Yuzu stayed at the hospital all night not caring about eating or school. All she cared about was to stay with her grandmother. She was asleep in a chair while her head was against the bed holding her grandmother's hand. She felt a warm feeling as her grandmother stroked her hair softly. Yuzu groaned a bit and opened her eyes slowly then lifted her head up seeing her grandmother
"Gr-grandma?" Yuzu asked
"Morning Yuzu" Her grandmother said as she smiled softly. Yuzu teared up and hugged her grandmother tightly
"I-I thought you were g-going to d-die and l-leave me here be-all alone" Yuzu cried on her shoulder holding her tightly. Her grandmother teared up and hugged her back tightly stroking her hair softly. Yuzu sniffed and wiped her tears
"Y-you shouldn't overwork yourself grandma..." Yuzu said
"But Yuzu I need the money to take care of us" Her grandmother said
"After this incident I don't think you can go back to work. You need to rest and take things easy. Maybe not work till very late. What happens if you collapse again?" Yuzu asked. Her grandmother just sighed and looked down
"You're right..." Her grandmother said and sighed deeply
"Grandma don't worry. I'll go find a job and help out. It's time for me to be independent" Yuzu said
"But Yuzu you have school" Her grandmother said
"I know but it's okay. The teacher will understand" Yuzu said and smiled
"Did you call your teacher or contacted the school why you didn't go today?" Her grandmother asked
"No but it's fine. They'll understand" Yuzu said and there was a knock on the door. A nurse came in with a couple of meds for the patient
"Sorry for interrupting ma'am but it's time for your medicine" The nurse said
"Okay. Yuzu I think it's best for you to head to school" Her grandmother said
"No grandma. I want to stay by your side" Yuzu said
"Yuzu don't worry about me. I'm in the hospital. They'll take care of me and once I'm all cured I'll head back home with you" Her grandmother said
"B-but..." Yuzu looked down and nodded
"O-okay. I'll head back but please if anything goes wrong just tell me immediately" Yuzu said as she looked at the nurse
"Yes ma'am. Don't worry. She's in good hands" The nurse said and bowed down
"Thank you so much. I'll visit later okay? See you later grandma. I love you" Yuzu said and kissed her forehead
"I love you too my dear. Stay safe and take care" Her grandmother said and gave her a warm smile. Yuzu nodded and smiled back at her as she left the room. She walked out of the hospital and headed straight home with an empty stomach. She held her stomach as it began growling on her way back. She arrived at her place and entered the house then looked at the time
Hmm? Maybe I shouldn't go...this could be a free day but it's best to look for a job
Yuzu walked to the kitchen and began to make a quick breakfast. She immediately cooked then devoured her breakfast. She grabbed her clothes and went straight to the bathroom to take a quick shower as well. Once she was completely done with everything Yuzu put her phone in her pocket and walked out of the apartment heading back outside again to look for a job. She walked down the streets looking around trying to find at least one simple job
Ugh...where should I work? I guess I could work anywhere as long as the manager isn't an asshole or a pervert...those disgust me...
"Hey you!" She heard a voice from a car. Yuzu stopped jumping a bit and saw the car stop beside her and the window went down revealing Miss Eyebrows
"E-eh? Hey weren't you with my cousin?" Yuzu asked
"That doesn't matter and I'm not here to discuss about that" Himeko said as she got out of her car. Yuzu stared at her and noticed a little doggy inside the car
"Awwww! Puppy!!" Yuzu said
"Okogi...what's your relationship with Meimei?" Himeko asked sternly. Yuzu's eyes widen and looked at her
"Wh-what? What do you mean by r-relationship?" Yuzu asked as she blushed a bit
"You were with Meimei back there and with her. What were you doing with her?" Himeko asked
"I-I didn't do anything with her. She just helped me out and took me to her place" Yuzu said which made Himeko's eyes widen
"Sh-she took you to her place? You two barely know each other..." Himeko said
"Why do you care so much about Mei?" Yuzu asked
"What? How can you call her by her first name?!" Himeko exclaimed
"E-eh? I mean well...uhm y-yes?" Yuzu said not so sure how to respond. Himeko stood there surprised and clenched her fists tightly
"Hmph. Unbelievable. Can't believe a delinquent like you skipping school is friends with her" Himeko said
"Hey! I'm not skipping school my grandmother was sick so I stayed with her last night at the hospital! I was so worried that I wasn't able to go to school!" Yuzu shouted which caught few of the people's attention in the streets
"Besides...what kind of relationship do you have with Mei?" Yuzu asked as she glared at her slightly. Himeko looked at her and smirked a bit.
"I'm her bestest childhood friend. I was always there for her ever since I first met her. I always kept her company and comforted her whenever she needed me. Especially that day when her father left..." Himeko said as her expression soften
Flashback
It was a stormy and rainy day. Mei was in her house staring out the window with her dull eyes. She had tears stains on her cheeks and had a blanket wrapped around her. She watched the rain pour down hard and loudly with a mixture of lightning sound. She gripped the small teddy bear slightly remembering her father. She teared up once again not showing any emotion and let the tears roll down her cheek. She heard a knock on the door and didn't bother to answer
"M-meimei? Is everything okay?" Himeko asked as she walked inside the cold room
"Yes...everything is fine" Mei said still looking out the window with her dull lavender eyes. Himeko whimpered slightly and walked up to Mei
"M-meimei...I'm s-sorry for what happened. Do you know why he left?" Himeko asked.
