didn't show that much interest.

"No, they won't come either!"

"How do you know? You're sure to ..."

“Definitely what?” Ken cut in angrily. "Worry? What about, ... they've never worried!" Shingo backed away a little when he saw Ken's cool, hate-filled look. He didn't know if Ken was better or worse off than himself.

"Gomen ... I shouldn't have asked!" Ken sighed audibly.

"It's okay ... I ... I wanted to apologize to you too." He felt the other's surprised look and was embarrassed. "Well, that you came at all ... I'm very grateful to you for that. I'm sorry if the last time I said something that hurt you ... I didn't mean that!" He looked into Shingo's deep green eyes .// Impossible ... he apologizes! // Shingo stared at him and for a while no one said anything.

“How about we get some fresh air?” Shingo jumped up and broke away from the deep gaze. He was uncomfortable ...

"What now?"

"Sure ... that'll do you good!" Shingo grinned. "I'll help you ... you just lean on me, okay? You won't be that heavy!"

“Forget it!” Ken looked at him, aghast. "I'm not a fully disabled person who has to let people show me around!"

"Why not ... or can you walk without help?" Ken considered.

"If I try, it will definitely work without help!"

"Okay ... that's a word." Shingo stood up.

"I don't want to, at least not now! I don't feel like it. Just because I apologized ..." Ken turned away and now noticed Shingo's blue cheek.

"I promised your brother that I would take care of you ... you need some fresh air!" Shingo continued and sat down again.Then he leaned over and looked at him seriously. Ken said nothing more, they paused for a while and stared into each other's eyes.

“What happened here?” Ken rubbed his cheek gently and felt Shingo back away.

“Nothing ... nothing!” Shingo turned away. "If you don't want to, I'd better go. You don't seem so enthusiastic about me visiting you anyway."

“That's not true!” Ken looked at him seriously. "I'm glad you came ... honestly!" He sighed and grabbed his bathrobe. "Okay, let's just go outside ..." Shingo's mood brightened. // He forgot // "But only if you tell me what happened to your cheek!" // He didn't forget // Shingo wondered ... why tell the truth? He had fought, nothing more ...

“Okay, I agree!” He went to Ken, who sat up straight and carefully got up. He was wobbly on his feet, but he held up surprisingly well.“Shall I help?” Shingo looked at him questioningly.

"No, ... I can do this on my own!" Ken's answer came across as snotty, but Shingo didn't answer it.

Although it was very cloudy and the rain was almost in the air, many visitors and patients cavorted here. Shingo looked around and found a way to the old fountain. People seldom got lost there because this part was old.

“Are we going there?” Ken nodded. He was breathing heavily ... it was probably not that easy for him to walk without help. Although Shingo would have really helped him, the black-haired man refused any help.

They stopped at a bench and sat down.

“So how's the fresh air?” Shingo smiled at Ken. He seemed to like the fresh wind and the fresh smell of roses. Much better than the hospital smell. Shingo sat back contentedly and closed his eyes. After a while he felt a hand on his blue cheek and grimaced slightly.

"And ... what happened now?" Ken gently stroked it.

"Nothing more, just beat me yesterday."

"You? Don't piss me off, Ichihara-kun! You would never fight yourself!" Shingo felt caught. Was he really that obvious in his actions? "You won't hurt a fly ... because otherwise you wouldn't be here! Besides, you don't even have to try, I know if you're lying!" Ken grinned and Shingo bowed his head.

"Well ... that's ..."



Cut to the next time.

Request for Commissioner Cu ^^