The faint orange light of dawn slipped through the hospital windows, brushing against the quiet hallway. The steady rhythm of footsteps and distant voices filled the stillness.
Miri stirred awake, her head resting gently against Hayato's shoulder. He sat motionless on the waiting bench, a folded newspaper in his hand, Miri blinked a few times, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
Miri (sleepy voice): Morning already…?
Hayato glanced at her, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Hayato: You were out cold. Didn't want to wake you.
Miri straightened up, realizing how long she'd been leaning on him. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she tried to fix her messy hair.
Miri: You should've woken me up. I was leaning on your shoulder all night, wasn't I?
Hayato: You were. But you looked too peaceful to bother.
He turned another page of the newspaper, acting casual, though the tired lines beneath his eyes betrayed that he hadn't slept at all. The quiet between them wasn't awkward it was the kind that came from shared exhaustion and concern.
Hayato folded the newspaper and stood up.
Hayato: You should go home, Miri. You're a mess haven't slept properly, haven't eaten. I'll take care of Itsuki and Miyu for now.
Miri frowned, clearly unwilling, but before she could argue, the two of them pushed open the door to Itsuki's hospital room.
Itsuki was already awake, sitting upright on the bed, the IV still attached to his arm. His eyes were dim, hollow from lack of rest.
Itsuki: Hayato… tell the doctors to discharge me.
Before Hayato could answer, the nurse beside the bed shook her head firmly.
Nurse: Absolutely not. You're not healed yet. You've lost too much blood you need to stay for observation.
Itsuki ignored her words, pulling out the IV needle with one sharp tug. The nurse gasped.
Nurse: "Hey! Stop that!"
Miri: What the hell are you doing, Itsuki?! You should listen for once!
But Itsuki didn't. He swung his legs off the bed, his body swaying unsteadily.
Itsuki: "I have to see Miyu…"
He stumbled forward, one hand clutching his chest.
Miri: Get back here, dumbass! You'll rip your stitches open!
She ran after him, but before she could reach him, Itsuki's knees buckled.
In a blur, Hayato was there faster than Miri could process catching Itsuki before he hit the ground. He steadied him, supporting him by the shoulder.
Hayato (calmly): "Easy… She's not going anywhere."
Itsuki's breathing was heavy, but his eyes were locked on the hallway ahead toward Miyu's room.
Miri, catching up, looked between the two men, frustration and worry spilling over.
Miri: You never listen, do you… You'll kill yourself before she even wakes up.
Hayato didn't scold him further just guided him back toward the room slowly.
The nurse sighed in relief, muttering under her breath, "Patients these days…"
Itsuki's legs trembled, but he kept walking step after step down the hallway until he finally reached Miyu's room.
The door was half open, a soft stream of sunlight spilling in. Machines hummed quietly beside her bed.
Miyu's face looked peaceful, her breathing calm and steady.
Itsuki stood there for a long moment, frozen. The sight of her alive, still breathing, washed through him like a tide. His heart eased for the first time since that nightmare.
Itsuki (softly): "You're still here… thank god…"
Behind him, Hayato watched silently, then placed a hand on Miri's shoulder.
Hayato: Give him a minute.
Miri nodded, her eyes wet but smiling faintly.
Hayato quietly slipped out of the room. He walked down the corridor, his usual composed expression softening as he exhaled. The restroom mirror reflected his tired face streaks of dark circles under his eyes, a trace of red from sleeplessness.
He splashed cold water on his face, rubbed the back of his neck, and muttered,
Hayato (to himself): "I think i am getting too soft…"
When he finally reached the hospital management counter, an elderly clerk greeted him with a weary smile.
Clerk: "Ah, the guardian of room 307, right? The young man. How will you be paying, sir? Cash or card?"
Hayato: "Card."
He slid a black platinum debit card across the counter without hesitation. The man's eyes widened slightly at the gleam of it.
Clerk: "That's quite the card for a young looking fellow like you."
Hayato (with a smirk): "Guess I've been working too long."
The transaction beeped complete. Hayato tucked the card back into his coat and stepped outside.
The morning sun was bright, cutting through the hospital's glass doors. He lit a cigarette, took a slow drag, and began walking toward the convenience store across the street.
Hayato (thinking): Breakfast for three, huh? Feels like I'm running a damn daycare.
A faint smile crossed his lips as he disappeared down the sidewalk.
He pushed the door open with his elbow, entering quietly. Itsuki sat beside Miyu's bed, eyes fixed on her sleeping face. Miri was dozing in the chair next to him, her head bobbing slightly.
Hayato (grinning): Rise and shine, sleepyheads. Breakfast delivery's here.
Miri blinked awake, rubbing her eyes.
Miri: Ugh… get out i wanna sleep moree get out.
Hayato (mock gasp): "Rude. Extremely rude."
He handed her a warm sandwich and placed a bento box near Itsuki.
Hayato: "Here. Eat up before I decide to keep it for myself."
Itsuki finally turned to him, his tone calm but sincere.
Itsuki: "...Thanks but what's up with your personality?"
Hayato (raising his cup): I can be like this sometimes you know and no need for thanks, Just eat. The hospital food's terrible, and I'm not letting you collapse again. Once you're all healed up we'll get to work
Miri took a bite of her sandwich, looking at both men one too calm, one too quiet and sighed softly.
Miri (smiling faintly): You two really can't live without trouble, huh?
Hayato smirked, leaning against the wall.
Hayato: "That's life, Trouble follows good people... or maybe good people chase it. I always forget which."
The room fell into a quiet, comfortable silence the faint beep of Miyu's monitor the only sound echoing in the background.
