Ghost School
Special Episode 12: Kagusa's Past (The Difficult Life)
"...."
"I'm back to being a leader, yeah..." Kagusa Mumbles
"How long have I been feeling so empty like this. That's right, the last time I was alive"
"It was so long ago that the memory began to fade"
*
**
75 Years ago....
Born a boy from a poor Ikawa family. The boy was named Ikawa Kagusa.
He had golden brown hair that he got from his mother, and dark brown eyes from his father. Then, Kagusa also has an attractive look that is inherited by her beautiful mother.
But even though Kagusa and her mother had good looks, the poor life made her father depressed.
When Kagusa was a baby, her father went somewhere to escape because he could not support Kagusa and her mother.
Kagusa and her mother are living in poverty. His mother inevitably had to work hard to support, educate and send Kagusa whom he loved.
Even though it felt heavy and tiring, Kagusa's mother still tried to be okay in front of her child.
"Mothers. Where are you going?" Ask little Kagusa
"Mom has to work. Kagusa's fine at home, yeah. Don't be naughty" said her mother softly
"Yes! Mother be careful on the road"
"Yes"
Although their economic conditions are very bad, but at least their relationship is harmonious. The absence of a father in the family did not discourage Kagusa and her mother.
Although Kagusa was a child, she understood the situation. Kagusa did not ask her mother about her father at all, even though she was eager to find out.
*
In the afternoon, 5-year-old Kagusa was playing in the park with children her age.
Because it was dark, the parents of the children began to come to pick up their own children.
"Rey, get home. I made you your favorite food"
"Jun, let's go home with dad. Mom at home will be angry again if you come home late"
"Bas with this child. Your clothes are dirty all like this. I'd be mad to see you like this"
Now, the parents of the children have all picked up their children.
"Mother and father have all come to pick me up" Kagusa thought
"Kagusa, play again tomorrow, ya~"
"Yes!" Answer Kagusa spirit
And only Kagusa was left in the middle of the park.
"...."
"Would it be night, I should go home now. Mom will be worried because I am not home" muttered Kagusa
"Kagusa" Call someone
Kagusa flinched and looked at the person in front of her.
"Mother..." Kagusa muttered in shock
From a distance her mother smiled at Kagusa.
"Let's go home, Kagusa. It's dark"
"...."
"Yes!" Shouts Kagusa cheerful
Kagusa immediately ran to her mother.
"Mom~ How do you know I play here?~" Ask Kagusa
"Mother heard it from the neighbors that you were playing here" her mother replied warmly
"Hehe!"
For Kagusa, mother is everything, and father is not important. His father was not responsible for him and his mother. Therefore since childhood Kagusa threw away the word 'Dad' in her life.
*
The day went on as usual.
Until one day, at the age of Kagusa was only 9 years old, Kagusa had a fever without cause.
"Kagusa... How'this? You have a fever like this..." Mumbled his mother while crying sobbing beside Kagusa who was lying on a thin mattress.
"Mothers... L'm... Was fine..." Kagusa Mumbles
"Mom can't leave you alone here as long as you work" said her mother and continued to hold Kagusa's hand tightly
Then, a grandmother who was a neighbor came near Kagusa and her mother.
"Fever is common for children. Don't worry, I'll take care of your son while you work" said the grandmother
"But..."
"You need money to buy your son's medicine. Already, hurry up and get out before you're late for work"
".... Thank you"
Kagusa's mother leaves and Kagusa is taken care of by her neighbor.
Two days later, Kagusa's fever subsided and she was back as usual.
"Thank God, Kagusa. I'm so worried about you..." Mumbled his mother
"I'm doing fine. I don't have to worry anymore"
Her mother was able to leave Kagusa at home as usual.
Then...
Tests... Tests...
"!!!"
"By... Bloods... Blood came out of my nose..." Thought Kagusa
"No. No need to panic. My friend also had a nose that came out of blood, but he said it was normal. Aye! It's not a problem, don't worry me" Kagusa thought and quickly wiped the blood on her nose
After that, Kagusa often experienced nosebleeds in various situations and she did not tell her mother at all.
