Chapter 14: Veracity and Possibility

Disclaimer: I don't own Brothers Conflict.

Reminder: English is not my first language.

A/N:

I know it took me long to post this but I hope it was worth the wait (even though this is more about Rina's feeling of what happened), I will try my best to update as soon as possible but I won't promise. So here it is…


I was waiting for Ema and the others outside the hospital where Azusa brought, Masaomi who also working in this hospital said that Azusa was alright, thankfully he was brought immediately here at the hospital and now all he needed to do is to rest while his medical result will be tomorrow. After Masaomi told us the news I excused myself to go out and told Ema that I'll be waiting outside, I found an empty bench not far at the entrance of the hospital and stayed here for a moment.

Well, indeed I never expected the turn of events. It was a surprise that the two Asahina have liked me, in fact I thought they were just making fun of me and trying to get close to me...

Who am I kidding? Ugh, here I go again denying what it's obvious.

I bit my lower lip and covered my face with my hands in frustration, this isn't my plan after all! I was really caught of guard at this unexpected situation, who knew Futo and Tsubaki would like me that way? My plan was just to get rid of their feelings to my friend not to switch it to mine! Is this fate way to mess with us, make complicated things even more complicated? I frowned suddenly at that thought. "Crap fate… Always having a fun messing with people's lives…" I muttered under breath before releasing a huge sigh. "Fate huh…" My lip thinned as I brought my gaze upward at the night sky.

"Have some coffee Mi-chan."

I got startled at the soft baritone voice of Louis, I tilted my head to the side when I saw him standing behind me and was offering a cup of hot coffee, wearing his usual tender look on his face. I looked at him for several minutes as my void expression didn't seem to affect him, his gaze and smile remained as I took silently his offer before bowing my head in gratitude.

"Thank you." I murmured.

"You're welcome." He said, this time he gave me a smile. "Can I take a seat beside you?"

He asked, I stared at his face again before nodding my head as I slowly sipped the coffee he gave, tasting the bitter sweet liquid. I never got a chance to personally know Louis at first but when he and his brothers visited to check up on me and asked to stay with me and Ema I got the chance to talk to him that night, well, it's not the long talk I've expected because honestly Louis was more mysterious than what he looks, even in that short exchanged I could still tell that he was looking for something…

Four days ago…

I woke up suddenly in the middle of the night with the same dream again… I felt sweat covering me as my ragged breathing gladly didn't wake the two beside me, I huffed silently and decided to have a glass of water before turning back to sleep considering the time, I managed to move without waking Ema and Juli and exited my room successfully. I could finally tell that the fever has gone thanks to Ema's delicious foods and presence, and also her brothers, well somehow… Fine their presence did actually help eased my loneliness.

I was about to go to the kitchen when I saw that the wide window leading to my balcony was opened and noticed Louis standing outside, his back facing me and seemed in deep thought. Slowly I walked towards his direction, he was leaning on the railing as the cold wind hit our bodies, making me shivered from my position.

"You shouldn't be outside Mi-chan, you just came from a fever…" I jumped a little when I felt him put something on me and his nice scent immediately hit my senses, I saw his jacket covering my form as I gazed up at him and smiled in appreciation, there he goes again his eyes and smile didn't seem to collide to his true feeling accordingly.

"I can assure you Louis-san I'm totally fine now… and thank you for that." I leaned on the railing and watched the empty street. "Can I ask you?" I inquired still looking ahead. He stilled before I caught a glimpse of him tucking his hand in his pants pocket.

"Of course, what is it that you are curious about Mi-chan?"

Meeting his gaze I saw for the first time the serious look on his face but that didn't stop me from asking him. "Are you… Are you happy?" his visage changed. ".. I mean, I know you are happy but… are you really are?"

That questioned remained unanswered, he just became quiet for few moments until he patted my head and smiled at me whispering something in my ear and left.

"What do you mean about what you've said during that night Louis-san?"

I asked lastly after the long silence between us.

"That night? You mean when we were both at the balcony?"

Staring at his face I nodded my head in confirmation. "Yes, why did you ask the same thing?" I added.

He was quiet again before turning his attention upward and apparently thinking of something. His thoughtful expression changed as his face became blank for a moment. "When you asked me if I'm happy, I really am Mi-chan… I really am. I don't know why you asked such thing but I wouldn't be lying that something also is missing…" His gaze met mine and I fluttered my eyes at how he was looking at me.

