Two and a half months have passed. Everyday was just about the same for many people. For Subaru and Tono, they would wake up and go to a few classes before going to the hospital and taking boosters that Hotaru had prepared for them as they began healing Akako. After working for a few hours, or even as much as they could, the two boys would take off and do any school work before heading off to bed once again.
For those in Class B, their routine was quite similar. Kids would go about their day, doing their best to keep smiles on their faces for their own sanity. Many would go and visit Akako at different times of the day, either right after class or near the evening when they had completed their school work. Then, there was Hotaru, Ruka, and Natsume. Those three only went to class before spending most of their time in Akako's room. Some nights, they were even allowed to stay the night in there, being prepared other hospital beds or sofas with blankets and pillows. Every now and then, some kids got to spend alone time with the girl and usually spoke to her about what they had learned for the day or what was going on in the school. Perhaps if they continued to speak to her, they could lead Akako back to them. That was what they firmly believed in their hearts.
Tonight, Ruka and Natsume were in Akako's room alone with the girl. Tono and Subaru had just finished their healing for the day and headed off to their dorms. Hotaru was in her lab this chilly night, creating a few more boosters and serums for the next half of the month which left the two boys for the night. Natsume sits on his chair with a folder in his lap as he does a bit of work while Ruka sits by his side. Natsume's spot was always closest to Akako unless he wasn't there, then the chair was up for grabs. Ruka had already finished his school work since he actually went to class while Natsume skipped to spend time with Akako, so the blond was speaking to his unconscious best friend.
"Kokoroyomi-Kun said that you were having an interesting dream today." Ruka laughs as he remembers what the mind reader had told him when everyone was there earlier, "Why are you dreaming about your grandfather and Bear fist fighting?" Ruka laughs, trying to imagine the dream but it was too ridiculous for him to take seriously. Hearing it even made a smile come to Natsume's face.
Ruka continues, "You should also see what everyone in class is doing for you! It's a surprise for when you wake up. I want to tell you but that would ruin it, no matter how much you would beg me if you were awake..." he suddenly trails off. "You know... you should wake up. Everyone's waiting to see you again. And I'm sure your Jii-chan is also very worried about Akako-chan."
When Mikan had returned home, the school informed her grandfather of Akako's situation. At the time, since Hotaru was in the midst of trying to save her, they had told him that they weren't completely sure of her condition and would keep the older man informed. He asked every morning and night following the week of Mikan's return but always received the same answer. As soon as Akako had returned and regained her pulse, the old man was told. After all, he was her legal guardian. It was a difficult thing for the grandfather to try and come up with an excuse if he had to break the news to his other granddaughter if her sister were to not make it. But as soon as he was told, he burst into tears and was given regular updates about the blonde girl as everyone kept up the same story of her going to a boarding school on a scholarship.
"If I know Mikan, she's definitely waiting for a letter from Akako." Ruka lays his head down on the bed by Akako's legs as his eyes stare up at Akako as well as Natsume. "We also can't wait for Akako to wake up. We want you to smile at everyone again and laugh with us but we'll wait. We'll wait until you're all healed, just don't take too long... okay?"
Natsume's pencil stops moving when Ruka says that. Everyone has been telling Akako those words, all of them wanting her to hurry up and join them once more. No matter how much they wished for it, it had only been two and a half months but it was progress. Akako was already in a much better state than before but she still had many internal deteriorations and some bruising still remained on her skin around the area of her heart.
They just had to be patient, no matter how much it hurt.
"By the way, Anna pointed out a cloud that looked like a cat swinging a baseball bat. I thought it looked like a bat a tiger but it was nice looking at them. Maybe when you wake up, we can all go out and you can make different shapes like you used to." Ruka suggests.
After a moment of no response, Ruka looks towards the window where the sun was setting. Clouds lined the sky, little divots and swirls being highlighted by the warm orange that was emanating from the sun. A serene purple chased the sun and clouds away as night began to take over the academy. Ruka stands and walks over towards his backpack that he had dumped on the other hospital bed when he had entered the room. He opens the bag and retrieves his nightwear before retreating to the attached bathroom, the boy getting comfortable.
