"Akihiko!!! Do you know how long I've been trying to reach you? Where are you going? Where have you been? What have you been up to?" Worried, Ryu fired rapid questions at his friend. He noticed Akihiko carrying a sports bag. It looks heavy. Puzzled, Ryu look at his friend with questioning eyes.
The bag is indeed heavy, At least for a 10 years old boy. It contains his stuff for his new lessons... Boxing and Kendo. He wanted to add more but school is about to start and his parents won't allow him to take more stuff in his schedule. They're the one who paid for the lessons so, Akihiko can only make the most of what they paid for. He took these lessons to be able to protect Chiyo in the future. He... doesn't want any repeat in what happened to their family before. Plus, Chiyo is his savior. Next time, he needs to save her, too. "I'm taking additional lessons." He answered. He knows he worried his friend. But with the new schedule, he's barely at home. Only going home in time to make dinner, eat and sleep. And he doesn't know how to face anyone, for the time being... Especially, Chiyo.
"Then, you're too busy? You can't do anything? Not even to visit Chiyo?" Ryu was shocked with his friend's reason for his absence. "Are you insane!?" Ryu felt all his blood went up to his head. He wants nothing at this moment but to strangle this friend in front of him. "Can't you even try to squeeze in a tiny bit of time to see if she's okay? Aren't you the one that's more worried about?"
Akihiko's hand clenched hard at the heavy bag at his shoulder. "...The lessons are for her..." He said in a low voice. He felt ashamed to even say it. "What?" Ryu ask again, not hearing what he said. After explaining to Ryu his plans, Ryu's hand escaped even his now trained reflexes and got whacked in the head. Ryu's face was full of disappointment. Not for his friend taking lessons to protect a friend, but for avoiding the said friend that he wants to protect. Ryu, with his simple mind, can't understand what his friend is procrastinating about. "Well, I've checked on you. I'll call to tell Chiyo as well... Do what you want to do. I don't care anymore. Bye." Ryu left Akihiko and went home. He did just what he said and informed Yumi about Aki since Chiyo is already asleep.
Alone, in front of his home. Akihiko stopped and think about what his friend just said. He decided to follow Ryu's words and visit Chiyo tomorrow.
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Chiyo woke up with a dull pain in her eye and a headache. Yumi walked in, seeing her daughter in pain. "Is it painful? How about you take a bite of this porridge and then drink your medicine right away?" Yumi set a tray containing a bowl of porridge, a glass of water and Chiyo's medicine at the table. Then, she carried her well-behaved child to the table intending to feed her herself. But Chiyo stopped her hand and grabbed the spoon herself. Ever since learning to control her hands right, the first she taught herself is how to feed herself. Being spoon-fed by your mom, even if she is still a child, is still embarrassing for her adult mind. Chiyo ate the porridge slowly without spilling. Then after eating, she drank the medicine without a fuss. Yumi left Chiyo to rest more.
While she's baking cookies for her daughter. An Unexpected visitor arrived. Yumi heard from Ryu that Akihiko is too busy to visit, And they really don't mind at all. School is about to start, so Yumi figured that any young boys will be busy at this time. Akihiko came with a box of strawberry shortcake, Chiyo's favorite. "Come in. Come in. Sit down for a while. I'll check if Chiyo is still awake."
"No, Auntie. It's okay. I'll check on her, myself." Akihiko went inside, already familiar with the layout of the house. He went to Chiyo's room and took a peek. Inside, He saw Chiyo resting with a peaceful breath. The only thing new is the bandage in one of her eyes. Seeing that, made Akihiko curl his hands. He didn't know Chiyo got hurt this bad. "The doctor said she's going to be okay. She lose her eye but Chiyo never complained. As usual, She's a very Understanding and Well-behaved child." Yumi explained right away, seeing Akihiko having the same look as her husband did when they found out about Chiyo's eye. "I'm sorry, Auntie..."
"Hey, It's not your fault... If anyone is at fault, it should be me. I should've watched her more carefully..." Yumi Pat Akihiko's head and closed the door. "Anyway, Chiyo said it wasn't anybody's fault so for that I try not to blame myself anymore. So, Don't ever blame yourself. Actually, I'm quite thankful that you visit that time. Plus, Yoshikazu told me you helped in beating those perverts. So... Thank you." Yumi sincerely said. Sheer really did feel thankful for all the coincidence that saved her child. So, In her eyes, This boy saved her daughter. Just like how Chiyo saved him before. Maybe it's their fate.
"Now, Why don't we eat this cake while waiting for Chiyo to wake up? I'm sure she'll wake up soon." She led Akihiko to the living room and prepared some tea. Chiyo slept for a long time that Akihiko didn't managed to talk to her. But Yumi listened to Akihiko's words all throughout the visit. She bid the child farewell at the entrance of her home and even gave him cookies to bring with him. She also gave him Ryu's Portions, after learning that they are neighbors. It was a pleasant visit. Although, a little disappointed. Akihiko is happy that Chiyo didn't get traumatized with what happened. Except for losing an eye, Akihiko is happy that Chiyo is well. He decided to try squeezing in a time to visit Chiyo again for as much as he can. And One day, When he can protect her well enough... Maybe then, He won't be ashamed to talk to Chiyo's parents and he won't be embarrassed to see Chiyo again.