to take some with him. If he didn't want it, he'd give it to his mother ... wouldn't be a problem.



So this time he entered the hospital with flowers, which made him feel stupid. Because where did a boy give flowers to another boy? He wondered whether he shouldn't give his mother the flowers after all. With mixed feelings, he knocked and entered the room. This time it was light, the blinds were raised and the window was open.Shingo went to the bed and found that Ken was asleep. He sat down with a sigh and looked at him for a while. Now that he didn't say anything hurtful, he looked like a different person. He almost looked pretty when he slept so peacefully. Shingo shrugged off the thoughts and smiled involuntarily.

"I think I'll give you the flowers!" he whispered and looked around searching. Shortly afterwards he found a suitable vase and placed the flowers in it. He placed it on the bedside table and then got up. "You're really cute when you shut up!" he added with a giggle and pushed back the strand of black hair.

“That's right!” Shingo whirled around when he heard the sudden voice and almost carried the vase with him. He stared into the dark eyes for a while. The young man grinned at him and studied him. "Shall we go out? Otherwise he'll wake up and then he's not so cute anymore!" Shingo blushed and followed Tetsuya quickly.He quietly closed the door and pointed to the waiting area where the guests usually stayed when visiting hours had not yet started or they were simply waiting for their friend. They sat down.

“You were there yesterday, weren't you?” Shingo nodded silently. "I want to thank you and ... apologize."

“How?” Shingo didn't understand what he was saying.

"Well, it was very nice that you came here yesterday and checked on him. You were the first visit you know ... I couldn't come earlier." Then Tetsuya noticed that Shingo was trying to find out who he was was. "Oh ... I'm sorry, I'm Tetsuays, Ken's brother."

"Shingo, Ichihara Shingo ... I'm happy!" He held out his hand.

"Our parents haven't found the time to come here yet. They have business that is too important to them ... not that that justifies their action ..." he added quietly and eyed Shingo. "His 'friends' will certainly not show up here, they are too afraid of the police and such."

"Police?"

"Hm ... the race was illegal and it will surely have consequences for Ken, even if I straighten a few things ..."

"I see ..."

"To come back to earlier ... I wanted to apologize for Ken too." He noticed Shingo's questioning look. “I saw you yesterday, you almost cried.” He noticed the boy turn away. "Then he said something hurtful. He's actually not like that, but he just turns the strong guy out, I don't know why ... but he's completely different to me. Don't hold the words against him." He put him down a hand on his shoulder and looked at him for a long time.

"Okay" Shingo smiled and stood up. "I have to ... go now. Please give Nakai-san my best regards ..." He bowed and was almost gone when Tetsuya called after him.

"Shingo-san! Come back tomorrow, okay ... Ken shouldn't be all alone and I can't take forever ... you don't have to, but I ask you to take care of him a little, okay?""Shingo thought for a moment and then nodded hesitantly." Thanks and take care! "Tetsuya waved to him and Shingo disappeared around the corner.



“Wake up!” Tetsuya had been sitting next to the bed for a while, watching Ken. His gaze swayed between the white lilies and his brother. He gave him a small blow, and Ken looked up wearily. "How can you sleep all day?"

“What is it?” Ken looked at him sourly. Then his gaze fell on the lilies. "What is that? Were Kaa-san and Odo-san there?" There was a slight excitement in his words. White lilies were his favorite flowers, his parents knew that, but Tetsuya shook his head slightly.

"No ... they are from ..." He paused when he noticed Ken turning around, disappointed.

"I don't want to know ..." he mumbled disappointed, and Tetsuya sighed audibly.

"I'll tell you anyway ... they are from the little one who was here yesterday." He noticed how Ken winced and then turned to him frantically."What was his name?"

“Ichihara-san?” Ken looked at him questioningly, and looked excited.

"Exactly, Shingo ... he was just here ... a nice boy. I talked to him." Tetsuya grinned and Ken knew exactly what that grin meant.

"What did you tell him."

“Oh just a little something about you, that's all!” He saw Ken's hands clench in the bedspread. "Calm down ... I can't come back tomorrow, I have to work again, but he'll look after you. I asked him to."

"How?"

