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“Mikejima-chan, it’s Wednesday~” The nurse chipped in as she checked on the child’s vitals, her voice singing in a cheeky tune that made Maguro grit her teeth and ball her fists into the hospital blanket that never felt that comforting.
“I know.” She doesn’t have to be reminded when Maguro is always looking at the calendar, unconsciously staring at the square that’s in the middle column in relation to what day it actually was. How many days until Wednesday? She would think, and despite how silent these thoughts were, everyone in the hospital knew.
Maguro’s favorite day was Wednesday — the day where there were more smiles on her face and an energy to her that the staff could describe as vigorous ; animated and zealous. On Wednesday they would hear Maguro laugh.
Wednesday was the day Tenma Mitsuru visited Mikejima Maguro.
She sat in her bed (as she always did), glancing out the window when the nurse pulled the drapes to the side purposefully. Maguro always felt a bit huffy when the nurses teased her; of course she could hear them whispering about her little crush! It’s not a crush, what was so wrong about being excited that someone was coming over to see her ? Her brother didn’t even come that often.
“Mikejima-chan, would you like me to do your hair nicely for you?” The nurse chimed in, pulling Maguro out of her concentration.
“What? Why?” The girl turned, a brow furrowed dubiously.
“Well, you know! To impress your little friend !” The nurse replied with a prideful grin, only making Maguro sulk a bit.
Who cared about something like that? Her hair was always brushed, she didn’t look like a mess and Mitsuru always called her cute so why does it matter? No… she knew why the nurse had asked her. In the end, she’s a growing teenage girl that has sentiments that most girls her age do. Wanting to look your best to impress someone was a normal teenage girl thing to have, but Maguro knew that she wasn’t really a normal teenage girl. Being chronically sick was one thing, but also with her family’s history and the type of background they had as worshippers… corruption was in her blood. She wasn’t allowed to have a normal teenage life, nor did she think she deserved it.
She’s lost in thought, unaware that the nurse had gone ahead to sit next to Maguro in her bed and brush her brown, bushy hair. All Maguro did was turn her head to the window again, looking out and trying to catch a glimpse of certain colors that reminded her of Autumn. Maguro learned that his birthday was in the fall; for some reason it didn’t seem right to her. Maybe something like spring or summer would suit him better.
“...” Maguro doesn’t notice that there’s a braid in the works, one that if she knew was being made she would’ve swatted at the nurse’s hands to stop. Her brother wore a braid that went to the back of his head, the ponytail sprouting over it. Maguro doesn’t want to look like Madara at all, she wanted nothing to do with that guy who let her down all those years ago. But…
Her expression turned into a pout. Normally Mitsuru comes around this time, so where was he? She won’t admit it but Maguro loved seeing the way Mitsuru ran towards the hospital. He bounced, skipping towards the entrance way and waving to anyone who was outside, lest it be a patient or a nurse. Sometimes he’d have something in his hand or arms that couldn’t distinguish, or sometimes he’d pick at one of the flowers that was by the entrance way.
Honestly, Maguro didn’t care too much about flowers until a certain someone brought her them. When the two of them had been in that field together, Mitsuru had a heap of petals in his arms and threw them around while the sun highlighted all of his features… It’s a sight Maguro never wanted to forget.
“...” Maguro pouted, feeling something in her chest stir. It was like an ache, but not the kind where she had to press the button to call a nurse to check on the abnormal heart rate spikes she normally had. This felt like pins and needles were lodged in her chest and her sides; each breath shifting them and piercing through her organs. What if he doesn’t come? What if he’s given up on her? What if-
“Guu-chan~!”
Her head whipped over, seeing Mitsuru bumbling inside with a box in his arms. Ah, he must’ve arrived when Maguro wasn’t looking at the window. She could feel her face heat up a bit when she turned to look at the nurse who was standing up, already finished with her task.
Taking her clipboard, the nurse offered a smile to the both of them.
“I’ll leave you two be then! Call if you need anything, Mikejima-chan.” She offered a wink before leaving, making Maguro’s face reddened, her shoulders tensing as her hands balled into the hospital blanket again. She wanted to argue in some way, or at least shoot more angry glares at the nurse but Mitsuru had bounced right over, pulling up the chair that was recognized as his now.
“Guu-chan, are ya okay? You’re looking red!” He moved to press the back of his hand against the brunette’s forehead, Maguro only feeling the heat intensify.
“Eeeh? You’re warm! Guu-chan maybe we should call back-”
“No!” She shouted, flushing brightly before relaxing her shoulders. Fingers moved to play at a loose strand of her hospital blanket, Maguro averting her eyes to look towards the box that was in Mitsuru’s lap now.
“I’m fine. It was just hot earlier. Anyway, what’s that?” She pointed. Is it presumptuous of her to assume that whatever it was, it was for her? Maguro’s heart started to beat faster at the thought.
