Fuutarou's POV

*pzzt* *pzzt*

"Yeah, old geez, I'm here. What's up?" The phone was ringing, so I picked it up and found out it was my father.

"Fuutarou-kun~~ Where have you been all these times? I'm really worried about you! There's no one having an unnecessary argument with me right now…" My father, Isanari, purred, which made me piss up.

"Didn't Raiha tell you that I'm at the hospital? I don't think I have to mention the reason." I answered.

"Tch tch tch. Oh my son." He said in a disappointed tone. "You want to stay with Itsuki-chan that long? What? Did you two do some naughty 'stuffs' behind this old man? Bad boy, Fuutarou-kun~~"

"Wha- I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO HER!" His words made me blush and extremely bashful.

"What? You haven't? That's kind of sad, to be honest." My dad said with some devilish chuckle.

"Hey old man, you know what, I kind of feel homesick! Let me come home and we go somewhere to 'have a talk', alright?!" I said, trying to contain my anger, while balling my fist shakenly.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. Don't be too rough, buddy." My dad said, which I was still angry, but I tried to drown my anger down. But knowing him as my father, I know that he has a reason to call me, which could be something serious.

"Hey, Fuutarou." He asked through the phone, which sounded seriously, thanks god. So I let out a hum to ask back.

"That girl, Itsuki… She's doing okay, isn't she?" He asked, which took me a while to answer, thinking about how to reply that.

"… To be honest, I'm still doubting. She has some mentally stuffs happening to her, but I think she'll be fine. No, I hope that she'll be fine, with someone like me next to her."

"What? So in the past, you've been doing some perverted things to those sisters, so you're scared that she doesn't trust you? Haha." He started laughing

"Yeah- I mean no! It's just…" I started to blush as his laugh became louder. "It's just… she doesn't have anyone to be with her. Her sisters are gone, so is her father. It would be scary being in a room with no one close, if I were her. I mean… she just had a nightmare last night, and if I hadn't been there, I don't know what would have happened. But… is it okay?"

That's what I've been doubting all along.

Just think about it, one day you lost all of your family members, and the next day someone was sitting next to you, hugging you close, while you actually didn't have any special relationship with him. That was the thing happened last night, and even this morning. How could she be okay with that?

I'm not someone that special to her. I mean, first day at school, I actually was a jerk by showing off my all-correct test result in front of her, someone bad at studying. And now, she is relying on me. Does she actually trust me, or is this something like "clinging onto something when there is a storm" stuff?

"So you don't believe that she trusts you as her bodyguard or something like that?" My dad asked, and I answered with a 'yes'. After that, he chuckles a little.

"Do you remember when you was young, and I pretended to be a demon to scare you?" He asked.

"Oh now you're bringing that up?!"

"Wait, I'm not finished." He said. "So you shouted 'boohoo, I hate you, old man', but then there was a thunder, so you got freaked out and started hugging my leg tightly. I mean I couldn't even move an inch, like there was someone chaining a cannonball around my leg. By the way, you made quite a comedy show for your mom in that day, Fuutarou."

"Haha, so you're taking this golden chance to mock me?"

"I thought you should be clever to know that, Fuutarou." My father said. "The point is so simple to see. When people are scared of something, they usually hang or cling on something near them, or in this case, someone close to them. In their mind, that person is the one they can trust, they can hold dearly and feel safe."

"… So your point is…"

"You are the one, Fuutarou. You are that 'someone' to her. Right now you are like a teddy bear for her to hug, to feel safe. She doesn't trust you, you said? Stop being unsure about yourself, buddy. You have a girl to comfort, my boy." He said, and to be honest, I felt more relieved hearing those words. I don't have quite a good view on my father, but at least he has helped me big time.

"… I think the word you should have used is 'life-sized hamburger'." I told him.

"That's a weird word to use, son. What's for?"

"Nevermind. Just forget it." I said. It's actually glad that we are having a real father and son conversation. We are not talking face to face, but at least having time like that is enough for me, to make me feel more confident. Thanks a lot, old man.

