Chiyo and I are in the club room. The four of us cleared the stage today and deconstructed our set.

  Now we are ying out an array of sweets and snacks and drinks we got from The Shanghai and the cafeteria. Now that the set is taken apart, we are having a little party to commemorate how well the py went.

  The boys went to return our library books. I told Daiki that he didn't need to worry about that today, but he insisted. Something about wanting to put the py completely behind us. Ken decided to go with him, apparently he has some Braille books coming in.

  In addition to celebrating when they get back, I'm also hoping we'll talk about how to save the drama club. I kind of hoped our py would get some younger students interested, but it’s been 3 days now and we haven't had any interest.

  I’m worried that if I bring that up, I'll bring down the mood. No one else seems as worried as I am about it. And I guess we have plenty of time to work on that.

  I feel like we are also celebrating Ken and Chiyo finally getting together. So maybe I should focus on that.

  We just sat down at our usual table, and Chiyo is smiling and humming to herself as she munches on an anpan. It makes me smile too.

  She never seemed like an unhappy girl, but now that she's with Ken she always seems to be smiling. He's more reserved than her of course, but I can tell that he's very happy too.

  They both were very stressed out about things they were hiding from one another. Getting them off their chest must feel really good. Especially because they both accepted one another. I actually haven't had much time to talk to her about any of it, since the two of them have become even more inseparable now. She hasn't dropped by my room since they got together so I haven't actually spoken to her about it.

  I lean back in the chair and cheerfully say, “So…how are things with Ken?”

  She sighs happily, “Magical.”

  I ugh, “Good. Have you gone on any dates?”

  She looks surprised, “No. I hadn't thought about that, actually. I guess we should.”

  “You…hadn't thought about that?”

  She ughs, “Nope.”

  “What do you do if you don’t go on dates?”

  Her cheeks flush, “Um…you know. Just…hang out in each other's rooms. Talking and…cuddling and um…s-stuff.”

  Now my cheeks flush, “Ohhhh. I get it.”

  She looks at me with raised eyebrows, “Y-you do?”

  I nod.

  “A-and…you don't disprove? I thought you'd think…it was too fast.”

  I shake my head, “You're in love. Th-there's nothing wrong with…doing um…that with someone you love.”

  She ughs and rolls her eyes, “Says the girl who can't even say the word.”

  “I-I can say it!”

  She smirks at me, “Oh yeah? Then say it.”

  I clench my eyes shut and take a deep breath, “Se-”

  I'm startled when the club room door gets thrown open with a bang and an out of breath Ken rushes in. He looks really upset.

  “A-are you two still here?”

  A very worried Chiyo says, “Yeah, we're here. What's wrong?”

  He comes up to the table and shakes his head, “D-Daiki got hurt. They took him to the hospital.”

  Before I know it I'm on my feet, “Wh-what happened!?”

  “H-he…fell down the stairs.”

  I immediately feel pressure in my throat and sick to my stomach. I try to think of what I should say, but I find myself unable to speak. It's like this conversation is just happening around me and I'm not part of it. It sounds like it’s happening on a television in another room.

  Chiyo replies, “I-is he okay?”

  “I'm…not sure. A teacher called an ambunce right away…b-but I was at the top of the stairs and everyone was in a hurry and all anyone told me was that he was going to the hospital…” He adjusts his gsses, “…I couldn't see what happened. But I think from what I heard…he was unconscious. He wasn't responding to anyone.”

  He is barely choking back tears, something I've never seen Ken do.

  “I-it's my fault. I should have made him use the elevator.”

  Chiyo walks up to Ken and grabs him in a tight hug, “It's not your fault, okay? He’s a stubborn one. You couldn't have made him. Right, Nagisa?”

  I nod, still feeling oddly paralyzed by what I've heard.

  Chiyo gives me a worried look and takes my hand and loops elbows with Ken, “For the record Ken, she nodded. L-let’s go see if we can find out more.”

  …

  We're at the nurse's office trying to find out the missing details of Daiki's fall. I still feel like I'm in a haze.

  The nurse looks at each of us in turn and sighs, “I'm sorry, I can't really tell you anything.”

  Chiyo frowns, “Oh.”

  The nurse gets out a pen and looks at us hopefully, “Do any of you have his parents’ contact information? We haven't been able to get a hold of them.”

  I notice Chiyo looking at me expectantly, but I can’t bring myself to say anything.

  She sighs and turns to the nurse, “I don't have their number but th-they have a vet clinic in Sendai. Matsuzaka vet clinic.”

