Warnings: Major Character Death. Somewhat graphic description of said death. Hurt, No Comfort.

August 15th: 10:27pm

バッと通ったトラックが君を轢きずって鳴き叫ぶ

By some miracle they had made it through the day so far in one piece. The morning had started like the second loop. Tadashi woke up in his bed screaming. His clock read: August 15th: 7:23am.

Despite Hiro's questioning, Tadashi didn't say a word; too afraid to repeat what happened with the stairs. In fact, Tadashi didn't let Hiro go downstairs until Tadashi was dressed and ready to go. If he had to empty his stomach in the bathroom in the morning, that was only for Tadashi to know and Hiro to never find out.

Any guilt Tadashi had about lying to his brother today was overshadowed by the crippling possibility of Hiro's death lurking around the corner. Aunt Cass looked at him with concerned eyes; Hiro kept biting his lip, worried. Tadashi knew he was acting strangely but until Hiro was safely in bed at midnight, Tadashi wasn't going to let him out of arm's reach. Once was an accident, twice was a coincidence, thrice was a pattern and one Tadashi was determined to break.

It was easy to walk in front of Hiro and walk slowly down the stairs. It was easy to make sure Hiro avoided the wooden shelf with iron beams, even if it meant a longer walk from a farther loading zone. It was easy to hand Hiro his neurotransmitter and all but carry Hiro to the car.

Everyone had looked at him strangely, but thankfully no one said anything.

It was during the car ride home that Hiro finally asked, determined to get an answer. "Okay Tadashi. I waited all day to ask, but what is going on? You haven't acted like this since Mom and Dad died." Tadashi practically cuddled him in the seat.

"I'm going to have to agree," Aunt Cass said. "Is everything alright Tadashi?"

"I'll tell you at midnight," Tadashi said. Midnight. So close and so far. To escape the loop…

Aunt Cass parked in front of the cafe, getting out of the car. She and Hiro shared a quick glance before Hiro nodded.

Following Tadashi out of the car, Hiro grabbed Tadashi's arm. "Seriously, Tadashi. What's wrong?"

Tadashi's shoulders hunched. Gently he pushed Hiro toward the door. "Just get inside Hiro," Tadashi said. Inside has less chance of anything happening. Maybe if he just kept Hiro downstairs all night? That prevented the possibility of falling.

Hiro flung himself away from Tadashi. On the corner of the sidewalk, a few steps away from Tadashi, he crossed his arms and frowned. "Not until you tell me what's wrong, Tadashi. Rule 234: Brothers don't lie to each other."

Tadashi flinched with guilt. "It's not something I can explain. Not today. Please Hiro." Tadashi wasn't willing to risk it. No fire, no stairs, nothing falling from the sky.

Hiro relented. "Okay," he said, relaxing. His arms fell to his side. He still looked worried but Tadashi could see that for now Hiro was willing to indulge his big brother.

Tadashi let out a sigh of relief. Soon this would be over.

Until Tadashi heard the screech of tires, the honking of the horn and the bright car lights that raced toward Hiro.

Hiro turned, horror dawning as the car sped out of control toward him.

"HIRO!" Tadashi shouted, rushing forward.

It was too late. The car slammed into Hiro's body, sending the smaller boy flying. The impact threw Hiro through the glass windows of the cafe before he hit the wall and slid down, leaving a streak of bright red blood.

Tadashi ignored the crashed car in the dented streetlight, choosing to run inside to Hiro. Aunt Cass had come down the stairs, hearing the crash. "Tadashi?" she asked.

She let out a scream when she saw Hiro's unmoving body among the bloodied glass fragments. "HIRO!"

Tadashi gathered Hiro in his arms, shaking his brother. "No no. C'mon Hiro don't you dare be dead," Tadashi pleaded. Blood was everywhere and Hiro was unresponsive. Not a single breath was drawn, no movement whatsoever.

Bile built up in Tadashi's throat as he realized Hiro wasn't breathing, wasn't moving. He had been so close. What went wrong? Hysteria bubbled up as Tadashi gripped his head, Hiro's blood smearing through his hair.

'How do I stop this?' Tadashi thought. He didn't know how much longer he could take it, watching Hiro die over and over again. His body shook and trembled. Hiro was his baby brother. Tadashi was suppose to protect him and four times he failed so far. Four times Hiro died and Tadashi didn't. A single thought occurred to him.

'What if I...'

4/5