"Anyway, what are you doing? I thought you probably were taking a nap in the middle of the afternoon." My dad asked. So I look to my side, or should I say, what I am actually doing right now.

While talking to the phone, my other hand is floating in the air, holding a hamburger. Meanwhile, Itsuki, after sleeping from having her breakfast, now has woken up to have her lunch, bite after bite on the burger. She actually bit a big one, so her face is all puffy, chewing all the things in her mouth before she takes another bite. I know that if I reveal to him about feeding Itsuki, he will have a feast of laugh. So I have to use some other words to answer.

"… Hand-feeding…" Well crap, I slipped it out!

"… Oh ho, and what are you feeding, Fuutarou-kun~~"

"W-Well… just… some birds outside with some burg-" Crap!

"You feed birds with burger? Son, what the hell?"

"No, I mean puppy! Yeah! I'm feeding puppy with burger!"

"So you're feeding some outside puppy, an animal that's not even your pet burger? That's quite a smart way to use money, son…" My dad said ironically, made me embarrassed and blush red.

"… You know what? See you then, old man. I'll probably be staying another night at the hospital, so don't worry about me, alright?"

"Good. See you then." My dad said and ended the call. As soon as the beeping sound of no connection to the other phone rings, I start relieving all the stress and breath I've been keeping in my chest. I've never been this stressful talking to my dad. That's really bizarre, but explainable.

I look at my other hand to see the burger has completely vanished, only the wrapper on my hand and Itsuki, with a puffy face, probably from taking such a last bite. To be honest, her face is starting to look like a squirrel, a squirrel that chewing on its burger while the "owner" is facing death talking to his father. You look so natural, Itsuki.

"Hmm?" Itsuki hummed and tilted her head to a side, probably wondering why I was looking at her for so long. It's actually a relief that her view is blurry, or she would freak out by how menacing I am thinking about the situation.

So please, Itsuki, with that being said, stop staring at me!

O0O

Geez, I've never thought staying one place at this hospital can be this boring. If only I knew that Itsuki could be visited, I would bring something to read, especially for my next job. I've got a degree, finally, so summer will be my precious time to find somewhere to work. But now I have to stay here, checking on Itsuki, or she will freak the frick out if she finds out I've left the room.

Even with my phone, I can't find anything interesting to read. I mean just look at all the news.

'Nakano family accident: Only one lucky survivor.'

'The youngest of Nakano quintuplets: Unlikely descendent.'

Yeah, like those journalists actually care about someone's feeling. They just think about what news to upload for money. That's just disappointing.

Right now, Itsuki is sleeping again, and she is also drooling. I wish I had such an easy life like her: eating then sleeping, then waking up to eat again. Such a convenient circle of life.

Outside, the sky is slowly turning to gray, and all of those colorful streetlight are turning on and flickering. Meanwhile I don't know if I'm lazy or I'm just used to this cold air of the air conditioner and the scent of medical alcohol, which I don't have any trouble with it, now, I just don't feel like going out to buy some dinner. Considering Itsuki still has hospital's food as her dinner, but thinking of that "bweh" face of her when she ate that soup, I don't think she will ever lick that spoon ever again.

My old man was right. Somehow I just feel that I should be her "life-sized burger", but I'm so obsessed with it that I actually consider what she should eat.

… Am I being a father at the age of 22? That's too early, don't you think? Too much responsibility.

'You are that 'someone' to her. Right now you are like a teddy bear for her to hug, to feel safe.'

Hate to admit this, but you're right, old geez…

Well, time to pick up my lazy butts and get some dinner, then.

"You seem really stressful, big bro."

"Yeah, I know. I have to take care of her dinner-"

Wait, who is saying?

"Good evening, big bro! I'm bringing some food for you!" There was a sound of a girl, cheering right behind me. So I turn around to find out who she is, and guess who I found.

"… Raiha?! What are you doing here?!" I shouted at her, surprised at my little sister's appearance.

"Brother, you so mean! So you were lying about Itsuki not okay, so you two can play alone in this room. I hate you, brother!" Raiha said and pouted.

