"So, uhm…how are you doing?" Hisashi asked, keeping himself standing upright by the doorway, a good few feet from the bed.

"Pretty good," Jiro replied.

"That's…great." Hisashi clasped his hands together, taking his time by wringing his fingers. He had a lot on his mind that he wanted to divulge but it died the moment he saw Jiro. Somehow, seeing the bassist lying on the bed only reamed into his mind that it was all his fault. Now he was uncertain whether to apologize first or to disclose his feelings…or to let his legs carry him out the door.

Jiro arched a perfectly sculpted brow. "Ne, Hisashi, if somebody just decides to enter here without warning, I'm pretty sure you'd get a good whacking from that door."

"Oh," Hisashi mouthed, returning into reality. He looked behind him before taking a few steps forward, a safe distance from the threatening piece of lumber as per his assumption. "So, uhm…" he began, trying to roll the words off his tongue, "how are you doing?"

"Fine." Jiro grinned at him. "You just asked me that."

"Yes, of course. Uhm--"

"What are you doing so far away, anyway? I'm not gonna bite and I've had my shots." He motioned to the chair Teru had just been occupying a few minutes ago. "Take a seat."

"Uh, thanks." With a deep breath, Hisashi plodded to the proffered chair. Then he caught Jiro giving him the weirdest look. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Where the heck have you been, Tonomura, to hell and back? Geez, you look awful, and here I thought I was the one who got into an accident."

Slightly taken aback, Hisashi self-consciously reached his hands to his hair to smooth out what could've still been sticking out rebelliously. "I was just in a hurry to get over here when I learned what had happened." Then he smoothed his palms on his face to remove any icky stuff on it. "I really hadn't cared about anything else."

"Well, you should've. You really look like shit."

//It reflects how I feel//, Hisashi thought. Given the chance that the current situation happened sometime before those fateful four days, Hisashi would've declared war and not stop until he won. But things were different now. This time he vowed he wouldn't stop until he got things cleared out with Jiro. "So…"

"So…" Jiro echoed before snickering. "If you're gonna ask me one more time how I'm doing, I'm gonna knock you upside the head."

"Can I help it? You got me all worried."

"But I'm alright," Jiro insisted. "Nothing worse happened to me, I'm still alive and even if I had died, I wouldn't have haunted you."

Hisashi brushed a stray lock of blue hair away from his eyes, noticing for the first time the white gauze on Jiro's forehead, just above his left eyebrow. The dressing was stained with blood. "How did this happen, anyway?"

"Outright stupidity. I wasn't looking where I was supposed to be looking."

"Is that all there is to it?" There was sincerity in his tone and a probing gaze in his eyes.

"Yes, of course. What else is supposed to be there?"

Hisashi sensed Jiro was hoarding all of his emotions inside him, trying his best not to let anything ooze out. Fortunately, Hisashi was equally as stubborn. "I just thought you were feeling bad or angry or something."

"Why'd you think that?"

"Because if you were feeling fine, you wouldn't have stormed out of my apartment the way you did after seeing Teru and me together."

"And you thought I was angry because of that?"

"Can you blame me for thinking that way?"

"And why would you think I was?"

"Damnit, Jiro! Stop throwing the questions back at me. I've come here for answers and its answers I'm gonna get."

"Then don't let me stop you from doing what you've come here for." Jiro cocked his head aside. "Speaking of which, how did you get in here with your car useless?"

"Te--uhm…I mean…taxi. I took a cab." Hisashi closed his eyes to cull his thoughts together, concluding it with a sigh. "Jiro, that incident back at my apartment tonight…I just want you to know that things weren't what they appeared to be. Teru was just there because he needed help and--"

"Hisashi, I know. Teru told me."

The guitarist gulped strong enough that his Adam's Apple moved. "He did?"

"Yeah, just before you came in. He tried to explain everything to me."

"And?"

"Let's just say I've finally realized I was wasting my time fussing over things that are nonexistent."

"You have?"

"Uh-huh."

"So…you understand the real deal between Teru and me?"

"Perfectly."

"So you're not mad?"

"There's that word again!" Jiro cried. "Why do you people think that's the only thing I'm capable of feeling?" Jiro's hand shot out to gently tip Hisashi's chin with a finger. "I'm not mad, okay? Now will people please stop asking me that?"

