Hiding In Plain Sight

Harukawa Learns Trust

Warning, this chapter contains a mention of needles and injections towards the end.

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Cradling a pile of clothes to his chest, Shuichi leant against the wall with his knees curled to his chin. Where did my life go so wrong? Kokichi, Rantaro and I are in a relationship now, but is that the best for them? I care about them more than anything, even myself, but can I love them? Even though Kokichi can be childish and immature, and Rantaro is sometimes a bit too serious, I love spending time with them. Sometimes it's embarrassing how much I blush around them, maybe I can make them happy after all?

Snatching his consciousness from his thoughts, Tojo slipped around the corner and waved, putting her finger to her lips again. Shuichi held out his clothes to Tojo, watching the woman slip into the shed to change. I hope this works, I don't want to disappoint everyone. Why does it feel like everything's going to go wrong? My body just doesn't want to do anything, why the fuck are you crying Shuichi? You're an adult, get yourself together!

Shoving the heels of his palms into his eyes, shoving the tears back into his eyes as he glowered at the ground. Lifting his sleeve slightly, the male scratched his self-inflicted wounds underneath the slightly grey bandages, watching fresh blood seep into the fabric. Red stains mixed with brown, crusted ones as he sighed, the stinging sensation calming him. My knife would be better right now.

Yanking down his shirt sleeves, Shuichi watched Tojo emerge from the shed, wearing his clothes. Tojo gathered her bundled maid uniform under her arm, putting a finger to her lips again. Right, her clothes still have the bugs on them. Shuichi pulled his hat over his face as Tojo covered her head with the male's hoodie, waving him out of the alleyway and into the crowded street. They walked side by side in silence, slipping through the unsuspecting civilians as Shuichi followed Tojo on a path opposite to his home.

Feeling an elbow to his shoulder, Shuichi looked up to see Tojo nod towards another alleyway. Why are we going in there? She seems to have a plan, I just need to go along with this. Slipping behind the female, the bluenette watched as Tojo dumped the white and black uniform into a blue dumpster, grabbing Shuichi's wrist and pulling him back into the street. Gritting his teeth from the stinging sensation at the freshly opened wounds, Shuichi pushed the pain to the back of his mind. If Tojo's first impression of me is a weak little boy, this won't go well.

"Apologies about that Saihara, I had to be sure the bugs would not pick up my voice." Tojo let go of the male's wrist, the two falling into a regular pace along the street. Her voice seeped elegance and sophistication, with the appeal of a woman raised in aristocracy. "My name is Tojo Kirumi, it is a pleasure to meet you. Where is your friend? I have the antidote they may need if it is, indeed, methanol poisoning."

"She's at home, should we head there now? You can stay with us from now on if you'd like, we have more than enough room!" Shuichi smiled, starting on the trip back to his friends and Harukawa, the woman possibly on the brink of death.

"The quicker we arrive, the better," Tojo smiled back, her eyes closing momentarily as she slightly bowed. Enjoying his time with his new friend, Shuichi kept his hat covering his eyes as they made their way to Harukawa's aid. Maybe things aren't too bad after all?

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Turning the key, Shuichi pushed open the door and ushered Tojo inside, locking the front door behind him. "Oh, Tojo correct? My name's Akamatsu Kaede, nice to meet you!" Akamatsu beamed, skipping up to the woman and shaking her hand. Tojo smiled in return, slipping the hood from her head and smoothing out her short bob.

"I know who you all are, it is quite a pleasure to meet you Akamatsu," Tojo returned the handshake.

"Would you like some new clothes? Gokuhara helped give us an idea of your size so we went out and stole a few," Rantaro smiled.

"That is much appreciated, although, maybe later. Right now, I believe there is someone injured, correct?" Tojo glanced around the entrance, seeing no one in need of medical attention.

"Harukawa's this way, follow me," Shuichi nodded upstairs, leading the newcomer towards the guest room where Harukawa had been earlier in the day. Gently knocking on the door, Shuichi creaked it open to see the pigtailed woman curled up on top of the blankets of her bed. Her chest rose and fell in a rhythmic pattern, the woman fast asleep. Approaching her, Shuichi knelt beside the bed and rubbed her shoulder, expecting the sudden grip around his bloody wrist as Harukawa snapped awake.

"What do you want?"

"Hello to you too Harukawa," Shuichi smiled. The woman huffed, rolling her eyes and releasing the grip on the male. I've come to know her mannerisms, and even though she never laughs or smiles, I know she's happy right now. "There's someone here who can help you, another Ultimate."

"Whatever, where is she?" Nodding Tojo over, the woman took Shuichi's place at Harukawa's bedside, smiling at her.

"Hi there Harukawa, I'm Tojo Kirumi. I apologise for being the reason you have been awoken. If you will allow me, I would like to check your health." Harukawa grunted, heaving her body into a seated position, leaning against the wall behind her. Shuichi awkwardly swayed in place as Kirumi pulled a small bag from her pocket, opening it to reveal a collection of medical supplies. 

Shining a light into Harukawa's eyes, Tojo pressed on random parts of her head and checked her breathing. "It seems Saihara is correct, I have brought a treatment for you." Tojo's smile never faltered, Shuichi couldn't help but feel like she was the Mum he'd never had. "Do you have a fear of needles? The treatment is in the form of an injection."

"What's in it?" Harukawa asked, seeming hesitant to allow Tojo to continue.

"Harukawa it'll be alright, we can trust Tojo," Shuichi attempted to help.

"The treatment is fomepizole, I will need to inject this into your arm and it may have side effects."

"Like what?"

"Headaches, nausea, sleepiness and you may be unsteady for a little while." As Tojo explained, Harukawa's body seemed to gradually relax. Pondering her options, Harukawa nodded, rolling up her sleeve and holding it out to Tojo. Taking out a syringe, Tojo wiped down the patient's arm and slipped the needle inside, slowly injecting the fomepizole into Harukawa's vein.

Everything's under control here, I should go. Leaving the bedroom, Shuichi made his way downstairs to the living room where the others talked amongst themselves. "Saihara, is Harukawa going to be okay?" Kiibo asked, jumping up from his seat and onto Shuichi.

"Y-yeah, don't worry Tojo is giving her the treatment right now," Shuichi smiled. The entire room let out a collective sigh of relief, glad that the most competent fighter in their group would live. Everything's going to be okay, we've all survived. I did it, I helped save Harukawa's life.