(I had to do it, he wouldn't let go) I try to convince myself. The rest of the day is stressful and in the end I just go back to the nurses' office. This time she's there and decides to call my father. I beg her not to but, she insists that it's the best choice. After school he comes to the nurse's office to come get me.
"Is Sakura alright?" he says with fake concern in his voice. It makes me sick to the stomach to hear his fake concern.
"Yes she's alright, she just needed a little rest" the nurse said looking at my chart.
"Well thank you for taking such good care of her miss." He says as he signals let's go.
"It's Miss Nawaki" she says giving him a flirtatious smile. He smiles back and gives her our house number. When we get home I'm not in as much trouble as I thought I would be. My only commands that night were to make him dinner and go to bed. I did as I was told and went to bed when I finished. The next morning my father wasn't there, but I still make him breakfast before leaving. As I walk to school I see Riku. My heart jumps slightly in chest. He sees me and just keeps walking.
(I deserve it after what I did to him) I think as I walk behind him.
"You can walk next to me, I won't bite" he says out of no where.
I look up at him and shake my head. "N-no I'm okay back here" I smile. He sighs and turns back around and keeps walking.
At school Ayame is there to greet me and to my surprise Karou is there too.
"Hey Sakura!" Ayame yells as she waves to me.
I giggle a little. "Hey Ayame, Karou" I say as I reach her. Karou hands me a small bouquet of flowers. "Oh Karou they're beautiful thank you!" I smile as I smell them. A small blush forms on his cheeks and he walks away. I watch him in confusion before looking at Ayame. She looked just as shocked and I couldn't help but laugh.
"So do you feel better?" Karou asks me as we walk to the building.
"Ya I feel a lot better thank you" I smile up at him, still smelling the flowers he had gotten me. It had been a while since I'd even smelled flowers and it'd been over 10 years since anyone had bought me some.
"So what was wrong with you anyway?" he asks concerned.
"Oh, it was just that time of the month" I lie.
He looks at me with disbelief and stops walking, "Do you not trust me Sakura? Am I a bad onii-chan?" he hangs his head low.
I stop and look back at him, "What are you talking about Karou? You're the best big brother, I couldn't ask for a better one."
His head snaps up and he looks at me with tears building up in his eyes, "Then why? Why won't you tell me what's actually wrong? Aren't I supposed to protect you?"
I look at him in surprise, "K-karou?" I look away, "Its not that I don't trust you, I just don't want to burden you and Ayame with my petty problems."
He sighs and grabs me. I thought he was going to punish me but hitting me or something along that line of punishment. Instead I was surprised and slightly embarrassed when he pulled me into a warm embrace. My eyes begin to water up with tears of shame and guilt, "How could I even think for a second that Karou was actually going to hurt me? He's done nothing but love me from the beginning, Ayame too. Neither of them are like Father, they love me just like momma does" I hang my head low and don't refuse his hug.
"How could you think that Sakura? Ayame, mama, papa, and me we all love you. We don't want to see any harm come to you, but how can we help you if you won't tell us what's truly wrong with you?" By this time, a small crowd has gathered around us. I see Ayame watching from a distance, she knows when to leave Karou be and this was one of those times. Karou squeezes me tightly, "Sakura will you please trust us enough to tell us what's wrong or at least tell me and Ayame, we promise not to tell mama and papa unless it becomes too serious." He whispers this in softly in my ear.
I think for a second before nodding slowly, "Okay onii-chan." I hug him back softly.
He holds me a little while longer before letting me go, his eyes were red with tears. He wipes his tears and smiles tenderly at me, a smile I haven't felt for such a long time. "Thank you, that's all I ask." He ruffles my hair before leaving to his own school.