Then Kagusa again had a high fever accompanied by coughing and vomiting.
"Kagusa.... My boy...."
"I'm doing fine. Mother just leave quietly" said Kagusa weakly
"Yes. I'll be back soon and buy medicine. Hang on, Kagusa"
After 4 days Kagusa has a high fever, now her body temperature becomes normal, but sometimes she is still nauseous.
But what his mother knew, Kagusa was well. Kagusa hid it in front of her mother.
Afterwards Kagusa felt, lately he so rarely urinate. Even if he urinates, the color becomes more murky than usual. But Kagusa didn't care much about it.
Kagusa begins to fatigue easily even for light activity, no appetite, and difficult to learn in school.
Then Kagusa also felt her waist ache. He also felt itchy and suddenly bruised and swollen on his body.
Kagusa could not hide it from her mother.
"Kagusa, what's wrong with you?" Ask her mother
"I... I'm fine..." Kagusa Mumbles
"Your face is pale! I'll take you to the hospital!" Her mother was panicking
Kagusa also received treatment.
"So... What's the matter, doctor?" Ask Kagusa's mother
".... Can we talk in my room, ma'am?" Ask the doctor
"Yes. Kagusa, wait a minute here, yeah. I'll be right back"
"Ya~"
Kagusa's mother went to follow the doctor.
"So ma'am, this mother's son has a pretty serious illness"
"What's? What's he sick of?" Ask Kagusa's mother to panic
"He had kidney failure. It seemed that from the beginning his kidney condition was unlike any other ordinary person, therefore the damage was continuing and his condition was now severe"
Mother Kagusa flinched and reflexively shut her mouth.
"He should be treated immediately and every week should wash the blood 2 or 3 times because of his very bad condition"
"No... Kagusas... He's a kid, why suffer like this..." Mumbled Kagusa's mother and cried bitterly.
"Doctor! Do anything for my son!! Please heal him!!" Shouted Kagusa's mother
"Sorry mom, but... The condition of the mother's child is so severe that it can no longer be cured. We can now only help slow down the damage to his kidneys from getting worse"
"Possibly life.... At most 2 years. I've been exaggerating" continued the doctor
"No.... That's not possible...." Mumbled Kagusa's mother and continued to cry sobbing.
*
Chequek...
"Mother! Mom is back!" Shouted Kagusa
"Yes" answered his mother with a faint smile
Her mother walked up to Kagusa and stroked her son's head gently.
"You must be strong, Kagusa. I'll try my best"
"?" Kagusa who did not understand anything just stared confusedly at her mother.
"Yes. Kagusa is fine~ I don't have to worry!" Kagusa said cheerfully
Hearing that, the mother involuntarily cried again.
"Yes... Kagusa is a strong boy..."
*
**
Because of Kagusa who suffered from this severe illness, their poor families are now increasingly complicated.
The cost of washing Kagusa's blood is not cheap. Therefore the mother had to work extra hard to find money for the treatment of Kagusa.
Kagusa, who was a child and knew nothing, had no idea of her mother's sacrifice for her all this time.
Until a few months later....
"For 10 days at most" said the doctor
"10 days?! You mean... Kagusas..." Kagusa's mother muttered in disbelief.
"The conditions are very bad. His kidneys barely functioned at all and toxins began to accumulate in his body"
"We've been trying, but from the beginning it couldn't cure the severely damaged kidney. After checking his body earlier, I concluded his life was only about 10 days, no more" continued the doctor
"Doctor! Help u! Whatever it is, help Kagusa!! Do whatever it takes to help her!!" Shouted Kagusa's mother hysterically
"Quiet, mom. I understand your feelings"
"Actually, there is 1 way that several years ago was done in foreign hospitals to overcome this problem"
"The trick is to remove his damaged kidneys and replace them with healthy new kidneys. With that, the mother's child can live longer and can return to light activities"
"Do that! What matters is my son survived!!" Shouted Kagusa's mother
"But... To do that, a healthy kidney is needed that matches the mother's child. The cost of doing so is not small"
"Take my kidney! I'm his mother, so it should fit with my son. As for the cost, I'll figure out how to get it!"
