When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was my mother. She was smiling at me and I instantly smiled back, feeling her hand stroking my hair and it felt wonderful. "Good morning my love, how do you feel?" Nodding my head I stood up, surprised by how well I felt. "You were severely bruised but thankfully nothing was broken, you will have to take it easy for a few days but nothing a few days in bed will not fix." She told me and upon hearing her voice, my father stirred in the seat on my other side.
"Megumi my princess, thank goodness you're awake." He exhaled with relief before leaning down and kissing me on my head. "Are you in pain? Do you require anything?" I shook my head, giving another smile to reassure them that I was alright as I reached out and held their hands. "Everything has been taken care of, you shall never have to deal with your vulgar little cousin again, he will be locked away for the rest of his life if I have my way."
"Dearest, do not worry Megumi with such matters. She has only just woken up." My mother chided and instantly I saw the bright love between them and it made me tear up with joy. How I'd missed this. "Now, this Kyoya boy has told us everything that happened and how clever you were, Megumi. I'm so proud of you! You have your mother's wits." Mother said to me with a mischievous gleam as she pulled her silken shawl around her shoulders further. She still looked frail but I noticed that her face was not as thin as before and colour had returned to her cheeks. Even her hair looked silkier than before. Had she gotten out of bed just to come and visit me? I could not help but feel her overwhelming love. "But darling, you did not tell me that you were engaged! What were you thinking Hiroshi?! She is only just sixteen and you intend to marry her off?! You and I will have a very long talk about this and about all those awful dresses you made her wear!"
"I know dear, I know, but you know I had no choice." He said to her before looking to me. "Listen to me, princess, you see your father is not very well. In fact, my health has been deteriorating for some time now and I do not know how long I shall live for. I wanted to set you up with a comfortable life where you would have love and support should neither of us be there with you." He explained to me though he was bawling like a baby as he did so. "Your papa just wanted you to be strong and teach you to hate me as much as possible so that when I went you wouldn't feel sad! Papa couldn't bear to think of his little princess in pain!"
"Oh you're such a baby Hiroshi, we're not dead yet!" Mother scolded him again as I sniffled, rubbing my eyes of their tears. "Come now my love, don't be so sad. Like I said, we are not dead yet and we will not go so easily. The doctors have given me good news, my treatments are finally beginning to work and they expect me to make another recovery, isn't that wonderful? I think your music helped to lift my spirits and heal me, Megumi, because it was only after you started sneaking into the hospital to see me I began to feel like my old self again." My parents both hugged me, showering me with love as I clung onto them. "And as for your foolish and fat father, I shall keep him on a strict diet and make sure he stays healthy. Can I count on your help, my princess?" Nodding my head eagerly I sucked in a deep breath before beaming.
"Yes!" Step by step I was gaining back my voice and my parents suddenly both burst into tears from joy at hearing my voice. "Mom…dad…" I continued, voice surprisingly mellow and rich which took me by surprise. "…love…I…love you. I love you both." They continued to wail and cry like children so I hugged their heads against me, finally feeling like my family was back together again. Once they had recovered I whispered Kyoya's name as a means to ask to see him, however my mother insisted I did not walk and take a wheelchair. She herself was feeling rather tired so my father took her away and left me with a nurse so that I could have some privacy with Kyoya.
He was in his own private room and it was dark, so the moment the nurse closed the door I opened one of the curtains to let in the light and opened the window, stiffly making my way to the bed where Kyoya lay sleeping. It was a rather large bed with plenty of space so I sucked in a breath for courage before climbing up, laying down next to him and curled my fingers through his, gazing at him for a moment before also closing my eyes as I was once again exhausted. I listened to the pulse of his heart on the monitor, relaxing next to him however after a while I sensed him stir and let go of my hand, pulling it away before sliding it beneath me and drawing me to his chest.
I worried for his injuries however as I sat up I suddenly found his mouth against mine, kissing me softly and pleasantly as he lifted his other hand to link our fingers together. His eyes were unfocused but they were looking at me even through the haze, a distant smile on his face as I blushed but snuggled against him as carefully as I could, his arm wrapped over my waist as our entwined hands lay against his chest. Even though his body was hot with fever mine seemed to cool him down as he stopped shaking in his sleep and relaxed with me. Nothing could have been more perfect than that precious time we spent together and it was beyond compare to any riches I could think of. I never wanted it to end and I was grateful when the nurses came they did not disturb us though they squealed at the cute display.
None of Kyoya's family came to see him except his sister, however by that point I had left the bed in search of food and come back, sitting by his side. "Megumi-chan! I'm so happy that you're awake I was so worried for you when I heard what happened!" She cried out loudly and I quickly glanced to Kyoya however Fuyumi seized my face and inspected it closely. "Men can be such beasts. What a terrible ordeal, you must have been frightened."
"Please be quiet Fuyumi." Kyoya drawled however Fuyumi instantly pounced on him, grasping his shoulders and shaking him.
"You wake up this minute Kyoya and pay attention to your wonderful and diligent fiancée she's been waiting for you for hours now!" She yelled at him and I squeaked, jumping up and putting aside my food as Kyoya was dragged from sleep.
"Ugh, that hurts!" He complained and clutched his ribs. I had already read over his notes. Broken ribs, severe bruising, dislocated shoulder and several other injuries that needed time to heal. It was all my fault. I should have followed Hideki's movements more closely and been more diligent in learning what he did behind my father's back. If I had known he had been plotting to extort money from us all I could have prevented it. As I sniffed and felt more tears rise to my face I knelt down on the ground and placed my forehead against my hands, bowing down as low as I could. "M-Megumi, what on earth do you think you are doing?" Kyoya questioned, noticing me first and Fuyumi blinked as she turned around.
"Huh? Oh Megumi-chan! You must stand up, please raise your head!" She insisted however I refused, bowing to them both in heartbroken apology. I deserved to lower my head to them, it is my fault that Kyoya is in this condition and I must bear responsibility.
"Megumi Akiyama. Get up." Kyoya ordered calmly as he reached for his glasses and put them on, supporting himself on one arm so with a breath I gradually rose back to my feet but kept my head bowed. "The actions of your cousin are by no means your fault. If it were not for you, it is doubtful that we would have been found before sunset therefore in all honesty it is I who owe you." He said before stretching out his hand. "Now come here, my bride to be." The slight tease in his voice earned a flicker of a smile as I looked up and went to him, taking his hand in mine and placing it against my face to kiss gingerly. As his thumb brushed against my cheek his sister watched us in barely contained happiness, flapping her hands as she watched us interact but I barely noticed. Kyoya was so handsome to look at I couldn't bear to look away from him.
We stayed like that from then on, me by his side helping to tend to him despite the nurses insisting I should get my own rest. Fuyumi stayed and pestered Kyoya about how she thought we should plan for our wedding and giving marriage advice but I don't think he was listening to her, because all the while she was speaking Kyoya never once took his eyes off me. It made my heart overflow completely.