The next day after class was out, along with getting a long lecture from Midori for not doing her essay, Natsuki was getting whatever she needed out of her locker before leaving to the Fuka Asylum to see her friends Shizuru and Haruka. But before she left, Natsuki heard someone softly say from behind say.
“......U-Uh, Kuga-san.”
Natsuki turned around and saw it was Yukino with a timid look on her face.
“Oh, hey, Yukino. What's up?” Natsuki wondered.
“.....Um.....I-I heard that you are going to the Fuka Asylum due to getting in trouble at school.”
“Yeah. I'm now Shizuru's caretaker there. Making sure she doesn't get in trouble with anyone there along with keep her company. I also met Haruka there during the time I've been going there, too.”
“R-Really? How is Haruka-chan doing?”
“She's doing fine. She's still pronouncing her words wrong, but she's getting better, though,” Natsuki said who saw Yukino holding something in her hand, “Hey, what's that in your hand?”
“Oh. I-It's nothing. Just something.....for Haruka-chan,” Yukino said blushing lightly.
“Do you want me to give that to Haruka when I go see her today?”
“I-I don't want to be a bother to you, Kuga-san.”
“I don't mind. Besides, Haruka keeps yapping on about what she wants to do when she gets out of the asylum including see you again.”
Yukino's face lit up when she heard Natsuki said that to her. “H-Haruka-chan said that?”
“Yeah. Even thought she doesn't want to admit it, Haruka really does miss you a lot.”
Yukino's face turned a light shade of red saying, “If.....If you say you don't mind giving this to Haruka-chan,…..could you.....you know.....when you see her?” Yukino gives Natsuki an envelop as Natsuki and Yukino were walking to Natsuki's motorcycle.
“Okay. I'll give this to Haruka when I see her today, Yukino,” Natsuki said putting the envelope in her pocket and began to drive to the Fuka Asylum.
At the Fuka Asylum, Haruka and Shizuru were outside under a tree having a snack. Shizuru was sipping her tea and looking at the leaves drop while Haruka was eating a ham sandwich the cafeteria had and a carton of milk.
“I wonder where we're gonna be training for soccer today,” Haruka said between bites of eating her ham sandwich.
“I don't know,” Shizuru said still sipping her tea in silence for a few minutes before saying randomly, “Haruka, did you know that since we've been having lunch here, that one hundred and seventeen leaves have fallen from the tree we're eating under?”
“.......Uh, no? I didn't know that,” Haruka said sweatdropping who saw Shizuru sweetly smiling before she continued to sip her tea, 'Honestly, Fujino. I just don't understand you no a days.'
Haruka sighed again still in thought who saw Natsuki walk to where the blonde and Shizuru are. “Oh. Hey, Natsuki.”
“Natsuki!” Shizuru puts down her tea, runs to where the brunette was walking, and jumps ontop of Natsuki. Cuddling her head against Natsuki's chest.
“Why must you do this whenever I come here, Shizuru?” Natsuki sighed.
“Kanin na (Sorry in Kyoto-ben), Natsuki. But I can't help it. My lovely Natsuki is here to spend time with me,” Shizuru said with a smile on her face who helped Natsuki stand up again along with herself.
“You can't blame Fujino for being like this, though, Natsuki,” Haruka said finishing her ham sandwich and walked to where Shizuru and Natsuki were.
“True. Since in a few days, there will be a Family Day,” Natsuki said with her hands behind her head, “What about your family, Haruka? Are they coming to see you?”
“How cares? My mom is still in rehab for the seventh time this week, and my dad's too drank to give a damn about me,” Haruka said folding her arms across her chest.
“It's 'drunk,' Haruka.”
“Whatever.”
“Oh, and by the way, Yukino gave me this to give to you.” Natsuki hands Haruka the envelop.
“Thanks. I'll see what it is later.”
“Hey, maybe Yukino will come and see you on Family Day.”
“Heh. I bet.”
Natsuki smiled who saw Haruka's face lightly turn red as Natsuki looked over to where Shizuru was smiling. 'I don't think Shizuru's parents will be there for Family Day at the Fuka Asylum since, well, they're junkies and all......Wait. Did I just say Junkie? Man, my vocabulary's starting to diminish now a days. Damn video games.'
“Yo, Natsuki. You alright?” Haruka said snapping Natsuki back to reality.
“Huh? Oh. Yeah. I'm good,” Natsuki said, “Hey, Shizuru. Can you and Haruka help me with my soccer practice?”
“Ara, Natsuki wants my help? I'm so happy!”
Natsuki's face light turned red hearing that. “Why must you say stuff like that?”
“Why? Natsuki doesn't like it when I say stuff like that? Natsuki must hate me, doesn't she?” Shizuru said covering her head over her hands and began crying.
