The healing wasn't going very smoothly. If previously Settsu had always been rowdy and quick-tempered, then now he quietly lay in the hospital bed most of the time. Every now and then he would slowly roll over from side to side and groan slightly from the ache in his lower abdomen, his eyes looking pensive and weary. Could it be that the time when Settsu would be the same cheeky and annoying jerk wouldn't come again?..
Preoccupied with these thoughts, Juza knocked on the door and walked into the ward, carrying a bag with the snacks and fruits he had bought for Banri. Lying on the bed, Banri smiled at him weakly and followed him with his eyes. Hyodo had been taking care of him, nursing him dutifully day by day and buying everything he needed. Meanwhile, Juza put the food out of the bag onto the bedside cabinet and sat down on the stool next to Banri.
- How're you feeling? – Juza asked him calmly.
- So-so. Better than yesterday, though. I'm getting better with using the dilators, - Banri answered wearily.
- Alright, - Juza laid his hand on top of Banri's hand that was resting on his stomach.
Looking at him with a faint smile, Banri took Juza's hand in his and cuddled up to it with his cheek. Juza looked into Banri's eyes, feeling enchanted. Those blue eyes were looking at him in a different way, without the usual mischievous squint... They were looking at him with affection and gratitude...
- Hyodo... 'm glad you're with me, - Banri murmured quietly and pecked a soft kiss on Juza's palm.
Juza smiled a bit, fondling Banri's cheek with his thumb, and then leaned in, meeting Banri's lips with his own. He kissed him gently, almost tentatively, as if it was their first kiss. In a way, it really was since after Settsu's surgery, when the threat to his life was finally over. Therefore, he had to be gentle with Settsu, who was still unwell... Tenderly, Juza slid his tongue between Banri's lips and, meeting his partner's tongue, caressed it in a circular motion. Banri's eyelids fluttered ever so slightly as he moaned softly into the kiss and gripped Juza's jacket tighter. Their breaths mingled but remained calm and steady, for they were enjoying each other without any rush or purpose, sharing this slow, cherishing kiss. They lost track of time and didn't even know how long they had been kissing when there was a sudden knock on the door. Caught by surprise, they broke their kiss and saw the rest of the Autumn Troupe, as well as Kumon, entering the ward.
- Khm, sorry for interrupting. We came to check on you, Settsu, - said Sakyo with a no-nonsense demeanor, as always. He was genuinely worried about Banri and, moreover, had warm feelings for him even though Banri was a spoilt brat, but he tried not to show it so as not to spoil him even more.
- Were you... kissing Nii-chan?! – Kumon exclaimed, looking at Banri incredulously, while Azami next to him turned red as a beetroot.
- No, I was mouth-feeding him, you bro-con dummy, - Banri huffed out, rolling his eyes.
- You're mocking me! – Kumon ranted.
- Kumon, - Juza chided calmly.
- How are you, Ban-chan? – asked Taichi worriedly.
- Everything's alright, Taichi, I'm fine, - Banri answered with an easygoing smile. He didn't want to tell his troupe mates about the exact nature of his surgery, at least not now... He'd rather tell them everything sometime later, when he is fully recovered...
- No, but seriously, Settsu, how's it going? – Sakyo asked with concern. He had a gut feeling that Banri was hiding something from them, but his carefree demeanor couldn't fool him, for sure.
- I'm fine, Sakyo-san, really. The doctor said there is no more threat to my life. It's just the healing process that's a bit painful, - Banri responded, avoiding eye contact with Sakyo.
- Okay, I'll take you up on that, - Sakyo squinted behind his glasses, trying to read Banri's face, but to no avail.
- We bought you some fruits, Banri. Get well soon! – said Omi kindly, interrupting the awkward silence, and started to unload the shopping bags they had brought.
- Omi-kun made your favourite sushi, isn't it nice, Ban-chan! – Taichi chirped merrily as he, Kumon and Azami helped Omi to lay the fruits and snacks on the bedside table next to the hospital bed.
- Thank you, guys. I'm so grateful to you, - Banri said sincerely. – How was the last night's show?
- It was fine, but some of the audience asked after the show why you weren't in the cast, - Sakyo reported.
- You see, Banri? Even the audience is missing you. So you better get back sooner! – Kumon said energetically.
