=Saturday=
[11:30 AM]
Saturday. Meaning no Classes.
Hiroto was about to leave when his sister called him.
"Bring this beef soup to Kazemaru." She said with a gentle smile.
Hiroto accepted it and said thanks to his sister.
/Kazemaru's room/
When Hiroto entered Kazemaru's room and was glad to see the tealnet awake.
"Mi-chan," Kazemaru said cheerfully.
"Ichi-chan, my sister gave me a bowl of beef soup so you would be able to eat something... Your brother just instructed one of the maids to re-heat it." Hiroto said.
"Is that so? Tell her thanks." Kazemaru said.
"Alright," Hiroto said as he sat on the chair. "How are you?"
"Fine." Kazemaru responded.
Hiroto placed his palm over Kazemaru's forehead. A small smile appeared on his lips as he felt that the tealnet's fever was lower than yesterday's.
10 minutes later, a maid came up with the soup. Kazemaru and Hiroto said thanks to her.
"Hiroto, I can manage it!" Kazemaru said as he tried to sit up. Hiroto supported him and gently smiled at Kazemaru.
"You're still not strong enough." Hiroto said and Kazemaru had no choice but to eat the soup with Hiroto feeding him.
2 hours passed
Kazemaru is sleeping under the effect of the medicine. Although he was trying to fight the sleepiness, which Hiroto found very cute because Kazemaru was frowning at that time and mumbling things he couldn't understand because the tealnet was too sleepy to focus, the medicine won in the end.
Hiroto was reading a book which he brought along while watching over the tealnet when Yukimura entered the room.
"Yukimura-kun," Hiroto said as he looked up from his book.
"How much did he eat?" Yukimura asked.
"Not much. He wasn't able to eat even a half of it." Hiroto said.
Yukimura sighed and exited the room with a serious face.
[9:30 PM]
The room was dark except for a small lamp that was lit. Hiroto was about to leave when a burning hand gripped his jacket sleeve.
"Yuki-oniichan... Please don't... leave..." Kazemaru said in a weak voice.
"Kazemaru?" Hiroto said with a frown. Then he suddenly noticed that Kazemaru's face was flushed with a harsh tint of red. His first reaction was to get the thermometer and check the tealnet's temperature.
beep... beep...
Hiroto took the thermometer and frowned as he saw the tealnet's temperature. 39.0, the fever went high again.
"Kazemaru, let me call your brother." Hiroto said. But as soon as he stood up, Kazemaru pulled Hiroto's jacket sleeve.
"Onii-chan, please don't leave." Kazemaru said softly.
Hiroto looked at Kazemaru. Kazemaru's eyes were staring straight at him.
"Kazemaru, let go off my jacket and let me call your brother." Hiroto said.
"Onii-chan..." This time, Kazemaru's eyes had tears.
Hiroto now realized what was wrong. Kazemaru was hallucinating. He mistook Hiroto as Yukimura.
"Shh. Don't cry Ichi-chan." Hiroto said as he lay beside Kazemaru. Kazemaru snuggled to his chest like a little child. He hugged the tealnet closer to him and felt Kazemaru relax. 'I love you Ichirouta.' Hiroto thought.
=Sunday=
The next day, Hiroto woke up with an aching back. He had been in the same position since last night. He looked at Kazemaru. The tealnet was still snuggled to his chest, though the grip on his sleeve loosened.
Hiroto gently stood up so he won't wake Kazemaru up. He checked Kazemaru's temperature and was glad that the fever was gone.
Hiroto continued to read the book he had been reading since yesterday.
[11:30 AM]
Yukimura left to go to work for an emergency meeting. Fubuki, Mido, Gouenji and Handa came since a while ago.
"I'm glad his fever's gone." Fubuki said.
"That's right." Gouenji said with a small smile.
"If he's going to school tomorrow, he shouldn't practice for a while. He just recovered." Mido said.
Handa nodded. "I don't want to stress him."
Everyone in the room agreed.
