I started out my morning by playing Canon in D on my piano. The song struck a nerve in me, considering the dire circumstance that I was in. The composition is incredibly beautiful and is often played in weddings.
But in certain scenarios, the song can actually be very sorrowful and remind me of a lot of difficult memories. Sometimes I play the song to make myself cry or so I can let out my emotions through playing the piece.
Glancing at the clock, I then decided to go over to Masamune's place. It was around 12:45 PM, so I left my house with me carrying a box with some of my home-made food in it for two people.
But those two people wouldn't be Masamune and I.
Earlier the previous day...
"I'm really confused as to what to do, Elf."
"So am I! You seemed to go along with the data collection when we were at my island, although you seemed hesitant."
Masamune scoffed. "Hesitant? Obligated would be a better word!"
"S-Shut it! You'll... you'll love me some day! I promise that you will!" I yelled with anger.
He looked at the ground remorsefully and saidsomething under his breath. "I sure hope I do..."
"W... What was that?!"
"Nothing, nothing." Masamune turned towards the door. "I need to go back home and talk to Sagiri about the second volume of our book."
"Oh, yeah! How will you continue your love letter?"
Masamune turned red and looked back at me. "I told you multiple times to stop calling it that!"
I giggled. He's so cute when he's mad...
Wait a minute... that's not my front door!
"Hey, don't you want to come around the other way?"
"Nah. I want to jump there again. This time I won't land onto her." He got a running start as his legs skipped over my railing.
"W-Wait! Be careful!" He landed on the railing, but lost his balance and fell backwards.
"Ahhhh!" he yelled, falling backwards. I reached my hand out to catch him. He held his arm backwards trying to grab my hand, but I only felt his fingertips. It was too far away.
"Masamune!"
He landed on the ground on his back with a loud thud, the back of his head hitting the ground after impact, possibly knocking him unconscious. I sprinted downstairs while calling for an ambulance.
When I got down onto the street where he had landed, I felt for his pulse, which was luckily still beating. His eyes were closed, but he was breathing in a strange pattern.
"A-Are you okay? Can you m-move?" I tried to help him up and he yelled out in pain.
"GAH! My back! Dammit!" he said, a tear now rolling down his face from the pain. He had only slightly lifted his head, but I could see nearly unnoticeable refractions of light shining off of his hair, giving it an unnatural glimmer. Why is it... but his hair's black. W-Wait...
T-That's... BLOOD!
He put his hand on his forehead and groaned in pain. "E-Elf... call 911..."
I held his hand with tears streaming down my face like a faucet. "I-I did! Don't die! I... I..."
"It wasn't that..." he winced in pain while trying to talk. "not that... it was a small... fall..."
"Don't tell me that! You're bleeding! You're very hurt right now; don't blow this off!"
He held a pair of keys in his hand. "S-Sagiri..."
"I... It's not her! It's me! Elf!"
He jabbed my stomach, only lightly, but it was probably as strong as he could. "S... SAGIRI!"
Is he telling me to... take care of Sagiri?
The ambulance arrived very quickly and they ended up carrying him off on a stretcher. Crying and without saying a word, I looked up to Masamune's balcony and then immediately wished that I hadn't.
Sagiri was standing there with tears slowly streaming her face. Even down below I could see how violently she was shaking. She clenched her teeth and raised her fist, vibrating tremulously.
"Sagiri! He'll be okay! Don't-"
"B-Big Brother..."
"Don't worry! He's... he's going to-"
Her lips were shaking as if she wanted to say something. She sputtered and cried before eventually yelling out one word.
"I... IDIOT!"
She covered her face and ran into her room weeping bitterly.
Back to present
I had tried to come into her room yesterday, and she wouldn't let me. I came into the house and she didn't throw a tantrum, so that's a step up from my expectation.
However, today I walked in with a box of food because she hadn't let me feed her dinner the night prior. "Eromanga-sensei!" I bellowed coming up the stairs.
No reply. Wow, she didn't even say she didn't know anybody of that name like she usually does. I knocked on her door.
"Sagiri! Come out! You can't stay in there forever."
I waited for a few more seconds, until she responded. "B-Big Brother..."
"N-No, it's me, Elf. But he told me to take care of you."
"I d-don't need your help. I can be fine on my own." I immediately heard a loud grumbling noise from behind the door. Yep, she's hungry.
I smirked. "Are you sure? I brought some food that I cooked myself!" She opened the door with puffy eyes, but her furrowed brow and frown made her look angry. She lunged for the box.
I pulled it back. "H-Hey, wait! I'll give you the food under one condition." Her face didn't change. "I'll give you the food, but you have to let me in your room."
She sighed, and then reluctantly let me into her room, but scurried over to her bed and shoved something into her pillow. It looked like a wet piece of paper.
"What was that?" I asked, setting up the food on the table. It was still hot because I had just made it this morning. It was cooking while I played the piano. She blushed.
"N-None of your business!" I wanted to press her on this, but she was already emotional.
We sat down and started eating food. We remained mostly silent, while I observed her room. I had been here before, but I never noticed how tidy it was. But it also seemed rather small to live in. How does she spend all of her time here?
My gazes and glances around the room were interrupted by her sniffling. I looked over to her to see she was crying again.
"Aw, cheer up. I visited the hospital yesterday. He's okay for now."
She immediately looked up at me with her brow furrowed angrily, similar to how she looked at thw door. "Did you see him?"
"No, he fell unconscious for a while. But I told them to let me know when he's available for visitors."
Her tears rolled down faster. "B-Big Brother isn't awake?! Is he okay?"
"Of course he is!" This felt like I was babysitting and it was strange. I don't know if I've ever been this mature before.
Maybe it's because of the dire circumstance for Sagiri and I. I guess I can be pretty good when an emergency happens.
"He... he just bumped his head. He probably has a concussion. But he'll be alright."
"Have they called you yet?"
"No."
"I... I..." Sagiri was still shaking and tearing up as she quickly ate her food. "I want to see Big Brother... I... I miss..." She laid on the floor and stared off aimlessly without finishing her sentence.
"Can you come with me when they call?"
"I-Is that okay?" Hey... wait a minute...
"A-Actually, I think you're fine. You don't need to come. He knows you'll be okay if I'm watching over you." If Sagiri doesn't come with me, then we'll be all alone together.
Sagiri got up and stared at me with indignation in her eyes, immediately knowing my plans . Third time's the charm, huh? "I... I'm going to see Big Brother! You're taking me with you!"
"N-No, it's okay! You don't ne-"
"I want to go! Let me go!" she said jumping up and down excitedly. Is this girl bipolar? I looked into her eyes. They seemed tired and emotional, but at the same time hopeful and exhilarated.
I sighed. Maybe another day. "Fine... you can come with."
Sagiri looked down and sat on the floor. "T-Thank you..."
I turned around, looked up at her clock, and yawned. "Sagiri, do you have anything you need to do today?"
I didn't hear a response. "Sagiri?" I heard a thump and then turned around to see her laying on the floor. "Sagiri!"
"Tired..." Did she not sleep last night?
"G-Get up! I can't carry you to bed!" She was already passed out by the time I finished my sentence. I growled in anger. I-I can't pick her up! She's too heavy!
Well, I can't let her sleep on the floor. Masamune would kill me if he saw her like this! I got down and put my arms under her back, slowly but barely holding her in my arms and heaved her over to her bed. Is she this heavy or am I that weak?
Sagiri didn't move an inch and only hugged her pillow, her face starting to glow. I smiled.
"I'll wake you up when it's time to go."