Like he was lost…

"Maybe not now… but someday I'll tell you why." He smiled again and suddenly became the Louis I knew, I quietly bobbed my head and didn't comment at his statement. "..besides, we are just the same don't you think?"

My lips form a light smile at his question.

"Yeah… I guess you are right about that."


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When morning came Ema and Yusuke told me that Azusa was doing okay and he was improving a lot according to Masaomi, both of them talked about visiting him after class but I decided not to come with them because I still got a work to catch up considering I was gone for almost a week at my job. Ema did not notice my excuse, well partly, since I'm not ready to face Azusa for now. I'm still blaming myself about what happened though and I know Tsubaki felt the same way but I hope Ema did the comforting part which she really did. I just told them that if I have time tomorrow I will come and visit him at least.

Once I reached the café I received a text message from Ema that Azusa, based on his test result, have a meningitis but nothing to worry about, after proper medication and rest he will be fine. She also said that Azusa was looking for me and he really needed to talk to me. Though it made me guilty I chose not to reply Ema for a moment and started working and averted my attention on my work.

Not until I got sidetracked again and lost in my thought…

"Maybe you shouldn't have come today kid, you're too distracted." Shioka, whom I've missed, spoke beside me. Her impassive face suddenly in front of me. "And don't ever tell me that you aren't." She immediately added, I inwardly chuckled at her blunt statement and avoided her scrutinizing stare.

"Sorry, can't help it." I said and sighing at the same time. "I just… I think, I should have come with them to check on Azusa-san." I quietly continued before meeting her forest green eyes (Did I ever mentioned but her eyes are my favorite).

"Azusa? You mean that guy with eyeglasses?"

She inquired and settling beside me. "Hm, He has a meningitis, Ema-chi texted me a while ago but he's doing fine now." She remained quiet after that, I gaped at her as her eyes bore into mine again giving me this look that I couldn't point out. Shioka, as quiet as she may be, was somehow can read people by looking into their eyes, she was really good at it and if she knows something she will keep it to herself. She doesn't like to involve herself too much, unless that person needs some advice.

"If you are really worried then check him up later, I'll take cover your shift if you leave at seven." My eyes widened at her suggestion, she gave me a faint smile before patting my head. "Besides, customers rarely come that time so it'll be no problem." She waved off.

"Shioka-san…"

"I told you kid from now on call me Shio, I just realized how old it's sounded when you call me like that." She chided but not in a way that she's mad, like she was suggesting it. She was planning to leave me on my own before I can utter a word but I managed to stop her by softly touching her arm.

"Thank you, I wish you are my big sister Shio." I warmly smiled, I didn't miss the surprise look on her face and the pink shades slowly crawling on her cheeks.

"Yeah, yeah. Just do your job until then." She swiftly marched, an embarrass Shioka was indeed rare and cute. I quickly took my phone and texted Ema.


ᴥ ᴥ ᴥ


I reached the hospital rather early than later because Shioka told me to go early before the visiting hour ends, what confused and scared me at the same time was what she said.

"It's better to go early, clear some stuff and go home immediately. Teenage girls like you shouldn't be out late at night."

"Clear some stuff huh… is she a mind reader? She scares me sometimes." I frowned before shaking my head, I stopped in front of Azusa's room and stayed at my spot for a minute before I decided to knock softly.

"Come in."

I heard his voice behind the door and slowly opened it.

"Good evening Azusa-san."

I greeted immediately when I saw him on the bed, he seemed to be reading because of the book he was holding. I'm guessing it was a manga book.

"Likewise Rina… Though it'll be better if you stop calling me with honorific." He gently started as he close the manga book and put it beside him.

"Right… Uhm, Did I interrupt you?"

"No, definitely not." I nodded my head as I swiftly move towards his direction and occupied the empty chair beside his bed.

"I'm happy that you are doing okay, Ema texted me about your medical results." I said. "If you'll get better again don't push yourself too much at work Azusa." I chided softly.

"I will keep that in mind and thank you for your concern. I'm really glad you still came even though the visiting time will be over in… I think 30 minutes?" He lightly chuckled before his feature turned soft.

"Well... that will be enough I guess." I softly started, I can feel his stare but I didn't dare to look at him because the guilt slowly creeping in my gut again, I heave a huge sigh first and decided to tell him the truth. "Look I know it was rude of me to make an excuse not to visit you… and honestly I was feeling guilty about it, no, I'm feeling guiltier and—"

"Rina." I stopped abruptly at my explanation. "You don't have to feel guilty about what happened." He said. "I know that you are blaming yourself about me and Tsubaki's misunderstanding yesterday..."

