The situation reached a breaking point that evening. Naomi suddenly collapsed at the dinner table. Maru shrieked and grabbed her arm, pulling at her frantically. Hiro’s heart pounded as he picked up the phone and dialed 911. Something was very wrong.
When the doctors arrived, Hiro confronted Aiko. “I know something’s going on. Tell me the truth,” he said, his voice unsteady. Aiko finally broke down, she had been diagnosed with a severe case of anemia. She had been experiencing constant fatigue, dizziness, and weakness, but had been going to the clinic for tests, afraid to worry him until she knew for sure.