He folds his school uniform and twists the handle to enter the room as the door silently swings open. Natsume still sits in his chair, though his homework was now long forgotten about. Instead, he was resting his head on his arms as he leaned on Akako's bed. His hand holds hers, surprising Ruka. The blond hardly ever got to see Natsume act like this but it happened every so often- when Natsume didn't think anyone was looking. Natsume's thumb traces Akako's pale and bony knuckles, eyes traveling every crevice of her peaceful face.
A smile crosses Ruka's face for a moment, the boy walking backwards into the bathroom and slowly twisting the knob. He pauses before harshly twisting the knob and walking into the room. By the time he looks to Natsume again, the fire-user is sitting in his seat and glancing over to his best friend who was now in pajamas.
Ruka walks towards the bed, sulking a bit. 'Still not wanting anyone to worry about you...' he sighs, wishing that his best friend would finally lean on him.
"Ruka," Natsume calls out, "You take the bed since I'll be up for a while. I'm still behind." Natsume nods towards the hospital bed that was across the room from Akako's bed.
Ruka nods, knowing that Natsume was just going to sleep on the couch that was right next to Akako's bed. Usually, the raven haired boy wouldn't bother too much with homework but it was the only thing keeping him somewhat sane, rather than him stressing over Akako every minute of the day. Everyone else preferred this as well, otherwise everyone would lose their minds, a few even started up new hobbies to have even less free time. They all wanted to keep a bit busy.
///
Hotaru enters the dark room, the light from the bright hallway entering the room that was previously only lit up by the bright moon peering through the window. He glances around and sure enough, found Ruka and Natsume asleep just as she had suspected. The girl leaves the door open to illuminate her path as her eyes adjusted to the dim room, walking forward towards Akako's bed.
Once Hotaru reaches her side, she reaches up for Akako's IV drip and pulls a familiar syringe out of her pocket before poking the bag. She allows her solution to mix with the liquid, wanting it to circulate around Akako's blood stream to help the girl get better. Hotaru then pockets the now empty syringe and places her backpack down on the ground. Inside is a jar full of boosters for Tono and Subaru to take, which she pulls out and places on the bedside table before retrieving the now empty jar. She also pulls out a box full of syringes for the nurses to use on Akako every other day.
If they were to put too much into Akako at once, it would surely strain her body.
Once all that was said and done, Hotaru lays on the bed next to Akako where she usually would if she were to stay the night. She was the only one that would lay on the bed next to the girl, wanting nothing more than to stay by her side. Maybe it was her guilt that made her stick to Akako like glue now. Hotaru had always been closer to Mikan than Akako and now, she couldn't even save Akako when she tried- instead she was talked out of it by the girl. Now, neither she nor anyone else knew when she would wake up.
Hotaru looks up at Akako from where her head rested on Akako's shoulder, feeling the steady rise and fall of Akako's body. It was comforting. As she watches Akako's eyes twitch around, she knew that the girl was doing g something in her mind. Whether it was dreaming beautiful scenery or trying to make her way back to them, Hotaru would wait. She would always be there and ready for when Akako would decide to join everyone again.
Ruby red eyes stare at the two girls in the dark before closing once more. He had awoken not to the sight he hoped for but it was better than the alternative. He turns his back to the girls and faces the back of the couch before nestling into his blanket once more. Now that Akako had Hotaru with her, he could rest comfortably. He closes his eyes and awaits dreamland to come.
At first, he sees darkness with the consistent sound of the heart monitor. Soon enough he tunes it out and is now laying in silence. Every sensation fades away and all of his muscles relax. A nice and tranquil sensation spreads throughout all of his senses as colors begin to take on shapes. Before he can decipher what's happening, he's thrown into a scenario with people standing around him. Without any context, Natsume knew exactly what was happening.
