For the next several days, Azusa received daily visits from the seniors. Jun was told the story from Ui, and the two also made regular visits to see their friend's progress. Eventually, after a week, Azusa was discharged and allowed home. Her parents took shifts staying home with her. They also forbade Yui from seeing her, as they had been told what happened and were furious at her. This did sadden the kouhai, but she simply obliged and did not argue. This remained the situation for several weeks, even when Azusa returned to school. What was worse though, was that they didn't allow their daughter to continue club practice. She was even told to block Yui's cell number so she couldn't call or text her, which she did with a heavy heart.
After her wrist had healed sufficiently, Azusa began using crutches to get around. However, as Sakura High only had stairs, she was dependent on her fellow students for help with getting to her homeroom. As she was unable to attend practice, she stopped taking her guitar to school with her. Breaking the news to the seniors was hard, for everyone. Yui was notified of everything by her friends and sister, and was crushed by all of it. She soon barricaded herself in her room, refusing to go to school. Repeated attempts by Ui to bring her out proved futile. Calls and texts from Mio, Ritsu and Mugi went unanswered. Time passed with little change on the situation. Yui's depression continued unabated, and her continued absence from school worried everyone.
When questioned by Nodoka and Sawako, they merely said that she had a really bad cold, hesitant to reveal the truth. As Yui and Azusa were no longer coming to the club, the other girls didn't bother trying to practice. One day after school, they were trying to think up ways to help Yui, when Nodoka appeared at the door. Spotting the group, she headed over to join them. "Hey everyone. Can we talk?" she asked. The other 3 nodded. "Girls, what's going on? Yui has been off of school too long for this to be a simple cold. I've tried calling her, but either she won't reply, or Ui will say she can't come to the phone, and I'm starting to get worried." Mio, Ritsu and Mugi exchanged glances. "Something serious has happened, hasn't it?" Nodoka pressed.
Mio sighed. "I guess you do have a right to know, as you are also her friend." The bassist then proceeded to tell Nodoka the story. When she finished, the Student Council President dropped her gaze.
"Yui..."
Ritsu then stepped forward. "We're sorry we didn't say anything, Nodoka. We just... couldn't bring ourselves to tell you."
Smiling, Nodoka looked at the drummer. "There's no need to apologize. I understand why you'd be hesitant to tell me. At least I know now."
"Ui-chan." Mugi said suddenly. Everyone switched their gazes to the door and saw the junior peeking in.
"Looks like she wants to see you all. In which case, I'd better get going." Nodoka said.
"You don't have to leave, Nodoka." Mio said quickly.
"It's okay. I don't think I can be of any help right now, and I feel it's best I leave this to all of you. So please, do what you can for Yui." Nodoka then left the room, Ui gingerly entering after.
"I hope I wasn't interrupting something important." she said.
"You didn't, Ui." Mio assured her. "How are things at home?"
Ui sighed. "Not very good. She refuses to come out of her room except to use the bathroom. I did try persuading her, but she basically threw me out the room."
"How's Azusa-chan doing?" Mugi then asked. Ui's expression lowered.
"She misses Onee-chan terribly. I've sometimes heard her crying in the girl's bathroom. I even heard her on the phone once trying to convince her Mom to let them see each other again, but no luck."
Ritsu banged her fist on the desk she had been leaning on. "DAMMIT! ISN'T THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO?!"
"Ritsu. Please try to calm down." Mio urged her friend. Breathing deeply, Ritsu relaxed.
"Sorry about that. This is all just so frustrating." the drummer said.
"I know how you feel. We're all as upset as you are. Right now, we have to focus our energies into fixing this." There were nods all around. "So, anyone got any suggestions?" Everyone thought hard. For several minutes, there was silence. Then, Ritsu spoke up.
"Why don't we focus on Yui first? If we can get her to come out, maybe then we can work on getting her and Azusa back together." The other girls looked at each other, then nodded. "Right, then it's settled. We have a half day on Saturday, so let's do it straight after school. We'll meet up at the front gate, Ui."
With that, they got their things together and headed home. Later that evening, Ui prepared dinner for her sister and carried it up to her room on a tray. Setting it on the floor, she knocked the door. "Onee-chan? I've got some dinner here. I'll leave it out for you." As she started to leave, she stopped and added, "We're all going to help you get Azusa-chan back. I promise we'll find a way."
