「このディスクでは、僕の溢れる気持ち」
In this disc are my feelings that can't help but overflow.

BONUS: One of the OPENING QUOTES will be in the chapter. It is in bold and italic.

Thanks for 5K, guys!!! :))))

And sorry that there's no visual!! ><

***

And so, after that whole Masaomi incident, I couldn't sleep for a week. I'd always remember what he said.

"For you, I'll give up everything... even family."

I tried shrugging it off, but it extremely unbearable tonight. Those words went on and on. I decided to go down to the kitchen and have a glass of water to calm me down.

"Oh, Haruna, you're still up?"

"Azusa? What are you doing here? Studying another script?" I asked as I poured myself a glass of water.

"Yeah. I can't seem to understand the character's point of view." He said.

"Hmm, maybe I can help. Want some water?" I asked as I pointed at the glasses on the rack.

"Sure. Thanks." He said while I poured him a glass then walked over to the dining table where he was studying.

I placed our glasses on the table while he handed me his script.

"It's just a script for a drama CD, but I can't seem to understand how to portray this character." He said.

I scanned the script for a bit then spoke.

"Well, I think your character is complex-minded. He thinks deeper and wider than how usual people do. He expands the views of others to heights that are unexplainable. I think this is a good character for you, Azusa." I said as I handed him back his script with a smile.

"Really? How so?" He asked.

"Well, you're a very persistent actor. This character is trying to persuade the listener with all he can. You're the same and I think you'll adapt to this role very well." I said.

"I see. Thank you, Haruna. I'll consider giving this role another try. I guess somehow, in that sense, the character and I are the same." He said.

"Glad I was able to help. Now, I better go try helping myself to get some sleep." I said as I stood up.

"Haven't you been able to get some sleep?" Azusa asked.

"No, not this week or the last." I said.

"Why not?" He asked.

"Well.. it's kind of a personal issue.." I said.

"Oh, it's alright. I won't force you any further. I hope you'll get a good night's sleep this time." He said.

As I silently walked to the stairs, I was still thinking twice if I should tell Azusa what happened. I mean, Azusa and I share a close bond. He always tells me if he has problems and I always discuss the stories I've read. Before going up the stairs, I sighed then walked back to Azusa.

"You deserve to know the truth." I said.

***

And so the two of us sat on the sofa while I told him what happened between me and Masaomi.

"Oh.. Masa-nii.. he's really so bold sometimes, but still, I really look up to him. I don't have the patience to put up with everyone in the house." Azusa said.

"Yeah, me too. He deals with everything with such kindness and patience that I couldn't even think that he had other sides of him as well. I only ever though of him as I close friend. I never expected any of this." I said then laid back on the sofa.

"I'm sure that Masa-nii saw something in you. He's been working with you for two years, right?" Azusa asked.

"Yeah, but.. like, the age gap and the closeness between us.. I,.. oh, I don't know anymore." I said with a face-palm.

"Don't worry. It just means that he has feelings for you, but he's not pushing an answer. He wants you to take your time and realize your own feelings. He just hopes that he has a chance with you." He said.

"I really hope that that's it. Thanks for listening, Azusa." I said as I stood up.

"And, uhm, please don't tell anyone. I'll only accept it if it's your twins, no one else. Especially not Hikaru." I added.

"You're welcome. Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me. Go and get some rest. Good night." He said then stood up.

"Good ni-"

Before I could respond, he placed his hands on my shoulders then kissed my forehead.

***

And so,.. I ended up not sleeping at all. Damn that Azusa. I decided to sleep again after having breakfast with everyone downstairs since I had no work today anyways and I'm used to skipping my meals.

I was laying down on my bed, trying to sleep until I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in." I lazily said.

"Hey, heard you haven't had any sleep for the past weeks. You okay?"

"Hey, Natsume. Yeah, it's true. Not really. I don't feel so good." I said as I sat up and leaned at the wall.

(A/N: her bed is next to the wall 👍)

"Why not?" He asked as he sat on my bed.

"Oh please. Don't lie. Azusa told you didn't he?" I said as I gave him a 'you can't fool me' look.

"Well, it's certain that even if you don't feel well, your senses are still functioning surprisingly well." He said.

"Haha. Now, what are you really doing here?" I asked.