"What do you mean playing?! This is not a place to play! Itsuki is-" I scolded her, but she didn't listen to me and dashed straight to Itsuki, who were still sleeping on her bed.

"But I don't hate you." Raiha said and pointed at Itsuki. Just before I thought she would do something stupid, she shakes Itsuki violently, trying to wake her up. "Itsuki-san! Itsuki-san! Wake up! Raiha is here for you!" With all her effort, Itsuki awakes immediately, and she starts breathing heavily with eyes wide open.

"Good evening, Itsuki-san! I've brought some-" Raiha told Itsuki, or she actually sounded like she was celebrating. However, she suddenly stops when Itsuki is on a verge of tears. So with all the trouble, I walk to her bed, sit down next to her and pull her close to me, patting her back. Oh boy…

"Yes, yes, you're scared right, Itsuki? I'm here…" I comforted her, didn't sound like I used to last night, but it was because I was sick of Raiha's sudden action. From that, Itsuki buries her face into the crook of my neck.

"Earthquake… there is a demon… pulling out my arms and legs… scary…" Itsuki whispered, then buried her head deeper, along with a "puu" moan from her. Seriously, I'm really impressed by how her brain generated her dream.

"Brother…" Talking about Raiha, I noticed that she was about to cry. Like, why? I guess it's also my fault for not warning her earlier, but she should know it's wrong to shake a patient while he or she is sleeping like that!

"Brother, you cruel! How could you brainwash her! Now she doesn't remember me! Itsuki-san! I'm your adorable Raiha! Remember me!" Raiha dashed to Itsuki and hugged her waist. When Itsuki sees that, or in the other words, sees the demon that tried to pull out her arms and legs, her jaw drops and her eyes start streaming down tears, which I don't know if that is depressing or funny.

"Raiha, follow me!" I scolded my sister, but she didn't even listen.

"Itsuki, I'll marry you! You don't have to feel pain and despair next to this guy again! I promise!" Raiha cried. I find that annoying, so I grab her ponytail and start pulling her outside, away from Itsuki.

"We are having a talk! Come with me, Raiha!"

"No, Itsuki-san! Itsuki-san!"

O0O

"Why wasn't you let me visit her, brother?!" Raiha shot back at me.

"Visiting?! More like assaulting! You couldn't see her face when you did that, could you?!" I scolded her and walked to the front of the door. "Beside…" Then I knocked the sign, which was still hanging in front of it. "Come have some reading…" I told her and backed myself off, letting Raiha standing in front of and read the sign. After a minute of reading, she covers her mouth with her hand for astonishment.

"No… It can't be…" Raiha whispered. So I come to her side and put my hand on her shoulder.

"Raiha, let me tell you 'The story of the beginning'. You're ready to hear?" I asked Raiha and after a while, she nodded. So I tell her about everything, when I first came to Itsuki's room, her status, the nightmare she had last night, even a little bit about this morning. After all of it, Raiha is streaming down tears on her face, with a runny nose.

"Itsuki-san…" She murmured. Feeling the same with her, I pat her back to comfort her.

"See? So you shouldn't have walked straight in her room and scared her like that." I told her, but my voice was small and enough for only her to hear. "This is the reason I didn't want you to come." I sighed, looking how hurtful my sister was for her friend. However, after a few minutes of weeping, she wipes away her tears with her arms and shoots back up with her face full of determination, which is a surprise to me.

"Raiha?"

"Brother, I refuse!" Raiha said, which shocked me a little.

"Refuse? Didn't I tell you to stay out of this? Your brother got this covered, don't worry." I told her, but she shook her head.

"But I also want to be someone next to Itsuki-san, too!" Raiha said and smiled at me. Seeing I lift my eyebrows after hearing that, she continues. "I want to be someone that Itsuki-san can rely on! I want to be someone that make her breakfast, lunch, dinner and seeing her gulping all of them in happiness!"

"… Raiha…" was all I could say. I have to admit, I've got a little emotional after her words.

