Fuutarou's POV

When I was a kid, my dad, Isanari, used to say: "Son, when your girlfriend or at least someone who has different sex from you feels lonely or depressed, make sure to bring her a toothbrush and brush those teeth clean. Your reward will be her shiny smile and grin of happiness." I know that's quite an inappropriate thing to teach a child, but his statement has been in mind since then and I don't think I'll forget it.

Even how weird and stupid it sounds, its meaning is still somewhere inside those words. I think he was teaching me how to be a gentleman, or at least how to be nice with a girl, but I don't really need a girlfriend, and I can't find that "brush your girl's teeth" useful in today's life. I guess that's the reason why mom married him, for his comedic personality, but sorry dad, even how inexperienced I am in "love stuffs", I still acknowledge that brushing anyone teeth can receive a bad consequence.

Now back to the present, I had quite a story to tell last night. Somehow, or maybe due to her nightmare, Itsuki got back her sense and let out all of her emotions, with crying of a broken girl. So I just remembered when Raiha was like 5 or 6, tripping herself into hard rocks, crying, then I had to take the role as an "onii-chan" and comforted her. Having said that, I did the same with Itsuki, like some father telling her that "Teddy bear-san" would be okay, he just had a big cut in his stomach that would never be able to fix, so he had to buy another identical one and lied that the fairy had fixed him. Except this time, we have "Itsuki-chan", who is literally a brick with an ahoge, can't move her legs or arms an inch, "broken" from the inside, but I believe she is still fixable.

Learning and studying at my university, we didn't have much girls, and even if we did, they would avoid me for being a nerd or my scary gaze that had been upgraded, without wearing any Jason's mask. Needless to say I started to miss those quintuplets, not because I missed the scent of girls, of course. But last night, I comforted a broken girl like comforting a toddler, so now for some reason, I'm seeing her as an adult-sized kid. It was really rare to see her crying in front of me, so she was a crybaby the whole time? Ichika, I feel you.

However, putting aside all my confessions, I still have to say that Itsuki is definitely feeling lonely. It will be hard for her when she finally gets back her sense, only to find out that her father, or the entire Nakano family tree is almost gone, except her, that will be tough. She is the youngest one of all, or should I say, the most immature of all, so it will be hard to face that reality. So all and all, it will be nice to have someone by her side, in this case, me.

So... what is a guardian like me doing now? Well...

"Alright, Itsuki, if you can hear me, open your mouth." I told her warmly, and after a few seconds, she opened her mouth just like I said. After that... I pick up a toothbrush, squeeze some toothpaste on it, which has the smell of peppermint, by the way...

... And I start brushing her teeth.

Seriously, for someone who hasn't brushed her teeth for almost a week, I'm quite impressed. Her teeth are still really white and strong. For a mouse, it has to carve its tooth on something wooden, so it won't be too long or too sharp. For Itsuki, perhaps during 4 years of living oversea, she also "carved" her teeth on so many types of food, that her teeth is perfectly lined up. That's really good to me.

"Remember to keep your mouth open wide, Itsuki. There is a toothbrush in your mouth, not some peppermint-flavored lollipop. Don't bite it." I warned her while brushing her upper jaw, and she just let out those "ahh ahh" moans. So I'm blushing like crazy, and she just keeps that dull expression on her face. Please, at least show me some emotions, Itsuki.

Oh, and why am I brushing her teeth, you ask?

Well... let's just say she woke up, we cuddled each other for approximately 5 minutes, or if she-was-rubbing-her-forehead-while-I-stood-still-for-being-bashful was called cuddle, and I smelt some bad smell coming from her mouth.

Right now I'm really tired and I definitely need some sleep, but my mind tells me not to. Last night, she was crying so much that she fell asleep, but she was hugging my arms like some kind of hot dog plushy. It wasn't strong, but I still kept that position since I didn't want to see her break into emotions again. But if I could send her one thing when she was cured, I would tell her to control her drool. Seriously, I can still smell it from my arm.

"Alright, Itsuki, grit your teeth. I'll brush the outside." I told her one more thing, so she did just as I said and let me brush outside. Seriously, those teeth are shiny like pearls. I'm actually a little jealous.

Now how can I wash her mouth? I have to think of some way. She won't be able to hear a whole long sentence about how to do it, so I guess I have to instruct her step by step.

"Itsuki, open your mouth." I told her, and she opened it. Then I pour out a cup of water and try my best to pour all of it inside her mouth. It still has some leftover, but not too bad.

"Itsuki, close your mouth and make a puffy face." I whispered to her, so she did and looked like she was pouting. So, for my next step, I hold her chin and start shaking it, like how I wash my mouth after brushing my teeth every day, she is also moaning following my movement. And why am I finding this amusing?

