I do not own any of the songs. They belong to their respective artist(s).

Boys sing in BOLD
Girls sing in ITALICS
Both genders sing in BOTH

WARNING: there is talk of miscarriage and (kind of?) bashing of a character as Hikari gets mad and shows off her potty mouth (redheads are said to have tempers after all)

After getting up for the free day, Hikari looked herself over in the bathroom mirror before nodding in satisfaction. A stomach-length, off-the-shoulder shirt in black with 'Let's Get It!' in white going diagonal from left to right, royal blue tank top beneath it, and grey capris. After making a minor mess, she'd also found her black, mid-calf combat boots with mini heels. Finishing her outfit was a black leather satchel and a multitude of colored bracelets, with a silver necklace and a circular blue alexandrite resting on the hollow of her throat. Hikari's hair was hanging in loose curls, held back by one of the royal blue silk ties she'd raided from her cousin's friend's closet (it was also where she got her sheep onesie; he still didn't know about it missing despite it being six months). She only had eyeliner on to make her eyes pop and chapstick.

Her bag carried her sleep mask, wallet, rail pass, a Hayato CD (she wanted to see if he'd sign it), a portable CD player, a book for the train, mini comp books, a variety of pens, an umbrella for emergencies, and her favorite things, a grey taser and pepper spray. Her headphones and phone would stay out on her neck and in her pocket.

Having finished filming the last of her scenes the day before, she was bouncing with cheer as she made her way to her friends.

The sound of her cousin's singing filled her ears as she made her way to the table she and her friends had conquered. Pausing the music, she shoved the headphones off and let them fall to her neck. "Hey." She greeted, resting a hand on her bag.

Her friends looked at her, doing a double-take. "Hikari-chan?"

"That's me," she said, smiling at their surprised looks.

"Are you going somewhere?" Otoya asked.

"To Hayato-san's concert. After, I'm going to visit my cousins." Hikari answered, eyeing their expressions. "Do I look that odd?"

Tomochika shook her head, resting her chin on her hands. "We've only really seen each other in uniform and pajamas…"

"I'm worried," Masato said abruptly.

"Eh?"

"If I didn't have so much homework to do, I'd go with you…" Tomochika stood, nearing her roommate.

"Are you sure you should go alone, Hikari?" Otoya stood with a worried frown.

"What…"

"As long as you don't get lost…" Masato mentioned.

"In that case, I can take the little flower," Hikari looked up at Ren's words, his arm wrapping around her shoulders.

"Oi…" She looked at her friends in disbelief.

"In fact…" he smiled coyly at her. "Why don't we make a date of it?"

Rolling her eyes, Hikari shrugged his arm off. "I don't know why you're all being weird about this, I won't get that lost. There are police for a reason."

Stepping away from them, she stuck her tongue out and hurried away, slipping her headphones on. Glancing at the time on her phone, she frowned. 'Ah, I need to hurry up or I'll have to take a taxi…' Sliding into a jog, Hikari rushed through the hall. Rounding a corner, she yelped and fell back, trying to prevent herself from running into someone. Her bag slipped free and the CD popped out, having been on top.

"Sorry," she said, shifting onto her knees and reaching for her bag and CD. Her eyes widened as Ichinose grabbed the case, him wincing as he straightened. Panic flooded her as she stood, putting her bag back on and flailing in panicked worry. "Did I kick you? Are you okay?! I'm so sorry, I really didn't-!"

Voice muffled by his hand, he eyed the case and handed back. "I'm fine." Ichinose turned and began walking away, releasing her.

"You're not going to you're brother's concert?"

He paused in his steps, shaking his head. "Are you?"

"Ah… yeah…" She watched in confusion as he turned to smirk slightly at her.

"Make sure you don't get lost." He continued walking.

Her jaw worked for a moment, face heating, and she growled. "Why does everyone think I'm going to get lost?! Even Ichinose-san!" Bristling, her eyes lowered despite herself. A frown formed at seeing a wrap on his ankle.

Looking between her phone and the street numbers, she frowned deeply. Neither matched. Rolling her shoulders, she glanced around for an authority figure. Hikari tilted her head when she caught sight of familiar blond hair. 'Natsuki-kun?'

Feet pointed that way, Hikari headed to the blond on the bench. He had papers ot and was writing quickly, bag beside him. Natsuki looked nice in casual clothes, she noted, steps faltering a bit. 'Nope. No need to get expelled, Hikari. And he's just a friend, stop it. Ringo-sensei and Ryuya-sensei all over again, ugh.'

