Azusa awoke from her light doze. She realized that
she had been slipping in and out of consciousness
throughout the day and quickly apologized.
"I'm sorry. You came to see me and I've been
sleeping."
The four smiled at her.
"You need to rest Azusa," Mio reassured while patting
the girl on the head. "You don't have to entertain us.
Just let us know if you need anything."
Though it had been an hour since the four had arrived,
they had yet to have tea.
"We were going to wait until you were a little more
awake," Mugi reasoned.
The long-haired, previously twin-tailed, junior jumped
up in bed to show her enthusiasm. The rest pulled
their chairs in close as Mugi arranged the cups and
opened a thermos.
Azusa lifted the warm cup of tea to her lips just as
Mugi placed a small slice of cream cake topped with
banana slices in front of her.
The girl looked at it longingly, but remembered what
she was told yesterday.
"I'm sorry, but the nurse said I couldn't have any solid
foods yet."
Mio, Mugi, and Ritsu all seemed to understand, but Yui
had a few tears well up in her eyes as she protested
this crime.
"B-but we made sure to bring your favorite!" she cried
while frantically invading the younger girl's personal
space.
Ritsu grabbed Yui by the back of the collar and pulled
her away from Azusa.
"Hey, there's no use making her feel bad about it,"
Ritsu turned to make a presidential proclamation, "If
Azusa can't have any sweets, then I think it's only fair
that none of us have any either."
"No! Thank you," their junior said graciously, "I don't
want to spoil your snacks though."
Without a word, Mugi brought out the basket she had
used to carry the cake and each girl placed her piece
inside, though Yui did so with a hint of regret and
hesitation. Finally, she held it open for Azusa, who
placed hers inside as well, with the slightest smile on
her lips and tear in her eye.
They drank tea without sweets and their conversation
quickly turned to Azusa and how she had been
adapting to her time in the hospital.
"I've been having a really weird dream lately."
The four exchanged quick glances.
"What's it about Azusa?" Mio gently coaxed.
"I keep dreaming that none of you exist."
"I don't exist!" Yui almost screamed.
Ritsu tapped her on the forehead.
"Is there anything else?" Mugi prodded.
"No…just that. I just live in a world without you."
"I could never live in a world without Azu-nyan!"
Another tap silenced her.
"I guess you shouldn't worry if it's just a dream," Ritsu
reasoned.
"But it feels so real. And when I'm dreaming this feels
like a dream."
"I'm sure they will go away with time," Mio reassured
the girl. "Everything will get better for you."
The girls were getting ready to leave for the day. They
had finished packing the tea set when she asked.
"Do you know if my parents have come by to see me
while I have been asleep?"
Mugi dropped a teacup.
The noise from the flying pieces seemed to ring
throughout the room long after they had landed. The
four girls said nothing for a little too long.
"Not that we know of," Mio answered, hoping to
recover.
Azusa knew that there was something wrong, but she
also knew that asking would only cause more
frustration on her part.
Ritsu hurriedly swept up the shattered pieces of the
cup while Yui tried to get Mugi to move from her frozen
stance.
The doctor gave her an injection that night.
"Just a little pinprick, but you may feel a little sick."
Azusa almost immediately began having trouble
staying awake. Very slowly, she closed her eyes and
rested against the pillow.