Fuutarou's POV

"Itsuki, here come the big one. You're ready?"

"Hm, hm!" Itsuki nodded and hummed, since she still had some problem with speaking.

"Alright, here goes! Say 'ahh', Itsuki." After seeing her nod, I scooped up a big spoon of rice, then I moved it toward Itsuki's mouth and told her to open it, which she did. When she knows that the spoon of rice is in her mouth, she closes it and eats everything on the spoon, but it isn't hard for me to pull it out, receiving an empty spoon. She starts chewing all the food inside her mouth, which somehow beams me with joy.

"Good, Itsuki, good. Keep eating and from a little girl, you'll be grown-up and strong." I complimented her, but soon found out how awkward it was. "I shouldn't… have said that, should I?" I mumbled and turned away from her, made she tilt her head and wondered what that meant.

Another noon at this hospital, the place things all began. Talking about the past, that was when god got high and accidentally made a private jet crash down into the deep blue sea, taking away perhaps over 5 people's lives, leaving just a girl as a survivor. After a few days of talking, feeding and comforting, her recovery process is going pretty well. After 4 years of nothingness, this accident brought such a big change to my life. I became a stepfather at the age of 22, got to meet Ebata-san, the Nakano sisters' semi-father, almost got stabbed in the neck by him, made friend with a tall Investigation Team's leader and spitted toxic into the face of an unprofessional police. All those things happened in just one morning.

Now also looking back to the previous events, there was something that still bothering me. Ebata-san, for some reason, actually trusted me and told me to take care of Itsuki. That was like being passed a torch, but instead of feeling proud of getting something from a past generation, I was and still feeling stressful. To me, this is quite a big responsibility for someone like me. I mean, what should I do when that "coo-coo" brain of her finally recovered? Should I tell her that I took care of her like taking care of a baby? Will she want to go back to this state if she finally hears about all the things I did to her?

I'm having in my pocket a letter from Maruo Nakano, maybe about some sort studying, learning problems, or it's just about him cursing me to fail. If he wants me to fail in life, then he can celebrate right now because I am suffering. Getting a job in this modern world is not an easy task like I thought to be. It's like a crazy race of "who gets the first spot first win it all". And unfortunately, I'm always at the last one. I'm still unemployed, my father is doing well with his current job, but that won't be enough for our family. Since this is summer, Raiha tried getting a part-time job as well, but nobody accepted her since she was too young for her age.

Oh I know, maybe after Itsuki is recovered, I can ask for some money as care-taking fees- Okay, that's just wrong, I'm not doing that!

I look at the ceiling for no reason and start praying silently in my head. Dear god of the sun, on this hot weather of July summer, can you please grant my wish? I then look down to Itsuki, which somehow her appearance makes me feel amused. Perhaps from all the cold she received this morning, she is having a blanket covered her body, with a part of it covers her head like a hood. Well, at least I can find some peace from you, right "Igloosuki"?

Oh, and if you're wondering why she is cold, well…

"Big brother, you're so cruel! Why can you feed Itsuki-san but I can't!?"

That's because that perverted bastard splashed a pool of water onto my poor kid while I was away!

"Don't worry, just leave the feeding thing to me. All you need to do is sit there and think about your sin!"

"But what did I do, brother? Why won't you let me feed Itsuki-san?"

She is really having a hard time understanding, isn't she?

"… Why don't you come here and ask her?" I told Raiha, made her stand up from her seat and approach Itsuki and I.

"Fine then! I'll ask her about that!" Raiha shouted at me and came to Itsuki. When Itsuki realizes Raiha is near her, she starts shivering and backing away. "Itsuki-san, why do you-"

"REEEEEE!" Itsuki shrieked and hid behind my back, made Raiha shock. My little sister then reaches out her hand like she is trying to grab something desperately, with tears in her eyes. Her jaw drops, unbelieving what she has been through.

"Itsuki-san!" She cried out, which made me shake my head.

"Careful, she'll bite." I warned her.

"But why, big brother!? Itsuki-san hates me, doesn't she!?"

"I don't know. Perhaps splashing a bucket of water onto someone who had been through a horrible jet accident that involved water would leave such a good impression, don't you think?" I asked her. After hearing that, Raiha figures out everything. She collapses to the ground and lowers her head, and her soul must be somewhere up there right now.

"Itsuki-san… hates me…" Raiha mumbled and smashed her head on the floor. After seeing that, I turn my head to Itsuki, who is still gritting her teeth, letting out some "nggg" sound. I sigh and feed her another spoon of rice, hoping that will calm her down.