She paused in front of him and scrutinized him carefully. "Natsuki-kun? What are you doing here?"

Natsuki lifted his head and stared at her. His eyes were uncovered and she wondered where his glasses were. Head going back down, she followed his gaze to the papers. Her brows went up at the many lines of composition, absently noting she was casting a shadow and moved to the side. She was still tilting her head to look at the notes. "Whoa… Natsuki-kun, those are brilliant."

He stiffened, but didn't stop. "Why don't you take a hike?"

A blink. 'Natsuki-kun isn't harsh at all, so why…?' Lips pursed, she stepped forward with the decision to see if he'd react any more differently than Natsuki would. Her free hand caught his chin and jerked his face so she could meet his eyes, ignoring the ominous creak coming from the pen. "I may not know Natsuki-kun well, but I know for a fact that he is an only child. Who the hell are you?"

Light green eyes narrowed and the blond opened his mouth-

Poomf

Both blinked and watched the wrapper that had bounced off Hikari's head roll down his music sheets. There was a pause of silence before Hikari finally talked. "Holding that thought, did you see who threw that?"

"A guy in a shirt with a satchel." He said, watching as she straightened and picked the trash up, turning on her heel. Looking around carefully, Hikari pointed. "Him?"

"Yes-"

"Hold my stuff." Pulling her bag off, she dropped it in his lap carefully while clenching the wrapper tightly. Hikari stalked off, intent, as she shoved her phone in her pocket, headphones on her neck. "Yah! Dangsin!"

The boy started and turned, yelping when she caught his collar as he neared a vending machine. "Wh-what-?!"

Hikari shoved the wrapper in front of his face dangerously so. "Haven't you ever of a trash can, pyemul? Should I throw you away with it so you can remember such a simple thing?"

The boy squeaked in panic, flinching as she shoved the wrapper down his shirt. "Next time I'll let my friend help you out."

A gurgle left him as she let go, turning and walking back to Natsuki. Hikari blinked in confusion at the sight of Syo huffing beside Natsuki, who had his glasses on again. "Syo? Did you have Natsuki-kun's glasses?"

Both blonds looked at her, the smaller surprised and the larger in confused joy. "Hikari-chan, when did you get here?" Natsuki exclaimed, standing and holding her bag out. "And how come I have your bag?"

"Eh?"

Sitting across from Natsuki at a cafe table, Hikari sipped at her chocolate frappe while she examined the difference from the Natsuki of earlier and the Natsuki of now. Unbiddenly, her eyes kept drifting to the tempting parfait in front of the blond. Her restraint was slipping the longer he simply smiled at it. 'I should've gotten ice cream…'

"Cute!" He all but cooed at the dish. She twitched. 'Just eat it, dammit!'

"Get it?" Syo murmured as he leaned over, hand slightly covering his mouth. "The way it works is when he takes his glasses off, he becomes an entirely new person named Satsuki."

"Satsuki?" She repeated softly, hiding her mouth behind her cup, relieved he was finally eating the parfait.

"Mm. I don't know if something happened to him before we met as kids, but Satsuki's put 50,00 people who've ticked him off in the hospital. If Natsuki isn't brought back, all hell breaks loose."

Hikari glanced at him in disbelief. "Like the Hulk… Then I guess it's a good thing I'm the one who got angry earlier."

"Why did you leave your bag with him?" Syo looked at her curiously.

"Ah, well, ah… that's a secret between Satsuki and I," she didn't look at him, lowering her eyes to Natsuki's ice cream and squirming at the happy noises he was making. "Natsuki-kun!"

Her outburst startled him. "Hai?"

Hikari looked at him hopefully. "Can I have a bite?"

Syo facepalmed. "Seriously."

She patted his face, not turning away from Natsuki. The blond blinked at her, before smiling slightly and sliding the dish towards her. "The ice cream from school doesn't cut, ne?"

Lifting the spoon she'd received from a server, Hikari took a small scoop and slid the dish back to its recipient. She hummed lightly as she nibbled on the blueberry, focusing on Syo. "You were saying?"

"Huh? Oh," he paused, thinking and watching as Natsuki concentrated on his dessert (he couldn't help the small amusement rising when he saw the other blond watching Hikari with a wary look, arm around the dish protectively). "Satsuki's an unexpectedly great composer. Whenever he's free, he writes songs, a so-called genius."

"Stars with transmissions?" She asked him curiously, finishing the berry off and starting on the ice cream.

He stared at her blankly. "That's… actually a good possibility…."

"I think I want to meet him," Hikari mused as she finished the spoonful. "Or maybe introduce him to Kai-baka, see if he can keep that idiot in line."