  The nurse nods while he writes something down, “Okay. I don't know if we tried there. Thanks.”

  He puts his pen down and looks up at us with a sigh, “I still can't tell you anything. But…you know that he's at the hospital. And there's only one near here. So…”

  Chiyo smiles and nods, “Got it.”

  …

  “Are any of you family?”

  Chiyo, Ken, and I are at the hospital. She still has her arm looped with Ken's and is holding my hand.

  Chiyo replies “N-not…technically, ma'am but he's our friend. We're very close.”

  She's having to do everything. But I don't feel like I can. Ken must be feeling simir. He hasn't said much since he told us what happened. Thank goodness for Chiyo.

  She looks at our uniforms, “Yamaku students too?”

  “Yes ma'am.”

  “I'll have to ask my supervisor if you can see him. We normally allow cssmates that the patient has approved of to visit, but we don't have a list for him.”

  Chiyo pleads, “B-but…can't you ask him, ma'am? He would want to see us.”

  The nurse frowns and looks away from us and replies, “...like I said, I'll ask my supervisor.” The nurse goes off down the hall.

  “Okay, thank you very much ma'am.”

  Chiyo guides us over to a seating area near the nurses’ station. Ken sits down and she whispers something to him. He nods and then Chiyo looks at me and says, “I need to use the restroom. Do you want to come with me?”

  I nod, prompting another frown out of Chiyo. Then she guides me to the bathroom. Once we're in there, she looks around and then puts both her hands on my shoulders and locks eyes with me, “A-are you okay?”

  “Huh?”

  She frowns, “You don't look like yourself. Y-you haven't said a word since Ken told us. And you've sort of just been staring into space and not really responding to anything. I think if I had let go of your hand I would have lost you. It's freaking me out.”

  “O-oh. I didn't mean to worry you.”

  She looks relieved, “You're apologizing for something dumb. That sounds like you. So…you're okay?”

  I bow my head, “I…I don't know.”

  “You know why we're here, right? You…know what's going on?”

  I clench my eyes shut and nod.

  “I need you to say it. So I know you're doing okay. So I know you're here with us.”

  I close my eyes shut even tighter and do my best to speak despite my trembling lip, “We're here b-because…b-b-because…D-d-daiki…” I burst into tears before I can finish.

  She hugs me and I cry into her shoulder for what feels like a very long time. When I'm done she breaks the hug and looks me in the eyes, “You look more like yourself now. That's a relief.”

  I nod, “I…feel kind of better. More like I'm actually here. I felt…hazy. Crying helped.”

  She gives me a relieved smile, “Good. Come on. Let's see what we can do for him.”

  …

  “So, we spoke with his parents, who are on the way. Are you three in drama club?”

  Chiyo nods, “Y-yes ma'am.”

  She nods back, “Okay. They said you could see him. I should warn you, he…hasn't regained consciousness. And he has some significant injuries. Are you…sure you want to see him?”

  Ken and Chiyo nod. Chiyo looks at me and then I nod too.

  The nurse nods, “Okay, follow me.”

  The three of us follow, still connected to one another by our limbs. I feel very, very scared. So I'm gd to have Chiyo's hand right now.

  After walking down a couple of hallways, she opens the door for us. We go in, and she follows us. When I see Daiki lying in a hospital bed, my eyes get wide and I put my palm to my mouth. Chiyo has a grim expression on her face.

  She asks the nurse, “C-can you…tell us anything?”

  She shakes her head, “We're still waiting on all of his results.”

  “O-okay…thank you.”

  The nurse leaves and then Ken says, “Can you…tell me how he looks?”

  Chiyo grimaces and starts to describe things as I continue to focus on my badly injured friend. Hearing her say it out loud helps me process things.

  “H-he has lots of bruises and cuts on his face. Especially on the right side. It's very bck and blue a-and red.” She takes a deep breath, “He has lots of bandages and stuff. Some small ones on smaller cuts, but he also has one wrapped around e-entirely around his forehead.”

  Ken sighs and with a shaky voice says, “Shit. H-how's the rest of him?”

  Chiyo studies Daiki for a moment, “He's under a bnket b-but…from what I can tell, he doesn't have any casts or anything. His hands are a little bruised b-but…nothing like his face.”

  Once she's done Chiyo looks down at the ground.

  Ken says, “S-sorry…you have to do that for me. Can't be fun to rey that information.”

  She clicks her tongue, “Hush up. It kind of helped me actually. I wouldn’t have assessed things so much otherwise.”

