a collection of thoughts, writing, and headcanons for my fanfic!
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is extremely rare in Japan; newborns aren't routinely screened for the condition because of this. There are three main types of SCD: HbSS (severe), HbSC (moderate), and hemoglobin S beta-thalassemia (variable in severity). Sun Fei was diagnosed with HbSC - the second most common form. While typically less severe than HbSS, it's more likely to affect the retina (the back of the eye), sometimes resulting in proliferative sickle cell retinopathy (PSCR).
PSCR is characterized by neovascularization (abnormal blood vessel growth) of the peripheral retina, and can lead to a vitreous hemorrhage. In advanced cases, it can also cause a tractional retinal detachment.
Sun Fei was born and raised in Bankoku-gai. With it being a culturally diverse cosmopolitan, his ancestors likely passed down the sickle cell trait, allowing the disease to manifest in Sun Fei.
Because Sun Fei’s parents were neglectful, he was taken in by Lanfen, a master of mixed martial arts; that’s how he was introduced to the Red Chanpuru and ultimately made to be an officer due to being a martial arts prodigy.
Following an injury to his right eye that almost cost Sun Fei his life, due to his condition, Lanfen brought Sun Fei to Makochi. In order to avoid anyone finding him, or knowing his true identity, Sun Fei became Suo Hayato; he would live peacefully in a dojo with his master and brothers.
That is, until the Red Chanpuru would find him, and take him back.
୨🫖୧┇ Suo really is on a diet. He has to limit sodium, saturated fats, and sugar intake. He also needs to eat smaller, more frequent meals - lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
୨🫖୧┇ Similarily to what Suo taught Nirei, Suo's fighting style is meant to protect himself and others while incapacitating his opponents. He can't risk being hurt.
୨🫖୧┇ Dehydration, infections, extreme cold/heat, low oxygen levels, physical exertion, and fatigue can all trigger a pain crisis; Suo's careful to stay hydrated and regulate his body temperature (which his Chinese-styled clothes help with a lot). He "doesn't sweat much" because he's scared of what will happen when he finally has to push himself.
୨🫖୧┇ Suo isn't supposed to have caffeine either, but he still helps himself to his favorite teas. And of course, he can't resist enjoying one or two tea cakes with them.
୨🫖୧┇ Suo smells like pear and freesia.
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There's a gray-blue line where the sky and sea meet; it glistens like a band of diamonds, and that's perhaps the clearest thing Suo sees. Underneath the scintillating sheen of those ever-rolling waves, he realizes that the ocean simply cannot decide what color it wants to be. The sun says it is green but the clouds say that it is blue - a deep gray-blue, just like that line. But Suo adores its indecision, even more so when the sun is a sliver of light peering over that gray-blue line, and the surface of the ocean becomes a mirror for the sky; all those blues and greens wash into a soft periwinkle that then washes into an even softer, lighter blue before frothing over onto the sun-bleached shores. It is so indecisive that when the sun sets and ignites the shimmering surface, it cannot choose between fiery magenta or a deeper, opaque blue to reflect the darkening sky. But Suo loves it. All of it.
And there's a very distinct sound as well that Suo loves. It is like a hushed lullaby as the sea, quiet and endless, rolls along the beach.
And there's a very distinct, very pleasant feeling when he meets the tide - and it meets him too - and it leaves cool, wet kisses between his toes. He loves the lingering froth, white and bubbly, and the blanket of seafoam it wraps around his bare feet.
The sky drips with color, ultra-blue melting into the sea. Suo squints. His eyes sting. Everything is so bright; the glittering sheen over the ocean explodes, and his vision bursts with blinding white light. Then there's pressure all around, a sudden rushing in his ears that makes him feel trapped underwater, and he's helpless against it. He grinds his teeth and squeezes his eyes shut. He's being crushed. He's sure of it. Every bone in his body cracks and breaks.
"...sent another round of morphine..."
The sunlight is in his veins now. It's warm and surprisingly soft. There's no pressure here; he imagines he is adrift at sea, lost in that gray-blue line.
"He's stable. Keep an eye on his vitals."
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@star4revenge thank you so much for this artwork of sakura and my sickle cell suo! and thank you for being his biggest fan ^^
that’s all i have (for now). i definitely edited some things to line up more consistently with the latest chapters—maybe one day, i’ll write an updated fanfic :) thank you so much for checking my little story out!!