Chapter Text
We were walking back to cafe Photos.
My head was pounding and every sound felt muffled. I couldn’t focus on their conversation while I felt like throwing up. I just needed to get home.
“Haru-chan!” The sound of fast, clicking heels came closer.
I slowly turned around. “Tsubaki?” I was surprised that he was here. He strangled me into a hug. I could smell his sweet, floral perfume. But it was too much, everything felt like too much. I couldn’t concentrate on what he said, I could only try to get out of his hold.
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Tsubaki pov
“L-let go!” He screamed out, but he seemed different, panicked. I felt him trembling under my hold.
Realizing something was wrong, I immediately let go of him.
The moment I let go, he stumbled backwards before holding a hand over his mouth while still swaying slightly. I noticed him swallowing hard, his chest heaving as he fought the wave of nausea. He closed his eyes tightly.
The others looked at him with concern written all over their faces. “...Sakura-san?”
“Haruka-”
His knees buckled and I barely caught him. He tried pushing me away, he was still disoriented. “Haruka, it’s me, Tsubaki-oniisan.” I murmured softly. His breathing felt heavy, ragged. His entire frame was shaking against me.
I shot a questioning look at Ume.
He sheepishly rubbed his neck. “It might be a concussion…Togame did hit him pretty hard in the head.”
I glared at him, my eyes narrowing. “And you’re only mentioning that now?!”
Haruka flinched at my voice.
“It’s alright Haruka, everything’s going to be alright.” I said in a soft voice, trying to calm him down. He seemed to be panicking because of everything.
Suddenly his weak shoves stopped. He gripped my jacket, clinging so hard his knuckles became white. Holding onto me like a lifeline. He seemed terrified, like the little kid he used to be.
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Sakura pov
I heard a loud voice, my ears rang at the sound. I still tried to get out of the hold. Who was that? I couldn’t see, everything looked blurry. They wouldn’t let go.
Then I heard a soft voice. I recognized that voice. It was oniisan. “It’s alright Haruka, everything’s going to be alright.” His voice seemed clearer than the others. I clung tightly to his jacket, not wanting to let go. I don’t like this. I just want to go home.
A tear slipped down my cheek. “...Oniisan.” I could barely get the words out; everything felt difficult. He gently lifted me up into his arms. My head spun at the sudden movement. I buried my face deeper in his shoulder.
“Yes, Haruka, it’s me.” He whispered. His voice remained as soft and reassuring as before.
There was some movement. Were we walking? I could still hear some muffled, concerned voices behind us.
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Tsubaki pov
I told them that I was quickly going to Photos and that they would need to wait.
I walked as carefully as possible to Photos, I didn’t want him to throw up. But when he went quiet, a pang of worry hit me, he needed to stay awake. “Are you still awake, Haruka?” I asked softly. I glanced down to look at him.
A low, muffled groan was the answer I got. He tightened his hold on my jacket, fighting the urge to just drift away.
“You need to stay awake, Haruka, even if you’re sleepy.” I said softly, gently pushing some strands of hair out of his face.
The soft chime of the bells at Photos rang as we entered. “Hey-” Kotoha shut up the second she saw Haruka. She quickly came our way and tugged me along to the back of the cafe. “You can put him on the couch. What happened?"
Haruka didn’t want to let go of my jacket, so I sat down and let him rest his head on my thigh. “A concussion…he got hit in the head.” I explained as she dimmed the lights. “The adrenaline was helping at first, but then he collapsed.”
Kotoha nodded seriously. “I’m going to see what supplies I have.” She walked out of the room.
I brushed my fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry, Haru-chan…I’m sorry I left you.” I felt tears forming in my eyes. “I’m sorry I left you alone…your oniisan is such a dumbass.” My hand stilled.
He fluttered his eyes open into slits, staring at me hazily before softly nuzzling his face
against my arm. I just let the tears fall.
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Kotoha came back with a wet cloth. She gave me a sympathetic look.
“Haru-chan, it’s going to be a bit cold.” I warned him before gently placing the cloth on his forehead. He whimpered softly at the cold cloth. “Sorry, baby.”
He started feeling a bit better, but he still had a concussion. Kotoha let us sleep here for the night; I couldn’t just let him go home in his condition, he wasn’t even fully recovered.
Kotoha had brought us some extra blankets. I decided to sleep on the couch with him since he wouldn’t let go of my jacket. It made it easier for me to monitor him like this, too.
I made sure to text Ume to let him know that Haru-chan was alright and that I was going to take care of him for the night.