For the first time that night, Hisashi smiled as he tried to fight back the joyous tears that threatened to pool in his eyes. He'd never felt so happy at how understanding Jiro was. It made him more confident to tell him what he should've back at his flat had things gone on as planned. Reiko or no Reiko, he felt brave enough to say the words that would sum up his feelings, that would let Jiro know just how much he was loved. He knew he could lose but at least no one could accuse him that he didn't give it a shot.

"Jiro?"

"Hm?"

Hisashi expelled a quick puff of deep breath. "There's something else I have to tell you…about you…me…about us."

"Yeah?" Jiro asked along with a yawn.

"Hai. I mean, the thing is, I'm--"

The bassist halted him with that deep voice which always betrayed Jiro's fresh, boyish features. "Ne, Hisashi?"

"What?"

"I'd love to hang around long enough to listen to what you've got but I'm wiped. I'd like to go to sleep now, and I hope you wouldn't mind."

Hisashi shook his head then smiled. "No, of course I won't mind. There's nothing more I want than for you to feel better."

"Thanks."

"But…uh…" Hisashi hesitated, biting his bottom lip in anticipation and fear, "we're cool, aren't we?" He desperately wanted to know the answer.

"Yeah."

The smile widened along with an obvious sigh of relief. "Great." Hisashi pulled himself to his feet. "See you around." He received a nod as a response. A smile formed on his face which he offered to the bassist just before he spun around and headed for the door. A light pull rendered the portal open but Hisashi just had to look back at Jiro once again. "Ano…"

"What?"

"Get yourself well. I care about that and I…I care about you. I just wanted you to know that." Hisashi welcomed Jiro's smile and then closed the door.

"I care about you, too, Hisashi," Jiro whispered to the door that had just separated him from the blue-haired man. "I care about you so much that I'd have to let you go."

He closed his eyes and shifted his head to face the ceiling before his eyelids flew open once more, his mind overcast with different thoughts. But they all led to one thing…to one man and to what Jiro deemed was best for everybody. The emotions surging into him had already caused him enough pain and confusion. He didn't think he could take any more.

He loved Hisashi; that was of no question. But Hisashi obviously didn't feel the same way. It was a certainty Jiro held as a fact. He'd given it a lot of thought enough to lose his mind and ram into a pathetic concrete wall. No amount of justification from either Hisashi or Teru would convince him otherwise. He can be stubborn as hell sometimes if he willed it. More than that, he was positive everything Teru and Hisashi would say would be out of trying to make him feel better. Once he was out of this hospital's bed, things would be back to normal: intentional shuns, disregarding gazes…pretty much as normal as Jiro and Hisashi could get. The four days were over and Jiro had to live with that truth, no matter how much it would kill him.

He'd brought his own misery upon himself by ignoring all the warning signs. In the end, when his heart had broken into fragments beyond repair, he'd blame no one but his own sorry self. He had created an illusion and let himself bask in its promise that the time would come when Hisashi would love him the same way. It was that same illusion which hurt him the most and drove him into this insanity and anguish. Hisashi can never love him, not when Teru could be everything Hisashi could hope for.

Jiro took a deep breath to try to calm him down as his eyes closed shut to lose himself into exhausting sleep. He probably would've regretted doing so because as soon as he drifted into oblivion, images of a blue-haired nymph came running through his mind, haunting him like it did every night.

One in the morning found Hisashi standing on the balcony of his apartment, taking long drags of his cigarette. It had been hours since he left the hospital, that talk he had with Jiro being the last time he'd seen the bassist. He had asked Teru to drive him home as soon as he exited from Jiro's room. It didn't look nice, especially since Takuro gave him yet another warning glare along with a defeated sigh when he told them he was going home.

It wasn't because he didn't want to stay. God knew how much he wanted to be with Jiro now more than ever after they've talked things out, after Jiro understood that there was nothing going on between him and Teru. No matter how close he'd been with the vocalist, Teru would never be more than just his friend. Hisashi had never been in love with him. Teru was more like the brother Hisashi missed back in Hokkaido. That was all.

But Hisashi had to leave because he'd meant it when he said that he wanted for Jiro to get well. At the soonest time, if possible. He didn't want to waste any second in telling Jiro his soul…he had squandered enough. And so he decided to get back home and drift into blissful rest. Only, sleep didn't come to him.

