A/N: So, to my readers who are still in school: How were the exams? Or should I just shut up? XD

Okay, just wanted to explain: In hospitals, you can take out the IV drip while keeping the main needle in your vein. They can inject medicine through a tube from the other end. I'm not really sure how to explain it better, but this was what happened when I stayed in a hospital last year. i tell you this because of something Peter says.

Disclaimer: Although the story is a great stress reliever, I am not always a rational human being. I bite burgers.


Tuesday was not a usual day for beginnings, but for Morinaga, it just became one.

Tuesday was the day that Saitou Kaida arrived for his first day in rehabilitation-although on that first day, Saitou said that she would only try and get him into a wheelchair. It was harder than he thought it would be-almost impossible. It took them half an hour just to wheel him out of the room. Morinaga supposed that it was a good thing that he still couldn't eat, because he would've thrown up if there was anything in his stomach.

Saitou assured him that most of his dizziness only came from lying on his back for more than two weeks. That first day, she took him around the hospital grounds. Kunihiro came with them, and Saitou was kept busy explaining why regular walks would help Morinaga's physical therapy.

"The sunshine will do you good, Morinaga-kun," Saitou said.

Morinaga nodded. Perhaps it was because it was the first time he'd been outside in weeks. "Will I need the wheelchair for good?"

"That depends on how well you do in therapy." Saitou replied. "Let's work hard together, ne?"


Tuesday was also the day for discoveries. Peter came at ten, and guided him through a set of simple exercises for his facial muscles.

"This works best when you practice, Morinaga-kun," Peter told him. "In speech therapy, you don't need to sit or stand, you can do these exercise lying down. I'm not saying that you should wear yourself out, but try to form a habit of doing the exercises. By the way, aren't you getting hungry? You can drink, you know."

"We didn't know that," Kunihiro said, sounding surprised.

"Dr. Uzuki just told me. It was about time anyway. Listen, when your drip finishes they'll take it off-it's hard to do physical therapy when you have an IV on you, anyway. But you'll keep that needle in your vein for the medication. You have to eat. You'll need your strength, between Kaida and Dr. Uzuki and me, we'll be keeping you pretty busy. But you can only drink. I'd recommend fruit shakes. Nothing cold, we don't want you sick, but you can have soups. You can have food, too, but it'll have to be the ones that you can eat without chewing. I don't want to leave you eating mashed potatoes for the rest of your stay here, though."

Peter wrote something down on the notepad around his neck, and tore it off. "This is the brand name of a good blender. You can make your food right here. I'd say you have enough fruit baskets to supply a grocery store, so that won't be a problem at least. The nurses will bring you food to eat, but they're going to be pretty bland-trust me."

Kunihiro took the slip of paper. "Thank you. Dr. Miura."

"No, call me Peter. Both my parents work in this hospital as doctors, so it'll be pretty confusing if you keep calling me that." Peter laughed briefly, his eyes warm.

"Your mother's a doctor too?" Morinaga breathed in astonishment. It did explain a lot.

"Yes, a psychiatrist. Don't worry; I won't insist that you see her."

Morinaga frowned, not relishing the thought. He wouldn't actually need one, would he?

What Morinaga actually asked was, "Where's Senpai?"

"He said that he needed to talk with a professor," Kunihiro answered. "He'll be here during lunch."

"Oh." Morinaga smiled, instantly feeling better.

"I'll be leaving now, Morinaga-san, Morinaga-kun. Do those exercises." Peter rose and left.


Souichi knew that he had a tendency to simply ignore the things that he didn't want to think about.

The shining example would be, of course, Morinaga. It was amazing how the younger man had managed to be a part of Souichi's life for the past five years mostly beneath Souichi's notice. Honestly, anyone with eyes could have seen how Morinaga felt for him.

And yet he chose to ignore it. At first it could've been explained away as trauma after that professor nearly molested him (he certainly wasn't in any fit state to worry about anyone else back then), but as time passed he just got…used to it. Got used to how Morinaga would be the first to volunteer to assist his projects, how Morinaga would follow him like a puppy.

It was a clever plan, Souichi thought grouchily. Souichi never had too many friends, his personality prevented that. Morinaga, alone out of everyone around him, ventured to get to know him better.

He had liked it, the hesitant friendship with Morinaga. It wasn't long before Morinaga was irreplaceable.

Then: shock. Morinaga was gay. More to the point, a gay in love with him. Afterwards they slept together and still Souichi wasn't able to let go of Morinaga.

