Chapter 16: Aftermath
"Kazumi, Please, Stop me."
"AAAGGGHHHH!" Kazumi wakes up crying and breathing hardly. "A dream? What a bad dream". Yuuki rushed to his room when he heard Kazumi yell. "What's wrong Kazumi?" Kazumi looked at her with his teary, lifeless eyes. "Nothing". "If you ever need help i'm here 'kay?" Yuuki leaves his room slowly. Canna's retrieval was so hard for him and it pushed his hope into despair. Kazumi remembered what he promised to Yamato. After a while, Misato visits them.
[Misato]: How are you Kazumi?
[Kazumi]: Why are you here?
[Misato]: To answer your question.
[Kazumi]: Why? Are you late that day?
[Misato]: We got recalled by the former boss that day.
[Kazumi]: Then why are you late?
[Misato]: .....
[Kazumi]: Forget it. How about Hayama?
[Misato]: We will discuss things to him tonight.
[Kazumi]: Let me come.
[Yuuki]: Just rest here, you're badly hurt.
[Kazumi]: It's nothing compared to them. Bring me, Misato.
[Misato]: Okay.
Misato, Yuuki, and Kazumi went to Yamato's house. When they stand up to the door, Yamato opens the door instantly knowing that they will come.
[Yamato]: What happened?
[Kazumi]: We didn't... Find her until it was late.
[Yamato]: Why you didn't gave her a proper retrieval? You PROMISED me that you will give her back to me no matter what so why it came to this? WHY!?
Kazumi grips his hand, bit his lips while looking down. Misato noticed that Kazumi can't work nor explain at situation now so she asked Yuuki to bring Kazumi home. Misato took the charge of discussing with Yamato. While in the car, Yuuki felt pity on Kazumi. His eyes are full of grief, despair, and sorrow. "Kazumi, What do you want to eat for dinner?" Kazumi was not responding to her no matter what she says. When they arrived, Kazumi locked himself to his room. After a while, Yuuki knocked Kazumi's door. "Can we talk?" Kazumi opened the door and let her come inside.
[Yuuki]: Did the retrieval weigh so heavy on you?
[Kazumi]: .....
[Yuuki]: You can talk to me you know?
[Kazumi]: .....
[Yuuki]: You don't need to hold it back, You can share your pain with me, together we'll carry your problems and burdens, Because we're a partner. (tilts her head and smile)
[Kazumi]: Yuuki, tell me, What should i do? I failed to save my parents, and today i failed to save Canna, in front of me.
[Yuuki]: I don't think you didn't save them. You did what you could do.
[Kazumi]: Are you here just to say that?
[Yuuki]: No.... I
[Kazumi]: I? I'm sorry but can you leave me alone for now? I want to rest.
[Yuuki]: Okay, if you say so.
Yuuki leaves his room. Yuuki went to find Shiina to asked for advice. She was running endlessly until she bumps with Kyousuke in the hallway. "I'm sorry Kyousuke". Kyousuke smiled and asked her Why is she running. "Nevermind that, Can i ask you for something?" Kyousuke agreed. Kyousuke bought a canned coffee and throw it to Yuuki.
[Kyousuke]: What is it?
[Yuuki]: Do you know how to lift Kazumi's spirits up?
[Kyousuke]: Knowing him, maybe comforting and being there for him will help him. Why?
[Yuuki]: Since we failed to retrieved Canna, he became so down and blaming himself. I want to help him. Do you know anything he likes?
[Kyousuke]: I don't know anything but maybe taking care of him will solve it?
[Yuuki]: Is it that simple?
[Kyousuke]: It's simple but it's also not.
While they are talking, Aoi coincidentally crossed with them. "What are you talking about?".
[Aoi]: I see, so that's what happened.
[Yuuki]: What can i do?
[Aoi]: That kind of thing can't be healed instantly. He needs time to recover, Maybe you should give him support?
[Kyousuke]: You just told her what i say.
[Aoi]: Shut up, Kyousuke.
[Yuuki]: Both of you, Thank you for advice.
Yuuki walks away with the smile on her face. She starts to cook dinner for him. "I hope this food will cheer him up even a little." Yuuki knocked his door and she notices that it's unlocked. She opened the door and saw Kazumi already sleeping. "It's still 6:45pm, jeez" Yuuki wakes him up to eat. "Kazumi, wake up. You need to eat since you didn't ate lunch." Kazumi's body felt so hot so she checked him. She touched Kazumi's neck and it's hot. "He's burning up." she touched Kazumi's forehead with her forehead. While doing this, Kazumi wakes up. "What are you doing?" Yuuki was startled and she backs up instantly. "No...nothing, eat your dinner now and i will just prepare your medicine." Kazumi was smiled and eat his dinner. "It's good."