"Alright, Itsuki, now lower your head, and give it a big spat." I ordered her, and she did it. She spats all of those water out, which I'm sure her mouth is completely cleaned. For the next step, I take a comb and start combing her hair.

I used to comb Raiha's hair before, so I know how to do without pulling the whole hair down. For Itsuki, I don't really know how she combed it and there are also a few pieces of hair falling down, but I know her hairstyle, enough for me to comb it as she may use to. Maybe the nurses have taken care of her bathing, her hair is actually not too hard to comb. Within a few minutes, it looks great, at least for me.

Finally, I take out a towel and start making it wet, drying it and proceed to wash Itsuki's face, when suddenly with just a slight touch, she flinches and screams.

"Itsuki, what's wrong?! You feel uncomfortable?" I put away the towel and asked her concernedly, patting her shoulders. After shaking for a while, she finally calms down a little.

"Itsuki... scared of water... Water splash... into Itsuki's face... just like the accident... and it blocked Itsuki's view... Wet towel blocks Itsuki's view..." Itsuki tried to answer, but she looked like she was on a verge of tears. So I wrap my arms around her neck, rest my head on hers, hoping that she will calm down.

"Hey... it's okay... towel won't harm you. I'll wash your face as quick as possible, alright? Don't scared, Itsuki." I whispered warmly to her, like I was talking to a little kid, but from this point I pretty much didn't care. After a few seconds of thinking, Itsuki slightly nods, let me do the work and wash it. I try to do it as fast as possible, while she lets out some moans whenever the towel blocks her eyes, but luckily she isn't afraid of it, at least compared to what happened before.

"See? All finished!" I said as I put the towel back to its place, to tell Itsuki that everything was done. So next, I do the most difficult part of this whole morning cleaning thing: carrying. To be honest, even though she is much skinnier than she used to, she is still a heavy piece of meat. Right now I'm carrying her bridal style, because piggyback simply won't work for her weak limbs and arms, but just with that, my shoulders are starting to shatter.

Someday, I just wish I had some kind of half-a-human-sized basket, so I could just put her inside and carry her on my back, with no problem.

"See? Wasn't so hard, was it? I told you I could carry with your personal cleaning stuffs." I told her as I put her back to the bed, but after hearing that question, she just turned away from me. "So after I passed all those challenges, you decided to ignore me? That's so cruel, Itsuki." I pretended to purr at her, like I was upset, but she didn't turn her head to me at all.

And I think I just went "papa mode" the whole morning, taking care of her like she was my own daughter.

Looking outside the windows, seeing how the birds are singing and the sun is shining beautifully, there is one thing that I know I shall do it next time. One important thing, which I definitely do it and definitely keep it in my heart. So I close my fist and pump it to my left chest, promise myself...

... That next time when Itsuki needs some cleaning, I'll call the nurse or Raiha. I don't even care about my sister finding out about how bad Itsuki is, it's just too much pressure for me.

Chapter 3

Take a toothbrush, brush a broken girl's teeth, what would you receive?

O0O

Writer's POV

"Patient Itsuki Nakano, your breakfast is ready. Oh, it's you, that young one. You're still here?" A nurse carried a tray of food into Itsuki's room, when she saw Fuutarou was also there, looking out the windows.

"Yeah, I stayed here overnight, remember?" Fuutarou asked, but the nurse shook her head. Needless to care about Fuutarou, she puts down the breakfast in front of Itsuki, along with her spoon and napkin. "Have yourself. I'll be collecting them later, okay?" The nurse told Itsuki and took her leave, leaving the redhead sitting there, staring at nothing again. However, this time she doesn't leave the room. She stops at the doors and starts waiting there, which gets the attention from Fuutarou.

"Can I ask why you don't leave the room?" Fuutarou asked, a little annoyed by her attitude.

"Well... since this will just end up just like last time, I'll just wait here for a bit more. If she doesn't eat it, I'll just collect it." The nurse answered naturally, and it made Fuutarou snap. So he walks straight to her face angrily.

"Do you even think that Itsuki knows nothing about it?" Fuutarou asked furiously, but the nurse didn't seem to care.

"Of course she doesn't. The sign outside says it all! She can't hear, or talk, or walk, or feel. You're her boyfriend, but it doesn't mean that I have to trust your words. Do you even think that she can at least have something? I think not!" The nurse said.

"Then have all of you ever sat down and talked to her for at least a few hours?" Fuutarou retorted, then pointed at Itsuki. "That girl's been through a tragedy. She has no one by her side now. So all of you doctors and nurses just call it off as 'mental problem' and leave her there?" Fuutarou shouted, but he tried to keep it small so Itsuki wouldn't be frightened. Then he walks to her bed, sits next to her side and picks up the spoon, scooping up some soup. The nurse is frustrated by seeing that.