"Impossible." Syo deadpanned and earned a wounded look from the girl. "One, Satsuki doesn't talk to people and Natsuki doesn't remember a thing about him. Two, that meeting is asking for an apocalypse."

A giggle escaped her. "He wreaks havoc and doesn't remember any of it? Sounds like Gran when she goes to a farmers market…"

"Hikari-chan," Natsuki's voice made them look at him. She tilted her head. "I always find myself thinking that you remind me so much of my beloved Elizabeth!"

Knowing he wasn't insulting her (and geez, it felt weird being comparing to a dog, of all animals), Hikari smiled slightly. "Why's that?"

"When we're together, I feel like I'm basking in the sun."

"Despite our disastrous first meeting?" She raised a brow and chuckled at his slight wince. "Then again, I don't really mind being in the sun. Doesn't matter the weather."

Natsuki chuckled, picking up the teapot and pouring him a cuppa. "Hikari-chan, you really understand me."

Hikari saw the steam fogging up his glasses. "Ah…"

"Huh?" Natsuki lowered his cup and took his glasses in hand.

Syo panicked. "D-don't take your glasses off, Natsuki!" The small blond moved closer, taking Natsuki's hands and cup in his own. "Let me do that for you!" He began blowing.

Hikari was frozen, staring with slight confusion and spoon pressed to her lips. 'Bromance?'

Natsuki chuckled. "You're nice to me, Syo-chan… Ah… Ah choo!"

Hikari and Syo stared in silent shock as Natsuki sneezed, knocking his glasses off his face.

"You two… are annoying." Hikari blinked while Syo reeled back, the boy paling. Satsuki stood up, clenching a fist. "Unlike Natsuki, I'm not soft hearted. Don't you dare whisper right in front of me!"

His fist swung and connected with the tree, knocking it over. It hit the tables and chairs next to them, barely missing a few women. Hikari saw the terrified posture of one of the women, freezing up as anger filled her. She moved her eyes back to Satsuki, anger rising.

/

Syo squeaked in terror when he felt movement beside him. He could only watch as Hikari lunged and grabbed Satsuki by the collar, surprising the male when she brought their faces close together, noses nearly brushing as she began speaking, voice more a snarl than anything.

"I get it, you're a huge ball of unstable fury due to being a Gemini. Just because you most likely want to protect Natsuki doesn't mean you can take it out on the innocents. You're pissed with us speaking about Natsuki in front of you? Fine, be pissed off with us. That tree did nothing, neither did those ladies. Look at the one in pink." Syo did, even if she wasn't talking to him. Said woman was pale and her companion was tugging her away, worry on her face. "Look at her, Shinomiya Satsuki."

Glancing back, he saw the green eyes move over. Satsuki's hands were holding her wrists and trying to pull her away from his throat. "Wh-what about her?" The taller blond asked through gritted teeth.

"She's here to celebrate her one month pregnancy." The words felt like a bucket of ice water. Satsuki stilled and turned his eyes back to her. "I heard her say that to her friend in line. I said it before, I don't know much about Natsuki, but I know with him being a kind, caring person, he'd be horrified to hear he caused a miscarriage. That's what could've happened if she'd been in the way of the tree. How would that be protecting him? And the others Syo told me you hurt, what if something bad happened to them later in life?"

Hikari released him and pulled away, Satsuki smoothing the fabric by his throat as he stared at her. He couldn't read his face, but a quick look at Hikari told him she was still angry, but exhausted.

"You want to protect Natsuki? Fine, but try using words instead of actions. I don't want to see him hurt any more than you do. And remember this, whether it's today, tomorrow, or some time in the future, Natsuki will assemble you into his main personality. Don't make him have to suffer more painful things if you can." Hikari paused and rubbed her face. "Just put the damn glasses on, I have a call to make."

Worry filled Syo. He didn't mean for her to get angry. He also knew she'd be visiting her cousins, which should be a happy time since she mentioned once that she hadn't seen them a few months before coming to the Academy. Syo watched as she went to the lady in pink, kneeling beside her and speaking, phone out. He glanced over at Satsuki, seeing the taller blond stare after the girl. Hesitating, Syo leaned forward and picked up the glasses, holding them up to Satsuki. If Hikari, who hadn't even seen Satsuki in action, could stand up to him, he could too.

Satsuki looked down at him, face carefully blank as he spotted the glasses. Syo knew his face was pale, but he continued holding them out. Slowly Satsuki took them. Both looked over when Hikari came back, her face free of anger and more tired than before. She ignored their stares and picked up her drink, sipping at it as she pulled her wallet out.