"Enough, Itsuki. If you keep doing that, you'll send her soul higher." I told her, hopelessly looking at my little sister, mumbling the same 'Itsuki-san hates me' line.

You two… can I please have some peace after what I've been through…?

O0O

After Itsuki finished her lunch, she immediately drifted to sleep, like a bear after savoring her honey. Giving her some privacy, I took Raiha outside the hospital room, since I also wanted to have some fresh air from that stuffy alcohol-smelt inside. There is something I want to do before going back in, or more like, I need some space to think deeper about "that thing".

"Raiha, could you…" I asked my little sister to do something, but she didn't listen to me. She just sits on the ground, covers her legs and rocks back and forth, her eyes have no soul inside them.

"Itsuki-san hates me… all of my pride… my honour… is gone far away… hahaha…" Raiha mumbled, which from amusing, I found it creepy. So I have to crouch to her side and snap my fingers, bringing her back to this cruel world. Luckily, she hears my snaps and wakes up. "Huh!? Oh, big brother, what are you doing here? Where are we?"

"Did you just lose your sense of time and space?" I asked her and shook my head, then I handed her a black plastic bag. "Here, this will be your chore at home." I told her, which made her angry of me commanding her.

"Big bro, why can't you just do it on your own? It belongs to-"

"This is actually Itsuki's stuffs. You need you to wash it at home."

"Okay I'll gladly take it! Thanks, big bro!" Raiha snatched it from my hand and hugged it dearly, beaming a big smile on her face. She gets up from the ground and sways left to right continuously, which I think she is really joyful with it, an understandable action from an "Itsuki fangirl". "By the way, big bro, what's inside this bag anyway? It's so fluffy and huggable!"

"I don't know. Kuro- I mean the leader of the Investigation team gave this to me when I was in Nakanos' apartment." I answered, still unsure what was in the bag.

"Oh, the Nakanos-" Raiha said, but stopped suddenly. Her eyes wide open by surprise. "YOU WENT TO ITSUKI-SAN'S APARTMENT!?"

"Well… yeah. Then what do you think about this backpack?" I asked her and pointed at the backpack, which I was carrying. And can you please include the rest of the sisters next time?

"… Big bro."

"Yes?"

"Do you think…" Raiha asked, but she stopped to let out a devilish smile, which made me confused. "… that inside this bag, they're Itsuki-san lingeries?"

"OH HELL NO- I mean, they can't be that big, right? The leader told me that they were human-sized. There is no such thing as human-sized lingerie!" I told her, but I knew that my face was burning up after hearing Raiha's question. However, Raiha starts laughing when I finish my line.

"You know, big bro, when I showered Itsuki-san… well, I have quite a good news for you~~" Raiha smirked. "Those two nuclear bombs that the US dropped in Japan back in 1945… they are nothing compared to Itsuki-san's 'bombs'. You want to hear more about it?"

"DEFINITELY NOT! And how is that a good news for me!?" Calm down, Fuutarou… Calm down…

"Very well, comrade Fuutarou. Then I guess I'll have a look myself then." Raiha said and untied the bag, then she took a look inside. After checking for more than a minute, she heads back up with a smirk on her face. "Ooooh, big bro, it's really huge! Wanna take a peek?" She grinned at me, which made me blush red.

"Go home and wash that thing for me, now!" I commanded her, which made her laugh again. She then turns her back on me and skips all the way to the staircases, leaving me behind. Jesus Christ, what happened to my sister's innocence?

"Oh, big bro, one more thing!" She turns around to look at me. I'm still pissed with what she did to me, but I try to calm down and listen to her.

"What?" I asked her, then she started making a face like she was about to cry. I'm not… that serious, aren't I?

"Can you… well… when I get back, can you tell Itsuki-san to be my friend again? I'm really sorry for what I did." Raiha uttered, finally feeling guilty for what she did back then. Although I'm not happy with her, I understand how she feels. It's quite a shocker to lose a friend then get her hissed at you after "raping" her with water.

"… I'll think about it. I'm not sure that it will work, though."

"Well, it's still more than nothing. Thanks, big bro!" Her smile got back to her face again, as she turned around and headed home, once again leaving me alone in the corridor.

Once again, the corridor is empty, with no one else walking around, leaving just me with the flickering fluorescent lamps. Around me are still some hospitals room, with different chanting and laughing, livelier and noisier than Itsuki's hospital room. Even I'm not her, I'm still a bit jealous with those rooms. According to what I know, most of the patients are recovered and waiting to be discharged from hospital. Once again, until one of those rooms is filled with another patient, this corridor will be silent, with just a piece of light from Itsuki's room.

