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Seeing Ayano incline her head towards the bathroom, Masachika frowned.
“Hey, is everything alright?” Alya cocked her head, capturing his attention.
“Just worried about how your father will react with how close we are,” he grinned lazily, drawing an exasperated sigh from the white haired girl as she lightly elbowed him.
“Honestly, he’s a big softie on the inside.”
“Alisa, how come he gets to call you Alya?” Chisaki whined.
“Give me a second, I need to use the bathroom. Feel free to start this round without me,” he assured, watching as Masha began dealing the cards. “Still can’t believe that you managed to trick us, Masha.”
“Hey, what are you implying,” Alya’s older sister pouted, crossing her arms and huffing, which drew the laughter of the others around. “Touya, pass the cake, will you?”
“You shouldn’t eat all of Alya’s cake, you know,” Masachika teased, causing her to stick her tongue out at him. Turning the corner from the living room and entering the bathroom, he closed the door behind him, turning to Ayano.
“Alright, what’s this about?”
“To be honest…the excuse about Yuki-sama having urgent matters was a lie,” Ayano admitted.
“Eh?”
“The truth is…Yuki-sama has fallen ill with the flu.” Mashachika stilled, belatedly realising his fingers were twitching. Taking a breath, he dipped his head, which Ayano took as permission to continue. “Yuki-sama didn’t want to worry everyone or ruin the mood at the party, so sh-”
“Take me to her,” Masachika instructed, raising a finger to forestall Ayano’s response. “I will deal with Gensei, but I need to see Yuki.”
“I…of course, the car is waiting downstairs,” Ayano curtsied, the twitch of her lips causing him to frown. “Do not worry, master, it is nothing.”
“I see,” Masachika acknowledged, dropping the matter for now as they exited the bathroom, Ayano hurrying behind him.
“What’s going on?” Nomoa frowned, leaning against the wall and eyeing the two with suspicion.
“It’s…an incident in the family. I’m needed,” he answered curtly, drawing a sympathetic look from the girl. He felt a pang as Alisa’s gaze met his own and she glowed before frowning at the severe expression. Snapping up from her seat, she ignored the confused look of Masha at their conversation being cut mid-way. His heart skipping a beat as she glided over, Alisa cocked her head, frowning.
“What’s wrong, Masachika?”
“Don’t worry about it, Alya,” he forced a smile, placing a hand on her shoulder and squeezing lightly. “I need to go, but enjoy your birthday.”
“Not until you tell me what’s wrong,” Alya frowned, brushing past him and swiping the set of keys in the tray, twirling it in her finger. “I’ll walk you down.”
Sensing that she wouldn’t budge, Masachika conceded with a nod. They were silent putting on their shoes, Alisa ahead as she unlocked the door with a key and led them towards the elevator.
“Now that the others are out of earshot, what’s going on?” the white haired girl demanded.
“It’s noth-”
“Don’t give me that. You always tell me I can count on you. Why can’t you do the same?”
“It’s…not that simple.”
“Then explain it to me.”
“There’s…something’s happened within the family. Ayano was kind enough to offer me a lift, that’s all,” Masachika snapped, causing Alisa to flinch. Closing his eyes as he sighed, Masachika almost jumped as he felt a pair of arms wrap around him, pulled into a warm embrace.
“Look, I don’t know what’s going on, but you can count on me, alright?”
“Thank you.”
“Idiot. Always making me worried.”
As a soft ding heralded the arrival of the elevator. Reluctantly, her arms unwound themselves from him, even as her left hand lingered on his chest. Looking up to him with a smile, she bade, “I hope you’ll be okay.”
“And that you come back to me.”
“Me too,” Masachika agreed, before a soft cough from Ayano, who inclined her head towards the elevator door she was holding open, interrupted their stares. “Again, happy Birthday, Alya.”
“Thanks,” she smiled shyly, fiddling with her shirt as he stepped in the elevator. Their gazes lingered on each other until the door fully shut, leaving him and Ayano in silence. He could feel her shift from leg to leg.
“Speak your mind,” Masachika instructed.
“It’s nothing, master.”