"Two can both still do the work! Am I right, big bro?" Raiha asked me, made me smile.

"Yeah! That's quite a spirit, Raiha!" I smiled back at her, happy by how my little had grown up. From a little sister that was established as cute, she has become more mature and determinate. Big bro sure is proud of you.

While talking to Raiha, I also notice the huge backpack she is carrying on her back. I mean she doesn't have any summer school or lesson, so why does she have to carry something so heavy? "Raiha, what is that humongous backpack?" I asked.

For the sake of my question, she takes it down and opens it, and things happening inside can only be described in one word: paradise. The good smell of food starts leaking out, covering the whole corridor and even has the attention from the doctors and nurses nearby. It is the usual smell of curry, my favorite, and some steamed rice, which is a wonderful thing, compared to all my local-store-bought food this morning and afternoon.

"I made this so we and Itsuki-san can eat together. Did I make too much food?" Raiha asked concernedly.

"… No, you didn't. As a matter of fact, we probably won't eat much, as that redhead will swallow all of these down to her guts." I jokingly said. "By the way, where is dad? You left him at home, didn't you?"

"Yep!" Raiha said. "Don't worry! I left him some dinner at home, too, so he won't be hungry when we're gone!"

… What is that cheerful tone, my little sister? Now I feel poor for my old man, what the hell?

Anyway, closing Raiha's backpack, we go inside Itsuki's room, where she is waiting, staring at nothing, as usual. However, as soon as she hears our stepping, she turns her head to see Raiha and backs off, perhaps still thinking about that "demon". Seeing her like that makes Raiha frown, regret for assaulting her earlier.

"Let me talk to her." I told Raiha, lightly patted her shoulder and approached Itsuki. I sit down on her bed and lean to Itsuki's ear. "Itsuki, you remember Raiha? You know… my little sister, someone you are close to. You still remember her, right?"

"… Rai… ha… chan?" Itsuki said, still having some spaces between words, but those actually cheered Raiha and also me up.

"Yes, yes, that's right!" I cheerfully said, and pointed at Raiha. "This is not some demon, Itsuki. That's Raiha! She really misses you, you know?"

"Raiha…chan…" Itsuki said slowly again, and this time there were tears in her eyes, finally remembered her "best friend". "Raiha-chan!" I shouted out, which made Raiha have no control with her emotion. My little sister starts dashing to Itsuki, wrapping her hands around her and sobbing.

"Itsuki-san! You still remember me!" Raiha sobbed and dug her face further to Itsuki's chest, which that redhead actually returned it, placing her chin on Raiha's head. Both of the best friends start crying together, finally after 4 years. For Itsuki, she knows that she has another one by her side, she is not alone anymore. Seeing this reunion brings some small tears to my eyes, as well, happy for both of them.

You know, this is like the love of a father, happy to see his daughter finally making friends and not being alone- oh frick!

O0O

Writer's POV

"Say, brother?" Raiha asked, while feeding Itsuki the curry rice, and she received a hum from Fuutarou. "That horrible hospital food story you told me… they all have a reason, right?"

"What do you mean?" Fuutarou lifted his eyebrows.

"I mean although they are terrible, but after all, they are meant for Itsuki-san, right?" Raiha asked. "If anything happens to her, related to her stomach or some similar stuffs, we're in deep trouble, right? Tell me that sandwich was the only thing you fed her outside."

"… I don't know what you're talking about…" Fuutarou said, while his hands were sweating, thinking of the consequences. Right now, he really needs to change the subject. "Anyway, since she is finished with her dinner, you'll be heading straight home, right?" He asked his sister, which she shook her head.

"No, no, no, mister Fuutarou." Raiha answered in English. "I'll be staying here overnight with you, too. As I want to be close with Itsuki-san, right Itsuki-san?" Raiha asked and turned to Itsuki, who was still chewing and leaned her head on Fuutarou's sister's shoulder.