"I'll for this time, one of you can for next time," she said, pulling out a few bills.

"Next time?" Satsuki asked before he could.

Verdant eyes moved to light green. "Whether it's in writing or not, you owe me."

Satsuki stared at her hard before simply placing the glasses on. Syo avoided Natsuki's eyes as the taller blond blinked rapidly. "Eh? What is it? What happened?"

"It's nothing, Natsuki," Hikari said, focused on the dishes.

Natsuki frowned and looked at Syo, who simply gave a nervous laugh.

"Wow, what a coincidence!" Natsuki exclaimed. "We were on our way here, too!"

"Really? To which part?" Hikari asked, looking around. "Let me guess, Piyo-chan?"

At her smirk to the hat Natsuki was wearing, both boys chuckled. "Syo-chan said he wanted to see it-"

"Not at all!" Syo cut in and jabbed a finger at Natsuki. "Letting you go anywhere alone is dangerous, so I came with!"

"Aw, don't be shy."

Hikari chuckled at Syo's indignant, "I'm not shy!"

She shook her head at them, catching their hands and tugging them along to the area for the concert. "Come on, boys, let's go!"

They let her pull them along, still speaking with each other. Hikari gleefully forced a path so they were near the stage, letting them go. She watched as the screens began showing pictures of Hayato above the stage.

"At any rate, he really looks like Tokiya-kun, doesn't he?" Natsuki noted, catching her attention.

"Naturally, they are identical twins!" Syo replied, turning to look at the stage, frowning slightly. "I wish this were Hyuga-sensei's concert…"

Bumping her shoulder against his, she raised a brow. "Don't you see him in class?"

He pouted slightly. "It's not the same."

Natsuki shared an exasperated look with her. "Syo-chan, watching a pro at work up close is an important way to study, too."

"Mm," Hikari nodded in agreement. "Pros usually have to be professional, only dropping the mask when they're with someone they trust. It's what Kai and Shiori usually do…"

Syo snickered. "Are you getting starstruck over Hayato?"

"A little," she smiled at him sheepishly. "I've only ever been to Kai's concerts and since he isn't a solo idol, this concert has a different air to it. Not to mention being my cousin and his bandmates are like older siblings."

Both blonds laughed, Syo tossing an arm around Hikari's shoulder to give her a one arm hug as the screen changed. All three looked over as the fangirls around them shrieked.

Hikari smiled widely as Hayato landed on the stage and began singing. She listened intently, her smile faltering and moving more into a frown. Syo must have felt something, because he asked, "What's wrong?"

"His voice is beautiful, but… it isn't the same from before…" Hikari looked at Hayato in confusion, stiffening when he fumbled and dropped the mic. "Ah…"

The band being snapping at him the fangirls yelling louder, moving around. Hikari's eyes widened when Natsuki was pushed and she grabbed his arm, staggering slightly and shifting to catch his other shoulder, feeling Syo move to help her. Their mouths dropped when the glasses fell off.

The sky rumbled, releasing rain, and lightning struck the light tower. The girls were screaming and running. Hikari jerked Natsuki (Satsuki?) up right and snagged Syo's nearest arm, acting as an anchor so neither would be bumped. She could feel Syo stagger and latch onto S/Natsuki.

"Shit!" She hissed, turning her head to see the girls stampeding the exits, thankfully seeing the area clear and she let S/Natsuki go, Syo moving closer to her as he too released S/Natsuki. "Hikari-"

A yell from the taller blond cut him off. Both turned to look and Hikari's eyes widened when she realized it was a pissed off Satsuki. Satsuki glared towards the stairs, eyes on Hayato as he pulled his bag off his shoulder and shoved to Hikari.

"Hayato!" He yelled, stepping towards the stage (Syo stepped closer, looking between the blond and raven before Hikari caught his shoulder, shaking her head. "He listened to me," was all she said, setting Natsuki's bag on her free shoulder.). "Why do you sing insincere songs?!"

Hikari looked around as Syo told her to look for the glasses anyway. She spotted them a few steps away and she cringed, seeing one lens crushed. She carefully picked it up and looked at Syo. "Should I go on stage?" Hikari cautiously removed the glass from the broken part.

They both looked to the stage, hearing instruments begin to play. "Ah," Syo breathed out as they watched Satsuki stand with a mic in hand.

"I'm going to try something," Hikari said.

"The lens are shattered!"

"So? It's something!"