His sheets had been one hell of a mess when he got up after he'd tossed and turned in it for hours. He'd given up trying to doze off at around midnight to poison his lungs with nicotine and tar. Half a pack later, he still did not feel a tinge of drowsiness. A look back at the rumpled bed and he saw Ayu sleeping peacefully, snoring if that was possible. Hisashi felt a little tad of envy. //Lucky cat.//

He stubbed his cigarette on the ashtray and blew out the last drag's smoke onto the city. He had not one clue how to invite at least an hour's worth of shut-eye. Beer was ruled out--he'd never gotten dead drunk enough from it--and he was out of hard liquor. Hisashi supposed he could whip out his ever-dependable Mac and update his sites or go online but he felt too lazy. Strumming a guitar seemed sensible enough but even that was boring for him at the moment.

A self-spiting snicker flew out from him. Since when had playing the guitar been boring for him? //Since I realized I'd be playing it alone again//, he thought. Things were much better and easier for him when Jiro was around, inspiring him enough to conceive demanding and, dare he say, arrogant picks to once again earn the admiration of thousands who adulated him. Much more than that, jamming with Jiro had proven to be a lot of fun, almost making him forget the round of scolding he'd gotten from Takuro last week. //Had it only been last week?// It sure appeared to be much longer since the time he and Jiro had crossed the distance between them and became good friends.

Hisashi sighed the bassist's name with affection and concern as he picked up his lighter, preparing to start another stick. Now that he'd thought about it, *who* was watching over Jiro at the hospital anyway? He and Teru had left Takuro and Masahide at the hospital but the leader had expressed that he needed to leave before eleven for something; Hisashi hadn't really been paying attention. He didn't think Masahide would stay longer than Takuro would since his wife was already in her third trimester and could give birth any moment soon. Teru wouldn't return to the hospital either after Ami had called four times while they were out, insisting that she'd be crashing at his pad due to an argument with Yumi. No matter how much Teru loved Jiro, he couldn't choose him over Miss Airheaded Bitch, not without a nasty round of screeching, cursing and whining from the pop brat. And Teru has already had his arms full of wailing from his two kids. Which brought Hisashi back to his question: who was staying with Jiro?

"Maybe I should go tend to him," he said, squishing his fresh stick of Kool out. He sped back into his room, taking a pair of jeans and a clean shirt out from the closet. He had pondered about calling the hospital up after he'd changed but later vetoed it. There was no need to broadcast he was paying Jiro a visit. Besides, no matter how disciplined and professional the people at the hospital were, he was positive two or three would turn out to be fans and be not as levelheaded as he had expected.

Declaring himself ready, Hisashi kissed the tip of his index finger and pressed it gently against Ayu's forehead. He snagged his keys from the table then exited from his room hurriedly, only to knock against a bureau and send a dysfunctional lamp crashing onto the floor. Frowning, he bent over and picked the item up, hastily scanning it for damages. It was an odd lamp: a pair of delicate lady hands serving as the stem, holding a distorted ball with the purple light bulb inside it. Izumi had bought it for him some months back, thinking it might be a good addition to his equally eccentric collection. He thought she'd take it with her when they broke up but she insisted it was a gift; no reason to take it back. He grinned as he placed the odd lamp back on top of the bureau. If real love hadn't been a consideration, he had to admit it was fun having a girlfriend sometimes.

His smile easily vanished and a hand smacked on his forehead a few seconds after. One name rang into his ears. *Reiko.* How could he have forgotten that Jiro *still* had a girlfriend? *Damnit!* Surely, Reiko must already know what had happened to Jiro and knowing her somehow, Hisashi was certain she was beside Jiro at that moment. Who else would be there the whole night but the one person who truly loved him? //But then that should be me.//

He began pacing restlessly across his living room, debating time and again whether he should go on to the hospital or to just stay and let her take care of the man they both love. Other than that, Hisashi wondered if she already knew what happened. He would've seen her at the hospital earlier if so. With her caring nature, it would be of no surprise if she'd been beside Jiro way before any of them reached the hospital. Yet, there had been no sign of her when he came over.

Hisashi finally picked up the phone and waited for Takuro's voice from the other end of the line. "Takkun?"

"Hisa?" came Takuro's groggy voice. "Jesus, Hisa, do you know what time it is? How could you wake people up at a time like this?"

//How could you sleep at a time like this with Jiro in the hospital?// Hisashi cleared his throat. "Ne, I just wanted to ask if you've called Reiko up to tell her about Jiro."

