Shade's POV
"Please Fine-chan! It's just a simple checkup," Dad begged to Fine. "It won't take an hour, maybe 25 minutes at most. It's not going to hurt at all, trust me." How long has he been trying to convince Fine to go to the hospital this time? No matter what she always writes no, and she looks pretty healthy, so I don't see that much of a problem.
Fine held up her notebook which read: That's what everyone says, and then eventually I get hurt. I'm sorry, but I don't want to go to the hospital. I don't like it there. The constant smell of blench and the pure white walls are... uncomfortable.
"The rooms need to be cleaned everyday, so we can't help it if it always smells like blench and recently the rooms were painted cream," Dad argued. From white to cream, that's not much of a difference, they should splattered the walls with different color paint or something. Fine still shook her head. "What if Shade goes with you?" Now, I'm being used for this? Dad must be really desperate.
Then maybe I'll go. I just don't want to go alone, but I don't want to cause anyone any trouble either.
"Don't worry, Shade doesn't have a problem with it at all, right Shade?"
"I guess... it'll give me a chance to visit mom too, so there's no problem for me," I said thinking about it out loud. It's been months. I haven't seen her since spring. I wonder if her complexion's any better than last time? She was so pale.
"So tomorrow then. I'll go call one of my colleagues to get an appointment scheduled." Then he went to go call someone.
I looked at Fine. "Why do you not like to go to the hospital anyways? People are nice there, and no one will hurt you. Your reasons for not going a a bit trivial, but there's another reason isn't there?"
She finished writing on her notebook and showed it to me. I had to spend about a month there, recovering. Even through it wasn't that long, I disliked it a lot. There was always someone in the room watching me. I could only watch as everyone was doing happy things. She flipped the page and wrote more. It made me feel like I was a broken winged bird trapped in a cage. I know that Mailia-san has been in there for a while, and the fact that she can keep her sanity is impressive.
Mom is always smiling when someone comes to visit her. I keep forgetting from time to time that she gets lonely. Anyone who has to stay at a hospital long term, must definitely be lonely. "Well, the hospital isn't always like that. Besides, you're not in the hospital anymore, so you do all the things that you enjoy right?" She smiled slightly and nodded. Looks like I learned something new about her.
~Tomorrow~
Fine looked around the hospital confused on where to go. "Let's see, your check up is in the room right next to where Mom is, so it'll be easy to met up again. Remember just go into the room on your left afterwards, okay Fine?" She nodded.
Then a female doctor walked out of the room and noticed us. "Oh, you must be Night-san's son and that means that your Shade-kun" She looked at Fine. "This is Taiyou Fine-chan. Nice to meet you both."
"Likewise," I said as Fine nodded.
"I am Fujisaki Nadeshiko. Your temporary doctor. Fine-chan, please come in here, I'll do a quick examination. Then you can go, alright?"
Fine looked at me with slight fear in her eyes. I smiled for her to relax a little. "It's okay. It'll be really quick and then on our way back, we can get you some of your favorite candy okay?" She managed a smile and nodded then followed Fujisaki-sensei. Hopefully, if everything goes well she can break out of her shell sooner.
As I walked into Mom's room, she noticed me and said,"Shade, you came to visit me? Thank you."
As I sat down, I asked," How's your health Mom? You look better than last time."
"Of course. I've been feeling so much better lately. Maybe one of these days I'll be able to go home and I'll be able to cook for everyone and tell you and Milky stories just like before," she said smiling. "Acute mitral regurgitation takes a long time to treat, doesn't it?" She looked sad. "How long has Milky been waiting for me to come home?"
"4 years," I said lifelessly. "I can't believe she's already in 2nd grade. She's growing up fast and still loves sweets. She hasn't changed than much from before. Next time, I'll bring pictures of what's happening, or maybe Milky can come with me."
"Shade, you've been a great son and a good brother, I'm proud of you," Mom said stroking my head. I miss the touch of her hand. Gentle, kind and warm... "Have you gotten a girlfriend yet Shade?"
"What are you talking about Mom? I'm busy with studying, so I don't really have time for a girlfriend," I said. "I don't even have someone that I like." Why would she ask that right now?
"Really? What a shame, I started going out with your father when we were your age. Are you sure there's no girl that at least interests you?" Well... Fine certainly interests me, but it's not in that way...I think. "What about Fine-chan then?"
"She's... Despite everything, she's a cheerful girl who's like sunlight. She can spread warmth."
"Is that so? Shade, one thing that you should know about that girl, about anyone, is that you should treat her kindly, so she won't break into pieces. Knowing you, I'm sure that you can do it, because you're a very kind person, Shade," Mom said smiling.
"Yes Mom. But there is one thing that I don't get. Why did you offer to let her stay with us when you didn't know anything about her," I asked her.
"Well... There's no specific reason as to why, but I just thought that she needed to get away from her family for a while. Besides, even if Eli-san wasn't in the same house, wouldn't Elsa and her family just try to force her to open up again?" That would be true, considering Rein's personality.
"But wouldn't you expect us to ask questions?"
"I only expected you to ask questions, because you probably didn't figure out her personality immediately right?"
I smiled in defeat. "Really, it's like you were there too."
Normal POV~Meanwhile~
"Well, Fine-chan, your certainly healthier than the last time you've been to the hospital," Fujisaki-sensei said as Fine put her shirt down. "You've still got a couple of scars in a few places but I think you'll be just fine. Put on this ointment and that should do it. But if there's any problems, feel free to come at any time okay?" Fine nodded clutching the tube of medicine.
She stood up and went into Mailia's room. She opened the door and Mailia and Shade welcomed her. "It's nice to meet you Fine-chan. You look like you're a nice girl."
"Well, now that your appointment is over, we'd better go. Bye Mom," Shade said grabbing Fine's arm.
"Before you go, Fine-chan." Fine looked at Malia. "My son isn't a bad person, but if he doesn't understand from time to time, you'll have to forgive him." Fine nodded. "Oh and if you two start dating by any chance, please come to tell me, Shade always gets embarrassed by things like this."
Fine held up her notebook which read: Okay, I'll come over when that happens then.
"Please don't," Shade said blushing, dragging Fine away from his mom.
Moon: Mailia, you are such a nice mother.
Malia: You think so?
Moon: Yes, especially since you gave me amazing blackmail- I mean, information about Shade.
Malia: Thank you for writing about him. I hope that I can make some more appearances as well.
Moon: Yes of course.
Shade: MOM WHAT ARE YOU TELLING HER?
Moon: Good day, everyone.