He had to choose. His father, Akako, or Narumi. Natsume looks at each person, quickly eliminating Narumi from his choices- although he didn't know what would happen if he didn't choose them. Narumi's body instantly fades away, Natsume unsure of what happened to him but he knew it was awful. Now, he watched his father and Akako stand under lights.
His father's eyes darted around, wanting nothing more than for his son to be in his arms although it seemed that the man couldn't see Natsume.
Akako was the same, cowering into herself with tears in her eyes as she backed away from monsters hidden in the dark that he couldn't see.
There was absolutely no way that Natsume could chose between two people that he loved without his heart. He couldn't and wouldn't, he would never dare to give up one or the other. His eyes dart to both people, the boy gritting his teeth as he tried to figure out how to get out of the situation.
The floor beneath him quickly gave away, Natsume's body falling through the air beneath. That was, until he wasn't falling. The darkness faded away and Natsume saw a clear and open sky. He his arms and legs spread out and all of his anxiety faded away. The sky fades from a bright blue quickly to a deep and beautiful red as the sun sets, the cool feeling of the clouds feeling wonderful against his skin as he flies through them. For once in years... Natsume felt serene and safe.
Natsume felt free.
///
Another month had passed. Akako's bruising on the surface was faint now and barely noticeable, and her weak breathing was much better now. At the moment, Subaru stands in Akako's room beside her bed as he heals her like usual. Since her condition has gotten much better, Subaru doesn't come everyday as he had when they first started. He usually tries to but now everyone doesn't freak out if he doesn't show up for one day. Everyone has also coerced the three friends of Akako to not sleep in her room every night. After months of hospital beds and couches, the teachers deemed it would be better and more healthy for the children to sleep in their own rooms.
Subaru lets out a yawn for a moment, gathering his bearing as he continues to heal Akako. It's only him in the room since Tono had to help Tsubasa with something related to the Special class. He rests his hands above Akako, bright light gleaming from his hands u til he starts to feel a bit dizzy.
"Imai-San." A soft voice speaks from the door. Subaru turns around and there stands one of Akako's regular nurses, "It's time for the serum and your pill." She softly smiles at the male. He nods in thanks and the girl bows before taking her leave.
Subaru pulls his hands away and walks around to the other side of the bed where the side table was. He pulls open the drawer to grab a syringe from the many that Hotaru had manufactured. He places it on the surface while his other hand reaches for the jar that holds the booster pills. It easily twists open, now half empty from how many that Hotaru made. Now, they could basically eat them like candy because Hotaru remade the formula and that way it wouldn't be harmful if they consumed a lot. Although one drawback would be that they sleep for a while afterwards.
He takes his pill with a glass of water that was on the table before taking the syringe and walking back around the bed to reach the IV. Just as he's reaching up to inject the serum, the door bursts open with Tono yelling.
"Sorry I'm late!" He shouts. Subaru jumps and his head quickly turns towards the door. The boy with glasses shakes his head in disapproval as a small frown takes its place over his once peaceful expression, "You shouldn't be shouting in a hospital room." Imai scolds as he injects the medicine into Akako's IV drip.
Tono doesn't answer so the healer turns back towards him to see if he was even paying attention.
Tono stares down at Akako, quickly walking over towards her. "Akako?" He asks, placing a hand on her arm.
This sudden change in attitude alarmed Subaru, "What is it? Is something wrong?" The Imai bends down to examine Akako but nothing looks out of the ordinary. Tono doesn't respond to his classmate, focusing all of his attention on the little girl. "Hey, Akako..." Tono shakes her slightly.
"What is it?" Imai sighs, looking at her heart monitor for any abnormalities. "Tonōichi, let her rest. She needs to heal more." Subaru stands up straight and aligns his hands with Akako's torso to continue healing. "Come this way so this can go by quicker today. I'm sure the children will come by once their class is over."