Moving past the gate, she slid up and onto the stage, the bags lightly knocking her off balance before she caught herself. Hikari stepped around wires and made her way to Satsuki, his song in her ears.

"Roughened shadow minds, driven almost to madness
Who am I? Leading the dark moon!
Pleasant dark wind, dazzling shining sky
And yet I still yearn for the sunrise!

Shadow and light, You and I, drawing closer
Asking what's real or fake
Black? White? Why? Why?
My heart shouts and sings,
"Be a color that suits you!"

Burning fiercely in the night sky, Orion! The flames of your heart,
That's the way it should be, and that's how you should live!
Good and evil and pompous talk should rely entirely on your own problems!
Gemini syndrome!"

Hikari moved, but she wasn't fast enough as Satsuki whirled and caught her, an arm sliding around her waist, bypassing the bags, while the other caught the hand with glasses, holding them high in the air. He jerked her so their bodies were pressed together and Hikari cursed her hormones. 'He's my friend!' She wailed internally.

Satsuki gave her a slow smile. "Let's do something fun." He leaned forward like he was going to kiss her.

She steadied herself, gritting teeth before smirking up at him. "You won't do anything. Nothing cruel."

He pulled away… and right as Syo dropped the Piyo hat on his head. Natsuki blinked at her from behind round glasses. "Hikari-chan?" Releasing her, he looked over at Syo, confused. "Syo-chan? What happened?"

Chuckling at Syo's expression, Hikari passed the glasses and bag back to Natsuki. "Your glasses broke in the fangirl stampede," she informed him when he noticed his frames. "And I took your bag so it wouldn't hold you down."

"Oh, thank-"

Syo cut him off. "Let's go!"

"Ehhh?"

"Just move now!" Syo began to tug Natsuki away. Hikari shook her head before hurrying after.

"Hey, wait-!" Her heel caught on a wire and Hikari was rushing to greet the floor, squeaking when she was caught. "A-ahh."

Her head raised and Hikari blinked into the face of Hayato. She reeled back, her cheeks heating up. "S-sorry!" She squeaked, retreating onto her haunches. Eyes flicking down, Hikari froze when she spotted the wrap. "Ichinose-san?"

It was a whisper, barely audible, but his eyes still widened.

"Hikari, let's go!" Syo yelled and she stood quickly, looking over. "Hai!"

She didn't look back at Ichinose as she ran (or was it Hayato?! This is confusing!). Catching up to her blond friends as the rain poured, she called for them to follow her. They did, following her to the taxi area. Hikari rushed over to one after checking it was vacant, tapping on the window. "Excuse me, can you take us to the Hajime Hospital?"

The driver nodded. "I have towels on the floor."

"Arigato!" Syo pulled the door open, sliding in quickly, Hikari after and Natsuki last.

"Hikari-chan, why are we going to the hospital?" Hikari looked at Natsuki before looking at the towel she was sitting on. Her eyes moved to the side, checking they had their seatbelts on.

"My, uh, parents work there." Hikari bit her lip, twisting the towel between her fingers. "And, Ruka-chan is there."

The boys were silent, but she didn't check to see why.

A sigh came from her left and she felt Syo wrap an arm around her shoulders, hugging her close. "Wah, I feel special. Getting to meet one of Hikari's many cousins." Hikari's eyes widened and she looked at him in surprise. He was grinning. "And just think, Natsuki, even Ren has only met her uncle."

Natsuki tugged her hair, making her face him. "Special indeed. I can't wait to see the girl who helped us meet Hikari-chan."

Tears filled her eyes and she closed them tightly. She pressed a hand to her face. "You guys…"

/

Natsuki twisted the strands of hair as he looked out the window, lost in thought. He had no idea what happened before the rain began and the time earlier from when he had Hikari's bag. Then there was the cafe. Syo had been paler than he'd ever seen and Hikari had looked tired and completely done with the day. He glanced down at her. She was resting her head on Syo's shoulder, leaning into the smaller blond. Syo was staring out the window as the taxi went along the roads.

Humming inaudibly, Natsuki released her hair, focusing on the raindrops on the window. 'She still hasn't told us much about her hospitalized cousin… and the other two are usually on shows or in magazines. And Ren-chan has only met their uncle, none of the aunts or grandparents. I wonder if this visit will mean we can meet her parents?'

His head turned as they entered the hospital parking lot and Natsuki felt Hikari shift and he glanced at her, watching her pull her wallet out. The driver parked and Hikari passed him the correct amount of money and they got out of the taxi, hurrying to the hospital entrance to get out of the rain.