It defied all sense. He hated homosexuals but…he wanted Morinaga to stay with him.

Look at me now, Souichi thought gloomily.

He'd decided not to think about his relationship with Morinaga for a while now, choosing to just go with the flow. But this was different. Why would he worry so much about Morinaga? Why was he so affected by his accident? This was a…a special kind of regard that he had never bestowed on any person outside his family.

Souichi slumped to the desk and buried his face into his arms. Perhaps he still had some of that aphrodisiac in his system…though as a chemist he didn't know of any drug that stayed in the human system for more than one year…

"Tatsumi-san? Are you all right?"

He shot up so quickly he hurt his neck. "Yanagi-sensei?"

The older man smiled. "I'm sorry for calling you out. I know you're worried about Morinaga-kun. You two have always been close. How is he?"

Souichi could take a couple of hours answering that question, but Yanagi-sensei didn't need to hear that. "Uh, he's fine. He's starting physical therapy this week."

"That's good to hear," Yanagi-sensei said. He was one of those professors who knew Morinaga and cared for him-Yanagi-sensei had even visited him a couple of times in the hospital.

"Yeah." But he's deaf in one ear and he's damaged his sense of balance, so we don't know whether he'll ever walk again, Souichi added mentally. He suppressed a wince.

"I've been looking at your projects for the past few months. How long would it be until you finish your doctorate?"

"You already know, Sensei," Souichi said. "Hopefully, in the fall."

"Got any plans after to get your Ph.D?"

"None, yet."

"Hmmm. Well, then, won't you consider teaching here?"

"What?"

"Teaching," repeated Yanagi-sensei. "Your assistants admire you, and they turn out to be successful in their fields. I'd like to see you share your expertise to a wider group of people."

Him, a teacher? "Sensei, I don't think I'm qualified-"

"Oh, your students will be Master's students, not the younger ones," Yanagi-sensei assured him. "They're more mature. It's really not that different from what you're doing now. You can teach one class for starters, three times a week."

Souichi stared at Yanagi-sensei. Him, teaching? He had zero social skills, he could easily bankrupt the University when students quit his class because of his abrasiveness. "Are you serious?"

Yanagi-sensei burst out laughing. "If you could see your face. Yes, I'm serious. Think about it, my boy. I know you're not the easiest person to get along with, but it wouldn't be too late to learn how."

Souichi sighed. The old professor had a point but still…"I'll think about it."

It was just the perfect distraction from Morinaga's condition.


The next day, Saitou brought Morinaga to the physical therapy room. Morinaga was frustrated because all he'd been able to do was to stand for about five seconds (even with the bars). HIroto had come with him that morning, more than happy to push "Angel-kun"'s wheelchair for his morning walk.

"You're too hard on yourself," Saitou scolded him, as she gently placed him back into the wheelchair. "Your body is recovering, Morinaga-kun, RECOVERING. It's expected that you need time to get used to this. And your body will appreciate it if you don't stress it out more." She thought for a second. "Dr. Uzuki and Peter would say the same, too."

"She's right, Angel-kun," Hiroto said, patting Morinaga's hand. "If you rush it you might get more injured."

"Your arm's still broken, too," Saitou added, letting Hiroto wheel Morinaga back into his room. "That makes it harder for you to stay upright."

"You have amazing strength, Saitou-san," Hiroto told the tiny therapist. It didn't seem difficult for her to haul Morinaga around, and he was practically twice her size.

Saitou smiled. "Part of the job description. Now, I need to get you back to bed for Peter."

HIroto and Saitou helped Morinaga to his bed. Morinaga had stubbornly refused to be carried, and Saitou conceded that it would be all right, as long as they didn't pull on his other injuries.

"How long will my physical therapy last, Saitou-san?" Morinaga asked.

She shook her head. "There's no time period, Morinaga-kun. I'm sorry, I know you will tire of hearing this. It depends on a lot of things. There's no straight answer."

Morinaga grimaced. Was this going to be his life? His life?

He didn't know if he could stand it.

"Morinaga-kun, you're overthinking things again," Saitou said. "You will recover. You have to believe that. It's the first step to healing. Believe in yourself."


When Peter arrived, fifteen minutes later, Hiroto and Morinaga were having a quiet conversation about the merits of self-confidence. Morinaga had never really believed in himself, but it was crucial to his recovery.

