Sanemi's heart started to race again, fearing the worst.

"But what? What happened? Is he not okay?"

Shinobu let out a deep breath, staring into blank space.

"He... he cried so much, he hugged you tightly... I don't think you remember anything."
She paused, continuing again.

"He was the last one to leave your side... He was really heartbroken, you know?"
She looked down, a sad expression on her face.

Sanemi felt a pang of pain in his heart, hearing about Giyuu's sadness. He never wanted to make him cry.

"I... I didn't mean for that to happen... I should have been more careful..."
He said regretfully, his hands clenching into fists.

"What's done is done, Shinazugawa-San... We can never change that."
She squeezed Sanemi's hand reassuringly.

"And on the bright side, Tomioka-San was so happy when you gained consiousness again."
She sighed, smiling softly.

"He really cares for you, so much... seeing him cry made me feel terrible..."
She looked at Sanemi, her words tinged with kindness.

Sanemi looked down, trying to process the emotions that were swirling inside him.
He felt his heart warm up hearing that Tomioka was happy when he gained consciousness, but the fact that he made him cry still weighed heavily on his heart.

He sighed softly, concern written all over his face.
"He's been through so much already, and I still made him worry about me... I need to make it up to him somehow..."

Shinobu took a deep breath in, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out."
She smiled supportively.

He looked up at her, a small, grateful smile on his face. He felt a sense of comfort with her hand on his shoulder, and her words of encouragement helped to ease his guilt slightly.
"Thanks..."

"Don't mention it..."
She said, her hand squeezing Sanemi's shoulder gently.

"...I don't think Tomioka-San is going to wait at all, I'm sure he'll be here to see you as soon as he wakes up..."
She chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood.

"He loves you so much, always telling me about you!"

Sanemi blushed hard as he couldn't help but feel his heart skip a beat hearing that Giyuu loved him so much, and the thought of seeing him brought a small smile to his face.

Shinobu paused a little.
"...You love him too, don't you?"

Sanemi's blush deepened, and he looked down at his hands, avoiding her gaze. His heart was beating wildly in his chest as he struggled to form the words.
"I...I do care for him..."

"...And what about love? Do you love him?"
She asked, her voice playful and teasing.

He avoided her gaze, feeling a rush of heat flooding his cheeks.

Shinobu laughed heartily.

"Don't be shy, Shinazugawa-San... your feelings for him are completely evident! Don't feel flustered to admit it... You love him, right?"

He looked up at her, a mix of surprise and a hint of embarrassment on his face. He opened his mouth to deny it, but the words caught in his throat.
"F-Fine... I guess I do... Goddamnit!"

Shinobu clapped her hands together, smiling softly.
"You two really look good together!"

Sanemi covered his face with his hands, his ears burning red with embarrassment.

"S-Shut up..."
He muttered, trying to hide his smile.

Shinobu chuckled.
"I'll bring you breakfast! You can go freshen up a bit!"

He nodded, still hiding his face as he mumbled his thanks.

They are really so shy, it's funny!
She walked away.

___________________________________________

Giyuu was still sleeping. The sharp sunlight cut through the curtains, filling the room with brightness and heat.

His eyes snapped open as he sat up.
"Shit! I overslept! I was supposed to go meet him early in the morning!"

Giyuu hurried out of bed, taking a bath.

As he splashed the cold water on his face, he wondered how Sanemi was doing now.

He quickly got out of the tub, getting dressed and doing his hair.

After preparing some tea for himself, he went to the backyard as he sipped some while looking at the bright blue sky.

As soon as he finished, he took a deep breath in, his heart racing with concern.

"I should go now..."
Giyuu quickly kept the cup on the table, hurrying to the Butterfly Mansion.

He sprinted through the road by the bamboo trees, his heart pounding and breath ragged.

"What if... His condition is even worse?"
Giyuu ran the fastest he could.