Shaking her head, Hikari pulled her hair back into a ponytail. "I'm going to tell my parents we're here and then we'll head to the ICU to check in." She smiled slightly at them before walking over to the receptionist, speaking quickly and quietly.

Natsuki examined her face and looked at Syo. "Syo-chan… do you think Hikari-chan has come to see Haruka-san at all since she entered the hospital?"

Blue eyes blinked at him then shifted to Hikari. "Usually, I'd say, "yeah, of course she's visited her cousin," but seeing her reactions… I don't think so."

They shared worried looks and quickly dropped them when Hikari began heading back to them. She was smiling slightly. "Umma and Appa have some things to do before joining us. Do you mind if we go to the hospital gift shop?"

Natsuki shook his head and glanced at Syo. "Not at all. Is there anything we can get?"

A slow shake of the head. "I just wanted to get a flower bouquet since Appa said my aunties and uncle haven't been able to replace the recent bouquet." Her lips twitched up. "Shiori-unnie, Kai-oppa, and Oyaji are terrible with flower bouquets."

Syo began snickering as they follower her. "Natsuki is too. He'd always put colors that clashed badly together. I think it's a side effect of coming from France, where the bouquets are different."

A small pout formed on the taller blond's lips. "That's not nice, Syo-chan, besides I remember you kept doing the same."

"Yeah, but I had the grace to give up while I could. You didn't," Syo grinned at him. Natsuki couldn't help making a face at him. Light giggles drew their attention to Hikari, who was full on smiling now.

"I can see you both messing up ikebana. I'm not too good at it either, despite the lessons my gran gave me," she gave them both a small smirk. "I memorize flower meanings then go to a florist. That's really the only way I don't mess them up and I don't think gran has found out yet."

"Let me guess, she'd be upset?" Syo asked, tilting his head to her as they entered the shop, both blonds falling behind as she headed to the florist area.

"That and she'd have the whole family go through remedial lessons. Uncle Haruto is actually pretty good, despite having needed lessons." Hikari trailed off as she went to the florist, head moving to look around the flowers. Natsuki and Syo let a distance between them form, letting her focus.

The young man behind the counter looked at them curiously and offered a slight smile. "Is there something I can do for you?"

Tugging her hair, Hikari didn't answer for a moment. "Can I get a ikebana flower bouquet of bluebells, lavender, and white roses?"

A nod as the florist moved around. "What kind?"

"Hmm," Hikari bounced in place. "Moribana, please."

The florist nodded as he moved around already shifting the lavender around the suiban he grabbed, which was a pale grey color. Stepping away from the counter, Hikari looked at them. "Aside from the cafe, have you guys eaten anything?"

They stared at her before looking at each other slowly, blank. "Now that you mention, I don't think we have."

"I only remember the couple donuts we grabbed before leaving, since we woke up late," Syo added, arms crossing as he frowned.

"Seriously?" Hikari eyed them in bemusement. "Even I ate before coming out."

Natsuki smiled nervously at her. "You won't tell Tokiya-kun, will you? He scolds Otoya enough for the rest of our group."

She offered a wry smile. "They have fruit vending machines around the waiting rooms if you want to hunt them down. You could also go to the cafeteria."

The taller blond looked at Syo, hesitant, while the smaller teen frowns in thought. Syo looked up at Natsuki, questioning. "How about after we head to the room? That way we know where to go after?"

He quickly nodded. "That sounds best." Natsuki offered Hikari a small smile. "Do they have maps?"

Hikari blinked. Her jaw moved silently for a moment. "I have no clue. I already know where everything is, and if I don't I usually ask my parents."

Syo leaned towards her, suspicious. "Why do I get the feeling you were one of the brats that ran screaming around the hallways?"

She hmphed and turned away, nose in the air. "I'll have you know that was Shiori-unnie, not me. Kai-oppa was actually calm back then."

A throat cleared and they looked at the florist, whose lips were twitching. He motioned to the small bouquet. "It's ready, miss."

The girl beamed and pulled out cash, swiftly passing over the correct amount. Hikari carefully picked it up after putting her wallet away and smiled softly at them. "Let's go. We can pick up a map at the ICU receptionist."

They nodded and followed her down the hall to the elevator. Reaching the third floor, the three ventured down a hall to where they spotted another reception desk. When Hikari checked in first, Syo gently took the bouquet from her and passed it back after she got sanitizer. The blonds copied her easily, Natsuki quickly getting a map (it even showed where the vending machines and water fountains were, neat!). Syo nonchalantly shoved his way beneath his arm to look at the map, too. Natsuki held back a coo at the small flush on Syo's cheeks. As it is, he rubbed his cheek against his uncovered head, blatantly ignoring Syo's grumbled, "Stop it…"

"Hey, we're here," Hikari's voice cut in and they lifted their heads, blinking at the faint smile on her face. Green eyes flicked to the door she'd motioned to and Natsuki released Syo, straightening up. "Come on in."