Of course he knew, that made me feel so guilty!

"Ema told me that Tsubaki-san was still not talking to anyone. How cannot be that my fault Azusa? If I told him immediately what I really feel that night then maybe it wouldn't end up like this…"

"What do you really feel about him Rina?"

He interrupted again, caught off guard at that question I finally looked at him, his serious yet gentle look made me nervous a little.

"Of course Tsubaki-san is a friend… that's what I really feel about him, honestly I was kind of glad that you stopped him that night." I muttered, avoiding his gaze again.

"That's wrong."

What?

"I haven't done anything that would make you thankful. It's exactly how Tsubaki said, I was interrupting you." This time I looked back at him with wide eyes.

What? All this time I thought he did that to help me?

"He was also right... about my feeling towards you"

"Azusa…"

My throat went dry at the unexpected revelation. I was so lost of words... Then Ema's gentle face flashed in my sight and felt a pang of pain. I just realized how it was so hard for her to handle this kind of situation. I have to fix this, I knew Ema was too soft to reject her brothers and I understand that but... in my situation I think I'll hurt them even more if I won't tell them what I really truly feel.

"Rina." I snapped and looked at Azusa again, he was worried at my sudden silence. "If... if you only see Tsubaki as a friend..." His face softened and the hurt hidden behind his eyes was so visible in my sight. "...that includes me then…"

That statement wasn't a question, I thought. I closed my eyes for a moment before releasing a sigh for the tenth time that day, I gently took Azusa's hand which made the purple hair Asahina jerked in surprise, his cheeks turned pink while he adjusted his eyeglasses in embarrassment. My determined eyes stared at him again.

"I'm sorry…" I started, his bashful behavior quickly vanishing. "..it's just, I don't want you to wait. I'll be more than happy if stay what we are now." I sincerely smiled. "I don't want you to expect anything or hurt you that's why I'm saying this early."

My sober expression made Azusa silent for few seconds until I saw something dawned on his face. His eyes determined at this realization and then his gaze held mine again.

"But that doesn't mean you'll never fall in love with us?" I fluttered my eyes at his question before softly letting his hand go.

He was right I never thought of that possibility, yeah it was true I found them very fascinating and *cough* handsome *cough* but nothing more than that, I never considered such thing because well since they already have feelings to my best friend right? So I thought their feelings for her would be that strong... But it seemed with this revelation I think the three of them were just infatuated to her. I am relieved really, at least not only possible but maybe the rest of them are feeling the same way... If Azusa's question of me falling in love with one of them the answer to his question may be possible also but...

The sudden announcement about visiting time ended stopped me from my inner thought, he was still waiting for my answer which honestly kind of hard to tell him my opinion about it right now.

"I… maybe I should go."

I said faintly smiling at him which he returned accordingly.

"Yeah… be careful on your way."

I nodded my head, somehow glad that he wouldn't push me to answer his inquiry. "Goodnight Azusa." I said and slowly walked towards the door's direction but Azusa stopped me unexpectedly.

"You didn't answer my question." I ceased from my track and stared at him through my shoulder.

or so I thought...

"I… I haven't thought of that possibility." I whispered honestly and I knew Azusa heard it. "I'll visit you again if I have a chance. Goodnight Azusa." And with that I exited his room quietly.

I reached my apartment without even realizing it, the moment I saw the familiar door of my little home I was snapped out in my reverie. I immediately took the key out of my bag but was stopped when I felt someone's watching me.

What makes me surprise is that someone whom I talking is standing not far away from me.

I guess I was too absorbed in my thought that I didn't even see him there. Yep it was a him and you'll be more surprised if I say that someone was Tsubaki.

"Tsubaki-san…?"

He gave me a faint smile as he walked slowly towards me. "Can we talk?"


A/N:

There you go, now that's kind of boring? What do you think?

Well, first of all I want to thank you guys who keeps checking and reminding me to post the next chap, so I hope this satisfy you a little. I'm working now the next one so don't forget to review! Just little words and that will make me happy but I'll be more than happy to receive some criticism (but not too harsh, just make it more nicely okay?) and besides, I always reminding you about English and stuff haha!

Don't forget to click the review button! See you on the next chap bunnies!

-Aza

Edited: 04-30-18