"Azusa told us to take care of you. He said you had a fever." Natsume said.

"Us? You mean you and Tsubaki? A fever? I'm completely fine except for my lack of sleep and how would he know that I had a fever?-"

I then suddenly cut myself off since I remembered what he did last night. He found out that I had a fever when he kissed my forehead. My face suddenly heated up from reminiscing last night's events.

"Hey, uhm, are you okay?.." Natsume asked as he placed his hand on my forehead.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I asked as I sweat-dropped.

"You're burning up." He said as he stood up.

"Where do you put your towels?" He asked.

"In that cabinet, second drawer, left side." I said as I pointed to the cabinet next to my desk.

"Okay, lie down. I'll be intruding your bathroom for a moment." He said as he grabbed the towel and entered the bathroom.

I layed down as he said. I really wasn't feelings good. Oh how I wanted to sleep, but I really felt like I had insomnia. I definitely hated that feeling.

Natsume then came out of the bathroom with the towel at hand.

"Here." He said as he placed the cold towel on my head.

"Thanks, Natsume. I'm really sorry you have to do this." I said then sighed.

"No problem. It's nothing. You'd do the same for us, right?" He said with a smile.

"Knock knock~! Food's here~" Tsubaki exclaimed from outside my room.

Natsume opened it then gave him a weirded out look.

"And here we were enjoying a quiet time." Natsume said.

***

And so after being taken care of by Tsubaki and Natsume, I got a bit of sleep. I apologized so many times to Natsume since I remembered that it was my turn to the chores and prepare dinner today, but he did all the workI was supposed to do. He said that it was okay since he should actually be living in the residence and doing a share of work as well.

I slept again and woke up by dinner time. I was already feeling well,... I mean better, but still I just wanted to apologize to everyone so I properly ate dinner with them.

After dinner, Tsubaki and Natsume walked me back to my room with me to make sure everything was okay.

"Get better soon, okay? So you can go out with us triplets again!" Tsubaki said with a cheeky grin.

"Rest well." Natsume said with a smile.

"Thanks. Good night." I bid them before entering my room.

So I spent the rest of the night reading Hikaru's novel then falling asleep as I did. I went to sleep on my bed for a while then woke up, craving some warm chocolate milk. As I was about to stand up and get some, there was a knock on my door.

"Come in." I said as I stood up.

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

"Hey, Azusa. I'm feeling a lot better. Thanks." I said.

"No problem. Here, drink this." Azusa said as he handed me a cup of warm chocolate milk.

"How did you know I wanted this?" I asked as I accepted it.

"I always see you looking drunk or sleepwalking at night while making this in the kitchen. You haven't had it this week yet, right? Oh, and here's the drama CD that I worked on. Thanks for your help." He said as he handed me a CD case.

"No problem. Thank you very much, Azusa. You should get some sleep. I've had plenty thanks to you and your brothers." I said.

"Okay. Good night." He said then kissed my cheek before walking out.

After he did, I stood up and placed the cup of milk on my desk then grabbed my laptop to listen to the drama CD.

That's weird. It's been 30 seconds and there's still no sound.

"Hi, Haruna."

Wait. What? Isn't this supposed to be a drama CD?

"I'm sorry. I lied. There's no drama CD. It was for an anime that I was recording. Your advice was really helpful though."

Azusa, what is this?

"You're probably confused right now and I apologize for that. I don't know if you've noticed, but remember when you were talking about Masa-nii. About him saying that he loves you? I didn't deny anything about it, right? I didn't really defend him either. What I told you about his feelings and how he'd wait, that applies to all of us. We'll all wait for a sure and solid answer."

We? We'll wait? Sure and solid answer? What is this, Azusa?

"You're probably still confused. Don't worry. I don't blame you. I know that you like all of us siblings and consider all of us as good friends, but I cannot accept that. I don't want to be a good friend in your eyes."

Azusa..?

"I... want to be special to you."

Goodness. Just when I though that the madness was over. Azusa,.. Masaomi,.. what do you guys see in me?

SCORES:
HIKARU - 2
UKYO - 1
YUUSUKE - 1
SUBARU - 2
IORI - 2
LOUIS - 2
MASAOMI - 2
NATSUME - 1
AZUSA - 3

Published: June 23, 2017; 1:25 pm