Banri chatted some more with his fellow troupe mates, who were essentially his spiritual family, about theatre and what was happening in Mankai Company in his absence, until their lively conversation was interrupted by Doctor Otori, who came to check on Banri's recovery. Everyone, except Juza, had to leave, but the next day more visitors from Mankai Company came to see him. This time it was Spring Troupe and Director Izumi, and the following day Summer and Winter Troupes.
Banri was deeply touched – everyone in Mankai Company was looking forward to his return. And most surprisingly, the one who was waiting for him the most turned out to be Kumon. Hyodo's younger brother visited him in the hospital almost as often as Hyodo himself. Banri enjoyed these visits, but didn't quite understand why Kumon would come to see him, given that the little brat constantly fought him over Hyodo. One day he asked him about that, to which Kumon replied that he was worried about him because he, Banri, was Hyodo's partner, and Hyodo was very serious about him.
Day by day Banri noticed, to his joy and amazement, that he felt better and better. He wondered whether it was the support and care of both Hyodo brothers and the rest of Mankai Company that was helping him heal, and something in him told him that it was true. On one day, he was chatting with Hyodo about this and that when Doctor Otori walked into the ward and asked him to come over to the examining room for a physical.
- What physical? - Banri asked, feeling somewhat uneasy.
- Checkup of the healing area and functioning of your uterus, - Doctor Otori responded matter-of-factly. – Your partner can come along, if he wishes.
- Really? I'm allowed to?.. – Juza was slightly taken aback.
- It's a medical examination, not a surgery, so you can come along, sure, - Doctor Otori said benevolently.
Banri and Juza followed the doctor into the examination room, and the first thing their eyes fell on was the gynecological chair in the middle. Banri fidgeted nervously – he wasn't at all excited to get on that chair... Seeing Banri's apprehension, Juza put a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.
- Get on the chair, please, - the doctor addressed Banri mundanely, pulling on latex gloves. - No, not like that. You need to put your legs on the leg supports.
Banri reluctantly settled himself in the chair as he was told, having to spread his legs wide apart.
- What're you going to do, Doctor? – Banri asked worriedly, his face flushing hot with embarrassment.
- First of all, I'll remove the catheter and drainage tube. I'll also inspect your genitals and take swabs and tissue scrapings from your vagina and uterus for examination, – Doctor Otori responded squarely.
Banri felt his face heat up even more. He was completely exposed, and now that Hyodo was going to watch the procedures he was about to undergo, he wanted to disappear, but instead of that he felt getting horny... No doubt, if he still had his dick, it would've gotten hard now... Damn it!.. It wasn't the time to get aroused!..
Juza gazed at Banri intently. Settsu's vulva was fully exposed and looked much better than the first time he saw it. Apparently, it had healed well because it looked neat and almost seamless, like the one he had seen in his school textbook on sex education. Catching the direction of Juza's gaze, Banri reached out his hand towards him in a silent plea to come closer. Obeying without question, Juza approached and stood next to him at the head of the chair, taking Banri's hand in his own and facing the same direction.
Meanwhile, Doctor Fujita carefully removed the catheter and drainage tube and started the physical examination by inserting two fingers into Banri's vagina.
- Mm-a-a-ah!.. – Banri moaned, more in pleasure than from the discomfort caused by the doctor's fingers.
- The clitoris is fully functional, - the doctor murmured to himself with doctorly satisfaction, giving no sign that he noticed Banri's state of arousal, which certainly came in very handy for the examination.
Juza cursed inwardly. This physical was literally too physical... Settsu whimpered softly, squirming in the chair, while he himself felt like wanting to punch the doctor in the face for touching Settsu like that... Of course, the doctor was performing his duties by probing Settsu down there with his fingers, and his face didn't express anything but professional interest, but damn, it looked like the man was molesting Settsu... And to make things worse, seeing this suddenly made him feel horny...
At last, Doctor Fujita finished with his medical manipulations, much to Juza's relief.
- Okay, the physical's over, you can get up, - Doctor Fujita said to Banri.
- Am I alright, Doctor? – Banri asked cautiously after he finally got off the chair.
- Yes, everything's alright with you at the moment. The uterus has taken root successfully, so tomorrow you'll be discharged home for outpatient supervision.
- Thank you, Fujita-sensei, - Banri said with a bow.
- Thanks a lot, - Juza bowed as well.
Elated by the good news, they exited the examining room and embraced each other, then looked into each other's eyes for a moment and engaged in a warm, tender kiss.