"Midori-chan."
Midori, overcome with relief at seeing her brother, launched herself into his arms. But her embrace was cut short by a sharp hiss escaping Arata's lips. Concern flooded her face. "Onii-chan, what's wrong?" she cried.
Arata winced, his features contorted in pain. Despite the grimace, he forced a reassuring smile. "Just a scratch, Midori-chan," he rasped. "Nothing a little rest can't fix."
"Onii-chan, you got hurt," Midori said. "Let me check..."
She reached for his lapels, but Arata caught her wrists.
"Minato-Niichan already took care of me. Don't worry, he and Susan are also fine. No, they are not hurt," he quickly said before Midori even uttered the question.
"How is everything?" Midori asked in a low voice. "When is it going to end?"
"Well..."
Arata pulled Midori into a secluded corner of the garden.
