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Sakura hates hospitals. She’s hated them since the first time she visited you with Daichi.
“He’s just sick right now,” Daichi said the first time she went over a year ago. “He’ll get better.”
She doesn’t believe him. She’s watched the ups and downs you’ve gone through, and right now, you’re in a down. It’s your first time back in the hospital after two months of being out.
The rooms all look the same. She knows your ward well from how often her brother brings her. (Sakura will tell you Daichi forces her to come, but she’s the one asking when he’s going next.)
Today, you’re reading a book when Daichi gently knocks on the door. You look up with a smile.
“Hey,” you say, and you sound so happy. That may be what hurts Sakura the most, how happy you are when they visited.
“Hey there,” Daichi says before pressing a kiss on your forehead. “What’re you reading?”
Your eyes brighten as you go on a ramble about it. It’s an insane mystery book with a terrible plot. Sakura struggles to follow, because it’s been two months since she saw you like this. You looked so much better last time, meaning this visit will be longer than usual.
“Enough about that,” you say, and Sakura blinks as she looks at you. “What’s been going on with you, Sakura-chan?”
“Nothing, really,” she says, and it’s not a lie. Her life is not exciting. It’s filled with studying and watching her siblings.
“Don’t let her lie to you,” Daichi says from the chair next to the couch. “She scored top of her class last week.”
Your smile grows into a grin. It’s so blinding it nearly hides that you’re sick.
“That’s amazing! I’m so proud of you!” you say, and warmth blooms in her chest.
She looks away from you, not wanting you to know she likes the attention. “It’s whatever.”
“But it’s not,” you say before a cough rips through you. “Sorry, as I was saying, you’re brilliant.”
Sakura’s face is hot with embarrassment. Damn Daichi for bringing it up. She doesn’t study for the attention but because she likes it. It calms her.
You cough again, and it lasts for nearly 30 seconds.
“Should I get a nurse?” Daichi asks, and you shake your head.
“No, it’s okay.” Your voice is hoarse from coughing. “Could you get me another blanket?”
Daichi brightens up as he opens up the bag he brought with him and pulls out a fuzzy blanket Sakura has never seen before. Your eyes widen and your lips part, though. “Is that my blanket?”
He nods. “I know this wasn’t planned, but I know you sleep better with your blanket than the hospital blankets.”
You reach for it, and he puts in your hands. Your fingers run over the fabric, and Sakura has never seen this type of quiet from you. Not that you’re loud or overly talkative. It’s thoughtful silence.
“I also brought some socks for you,” Daichi continues as he pulls out blue fuzzy socks from the bag. “I washed them before bringing them so they’d be extra clean.”
He gets up and walks to the end of the bed. “Do you want me to help you put them on?” he asks, and you just stare at him.
Sakura feels like she’s intruding on an intimate moment. She knows her brother loves you and that you love him, but this is different. This is seeing that love laid out on a table and being able to examine it. Daichi stands there with socks in his hands as you hold the blanket, and she wants to step out.
You slowly nod. “Yeah, if you’d help me change my socks, I’d like that.”
“Let me put the blanket on you too,” Daichi says as puts the socks at the end of the bed. He strips the plain white blanket away. He folds it as he puts it next to your feet. Then, he strips off your socks, placing them on the blanket, before putting the new ones on.
He reaches out for the fuzzy blanket, and you hand it to him before he lays it over you. He then tucks your legs into the blanket to way Sakura has seen you do countless times before.
“There, all set,” Daichi says, and you nod with a soft smile.
Sakura wonders if she’ll meet someone who loves her like her brother loves you. She knows he’s attentive to those around him, but this is different. This is loving someone so intimately to do things without needing to be asked.
You look at Sakura. “Do you want to watch TV? I can get to the TV guide from the nurses’ station.”
She shakes her head. “No, I’m kind of hungry though,” she lies.
Daichi looks at her. “Want to get something from the cafeteria?”
“Sure, but can I go by myself?”
You hesitate, which she expected. You’re always so careful with her, as if she’s not 16 years old. There’s only a three year age difference between you and her, but you make it so great. You act like you’re her older brother too, and she used to hate it, but now, it’s comforting.
“As long as you promise to bring me something too,” you say, and she nods.
“I can do that.”