“This is for you!” Mitsuru beamed, putting the box on the bed and opening. Inside was a brown plush rabbit, one that had orange accents, and a ribbon around its neck that hung a pendant. “Ta da~! Isn’t it soooo cute? I saw this when I was out with Ra*bits and was like, I gotta get this for Guu-chan~! ” Mitsuru beamed at her, his smile bright and sunny that it nearly blinded Maguro.
“...” She stared at the rabbit plush, lips tightening as her heart continued to pick up faster and faster. What should she say? That plushies are for little kids and Maguro’s not a little girl? That he shouldn’t have bought her something that looked pretty expensive in quality? That she doesn’t like rabbits? Maguro would be lying if she said that last one… she’s started to really like rabbits.
Mitsuru looked from Maguro’s face to the stuffed rabbit, then back to Maguro before offering a sheepish smile.
“Uwww, if you don’t like it I-”
“I love it. Give it to me.” Maguro didn’t have time to feel guilty at how demanding she sounded before holding her hands out. Mitsuru’s face brightened as he handed the plush rabbit over, scooting his chair closer as well.
Maguro looked at the rabbit plushie, pressing into the material with her hands to feel how soft it was. The red ribbon has a texture to it, this definitely wasn’t cheap. The locket too… Maguro’s fingers fiddled with the crease, realizing it was a functional locket. What could be inside it? Something like a picture of Mitsuru? A flower petal? Maguro unlatched the locket, opening up to see a… puffy bread sticker. It had large eyes and a silly grin and Maguro stared at the sticker as Mitsuru leaned closer.
It’s perfect, actually.
“I didn’t know what to put in the locket since I don’t have pictures n’ stuff but I had some stickers so I chose the cutest one!” Mitsuru explained proudly. Maguro did her best to hide her smile but ended up looking at the rabbit with a gentle grin.
“It’s really cute… Thanks, Mitsuru.” She replied softly.
“I’m not the smartest, yanno? So I was actually thinking, aaaah? Is this okay to give Guu-chan? It’s like, really cute but I wanted it to be something you really liked~” Mitsuru added, rubbing the back of his head with a boyish grin. Was there a slight blush on his cheeks as well? Whenever Mitsuru was close, Maguro could always see the faintest of freckles on the boy’s cheeks and nose.
Maguro traced the face of the rabbit with a finger, pressing the pad of her index finger against the little button nose. She imagined what it would be like to press her finger on Mitsuru’s nose, if she was ever brave enough. It would be weird wouldn’t it? Thinking things like that?
Before she could say anything in response to Mitsuru, the idol had gotten closer. His face was just a motion away from touching Maguro’s, making her eyes widen in response but even then, she didn’t dare move.
“...You did your hair different, didn’t you? Haha, I noticed~” Mitsuru sat back and brought a hand up, brushing the braid that the nurse had made. Maguro had completely forgotten, her own hand rising to trail the side braid her hair had been woven into. Her fingers gently brushed Mitsuru’s, Maguro staring at the shining idol as their fingers intertwined.
“It makes you look suuuuper cute, Guu-chan~! You’re always cute, but you look even cuter!” Mitsuru’s face was so sunny, his smile radiant as Maguro could only stare. She stared and stared and could Mitsuru see the way her face was red from her own blooming blush?
Did Mitsuru know that she’s smiled way more than she’s ever in the last few years because of him? That her heart started racing in a way that didn’t scare her like it normally did? Did Mitsuru know that her entire world seemed to have brightened when he came with something for her, despite how small or large it was because the matter of fact is, Mitsuru brought it for her? He was thinking of her.
“…” Maguro let go of her braid, holding the rabbit close. She pressed her lips against the head of the stuffed plush, taking in the scent of the fabric while wishing it smelled a bit more like Mitsuru - grass and sweet bread.
“Thanks.” She replied, finally. Maguro wished she could say more; tell Mitsuru how grateful she was that he came to visit her all the time and brighten her days with his smile and anecdotes. That she does get excited knowing the day is getting closer and closer to Wednesday because he’s here. That now when she goes through moments of weakness due to her illness, she held on knowing Mitsuru was waiting for her when before she might not have cared if today was the day she slipped away.
Mitsuru gave her a new purpose — a light in this seemingly hopeless darkness she was born into.
Maguro offered a smile, holding the plush tighter as a hand shyly moved down, lying on the hospital bed. Gently her fingers moved closer, her hand following before it was taken by Mitsuru’s.
He’s like that, isn’t he? Knowing exactly what she was asking without saying it out loud.
Mitsuru grinned at her, leaning close as he squeezed Maguro’s hand, intertwining their fingers together.
Yeah… she was going to braid her hair more often now.