When Miki finally calmed down, she wriggled out of Aoyama's embrace. Aoyama, reluctantly, released her. She wiped her face which was wet from tears with her hands. She let out a small chuckle.
"Ah, this is embarrassing," she said.
"Nothing to be embarrassed about," Aoyama replied while handing her some tissues. "This is a big thing."
"I brought this to myself really. I knew this would happen. I was too arrogant, I didn't know my limit. I thought my ankle would magically be alright."
"Miki…,"Aoyama sighed. "Don't be too hard on yourself."
Miki smiled at his friend. "Thanks for lending me your shoulder. Sorry it's all wet now."
"You know I would do everything in my power to make you feel better," Aoyama said.
"I know. You always have," she smiled again. During their sentai days, Aoyama had always been there whenever she needed a friend. He never said much, but he was always present which Miki had always appreciated.
"Where's everybody?" She suddenly realised there were only the two of them in the room.
"Ah…I don't know," Aoyama suddenly felt self conscious. What if he did something embarrassing or said the wrong thing! "I…I will check where they are". He quickly ran out of the room while cursing Kijima in his heart. He had a feeling he was behind this. Teasing him about his crush on Miki had always been his favourite past time. He had always liked to 'provide him opportunities' to be with Miki. While he had his best interest at heart, more often than not, Aoyama ended up flustered and afraid Miki could sense something was up.
"Why are you guys out here!" said Aoyama as he opened the door. He saw Kijima grinning uncontrollably. "YOU..!" he pointed to Kijima.
"What? We went to get drinks," Kijima handed him a can of cold drink. "Hey Miki, we got some drinks, you must have been thirsty," he proceeded to give Miki a can.
"Ah Kijima-san. You always know how to look after my tummy," she smiled. She was so grateful that during this lowest point in her life, she was surrounded by people who knew the real her, those she didn't need to keep a secret from.
Kijima winked at Miki. "You can't get well when you're thirsty or hungry. Speaking of hungry, I'm starving!"
"Me, too!" Miki agreed. "We should go somewhere and celebrate this reunion!" She lightened up at the thought.
"You're not going anywhere with your ankle like that," the doctor suddenly appeared. "I would like to keep you at the hospital for several nights for observation."
"Whatttt? Noooo! Can't you just put a cast on my ankle and I can go?" Miki pleaded. She hated staying in the hospital because there was not much she could do there.
"Your injury is pretty bad, you don't want it to get any worse, do you?" the doctor made it clear there was no room for negotiation.
"I guess not," Miki said softly and threw an apologetic glance to her friends.
"The nurse will come shortly with a wheelchair and take you to your room," he said before leaving. "Someone should come with me to do the paperwork."
"I'll go," Akama who had always been the leader of the group, volunteered.
Once the doctor and Akama left, Miki let out a big sigh. "But I'm hungry!" she whined.
"Well, the hospital will give you some food," Kuroda suggested.
"Eew. Hospital food? You're mean!" she put on a disgusted face.
"I think I know exactly what you need! Come on Kanpei!" Kijima dragged Kuroda out of the room.
"Wait….," Aoyama tried to stop them. "Not again!" he sighed when the two disappeared before he could say anything.
"What's wrong?" Miki wondered why Aoyama was looking so unhappy.
"Ah, nothing," he scratches his head and tried to avoid Miki's glance.
"Hmm…," Miki thought Aoyama was acting strange, but she was too busy trying to stand up to test her ankle to worry about it. She wanted to see if there was anyway she could walk. She didn't want to go on the wheelchair.
"Ouch!" she yelped. "Argh!" she groaned and sat back down.
"What are you trying to do?" Aoyama suddenly realised what Miki was doing.
"Trying to stand up," she replied. "But not successful as you can see."
"Miki…," he let out another sigh. "Take it easy," he pleaded. He knew how determined Miki could be.
"I know, I know. No need to nag me," she replied crankily. She was getting frustrated. First she had to stay in the hospital and second it was obvious now that she wasn't able to move.
"I don't want to go on the wheelchair," she said bitterly when the nurse came.
"Then how are you going to move?" the nurse asked.
Miki sulked. "Uhm, hop?"
"Don't be stubborn, dear," the nurse was ready to help her down.
Suddenly Aoyama had a brilliant idea. "I'll piggyback you!"
Miki chuckled at her friend's suggestion. "Why not!" she cheered up. "It'll be fun!"
Like two little kids, the pair giggled uncontrollably when Miki hoped and climbed onto Aoyama's back.
"Am I heavy?" Miki asked in between her giggles.
"No way!" Aoyama also laughed.
"Don't pretend to be strong!" Miki teased.
"What are you talking about? I AM strong!"
"Are you saying I'm heavy then?"
They were laughing so hard, Aoyama nearly dropped Miki on the ground. At that moment, Akama entered the room. He forgot that he didn't really know much about Miki anymore to be able to do her paperwork. He didn't even know her address.
Seeing Miki on Aoyama's back and Aoyama nearly dropped her, his protective instinct kicked in. He ran over and caught Miki just before she landed on the floor. "What are you two doing?" he sounded irritated at their foolishness.
"What do you think you're doing?" Akama scolded Aoyama. "She could have fallen and hurt her already injured ankle!"
"She…she didn't want to ride the wheelchair so I thought I gave her a piggyback ride," he replied nervously.
"Baka – stupid! Noone's giving anyone's piggyback ride. You're riding the wheelchair, lady!" he said authoritatively to Miki.
"Yes, Chief!" Miki replied obediently and hopped on to the wheelchair.
Akama had always been their leader. It was like a second nature for Akama to be authoritative and for the team to obediently follow his instructions.
The nurse who was witnessing the whole scene was rather amused. She couldn't figure out how the two guys were related to Miki. She did not dare to ask either as the atmosphere had suddenly become tensed. She quietly wheeled Miki to her room followed by the two guys.
After the nurse settled Miki in her room and left, Aoyama felt the need to apologize.
"Sorry, Chief. I was being foolish. I didn't think it could cause harm to Miki," he said regretfully.
"It wasn't his fault," Miki quickly added. "I was the one being stubborn. Aoyama was just trying to help."
Akama suddenly felt bad. It wasn't his place anymore to tell them what to do. They were no longer on the job. He quickly replied, "No, I AM sorry. I shouldn't have been so bossy. Gosh, you guys shouldn't have been so obedient! Don't let me boss you around!" He suddenly saw how comical the whole situation was. He broke out laughing.
Aoyama and Miki were relieved to see Akama loosened up. "Old habits die hard!" Miki chuckled.