On The Side Of The Pitch With You

The Red Penguins

It was past midnight.

Way past midnight.

And yet, Yuuichi had a feeling he's right to be exploring the halls as everyone else was deep in slumber.

Because...

"Kyousuke."

"H-Huh?" His younger brother, who had been pacing in front of the laboratory's doors, jumped before turning around. "Oh, nii-san..."

He had a wry smile as he placed a hand on his back. "Have you been here all night?"

"W-Well..."

"Kyousuke..." He let out a sigh. "Kimiko really wasn't kidding, huh."

"Eh?"

He then let himself fall onto the nearest seat, but not once did his gaze fall away from the younger boy. "She told me how you skipped school and stayed the whole eight hours when I was in surgery. You wouldn't let anyone drag you away from the doors for any reason."

"T-That's..."

"Really, I'm glad to know how much you care about us, but please take care of yourself too." He held out the water bottle he had bought from a vending machine just a corner away. "Here you go. Stay hydrated."

"Sorry... Thanks."

Just as his hand wrapped around the bottle, Yuuichi's other hand latched onto his arm, and pulled him to sit next to him. He stumbled, but once the initial shock passed, he didn't complain. He just drank as told while keeping his eyes on the doors.

From the intensity of the stare alone, he could tell that he didn't plan to sleep that night.

So, he made up his mind and wrapped his arm around his shoulder. His younger brother's gaze flickered over for a second before he let them lean against each other. They stayed up just like that until the sun rose.

~~~~~

"She'll be fine." Before anyone could let out a sigh of relief, Asurei continued with, "However, you can't visit her just yet."

"Why not?" Her parents protested.

"Her physical condition was far more fragile than we originally thought. Though the process went well, it would take quite some time before she fully recovers. In order to make sure she rests further, we've put her to sleep for the rest of the morning."

"So... we can see her after lunch?" Her cousins asked.

"As long as you wouldn't cause her to strain herself."

The five family members all exchanged glances. Try as they might to deny it, they knew deep in their hearts that just being in the same room as her would stress her out. Try as they might to deny it, they knew they weren't on the best terms after what they had done the year before.

"Don't get on your high horse thinking you're the better one in this. None of you have the right to question me when all you've done is make her suffer!"

Try as they might to deny it, they knew Zanark was right.

Her brother turned to the two navy haired boys sitting behind him. The bags under their eyes made it clear they didn't sleep a wink, all to wait for news of their best friend. To think that they went this far, while her own family were so focused on their own feelings and...

It's no wonder she trusts these two so much. He held back a sigh. "Is there anything we could do for her in the meantime?"

The green haired man shook his head. "The only thing left to do is wait. She will definitely recover, but only if we give her the time to."