True to Touma's promise, it's only a handful of minutes before the door opens again. When you look, however, it isn't Touma that meets your eyes. This person is taller than the slight framed Touma and at least a few years older.

Perhaps it is who he was referring to when he said, "aniki?"

The man, as you can't imagine using any other word for him, does not pause as Touma did. Instead, he steps over to the foot of the bed as he runs his eyes from your head to your toes. The warmth Touma gave off seems absent from this man's gaze, but it doesn't frighten you. Rather, it makes you feel... safe?

Once again, you find yourself wondering if some part of you doesn't remember these strangers, even if you yourself do not.

"Himari," he greets. "Glad to see you're back with us."

Himari. Is that your full name?

You tuck this question away for now, focusing more fully on the man. As you'd noticed upon his arrival, he's taller than Touma. Then there's his hair, a deep, darker shade of red, and his eyes, pale gold. The similarities are enough for you to easily guess that if this is 'aniki' then Touma and he are most likely blood related. His clothing is starkly different than Touma's, however, as he's wearing a rather plain, dark-blue day kimono.

Your staring must have been obvious because the man cocks a brow.

"Touma said you were confused, but even then I imagine you know it's not polite to stare, Himari." Heat floods your cheeks and he chuckles. "No worries, I'm not mad. Do you mind if I get closer?" You furrow your brow, prompting him to continue. "Touma also said you were a bit skittish."

Hesitation flickers through you before you offer a slow nod. He's supposed to be a doctor, right? It would probably be for the best that you try and get along.

Just as he steps around the side of the bed Touma flies through the doorway.

"Aniki!" he calls, dragging out the last syllable. "How's Hi-chan? Is she gonna be okay? What about her head? Should I get the medicine out?" The questions rush out all at once, prompting a sigh from 'Aniki.' "I found Suki. He was bathing Yuuki and called me an idiot for going in. I told him he's the idiot and then he threw shampoo at me--"

"Touma," the other sighed.

Missing the childing tone in his brother's voice, Touma practically jumps to the other side of the bed, settling both his palms on the blankets and giving you that warm smile. His bangs are sticking to his forehead, the dampness betraying the truth behind his story. Well, that and the rather red spot visible behind them-- the shampoo must have hit hard.

"Told you I'd be back," he says. "I did good, right? Right?"

You just stare at him. Somehow, he hadn't seemed this energetic when he was here before. Touma stares back at you with an expectant edge to his smile.

"Himari."

You look back to the other brother and he points at his long locks before inclining his head towards Touma.

Oh.

Touma's face lights up brighter than a lightbulb when you reach your hand up and ruffle his hair. He giggles and you can't help but wonder...

"How old are you?"

"Nineteen!"

You stare. "Really?"

"You don't have to look so shocked," Touma pouts in return.

"It isn't as if you make it easy to believe," his brother interrupts. "Now, Himari, I need your attention, please."

You look to the other brother and find he's pulled out a pinlight at some point while you were distracted. His fingers are suddenly under your chin, tilting your head back as he clicks the light on. You fight the urge to blink as he shines it in one eye, then the other.

"Hm, normal response..." he muses. "And you've been following us rather well... no trouble with your vision, then?" You shake your head. "Good... good... You're following conversation easily as well. But... Touma said you're confused?"

He looked to Touma.

"She couldn't remember who I was," he says.

"And me?"

"I don't know," you answer truthfully.

The older brother clicks his tongue, but his expression never shifts from the kind, thoughtful look he'd been wearing.

"I see. Well, that sort of thing isn't abnormal with injuries like these. I'm sure it'll clear up soon... Perhaps I should give introductions in the meantime?" He pauses for a second then continues. "My name is Matsumoto Asahi, I'm the oldest of us brothers. Despite our looks, that's only by four years."

That would make Asahi only twenty-three, you realize, rather young for a doctor. As if reading your thoughts, he chuckles.

"I graduated early."

"Aniki is super smart!" Touma adds.

"Thank-you," Asahi says, his gaze remains focused on you, however. "Perhaps I should ask... how extensive is the memory loss? Beyond our names, is there anything else you're having trouble with?"

You hesitate. Should you tell them?

"Don't worry, Hi-chan!," Touma pipes up. "You can tell us. We just want to help!"

Your instincts tell you to trust them... should you? Well, it wasn't as if you had any other choice. Slowly, you offer a nod.

"Everything."

Asahi's eyes widen slightly, but the expression disappears in a second. Touma leans forward on the bed, a troubled frown on his lips.

"Hey, hey, Aniki, isn't that really bad?" he questions.

"I'm sure it will be fine," Asahi says soothingly. "Just give it a few days. She'll be okay. As I told you before, it isn't unusual to be mixed up after a head injury."

Touma's frown only deepens. Their discussion draws a realization up within you, however, and you find yourself glancing between the two of them.