This sight has become way too familiar for me that I'm starting to get bored. I really want to leave this place, I really want her to walk out there, free from that stuffy and cold place. Those soulless eyes that I always see from her, they are desperately looking for some light. But for some reason, I really don't want them to be able to see. I don't want them to face the truth, to realize that their owner is alone, in this quiet hospital corridor and in her new life, something she'll have to face.

Now thinking about it, what's the point of helping her seeing again anyway?

Once she's able to see, she'll know that she's just alone, no family, not even any mother or father. Ebata-san might be with her, but at the age of him, I don't know how much longer he'll be able to live. That semi-father told me to take care of her, relying her future on me, but I'm not an eternal solution. Soon we'll be having our own life, but for now, how can I help her facing her painful own?

Taking the backpack out of my back, I reach inside and take out a box, containing her glasses, which are still blurry and needed to be clean. I don't know if I should give these to her. Her eyes are probably not able to see anything clear right now, so if she wears these, will it works? But first of all, should I wear this on her and let her face the truth?

*ring* *ring*

My phone is ringing? Who's calling at this time?

I take it out from my pocket and look at the name on the screen. The one who is calling is… Kuro-san?

I swipe up the call button on my touchscreen and begin the call. "Why are you calling me, Kuro-san?" I asked him.

"Oh, Uesugi-kun. Great to hear you! Everything is still fine?"

"Yes, everything is fine. But only that alone is important?" I asked, doubting about his words. "I don't really think that your reason, Kuro-san. Is there anything wrong?" I asked him again. A few seconds later, I hear a sigh from the other end of the line.

"… Did Hayato's words affect you or anything?" He asked, made me lift my eyebrows.

"… Am I being arrested?"

"No, no, you're fine. I know our rookie was very rude, so I just want to call and check on you. I believe you're still bothering with it, right?"

Hearing his question, I remember about what that Hayato guy said. Yes, I'm still mad at it, but right now, there is something much bigger for me to concern.

"… Not really. But thanks for concerning, Kuro-san."

"I'm glad to hear that, Uesugi-kun. Making a citizen happy is my duty, after all."

Duty, huh? That's the same with responsibility, right? Then I think I have to ask someone like him about it. I believe he can leave some advice for me.

"Hey, Kuro-san. May I have a question?"

"Anytime, Uesugi-kun. What would you like to know?"

"When… someone you don't know well… leave you a big thing to do, or on the other words, a huge responsibility, what would you do?" I asked him, made the phone call stop for a few seconds, perhaps for him to figure out an answer. After that, I hear a chuckle from him.

"Just that? So you got a heavy responsibility and you're giving up already?"

"No, it's just…" I tried to explain, but I couldn't say anything.

"Uesugi-kun, I have a story to tell. Allow me?"

"Do tell, Kuro-san." I told him to tell the story.

"Alright then. Did you know about the incident happened 2 years ago, about a journalist?"

"… No, I didn't. What happened back then?" I asked, but received a sigh from him.

"You should read news more often, Uesugi-kun." He told me. "So there was an incident about a family, a rich one, got broke. They had to sell their own home and be homeless. That news was quite a storm at that time."

"So what's up with the journalist part?"

"Well… there was a journalist, who might be in the need of money, so he tried to reach out to the father. He wanted to bring the father to the news, and with such a storm that incident created, he had a reason for doing that. However, the father disagreed for the sake of the family, so…" He told me the story, but suddenly stopped at that part.

"What happened next, Kuro-san?"

"… In the climax, he brutalized the father, without the family knowing, then he escaped with such a scene." He told me the last part, which made me cover my mouth, unbelieving what I just heard.

"So me and my team investigated the scene, trying to dig out every single evidence that we could to bring him to the light. Needless to say, it was a really hard task. But with some experience and a small help from luck, we managed to do it. The investigation was a success."

"That's incredible, Kuro-san." I complimented him.

"But for some reason, that journalist, the culprit, managed to get away with it. No one talked about the case again." Kuro-san said, but before I could ask something about the investigation, he continued. "All in all, that was one of the biggest responsibility I'd ever had. I had to solve it for the victim's family, I had to show the culprit some justice, as a police and the Investigation Team leader."

"Kuro-san… what you're trying to tell is…"

"Uesugi-kun, I don't know how big the responsibility you're having now is, but I can ensure that's just a small part of your life journey. You'll be facing a lot more from now, even from getting a job, getting married, having kids… They all require responsibilities! If you're backing down from it, how can you face more of them?"