'We are such amazing children, right old man?' Fuutarou thought of his father, staying home alone with none of his kids by his side. While thinking, he is handed a pile of clothes by Raiha, taking out of her backpack as well. "Um, what's that?" Fuutarou asked.

"Your clothes, of course! Get change, brother!" Raiha said, pointing at his shirts, which he had been wearing from yesterday's morning until now. "I bet it's really smelly right now!"

"Look, it's alright. You don't have to go through all the trouble." Fuutarou said, but Raiha shook her head. Then she turns her head to Itsuki.

"Why don't you ask her about it?" Raiha asked, pointing out the fact that Itsuki had really good nose.

"Alright then. Let's do it, shall we?" The black-haired boy said, then approached Itsuki, who was sitting up on the bed. "Hey Itsuki, from a scale of 1 to 10, how smelly is my clothes?" He asked and stretched his shirts closer to Itsuki's nose. After smelling that, she turns around immediately and starts gasping for air, breathing heavily, taking in as much oxygen as possible to her nose.

'Is it really that bad?!' Fuutarou thought with his lower jaw dropped to the ground. Before he knows it, Raiha drags him to the restroom.

"Alright, the result has been determined. Go change, soldier!" Raiha said and pushed Fuutarou inside the restroom, then she turned to Itsuki. "You're also quite smelly too, Itsuki-san. Maybe I'll give you a bath tomorrow then."

Following his sister's order, Fuutarou changes to his new t-shirts and shorts, then he walks out the restroom, just to the Itsuki staring at something at the windows, while Raiha is nowhere to be seen. "Hey, Itsuki, where's Raiha?" Fuutarou asked.

"Outside… buying water…" Itsuki said, trying to point at the door, but she pointed at the wall instead. She didn't look at where she pointed, as her eyes are still somewhere at the windows, which Fuutarou can see it, though he still thinks that because she can't see well, she just stares at nothing again. So he comes to her bed and sits down next to her. "What are you looking at, Itsuki?" Fuutarou asked, thinking he would receive some meaningless answers, but he didn't.

"Color…" Itsuki said, still having trouble in process into sentence. "Colorful… dots… beautiful… some of them… moving… and there it is… the biggest one…"

Hearing her answer makes him raise his eyebrows, looking at the windows with her. The night is starting to fall, with all the colorful streetlight flickering, and some yellow one of the moving cars. Even from Itsuki's room's view, the windows have captured the whole city, creating such a beautiful light show. And on the sky, "the biggest one", is the moon, shining brightly, spreading its light all over the dark sky.

'Today's moon is really beautiful, huh?' Fuutarou thought and smiled. Although staying with Itsuki is like being prisoned in a hospital room, but prisoned with such a sight, to him, is still a privilege.

Suddenly, he hears some small moans from Itsuki, who is shivering from cold, desperately covering her arms and legs. "You're cold, Itsuki?" The bowl haircut young man asked, so she nodded. He takes out her blanket and carefully covers it all over her shivering, balled body. "Here, have a blanket, you'll be warm." Fuutarou told her with care.

However, hearing that sentence from Fuutarou, being covered in a blanket, all those things make Itsuki remember of one thing, something that has slept deep in her mind, now finally awoken.

Something that she is trying to forget…

'Are you cold, Itsuki? Have my blanket, you'll be warm.'

The words from her sister, Miku, rings through her ears.

"So, Itsuki, perhaps we can wait until Raiha returns, and then- Hey, what's wrong?" Fuutarou was about to say something, until he turns to Itsuki to find her eyes streaming out tears, dropping each of them on the bedsheet. She starts sniffing, breathing deeply to stop herself from crying, but she can't. Before Fuutarou knows, she bursts into tears and turns away from Fuutarou, doesn't want him to see her face. But it's too late, as Fuutarou has already caught a glimpse of her teary eyes.

"Itsuki, what's wrong?" The black-haired boy asked warmly, but she shook her head. She starts gripping on the blanket, but her hands are too weak, so she is gripping it shakenly. She inches away from Fuutarou, but he moves quicker and closer to her, then he wraps his arm around her shoulders.