"No...he never said anything about leaving...he just left..." Mei said
"He didn't even left a letter?" Himeko asked. Mei replied by shaking her head
"Not even a letter? Why would he leave you behind?" Himeko asked
"Maybe because he never loved me...like my mother did...she never loved me" Mei said and dropped the teddy bear as she looked down. Himeko just went up to her and hugged her
"Don't worry Mei...I won't ever leave your side. I will always be here when you need me...I promise" Himeko said
"Thank you...Himeko" Mei whispered
End Of Flashback
"Ever since that day I promised myself to always stay by her side and protect her..." Himeko said. Yuzu stood there in silence as she processed the information
I see....her father left her and she stayed all by herself with her grandfather. Hehe...guess I know how that feels...being left alone with no one by your side...
"I understand...but why are you telling me all this?" Yuzu asked
"Because I want you to stay away from Meimei. You'll cause her more trouble and pain" Himeko said
"What? She's the one coming to me. On the first day of school she was the first teacher to talk to me and act kind so don't blame this on me" Yuzu said as she glared at her. Himeko glared back at her and gritted her teeth
"Just stay away from Meimei...she doesn't need someone like you in her life" Himeko said as she entered her car. Yuzu just watched her get in and drove away
What the hell is her problem? Why is she so obsessed with Mei? I mean I know they're friends but that doesn't mean she has to tell people to back the hell off...
Yuzu just shrugged it off and headed back to her mission. She walked by the streets and stopped by a cafe. She saw the 'Help Wanted' sign and smiled
Perfect!

Phila groaned as she woke up from that knock out. She opened her eyes and gasped as she sat up
"You're awake" Shai said sitting in a chair beside her
"H-huh? Ow...uhm what happened?" Phila asked as she rubbed her head softly
"You got punched by Riana and passed out..." Shai said
"H-huh? Oh...so I g-got punched?" Phila asked and gasped remembering Shai getting beaten up and attacking them back
"Shai...what happened to you back there?" Phila asked
"What are you talking about?" Shai asked
"Y-you fought back...you had great strength and power. You were like a completely different person..." Phila said. Shai just looked down and sighed
"It's nothing..." Shai said and stood up
"Wait Shai! What happened back there?" Phila asked as she grabbed her wrist. Shai turned to look at her and gulped
"I-I don't know what came over me...I-I just saw you on the floor and m-my body began to m-move on its own... " Shai said and trembled
"Move on it's own? Was it like...like you were possessed or something?" Phila asked
"N-no...or...well kinda..." Shai said and sighed
"Has this happen before?" Phila asked
"Yes...it has...when I was 8..." Shai said
Flashback
"Yuzuko! Hey! Leave her alone!" Shai shouted running up to the kids beating her up. The kids laughed and kicked her then pushed her to the ground
"Move loser!"
"Yeah! Can't you see we're busy?"
"Do you want to be beaten up too?"
Shai was on the ground and looked at Yuzu who was unconscious since the kids pushed her to the ground too hard
"Haha! Look at this loser!"
"Is she dead?"
"Well she is a loser after all. She deserves to die"
"Haha! She's a huge crybaby with no mommy or daddy. Who's gonna safe you know loser?"
Shai clenched her fists tightly and gritted her teeth feeling this anger boil inside her body. She stood up and glared at the kids growling at them
"Leave my cousin alone!" Shai shouted as she ran up to them with her fists then punched them hard. The kids cried with one hit and Shai kicked their stomachs and threw their bodies to the ground with her suprising strength. Shai beated up all the kids who were older than her and panted heavily as the kids began to cry and rub away
"We'll tell our parents!" The kids cried and ran away
"Who's the crybaby now!?" Shai shouted and laughed softly. She gasped and turned to look at Yuzu
"Yuzuko..." Shai said and ran up to her then helped her up taking her back home
'Don't worry Yuzuko...I will always be here. To protect you...'
End Of Flashback
"Oh...she lost her parents?" Phila asked
"Yes...she never got to meet her grandfather...neither did I. She was a very happy and cheerful girl. Her smile was like a sunshine and she loved to help out others. Both her parents were proud of her and loved her so much...but after that car accident...she changed...completely. She became very suicidal and always talked about death and wanting to die..." Shai paused and teared up as she clenched her fists tightly
"But I promised...I promised her that I will always be by her side. I won't let her get hurt...not ever again...and if anyone hurts her...they will pay" Shai said
"Wow...you're really overprotective over her. I mean you two are cousins but that doesn't mean you should be really overprotective about her..." Phila said
"I know but Yuzuko...isn't just my cousin. She's like my big sister...she was always there for me when I was kid and helped me out everytime. She was the first person and true friend I ever had...we got closer and closer like sisters. Hehe...I even remember Matsuri-chan...I think I should pay her a small visit" Shai said
"Huh? Matsuri?" Phila asked
"She's Yuzu's little sister or well I mean a friend but like a sister. I remember our first meeting...she was really cute. Hmm? I hope she's doing alright..." Shai said
"Yuzu is really lucky to have someone like you to take care of her. You kind remind me of a friend who is also like a sister to me" Phila said
"Hm? Really?" Shai asked
"Yep! She goes to a different school and lives a bit far from here but I could ask her to hang and meet you guys. Maybe even bring in the two of them to meet you three" Phila said
"Yeah that sounds great" Shai said
"Hehe yep! We'll all hang out together" Phila said
"I'll ask Yuzuko if it's okay" Shai said
"Hehe sure" Phila said and smiled
Hopefully Hinria and Cyndi accept this group hangout date