Akari woke up to the sound of different footsteps and rustling inside the room. She was a little groggy from sleep but she can still realize that there are a few people in the same room as her.
"She's awake." she hears someone unfamiliar say and this made her turn toward where the voice came from. The lady was leaning on the window that Akari usually turns to whenever she wants to see the outside. Her blonde hair was shimmering under the morning sunlight as she smiled widely at Akari.
She has short blonde hair that almost looked like it was crudely cut at how spiky they looked. Clearly, dolling herself up was not on the list since her athletic build reveals that she mainly focuses on working out her body.
Akari stares deeply at that strangely familiar-looking face and those eyes... "You are–"
But before she could voice out her query, two orange heads jumped at her from the other side of her bed, making her involuntarily flinch at the surprise. It was her cousins.
"Ohayou, Nee-sama!" "Ohayou, Rii-chan!"
She wondered why they were there but a quick look at the wall clock made her realize that she slept in. Well, it made sense since she was deep in thought last night, processing all the events that she went through during her very long sleep. She's not sure at what time she slept but it was most likely late, maybe even past midnight.
"Yeah." Akari smiles, with a little helplessness in there, at the two sunny and bright smiles of these two. "A pleasant morning for you both too, I see."
"Of course, since you're finally going home with us today!" Natsu said, looking satisfied.
"Woohoo!" Shoyo celebrated at her side with both arms in the air.
"Stop bothering Akari already. You two, help me pack first!" Yumi comes over and ruffles the heads of her kids.
They both scurried away after grinning cheekily at their mother, even making a competition out of what they were asked to do.
"How are you feeling today?" Yumi asks, then touches Akari's cheeks, her eyes straying a bit towards Akari's special streaked spot on her hair. She may call it a 'lucky patch', it is questionable if it truly gives luck but she definitely likes looking at it.
Akari did not mind since she can see her aunt's eyes glow whenever she sees that part of her hair. She nods, really feeling rejuvenated today. "I feel great, aunty~"
Yumi smiles before becoming serious and looking up at the lady who remained quiet after that initial statement a while ago.
"Akari-chan," Yumi began, "This is your aunt, Fran-san's younger sister."
'Mom's sister…' Akari then gives a smile at this aunt of hers. After contemplating a bit, she finally realized two reasons for the feelings of familiarity. One is for their similarity. "We have the same eye color."
"You have the same spunk as me, kid!" Her aunt laughs at her out-of-topic comment. "They really look nice, don't they? It's our best trait that even Francesca envied for having a different eye color. And now that I think about it, you have the same athletic capabilities as me."
This aunt of hers really is carefree. Due to her excitement, she did not notice that she spoke in English instead of Japanese, leaving Yumi confused but Akari grins and replies back in fluent English, "Yes, it's my favorite color…"
And the second reason: this aunt of hers was from another piece of memory from her past. It was from a different sports work called Kuroko no Basket. It seems this new world of hers is more than what she expected. And this twist, she is definitely liking very much.
"Is it yours too, Aunt?" Akari continued.
This aunt looked impressed. "Maybe." Not to be outdone, she starts speaking in Japanese this time. "But, truly, it's really nice to finally meet you, my only niece, I'm Alexandra Garcia."
'I know.' Akari thought.
Her triumphant smile confused the two ladies who exchanged glances with each other wondering if the other knew the reason but they both appeared clueless, leaving them speechless.
—
Arriving at the Hinata residence, they threw a small celebration for Akari. The two tangerines even had party poppers at hand as she entered the doorway while Yumi smiles as she pushes her wheelchair inside.
After that hefty meal, they all sat in the living room and talked about different things. Akari was also assisted to sit on the mat along with everyone, only with her left leg being cushioned with a big pillow.
"Do you play sports too, Alex-san?" Shoyo asked while he played with the volleyball ball that Akari gave him in their courtyard. Natsu was nearby, fully focused on her rubber ball, imitating Shoyo.
"Yes, but it's not volleyball," Alexandra said. She laughed when the surprised Shoyo failed to catch the ball and it ended up hitting his head.
Hearing the laugh, he turned flustered and embarrassed. "Then, only Rii-chan can play with me."
"Not so fast, kid," Alexandra said, confusing Shoyo.
"Yes, what are you even thinking?" Yumi reprimanded. "Wait until she is fully recovered, am I clear?"
"Yes Ma'am!" Shoyo really appeared reluctant but he still saluted.
Yumi sighs in exasperation at Shoyo's expression. She also notices Natsu's dejected and stunned countenance and she realized that both of her kids were looking forward to playing with Akari.
"Fully? Then I'll have to undergo rehabilitation, won't I?"
Akari's sudden question stunned everyone, the two tangerines were stunned on a whole new level.
Hearing this, Yumi did not know how to answer so she turned to Alexandra who was leisurely sipping wine while munching on some green peas.
Realizing the attention of everyone on her, she drinks all the content of her cup before she speaks. "Yes, it will take months for you to properly heal and undergo rehabilitation. I've partnered with a very reliable rehab center for you, that's what I've been working on these days. And you don't have to worry at all, you will be able to regain your peak state again after that." She pops a few salted peas in her mouth before adding, "Well, as long as you desire it."
"Which means you will be the one accompanying me to wherever this rehabilitation center is, right?"
Seeing Akari's serious look, Alexandra felt amused. "Yes, most definitely," she answered before she lunged at Akari and wrapped her in a hug.
Akari felt her cheeks becoming hot after she safely evaded the attack on her lips! She sees Yumi fuming at the side and Shoyo looking away while covering his eyes, again getting hit with a falling volleyball.
Akari always knew this is bound to happen, but her current casted self is not in the optimum condition for a successful evasion.
Luckily, or unluckily, before this devolved into a funny scene, Natsu comes in, hugging Akari, Alexandra reluctantly lets go of her niece who was stolen from her.
"Then, does that mean Akari-nee-sama is leaving?" Natsu finally lets go of Akari as she moves closer to Yumi and tugs at her sleeve.
Her question woke Shoyo from his stupor.
"Why? Is she still not okay?" He asked as he rushes in, forgetting the ball in the yard.
"She is but..." Yumi tried to explain but even she felt a little sour about what was happening and what is about to happen.
Seeing this, Akari tried to explain. "If it's daily life, I'm almost okay. I'll manage like nothing is wrong. But if I don't do this, I won't be able to be at 100%, meaning, any extraneous activities will be hard for me."
"That can't be." Her cousins were really stunned by this news.
"There's no rush yet since Akari is still in her healing phase." Yumi tried to appease the two but they still looked dejected.
"For how long?" Shoyo asked. "How about school? W-will she stop going to class completely?"
"Don't be silly, that's impossible." Akari can't help but smile a bit at Shoyo's words. "But I will have to take a break."
"A few weeks more, that's the only window you have." Alexandra gave the ultimatum. "It's the only choice for Akari-chan if she still wants to have a chance after all."
Thinking of Alexandra's words, Akari figured she only have until the end of the semester. Once summer break starts, that's when she'll need to start her rehabilitation.
"I'll give my decision after I take this semester's tests," Akari announced before slightly bowing to everyone present. "Until then, please take care of me."