"She won't eat it, you know? Just take a bite and leave it there, I'll collect it. Don't try to fight. It's useless!" The nurse said, but he didn't care. Holding a spoon filled with soup, he turns to Itsuki, who is looking at somewhere blankly. Knowing just what to do, he leans to Itsuki's ear.

"Itsuki, I'm here. Can you turn to your left?" Fuutarou whispered, so Itsuki could turn to his side. When they are finally facing each other, he decides to do the next step. "Good, now prepare for your first meal after a while. Open up." Fuutarou told her warmly, small but enough to hear, so she opened her mouth just like he asked, which impressed the nurse. Then he moves the spoon of soup to her mouth. "Now close your mouth and swallow it, but let me remove the spoon first, okay? Don't eat it as well, eat what is on it." Fuutarou said. After that, she closes her mouth and swallows the whole soup, which the nurse is surprised, while Fuutarou is trying not to pat her head for finding that a little adorable.

"A-Amazing, how could you-" The nurse tried to ask but got cut off.

"She doesn't have problems with hearing or deaf, her ears are just buzzing that she can't hear well. Her brain was a little coo coo back then, but she just needed a knock to process something, though it might take her some times to process it. And she just can't see well because of her blurry eye sights. But I think it's just a temporary term, and perhaps all she needs is a pair of glasses." Fuutarou said, or more like he taught the nurse a lesson. "Did I just go one step ahead of you doctors and nurses? Because I think I did." He said and smirked at the nurse, made she feel angrier, but she tried to keep her anger from bursting out.

"Fine, just feed her all those soup. Since my prediction of her wouldn't eat it was wrong, it won't be enough to make her full for the day, anyway." The nurse said and took her leave, leaving the redhead girl and the bowl haircut boy inside, with a bowl of soup, but not much for a normal human. Fuutarou is mad at the nurse, but he decides to let it slide. He turns to Itsuki, who just got fed the second spoon.

"So, delicious? You seem to be enjoying it." Fuutarou leaned forward and asked Itsuki. However, after swallowing the second spoon, Itsuki opens her mouth, sticks out her tongue. "Bweh!" was her review for the horrible soup she had just eaten.

'Oh yeah, she's a food critic, after all. That's explainable.' Fuutarou thought to himself, while smelling the bowl of soup, which actually smelt bad.

However, for someone who was born in a family with poor financial condition, he knows that even how bad some food tastes, having any leftover is unforgivable. So he brings the smelly bowl to Itsuki, whose nose starts smelling and tells her to stay away from it, and that makes her slowly back off. "Itsuki, I know this soup is bad, but eat it! Leaving leftover is terrible!" He ordered Itsuki, but she just kept backing of whenever Fuutarou moved an inch to her.

"Itsuki! Open wide!"

"Hngggg!" was what Itsuki "said" while making a puffy face.

"Itsuki, here come the train!"

"Hnggggg!"

"Itsuki, my daughter, open up!"

"Hngggggggg!"

Outside, there are some doctors and nurses walking around, finding Itsuki's room strange from all the noise both of them made in the morning. Thanks to yesterday's event, people have been passing around the story of a young man visiting his poor girlfriend, a touching story that no one at that hospital doesn't know about it. Some are actually chatting, guessing about what is happening inside.

O0O

'What is she really thinking, leaving leftover like that...?' Fuutarou thought, he was angry with Itsuki. Talking about the redhead, she is sticking her tongue out, hoping to get rid all the horrible taste she has to endure. Her eyes are tearing up for eating horrible food, so she thinks about showing her face to Fuutarou, hoping that will make him regret and hug her again.

However, when she moves closer to Fuutarou and sticks her head out, looking up to Fuutarou's face so he can see her face, that doesn't move him at all.

"Don't even think that crying is a way to make me feel bad! I can be caring, but I can also be strict to you. Forget it." Fuutarou scolded Itsuki, so she crawled away from him with her weak arms and pouted, avoiding his gaze. 'Yeah, that's right. Sit in that corner and consider your fault, Itsuki!' Fuutarou thought.

Because of busy taking care of Itsuki, he hasn't had breakfast at all, so he leaves the room for a while. After that, he comes back with a chicken sandwich, bought from a local store. 'Finally, something to eat for breakfast. I'm really starving that I can't think about skipping breakfast for lunch!' Fuutarou smiled and opened the sandwich wrapper, made the smell of cooked chicken and the scent of vegetables cover the whole room. The usual smell of medical alcohol is now replaced with the scent of meat.

"Thank you for the food." Fuutarou said. Then he is about to take a bite on the sandwich, when suddenly he feels someone tugging his shirts from behind. So he turns around and finds out it is Itsuki. Since the smell is so strong, her nose can detect where the sandwich is, and also because that soup wasn't enough for her, she isn't full.

