The bell tolled to signal the end of the school day. Students went about putting their school things away, chatting amongst themselves. One student had a bit more difficulty due to the injuries she had suffered a few months prior. Shifting her weight around, Azusa struggled to her feet, supporting herself on her desk.

"Do you need some help, Azusa-chan?" Ui asked, concerned for her friend.

"If you could carry my guitar, that would help." Azusa replied, balancing her bag on her shoulder. Ui quickly fetched the instrument from the back of the classroom. "Let's go then." Resting on her crutches, she snaked her way to the door, the other students parting to make room. As the two made their way to the club room, other students made way, some checking in on Azusa. Their gazes made the catgirl uneasy, but she knew her predicament would inevitably draw attention. The story of her accident had circulated around the school, and when she started back, she became something of a celebrity. However, this was during the time when she and Yui were forbidden from seeing each other, so when other students asked her about it, she didn't have the heart to talk about it, Ui and Jun trying to ward off the questions. When the ban was lifted, she was more willing to talk, but some of her memories were still hazy. True to her word, Yui remained her usual self, giving Azusa hugs and the like during club time, but vowed to keep herself in check everywhere else, knowing that Azusa was still a long way from full recovery. She had also become quite protective of the kouhai, getting pretty hostile if anyone hurt her, even if it was by accident. The other girls did their best to be gentle with the junior member. Memories of one particular incident filled their minds.

"So how is practice coming along, Azusa-chan?" Ui asked.

"Same as always. Barely at all. Although I can't really blame my sempais for that this time around." When Azusa returned to practicing guitar, the faster paced songs like Fluffy Time proved challenging. She would push herself as far as she could, but had to keep stopping to let her wrist and leg rest. While she was really happy to be with her friends again, she was annoyed at herself for holding them back, despite them assuring her that she wasn't. Approaching the stairs to the Light Music Club Room, they spotted a tall figure waiting.

"Hey Azusa."

"Hi Mio-sempai. I assume you're waiting for me?"

"Well, who else in this school is using crutches?" The two giggled. "Here. Let me take them." The crutches swapped hands, Azusa supporting herself against Ui and the banister. Then began the slow ascent up the stairs, Mio taking the rear. This was one of the dangerous parts. At least one of the seniors was always waiting to lend Azusa a hand, like how Ui and Jun were always on hand to get her to and from class. There had been intense discussions about Azusa staying off school until she wasn't so reliant on needing help, but she had stubbornly insisted that she didn't want to take too much time off as her grades might slip and the club would never get any practice in. And secretly, she didn't want to have to spend even more time away from Yui as the ban her parents gave the 2 of them had been heart-breaking enough. So she was allowed to go back.

Finally reaching the top of the stairs, Mio returned the crutches while Ui handed over the guitar. Wishing them both farewell, she disappeared. Leading the way, Mio entered the clubroom, swinging both doors open to make room for Azusa.

"Hi Azusa-chan." Mugi called, leaving her seat to make some tea for the kouhai. Azusa awkwardly dumped her bag before heading to her seat. Yui quickly got up to pull the chair out for her friend.

"Thank you." Setting her crutches aside, Azusa took her usual place at the tables, Mio holding her shoulders to keep her from dropping too hard. This was basically the way things were for the group. Azusa wanted to keep coming to the club despite knowing how difficult things were for her, and the seniors were simply unable to convince her otherwise.

A cup of tea was placed in front of her. "Have you started physio, Azusa-chan?" Mugi asked.

"Yeah. It's pretty hard."

"Well, it is early days, and healing from something like this will take some time."

"Just try not to rush it. You don't wanna end up back in hospital." Ritsu said.

"*giggle* I'd rather not."

A hand met her shoulder. "As long as we're all careful, that won't happen." Yui added. She was smiling, but everyone could sense firmness in her voice. They had not forgotten what had happened last time.