"Um..." you begin, drawing both sets of eyes to you. "Why aren't I at a hospital? I... I fell, right? Wouldn't that be better?"

"That's easy," Touma says. "You hate hospitals, Hi-chan! So, Aniki and I figured you should just stay here. Aniki's a great doctor, so it seemed like the best choice!"

You hated hospitals? Your eyes flicker to Asahi who nods to the silent question.

"I'm afraid Touma convinced me against my better judgement," he explains. "You've had panic attacks just at the idea of going and he thought you'd recover much easier at home. It made sense, so I agreed."

"I still don't see why."

The last words were said by a cold, unfamiliar voice. Even as you looked towards the door you guessed who they might belong to. Touma turned at the same second, a pout appearing.

"That's because you're a jerk, Suki!"

Ah, so that was...

"I just don't think that girl has any business being here," came the reply. "Send her back already. I'm tired of seeing her face."

"Itsuki!"

Ignoring Asahi's childing words, you focus on Itsuki. He to be an exact replica of Touma.

No, perhaps that's slightly wrong. As you stare at him you begin to notice slight, yet obvious differences. Itsuki's cold, irritated expression is a stark contrast to Touma's childish warmth. It appears to put a few extra years on his face. Then there's his hair-- a bright, striking red like Touma's, but it falls in fairy organized, wet strands to just past his ears. Finally, there are his eyes.

They're the exact opposite of Touma's-- left one pale red, right one dull gold.

"Himari, what did I say about staring?" Asahi scolds.

You tear your gaze away, embarrassment heating your cheeks. Itsuki scoffs and you can see him leaning against the door frame out of the corner of your eye.

"We aren't sending her away," Touma protests, that same pout on his lips. "Hi-chan is hurt!"

"Touma is right," Asahi adds, eyes narrowed somewhat. "Use your manners, Itsuki, if you have any."

Itsuki's lip curls and rather than respond to his brothers he levels a glare in your direction. "What about you? You okay being trapped here with us?"

Trapped? Your slight fear must have showed on your face because Touma jumps away from the bed and sends a harsh frown Itsuki's way.

"You're scaring her!"

"I'm... I'm fine..." you murmur.

Itsuki locks his jaw, his gaze never shifting away from you. This seems to agitate Touma who begins loudly complaining to Asahi, saying that he should send Itsuki away.

"Do I scare you?" he asks.

You flinch backwards. Unlike the words used by Asahi and Itsuki, these ones seem biting. You can't help the slight fear that curls up your spine. The other two... your instincts told you to trust them. You felt that even though you couldn't remember a thing about them, it was okay. When it comes to Itsuki... he unsettles you. There's something off about the way he's looking at you.

As if your reaction was answer enough, Itsuki gives a loud, annoyed sigh and pushes away from the doorframe. Just as he turns to leave, Asahi calls out his name.

"Don't just hide in your room," he continues when Itsuki pauses without turning around. "Fix her breakfast. She'll need to eat something now that she's awake."

Itsuki stays still for a moment, as if he might protest, but soon continues into the hall without a word. This leads to multiple, pouted complains from Touma and several soothing comments on Asahi's part. You don't catch every word, your eyes focusing on where Itsuki disappeared.

Will he really bring you breakfast? You get the idea Itsuki really dislikes you.

 Or... is it just your being here?  

"Himari," Asahi says, dragging your attention back to him. He offers a reassuring smile. "It's alright. Itsuki isn't a bad person. He's just a bit cold."

"He's a jerk!" Touma reiterates.

"He's not good with people," Asahi corrects. "He'll be fine. He's probably just upset about your memory."

Your memory? Your confusion must have been obvious because Touma throws his hands back down on the side of your bed, leaning in with a bright smile.

"I told Suki about how confused you were," he explains. "Suki got super upset!"

Oh. Perhaps he was just worried about you, then? That wasn't the impression you got... but he did say those things while you were discussing the hospital.

"Itsuki doesn't get close to many people," Asahi adds. "Being like a stranger to you must bother him. I'll have a talk with him later about his attitude. I'm sure he'll calm down soon."

"I... I see..." you murmur.

You'd gotten the distinct impression that Itsuki was calm. Still, Asahi's explanation makes sense. Perhaps trusting him about this matter as well would be your best course of action. So, you take a deep breath and offer a shaky smile. These two are being so nice, it would be rude of you to continue to act as you have.

"I'll look forward to it," you say.

Touma lights up instantly, throwing his arms around you. You go stiff, not that he seems to notice.

"Your smile is so pretty, Hi-chan!" he declares. "I've missed it bunches."

"Touma," Asahi scolds, tugging his arms away. "You can't just cling to her like that right now. It's scary, right?"

