Chapter 5 - family

Long strands of hair brushed against fair skin as a slim finger brushed it back against her ear. Sitting peacefully on a chair by the open window. The only sound heard in the quiet room was the occasional sound of the pages of a fairytale book changing.

No matter how many times those seeming innocent eyes seem to read the same tales over and over again. The awe shine in them never seemed to dull.

At the sound of a light knock on the door Briar jolted in a startle slamming her book closed. Glazing up with wide eyes her eyes immediately soften at the sight of the visitor by the door.

"Mister, Kazuyuki." Briar greeted him warmly as he smiled kindly at her holding a bouquet of freshly picked white lillies.

"Briar, how are you this morning?" Mister Kazuyuki asked softly as If treating a child.

"I'm fine,thank you. Are you here again to gift flowers to the patients?"

"Yes, I thought I'd stop by my favorite patient first." His teasing words brought a giggle out of Briar as he walked in replacing the older flowers with the freshly picked ones. The two had become fondly acquainted with each other after there first meeting.

Mister Kazuyuki was the owner of a shop in the city. A flower shop that dualed as a coffee and tea place. He would often drive to the clinic once a week to visit some of the patients. Gifting them flowers or just sit down to have tea with them. When he had first come across Briar he at first appeared shocked to see her before smiling. Inviting the shy girl to have tea with him out in the garden.

While she had been scared to go out of her room at first with a stranger her heart seemed to warm more whenever he was around. Something about him made her feel at home, it was a warm peaceful comfort like a child would to a parent or siblings.

The feeling had grown connected as Mister Kazuyuki felt the same. He always felt connected to the young girl. Going out of his way to visit her more regularly. Insisting on her calling him by his first name Kazuyuki rather than his family name.

"Has the doctor said when you can be released?" Kazuyuki questioned as he organized the flowers neatly in the vase. In that moment Briar's smile slipped. Her face growing more unsure as she gripped on to her arm with her other hand.

"He said in a few more days..."

"Well that's great!"Kazuyuki smiled brightly before his smile slowly slipped noticing the lack of excitement in her expression.

"What is it? Did the doctor say anything?" Kazuyuki questioned her as he gently walked up to her. Kneeling in front of her as he gently took her hand. Upon his question Briar's expression grew more panicked before she quickly shook her head.

"No! Doctor Mikage has only ever been nice to me during my stay! I owe him so much! It's just that...I have no place to stay after I leave this place. Doctor Mikage offered to be my caregiver but...I can't. Even if he's only ever been kind to me, he still ..." Briar traced off as she recalled all the times she would catch the man staring at her. His face remained the same caring self he presented but there were times that something in his eyes frightened her. Filled with this sort of overwhelming feeling she couldn't stand. Like a uncomfortable flame.

Sensing her feeling Kazuyuki smiled comforting to the girl. Placing his hands over hers as he tried to assure her she wasn't alone.

"It's okay if you don't want to say anything. But know your not alone, you can come stay with me. A new home, and maybe a new family."

"Thank you."