  Ken nods, “So…between how his face and head looks and his unconsciousness…he must have really hit his head.”

  Chiyo sighs, “Yeah, I think you're right.” She reaches out and gives my hand a squeeze, “How are you doing?”

  I look from her to Daiki, “I-I'm okay.”

  …

  After about 20 minutes in Daiki's room with no activity from the medical staff, Chiyo sighs, “I wish we could do something. But we really can't. And his parents will be here soon. We're kind of gonna be in the way. Why don't you two go back to campus? I can rey info.”

  “No.”

  She looks at me in disbelief, “Huh?”

  “I-I'll be the one who stays. You two go back.”

  “Nagisa, you're having a really hard time-”

  “I-I'm okay. Promise. I'm upset and worried, but so are both of you. I'll feel better…if I stay. I can’t t-take not knowing what's happening.”

  Chiyo studies me for a moment and then smiles and nods, “Okay. You'll text updates?”

  I nod.

  …

  Ken and Chiyo left about 30 minutes ago. Not long after they did, the radiologist came in and told me about the results of his X-rays. All things considered, the results were pretty good.

  I think he made the assumption I was family. I feel a little bad about not telling him. But once he started talking I didn't want to stop him. But now, I'm worried how I'll expin that to his parents when they get here.

  Just as I'm stressing about this I hear, “Hey there…it's Nagisa, right?”

  I look up and see Daiki's father who has just walked into the room. He's trying to smile, but his eyes tell me that he's very worried. I also notice his mother standing at the threshold of the door. She's looking towards Daiki with her hand over her mouth and tears on her cheeks.

  I stand up from my chair and force my own smile, “Th-that's right, sir.”

  Mrs. Matsuzaka has entered the room now, and is standing next to her husband when she asks, “D-do you know what happened?”

  I nod, “Um…h-he fell down the stairs at s-school.”

  She snaps at me, “Why was he using stairs? Doesn't that school for the disabled have an elevator?!”

  I flinch at her voice but then nod, “I-it does, ma'am. But he doesn't like to use it.”

  She turns towards his bed and makes a face like she wants to scold him, before realizing that he probably wouldn't hear.

  Mr. Matsuzaka asks, “Are there any updates?”

  I nod, “They just told me about his X-Rays. He has three b-broken ribs and a broken colr bone. And lots of cuts and bruises on his face. But…no skull fracture. That was their biggest worry.”

  Both of his parents look slightly relieved, which is how I feel too.

  Mr. Matsuzaka asks,“Has he been awake at all?”

  I sigh and look down before shaking my head, “Not since he fell.”

  Mrs. Matsuzaka walks up to her son and gently puts her hand on his. I think I can make out the faint sound of her sniffling.

  Mr. Matsuzaka asks, “Are they doing anything about that? Has he seen a neurologist?”

  “I-I don't know for sure, sir. They did tell me he had a brain scan and some blood work they were waiting on.”

  He nods, “That's probably neurology.”

  I nod, “Um…I w-want to apologize.”

  Mr. Matsuzaka looks confused. Mrs. Matsuzaka turns around from Daiki's bed and looks at me with some anger in her eyes.

  I deserve it.

  She asks, “Did you have something to do with his fall?”

  I clench my eyes shut and shake my head, “I wasn't there.”

  Mr. Matsuzaka says, “Then…what are you apologizing for?”

  I look up at him, “Because th-they told me all that stuff. I think they assumed I was family and I didn't correct them.”

  To my surprise, Mrs. Matsuzaka approaches me and takes my hand. She says, “Don't be silly. We'd have to wait a lot longer to find all that out without you. Thank you for being here for Daiki and answering all our questions.”

  Mr. Matsuzaka gives me an animated nod, showing me he isn't mad either.

  I smile, “O-of course.”

  …

  It's been about 30 minutes since the Matsuzakas got here. After our initial conversation we've been very quiet. I think we're all very worried and anxious to hear the results of Daiki’s other tests.

  Mrs. Matsuzaka has stayed near Daiki's bed, holding his hand sometimes. Mr. Matsuzaka and I are sitting next to each other on a bench in the room.

  Just as I'm about to offer to get them drinks, a man in his 50s wearing a b coat comes into the room. He's a short, bald man with a goatee. The three of us all turn to him the moment he comes in.

  “Hello, are you the Matsuzakas?”

  Mr. Matsuzaka replies, “Yes, we are.”

  He nods, “I’m the neurologist. Dr. Saito. I wanted to talk with you about your son's results.”

