Shattered

alone

A month has passed since the accident. Yuka has been holding up pretty good. Her writer's block is still there, but only Noya and the people aware of her situation have noticed this. Yuka looks at some documents before putting them into a box labeled 'work' the brunette is currently sorting out her father's things. She can't keep clinging to everything. Yuka sighs and leaves her father's study. She walks into the living room and collapses on the couch. 'I will be skipping this morning practice, sorting some things out.' she sends the text to the small chat group that has formed with the three third years, Takeda and Ukai. They made this group so Yuka can take a break when needed. This way she also can reach the people that are her support in these hard times with just a few taps on her phone. A ping lets Yuka know someone answered. 'Don't forget to take breaks, Saegusa!' Yuka smiles a little when she reads Ukai's reply. 'Small steps still make progress' 'take your time' 'we will be here if you need us' 'Make sure not to overwork yourself' the texts from everyone else make Yuka feel slightly better. Ever since Yuka woke up she has been feeling down. The brunette has less energy than usual and just wants to nap. After fighting the idea for a while Yuka gives in and sets a timer to make sure she will be in time for class and closes her eyes to take a nap.

Yuka walks through the school gate and heads towards her class a little earlier than most students but normal time for a student who has had club activities. 'Look who we have here.' Tsukishima says. 'Please mind your words, I am still your senpai.' Yuka says with a serious look in her eyes. 'Even if it is just a club, attending it with some sort of schedule will be better than just coming and going on your whims.' After he said this Tsukishima walked away. The fact Yamaguchi hadn't said a thing made Yuka feel worse than she already was, he must have agreed with Tsukishima. 'Morning Tanaka.' Yuka says when she recognizes the bald boy in the hallway. 'Oh, hey.' the short reply hurt Yuka, but she couldn't blame him. She hadn't been attending practice in a regular way for the past month. She left after school practice early to visit Misha and the brunette looked day by day or she would attend morning practice and how much of it. Kiyoko and Yachi were aware some personal circumstances were behind it. Still they are getting lightly irritated by the irregularity too. Yuka tried to shake all the negativity off and walks towards her classroom. She sits down at her usual spot and looks out of the window. It is a beautiful day, but somehow even this can't lift her mood.

It is halfway the second lesson of the day when Yuka's phone suddenly goes off. Everything seems to slow down when she sees the name of the hospital Misha is in light up on the screen. Yuka just takes her things and leaves while picking up. She leans against the wall fearing what she will be told. 'This is Yuka.' The brunette answers trying to keep her voice steady. 'Hello miss Saegusa. Misha her condition has taken a turn for the worse. Her heart stopped and through adrenaline and reanimation we managed to keep her alive. However, a second attack like this could be fatal. It would be for the best if you come over as soon as possible.' The doctor says. 'I understand. I will be on my way after excusing myself from class properly.' She ends the call and takes a deep breath to get her emotions under control. Her sister is losing her fight. 'Yuka are you okay?' A familiar voice asks. When the brunette looks up her chocolate brown eyes meet Daichi's worried dark brown eyes. Her thoughts race and her emotions are a mess. 'Yuka?' Worried by her silence and the tears threatening to roll down her cheeks he calls out to her again. 'She is losing her fight.' Yuka manages to choke out. Daichi immediately understands who she means and digs his phone out of his pocket. 'Just met Yuka in the hallway, her sister is doing worse and she has to get there soon. Coach, Sensei can any of you give her a ride?' he texts in the chat. Seconds later a message pops up. 'Both of you will meet me at the teacher parking lot. Sawamura, please inform her teacher if Saegusa herself is too out of it.' Takeda answered. 'Takeda and I will be going with you. I will inform your teacher so wait a little, okay?' the older boy asks. Yuka nods. The captain enters her classroom and soon comes out again. 'Let's go.' He says putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

The two teens walk fast through the school building. They stop by Daichi his classroom to inform his teacher he will be leaving and then they head towards the parking lot of the teachers. Takeda was already waiting for the two of them. 'Let's get going.' The teacher says with a worried face. When they all got in the car he drives off towards the hospital as fast as he can. After parking the car the three of them head into the hospital.

'Do you want us to go in with you?' Daichi asks when they arrive at Misha's room. After a moment the girl nods. She is afraid. The small group enters the room where Misha has been laying for the past month. There are a few more tubes attached to the girl now. While most of her bandages have been removed now her wounds have healed enough the damage from the car crash is still visible. Seeing Misha for the first time the captain and club advisor can't help but be impressed just how well their manager has handled everything. Yuka takes her usual seat next to her sister and takes her hand again. 'Take a seat, no need to keep standing around.' She says to the two that accompanied her. They quietly do as they were told. 'Hey sis, I am here. Today the captain and our club advisor came with me. We all grew worried as your condition got worse all of a sudden.' Feeling slightly embarrassed as she starts talking to her comatose sister the girl doesn't look at the two people that came with her. 'It would have been nice if we could have met under better circumstances. I am Ittetsu Takeda, the club advisor.' To make Yuka feel a little more at ease the teacher introduced himself. 'I am the captain of the team and a friend of your sister, Daichi Sawamura.' Daichi says following Takeda's example. 'They have been watching over me the past month. Since it has been rough losing dad and seeing you here in the hospital. Suga has been a big help too. For the rest I could find a lot of support in our coach and Asahi too. Asahi is the other third year on the team.' Yuka kept talking to her sister for a while longer. At some point she had to fight against her tears. She had noticed that Misha's heartbeat was slowing down and her blood pressure also dropped a little. Yuka looked at her teacher and the captain that were at a loss for what to do. Just seeing them reassured her and made her feel a little less alone. Taking a deep breath the older sister said what probably would be the hardest thing she would ever have to say. 'Misha, you have been fighting so hard this past month. You must be exhausted by it. The doctor already told me your heart stopped once earlier today.' A single tear rolls down her cheek as she clasps her sister's hand in hers. 'It's okay. You can stop fighting. I won't be all alone. It's been enough.' As if the younger girl had been waiting for her sister to tell her she could let go the machine let's out a long tone. Telling everyone in the room there was no longer a heartbeat. Tears roll down Yuka her cheeks as she clenches her sister's hand in hers for one last time. Daichi stands up from his seat and stands beside Yuka placing a hand on her shoulder. The warmth coming from the boy his hand slightly comforts the girl. 'Goodbye Misha.' Yuka whispers quietly.

A while later the doctor had confirmed Misha her death and things regarding possible organ donation and other things were swiftly taken care off. Having Takeda and Daichi with her in that situation made it a little easier for Yuka. When everything was wrapped up and Misha was being moved the three visitors left the hospital. 'Thank you, for being there with me.' The girl says quietly when they get to the car. 'It was better to have some people with you at this hard time.' Takeda answers with a soft reassuring smile. The teacher drove the girl home. 'Saegusa are you sure you will be alright on your own?' The teacher asks. 'I will be alright.' The girl says with a nod. Daichi and Takeda can only watch as she leaves the car and heads into her house. 'I will bring you home too Sawamura. Your head probably won't be with classes and practice even if you go back to school.' Takeda says after a while. 'Thank you, sensei.' The boy answers. He knows the man is right. After earlier that morning they all could use some time alone.