=Monday=
Practice
Everone was practicing while Kazemaru was sitting at the bench, watching them silently. Unknown to everone, Someoka had been angry at Kazemaru since the tealnet got sick.
"Someoka!" Endou called, trying to make the pink-head focus on practice.
Someoka kicked the ball really hard which hit Max, but he wasn't intending to hit him.
"Max!" Everyone said, even Kazemaru ran towards their friend.
"I'm alright. I just need some..." He winced as he move his leg.
"Ice." Kazemaru said as he supported Max to get up and gently walk to the bench and applied a pack of ice.
Endou resumed practice without Max.
(After practice)
Everyone left as soon as practice was over. Kazemaru went back to the clubroom to get his journal in his locker. As soon as he went out, Someoka appeared from the tree where he was hiding.
"Someoka," Kazemaru said. "Is there something wrong?"
"Yes," Someoka said angrily. "You ruined our chance to practice for a week!"
Kazemaru frowned. "I'm sorry I got sick."
Someoka grunted in response and walked away.
'I knew I shouldn't have joined the soccer team.' Kazemaru thought.
[7:50 PM]
Hiroto just finished when his cellphone rang.
"Hello?" Hiroto said as soon as he answered it.
"Hiroto-kun," Yukimura said. "Is Ichi-chan there with you?"
"No. He's probably with Endou." Hiroto said.
"I called every Raimon Soccer team members," Yukimura said.
"Where could he have gone?" Hiroto said.
"I don't know!" Yukimura said.
"I'll go and look for him." Hiroto said.
"Alright, I'll be waitng here for a few more minutes. Midorikawa-kun, Handa-kun, Gouenji-kun, Max-kun and Endou-kun are also looking for him." Yukimura said.
Hiroto quickly ran out of his house as soon as the call ended. After a few minutes of searching, he bumped into someone.
"Gomen!" Hiroto said.
"Hiroto?" A voice came from the 'someone' he bumped into.
"Max." Hiroto said, recognizing the voice.
"Looking for Kazemaru too?" Max asked.
"Yeah." Hiroto agreed.
"I have been looking for him since... an hour ago..." Max said.
"Did you see Endou and the rest who are looking for Kazemaru?" Hiroto asked.
"Yes, we had assigned places and we would meet by the waiting shed over there." Max answered.
"Where are the places you guys are searching?" Hiroto said.
"The riverside, the tower, the park, and the soccer fields at this place." Max said.
"Even Raimon soccer field?" Hiroto said.
Max looked at Hiroto "We haven't talked about it."
"Come on, let's check it."
-Raimon Soccer Field-
Max flashed the flashlight around the field until he flashed it at a teal-haired boy who was lying at the ground.
"Kazemaru!" Max shouted as he ran towards the tealnet.
Hiroto ran as fast as he could.
As soon as they reached Kazemaru, Hiroto lifted the unconscious tealnet and gently shook him.
"Kazemaru... Kazemaru..." Hiroto said over and over again.
"Let's bring him home." Max said.
Hiroto carried Kazemaru while Max got a cab for the 3 of them.
While at the cab, Max called every Raimon member to notify them that Kazemaru was already found while Hiroto called Yukimura.
"Hiroto-kun," Yukimura said as soon as he picked it up.
"We found him," Hiroto said as he protectively tighten his hug on the tealnet who was sitting on his lap and leaning on his chest and was still unconscious. "At the Raimon soccer field. Though he's unconscious."
"I'll be waiting for you guys." Yukimura said.
As soon as Yukimura and Max arrived, they were led to Kazemaru's room by a house maid.
Yukimura stood up as they entered Kazemaru's room.
"I see that Kazemaru-chan's condition isn't good," A doctor said who was in Kazemaru's room too.
Yukimura took Kazemaru from Hiroto and tucked his brother to the bed and without another word, left the room together with Max and Hiroto.
They waited for a long and painful 20 minutes at the living room before the doctor showed up.
"Sensei," Yukimura said as he stood up.