  Mrs. Matsuzaka comes and sits down between her husband and I. She takes her husband's hand. And then to my surprise, she takes mine. It makes me feel a little better.

  Mrs. Matsuzaka says, “O-Okay. We're ready.”

  The doctor nods, “At this point, it would be correct to say that he's in a coma based on his brain scan.” Mrs. Matsuzaka and I both tighten the hold on one another’s hand. "However, his blood looks good, and based on the results of our diagnostic test, his coma right now is a rather shallow one.”

  I surprise myself by being the first to speak, “Th-that's…good, then? He’ll wake up soon?”

  The doctor frowns, “I can't say that definitively. Comas are tricky, it isn't always like a broken bone that will slowly heal and get better. There is always a chance he’ll get worse. What I can say is, based on the results of his tests it is very likely he’ll wake up in the next 2 to 4 weeks, and very unlikely he will progress to a vegetative state. We’ll keep monitoring him every 6 hours to see if there’s any change.”

  Mr. Matsuzaka sighs, “Thank you doctor.”

  After that the doctor leaves. Mrs. Matsuzaka lets go of our hands and sighs,“Well…it's not good. But hearing it's likely he wakes up soon made me feel…a little better.”

  Her husband nods, “Agreed.”

  I nod to show my agreement. Then Mrs. Matsuzaka turns to me with a smirk, “Can I ask you something?”

  “O-of course.”

  “How close are you two, anyway?”

  “Um…pretty close. I’m in drama club and csses with him. He’s one of my best friends.”

  She smirks at her husband who shrugs before she raises an eyebrow at me, “Friends, is it?”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  She chuckles, “If you say so. I don't see any other friends here, dear.”

  “W-well…they were here earlier.”

  Her mom smirks again, “But not now?”

  “N-no, ma’am. They had to go get some rest.”

  “But you didn't?”

  I shake my head, “I wanted to stay.”

  “And why is that, exactly?”

  Just as I’m struggling to answer her question Mr. Matsuzaka says, “Leave the poor girl alone, dear. She's had a long day.”

  She sighs, “Fine, fine. You’re right. Teasing her was a good distraction. But there’s no time for that.” She gets more serious and looks at her husband, “What do you think we should do?”

  He sighs, “I was going to see if we could get him moved to a hospital in Sendai. This pce doesn't have a coma ward, and we need to get him to one. The sooner the better.”

  She nods, looking determined, “Okay. Should we go back to the city and do some leg work and make some calls?”

  He nods, “That's probably best.”

  She frowns, “I don't like leaving him.”

  “Me neither, but I think we can get a lot more done in person. And besides,” He smiles at me, “...he's in good hands.”

  I smile back, “I-If you give me your numbers, I can update you.”

  …

  It's the next day. Chiyo and Ken are stopping by to visit Daiki again.

  Not long after walking in the door, Chiyo asks, “Hey, Nagisa, can I talk to you? Outside?”

  I fidget, “B-but…I don't want to leave him.”

  Chiyo smiles, “I know that. It’ll just be for a minute. Besides, it's kind of about that. Ken will stay with him.”

  Ken nods and takes a seat on the bench.

  I sigh and follow Chiyo into the hall, feeling a little annoyed. Why couldn't we talk in the room?

  “You stayed here all night?”

  “Yes.”

  She frowns and tilts her head to the side, “Shouldn't you take a break?”

  I shake my head, “What if he wakes up? Or his parents come by again? Or the doctors see that his status has changed?”

  She smiles softly at me, “You…have to be here for those things, do you?”

  “I do.”

  “Why?”

  “I…I um…I don’t know. But I feel I have to. I hadn't really thought about it. I’m j-just…really worried, and I have to be here when he opens his eyes a-and…I want to take care of him. Help him.”

  Chiyo gives me a bemused look, “That's what I thought.”

  Maybe it's the fatigue, but I have no idea what she's talking about. I sigh, “I don't know what you mean.”

  She looks surprised, “You haven't figured it out?”

  I shake my head in confusion.

  Chiyo sighs and frowns, “You’re in love with him. Tough time to figure that out…but you are.”

  For a moment, I want to argue with her. And say we’re just friends. But then…I think about everything I’ve felt and done since Ken told us he fell. I’ve been very focused on doing everything I can for him. And not thinking about anything else.

  Putting someone before everything else is kind of the definition of love, isn't it?

  Oh. His mom. THAT'S WHAT SHE WAS ASKING ABOUT?! I’m so dense.

  She figured it out too. Just like Chiyo. Why didn't I?

