Glasses

Prologue

"Once, there was a man and a woman. They were the closest of pals. . . but they later on discovered more from each other and went out. They were the perfect couple; they had each other's needs and wants, and they supported one another. But most of all, they loved each other. . .

"Asuka. . ."

"Hm?"

"I love you. I can't live without you. I want to spend my whole life with you."

"Aw! That's sweet, Ryo!"

"Well, what I'm trying to say is. . ."

"Oh my gosh!"

". . . will you marry me?"

"Kaiser. . .it's beautiful!"

"Anything for my number one."

"Oh, Ryo! Of course I'll marry you!"

. . .And finally, after every struggle in life that they endured, they seemed to have a happy life now. They got married, had twins, lived a wonderful life. . . Truly a happily-ever-after ending."

"Wow. . . that's a wonderful story, mom!" said Daniella Marufuji, the daughter of Asuka Tenjoin- Marufuji.

"Yeah, mom! I wish my life would end up like you and dad's!" said Ryo Marufuji Jr., obviously their son.

"Well, that's enough for tonight, guys. It's time to sleep!" Asuka told her twins, as she tucked them both in their beds. The children groaned.

"But mom!" They whined, wanting to listen to more stories. Their mother only giggled and kissed them goodnight.

"Sweet dreams, my beloved daughter and son. I love you."

"We love you too!" they both said in unison. Asuka turned on their night light and went out of their room, closing the door gently as she left.

She went down the stairs, hoping to find her beloved there. Asuka sighed. Ryo had not yet come home from work. She was beginning to wonder if something bad had happened to him. Just then, the door sprung open- and in came a furious Kaiser, cursing his way inside.

"Screw him!" he shouted, dropping his briefcase on the floor.

"What's wrong, dear?" Asuka asked, worried.

"My stupid boss is giving me one hell of a time at work! He's the coldest person I have ever met!"

"Oh. . . well, that's alright-"

"No, it's not alright! He's so demanding and always wants an output from me first thing in the morning! I'm an architect, Asuka, not a miracle worker!"

"Well, I'm sure you can settle it civilly with-"

"Don't lecture me with your useless psychology shit! I'm not your patient!" Ryo snapped.

Asuka narrowed her eyes. "Don't you dare raise your voice on me! I'm just trying to help you out here!"

"Well right now, you're not helping! Not even a bit!"

"Well maybe if you stop cutting me off, then I would make some sense!" Asuka shouted.

"Great, so you're mad at me now? Geez! What a life. I get headaches at work and at home. Thanks a lot, sweetie."

"I waited for you and what do I get in return? An angry emperor, snapping at everything I say! Maybe I shouldn't have waited for you after all!"

"Wow! Something we finally agreed on!" Ryo said in a sarcastic tone.

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

Asuka rolled her eyes. She turns her heel and walks up to their room.

Chapter 1: An Unexpected Calamity

The next morning, I took my family out. But first, I told Asuka that we needed to go to a glasses shop. My eye sight was starting to grow poorer. Damn. I'm starting to have senior moments. But we weren't exactly 'truce' from last night. She still gave me the silent treatment, and I still didn't give a damn.

"So, you're telling me you need glasses?" Asuka asked me in the car, although evident in her tone of voice that she was still mad.

"Yup." I said simply, keeping my focus on the road.

"Do you know the degree of your eyes?"

"No, but it's getting kinda blurry in the horizon." I replied.

Asuka sighed. "Ryo. . . how long do you want to continue this nonsense fight of ours?"

"As long as you want it to be." I said.

"You're never gonna apologize. . ." she muttered. "Ryo, I'm sorry. Okay? Let's not fight anymore." Asuka gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"It's going to be your fault if we suddenly die of an accident." I scoffed.

Asuka giggled. "Well, you're the one who's driving."

I laughed. "I love you."

"I love you too, dear. . ."

"YEY! THEY'RE FRIENDS AGAIN!" the twins cheered in unison. I smirked. Daniella and Junior are so cute when they say things altogether.

We arrived at the shop. Asuka began choosing frames that she thought suited me while the kids looked at the many glasses displayed in the shop. They seemed to be fascinated with the different colors and sizes of the glasses.

"Careful not to break anything, guys!" Asuka warned them.

"Yes, mommy." The more responsible Daniella said.

A person whom I assumed worked there went to me. "Hello there. My name is Carl. I am the owner of this store. How can I help you?"

"Hi, Carl. I was wondering if you can test my eyesight. Tell me what its degrees are." I said.

"No problem, sir!" Carl said with a smile. "Please step this way."