"Yeah, I have but she'd left for Fukuoka yesterday morning on an assignment and she couldn't book an earlier flight much less get waitlisted. Practically every flight is full. But she said she'll try to get back as soon as she can."

"Sou ka." Hisashi shrugged, feeling some sort of relief. "Maa, that's all I wanted to ask, really. Thanks."

"Hisashi, hold on a sec." Takuro's voice sounded less sleepy now. "Is something going on?"

"No," the younger guitarist replied before taking a gulp. "Why do you ask?"

"Because you're the last person on the face of the earth I'd expect to be concerned about whether or not Reiko knew. Come to think of it, I've never heard you mention her before."

//So perceptive of you//, Hisashi thought sarcastically. He made an unnoticeable recovery from the surprise brought about by the question posed. "I had a girlfriend before, Takuro. I mean, if I were Jiro, of course I'd want my koi to know what had happened."

There was a long pause. "Well, if you say so, Hisashi."

"Yeah. Thanks again. Ja." Hisashi pitched the phone onto the couch then started for the door, slipping into his worn sneakers then grabbing his jacket from the rack. He ran down the corridor, stepping immediately into the waiting elevator. His fingers drummed on his thighs as he waited to get down to the basement parking. At the slight ring of the bell, the door opened and Hisashi spilled out of the elevator cab only to stop short by his usual spot where the car was parked, all protectively draped in its black cover…his car…expensive, sleek, and useless. "Shit."

Hisashi turned around, hands on slim hips, searching for anything that could get him to the city hospital. He surmised he could borrow the car of the kind family living next door to his apartment but waking them at his time of the hour to satisfy his own whim to get out was too much bother. He had more sense than that. But he desperately needed to reach Jiro.

//Some dilemma you're giving me, Yoshihito…and you don't even have to be here.// He was just about to declare defeat when his eyes flew to one area of the parking lot, focusing on the sleek bike the band had given him on his birthday. He hadn't used it in a while and he doubted if he could get far with it. But heck, at least it had wheels…and it would actually run. More than that, the city was practically dead at 1:25 AM. There was no way fans could be lurking around, expecting him to come cruising down the street in a bike at such an ungodly hour. It would have to do.

Hisashi walked casually down the hospital corridors, trying his best to look inconspicuous. It hadn't been that hard since he had on some casual clothing and his face was free of makeup. The only thing that could give him away was his blue hair, but it could just as well be mistaken for black. After all, no one noticed him while he cruised down the road aboard his bike. A bit to his surprise, he actually enjoyed the night escapade. There were hardly any people down the streets and the rain had mellowed down to a gentle drizzle, barely registering on his exposed skin. He'd never felt so free, so normal. //'Guess I'd have to thank Jiro for that.//

He paused before the door to Jiro's room, coming down with a case of hesitation just now. But he'd gotten this far, took the pains to get here. He might as well fulfill his purpose. A trembling hand rested upon the knob and readied to turn it around.

"Excuse me," said a voice from behind Hisashi. Startled a little, he looked back at a fifty-something nurse addressing him.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"I'm sorry but we don't allow…" the woman trailed off, peering closely at his face. He knew he was recognized when the woman's eyes widened. "Oh, Tonomura Hisashi-san." She made a respectful bow. "Ohayo gozaimasu."

"Ohayo," Hisashi replied, bowing likewise. He grew curious as to how the nurse knew him. Sure, he was popular and all but most of their fans were aged somewhere near his own. "Uh, are you a fan?"

"Not exactly. But my teenaged son is one of your biggest fans, though. He has your posters all over his room. He told me he wanted to be a great guitarist someday just like you."

"I see," he mumbled, smiling a little. Looking at the nurse, he couldn't help thinking of his mother. "Anyway, is there something wrong?"

"Well, actually, we don't allow visitors at this time since the patients here are sleeping and all."

"Oh. Well, I just thought of dropping by since I don't think we've assigned anyone to watch over Jiro during his stay and he's pretty much alone in there so…"

The nurse sighed then smiled. "I suppose I could make a little exception. After all, you are Jiro-san's very good friend. But he's asleep right now. Painkillers induce sleep and he'd taken one just two hours ago."

Hisashi shrugged his shoulders. "That's okay. At least I wouldn't have to put up with a whining bratty patient."