“Fine. How is Yuki doing? Be honest.”
“Not well. She’s got a high fever and…we’re not sure if she’ll make it.” The elevator doors opened and they stepped outside, a gentle snow falling down as they headed towards the waiting car. Ayano dutifully opened the door, holding it out for him to enter. The smell of leather filled his nostrils, a faded memory brought back into the light. Closing the door behind herself, the car sped off into the traffic, the passing streets a blur until they arrived at the Suou family compound.
A heavy pressure developed on his body, weighing him down as unwanted flashbacks forced themselves into the forefront of his mind. Forcing his eyes to close, Masachika forced his breathing to slow, the colour in the world fading to a tranquil black.
“-Master?” Ayano’s worried voice brought him out of his reverie. Shaking off the slight throb in his head Masachika quickly slid out of the car, following her into the grand estate. Through the various corridors, the familiar emptiness, a museum devoid of any homeliness and a moment to the household’s legacy.
He offered a small prayer of thanks that they bumped into no one, Ayano opening the door towards a corner room to reveal a sterile room pungent with the smell of antiseptic. The hospital bed present looked distinctly uncomfortable, and even the flowers in the vase seemed to droop.
But Masachika’s attention was solely on the still body lying unconscious, her skin far paler than usual. Her chest rose and fell slowly, piercing a hole in his heart as he hurried to her side, cradling her left hand in his palms. They were cool to the touch, almost like that of unfeeling steel. Squeezing lightly, his lips dipped at the complete lack of reaction.
“Yuki…”
Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he gently brushed aside a few strands of hair, pulling a tissue from the box and wiping some of the sweat off.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you then, but I’m here now,” he resolved, giving her hand another squeeze before gently releasing it back onto the bed. Turning to Ayano, who was watching the exchange silently by the door, his eyes lit up.
“Can you bring the piano?”
“Master, it’s going to-”
“Not the grand. Just the upright one in the closet will do,” he corrected, causing the maid to curtsy before disappearing, just like air. Smiling wryly at memories resurfacing, Masachika took one of the daisies and removed the flower from its stem, gently looping it into Yuki’s hair. Tucking the strands he’d displaced, Masachika leaned back, smiling at the sight of her resting, a bit of colour seemingly having returned.
“Master, I’m back,” Ayano interrupted, causing him to turn and see she’d pushed in a piano as requested. “Apologies for the delay, I had to wipe off the dust.”
“Thank you, Ayano. Go fetch some more towels, would you? Maybe prepare a few bags of crisps.”
“But m-” At his serious look, Ayano sighed, curtsying before leaving the room to do as he bade.
Opening the lid of the piano, he looked down to see his hand was slightly trembling, a nervousness not present even when he’d duelled the ‘prince’. Stilling himself, he allowed his fingers to hover over the first key, a single b flat on his right hand.
But he couldn’t bring himself to it, rejecting the notes as he instead hovered both hands on the C notes an octave apart. Finally allowing his fingers to fall, the note sung out as the hammer struck the string, echoing the soft note against the walls of the room. Each note came easier than the last, singing as he allowed the lament of his past mistakes haunting him now to cry out for atonement, of the lost days and his repentance.
Chopin’s Ballade No.1 in G Minor.
Despite the sombre start, the notes quickly shifted into an agitated scream, chords crying out just as Masachika cried out for the meaningless, hollow freedom he’d bought with his sister’s life. The despair that the young boy who had swore to become a doctor one day and cure her, yet another in the chain of promises he had broken. He could live with anyone else being disappointed, but not her.
He’d never quite grasped this piece no matter how he tried. Yet now, his fingers moved with purpose, instinctively able to convey where his words had failed him thus. The notes flowed, growing in intensity and rich with emotions as the complexity layered over each other, more and more ornamentation joining in. He found himself lamenting the fact that the song grew simpler as it neared its conclusion, but it allowed him to pour his soul into each note.
When the last note ended, lingering in echo around the room, he blinked to see that the notes were wet with tears falling from his eyes, a thin sheen of sweat on his fingers.