___________________________________________

After having breakfast, Sanemi was resting on his bed, his mind revolving around one thing only... Giyuu.

He'll be really mad at me...
He zoned out, his thoughts running around his mind.

"Shinazugawa-San!"
Giyuu barged into the room, pushing the door wide open and running fast towards Sanemi.

Sanemi's eyes widened in shock at his sudden entrance, a mixture of surprise and relief washing over him. 

As soon as Giyuu saw Sanemi was awake, his eyes widened. He stopped in his tracks, unable to believe his eyes.

What...?

Giyuu's eyes were filled with tears as he ran towards him even faster, hugging him the tightest.
"Y-You're alive!"

As soon as Giyuu crashed into him, Sanemi's arms instinctively wrapped around him, holding him close.

"Tomioka!"
He felt his own eyes fill up with tears upon seeing Giyuu, burrying his face against his neck.

"I... I was so worried!!!"
Giyuu cried, breathing shakily.

Sanemi tightened his hold on Giyuu, resting his chin on top of his head, muffling his own words against his soft, black hair.
"Shhhh... I'm fine now."

Giyuu's eyes widened, he pulled away, pouting angrily.

"Wh-What do you mean you're fine?"
He wiped off his tears.

"Y-You never listen to me... Never letting me take care of you! You're so stubborn!"
He sniffled.

Sanemi sighed, his face softening into a look of remorse as Giyuu's words hit him.

He reached his hand out towards Giyuu, gently brushing away the strands of hair that stuck to his teary cheeks.

"I'm... so sorry..."
He couldn't help but chuckle a bit at Giyuu's pouting.

"...You have every right to be angry with me. It's just..."
He paused abruptly.

"...Just?"
Giyuu tilted his head to the side, still slightly angry.

Sanemi hesitated a bit before continuing, his hand slowly reaching for Giyuu's.

"...It's just, I get worried about you. And, I don't want you to be taking care of me... I know it's selfish, but I can't help how I feel..."

Giyuu cupped his cheeks, pouting again.
"Y-You didn't even take that charm with you, you almost broke our promise, you nearly died! And you... you still don't want me to take care of you!"

Sanemi's hands reached up to cover Giyuu's, his voice cracking with emotion.

"I just... I didn't want you to worry about me... And the charm... I wanted you to keep it."
Sanemi's gaze never left his, eyes filled with regret as well as love.

"Shut up!"
Giyuu hugged him tightly, his blush deepening as his heart raced.

Sanemi's arms wrapped around him, holding him close as he buried his face in the crook of his neck.

"I-I'm sorry... I promise... next time, I'll listen..."
His voice muffled against Giyuu's skin, his words filled with relief and affection.

Giyuu sighed softly, his anger dissipating slowly.
"Don't ever leave me all alone like this, ever again..."

Sanemi's hold on Giyuu tightened, his breathing slow and steady as he whispered against his skin.
"I promise, I'll never leave you behind like that again..."

"Hmm..."
Giyuu calmed down, Sanemi's warmth filling his heart up with endless amount of love and happiness.

"Your body had turned ice cold... You know?"
Giyuu mumbled.

"Wait, really?"
Sanemi asked, surprised.

"Mhm... But your warmth is back, and it makes me happier than ever."
Giyuu smiled.

"I'm really grateful Tomioka... For everything... Thanks!"
Sanemi's voice was soft and tender.

"I should be thanking you, Shinazugawa-San... I'm glad..."
Giyuu paused.

"Glad that I'm seeing you again..."

Sanemi's eyes widened, his heart beating faster than ever.

"I'm glad too, Tomioka... Glad we're friends!"
Sanemi said, his blush deepening.

Giyuu pulled away almost immediately.

Friends...?
He tilted his head to the side.

___________________________________________

My babies met each other again!!!
They're sooo cute🥹💗

Thanks for reading this book, it really means a lot!! 💓💓💓

See ya!🍩🫶