246 31 Brothers

"Rick!" A voice cried out. As Rick walked in the door of their apartment, Maru charged at him, hugging his waist. Rick grunted at the force. She began sobbing. Rick gave a sad smile as he patted Maru on the head. Sena walked out from the bedroom. "Welcome home, Rick." She smiled.

"Ya didn't...y'know tell her exactly what happened, right?" Rick asked as he sat on the couch. Sena shook her head. "All we told her was you got sick." Rick nodded his head. "I see." Sena stared at her lap in silence for a minute. "How are you?" She whispered. Rick looked at her, then looked away. "Fine, I guess..." He mumbled. Sena kept her gaze s.h.i.+fted down. "Rick..." She then fell silent. "Huh?" Sena smiled sadly. "Someone...came by my shop." Rick turned to her. "A man, he claimed to be your brother." Ricks eyes widened. "He gave me instructions," before she could finish, Rick began to tremble. "Rick...?" She asked concerned. "He's okay..." Sena looked at him confused. "Rick," she said, as she slipped a piece of paper onto his lap. "Those are his instructions..." Sena whispered. Rick quickly opened up the crumpled the paper. His eyes darted as he read the contents of the paper. He then slowly lowered the paper. "Meet up with him on my birthday..." Sena looked at him. "Your birthday is December 16th...?" She then looked down shyly. "I only read the paper Incase I lost it..." she confessed sheepishly. "Sena," Rick began. "Hm?" She looked up. "How was he...?" Rick paused. "How's Norio?"