  “...wrong.”

  Chiyo just said something but I missed most of it because I was in my head.

  “Huh?”

  She shrugs, “I said… maybe I’m wrong. You are the nicest person ever. Maybe this is what you would do for any one of us. But…it looks like the actions of a woman in love to me.”

  I shake my head, “I-I don't think you’re wrong. I h-hadn’t realized. I was so focused on… I…I I am in love with him. You’re right.”

  Somehow, that doesn't make me feel better. It gives me a bad feeling in my stomach.

  Chiyo smiles and gives me a hug, “That's great. He's definitely still crazy about you. He’s got a nice little surprise waiting for him when he wakes up.”

  I start to sniffle and I choke out the words, “I-if he….” before suddenly bursting into tears.

  Chiyo guides me to a chair and strokes my hair and rubs my back as I cry. The bad feeling in my stomach and my negative feelings leave me with my tears. As my tears start to slow down, Chiyo softly says, “He will, Nagisa. I know he will. Especially with a cute girlfriend like you waiting for him. I'll go whisper to him that smooches from you are waiting for him. I bet he'll be back in no time when he finds out.”

  This makes me ugh, and I wipe my tears.

  Chiyo smiles at me, “I’m really not gonna convince you to go back to the dorm and get some rest, am I?”

  I shake my head.

  “Okay, but don't you want to be as cute as possible when he sees you? No offense, but you look like a girl who has been in the hospital for 36 hours. Sleep deprivation and no baths isn't the best for anyone's looks.”

  I smile at her, “H-he told me…I’m a beautiful, amazing woman when he confessed. I-if he really loves me…he’ll still think that when I look like this.”

  Chiyo chuckles and shakes her head, “Fine, fine. I’ll leave you alone about it for today. But if he still hasn't woken up by tomorrow, I’m breaking out the big guns to get you back to campus.”

  “Y-you mean-”

  She ughs, “Yep, Akane will literally drag you back kicking and screaming if she has to, don't you think? I've barely been able to keep her from doing it as it is. She's really worried about you. So really, you probably don't have a choice in the matter.”

  I frown and begrudgingly say, “Fine, I’ll go to campus for a little while tomorrow for a shower and a nap.”

  She pats me on the head, “That's a good girl.”

  I just got back to the hospital after taking a shower and nap on campus. Akane was a little annoyed that I didn't take a longer nap. But I didn't want to be gone for too long.

  Since I realized my feelings, I've been sitting next to Daiki and holding his hand when I'm in here with him. It makes me feel a little better. And I hope he knows I'm here too. On some level.

  Just as I'm looking down at my phone and slowly replying to a text message from Daiki's mom about his status, I feel Daiki's hand move in mine. It startles me so much I drop my phone.

  When I look up at him his eyes are moving. His right eye looks swollen shut. His left eye moves toward me. Then he squeezes my hand and quietly says, “N-nagisa…?”

  I open my eyes wide, “Y-you’re awake!”

  He smiles at my response and then winces in confusion, “That…hurt.” He uses his tongue to feel his swollen lip. “Talking…hurts.”

  I nod, “Don't try to say or do too much. You’re in the hospital. You have some injuries. You were unconscious for about three days.”

  He looks confused for a moment and then quietly says, “…stairs?”

  “Yes, you fell.” I stand up and push the call button without letting go of his hand.

  I should have done that sooner, but I was too excited to remember.

  “The doctor and nurses will want to come look at you. Oh! And I'll call your parents.”

  He looks confused about that st part.

  …

  After Daiki woke up, the medical staff took him away for a series of examinations and tests. But now Daiki is back in the room and the news is very good.

  In terms of his head injury at least, there's nothing too serious. He has a concussion, but other than that his brain scan was normal and he hasn’t lost any motor function or anything. And the concussion should improve with time.

  He still has other injuries of course, but they aren't dangerous and will heal on their own. He's going to hurt for a while though.

  Now he's back in the room and I just took his hand again. He’s on some pain medication now, so speaking doesn't seem quite as painful. Only some words sound strained now. In fact, he mostly seems like his usual self.

  He smiles at me , “Might…need to have… comas more often.”

  I frown at him, “D-don't joke about it.”

  He ughs softly, “Sorry. I guess it was…scary for all of you. For me it was just like…one minute I fell down the stairs, next minute I wake up to you holding my hand. Worth…it.”

  “E-even with all the pain?”

  He ughs, “Yep. Um…when I talked to my parents, they…said they thought you had been here the whole time. Is that…true?”

