Animal Adventure

Chapter 15: Cherry Blossom of Rhapsody

Aka knew that something was wrong even before opening her eyes. Aka is somehow back in her and Teresa's room. The last thing Aka remembers is walking up to two children before blacking out.

"You passed out from poison." Teresa's voice echoed softly in the room.

Aka turns her head carefully. The pounding of her head tells Aka that she has a major headache. It takes Aka a minute to process what Teresa said.

"Oh." Was all Aka said.

Aka closes her eyes and concentrates on the pain surrounding her cheek. It takes another minute for Aka to know that is where the poison has entered her body. Because of the adrenaline of the fight, Aka didn't pay attention to the pain or smell of the poison. Even after, Aka still didn't feel it.

"That was a stupid thing you did." Teresa stated.

Aka can see Teresa holding a wet towel and lets Teresa wipes the sweat off her face.

"Kidnapping... Need to... protect..." Aka slurred.

Teresa sighs as she leans back in the chair that Aka just realize that she was sitting on. Teresa puts the towel in a bowl that was sitting on the nightstand. Aka can just make out an orange container near the bowl.

"Boys...?" Aka tried to ask but couldn't.

Luckily, Teresa understands what Aka was trying to ask.

"They are alright." Teresa said.

Without further explanation, Teresa moves out of the way. There were two colorful heads poking out from under the blanket. Aka squints to try and make out who they were. After concentration for a moment, Aka can make out blue and orange hair.

"They haven't left this room since they move you in here." Teresa explained.

"Long...?"

"Two days. You were in and out of consciousness in the hospital, so you probably don't remember being there."

Aka did not.

Teresa lets out a frustrated sigh. Aka feels Teresa grabbing her hand and squeezing it tightly.

"It was scary." Teresa whispered softly. "When they called me about you passing out."

Teresa squeezes Aka's hand tighter. Aka feels the pain on how tight Teresa was holding. Aka attempts to squeeze back but stops immediately when she can barely control her lifeless body, much less her hand.

"Sorry..." Aka mumbled.

Aka gives Teresa a guilt look to show that she didn't mean to worry her. Teresa loosens her grip on Aka's hand. They stay there for a while, just letting the silence comfort them. The silence didn't stay long as Aka and Teresa hear one for the boys stirring awake. The boy with blue hair slowly sits up and looks over to where Aka is laying. His violet eyes widen when he sees that Aka is awake.

"A-Aka-san." The boy stuttered as he tries to get out of the bed quickly.

The sudden movement wakes the other boy on the bed. The orange-haired boy takes more time to wake up than the other, but he is equally alerted when he also sees Aka wake. Aka would have laugh at how the boys struggle to get out and almost fall flat on their faces.

"Slow down, Masato, Ren. Aka isn't going anywhere any time soon." Teresa said as she goes to untangle the boys.

Aka struggles to sit up while the three are trying to situate themselves. Aka can feel Teresa frown when she sees her twin attempting to sit up but failing. Teresa just sighs as she goes help Aka sit upright. Teresa arranges the pillows so Aka can lean back without having her lean against the hard headboard.

The boys, Masato and Ren, get closer to Aka but keep their distance.

"How are you feeling, Aka-san?" the boy with blue hair asked.

It takes Aka a minute for the words to process in her head. Unlike Teresa, Aka is slower to answer to the boy than her sister.

"...Fine." Aka slurred.

"Thank you for saving us." The orange-haired said. "And sorry for throwing fire at you."

Aka can feel Teresa looking at Aka in curiosity. Aka tilts her head to the side and lets it hang there.

"Didn't... hurt... practice..." Aka tried to explain.

Because she can't form full sentences, it was hard for the boys to understand her.

"She said that it didn't hurt at all. You need to practice more, though." Teresa translated.

The two turns to Teresa in awe as they cannot believe she understand what Aka said. Teresa continues to impress them when she talks to Aka like it wasn't one-sided.

"I guess you still don't know them yet since you were busy defending them." Teresa said.

Aka didn't say anything, but she does give Teresa a look that only Teresa knows what it means.

"This one," Teresa pointed to the blue-haired, "is Hirijikawa Masato. And the other," she pointed to the other, "is Jinguji Ren."

"Two... finan... groups...?" Aka asked.

"Yes, they are the sons of the two of the biggest financial groups in Japan." Teresa explained. "And it seems like there are some people who are targeting them for ransom for some time now. The night that you found them was the first successful kidnapping."

Aka frowns as she takes in the information. Even though they don't each other that long, Masato and Ren can see the gears turning in Aka's head. Teresa puts her hand on Aka's shoulder before Aka can come to a conclusion.

"Don't think too much right now. What you need to do is rest. The poison is still in your system and you can't fully get rid of it if you stress yourself like that."

Teresa gently pushes Aka to lay down. Aka didn't put in any resistance, so that means that she is exhausted. Aka is knocked out before she can hit her head on the pillow. This worries Teresa as she tucks Aka up and leads the boys out of the room.

"Are you sure Aka-san is going to be alright?" Masato asked as he watched Teresa quietly close the door.

"As long as she stays in bed for the next few days, she should recover." Teresa explained. "Easier said than done though. She is the type to get restless when she gets stuck in bed."

"Is there anything we can do to make her recover faster?" Ren asked.

Teresa hums as she thinks of what the two can do. Her thoughts are cut off when she hears someone's stomach grumbles. Masato and Ren look over to where the redhead hybrid was standing.

"Teresa." Otoya whined. "I'm hungry."

Teresa looks down at her watch and sees that it is a little passed nine. Usually Teresa didn't like to eat this late, but because they skipped dinner tonight, Teresa makes the exception this time.

"I know what you can do." Teresa said as an idea pops in her head. "Why don't you help me make some food for Aka? I'm sure that once she wakes, she'll be hungry."

Teresa knows that was a lie as Aka would avoid eating when she isn't feeling well, but Teresa didn't want to discourage them. Teresa smiles when she sees how eager Masato and Ren agree to make food for Aka. Otoya also wants to help.

"We should get Tokiya, Syo, and Natsuki to help, too." Otoya suggested.

Teresa nods in agreement, and everyone works together to make the best soup for Aka.

"Operation: Get Aka Better" is a go.