Chapter 2 – Flower

Mizuki now looked forward to going through to Sei's room every day. He was only allowed to stay during visiting hours even though they were both patients in the hospital but since both of them were still bed-ridden for the most part they still needed lots of rest and medication.

It had gotten to the point where Mizuki would count Sei as one of his closest friends. He may not have known him for as long as he'd known Aoba or his fellow Dry Juice members, but when you spend every day with the same person you get to know them pretty well, even if that person couldn't speak. Mizuki now knew that Sei often turned his head as if to look out of the window even though he couldn't see. He also knew that if Sei wanted to say something he would grab onto Mizuki's finger so he could trace letters on his hand. Mizuki had started always making sure his hand was resting near Sei's so he could always grab it if he wanted to speak.

Mizuki had also noticed that Sei never had any visitors. He himself had Aoba and the gang members who came to see him, but it didn't look like Sei had anyone. Mizuki wanted to ask Sei about his family and friends but he was worried it would seem like he was sticking his nose in where it wasn't wanted.

He might not have known him for very long but Mizuki wanted to cheer Sei up. Not that he seemed upset as such, but nobody wanted to go without visitors while they were in hospital. He had noticed that there was a flower vase on a cabinet next to his bed, as there was in every room, but Sei's was always empty. This gave Mizuki an idea.

A few days previously a few of the Dry Juice members had come to see him and had given him flowers. They'd been pretty embarrassed about giving him roses but Mizuki had just laughed kindly and thanked them. The roses were all red except for one white rose right in the centre of the bunch. That night Mizuki lay in bed and stared at the flowers as he thought about Sei, a smile coming to his face as he thought out his plan.

The next day he made sure to grab the flowers from his vase before he headed over to Sei's room. He grinned as he read the tag:

"To our amazing leader.

Get well soon Mizuki-san!

Your team."

They'd also drawn a doodle of the Dry Juice logo.

"Sorry guys," he muttered, "this is for a good cause. Someone needs these more than me."

He kept smiling as he walked down the hallway to Sei's room. He knocked on the door so Sei knew it was him before he walked in. When he did he saw that once again Sei's head was turned towards the sunlight streaming through the window, although when he heard Mizuki coming through the doorway he began to smile.

"Morning Sei," Mizuki greeted him, walking straight over to the empty flower vase. As he walked past him Sei turned his head to face him and sniffed. "Oh, you noticed them? Someone left you flowers but it doesn't say who they're from."

Sei was still as Mizuki arranged the flowers before he gently took hold of Mizuki's hand. "Hm? You want to tell me something? Let's see…"

He held his hand out flat as Mizuki began tracing letters, giving his hand a small squeeze when he was finished.

"I…don't…have…anyone…who…would…send…me…flowers. I…think…they…are…yours."

Mizuki was silent for a moment before he smiled. 'Even though he's blind he immediately saw through my lie, huh?' he thought to himself.

"Heh…yeah, you're right. Sorry for lying to you Sei," Mizuki admitted as he took the flowers back out of the vase again and sat down on Sei's bed. "Before I bring them back to my room though, please keep one at least, okay?"

Sei smiled and nodded once as Mizuki picked up his hand and placed it on the bunch of flowers. Sei leaned forward slightly so his face was hovering just over the flowers. He inhaled deeply before choosing a flower from the bunch. Mizuki smiled as he saw that Sei had chosen the only white rose in the bunch. He picked up Mizuki's hand again and traced, "T…h…a…n…k…...y…o…u."

"Sei, how did you know there was a white rose in there?" Mizuki asked curiously.

Sei held up the white rose to Mizuki's face and he sniffed at it, the aroma filling his nose. Then, with a cheeky grin on his face, grabbed hold of Mizuki's hand which was holding the rest of the flowers and caused him to shove the flowers into his face. Mizuki spluttered slightly in surprise before he realised what Sei was trying to tell him.

"Oh, they smell differently. I see," he said and Sei nodded.

Mizuki plucked a few petals out of his hair and laughed softly as he stood up. "I'm going to take the flowers back to my room."

He turned to leave Sei's room but stopped when he felt someone tugging on his sleeve. He looked back to see Sei clinging onto him with a sad and lonely look on his face. Mizuki smiled before moving back and gently taking Mizuki's hand in his, squeezing it. "Hey, I'll be right back, okay? Promise."

Sei was still for a moment before he nodded slowly, squeezing Mizuki's hand back.

As Mizuki closed Sei's door behind him he peaked through the door one last time. He smiled as he did, seeing Sei holding up the white rose to his face and smiling happily.

AN: Hope you enjoyed! Please review!