"Wa... up... Wa... up... una. Asuna..."
I could hear someone calling my name in a rather delicate tone. I opened my sluggish eyelids. It felt like I had been sleeping for way more than I could last recall. My vision was still hazy as I tried clearing my jumbled up mind.
I was finally able to get a hint of where I was - or rather, where I was lying. The first thing I was welcomed by was a charming and gentle smile.
"Mizore...?" I managed to speak whilst still feeling groggy with an indistinct headache.
"Asuna!" Mizore spoke happily as she gave me a hug right away.
"Ow, ow, ow...!"
I whimpered in pain as soon as she touched my bandaged body. Mizore quickly parted from me as she apologized. A few minutes later, I was finally back to my normal self and senses. Mizore then explained the whole past fight to me upon noticing my state relaxed.
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"Once again, I caused everyone trouble..." I clutched the white sheet draped on my waist.
(In the end, I couldn't even fight off ONE single man... I... couldn't do anything on my own...)
A short silence hung in the already still room until Mizore broke it, "Of course not Asuna. It was no trouble since this is how we put our own powers to use after all. To become strong enough to protect... You can achieve that too, the timing was just off is all."
(That's all I'm hearing every single time, to practice more... or not being ready yet...)
For a second, I thought I caught a glimpse of gloom flash in Mizore's eyes, but her smile didn't falter, leaving me with an impression of doubt.
After thinking a while, I went ahead and asked anyway, "Is there something you're keeping from me...? Something that I should be knowing?"
"H-Huh? No, of course not! What makes you ask?"
"Hmmm... Just a hunch." I studied Mizore's face for any concealed lies.
"A-Asuna..... Actually.... when the time's right, I promise I will tell everything, but right now, you need to focus on your training. Forgive me for putting it like that..."
"No, it's alright... I already know I have miles to go. But I'm taking you up on your word." Mizore nodded in affirmation as she clasped my tensed hand.
I then glanced around me before asking, "Umm, where are the others?"
Mizore, still smiling sweetly, answered, "Oh, they all are out with mom and Yuichi. They woke up way earlier than you. That's why I came to check up to see how you were doing."
I followed with a simple nod and continued, "How long have we been out for?"
"A week max."
That, I couldn't believe. Isn't that a bit too long to be out for? Well, it did make sense because judging from Mizore's description, the battle sounded pretty intense...
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After changing to my casual piece, I joined the others alongside Mizore in mom's patient room.
"Guys!" I shouted happily as I stepped inside with wide arms.
"Asuna!" Raizo boomed as he hugged me followed by Nikki and Natsuno.
"Owww!" We all screamed at once.
"Guess we forgot about our injuries..." Raizo chuckled in pain.
"...Welcome back." Yuichi whispered gently as he tousled my hair.
I was already preparing a vague image of everyone's injuries upon Mizore's recounting of the fight, but it still perturbed me to see my siblings, apart from Yuichi and Mizore, also covered from head to toe - just like I was. Nonetheless, I swallowed the guilt pestering to consume my every thought.
My lips curved up into a smile at the sight of the happy reunion that awaited me here. It was a warm and cozy feeling.
"Good morning Asuna. I hope you are feeling better." Mom greeted with a charming smile of her own.
(Wow, she seems to be doing just okay! But... she still doesn't completely remember the previous incidents... about dad... about the pain and agony she felt... a-about me...)
"Hm, why the depressing face?" Mom asked in concern as she tried sitting up straight.
"Oh, um, nothing! Nothing at all!" I forced a believable smile on my face as I answered, though I was really not in the mood of being THAT happy now...
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After sitting for like an hour longer, chit-chatting with mom and the others, we finally left the hospital. It became kind of funny to see everyone wearing white bandages and plasters. We looked like a gang of new found mummies actually...
Even Mizore and Yuichi were having small band aids here and there. And what's worse is that we'll be going to school tomorrow looking like this!
"Urk, it's so embarrassing to go to school looking like a freaking mummy!" Raizo groaned as we took a taxi home.
"No kidding! Can we not?" Natsuno added.
"Natsu! Don't go around being lazy! Don't you remember? Tomorrow is the clubs! Sunday?" Nikki nudged, but Natsuno just puckered his lips into a big pout.
"Sheesh... Do you have to nag me for every little thing?! I am still older than you."
"Then I suggest you start acting like one! After all, there has to be at least some mature people among us..." Nikki shot back.
I must say, the entire way went with the two talking and arguing. The rest were all silent. When I glanced at Raizo and Yuichi, the two, not even for a single second, looked at each other in the eye or the very least, even talked.
(I am guessing they are mad at each other? But, why? Out of everyone, them?)
I was starting to become suspicious as to why they were behaving like that. It actually doesn't make any sense, I mean, Raizo and Yuichi seriously get along so well, considering they are the oldest boys. So, why all of a sudden...?
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We soon reached home at last.