"I'm not backing down, Kuro-san. It's just…" I told him, but I started gulping and clenching my fist. "I don't know if I have enough confidence to do it."

"And so did I, Uesugi-kun. I used to be you many years ago, unconfident about my job, about the path I'd chosen. But after some years of learning and suffering, I'm used to it!" He said. "Look, Uesugi-kun. That's just your feeling. Get rid of it and you'll be fine. That responsibility you're having is just the starting line of your journey. You'll soon get used to it! Move on, Uesugi!"

"Okay, okay, geez, you don't have to shout at the phone like that!" I told him, feeling that my eardrum was about to explode. "But yeah… thanks for the advice, Kuro-san. I really appreciate it."

"No problem. I'm glad to hear that. See you, Uesugi!"

"Yeah… see you then." I said and ended the call, then leaned my back on the wall and looked up to the ceiling, staring at the flickering light.

Just my feeling… huh?

Chapter 7:

Temporary feeling

O0O

"Don't mind if I'm coming in…" I mumbled and walked into the hospital room, pretending that there was someone still awake and heard my warning. However, it's just a familiar redhead, sleeping peacefully on the hospital. She is letting out some small snores, probably dreaming about some island of food.

I tiptoe to her bed and sit on the side of it, looking at her sleeping. 'Are you dreaming about food again, Itsuki?' I thought while looking at her. She is drooling in her sleep again, so I take a nearby handkerchief and carefully wipe it off, not to wake her up. I start remembering what Kuro-san said about responsibility, and also what Ebata-san told me. I guess it's just my feeling, after all. It's not such a hard task like I thought, right?

For some reason, my sight turns its attention from her neck to her chest. I don't know why I look at 'them' for a good 5 seconds, then in a nick of time, Raiha's words echo in my head.

'Those two nuclear bombs that the US dropped in Japan back in 1945… they are nothing compared to Itsuki-san's 'bombs'. You want to hear more about it?'

Yeah, Kuro-san is totally wrong! This is a really difficult task!

I let out coughs after coughs and turn away from her, feeling some heat burning up my face. I know I have to find something else to do to forget it, but what should I do? Inside this room, there's nothing but a bunch of boring medical magazines and newspapers, just containing news about someone dying because of their stupidity. But in the hard time, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I reach into my pocket and take out that thing.

Maruo Nakano's letter.

… Is it actually safe for me to open it? I know we had such a "rivalry" back then, but it's been 4 years, and he's not a kind of person that would be chewing an animosity for 4 years, right? So there won't be any trap inside this envelope, right?

Ebata-san… for a person like him, I totally trust. He looked serious when he handed it to me, like this letter meant a lot to him. So nothing will go wrong if I open this, right?

'He wanted to give this to you in person, but since he kind of had some… hatred for you, he wanted me to send this to you on his behalf.'

That's what he said when he gave this to me. However, if I encode and analyze this, it sounds like…

'He wanted to give this to you in person, but since he kind of had some… hatred for you, he wanted me to assassinate you on his behalf. Fufufu…'

Please tell me you don't mean it, Ebata-san! Just imagine about opening this letter already scares me!

(Deep inside Fuutarou's head, when he opens the letter)

'Maruo Nakano's third bomb, Bite The Dust!'

'ARGHHHH!'

… You know what, my life is worthless, anyway. No matter what it takes, I'll open this envelope! Here goes nothing!

With all my might, I rip off the top of the envelope and take out the letter inside. Luckily, there isn't any bomb or explosive stuff, just a piece of letter, which is folded carefully. Holding the letter in my hand, I skim through the whole thing, when suddenly another piece of paper falls off when I unfold it. But I don't bother with it and move on with the current paper in my hand. The content inside isn't very long, but there is something interesting on it.

There is a big red spot, like someone accidentally spilled his tomato juice while writing it. Geez, Maruo-san, you should have been more careful…

At first, I didn't plan or even touch anything that involved the Nakano sisters' stepfather. However, hearing Hayato's words about the accident, knowing more about it, somehow I've had more respects for him. So with all the respect, I decide to read the letter.

"Dear Fuutarou Uesugi,

It's been 4 years, hasn't it? When was the last time I talked to you again? Oh yes, that was when you and my daughters made some kind of promise in front of the school gate. I think from then, about 95 percent of my family misses you, so where is that 5 percent, you ask? That's me. While my daughters are hoping that you will pass the graduation exam and get a degree, I'm hoping that you fail. I hope you're reading this while being unemployed and uncertain about your future."

Unemployed? Yes, but not getting the degree? Absolutely not! Suck to be you, Maruo!