"... What's up?" Fuutarou asked her coldly, acting like he was still angry. But she doesn't say anything, her eyes are sticking on where the smell comes from, which Fuutarou also finds out about that, by tracking the way from her eye sights to the sandwich.

"So you want this sandwich?" Fuutarou asked, which Itsuki nodded as an answer, while letting out some shrieks.

"But you're mad at me, aren't you? No sandwich for you." Fuutarou said and turned away from her, just to check out how she would react. After a short while, he turns back, and just as he thought, she starts frowning and lowering her head, maybe as a sign of apology. Her ahoge is also lowering down itself. Yes, he's still angry, but seeing her like that, he can't stand it.

"... You know what?" Fuutarou said, made Itsuki lift her head back up. Then he moves the sandwich closer to her face. "Just a bite, okay?" He said, made Itsuki let out shrieks of happiness and her ahoge stood straight back up. She leans forward and takes a small bite of the sandwich, which the black-haired boy was thinking about messing with her by pulling it away, but he refused. Seeing her face becomes puffy by eating the sandwich amuses him, but he is also bashful for hand-feeding a girl. Avoiding her gaze, he looks outside the windows, where the sun is shining brightest. He starts thinking about his family, perhaps worrying about him for not coming home until now

'What is Raiha making for lunch anyway? Should I stay here for lunch, too?" Fuutarou thought and sighed. He really wants to stay by his friend's side, but at the same time, he knows that Raiha is worried sick about him. He uses his left hand to lift up his chin and think of a choice to make.

Meanwhile, he still keeps the sandwich in front of Itsuki, so he notices that the weight of the sandwich is no more, or it's just getting lighter. He also feels like he is holding nothing in his hand.

He fears that his supposed-to-be breakfast might have made its way through Itsuki's stomach.

"Itsuki, wait!" He shouted at Itsuki, made her flinch in a sudden. Then he pulls back the sandwich, only to find out that over half of it has vanished, especially the main character of the sandwich: that delicious roasted chicken. All of them is now making their way down to Itsuki's guts, while the "culprit" is still busy chomping and swallowing the rest of it in her mouth.

"ITSUKI!" Fuutarou screeched between his teeth, but Itsuki didn't care, or she just couldn't see it because of her blurry sights. But putting those aside, although Itsuki makes Fuutarou angry twice, he notices a big difference. The now chomping and gulping Itsuki, compared to that broken one, is like night and day. She doesn't have that blank expression on her face, she doesn't seem "dead" like how she used to. Her eyes are still somewhat soulless, but her face has become brighter, or in the other words...

She looks much more cheerful than she was.

"You know what? I'll let you have the rest." Fuutarou told Itsuki and handed her the rest of his sandwich. 'Perhaps I'll wait until lunch then.' He thought. However, Itsuki, instead of happily receiving the rest of the sandwich, suddenly pushes his hand back to him.

"What? I thought you like sandwich? Just take it, I don't mind." Fuutarou said, thinking that she might be upset because of him taking the sandwich away before, but he was wrong. Her answer shocks him.

"Ue... sugi-kun... eat..." Itsuki stammered, weakly pointing at the sandwich, which made Fuutarou surprised and blush by her action. 'Itsuki-chan... you're finally growing up...' Fuutarou thought as he was about to cry, having a pride of a father, seeing his daughter growing up, becoming more mature and leaving the family with a man walking by her side- "Oi! Don't you dare marrying him!" Fuutarou shouted at Itsuki, thinking way too far about her being his daughter, made Itsuki tilt her head to a side in confusing.

"But anyway, I'm proud of you, Itsuki. Finally, you-" Fuutarou was saying while letting the sandwich in his mouth, but his action stopped when he noticed something strange about it.

The rest of the sandwich, except two beds of bread, are just a small slice of tomato and a piece of lettuce.

"Hey... Itsuki..." Fuutarou asked, turned his gaze to her while twitching his eyes in anger, which Itsuki tilted her head again as a sign for him to continue.

"What made you want to play this sharing game with me?" Fuutarou asked, pointing straight at the sandwich. Itsuki can't see clearly where he is pointing, but she still somehow understands the question.

"... Veggie..." Itsuki said, and soon the rage was building up in Fuutarou's chest. Again, unable to see, but still able to feel the dark and intimidating aura, Itsuki backs off from Fuutarou, but every inch she makes, Fuutarou still catches up with her, resulting with an inching race on the bed, where both the contestants chasing around in a circle.

"Then eat them up! Veggies are good for you!"

"Hngggggg!"

"What?! You're making that sound again?! Open your mouth! I'm throwing this in!"

"Hngggggg!"

"Don't you dare 'hngggg' me!"

And that's how the thought-to-be peaceful morning turns out to be a lively and noisy beginning of day, which sure is hasn't ended yet. But so far, quite a process has been made, and far away, the rainbow is slowly appearing before them.