A few days later...
Ui said goodbye to Azusa and Jun, and ran out of her classroom. Heading to the front gate, she spotted the seniors waiting for her. "Shall we go?" she asked. The other 3 nodded, and they all headed off.
"How's Yui-chan doing?" Mugi asked. Ui's gaze dropped.
"No change at all. She's barely eating, and I often hear her crying at night." This prompted worried glances from her friends.
"Alright. We have got to stop this and get our friend back." Ritsu said firmly. Three heads nodded in agreement. When they finally arrived at the Hirasawa's place, they dumped their things and made their way to Yui's room. Ui knocked and called out.
"Onee-chan? Your friends have come to see you." Hearing no answer, she opened the door. Heading in, they were surprised to find the room dark. Yui was lying on her bed, facing the wall.
"Yui?" Mio called. "How are you feeling?" Getting no response, she walked over to the curtains and pulled them open. Yui immediately curled up as the light hit her.
"Come on Yui! Rise and shine!" Ritsu announced, grabbing the guitarist and pulling her up. Yui simply pulled herself free and curled up again. "If you don't get up, I'm gonna tickle you." Ritsu said, wiggling her fingers. Mio slammed her fist onto Ritsu's head, leaving a large lump. "Ow." the drummer moaned.
"If you're not gonna be helpful, then be quiet!" Mio said sternly. Looking at Yui again, she sat on the bed. The mattress creaked with the added weight. "Hey Yui? I'd like you to hear something. You don't need to say anything. Just listen." No response. Mio took a deep breath. "Yui, we all understand that you're missing Azusa, and that you're sad that you can't see her. If it's any consolation, we miss her too. The Light Music Club just isn't the same without you two there. And Ui says that Azusa misses you just as much."
"That's right Onee-chan." Ui agreed. "She's devastated. I've seen her in and out of class. She's always by herself, she never smiles anymore, she often cries. It's heart-breaking, and nothing Jun-chan and I do helps her."
"Yui, the reason we're here is to help you get Azusa back. We want the club back the way it was, before her accident."
Mugi stepped forward. "Yui-chan. We'd like you to come to Azusa-chan's house with us and convince her parents to let you two see each other again."
There was a small whisper. "Yui? Did you say something?" Mio asked. Then, to everyone's surprise, Yui sat up and slowly turned towards them. For the first time, they could all see how bad she was. Her skin was incredibly pale, she was painfully thin, and her eyes were completely lifeless. Looking down, Ritsu then saw something worse.
"Yui, your arms..." Following her gaze, the others were shocked to see that the undersides of Yui's arms were covered in cuts.
"Yui..." they all said.
Their grief-stricken friend then looked away. "Why would they let me see her again, after what I did?" she asked quietly.
Mio took hold of her hands. "Yui, look at me." Yui didn't move. "Please." Slowly, she shifted her gaze to Mio. "I know you can convince Azusa's parents. We can't let things continue like this. You need to be strong and at least give it a shot, Yui. Ui has her address, and we'll all come with you for support." Yui looked at her friends and sister, who all nodded.
"Onee-chan, please try. It hurts to see you like this. I want my old sister back. Please." Ui said, clasping her hands together. Minutes passed as Yui contemplated.
Finally, she spoke up. "Ok. I'll try." Everyone smiled at this reply. Mio then pulled Yui up and wrapped her arms around her, everyone else following suit.
"We know you can do it, Yui. You're a strong girl. We'll back you up all the way, alright?" Ritsu said.
A small smile found its way onto Yui's face. "Thank you. Thank you all." With that, the group got everything together, Ui locked the house up, and they went on their way. As they walked, Yui ran over different scenarios in her head, fearing the worst. When they finally arrived, she immediately starting having second thoughts. "I don't know if I can do this." she said, heart racing.
"Yes you can, Onee-chan." Ui urged, "Remember, this is for Azusa-chan." Glancing at her friends, they all nodded. Yui then breathed deeply, and they proceeded to the front door.
"Ready?" Mio asked. Clenching her fists, Yui nodded, then Mio rang the doorbell. The sound of approaching footsteps met their ears. Yui gulped.