"My daughters decided to go back to Japan and find a job there. I'd already told them that getting jobs here in the US was much better, in terms of facilities and salaries, but they were so stubborn. They really want to get back to Japan at all costs. I am definitely not happy with it, but I know that if I stop them, they will fly back to your country on their own, against my will, just like last time.

You really leave quite an influence, don't you, Uesugi-kun?

Well… for this time, I am not going to stop them. As a father, I think this time, I will do something for them… at least for the last time."

The last time? What… is he talking about?

"While having my stay here in the US, I found out that I was having a terrible illness. With my knowledge, I tried to find every way possible to cure it, but looked like god had turned against me. My health condition is getting weaker and weaker, and I've been taking a lot of pain-killers, but I know that won't work for long."

Wait… so this red spot… don't tell me…!

"With my calculation, my lifespan can be counted on the fingertips. Ironic, isn't it? A successful doctor like me… giving up to an unexpected illness, something that I don't even know what it is…

Knowing my daughters for too long, you might have heard about their mother. I didn't have much time enjoying my marriage with her, but I know that she had left such an influence on my daughters, just like you. She was my type, smart, understanding and reliable. When their mother passed away, those quintuplets were sad for her. But for the father I've been, will they feel sad for me if I leave this world? Will they forgive me for what I've done?

You know, Uesugi-kun, I don't know why I'm feeling so comfortable writing these lines. Am I finally letting go all of my feeling after all these time?

When I'm finished writing this letter, we'll be preparing our stuffs, getting back to Japan. Soon my daughters will return to the apartment, while I'll be staying somewhere else, waiting for my life to end. I want them to keep the image of a serious and strict father, not a pathetic one, waiting for his death. Until then, I'll send this to Ebata, ask him to send this to you, with one request.

Please.

Please, Uesugi-kun, take care of them when I'm away. When they're safely landed in Japan, be their friend once again, just make them forget about me. They need to keep pursuing their careers, using all of their knowledge to help developing Japan's future, not wasting their grey matter on this stepfather.

I feel that I can't write anymore from here, so I'll stop for now.

Please forgive my selfishness. Thank you, Uesugi-kun.

Sincerely

Maruo Nakano"

"… Uesugi-kun?" A voice called for me. I look up from the letter to see Itsuki, who is struggling to get up. I hold her hand and pull her up, letting her sit on the bed. "You should… rest… Uesugi-kun… tired…" She tried to tell me to take a nap, for my sleepiness. However, I shake my head and smile.

"Thank you, Itsuki. But I don't think I need a rest right now." I told her, but she didn't respond to me. She keeps staring at my face, leans closer to me, which makes me slight blush by the change of distance.

"Uesugi-kun…"

"Y-Yes, Itsuki?"

"You're… crying…" Itsuki said and pointed at one of my eye, which made me surprised.

"Crying? No, I'm not-" I told her and brought my hand to my eye and slightly wiped it. However, I stop saying when I see what is on my hand after wiping my eye.

Tears.

Was it from… the letter?

"… G-Geez, the alcohol smell here really makes my eyes sore, right-" I laughed it off so she wouldn't be worried, but it didn't work. Suddenly, without knowing, she brings her hand on my face and wipes away my tears.

"Don't cry… Uesugi-kun… If you cry… I'll cry…" Itsuki uttered, her eyes started tearing up as well. At this point, I don't know what to do, since my head is processing so much thing that I can't even find a solution.

"Itsuki, I-"

"GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE! Raiha is back!" The door behind me was kicked open, revealing Raiha. Great! That's my savior!

"Good timing, Raiha!" I jumped out of the bed and quickly approached Raiha, pushing her to Itsuki. "You stay here and have a talk with her! I'll go to the toilet for a while!"

"Huh!? Big bro, there is already-"

"Yeah, but suddenly I… want to know the smell of the outside's restroom! Just have a talk with her! You really want it, right!? See you, Raiha!"

"Big bro, wait-" Raiha called for me, but I quickly ran outside the room and slammed the door close, leaving my little sister and Itsuki inside.

Damn it… that was close…

I wipe both of my eyes again, receiving more little teardrops on my hand. I start gritting my teeth, holding me from crying and sliding my back on the wall, sitting on the cold floor. I use my hand to cover my face, trying to breathe properly, but my body is still shaking.

This is all because of this damn letter! Maruo Nakano, even when you died, you really left quite a thing to me, huh?

And for some reasons, I feel that my shoulders are getting heavier and heavier. What is this odd feeling I'm having…?

O0O