“Well played,” Yuki mused, causing him to snap up, knocking aside the stool as he whirled around in shock to see her awake. Hurrying to her side, he propped her up on several pillows even as she lazily continued, “I never liked your signature nocturne, you know? Sure, you can play it with emotion, but its best form is with a hint of reservation and coolness. A sacrifice for beauty, you could say, no?”
“Yuki…”
“You were never good with words, brother,” she laughed softly, a twinkle in her eye as he held her hands, crouched by the bedside. “But I understand. There’s only one thing I need from you now.”
“Anything,” he swore, looking her in the eye. She searched him for several moments as he tried to convey his promise.
“Forgive me. That I’m going to leave you behind. That I can no longer be by your side,” Yuki smiled weakly, her arm trembling as she hoisted it up. Reaching out to enclose his hands around her own and pulling them to his chest, Masachika shook his head.
“Don’t say that, Yuki. You’ll be fine, you’ve always gotten better.”
“Not this time,” she smiled wistfully, eyes tracing his body as though trying to commit it to her memory.
“W-what are you talking about? S-”
“The doctors are astounded that I’m still alive, you know.”
“W-why didn’t you…why…”
“The last thing I wanted was for you to worry, dear brother. All the other people are already depressed enough, the last thing I wanted was for you to be as well. How was the party, by the way?”
“It was fi-don’t change the subject, Yuki.”
“You really want me to talk about dying soon that much?”
“No, no, you’re going to get through this, Yuki and we’ll-” He fell silent as she leaned forward, pressing her lips against his in a chaste kiss. His eyes widened in shock, his entire body was frozen until she leaned back against the stacked cushions, giggling.
“I’ve always wondered what it feels like. Now I know.”
“Sis…”
“I never minded it, you know. Being the heiress to the Suou family. To give you the freedom that your heart sang for. While grandfather might have seen laziness and rebellion, I alone was happy that you were finally free to choose. I’m only sorry that I couldn’t hold out longer.”
“Don’-don’t apologise,” Masachika shook his head, seeing tears on her face. Belatedly, he realises that they’re his own, falling onto her cheeks. “Yo-”
“I’m glad I got to hear you play for me, brother. Thank you,” she smiled, closing her eyes.
“No…no-no Yuki! Stay awake! Yuki, don’t you close your eyes on me!” he demanded, shaking her body even as it fell limp, the final colour draining from her cheeks even as the dreaded sound of a flatlined heartbeat hummed. Slamming his fist on the emergency call button, he cradled her onto the wood floor, placing his hand on her chest and pressing down once, then twice before taking a deep breath and blowing into her mouth.
How he wished that she’d pop up, a mischievous gleam in her eyes at having made him kiss her. Masachika barely reacted when he was hoisted away, struggling until he realised that Ayano was the one restraining him and that a doctor was now hurriedly attending Yuki.
Through the tears, he saw the doctor shake his head, standing up and walking to the side. Finding the strength to rip Ayano’s arm from his waist, Masachika scrambled towards Yuki’s body, feeling the lingering warmth as he interlocked his hands over her chest, pressing down and continuing to perform the technique.
“No, you can’t!”
“Master-”
“Yuki! Wake up!”
“I’m sorry.”
“Get up! You beat this before. You can do it again!”
The strength finally left his body, arms burning from exertion as his face collapsed on her chest, tears flowing freely as he hugged her. “It should have been me.”
It took several moments for him to realise there was a hand placed on his shoulder. Turning, he scowled at the sight of Yumi, who looked uncertainly at him. “What do you want?”
“I’ll give you some space,” she winced, flinching backwards as though burned. He turned back to Yuki’s body, her body already cooler than just minutes before.
“It should have been me…why…why…sis…”
“I’m sorry,” Ayano whispered softly, rubbing his shoulder as she embraced him from behind. Despite the somewhat uncertain motions, he couldn’t help but wince at how pathetic he was. Ayano was hurting too, yet she was now forced to shoulder his own burden. “But I’m sure you being by her side meant the world.”
Looking at her lifeless corpse, Masachika finally lost the strength needed for consciousness.