"It's okay, Itsuki, I'm here… Just tell me if you want to…" Fuutarou asked, but he got no response. Feeling the care from Fuutarou, Itsuki's tears start falling down even more, as her cry becomes louder. Helplessly remove herself from Fuutarou's wrap, she gives up and turns around, letting the black-haired young man see her crying face, then she buries her face in his chest, wraps her arms around his waist and grips on his t-shirts weakly. Fuutarou returns the hug and pats her on the back, calming her down.

"It's alright, Itsuki… It's alright, just talk to me. I'm here for you…" Fuutarou whispered in her ears, made the redhead let out all of her emotions in his embrace. Holding the sobbing Itsuki in his arms, he moves his hand to her hair and slightly strokes it, patting her head. After a few minutes of weeping, Itsuki begins to talk.

"The blanket… you give me… Miku…" She tried to utter some words, but she couldn't. Feeling helpless with her weak, Itsuki cries louder, buries her face deeper to Fuutarou's chest, damping his t-shirts. Although she didn't say it clear, Fuutarou understands it.

"That stormy day… Miku gave her blanket to you, right?" He asked, which made her nod as answer.

"You really miss her, don't you?" Fuutarou asked. All the memories with her sister, Miku, flow through Itsuki's mind, as she is too hurtful to say something. Fuutarou knows this. She doesn't want to talk. She just needs someone to be by her side, to be the shoulders she can cry on. So he keeps silence, resting his head on her, letting out some small breath that makes her ahoge sway to the other side. Her weeping echoes through the room, breaking the silence it used to have.

"Uesugi-kun…" Itsuki asked, mumbling in his chest weakly, after a while.

"Yes?"

"Why do you care about me?" Itsuki asked, her voice became smaller. "Because of me… Ichika… bled… and everyone… my family…" She couldn't utter any word properly, as she desperately bit her lower lip to stop her from crying. Fuutarou then rubs her back, trying to calm the redhead down.

"So I need to have a reason to care about my friend? You're really asking too much, Itsuki…" Fuutarou said, holding Itsuki closer.

"Because you're special to me, that's all." Fuutarou said, which made Itsuki even more emotional and grip his t-shirts tighter, her crying became louder. "Beside, if your sisters found out that I made their youngest cry and I couldn't do anything about it, they would probably chop my head off, and Miku would tell me to cut my stomach."

Raising Itsuki up a little bit so she can sob on his shoulders, the young man then holds her closer so she won't have to keep balance on her paralyzed legs. Itsuki, from his waist, starts wrapping his neck. "Itsuki, if you feel weak, just tell me. One minute, one hour, heck even the whole day, I'll be there for you to cry on, to relieve all your pain. So don't worry about it, okay?" Fuutarou said warmly, letting her cry on his shoulders.

"Thank… you…" Itsuki murmured, as Fuutarou nodded. Both of them stay like that for a long time, as Fuutarou fulfills the role of "someone" to Itsuki, and Itsuki just doesn't want to let go her "life-sized burger". Itsuki shuts her eyes, pressing her head down to Fuutarou's shoulders while she is being patted.

"Uesugi… kun…"

"Hmm?"

"You're so… warm…" Itsuki whispered as she drifted to sleep, her arms released Fuutarou's neck, but her face slides down to Fuutarou's chest, leaning on it like a pillow. The young man, although feeling tickle with her hair, decides to give up.

'Perhaps I'll stay like this for a little while…' Fuutarou smiled, giving his warmth to Itsuki, giving her a sign that she's not alone.

"Alright everyone, thanks for waiting me! Here's the-" Raiha burst opened the doors, which had Fuutarou's attention. He turns around and puts his finger on his lips, then points at Itsuki, sleeping peacefully on his chest, telling her to keep silence. Raiha then gives her brother a thumb up and leaves the room, before blushing red, thinking of the scene.

'Brother, even when you said I was growing up… I think you're growing up too…' Raiha thought, smiling to herself, letting the night passes on, as she was proud of her brother.

Chapter 4

Warmth