"Kazemaru-chan's body was just shocked from a sudden harsh activity." Sakuraba-sensei said seriously but a small smile curled on his lips. "But he's going to be fine. A short rest is just recommended."
Everyone in the room was able to breathe easily now. Max said goodbye while Hiroto stayed behind.
/Kazemaru's room/
"Ichi-chan is not the type of person who would push himself if he just recovered." Yukimura said as he took the band off Kazemaru's hair, letting the teal hair flow freely.
Hiroto remained quiet. 'I wish I just stayed behind with him,' He thought.
A sudden ringing disrupted the silence. It was Yukimura's phone.
"Excuse me," Yukimura said as he went out to answer it.
"I'm an idiot... I'm an idiot..." Hiroto said softly as tears slowly gathered around his eyes. "I shouldn't have left him alone."
While Hiroto was blaming himself, Kazemaru was gently waking up. The first thing Kazemaru saw was...
"Mi-chan... Why are you crying?" Kazemaru asked.
"Ichi-chan, you're awake!" Hiroto said. Then a smile appeared on his face.
"I've never seen you cry before..." Kazemaru said as he reached up and gently wiped the tears off from Hiroto's cheeks.
"Ichirouta," Hiroto said as the tealnet put his hand down back to the bed.
"Hmm?" Kazemaru said.
"What were you doing at the soccer field?" Hiroto asked.
"I... just missed training." Kazemaru lied as he avoided Hiroto's eyes.
"You're a very horrible liar." Hiroto said with a small smile. Then he sat on the bed and gently stoked Kazemaru's flowing hair. "You know you could tell me everything."
"I tried to become stronger..." Kazemaru said seriously which made Hiroto look at him with a serious look. "Someoka's right. It was my fault my Coach Hibiki and Endou had to cancel practice for a week."
Hiroto hugged the tealnet. "Listen to me, it's not your fault. You didn't want to get sick right?"
Kazemaru shook his head.
"So stop blaming yourself alright?" Hiroto said with a comforting smile. Kazemaru smiled back.
As soon as he was able to put Kazemaru to sleep, which was a bit difficult because Kazemaru was saying that he wasn't sleepy and was ignoring his protests that the tealnet should rest, anger was bubbling inside Hiroto.
=Tuesday=
Every soccer member was on the club room when Hiroto stormed inside the clubroom in anger, making everyone in the clubroom jump in surprise.
"What's your problem?" Someoka asked, annoyed.
"I should be the one who's going to ask you that!" Hiroto said.
"Hiroto, calm down," Mido said as he tried to soothe the angry red-head.
"Why did you blame Kazemaru for the cancellation of practice?" Hiroto said.
Everyone looked at Someoka.
"Someoka, we've talked about this-" Endou sentence was cut by Someoka.
"It's true isn't it?" Someoka said.
This made Hiroto angry even more.
"You... You bastard! You said those words to him, do you even know about his condition?" Hiroto said with pure anger in his voice.
"Hiroto-" Gouenji was interrupted by Hiroto.
"He's sick! A rare illness that doesn't have a cure until now! Every time he gets sick, that illness is slowly killing him!" Hiroto said.
Everyone those who doesn't know about that were stunned, especially Someoka.
"Hiroto," Gouenji said as he led Hiroto out of the clubroom for a while to cool off.
"Please don't tell anyone about that. And never mention the dying part to Kazemaru because he doesn't know." Kidou said.
"Someoka, you know... You know that I told you that Coach Hibiki and I were planning to make everyone rest for a week. We just didn't know when to schedule it. So when Kazemaru got sick, we agreed that it would be that week because we didn't want anyone to get sick as well."
Someoka frowned and went out.
*Gouenji and Hiroto*
"Hiroto," Gouenji said as he watched Hiroto kicked a small stone due to his anger. "Relax"
"He should have been conscious to the condition of the other team members as well," Hiroto said, though his anger was melting away.
"I know, how's Kazemaru?" Gouenji said.
