"I told you, I don't want to go outside today." Hiura said, staring intently at Mansaku and Norika.
"But Hiuraaaaa! We didn't get to hang out for months now! And remember I promised you something?" Norika said before winking at Mansaku
Hiura put the book on his lap and tilted his head at Norika "promised what?"
"Blueberry Cheesecake ~" Norika said, earning a hopeful look on Hiura's face and a facepalm from Mansaku.
Leave it to Norika to know how to bribe Hiura.
"I'll just change and let's go!" Hiura said excitedly and pushed Norika out of the room and proceeded to change his clothes
Yes. Leave it to Norika.
They were already by the door when the three of them saw Kozoumaru, and Hiura happily babbled to him about Blueberry Cheesecakes and that Kozoumaru should join them, before dragging him along. Not even giving the fire striker a chance to answer if he wanted to join or not. Norika giggling behind them and Mansaku smiling softly.
Once they were at the cafe, Hiura immediately ordered a slice of blueberry cheesecake, not even bothering to look at the other cakes on display. Norika got a slice of matcha flavored cake, Kozoumaru got a slice of strawberry shortcake while Mansaku got a coffee crumble slice.
Hiura went to the bathroom while waiting for their cakes, and that was when they were able to talk.
"Tell me. What's this for?" Kozoumaru asked
"He has been down and very distant since we found out about Asuto being in Orion. I don't know if you noticed but he has been skipping dinner for a few nights already. His plays had been rather off as well."
Norika said softly "I just thought we can do something about it. Just to cheer him up or make him forget."
Kozoumaru stared at Mansaku and Norika, processing what Norika had said before sighing. "Fine. But Hiura didn't even ask if I wanted to go or not."
Mansaku chuckled "He's like that when he's excited. Something we don't see often. Just mention Blueberry Cheesecake and you'd get him to do what you want."
The cakes were soon served just in time when Hiura came back. Mansaku went through his things before handing Hiura a bottle of hand sanitizer.
"I know you already washed your hands. But still, use this." Mansaku said as Hiura pouted, but used the hand sanitizer.
"Can I order another slice?" Hiura suddenly asked, making his three friends look at him
"Buying one for who?" Mansaku asked
"Me." Hiura said flatly as if its the most obvious thing in the world.
"But you haven't even taken a bite from that slice!" Kozoumaru said and watched Hiura take a spoonful of the cake and ate it before looking at him like 'there.'
Kozoumaru face palmed.
"Finish that first then we'll see if you're still hungry. Then we'll buy another slice before we go home!" Norika said
Hiura's eyes sparkled at that, nodded and ate his blueberry cheesecake "The first time I ate this was when Asuto and I-" He didn't finish his sentence, just staring at the cake
The four of them felt the tension before Mansaku smiled softly at Hiura "Hey. Let's go to the amusement park at the next town. I heard they sell a lot of sweets there."
Hiura's eyes sparkled at that and nodded.
Norika and Kozoumaru smiled softly at that.
"Oi. You took my time away from my idol you know." Kozoumaru teased
Hiura blinked "You spend too much time thinking about Gouenji, you should put up a shrine for him. I can teach you how!"
Norika and Mansaku laughed at that while Kozoumaru blushed.
"why you little!" Kozoumaru said and smiled softly while watching Hiura laugh
Kozoumaru opened his eyes as he woke up. The room was white and unfamiliar. Where was he?
"Kozoumaru?" A deep voice from beside him was heard. He turned and saw Gouenji
"Gouenji... Where am I?" He asked softly
"Hospital. The rescuers said they found you passed out against Mansaku."
"Passed out?" He asked before remembering what happened. "Hiura! Where is he?"
Gouenji gave him a worried frown "Hiura's still in surgery. Been 8 hours since he was brought there."
"How about Norika? Mansaku?" Kozoumaru asked as he tried to sit up and groaned in pain
"Don't. You have two broken ribs. Mansaku and Norika are at the rooms beside you. Norika passed out mid conversation with Aphrodi. She has a concussion. But her head wound was easily stitched up. Mansaku has a broken foot."
"Any news about Hiura?" Kozoumaru asked
Gouenji shook his head "All they gave us was his blood covered clothes in a plastic." Gouenji said as he sighed
"Endou's with Norika and Goujin with Mansaku. The others are at the waiting room. The friendly match we are having with the other teams are temporarily cancelled. Coach is doing his best to keep the media from showing what happened. We can't let your families know yet. Especially Hiura's grandmother. She's already too old and if she hears about this she might get a heart attack or something. We can't risk that."
"But keeping it from them isn't the answer as well." Kozoumaru said softly
"I know. But for now, its for the best." Gouenji sighed
Endou knocked on the door and peeked in "Gouenji? The doctor came out already. He's about to tell us Hiura's condition. Oh. Kozoumaru! You're awake."
Kozoumaru gave a small nod before looking at Gouenji "I want to be there. I want to hear it directly from the doctor."
"But-"
"I want to." He said and let Gouenji and Endou support him to the wheelchair.
A tired looking doctor looked at them with a grave look on his face.