"...."
"All right"
The next day, a kidney transplant is performed for Kagusa without Kagusa's own knowledge.
As soon as the surgery was over and the two were conscious, Kagusa saw her mother lying on the bed next to her.
"Mother? Mother why?" Ask Kagusa
"No... Mom's just a little sick, but it's not a problem" answered her weak mother
"Kagusa must be healthy, yes. If Kagusa can be healthy again, that's enough for mom"
"Yes! Kagusa will be cured soon!!" Kagusa said cheerfully
Kagusa's mother smiled at Kagusa.
*
About 10 days later, Kagusa was allowed to go home and only needed to see a doctor about once a week for further checking of her new kidney condition.
Of course, Kagusa was not told at all by ibunyo about the disease he had suffered so far, also about the sacrifice of his mother.
Once out of the hospital, Kagusa was doing her usual activities, and her mother was also as usual, working in the morning and coming home in the afternoon.
At the age of 12 years Kagusa, his mother fell ill suddenly.
"Mother! Mommy!!" Shouts Kagusa panicked
Kagusa quickly takes her mother to the hospital where Kagusa is receiving previous treatment.
"Why mother, doctor?!" Kagusa asked in panic
"Ah, you were the one I took care of a few years ago, right? A child with kidney failure"
"A.... What's.... What do you mean?" Ask Kagusa
"Your mother gave you a new kidney. Now your mother's kidneys are one and it looks like she's been pushing herself all along and getting sick"
Only then did Kagusa realize that her mother sacrificed so much for her.
Once out of the doctor's room, Kagusa's legs could not support her body anymore and collapsed by leaning against the wall.
"Your mother... Why didn't he say anything to me? Why hide it?...." Gumam Kagusa pasrah
"It's all... My Karen... I am suffering..."
"I must... Healing mother! Got to!!!"
Kagusa immediately got up and looked for a rough job to make money for her mother's treatment.
He continues to work for money until he often misses school. But even so, Kagusa still paid attention to her academic ability.
Kagusa works from morning to evening, and self-studies at night.
Sometimes he felt pain in his waist due to his extra work, but Kagusa ignored him and continued to work.
Then... When Kagusa is about to enter High School, she goes to an ordinary school so that she can skip her school without worrying too much.
And... A few months later, his mother's condition worsened.
Kagusa's mother died.
*
"...."
Kagusa sat on the floor with a wall behind her. His eyes seemed empty staring at the narrow and seedy ceiling of his house.
Kagusa slowly turned to her right, where there was a picture of her with her mother.
Upon seeing the photo, Kagusa reflexively bites her lip until it bleeds.
"Mothers... You're ruthless... You left me here alone... You just walk away and hide that fact until you die..." Kagusa Mumbles
"I will never forgive you!! You hid the truth of my illness when I was a kid and kept saying I was okay, when I almost died!"
"You keep working hard for a human like me?! Absolutely useless!! You should have just let me die back then and you could have continued living in peace!!"
"After knowing the truth, I kept, kept, kept looking for money to heal you again. But now everything is in vain!! It is no longer all the money I collected!! It's all because of you who suddenly left!!!"
Tests... Tests....
"Mother!! Come back here!!" Shouted Kagusa
"I'll try even harder after this!! Because it's.... Come back... I'm lonely..."
Kagusa is now a kara with no relatives around and lives aimlessly.
Until finally... When Kagusa was in 2nd grade High School and was 17 years old, she died from over-exercising herself in the rough work for years with only 1 kidney.
While walking down the stairs at school, he lost consciousness until he fell and died.
