so when I t-throw up, I guess it just disappears. And I get so guilty when I eat, y’know? There’s so many other people out there who deserve to eat the food I’m eating and I guess it just makes me feel more.. gross?” Hiro rambles, his thumbs twitching, while Tadashi listens understandingly,nodding throughout Hiro’s explanation.
“I get that. I mean, there’s so many people starving in the world who deserve a chance to be fed and to have roofs over their heads. But, that doesn’t change the fact that we deserve food too. Hey, look at me,” Tadashi shakes Hiro a little bit, Hiro glancing up to him, “you also deserve to eat,” Tadashi smiles kindly, Hiro collecting tears in his eyes. His eyes go shiny, tears immediately pooling out of his eyes. He wipes them with his sleeve, a smile also displayed on Hiro’s face.
“Thank you, Tadashi.” Hiro says, both joining for a hug. Hiro cries more into Tadashi’s shoulder as Tadashi cries a little bit, both enjoying the touch from each other. They stay like that for a while, enjoying each other's company.
-
“So, you boys had something to tell me?” Aunt Cass says, walking to sit with Hiro and Tadashi, both of them looking at each other with glances of worry and fear in their eyes. They know that Aunt Cass wouldn’t judge or anything, but there’s still that fear that she would flip out on the news,- anyone would flip after hearing it.
“Yeah, um, so Hiro has something really serious to tell you, and we also wanted to discuss it as well.” Tadashi announces, Cass’s eyebrow rising.
“Um, we think I’m b..” Hiro looks at Tadashi, who gives Hiro a sympathetic smile, Hiro looks back up to Aunt Cass with hints of fear, “..bulimic.” Hiro cringes from the word. Aunt Cass had a mixed expression on her face, mixed with shock, confusion, puzzled, and a hint of relief? It took a while for anyone to speak again but once Aunt Cass spoke, it was with a sharp, firm voice.
“Hiro, I need you to know that I’m proud of you- not that I’m proud of you being bulimic- but that I’m proud of you for telling me. I know how difficult it is to say these types of things but I just want you to say that I’m here for you, I love you.”
Hiro immediately breaks into tears, sobs leaking out of his mouth, followed by Aunt Cass who also starts to cry. They started to hug each other, sharing feelings through tears. Tadashi watched, feeling tears prick his eyes as he wiped them away, looking at the wall to calm himself. They all share a heartfelt moment together at their dinner table, as a family.
After their crying session, they all started to compose themselves, ready to discuss the situation.
“Health-wise, I think we need to check out with the doctors about your health. I know purging can have a strain on his gut and his teeth,” Tadashi and Hiro nod along to Aunt Cass, “we should get you diagnosed, too, but I think we should also check on your mental health. What about speaking to a therapist?” Aunt Cass asks, Hiro’s stomach dropping at the mention of therapy. Did he have to speak to one? He didn’t want to talk to another person about his problems, and he didn’t think they were necessary at all.
“I agree, I think it would benefit you a lot to talk to someone who’s a professional about this. Aunt Cass and I aren’t too skilled at this, but we know a therapist can help you solve these problems you might have,” Tadashi says, Aunt Cass nodding with him as they both face Hiro “it’s your decision though.” It takes a few minutes for Hiro to think about his options; the pros and cons, the what if’s, worst and best case scenario, etc.
“..I won’t get a therapist” Hiro decides, Aunt Cass and Tadashi with a bit of disappointment evident in their eyes, but nonetheless, they accept his decision with hugs and reassurance.
-
Tadashi and Hiro were getting situated in their bed, ready to fall asleep. Hiro especially felt really tired from all the stress and crying, so he was yawning left and right. It was also really late, nearing 2 AM in the quiet nighttime of San Fransokyo.
“Oh yeah, Hiro?” Tadashi says, looking up to see Hiro who was fluffing up his pillow, eyes drooping.
“Yeah?” Hiro responds, yawning as he feels his eyelids close.
“I’m proud of you.”
A weary grin is slumped on Hiro’s face which makes Tadashi half-heartedly laugh at Hiro for looking so funny. They both go to sleep feeling happy, relaxed and refreshed.