Syo neatly bumped his hip against Natsuki, earning a small squawk as he quickly darted off after Hikari.

Natsuki huffed. "Mean, Syo-chan!" He walked after them, shutting the door behind him and looked around. There were machines connected to the girl in the bed. She had similar features to Hikari, like her hair, but Hikari's strands were darker. Plus, with the wires, the girl seemed even more delicate. He glanced at Syo, who was eyeing the equipment warily like it would come to life any time. Hikari was moving around the room, changing out the bouquets and fixing up the sheets even though they were already wrapped firmly around the girl.

"Nanami Haruka, right?" Syo interrupted the silence, his voice soft as he glanced at the patient.

Hikari nodded as she stood back, pulling up a chair and sitting. "Mhmm…"

She stared silently at Haruka, her face strangely blank and he shared a glance with Syo, concerned. Natsuki walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders, and squeezed gently. "Ne, me and Syo-chan are going to get something eat. You catch her up on your life at the Academy, okay?"

Her head pressed against his chin before nodding. Natsuki released her and motioned Syo out of the room first, following quietly and shutting the door partly, leaving a small opening.

Syo tugged the map from his hand, looking it over. "Let's give them a few minutes." He darted off, earning a small "Hey!" from Natsuki.

/

"I remember tears streaming down your face
When I said I'll never let you go
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said, "Don't leave me here alone,"
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight."

Syo lifted his head from the apple he'd gotten from the vending machine, a bundle of grapes in his other hand. Sharing a glance with Natsuki, they both stopped and listened.

"Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

Don't you dare look out your window, darling,
Everything's on fire…"

Bumping his shoulder against Natsuki's arm, he motioned them away from the door. Reaching a bench that was close to the door, they sat down and put down the fruits and drinks they'd gotten. Syo grabbed the apple juice and cherries, placing them off to the side for Hikari. Blue eyes darted to the door in curiosity. "Wonder if she wrote that song herself…"

"She did, but it wasn't just her," a voice from behind answered. Painfully swallowing the piece of apple, Syo turned around at Natsuki's wide-eyed stare. He blinked up at the man who had Hikari's hair and eyes. The man was almost as tall as Natsuki and he was tan. His eyes held the same love for life like Hikari's held, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Kai and Shiori helped with the lyrics and Haruto did the music with mom. It was after they heard about Haruka's illness."

The blonds shared a look and Natsuki scooted over, pulling the fruits over. "Do you want to sit down, sir?"

"You can call me Hideaki, if you want, and thank you." The man sat between them, leaning back against the wall and staring at the door. "Do either of you have dinner plans?"

Syo bit into his apple, rolling his plans in his mind. "I don't think so. After the Pokey show, we were going to go back to the dorms."

A noise of protest left Natsuki. "It's Piyo-chan!"

"Isn't that what I said?" Syo blinked innocently from behind his halfway eaten apple. Natsuki frowned at the tiny blond, pulling out the wounded puppy eyes. "You look like you're about to cry, stop it."

Natsuki huffed but turned his attention back to Hideaki. "May I ask why you asked?"

Hideaki smiled softly. "Kai and his group are coming to the main Nami house for dinner, dad asked if I could ask you two when he heard you were with Hikari."

The teens looked at each other again and Syo shrugged. "As long as we don't miss curfew, I don't mind."

His roommate nodded. "We'll have to email Ringo-chan just in case, though."

The man nodded in understanding. "You can do so out here. It's only in the hospital rooms you can't."

Natsuki nodded, and placing the banana peel in the plastic bag it came in, he tugged his phone out. Syo looked at Hideaki, many questions running through his mind about the man's daughter and niece, but he couldn't settle on any. Luckily, the man seemed to notice and realize that. "Is there any major question you wanted to ask?"

Syo shifted, eyes lowering for a moment. "Ah, uh, well… what happened to Haruka?"

Shifting to get comfortable, Hideaki hummed. "You don't pull any punches, do you, Syo-kun?"

The tiny blond flailed in panic, not wanting to upset him. His apple core was nearly sent flying.