"You don't understand- did you not see that?!" Tono stands, arms thrust out to his sides in frustration.
Now it was time for Subaru to be confused, "What are you talking about?"
Tono squats down at Akako's side, "Her body jerked when I came in!" Tono tells him. Subaru's eyes widen, watching as tono tries shaking Akako one more time.
Subaru's hand darts out towards Akako's hand and he quickly punches her skin, watching as her hand jerkingly wiggles away from the sensation. Tono, who watched the interaction, begins laughing as his hand comes to rest on his forehead in disbelief.
"Sakura-Chan, can you hear me? Did you feel that?" Imai questions, heart beginning to race a bit as he looks for any movement from the girl. Tono grabs a lock of Akako's hair and brushes her cheek with the ends, both boys watching as her face twitches for a moment. They watch as her eyes squint.
"Sakura-Chan, open your eyes if you can hear me!" Subaru orders. After a few moments, Akako remains in her comatose state. Although she didn't respond, a grin still stretches across Tono's face as he pays Akako's head. "I know you're in there, you troublemaker. Take your time, we'll be patient for you." He whispers to her.
"We should continue working." Subaru suggests, hope arising at the fact that Akako was getting better. "We'll need to report this to the higher ups when we're done."
Tono hums in response and turns towards the side table, unscrewing the jar and taking a pill before walking over towards Subaru and placing a hand on his back to boost his Alice.
They stand there and Tono makes a bit of small talk to fill the silence. "That brat Tsubasa, he called me over just because Misaki-Chan was mad at him and he wanted help." Tono shakes his head. The boy may as well have been talking to himself seeing as the Imai didn't respond as he usually did.
Subaru instead focuses on Akako, ignoring Tono's random rants. He watches a few more bruises start to lighten up, and finally, the very last of the surface bruises were gone. A feeble smile creeps up as he acknowledges this feat that they've accomplished. This was a huge milestone for them who have worked hard and healed Akako quicker than it should have been possible. Akako must have had her surface bruises for about half a year based off of how far they spread but they were able to heal them in one third of the time.
The two end their session after two hours of healing, the boosts to their Alice's increasing their power and making it as if they had worked for nine hours. As soon as the two left, Tsubasa was one of the first to enter with Ruka and Yōichi following after.
The three all sit beside her bed. "You know, Misaki's really mad at me right now, I'm not even sure what I did!" Tsubasa waves his arms around before his face falls forward into his palms as gloomy waves of dispose cover his body.
Yōichi ignores the boy's sadness and instead keeps sitting on Akako's bed as he plays with her fingers. Ruka on the other hand helplessly watches the lovestruck teenager with a confused blank stare. "Why do you come here if you're only going to complain about your love life." Ruka questions.
Tsubasa leaps from his chair and points his finger at Ruka, "Hey brat! You've gotten so snarky recently! And Akako used to always listen to me when I spoke about this stuff!" He grits his teeth but Ruka seemed unfazed by the outburst. Instead Ruka retorts, "Akako told me that she used to just go to Misaki-Senpai and ask her to forgive you because you were crying like a baby." At those words, Tsubasa turns white and his soul begins to leave his body as it's revealed that Akako didn't truly support him.
"Onee-Chan." Ruka hears Yōichi call out for Akako. The toddler did this often, in hopes that the girl would wake up.
"There's no way that's true! I always found a way to make Misaki forgive me. Besides, there's no way that Akako would say that, she's too nice!"
"Onee-Chan!"
Ruka rubs his temples at the two shouting. For some reason, they both had too much energy and Ruka hadn't gotten as much sleep as he needed. The faint wish that Natsume was there to get both of them to be quiet crossed Ruka's mind for a split second before fading away into the abyss.
"Onee-Chan!" Ruka sighs and he looks over. Tsubasa does the same and their hearts drop at the sight. Yōichi is on his knees with Akako's hand in both of his and tears glisten in his eyes. The girl lays there still, unmoving but....
Her eyes were open.