The last words are directed at you, to which you offer a meek nod. Touma pouts, but detaches. A sigh of relief escapes your lips which only deepens Touma's pout.

"Give it some time, Touma. It'll be okay once she's used to you again," Asahi sooths.

Touma brightens. "You're right! Sorry, Hi-chan. I got too excited. Your smile really is pretty."

Once again, heat floods your cheeks and you duck your head to hide it. Touma giggles in response and even Asahi lets out a soft chuckle. This only causes the blush to grow worse.

"Is there anything else you would like to know right now?" Asahi asks, abruptly changing subjects. When you look at him, he's once again wearing that soothing smile of his. You're struck by how calming and safe the sight feels. "If not, we should probably give you some space. It's a bit overwhelming, isn't it?"

Somewhat, you say inwardly. Rather than voice that thought, however, you furrow your brow. What should you ask about...?

"How did I get hurt?" you settle upon.

They'd said you fell, but that was it. It still strikes you as strange that your throbbing head appears to be the only injury.

"I can answer that!" Touma declares, throwing his hand into the air. "You slipped when we were playing hide-and-seek!"

Wasn't hide-and-seek a child's game? Somehow... you weren't surprised to hear Touma was playing it with you.

"It wasn't very far, but you hit your head reaaally hard on the garden wall. There was tons of blood," Touma seems to pale at the memory, his fingers curling tightly around your bedding, "It was super scary. Itsuki started yelling and Aniki carried you inside to take care of your head. That was two days ago!"

You were out for two full days? Your eyes go wide and you find yourself looking to Asahi for confirmation. He nods, that soothing smile never leaving his lips.

"It's understandable," he says. "I had you heavily sedated. I didn't want you waking until I was certain you wouldn't hurt yourself by moving."

That made a little sense.

"Is there anything else you want to ask?" Asahi prompts.

Other questions...

"Is this my bedroom?" you ask.

Touma beams. "Uh-huh! I helped you decorate it when you moved in! It's pretty, right?"

Pretty is one word for it. Sparse is another. Empty. There is nothing in it of real note beyond the massive number of books filling the shelf across the room. There are a few stuffed animals here and there, you only notice them now that your head has cleared somewhat, but beyond that... there is little decoration. Perhaps you aren't the sort of person to care for such things? Whatever the reason, you give Touma a agreeing smile.

"It is," you say. "So... we live here together?"

Earlier, Touma had said you were, "at home," but Itsuki had spoken like this wasn't your house. It was confusing to say the least. This time, it's Asahi who nods to your words.

"You moved in a few months ago," he explains.

"Is it just us four?" you question.

"There are a few people working here, but.. for the most part, yeah! Isn't that great?" Touma replies.

"I suppose so..."

You really were basically living alone with three boys? You knit your brow, the idea seeming strange. Touma said he was nineteen, Asahi twenty-three. You had the distinct feeling that Itsuki and Touma were similar in age. How old did that make you? Why weren't you living at home with your parents?

Once again, it's as if Asahi can read your mind.

"Your parents went overseas for business," he says. "And you felt uncomfortable staying in your old house alone."

"Plus, we're closer to the college," Touma pipes up.

"I go to college?" you ask.

"You do," Asahi replies. "You're a second, soon to be third-year music theory student. It's spring break right now, however, so there's no need to worry about missing classes."

Music theory...

"I play an instrument?" you wonder.

"And you sing! You've got a super pretty voice, Hi-chan!" Touma declares. "It's like an angel."

Once again, heat floods your cheeks.

"I... I see..."

Asahi chuckles, reaching out a hand to ruffle your hair just as you'd done for Touma earlier. He then drops it to the side, seeming only further amused when you clutch your head with wide eyes, and steps away from the bed.

"That's enough for now," he decides. "Come on, Touma. Let's go make sure Itsuki is actually fixing her breakfast."

Touma pouts. "But I don't want to leave!"

"You don't want to overwhelm Himari, do you?" Asahi counters, instantly receiving a frantic head shake from Touma. "Then come along. Let her take everything in while we check on Itsuki. If he's not making the food, I'll need someone else to help me make it..."

"I'll do it!" Touma volunteers, lighting up once again. "Just watch me, I'll make the best breakfast! Way better than that stupid Suki."

You shift your hands to your mouth, stifling a laugh. It would seem Asahi knows exactly what to say to get Touma to do what he wants. Amusement twinkles in Asahi's eyes as he puts a single finger to his lips, Touma taking off for the doorway. Unlike earlier, fear doesn't seize you at the sight of him leaving. Perhaps it's because you're now certain that it won't be for long.

Touma pauses in the doorway, tilting his head back so he can look at you without turning around.

"Just yell if you get lonely, Hi-chan! I'll come running."

And with that, he disappears. Asahi only sticks behind for a second, giving a short, "as will I," before disappearing into the hall.