"We were told that Haruka wouldn't make past puberty," Hideaki cut through his panicky thoughts. The two blonds froze and stared at him, still. "That was when she was… five, I think? It's been more than a decade at least. She couldn't stay in the city full time and at seven she was diagnosed with chromesthesia, which made it a bit difficult to be around loud surroundings, which is why she lived with my mother in the country. Hikari joined her for the majority of the year, only visiting me and her mother during holidays… has Hikari told you about Hayato-san and her dream?"

Natsuki answered aloud while Syo nodded. "She said he helped Haruka-chan when she nearly had a panic attack in the city."

"Do all of you know?" Hideaki asked, clearly meaning their circle of friends. At the dual nods, he smiled slightly. "I'm glad Hikari was able to confide in you guys. Last year, Haruka threw herself into preparing for Saotome Academy, Hikari doing the same but without the overly fervorous prep work. She forgot to take of herself and had a heart attack." His lips pursed slightly and his voice got softer, morose. "Hikari was the only one with her at the time and as they had both been cleaning my brother-in-law's house, she was brought here quickly."

Their eyes were wide. Syo was hesitant. "Is that why Hikari never visited before today?"

The man nodded. "She was too afraid, from what Han-na told me."

The two blonds fell silent for a moment. "Why did the doctors say Haruka-chan wouldn't make it past puberty?"

"CAD, coronary artery disease. It refers to a group of diseases, specifically cardiovascular diseases. For Haruka, it's stable angina. But with her not taking care of herself and letting the stress get to her for Saotome and puberty still not over for her..." The man trailed off.

"Don't apologize for asking, boys," a feminine voice cut in their conversation. Glancing up, they stared in mild shock at the woman who could be Hikari's twin in everything but color. Black hair pulled up in a tight bun, brown eyes set in round shapes, and pale lips turned up into a tired, wry smirk. The woman passed a cup of coffee over to Hideaki. "And you. If I have to hear one more complaint about you hogging the microscopes, I'm taking away your anpan."

Hideaki got this startled look. "Have I been doing that, Han-na?"

The woman stared at him stonily, sipping at her coffee. "One more complaint."

A small laugh came from the door, earning surprised looks. "Come on, Appa, you already know Uma is going to win, so stop acting." Hikari's smile was bright despite the redness around her eyes and tear stains on her cheeks as she looked around the people in front of her. She winked Syo and Natsuki. "Whatever he says, Appa is Oyaji's son. He'll mess with your head."

The father bristled as he stood up, the blonds copying him as they picked up their trash. "Hikari, no one can be worse than Oyaji. Be happy he's with mom at the moment and only us younger generations will be at the house."

Han-na chuckled as she moved to hug her daughter. "Hello, little light," the woman murmured and kissed Hikari's forehead. The teen hugged back, wide smile forming.

"Are we going to Samchon's house?" She asked her parents, glancing between them.

'Samchon?' Syo mouthed at Natsuki, who shrugged as he stole a grape from Syo, earning a scowl.

Natsuki brushed it off and stood, picking up the cherries and apple juice, handing them to Hikari who took the foodstuff with surprised pleasure. She grinned at him as she opened the cherry bag, putting the drink in her bag and walking after her parents, the boys on either side of her. "Thanks, you guys."

They tossed their trash away at the corner. "No problem, Hikari," Syo replied while Natsuki gave her a one-armed hug.

She leaned into it before pulling away, glancing at Han-na. "What's the plan for dinner, Uma?"

"That depends, what would you all want? Something Japanese, Korean, or some other ethnicity?" Han-na glanced back at them, linking her hands with Hideaki.

The three teens began discussing ideas, Hikari interested in French dishes with Syo and Natsuki interested in the Korean dishes. They forgot about Kai and his band being at the house as well, despite Hikari having mentioned it earlier.

It's been… what, a month? I really didn't mean for it to take this long, but I got a bit carried away with coming up with Hikari's history (insert huge info dump, woops!) and figuring out what Haruka could have. I just want to make one thing clear - all of the medical stuff is from wikipedia and if it's wrong, I don't know if I'll change it or not. I mean, I can, but I think I'll just pull out the old artistic license excuse. If it's really and completely off, I'll alter it (but only if someone tells me, otherwise SOL). Some other fandoms have been dragging me to them, too, which will probably end up stuck in my Docs, but Idunno. Just expect slow updates as this writer has problems when it comes to ideas and trying not to copy fanfics that're already written (looking at you 'One Note At A Time').

Anyway, I'm sorry for taking so long (and rambling). You got 6730 words from me, though. I hope it makes up for it? (Don't answer that, I'll probably bawl if you're upset with me)