"Hello, Morinaga-kun," chirped Peter. "Have you done your exercises?"

"A little, Sensei," Morinaga said sheepishly.

Beside him, unnoticed by Morinaga, Hiroto was staring at Peter.

"Hmm-how do you mean, a little?" Peter inquired, raising his eyebrows. "How long?"

"About…an hour?"

The redhead tsk'ed. "Too little. Try doing it for five minutes at intervals throughout the day." Peter turned to Hiroto. "Hello, Yama."

"Peter…You're Miura, right? I didn't know that you worked here," Hiroto said, stunned.

"You know each other?" Morinaga said, looking amazed.

"We were friends in high school," Hiroto explained quickly. "A-Anyway, Angel-kun, I just remembered something I needed to do. I'll see you later."

"What-but-okay…" Morinaga said, completely bewildered. Did Hiroto just stutter?

Peter didn't say anything, only inclined his head in Hiroto's direction as the bartender fled. He didn't even seem surprised.

"Now, Morinaga-kun, the exercises. Can you-"

"Why was Hiroto so upset?"

Peter regarded him for a minute. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"No."

"All right, then. We were friends in high school. He confessed to me, and I rejected him." Peter frowned. "I must say, I didn't think he'd still react like that."

"He…what? Hiroto confessed to you?"

Morinaga sounded so incredulous that Peter laughed. "Unbelievable?" teased Peter. "Am I not attractive?"

Morinaga blushed a little. "No, it's not that, it's only-"

"Never mind, Morinaga-kun," soothed Peter. "It was a long time ago."

Apparently not long enough, if HIroto's reaction was any indication, thought Morinaga. Then he remembered something that made his heart seize up. "Are you…Do you hate gays?"

After all, even Senpai hated gays…he forgot that not everyone were as willing to change their mind. What would happen if even the people who were treating him looked at him with disgust?

"What? No," Peter answered, sounding as if Morinaga had just told him to live in the Bermuda Triangle. "No. I could only see him as a friend. That's why I rejected him."

"You're gay, then, as well?"

Unfortunately Peter found that really funny. The redhead burst out laughing, so heartily that Morinaga was embarrassed. "I'm as straight as a ruler."

Morinaga was confused. "Then, why-"

"Why what?"

"Why did he confess to you?"

Peter stopped laughing. "Why do people confess to anyone?"

"But you rejected him."

"Yes." Peter sensed that it wasn't about him and Hiroto anymore. "Sometimes things don't go that well."

"Did you reject him because he was a man?"

Peter paused, looking contemplative. "Morinaga-kun, you are you and I am me. We're in different situations. It's not wise to look at my opinions as Tatsumi-san's."

He saw through Morinaga too easily. Perhaps it was because Peter knew how their situation was.

"If you need love-advice, Yama will be more patient than I am," snorted Peter.

"Yeah, I know."

"Now, those exercises…"

Later it occurred to Morinaga that Peter never answered his question at all. Did you reject him because he was a man?


"Morinaga-kun was looking for you," were the first words out of Dr. Uzuki's mouth when he saw Souichi later that afternoon.

Souichi gave a rather intelligent "Ungh." He had been pacing inside his laboratory for the most part of the day, weighing the pros and cons of accepting Yanagi-sensei's offer.

Now even the rabbit doctor knew something was going on between him and Morinaga. Just fucking peachy.

He brushed past the doctor and headed straight to Morinaga's room. For an instant he felt that this was all wrong: he should not be this familiar with a hospital. The last time that he went into one-before Morinaga's accident-was during his mother's illness.

Souichi sighed. Why was he thinking about it now? It had been ten years ago.

Morinaga was asleep when he arrived inside. He spent more time asleep these days, because therapy turned him.

Kunihiro was also in, staring out the window, looking upset. He turned to Souichi as soon as he walked in the door.

"Souichi-"

Souichi frowned at the overly familiar term. But before he could correct Kunihiro, his phone rang.

"Excuse me," he muttered. A swift glance at the caller ID revealed Tomoe's name. Why was Tomoe calling him?

No, don't tell me…

Souichi ducked into a nurse's station.

"Nii-san?"

It was Tomoe, all right.

"Hey, Tomoe. What's the matter? Can I go kill Kurokawa now?"

There was an incredible amount of noise in the background. Souichi could barely hear his little brother reply, "No you may not! Kanako and Isogai-san told us that Morinaga-san's been injured. Why haven't you told us?"

