"Honestly, those boys..." Aunt Cass smiled and let out a sigh when she heard a loud thud and muffled yells above her head. The Cafe was going to close early for the New Year Fireworks held in the San Fransokyo bridge every year. She wanted to get good seats.

When the last customer hurried out into the night, aunt Cass followed to lock the door and flip the 'open' sign to 'closed'. She began to pick up the empty dishes and crumpled tip bills off the counter- then she remembered something.

She remembered it had been ten years since the accident, ten years of learning and coping, and ten years of taking care of her boys.

The owner looked over past the counter to glance at the walls filled with framed photos. Before she knew it she found herself at the bottom of the staircase looking at their first family photo.

Hiro was hardly four and Tadashi a cheerful eight year old- posing at a popular tourist spot at the San Fransokyo bridge with herself in between them.

She lightly placed her hands on their shoulders; touching them with the bare minimum. It was roughly three months since she lost her sister and kind brother-in-law in the accident that left two young children.

Everyone's pose was stiff- a sense of discomfort obvious in their faces. At least Tadashi tried to smile. The photo was taken at a slightly crooked angle- Aunt Cass recalled asking one of the tourists there to take the picture for them.

What Aunt Cass didn't realize was that the tourist she asked was a very old woman. They weren't normally good with cameras. The old woman took more than five minutes to take a picture; her eyes squinting for the buttons. Not wanting to be rude, the trio stood there, standing and smiling uncomfortably while the woman figured out the camera.

In the end, only Tadashi was smiling and it was obvious that it was strained.

She ate so many donuts that night.

She turned and looked at a few more photos on top of the shoe case by the doors. One photo she remembered was when she bought Tadashi a robot assembly set from a popular movie. He was ten and she took the picture right as he opened it, his eyes lit up in excitement.

She remembered Hiro cried and said he wanted one too, but then Tadashi insisted on building it and sharing it together. Tadashi thanked her giving her a quick hug before hurrying back to Hiro.

The younger Hamada was bouncing in excitement but wouldn't open the box until his big brother was there. Aunt Cass was touched, and watched teary eyed as they both opened the box and started snapping parts in place; occasionally handing pieces that they each needed.

Another photo was when they went out on a picnic outing to see the seasonal cherry blossoms. It was nearly three years since the accident - and Aunt Cass was still trying to adjust to family life. Tadashi kept an exceptionally good eye on Hiro that day since he knew there would be many families there. He didn't want Hiro to get lost, he didn't want Hiro feeling alone. Ever.

They packed all kinds of baked goods and delicious sandwiches- they loaded the car and off they went. Although Tadashi held Hiro's hand firmly, he had to let go at some point to help Aunt Cass set the picnic blanket. Hiro, amazed by the lush sight of all the fallen cherry blossoms, wandered off. Tadashi freaked out when he turned around and didn't see his younger brother by his side.

Before Aunt Cass could say tell him to calm down, he ran into the crowds of couples and families to find Hiro. She quickly went after him, forgetting about the picnic and all the food that was bound be gone once they came back.

After searching through a never ending crowd of people, Aunt Cass was eventually able to spot them- they were quietly gazing over the cherry blossoms and the families that occupied the field.

She recognized their backs were stiff and completely still, the fall of cherry blossom petals being the only movement she saw around them. She was about to call out to them to come back to the picnic site, but something felt tense.

Her body told her to stop and so she did.

She looked at the back of Hiro's mess of hair as he spoke, both brothers unaware of her presence.

"...Mom and Dad aren't coming back...are they?" She heard Hiro whisper hoarsely, his voice shaking like he was about the cry. The Hamada's were silent, watching the families of mothers and fathers with their children who were running around and screaming with delight.

"No. They aren't coming back," Tadashi said solemnly, his eyes still on the crowd, gripping his hand harder with Hiro's.

Hiro's sniffing could be heard. She saw him sloppily wipe his eyes with his arm and the sniffing stopped. She saw Tadashi look down at his brother, a sad and gentle look on his face.

"Otouto."

Hiro looked up at his brother.

Tadashi kneeled down to Hiro- so they were the same height and he continued, "You have me. And Aunt Cass."

He looked Hiro in the eyes. He quickly noticed the tears and snot that was all over his younger brother's face. Tadashi let out a small laugh and used his sleeve of his sweater to help Hiro clean up. Hiro stood there thinking thoughtfully as his face was being assaulted with his brother's sleeve.

"...and Mochi?" He said in between Tadashi wiping his cheeks and nose.

Tadashi smiled," Yeah and Mochi too."

The younger Hamada smiled, the gap of his front teeth showing, "Our family."

Tadashi looked at him, a sort of a surprise in his face. He suddenly hugged Hiro- and Hiro happily hugged back.

"That's right. We're a family." Tadashi was barely able to say. Aunt Cass could see Tadashi was slightly trembling as he buried his face into his brother's neck as he held him tighter. After awhile Tadashi reluctantly let go, and put out his hand for Hiro.

"We should get going-" but he was cut off-

The older Hamada was suddenly surprised to see Aunt Cass scoop up Hiro and spin him around. The baby Hamada squealed in delight as he was brought into the air, thoughts of his sadness disappearing.

"I was wondering where my boys went!"

Aunt Cass smiled at Tadashi as she put Hiro on her shoulders.

"We should head back, right?" She looked up at Hiro, who was too distracted by how high up he was. She laughed when he tried to grab the falling pink petals, managing to grab none.

She extended a hand to Tadashi, who firmly took it, thankfully smiling as he did so.

"Thanks Aunt Cass." He mumbled as he looked up at her and then Hiro.

She smiled back, with Hiro on her shoulders and Tadashi holding her hand making their way back to the picnic site made her feel really happy.

It was the first time she thought that everything would be okay.

A few silent tears fell down her cheeks. They were growing up so fast. She looked in the corner of the cafe. There, a small red shelf held two framed pictures with a small pot of incense between them. One photo a picture of Cass's sister, the other, her brother- in-law.

"I hope I've done you proud sis", she smiled with tears continuing to fall from her eyes," they are the best kids I could have ever asked for."