I don't know what I expected.
Maybe I thought that somehow, some way shape or form, this would end up being okay, that it would all be over before I knew it. If that's what I'd been thinking, I was so horribly wrong.
I had brought a tray of fruits to Sora's bedsideー in spite of him needing to be dehydrated, he also needed to stay alive.
I had just started to turn away when I felt a weak, trembling hand grasp the hem of my shirt.
My breath caught as I hesitantly lowered my gaze to Sora, who was breathing raggedly, his eyes barely open.
But when he raised his gaze, I felt like my heart was being torn from my chest.
"...a...aya...n....?"
I couldn't do it.
That was the last straw. I couldn't take anymore.
Yuto, I'm sorry...
Something had to be done.

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Yuto was letting out a slow breath through his mouth as he did the dishes in the kitchen. He was so worried about his master... He'd never seen him in such a state. And Yuto...felt so useless.
Some familiar he was...
He'd considered going out to find the cure anyway multiple times. But each time, he rationalized a good enough reason to stay. Sora needed to be taken care ofー he was the only one he knew who could do that. He could never leave Ayano here with him by herself... It would tear her apart. No, he had to stay here.
He just wished there was something more he could do...
His thoughts were interrupted as there was an abrupt knock at the door. Yuto jolted, surprised by this. Who on earth could that be?
He started to wonder if it was no big deal; if it was Ayano, maybe. He hadn't seen her for an hour or two and he was beginning to wonder where she'd gone. Perhaps she'd locked herself out.
Drying his hands with a nearby dish towel, Yuto made his way over to the door an pulled it open. To his surprise, the eyes he locked gazes with were a bright, friendly honey brown instead of Ayano's gentle aqua ones.
"... Haruka??"
Instead of responding to his obvious surprise, Haruka casually stepped inside and moved passed him, dragging a full bag of clothes behind her. Yuto blinked. "H-Haruka...? What are you...?"

"Where's our sick baby?"

"E-Excuse me...?"

"Ah, I bet he's in there, huh. Thanks!"

Yuto could barely keep up as the bouncy young blonde made her way down the hallway towards Sora's room.
"Ah...! Wait...!"
Despite his protests, she waltzed right in, setting her bag down on the floor by the doorway. Surprisingly, when she spoke up again, she was generously quiet.
"Oh... He looks worse than I thought..."
She turned as a very confused looking Yuto stepped through the door beside her.
"Why are you here?" He managed to get out.
Haruka answered nonchalantly.
"Oh, I'm here to look after Sora with you until Ayano comes back."
Yuto felt his heart drop into his stomach.
"... Where is she?"
There was no humor in his voice when he asked her, but nevertheless, Haruka's voice held its usually cheery undertone, though what she said was completely serious, her face hard.
"Look. I know you're worried. But she couldn't take it anymore, Yuto. She needs to help him."

"She went for the cure??"

His voice had raised unconsciously, but he brought it back down as Haruka shushed him.
"Yuto, she's a strong girl. She'll be okay."

"She left all alone?? Unprotected??"

"Yes, wellー"

Yuto was already on his way out before she could finish.
"Hey! Wait!!"
Haruka latched onto the back of Yuto's clothing, hoping to slow him, but he effortlessly dragged her along down the hall.
"What about Sora??"
Her words successfully stopped him in his tracks and he stood frozen.
Haruka took that as her opportunity to keep pressing. "I can't take care of him alone, I don't know what I'm doing. He needs you an you know it. Ayano left me here to take care of him with you and assure you that she'll be okay."
Yuto was silent, seeming to still contemplate leaving, but Haruka knew he couldn't leave his master behind.
He reluctantly relented, turning back to her.
Haruka relaxed at this and took both his hands in hers, her bubbly demeanor returning. "It'll be fine, I promise! Besides, she's not unarmed!"

"She has weapons?"

"Well... I mean, if a butterknife counts as a weapon, then..."

"We're all doomed.."