"Alright. You may go in there for him."

"Thanks. And, uh, could I ask for a favor?" He received a nod. "Could you please not tell anyone that I've been here?"

"Of course. I understand your need for privacy as a pop--"

"No, I don't mean just the fans but, the rest of the band as well…including Jiro."

The nurse looked genuinely puzzled. "Including Jiro-san?"

"Yes. If he wakes up while I'm here, it's okay for him to know. But as long as he's asleep even after I leave, I wouldn't want him to learn of my visit." He casually ran his fingers through his hair. "Would that be too much to ask?"

The nurse had obviously wanted to ask more but then she settled into a smile then shook her head. "No. I can do that." She stepped back and bowed again. "I have to get going now, Hisashi-san. It's been nice meeting you."

"Likewise," Hisashi said, courteously bending. Just before the nurse took a step to go on her way, he stopped her by a hand gently touching her shoulder. "One last thing, please. You wouldn't happen to have a pen and paper with you now, would you?" The woman reached into her pocket and pulled out a pen and a small slip of paper then handed it to Hisashi. "Chotto matte kudasai," he said, fishing for his wallet and taking a guitar pick out of it. He scribbled something on the offered paper. "What's your son's name?"

Her smile widened, as though pleased he'd asked. "Hisashi. Asayama Hisashi."

Hisashi grinned as he wrote his namesake's name on the paper. Afterwards, he handed all three items to the nurse. "This isn't a bribe but I have the feeling little Hisashi would want to have this."

The nurse gladly took the autographed sheet and pick from Hisashi. "Honto ni arigatou, Hisashi-san. My boy would really love these. Thank you."

Hisashi watched her bow one last time before walking away to the nurse's station. He smiled to himself, glad he was going to give yet another fan some sort of happiness. He cast one deep sigh before whirling around, finally turning the knob and pushing the door open to let himself in.

True enough, Jiro was fast asleep, the bassist's faint snoring being the only sound apart from the aircon whirring from one corner of the private room. With light steps he'd mastered from being around with Ayu too much, Hisashi walked closer to the bed, coming to a halt just beside it. Eyes full of emotion stared at the oblivious man.

The place was relatively dark, conducive to a good slumber, with only the city lights outside the building streaming through the window's open blinds. It cast a soft hue on the bed's occupant, just slightly illuminating his face for recognition. But Hisashi didn't need the help. He could draw Jiro's face in full detail even with his eyes closed. He'd seen it up close lots of time before…in his own kitchen, in Jiro's kitchen, in his living room, down the foot of the stairs at the recording studio. The only thing he hadn't done so far was close the distance between their faces. True, the impulsive peck on Jiro's soft cheek would count, but Hisashi wanted more, along with a declaration of sincere feelings. The mask they had both been hiding behind from must crumble down.

Hisashi smiled affectionately at Jiro, resisting the urge to brush a lock of blonde-brown hair away from his temples. But the temptation was too strong and he realized he had a damn weak self-control, especially at times like this when he's alone with Jiro. So his hand reached out, trembling fingers gently pushing away a few stubborn strands. Then he smoothed Jiro's cheek, just the barest and lightest of touch. He was aware it was pushing things too far, but he just couldn't help it. Despite the gash on the forehead, Jiro was simply too otherworldly beautiful to be tangible and Hisashi had to be sure the angelic creature before him was real.

Reality slapped Hisashi hard when Jiro stirred in his sleep, his luscious mouth twitching slightly at the corner. The guitarist held back his breath, expecting Jiro's eyes to open yet praying the bassist would not wake up. His prayers had been granted. Not wanting to court Fate's tricks, Hisashi drew his hand back, pressing the tips to his smiling lips. He seated himself into a chair, his eyes never leaving his ward. He intended to stay awake for the rest of the dark early morning hours, just watching Jiro sleep and listening to him breathe.

Expertly sculpted brows knitted together, forming a crease on Hisashi's smooth forehead. He winced a little before he languidly opened his eyes to see the sun's rays slowly flooding the room, promising a brand new day. He smiled, feeling refreshed as he drifted into that limbo between sleep and reality, then closed his eyes once more, dreamily sinking back into the world he'd been roused from.

