A/N: Super short, I know, but there's a reason for that. The next chapter is gonna be 32 pt 2, and from a third person POV because there's a scene I want to show, but I hate the idea of skipping from first to third in the same chapter.

Eri

I hate hospitals.

As I blinked open my eyes, blearily staring at the ceiling above me, that was the sole that that radiated through my mind. I hate them. The smell of antiseptic, the whitewashed walls, the slow, methodic beep of the vitals machine...

Letting my head fall to the side, I examined what I could see of the room without moving. My chest still felt heavy, but the pain from before was gone. Either I'd been out for some time, or they'd given me something to sooth the burning in my chest caused by the coughing. My head felt clearer. A transfusion, maybe? Ah, yes, the I.V. stand sitting to the side of the room was currently empty, but no doubt it'd held a blood bag not long ago.

I might have put more thought into this, but faint movement caught my attention. I bit my lip when I located the source-- Emi sat, curled up in a chair at the far end of the room. Her head had lolled to the side, her hands hanging limply at her sides, and her entire body looked more relaxed than I'd seen in some time. I could only feel grateful that she was fast asleep-- it would give me time to figure out what to say. How to apologize for her being the one to find me. She wouldn't accept it, I knew, but... I had to try nevertheless.

She murmured something in her sleep, focusing my attention on her, rather than my thoughts. Shifting about in her chair-- reacting to whatever was going on behind her closed lids-- Emi suddenly scrunched her face up in a fierce scowl.

"Don't..."

I frowned. Don't what?

"Don't... eat my cake... dumbass."

It took everything I had not to burst out laughing. Of course Emi was dreaming about cake.

My eyes managed to find the clock in the room. Six in the evening, Emi must have wore herself out to be soundly asleep so early. I might have fallen into rather dark thoughts on the matter-- as there were few things that could wear her out in a hospital-- but the door crept open. I tensed, turning my head the other way, then relaxed as I caught sight of a familiar face.

"Kyoya..." My cheeks flushed as I remembered how he'd called my name without honorifics at the dinner. "... k-kun..."

His lips twitched as he slipped inside, softly shutting the door behind him. His eyes flicked to Emi, then back to me. For a moment, silence settled between us as he studied me, silently, before adjusting his glasses and approaching the bed.

"Do I want to know how you knew?" I questioned quietly, amusement playing at my smile.

He rose a brow. "Do you?"

I thought on it, then shook my head in response. Seemingly content with that response, Kyoya seized my chart as he'd done the last time we were in the hospital. His flicked over the pages. His face was carefully blank as ever, but his hands betrayed him. They tightened around the chart, nearly pale in the strength of their grip.

"That bad?"

He replaced it at the foot of my bed, then stepped around. Rather than answer, he fiddled with the buttons on the side, adjusting it so the bed shifted upwards, giving me a wider view of the room. Once again, I found myself amused.

"Didn't think I could do that myself?"

He shrugged. "I thought it would be easier to speak like this."

I nodded, my own silent thanks, and studied his expression. As much as I would have liked to think he was visiting for the sake of visiting, Kyoya rarely did things without reason. Which meant, there had to be cause to his appearance now.

"You didn't answer," I pointed out. "Is it that bad?"

He frowned, but didn't respond. I sighed.

"You've never babied me before... Kyoya, don't start now."

Rather it was my logic, or the use of his given name without an honorific, Kyoya gave in with a sigh of his own.

"It is."

I gave that a moment to sink in. Funny enough, the truth behind the statement resonated with me. It was as if hearing it point-blank sucked the bite from the words. After all, if Kyoya admitted it was bad, then no doubt, I was sitting in the single digits when it came to recovery chance.

Haa... what a strange thought. Who would have imagined my head would be so clear at a time like this? Locking down my numb emotions-- well aware that when everything sunk in, I'd no doubt break down as I'd done earlier-- I offered Kyoya an even smile.

"Thank-you."

He pursed his lips, but didn't argue the sentiment. Rather, he glanced to Emi.

"From what I understand, the twins came by earlier." I stiffened. "It would seem she didn't tell them the situation, but... they're rather intelligent."

In other words, I wouldn't be hiding my situation much longer. No that there was a point-- if it was bad, then I'd be a shitty person to go out without warning. I almost laughed at the thought. How strange, earlier that morning I was melting down over the idea of dying, and now I was facing it with a certain degree of numbness. A therapist would've had a field day with the rapid flip-flop of emotions I'd been going through.

"Then... Monday, after-school... invite them over?"

The words had started as a statement, but turned into a question by the time I finished. Kyoya, however, simply inclined his head, pointer-finger resting against the bridge of his glasses.

"We'll come directly after," he decided.

"But, the clu--"

"We've enough in our account to gift the girls apology gifts," he countered. "Those idiots would not take it well if I put this off."

I nodded, conceding his point. After all, they'd skipped club hours when they hadn't known me at all, really, just to bring some flowers to my house. That seemed so long ago, now, but I knew they hadn't changed. They would want to come here right away when they learned what had happened. If Kyoya didn't cancel, the twins would tell everyone and they'd skip nevertheless. I chewed on my lip, eyes flicking to Emi.

"She'll probably be there."

To his credit, Kyoya almost managed to hide his surprise. "I wouldn't think her willing to leave."

"Normally, no, but I know my sister," I replied with a wry smile. "She'll go, if only to prove to the twins that she's fine. Thinking I'd hate for everyone to show up here, she'll put up a brave face. That's Emi."

Kyoya pursed his lips. "I see."

"I'm--"

I cupped both hands over my mouth, muffling the coughs that cut into my words. Careful not to tear out my I.V., I drew my legs up to my chest, burying my face-- hands and all-- into my blankets in an effort not to wake Emi. Somehow, I managed it. By the end of the fit, she'd merely shifted around in her seat once again, mumbling about "red bastard hyenas" stealing her food.

I was rather certain I had no clue what she was dreaming at this point, and that I was better off for it.

Kyoya's watchful eyes were studying me as I relaxed against the mattress. I offered him a shake of my head.

"I'm fine."

Doubt flickered out from behind his emotionless mask, but he nodded nevertheless. Then, he stepped away from the bed and started for the door.

"You should rest."

"Thank-you for coming," I replied. "And everything else. You've been... I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused."

He paused, hand on the door-knob. His shoulders were drawn taut, his hair blocking view of whatever emotion I might have been able to derive from his face.

"I didn't mind."

Then, he was gone.