Thirteen Months

Dysesthesia

Time seemed to pass too fast for Daichi's liking. The second term, which is when Mizuko had started to live with the Sawamuras, was more than halfway over. Nagatsuki, the long month, or September, had now turned to Shimotsuki, the month of frost, November. That meant Mizuko had less than eleven months left. Eleven. What a small number.

Even though she had arrived at Karasuno during the second term instead at the start of the school year, which was in April, Mizuko had been embraced by the volleyball team and quickly found a place among them. The boys all cared for her as a little sister. Daichi was dreading the moment in which he would have to break the news to the team that Mizuko's time was limited.

According to the specialist, some of the earlier symptoms of Mizuko's illness had already started to set in. Just the other day, she had mumbled something about achy limbs. Daichi had been informed that this would be the first of many exhausting, painful symptoms.

"Her body will go first," the specialist had said. "She'll start to lose functionality of her limbs. Then, her cognitive, conscious ability. Then...." He hadn't finished the sentence, but there had been no need; Daichi had already known what was next. Mizuko would be gone.

***

"Daichi," Mizuko murmured from where she was laying on the couch. Daichi glanced over from the kitchen and hummed in response.

"Hmm?" No response. "What is it?" he repeated. No answer. Daichi walked over to the couch and crouched down to inspect Mizuko, his face pinched with concern. Mizuko shook her head.

"Nevermind," she whispered. Daichi wanted to press for answers, but he decided not to push her.

"Okay, well, I'm right here if you need me," he said. "Also, Sugawara asked to come see you. Is that okay?" Mizuko nodded wearily, burrowing deeper into the weighted blanket around her.

Ten minutes later, the front door opened. "Hey, guys, it's me!" Sugawara called as he removed his shoes and walked through the hallway. He entered the living room and grinned at Mizuko and Daichi. "How're you doing?"

Mizuko held up a thumbs-up, and Daichi smiled a little forcefully. "All things considered, we're good."

"Well," Sugawara said with a grin. "I brought you something!" He held out two blue popsicles to Daichi and Mizuko. Mizuko softly clapped her hands together happily and forced herself to sit up, wincing slightly at the movement. Daichi watched her carefully as he accepted his own popsicles and handed the girl her own. Sugawara sat with his legs crossed on the floor eating his own popsicle. Once all three had finished, Daichi stood and went to the kitchen to throw away the leftover sticks. When he came back, he noticed a slight grimace on Mizuko's face.

"What's wrong?" he asked. Mizuko shook her head and forced a smile. Daichi was unmoved. "Seriously," he said. "Something's wrong." Mizuko again shook her head, but the small wince she made when she shifted her body slightly gave her away. "Mizuko," Daichi tried again. "Please, tell me what's going on." Mizuko lowered her head, almost as though she was ashamed.

"Hurts," she murmured.

"Hurts? What hurts?"

"Arms, legs." Daichi and Sugawara exchanged a look. They both knew what that meant.

"Suga," Daichi asked. "Can you get an ice pack from the fridge?"

"Sure thing," Sugawara replied, rushing off to the kitchen. Daichi pulled his phone out of his back pocket and fired off a quick text to his mother.

DAICHI: Dysesthesia.

OKAASAN: Did you get her an ice pack?

DAICHI: Yes.

OKAASAN: Ask her to rate her pain from one to ten.

DAICHI: She says 5.

OKAASAN: Okay, that's not too bad. There's some pain medication in the closet if she'd like it. Other than that, keep an eye on her and give her the ice pack, it might help with the soreness.

DAICHI: Okay.

Daichi clicked off his phone and slid it back in his pocket. Sugawra returned with an ice pack and helped place it on Mizuko's leg. The ice pack was moved from limb to limb every ten minutes in order to try to calm the inflammation as much as possible. Mizuko remained quiet except for the occasional whimper or wince when the ice pack was moved. Daichi turned on the television in order to somewhat distract Mizuko from the pain.

"Daichi," Mizuko mumbled. "Is that show on?" Daichi looked over and grinned.

"Yeah, let me login to my Netflix," he said. Sugawara, Daichi, and Mizuko spent the rest of the afternoon watching a K-drama that Mizuko had recently become obsessed with. Mizuko and Sugawara were quickly invested in the show, their eyes glued to the screen. Daichi on the other hand spent the time with an eye on his sister. Sure, she wasn't biologically his sister, but Daichi couldn't help but see her as anything but that. It hurt him to see her in so much pain. He hated watching the little flinches she made whenever he moved the ice pack. He hated to see the pain in her eyes as she tried to act like she was fine. In all honesty, Daichi wanted to curl up in his bed and cry. However, right now she needed him to be strong.

"What's the number now?" Daichi asked Mizuko. Mizuko held up three fingers. "That's good," Daichi said with a smile. "Does the ice help?" Mizuko nodded. Sugawara glanced at Daichi and

***

Sugawara kept stealing glances at his captain while they watched the K-drama. Something wasn't right. After Mizuko had drifted off, Sugawara moved to sit next to Daichi and ask, "So, what's going on?"

"Ah, you know," Daichi sighed. "Mizuko's just--"

"No," Sugawara interrupted. "What's going on with you?" Daichi paused. He lowered his head.

"I don't know what to do," he said, his voice taught with emotion. "The dysesthesia is already setting in and it's so hard to just...watch." Daichi shook his head. "Do you know what the doctor said to me? First, her body will go. Then her mind. I knew this was coming. I knew this was going to happen. I just didn't think it would be so...soon."

"How long till she starts losing brain functions?" Sugawara asked softly.

"Well, after the pain in her limbs...then loss of maneuverability...then speech...then...she'll be gone."

Sugawara swallowed hard. "I'm so sorry, Daichi." The sentence sounded feeble, even to him. What else could he say?

"Suga," Daichi said suddenly. "You have to tell her."

"Tell her what?"

"Just tell her," Daichi insisted. "If you don't you'll definitely regret it. What are you waiting for?"

"I can't do that to her," Sugawara protested. "That's the last thing she needs right now."

"I think it could be exactly what she needs right now."

"Maybe," Sugawara said non-committedly. A comfortable silence passed over the two friends as they absentmindedly watched the K-drama. "Fine, I'll tell her," Sugawara said.

"Really?"

"Only if you tell Michimiya." Daichi rolled his eyes.

"Haha, very funny."

"I'm serious!" Sugawara retorted. "Then we can double-date." Silence stretched between the two for beat. Then they both burst into laughter. "I can't do this without my best friend," Sugawara insisted.

"I can't either," Daichi murmured seriously. Sugawara wrapped an arm around Daichi's broad shoulders.

"You won't have to," Sugawara said.