Five seconds later, his eyes shot wide open as he jumped out of his seat as though it were on fire. The clock on one wall read 6:17 AM. //Damnit! I feel asleep!// Immediately, he glanced at Jiro, wanting to find out if his visit had been learned of after all. There were no traces of having woken up in the last six hours from the bassist. Hisashi dramatically placed a hand to his chest, relief surging into him. He hadn't meant to doze off, Kami knew that. He was determined to simply stay up and watch over Jiro to the letter. But somewhere along the line, as he intoxicated himself in the beauty that was Jiro, Hisashi found himself feeling too calm, too relaxed, too peaceful, too comfortable. It was as though there was nothing that could disrupt him and the surrounding serenity, that nothing could ever come between him and Jiro. He had to succumb to quietude's potency.

Hisashi stretched his body, trying to jar out a few of the kinks from having slept in odd angles. Then he smiled at Jiro again--Hisashi didn't think he'd get tired of doing that. He touched Jiro's hair lightly. "I'll see you around," he mouthed before pivoting on his heels and strolling to the door. A gentle pull, a faint creak and a clicking shut after and Hisashi was gone.

The door didn't slam close but the gust of wind that came along with the movement of the door registered on Jiro's skin. His eyes, still clouded with sleep, flickered open into slits, just enough to make a quick scan of the area around him. He was alone, he dimly realized, but still, he uttered the first name that came into his mind. "Hisashi?" His eyes closed shut, losing himself again to the lure of Dreamland.

Jiro awoke later to the feel of someone's presence beside him. Looking to his side, he saw her. "Reiko?"

She smiled a little. "You know, when we bid each other goodbye, this is not exactly what I had in mind."

"What are you doing here?"

"Checking up on you. We're still friends, aren't we?"

He nodded. "How did you know?"

"Takuro told me long distance to Fukuoka. I practically had to beg on my knees at the airport for the earliest booking I could get just to be here as soon as possible. You scared the hell out of me, you know?"

"I'm sorry. If it's any comfort, I think I worried everyone else, too." He shifted slightly in his place. "Did you just get in?" Reiko's response was in the form of a nod. "What time is it?"

She glanced at the clock. "6:19 AM." Then she looked at him curiously. "You need to take your medicine?"

"No, no. I was just…" he ended with a sigh. "Did you meet anyone on your way in here?"

"Other than the random faces of people I've never seen before…" she looked up, trying to recall anything, "no, I didn't meet anyone. Why?"

"I could swear someone was with me just a while ago."

"It could've been the nurses…or your doctor."

"No. You know I'm not a heavy sleeper. I wake up at the slightest change in my surroundings." Jiro stared at the ceiling, further burrowing his head deep into the pillow. "But this one's different. I know there was someone here with me. I felt it. I felt like someone was watching over me…someone brushing my hair. And I did not stir because for some reason, his presence just made me feel relaxed and uncaring of anything else. He sent me a different kind of calm."

"He?"

"Of course I could be wrong. I could've just had some sort of hallucination. It wouldn't make sense for Hisashi to have been here standing guard over me." Jiro averted his gaze back at Reiko and for just a split second, he saw sincere pain flash through her eyes. She quickly covered it up with a smile, but there was no denying the glistening in her eyes, foreboding him of tears if she wouldn't be able to help it. He almost punched himself in the face for even mentioning the name in front of the girl he took Hisashi over for. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," she said. Jiro knew it was simply out of politeness. The bitterness in her smile told him. "So…has he seen you yet?"

"Yeah. He visited me last night. 'Only stayed for a few minutes though."

"Well, that wasn't so nice of him. If I were Hisashi, I'd--"

"I drove him away," Jiro concluded, before Reiko could get other ideas. He needed her to know Hisashi hadn't done anything wrong.

"I see," she mumbled, as though the whole thing was finally clear to her. "So, uhm…how did this happen?"

Jiro stared into her eyes, weighing in his mind whether or not to tell her everything. No matter how much things didn't work out between him and Hisashi, Jiro felt he shouldn't let Reiko know about it. He didn't want to give her false hopes. But to heck with it…at least he knew Reiko loved him, that Reiko could give him the affection he couldn't get from Hisashi, that Reiko went through hell and high water just to get to the hospital for him this early in the day. Maybe he had been wrong about breaking up with her after all.

"Well?" she asked, subtly pressing for an answer.

He sighed, trying to sort out the potpourri of words in his head and groped for her hand. "Well…it started with the meeting yesterday morning…"

part 10