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"Haaa! I can't wait to sleep!" I spoke up as I stretched my arms high in the night air.
"What?! You just slept for 7 days! How could you still be thinking of that?" Mizore asked, wide eyed.
"Hey, we still need our rest! I doubt we will heal if we stay awake the whole day." I replied firmly.
I could hear Yuichi sighing in defeat.
"...She's right. We must get some rest for tomorrow..."
With that, he twisted the key hole and with a click, stepped inside.
"Wait... are you planning on staying here? ALL of you?" I gazed back and forth with a puzzled expression.
"Duh! We can't afford to leave you alone after that... incident, so! We decided to be by your side. Every single one of us!" Raizo answered with excitement.
(This makes me feel so... powerless without them... way to add in more disappointment.)
"B-But, I can perfectly take care of myself! That man just caught me by surprise. I am sure if I was ready, I could have--"
I was cut short by Mizore's intensely serious gaze.
"Asuna, I know that you are thinking we don't trust you, but as much as we do, I know you can become pretty reckless. That's why from now on, we are going to watch over you. Your power is starting to attract even villains now..."
Now I was lost for words. Mizore was always one to wrap up an argument.
I reluctantly nodded before following inside. Once in, the first thing I saw was myself in the hanging mirror in the hall. I looked so... unrecognisable.
My hair were really short and my face was full of bandages.
(Wow... that Hirato has so done it! I look horrible! And I walked like this in the hospital?! So embarrassing...!)
I covered my face with my hands and shyly wiggled my body.
"Hey, why are you acting so shy?" Nikki asked. I jumped up as I looked at her.
(Waahaa! She saw me!)
I slowly lowered my hands and opened my mouth, "I look like a dork...! And what's worse, I was walking around looking like this? So embarrassing..."
I then stared at the tile floor below.
"Right... I so know how you feel. O-o-o! How about we give you a makeover tomorrow? I could take you to one of the prettiest shops I know!"
I immediately agreed to Nikki's suggestion. ANYTHING is better than looking like this.
"Deal!"
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That night, I couldn't sleep. It's as if my ability to sleep just suddenly puffed up and vanished.
Starting from today, each night, one person was going to be on night duty around the house. The rest were going to sleep in mom and dad's room.
Today was Raizo's turn.
I slipped out of my bed sheet and walked outside after wearing my poofy bunny slippers, delicately crunching the grass underneath me. Raizo was nowhere to be seen though.
Unintentionally, I gazed at the sky, feeling down. I then saw a figure on the roof.
(Probably must be Raizo!)
Before I could shout out to him, he called, "Asuna? Hey! What are you doing outside?!"
"Ah Raizo," I started, "Wait! I am coming up!"
With that, I leapt up towards the roof, landing with a big thump.
I then sat next to Raizo who was cross legged, and trailed off to whatever he was looking.
"Why... did you come outside? It's dangerous, especially at night." Raizo stated.
"I know, but I couldn't sleep... Anyway, why are you sitting here? Weren't you supposed to be patrolling the area?"
Raizo slowly looked at me as he answered, "Well, there's just something that's bothering me... but I don't know what to do. I was just lamenting on it..."
His face then twisted into one of grief and at the same time, of annoyance.
"Is it about Yuichi?" I asked without realizing.
Raizo twitched for a second before looking at me, "H-How did ya know?"
I gave a teaser grin as if to mark 'Nothing can pass by me~'
Raizo then let out a defeating sigh as he continued, "Fine... It's true. We got into a little quarrel when you were caught, but I just don't know how to apologize to him. Honestly, I feel so horrible! But Yuichi is just hard to approach! I mean, he just gives off this aura, don't you agree?!"
I chuckled at Raizo's 'creeped' out figure.
"Haha, I guess... I mean, he is sometimes scary to apologize to... But... either way, why don't you try? You may never know. He might just be waiting for your apology."
"But...!"
"It's okay, I am sure he's going to forgive you. Don't forget, Yuichi's the oldest. It would be irresponsible if he wouldn't listen to you, right?"
That was the best I could come up with in this much amount of time. It wasn't even a worthy advice or anything, and I wasn't anticipating my words to sooth Raizo either.
Even then...
Raizo happily ruffled my hair as he replied, "Asuna! You are so right! I must at least try! But... Don't you agree? You just don't know what goes on in that guy's mind, I mean, Yuichi's always so expressionless!"
I giggled at his remark. At that moment, Yuichi's poker face popped in my mind.
(So true...)
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A few minutes later, Raizo told me to go to sleep.
"It's getting pretty late. You wouldn't wanna be a zombie tomorrow, right? Sadashige sensei won't go easy on you regardless of your excuse, so try to get some shut eye. I will go back to patrolling."
Those were the last words he said before sliding down the roof and disappearing to who knows where. I was actually worried that HE would be the zombie here...
With a long yawn, I trudged my way to the room and tucked myself under the blanket before sleeping like a baby...
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°°°