"He's required to rest for a while." Hiroto said.
"..."
"I better go," Hiroto said.
"Where to?" Gouenji said.
"Somewhere where it's quiet." Hiroto said
/Riverside Soccer Field/
Hiroto was training on his own for the past 2 hours. Then he noticed that someone was watching him. He looked up and saw a teal-haired boy looking at him with a small smile.
Hiroto blushed.
"Hello Hiroto," Kazemaru said as he walked down the stairs.
"Hello Kazemaru," Hiroto said and smiled at Kazemaru.
Kazemaru was halfway down the stairs when he suddenly slipped.
"Kazemaru!" Hiroto rushed to Kazemaru before the tealnet gets hurt. He succeeded in catching him. "Didn't I tell you to be careful?" He said with a worried tone. "Are you hurt?"
"Sorry." Kazemaru said with a blushing face. "I'm ok."
Kazemaru and Hiroto sat on the grassy land.
"Wait a minute, what are you doing here?" Hiroto finally realized what he should have realized since a while ago. "Aren't you supposed to be resting?"
"I was bored at home. So I asked permission from my brother that I would just walk for a while." Kazemaru said.
"Alright. Just promise me you wouldn't do anything reckless." Hiroto said while smiling at Kazemaru.
"I promise." Kazemaru said, smiling at Hiroto.
"I'm going back to training." Hiroto said as he stood up.
"Working on a new move for the FFI?" Kazemaru asked.
"Yeah. I need to." Hiroto said.
Unknown to Kazemaru and Hiroto, Mido was hidden behind the trees, watching them silently.
'Hiroto, why are you always smiling when you're with him?' Mido thought.
*Yukimura*
When Kazemaru left to go for a walk, Yukimura continued to work for his meeting next week. He didn't really like last minute works. As he scanned through the printed documents, his phone suddenly rang.
"Hello?" Yukimura said.
"Yukimura-kun, this is Marui-sensei of Raimon Hospital. We have the results of Kazemaru-chan's condition." Marui-sensei said.
"How's my little brother?" Yukimura said.
"I'm afraid we have to discuss this matter in person. There is something you should know Yukimura-kun." Marui-sensei said.
"Alright." Marui-sensei said.
/Hospital/
"Please sit down Yukimura-kun," Marui-sensei said.
"Sensei..." Yukimura was a bit pale.
"Yukimura-kun, Kazemaru-chan's condition got worse. The illness took quite an action when he got sick. A fast one I say. I'm sorry Yukimura-kun, but Kazemaru-chan might slip in a coma one of these days after a week or more. But I said might. There's a possibility that he would be able to avoid it." Marui-sensei said.
"I-if he slips in a coma, ho-how long would it-" Yukimura couldn't continue what he was going to say.
"I don't know Yukimura-kun. That depends on the patient's strength. The body's ability to fight." Marui-sensei said.
"Are we losing him... slowly?" Yukimura said.
"I have to say this but... yes. I know it's hard, but we have to remain faithful and positive. There's always a chance for him to survive and live longer." Marui-sensei said.
"Thanks, sensei." Yukimura said.
"You're welcome, Yukimura-kun." Marui-sensei said.
/Kazemaru Residence/
[9:30 PM]
"Welcome back, Yukimura-sama." Akira, a house maid, said as Yukimura entered the house.
"Thanks Akira. Where's Ichi-chan?" Yukimura asked.
"He's sleeping already. He was probably tired from his walk." Akira said.
As Yukimura entered Kazemaru's room and saw the sleeping figure of his brother, the words 'I'm sorry Yukimura-kun, but Kazemaru-chan might slip in a coma one of these days after a week or more.' echoed in his head.
[Wednesday]
Kidou was scribbling something in his notebook when Kazemaru entered the classroom.
"Kazemaru," Kidou said.
"Good morning Kidou," Kazemaru said with a smile on his face.
'At least he looks better than these past days.' Kidou thought.
"Where's Hiroto?" Kazemaru asked.