Carl showed me a machine that can automatically tell how blurry your vision is. All I had to do was to sit down and "look at the horizon" the machine is going to produce. As I was being read, I heard Junior asking his mother if the "weird man" was going to pluck my eyes out. This made me smirk, but I kept my cool.

"Alright sir. Your eyes are of level 125. That's somewhat high, but low compared to others." Carl informed me.

". . . Is that a good thing?" I asked him, confused.

"Yup. It's a good thing. Now, I'd like you to fill out this form. Then, choose a frame of your choice. After that, I could whip you up a darn good pair."

"Thank you." I said, getting the form from him. I got a pen from my pocket and started filling it out.

"Oh! Oh! Honey, this looks so good on you!" Asuka chimed. I turned my head to her direction. She placed the glasses on me. The kids laughed.

"You look like an old man, daddy!" Junior scoffed. Daniella agreed.

"I am an old man, Junior!" I told him. "Not that old, but old."

"Well? What do you think?" Asuka asked me. She placed her arms around my neck, as if a python had suddenly wrapped itself around me. I looked at myself in the mirror.

"It's. . . tastefrent." I said.

"What's teist- fret, mommy?" Daniella asked her mother. Asuka only laughed.

"It's a word only your father can understand, my dear."

Carl went to us. "Have you decided, sir?"

I looked at my wife. "Are you sure this is okay?" I asked her.

"Of course, dear. I'll never make you look bad." Asuka said, kissing me on the cheek. I faced the store owner.

"I'll take this one." I told him, handing in the glasses.

"I'll be making your glasses right away sir. It'll take just about. . . 15 minutes. Will you be waiting for it or will you be coming back for it?"

"We'll be waiting." Asuka replied. I looked at her, puzzled.

"But we're going to have lunch-"

"Lunch can wait, dear. I just don't want your eyes hurting, that's all." She said. I smiled at her. I never thought that I was so lucky to have a caring and loving wife like Asuka.

- - -

After a few minutes of baring the endless noises of Daniella and Ryo Jr, Carl finally came out and gave me my new pair of glasses.

"Here you go, Mr. Marufuji. And here's a case to go with it, and a glasses cleaner."

I took the glasses from him and wore it. The blur in the horizon had disappeared. My vision was as clear as water.

"You look great, sweetheart!" Asuka exclaimed, smiling broadly.

"You already said that before." I said. I paid the owner for the glasses, and thanked him once again.

"Mommy! Daddy! Can we please go to Teriyaki Boy? Please? Please?" the twins ranted. I sighed. Having two children who had almost the same high pitched voice was irritating! Asuka seemed to notice my annoyance. "Alright, kids. We'll eat there. But only if you're both quiet!"

The unbearable noise instantly silenced. My eyes widened. "Wow, you're good." I remarked.

"A mother always knows." Asuka said.

- - -

We headed back home after we had our lunch. Of course, I wore my new glasses while I was driving. The glasses were so clear! In fact, they were so clear, that I saw all the crazy drivers rushing in and out of their own lane. "Fuckin' bitches. . ." I mumbled under my breath. I didn't want Asuka, and most especially my kids, to hear me swear. Asuka was already shaking her head in frustration as well. "These maniacs are unbelievable!" she exclaimed.

"You got that right." I agreed. "Those cars are like bullets!" I continued driving normally, when a car, barely an inch away, passed by me in lightning speed. "GOD DAMN!" I exclaimed, turning the wheel rapidly to avoid collision. My efforts were done in vain when I accidentally crashed into a post. Another car crashed to mine at full speed, causing Daniella and Junior to scream in fright.

The glass windows of the car shattered. I touched my head. . . and felt some sort of liquid ooze out- blood! I heard the twins cry from behind. "Hon, you alright?" I asked. She didn't answer. "Asuka?" I said again, facing her. I panicked when I saw her unconscious and bleeding. "Daniella, Junior! Get out of the car!" I commanded, unbuckling my wife's seatbelt. I opened the car door, carrying her out of the now deformed vehicle.

To my great relief, Asuka fluttered her eyes open. "R. . . Ryo?" she murmured. It was only now that I noticed her serious injury found on her head. It seems that a piece of glass from the shattered window slashed the side of her head, causing it to bleed severely.

"Asuka!" I exclaimed. She wore a tortured expression on her face. I knew that she was experiencing unbearable pain, and was needed to be treated as soon as possible. I ignored my wounds- it was nothing compared to hers. I heard the cops calling for an ambulance.

"Ryo!" Asuka exclaimed, in pain. "Help me! I can't take it! Please!"

I hushed her. "It's okay, honey. Everything's gonna be fine. . . It's okay. . . It's okay. . ." I held her close to me. It's gonna be alright. I thought. It's gonna be alright. . . she's gonna be fine. . .