It was just after daybreak, the rising sun still not entirely free of the cradling horizon. Birds were beginning their day's activities and Megumi woke to the sound of them chirping in the garden. A small heater was plugged near her bed but she hadn't felt the need to turn it on, the blankets and comforter enough to keep the autumn chill at bay. She flexed her wrist experimentally. The swelling had gone down somewhat during the night but it was still tender and sore. She recalled Sano finally relaxing a bit after his second attempt at redoing the wrap the day before. She knew he still felt guilty but was doing his best not to show it. Yahiko was a similar story. The poor boy had come to her and burst into tears, apologizing profusely. She had comforted him as best she could and assured him that it was an accident and not his fault. He had eventually calmed down and Megumi confided that she found him very brave for jumping off the horse. Yahiko left her happier than when he had arrived.
Today was their last day here. It had only been two mornings since she had woken up to the sounds of nature and the restful stillness of the countryside but she already knew she would miss it once they returned to the city. Megumi lay quiet and listened for signs that the others might be awake. She had brought a draft for her thesis to go over even though it certainly wasn't necessary as she was practically done with it and only needed a few finishing touches. When she didn't hear anything, Megumi decided that she might as well go over her thesis. She changed into a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, the motions slightly cumbered by here bandaged wrist. Grabbing a blanket from the closet and with her socked feet warm, she padded out of the room with manuscript in hand. She made her way to the library and found it empty. A banked fire sat in the hearth and Megumi poked at it to revive the flame. Satisfied, she claimed a couch and pulled the blanket up to her chin.
~O~O~O~
"I almost don't want to wake you." A low voice spoke. Megumi started and instinctively slammed her hand down to keep the papers from sliding off her lap. A warm hand clamped down on her arm and stopped her. Sano held her still with one hand while he secured the papers with the other. "Your wrist." He said by way of explanation. She had almost used her injured hand. Sano was kneeling on the floor next to her on the couch, a wooden tray with two steaming mugs on an end table at his elbow. She vaguely remembered going over her draft; the fire must have lulled her to sleep.
"You scared me." She said, but there was no real venom in her tone. "What time is it?" Megumi asked, now wide awake. Sano straightened up and consulted the clock behind her.
"Just a quarter past seven. Not everyone's up yet." He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, his hair slightly damp from his shower. He smelled nice. He gathered the papers and stacked them neatly together on the end table then sat next to Megumi, who scooted over to give him room. He reached for the mugs and handed her one but paused just before she touched it. "Do you still like marshmallows with your hot chocolate?" When she nodded, he handed her the mug which was gratefully accepted. "By the time we're finished with these breakfast should be ready." Megumi noticed that he had whipped cream in his drink.
"Cheers." Megumi clinked her mug against Sano's and they sipped in companionable silence.
After a few minutes, Megumi held the warm drink balanced on her knees which were drawn up to her chest. She didn't know how to begin but the elephant in the room needed to be addressed. She felt nervous but she might not have a chance to talk to him privately later. It was now or never.
"Why do you want to marry me?" She plunged in without preamble. Sano glanced at her. Whatever he may have expected her to say, it didn't seem to be that. "You're a Sagara, you're smart, you're young," she waved her hand, "the complete package. It won't be hard to find a woman who wants to marry you." Her heart was beating a nervous rhythm as she waited for his answer.
He didn't look at her but gazed out the large picture window across from them. "I care for you." He finally stated. He rested his half-consumed drink on his thigh. "Ya don't realize it, but I do." He slowly turned the mug in his hands. "I'm comfortable around you in a way that I don't feel with others. I want to be by your side – to make ya happy." He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't mean to say all that." Realizing what he just said, he backtracked. "I mean, I do mean them, just, I didn't mean to say them all right now." He slumped against the couch.
"Sano."
"I know you don't want this so I appreciate you wanting to at least give it a chance. I want ya to know that if at the end you want to break it off, well." He paused and turned toward Megumi. "You do what's best for you."
~O~O~O~
Breakfast was more than a simple affair. Between the two of them, Mrs. Sagara and Hitomi-san had a breakfast for champions spread out for everyone. However, it were the parents who carried most of the conversation, the younger ones rather subdued. Katsu seemed to sense that Megumi was not in the mood and refrained from being outright flirtatious. Kaoru was less bright than her usual bubbly self since she wasn't looking forward to the goodbyes. Yahiko concentrated on his food and asked to be excused to play with Notaro as soon as he was done eating. Sano joined the business-talk between the fathers. Megumi merely half-attended to the chatter around the table.
After breakfast, Kaoru helped Megumi to pack. There weren't that many things to take care of but the younger girl wanted to spend as much time as she could with her friend. She made Megumi promise to see her whenever Kaoru chanced to visit Nagoya. Soon enough, it was time to leave. The Kamiyas were driving to a nearby airport then flying home to Tokyo. The Takanis were all going home in one car since the Sagaras were staying one more night, returning to Nagoya on Monday.
"Thank you for coming, Megumi-chan, I hope you didn't get scared off from visiting again. Please do come back soon." Tamayo pleaded. Megumi hugged the older woman.
"No need to worry on that account, Obasan, Ojisann. I had a wonderful time."
"Well it should be for at least twice as long next time." Shiro added. "It was nice having you, Megumi-chan."
As the others said their goodbyes, Megumi found herself facing Sano. "I'll see you in the city?" She failed to hide the small hopeful note in her voice.
"Would you like it if I did?" His didn't give anything away but she now knew better.
"Yes, I would." The chaste kiss he place against her temple in response was felt all the way down to her toes.
To those who follow my collection of Sano x Megumi one-shots 'So Very Happy,' you're aware that I've applied to an accelerated nursing program back in November. Good news, my friends. I'm in! I received the acceptance letter yesterday. I'm so excited! Here's to the next two years of my life! Thanks to everyone who sent kinds thoughts and prayers my way! (^^,)