“Ah! No, no! I don't hate you! I don't hate you at all! Please, don't cry!” Natsuki said.
“Really? Natsuki don't hate me?”
“Of course. I don't hate you at all.”
“Yay! Natsuki doesn't hate me! Natsuki doesn't hate me!” Shizuru said cheerfully.
'Dammit! I fell for it again! But....Shizuru makes it look so real,' Natsuki thought as Shizuru hugged the brunette, “By the way, what is Family Day supposed to be, anyway?”
“Family Day is when the family of the person who's in here visits for an entire day. They have these weird activities they make us do with our parents while they're there to visit us,” Haruka explained, “I thing it's stupid while other people say it's a good way to bond with their families even more or some kind a crap like that.”
“I see.”
Haruka opened the envelop who saw a picture of Yukino laying in bed wearing a loose night shirt and pants with a tired look on her face. The blonde quietly smiled as she turned the picture to the back that had something written on the back of it.
It reads:
Haruka-chan,
I hope you're doing well where you are with your new friends. I'll be waiting for you at home when it's time for you to come out of the asylum.
Truly Yours,
Yukino Kikukawa
Haruka felt her face lightly turn red again who gently chuckled at the picture. “Mou, Yukino. Do you always have to wear such loose clothing. Especially when their mine.”
“Whatcha doin', Haruka?” Shizuru wondered surprising Haruka.
“Uh, n-n-nothing,” She stammered hiding the picture behind her back.
“It doesn't look like nothing. Your face is all red.”
“Stay out of this, Bubuzuke! I don't have anything behind my back! You have no proof!”
“Then what's this?” Natsuki takes the picture of Yukino from behind Haruka's back that was behind her back.
“H-Hey! Give that back!”
“I wanna see. I wanna see!” Shizuru said as Natsuki and her both saw the picture Haruka had hidden behind her back. “Aww! That's soo cute, Haruka!”
“Sh-Shut-up! It proves nothing about Yukino and me!” Haruka object whose face was bright red.
“No wonder Yukino likes you so much,” Natsuki said with a smile on her face as Haruka snatched the picture back.
“Stay out of my gife, Kuga!”
“It's 'life'.”
“Whatever!” Haruka yelled laying on the grass as Natsuki and Shizuru joined her.
“Well, at least you have someone who likes you in that way,” Natsuki sighed looking at the clouds.
“True. But what about you? I'm sure the Ice Princess has someone she loves.”
“.........” Natsuki was quiet when Haruka said that. After her mother died, she swore she would never trust another human being again. But after meeting Shizuru, Natsuki was able to trust people again along with make friends like Mai, Nao, and Mikoto who care about her and her well being. However......
“Oi, Natsuki! Are you listening to me!?”
“Huh?” Natsuki looked to where she saw a ticked off Haruka and a concerned Shizuru.
“Ara. Natsuki stared off into space twice now. Was she thinking about me during those times?” Shizuru smiled.
“Probably,” Haruka said as Natsuki's face turned red.
“No! I was just thinking about something that doesn't involve you guys!”
“Mou, Ikezu! Natsuki is so cold to me!” Shizuru pouted.
“You were thinking about something else, huh?” Haruka said.
“Yeah,” Natsuki said.
“About what?”
“......Uh, well......I'd rather not say right now. It's kinda lame and-”
“So? The people at the office told you about us. Now, it's our turn to find out something about you, Natsuki Krug.”
“It's 'Kuga,' Haruka.”
“That's what I said, brunette!” Haruka exclaimed.
“You're starting to become lazy on your vocabulary again.”
“What are you? My mother! Get off my back, woman!”
Shizuru was fiddling with her Kiyohime key-chain with a smile on her face who said, “I think what Haruka is trying to say is that since the people at the office told Natsuki about us, it is fair for Haruka and I to know alittle bit about Natsuki since we're all friends.”
“......Uh, yeah. What Bubuzuke said said!” Haruka agreed as Natsuki blinded at the both of them.
'I guess it is fair for Haruka and Shizuru to know me and my background. Since the three of us are friends, like Shizuru said,' Natsuki thought, 'But...I don't know if I can open that much up to them yet. But they are nice and listen to all my problems like Mai and Nao do when I'm pissed off at someone at school.' Natsuki looked at Shizuru and Haruka again who softly smiled at them and said, “Okay. I guess I can tell you a little bit about myself.”
“Yatta! (Alright) I'm gonna learn more information about Natsuki before I met her!' Shizuru cheer as Natsuki sweatdropped with a slight smile on her face.
'Even though Shizuru talks like a wise old person, she also has the mind of a seven year old girl whenever she's around me,' Natsuki thought, “Well, as a kid..........”