"I-what? Kanako and Isogai told you?"

"Yes. How is he?"

"He's fine now."

"Really? That's good. Can we see him?"

"No!"

"Why not? We like Morinaga-kun. Isn't he your lover?"

"HE IS NOT MY LOVER!" Souichi roared, so loudly that every nurse in the station glared at him. Hastily lowering his voice, he repeated, "He's not my lover."

"Really? Then what is he?"

"If I knew that, I-I-" spluttered Souichi. "Anyway, don't come, or I really will murder your husband!"

"But he wants to visit Morinaga-kun too."

"You stay there, Tomoe. I mean it."

There was a long pause. Souichi strained his ears through the noise from his phone. Where was Tomoe? Were they already at the airport?

Finally Tomoe spoke. "Nii-san, even if you say that…we've already arrived."

Souichi's jaw dropped as he heard an announcement through his brother's phone: "Thank you for flying with Air Japan. Flight 719 from New York to Tokyo has landed at exactly 1645hours, Tokyo Standard time."


Souichi returned to Morinaga's room, still rather rattled. Tomoe and that good-for-nothing Kurokawa would be arriving tomorrow. Tomorrow! They would be staying in Tokyo for tonight and head to Nagoya in the morning.

What the hell was he supposed to do? He just knew that Morinaga would love a visit from those two. Short of dismembering Kurokawa, Souichi doubted whether he could prevent them from visiting.

Damn it! Just what did he do to be put in this situation? He was already worried over Morinaga-a visit from Tomoe and Kurokawa would send him straight into cardiac arrest!

Kunihiro was waiting. "Bad news?"

"Nrgh…Not…Maybe. My little brother's going to visit Morinaga."

Kunihiro blinked. "Oh…did you mean the one with a husband?"

Souichi glared at him. "Yeah."

"But you said they live in America, right?"

"Yeah," huffed Souichi. "They got worried, so they're coming. "

Kunihiro gripped his phone, "Well, it seems that we're going to meet each other's families."

"What?"

"Our parents just called. They're coming tomorrow, too."


A/N: So, two visits from two families. *shudders * I think I fear for the Morinaga couple. Ah, and Kurokawa. Should he run?

There's also some food for the thought for Morinaga and Souichi, which are completely unrelated to the accident. I'm trying to shift focus on how "life goes on" despite the accident. Believe me, I wouldn't want to get taught by someone like Souichi either...I'm afraid he'll start to throw the laser pointer when he gets irritated. XD Or a chair.

Ah, on why Peter calls Hiroto "Yama"- Hiroto's full name is Yamaguchi Hiroto. I didn't know it either until I searched for it. From what I know of Hiroto's story, he did fall in love with someone who didn't return his feelings, a straight man, I think. (if I'm wrong, someone please correct me.)

My lovely reviewers:

Hermina05: I know that feeling. When I read a book I really like while I'm out in public, I usually end up wearing this creepy smile. I can't help it. And on your question whether Morinaga would be okay-that depends on what you mean by okay...physically,mentally, emotionally, etc...because there are many half-lies when you ask if a person's okay. It makes for an interesting perspective...Thanks for your review!

Lady Tsuru27: I did research on the exercises for those who damage their sense of balance-it's really quite extensive, like you wouldn't believe. Most of them are things that normal people do easily. But mostly, therapy helps. And on Peter...thanks for that! I explained his character a bit in here. I mean, Masaki already is the "rival" and Isogai is the "annoying person" in the manga, so I was thinking that Peter can't be either of those...thanks for your review!

Bunny-chan2202: Yes, it was me! Haha. usually I'm too lazy to log in unless I'm releasing a chapter, so I go around with that name. And on Peter, I don't know, would you worry about him? He's not a rival, but he could be a threat to their relationship in a different way...thanks for your review!

Amity33: If it is on patience, it REALLY will be a trial for Souichi. And those around him as they try to be patient with Souichi too. * laughs * I try to look for medical references, that's why it's realistic. And I didn't want any common injury, it'll be boring! thanks for your review!

Miny: Next chapter I'll try to portray Tomoe and Kurokawa accurately. I'm already excited. Thanks for your review!

kiriohisagi: I receive your love and make it into super glittery confetti. Then I throw them around to cheer me up! I hope I'm keeping up with your expectations. here is your next chapter-enjoy! thanks for your review!

Tell me what you thought of this chapter! Reviews will prevent zombie invasion.