𝟭. 𝙃𝙀𝙍 𝙎𝙄𝘿𝙀 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔 || 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐤𝐲𝐮𝐮 [✔]

Chapter 4: Unexpected Bonds

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#111522
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Harumi's voice shot up the second she saw Aeris limping toward the house.

"Ae-chan!" she cried, rushing forward.

Aeris tried to smile, though her leg throbbed. "Harumi-san..."

Behind her, Michinari and Asahi stood stiffly, wearing identical guilty expressions. Everyone started speaking at once—apologies, explanations, worried questions—until Harumi gently held up a hand, urging them to slow down.

Michinari finally managed to explain: Aeris had slipped while helping them pick something up. It wasn't anyone's fault, but he still bowed so deeply that his glasses nearly fell off.

"Oh dear— we should get you to the hospital right away," Harumi said, voice strained with panic. She hurried to open the car door.

Aeris climbed in carefully, hissing under her breath each time her ankle moved. Harumi buckled Asahi into his booster seat while the boys remained on the driveway, apologizing like they were responsible for a national disaster.

"I'm so sorry for the trouble," Harumi said, bowing repeatedly.

Michinari and Osamu bowed back. "We should be the ones saying that," Michinari murmured, face red. "We didn't realize he was standing so close..."

Harumi offered a soft, grateful smile. "Well... we'll be going then. Thank you for helping her."

Aeris poked her head out the window and waved. "Bye! Nice meeting you! I'll see you tomorrow!"

The boys relaxed a little, returning her smile.

Once they were on the road, Harumi immediately dialed Hide. "We're on the way to the hospital—can you step outside when we get there?"

The car grew quiet after that. Harumi's grip on the wheel tightened with every sigh she let out. Aeris knew she wasn't angry—just frightened. Harumi was one of those people who worried deeply for others, and Aeris hated adding to that burden.

"I'm... sorry," Aeris whispered.

Harumi huffed a tired laugh. "It's not your fault. I just get nervous, you know that." She paused, then added wryly, "Your mother might actually kill me if she finds out you got hurt while staying with us."

Aeris snorted. "She probably will."

They exchanged small smiles, easing the tension.

By the time they arrived at the hospital, Hide was already waiting outside. His eyes widened when he saw them, and he rushed over.

"What happened?" he asked, offering his arm as support.

"I'm okay," Aeris said—but her face tightened when she tried to put weight on her ankle, completely contradicting her words.

Hide glanced toward Harumi. Harumi nodded to him silently: later.

Inside, Harumi handled the paperwork, practically sprinting between the counter and Aeris's seat.

The orthopedist examined her carefully, pressing around the swollen joint with gentle fingers.

"It's alright," he assured her when she tensed. "Not fractured. Just a bad sprain."

Aeris exhaled in relief—only for the doctor to continue.

"You'll need a cast or support brace for at least a month. Otherwise, the ligament may heal incorrectly and cause long-term issues."