  I nod.

  “I left for a few hours because Akane and Chiyo made me. But other than that, I've been here. I didn't want to leave.”

  He smiles, “I bet you…would do it for any friend.”

  I smile at him, “M-maybe but…I wouldn't be holding hands with any of them.”

  His smile gets wider, “You wouldn't?”

  I shake my head, “No.” I pause for a moment as I mull over whether to say this now.

  I was thinking I'd want until he got out of the hospital to confess.

  I don't think I can hold it in any longer, though. Ever since Chiyo made me realize these feelings, it's been this warm feeling in my chest. And now…that he's awake, my face and heart feel like they are on fire. I have to say it.

  I lock eyes with him, “I don't want to hold hands with anyone else. I know…m-maybe this isn't the best time to say this. But…with everything that's happened…I realized that I’m in love with you. I know…I rejected you before…And I don't know if you still-”

  He smiles broadly, only wincing slightly this time from his facial pain, “Are you kidding? Of course I still feel…the same about you. Even a traumatic brain…injury didn't knock it out of me.”

  This makes me feel happier than I have ever felt. Even if I'm also a little angry he's joking about this.

  He reaches his hand out and puts it on my cheek. Although it's more like the entire side of my head. I hold his hand there with both of mine while we look into each other’s eyes.

  “I love you too, Nagisa. So much. I have for quite some time. I'm so…happy you feel the same.”

  “Finally!”

  Daiki groans as his mother enters the room and I feel my face flush. He pulls his hand away from me and I look down at the ground.

  “Were you just…standing there watching us?”

  His mom grins like a child, “Mayyyybe.”

  “That's…so creepy!”

  She shrugs, “I got here and you two were having a serious conversation. I was gonna walk away. But I couldn't pull myself away when I saw what it was about.” She cps her hands together and I can practically see hearts in her eyes when she says, "So…are you two a couple now?”

  He sighs, “Well, we haven't…talked about it. Which…you know. Because you were literally watching the…conversation! We might have if someone didn't interrupt…us.”

  She clicks her tongue and looks at me, “He's always so annoyed with me, Nagisa. Even when he's seeing me for the first time after some serious medical trauma. Think you can do something about that?”

  “U-um, I'll try.”

  She ughs and then she gets a serious look on her face, walks over to her son and hugs him gently. He hugs her back. It's a sight that makes me smile.

  They might bicker a lot, but they love each other.

  She breaks the hug and winks at him, “I'm sorry for being extra annoying. I'm just very happy you're awake. It was scary there for a minute.”

  “Y-yeah, I know. It's okay, mom. Y-you're not being that…annoying.”

  She ughs, “You're a horrible liar since you're usually so honest.” She looks at me with a silly grin, “Good trait to have in a boyfriend, wouldn't you say?”

  My face flushes again and I nod before looking down.

  “Mom, stop embarrassing…her, please. Focus on me, at…least.”

  She ughs and comes and sits next to me and puts her hand on my shoulder, “Really, truly - thank you so much, Nagisa. My husband and I could tell you would take good care of him. It really allowed us to do what we needed for him. It gave us so much peace of mind.”

  I nod, “Y-you're welcome, ma'am. I w-was happy to do it.”

  She nods, and then stands up, “Well…whatever you kids decide, just know that she’s got the stamp of approval from me and your father. We’ve already discussed it.”

  I smile at her, as I feel my face flush again, making Mrs. Matsuzaka ugh.

  “Speaking of your father, I’m going to track him down. I couldn't get through to his phone because it keeps being busy. I think he’s calling every doctor in Japan, or something. We’ll be back ter I’m sure. So enjoy some parentless time, you two.”

  An exasperated Daiki says, “Okay, mom. Thanks.”

  His mom leaves and Daiki leaves a sigh of relief, “She’s…annoying. Sorry.”

  I ugh, “She embarrassed me a lot, but she's really nice. And…when you meet my dad…you’ll see he’s far worse.”

  Daiki smiles, “I’m…going to meet your dad, am I?”

  Shoot. We still haven't discussed what our retionship is.

  I clench my eyes shut, “W-w-well…yes. If you um…still want to be my boyfriend you will, y-yes.”

  I feel his hand on the side of my face again and open my eyes.

  He smiles, as best he can right now, “Of course that's what I want.”

  I feel myself smile ear to ear, and before I know it, I’m standing up and gently pressing my lips to the side of his mouth that isn't injured.

  I’d like to give him a better kiss than this one, but that will have to wait until he heals.