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Sakura Haruka never knew he would be imagining so many what-ifs in a single day like today.
If only they had waited for the rain to stop, instead of insisting on patrolling.
If only he had been more vigilant, and not bothered with all the water that spilled from the sky and made his eyes sting.
If only their enemy wasn't a heavy criminal who was escaping to a police-free place like Makochi.
If only... Suo hadn't bothered to push him away, he would have been the one to take the fatal blow.
“Sakura-kun...?”
Then, his vice-captain grade wouldn't have to be lying in a hospital bed like now, which his calm voice that greeted him as he awake, only made Sakura bite his lip even harder.
Does it hurt? Are you okay? Sakura almost let out such a question, but his words were held back by the feeling that it was too stupid a pep talk. Suo wouldn't have patient status if he was in fact perfectly healthy, and there was nothing good about all those layers of bandages.
“I... apologize for not being strong enough to take care of myself, and that's why you're end like this.”
Suo shook his head slowly, and Sakura was expecting that kind of reaction. Nirei had told him not to blame himself, and his vice captains were often on the same page about these kinds of matters.
“After all, I'm not that bad, Sakura-kun.”
Lies.
“I think it will be dark for a while, anyway....” Suo touched the bandages covering his eyes. “But it doesn't matter, it's not like it's the first time.”
That statement did not make Sakura feel any better, and a second later Suo casually made a request that was too playful.
“Sakura-kun, seriously, can you take a selfie right now?”
“Huh?!”
Because, Suo felt that he would miss the limited edition Sakura's expression, and a photo would be enough documentation for him to look at sometime.
"You-you're seriously injured, you know? Be a little serious!“ Sakura finally snapped, half-desperate. ”What if the damage is permanent?! I wouldn't--"
...wouldn't be able to forgive myself if that happened.
However, Sakura's sentence that had not yet reached that point was cut off by Suo's calm, “I'm serious” murmur.
"I'm serious about this, Sakura-kun. Even if time repeats itself or we face the same situation in the future, I will make the same choice without regret."
Because, it was impossible for Suo to stay silent when his friends were in danger. After all, wasn't that one of the Bofurin mottos that Umemiya had taught them? To protect everything of value.
“Why...?” Sakura had learned that the people of this town were good people, that the Furin children loved him sincerely, but such a question was still a reflex out of his mouth.
Because he still didn't understand.
“Well, I'm your vice-captain, right?” Suo replied as if it was too obvious. “Guarding your back is my job, Sakura-kun.”
Sakura was silent, for a long time, not sure if resigning from the rank of captain would make Suo run out of excuses. Because, hey, that kid was too good at finding things to say.
"So, did you take that selfie?"
“I don't know how to do it!”