"Well don't look like that! Someone has to take care of you a little." He got up and turned to go. “Get well soon, and woe to you if you say anything mean to him!” He disappeared without even waiting for an answer.

Ken leaned back and brooded. So he had actually come back again? On the one hand he was happy about it, on the other hand he was disappointed that only he came.// I don't want him to come anymore! Not HE! // Ken stared at the ceiling again. He didn't understand Shingo. Even though he had yelled at him like that, he came anyway and now even wanted to take care of him.



"Shingo! How long do you want to sleep? Didn't you want to go away?" Shingo rubbed his eyes tiredly. He hadn't slept the last night. He had to think too much about Ken. Should he go to the hospital again and try. // I promised Tetsuya-san ... //

He got up slowly and stretched. He went to the window and looked outside. It was hazy and eerily oppressive. // There is going to be quite a thunderstorm soon. // Shingo took a deep breath before getting dressed and sitting at the breakfast table.

“Where are you going today?” His mother put a cup of cocoa in front of him and sat down.

“Hm?” Shingo swallowed the bite. "A school friend is in the hospital ... I'll go to see him and take care of him."

“Is that the boy who had that motorcycle accident?” She gave him a stern look. Shingo didn't answer, just nodded slightly. "Well ... how can you go to a boy like that? It's not good for you ... I don't want you to go there!"

"But ..." Shingo got up frantically and started to protest when his father walked in.

“What your mother says is true, you stay here!” His voice was cool and stern and Shingo backed away a little. // But I promised! //

“He's not what you think ... he is ...!” A bang interrupted Shingo and he stumbled back a little dazedly until he hit the table. His cheek burned and his father looked at him in anger. His mother rushed over and stood between them.

"Don't, you don't have to hit him ... he stays here like that, ne Shingo!" She turned to him and gave him a warning look. But the big man pushed her away and grabbed Shingo's shirt collar.

"Did you hear ... if I say you stay here, you do ... you learn as always!" He shook him roughly and Shingo looked at him with hatred. Then he turned his head away and appeared to be defeated.

"Okay ..." he muttered and finally felt the grip loosen and let go. He left the room in silence and went back up to his. He could still hear his father getting upset about him and hitting the table several times. Why was he always so brutal ... he would learn that way too, without this pressure. Shingo went to the small mirror in the bathroom and examined his sore cheek. Meanwhile it was blue.

"Ts ..." He turned away and lay down on his bed. // Promise ... // Shingo thought about it. There was only the possibility of sneaking out of the house, but if his parents noticed, they couldn't imagine what would happen. Still, otherwise he'd be alone all day and I don't want to stay here.

He got up quickly and ran to the window. A look to the left told him that he could easily go down the porch. Determined to give it a try, he grabbed his jacket and sank to the floor on the porch. Without wasting time, he left the garden. How he hated this house. He had never rebelled against his father, so it was better to be as quiet and aloof as possible at school. Nobody would ever want to come here to visit him ... most of all, nobody would ask why they had moved here.

After leaving the street behind, he slowed down and walked slowly along the endless streets. Why was he risking so much for this guy? Shingo stopped in front of the hospital. // Because I'm sorry for him // a voice called out to him. //And what about you? Nobody will feel sorry for you // another voice answered.

"If I'm already here ..." he muttered and stepped to the elevators.He was glad that Saturdays were always visitor days, so he didn't have to worry about visiting hours. Almost automatically, he went to Ken's room and knocked gently. He rubbed his cheek. // Shit, not to be overlooked //

"Come in" The low voice sounded annoyed and Shingo carefully opened the door to push through the narrow gap. This time Ken was back in bed, but they had taken all the equipment off him, and so he seemed to be feeling better again. This time his look wasn't as pejorative as the last, but he said nothing. Shingo pulled the stool up a little hesitantly and sat down so that Ken couldn't see his cheek.

"Hi! You're feeling better ... that's nice!" He tried to smile, but his mouth hurt so much that he gave up.

"You actually came back ... you are like a stand-up man, Ichihara-kun." The words didn't sound derogatory this time, but they hurt Shingo.Ken stretched a little and then looked at him carefully.

“Have your parents been here in the meantime?” Shingo somehow wanted to find a conversation, but Ken