"He's with Mido at the library. Mido's having a problem on Chemistry." Kidou said as Kazemaru sat on his own chair.
(Afternoon practice)
/Clubroom/
"Thanks Hiroto, I could have failed my Chemistry quiz today if I didn't have someone to help me." Mido said as he tied his shoelace.
"You're welcome." Hiroto said as he exited the clubroom.
"Where are you going?" Mido said as he exited the clubroom too. But Hiroto went to a different direction.
"I'm going to look for Kazemaru before practice starts." Hiroto said. Then he made his way to the Main Building.
'Why are you always concerned about Kazemaru?' Mido thought as he followed Hiroto.
Hiroto was walking towards the classroom.
'Kazemaru's probably there,' Hiroto thought.
"Hiroto," Mido suddenly said which made Hiroto stop on his tracks. Mido walked in front of him and placed his forehead on the red-head's chest.
"Mido, are you alright?" Hiroto said as he placed a hand on Mido's shoulder.
"Why Hiroto? Why are you always so concerned about him?" Mido asked, his voice shaking a bit.
"What are you talking about?" Hiroto asked.
"Hiroto, I love you! It is always a pain when I see you with Kazemaru! Especially that you're always smiling when you're with him!" Mido said as tears started to form on his eyes.
"Mido..." Hiroto said.
"I love you..." Mido said then he kissed Hiroto on the lips, surprising the red-head.
Mido had the courage to do it since all the students already went home and the soccer players were the only ones who was left and were at the soccer field at that moment.
"Hiroto..." A voice suddenly said which made Mido and Hiroto look at the person.
"K-kazemaru..." Hiroto said, scared and surprised.
Kazemaru ran pass through them and Hiroto ran after him, before the tealnet could make it to the staircase, Hiroto was able to hug him. Kazemaru struggled to get off from Hiroto's grip.
"Kazemaru, clam down. Let me explain!" Hiroto said, trying to tighten his hug around Kazemaru.
"Shut up!" Kazemaru said with pure anger and sadness.
He was able to break free from Hiroto's hug and ran away.
Mido stood in his place, frozen. He regretted on what he had done. He stared at Hiroto who punched the wall in anger.
A brunette saw Kazemaru running from the window.
"Kazemaru..."
/Kazemaru's room/
Kazemaru just stayed at his room for 2 hours already. Then somebody knocked at the door. Kazemaru didn't want anyone to bother him for a while but it was going to be rude.
"Enter," Kazemaru said.
"Hey Kazemaru," The brunette said as he entered Kazemaru's room. "Are you alright?"
"Handa," Kazemaru said as he looked down at his blankets.
"I'm here for you," Handa said as he hugged the tealnet making the tears come back to Kazemaru's eyes. "Go on, it's ok to cry."
Kazemaru buried his face on Handa's shoulder while his hands were gripping Handa's shirt tightly as he cried while Handa simply hugged Kazemaru with his left arm while his right hand was patting the tealnet's back for comfort.
The sobbing stopped after a few minutes, much to Handa's relief. Though the tealnet didn't move nor remove his forehead from Handa's shoulder.
Handa tried to look at Kazemaru. Kazemaru's eyes were open though it was staring blankly.
Kazemaru's eyes were filled with sadness, making Handa's heart clench.
"Kazemaru..." Handa said softly. Kazemaru looked at him blankly. "I know that this is in a wrong timing but... I... love you..."
Kazemaru's blank eyes turned into a look full of confusion. They were staring straight at Handa.
Handa kissed Kazemaru on the lips, making Kazemaru push him away.
"I'm sorry" Handa said. Kazemaru just nodded. Then he sat on the bed beside Kazemaru. "Please, give me a chance. I would make sure I won't hurt you like he did. I promise."
Kazemaru blinked at Handa. "Maybe." Then he gave Handa a smile.
Handa smiled back. Though inside him, he was very happy! Kazemaru was giving him a chance!
"Thanks Handa," Kazemaru said.