Itsuki and Miri quietly ate their breakfast while Hayato stood near the wall, sipping his strong black coffee. The morning light crept through the blinds, slicing faint gold lines across the white hospital floor.
Hayato's eyes drifted toward Miyu's hand resting beside the bed. For a split second, he thought he saw her finger twitch.
He frowned and muttered under his breath, "Man, I really need a good sleep... I just saw her finger move."
Miri glanced up at him, half-smiling.
"Your eyes are giving up on you, I guess you're getting old Buhahahhaha!"
"Enough of you two," Itsuki groaned, rubbing his temple. "My head already hurts."
Miri leaned over and pinched his cheek lightly.
"What's with you? We're trying to make a better environment around Miyu."
Hayato was about to laugh when he froze mid-sip.
He looked again Miyu's finger definitely moved this time.
His voice came out sharp but restrained, a mix of disbelief and urgency.
You two look at her hand. Is it just me,am I going crazy?
Both Miri and Itsuki turned sharply toward the bed
…nothing. Not a twitch. Not a single movement.
They both turned back to Hayato with the same unimpressed glare.
"That was dirty, old man," they said almost in sync.
Hayato froze, offended. "What's with the old man? I definitely saw it! I swear!" He jabbed a finger toward Miyu's hand, then slumped in defeat.
He gave Itsuki a tired look. What's with you? You sharing her energy now?"
Itsuki smirked faintly while Miri tried to hide her laugh behind her hand.
The tension broke, if only for a moment.
Hayato crossed his arms, still sulking. You know what? I did see it. My eyes are fine. You two just have zero faith in your handsome man.
Miri tilted her head with a teasing grin. Handsome man? You mean the 'geezer who sees things'?
Itsuki joined in, smirking. Yeah, maybe you should get your eyesight checked, young man.
Miri burst out laughing. "Yeah, young man! Didn't that cashier call you that?"
Hayato's jaw dropped. You two are seriously teaming up on me now?!
Miri leaned forward, still giggling. We're just being honest!
He puffed out a sigh, pretending to wipe an invisible tear. "You two are so mean to me," he muttered dramatically, turning toward the door. I'm going to grab another coffee. At least caffeine doesn't insult me.
Itsuki snorted. "Yeah, sure, old man don't trip on your way out."
Hayato shot them a betrayed look before leaving the room, mumbling under his breath, "Ungrateful brats… I should've just stayed retired…"
Miri laughed so hard her stomach hurt, and even Itsuki cracked a faint smile.
The door clicked shut behind Hayato, his dramatic sigh echoing faintly down the hall.
Itsuki watched it close, a small grin forming. "I never saw Hayato act like that before," he said quietly. He's always serious, Mentor type. But ever since you showed up, Miri… he's been acting all silly."
Miri smirked. That's because he's just a big kid inside. He was actually making me laugh yesterday night. You're the gloomy one, so he acts like that to balance you out.
Itsuki tilted his head. "Balance me out, huh?"
"Yeah," she said, leaning forward with a teasing tone. If he acted like that from the start, you'd probably think he's a total idiot and never take him seriously.
Itsuki let out a small chuckle but then added, his tone lowering a bit, "You've never seen his serious side though. Back when he was training me, he was like a demon. He made me train until I could barely move. He's ridiculously strong that's why I'm actually surprised seeing him act this way."
Miri smiled softly, almost fondly. Maybe that's because he trusts you now. You're not his student anymore you're his kid in a way.
Itsuki blinked. "Kid? I'm twenty one."
Miri laughed. "Exactly. That's what makes it funnier."
Hayato paused outside the door for a moment, hearing faint laughter from inside. He leaned his back against the wall, a small, genuine smile tugging at his lips.
"They're finally laughing again," he muttered, the corners of his eyes softening. Then, quietly, he pushed himself off the wall and started walking towards the exit. "Guess I'll give them some space."
Hayato steps out of the hospital, letting the room fall silent behind him. He leans against the wall and exhales slowly, the smoke from his cigarette curling up into the morning air. His mind races not about himself, but about the two kids inside. Itsuki, still scarred by his past and haunted by his dreams, and Miri, bright but stubborn, fiercely protective of everyone she cares about.
"How do I even guide them through this?" Hayato mutters under his breath. Itsuki's headstrong, but that drive… it could either save him or break him. And Miri… she's going to be a handful if I let her run loose in all this chaos.
He flicks the cigarette into the street, crushing it with his boot. "I need a plan. Step by step. Keep them safe… and keep them together. That's the priority. Everything else comes later."
He pauses, eyes scanning the city streets, the early morning light glinting off the buildings. "First, Kuro. Then whatever comes next. I can't let anything or anyone slip through my control again."
Hayato straightens his back, adjusts his coat, and starts walking back toward the hospital. Inside, Itsuki and Miri waiting, unaware of the silent storm of thoughts hayato carries.
The three of them step out together, the morning air crisp around them. Miri quickly waved at a taxi parked outside the hospital while Hayato glances at her. "Miri, did you inform your parents about this?" he asks.
"They're out of town for a week," she replies.
"You should still update them," he insists.
Hayato throws an arm around Itsuki's shoulder, guiding him into the taxi along with Miri. The ride is quiet, the tension of the morning slowly ebbing away as the city passes by.
When they arrive at Hayato's house, he collapses onto the sofa with a long sigh, eyes closing almost instantly.
"You both rest," Miri says and scoffs. "Jeez, Hayato, your house is always a mess. You should clean it up at least once in a while!"
Hayato doesn't respond he's already asleep.
"You old fart," Miri mutters, shaking her head. "Guess I'll clean it myself. Itsuki, take your medicine and lay down."
Itsuki nods, quietly obeying, For a moment, the three of them are just… still, a fragile peace settling between them after everything they've endured.