closed

[setmefree]

[ She didn't think she'd see such a familiar face so soon. Haruki got discharged from the hospital - her arm was still in a cast and she walked with a bit of a limp, but she was fine and functional. Doctors said that she could go on home, all she needed to do is take care of herself.

(Not to mention she hoped she'd get out sooner than later. She didn't know how they'll pay the hospital bills.)

But as she walked out of her hospital room, there was a door nearby that read: Inukai Isuke.

And that caught her attention.

Haruki came back every day, at least three times, to make sure Isuke was okay. She helped feed her, helped brushed her hair and painted her nails and did whatever she could do to help the doctors out. After all, not many people could deal with Isuke's temper, or her high standards.

Admittedly, Haruki wasn't even sure if she could live up to Isuke's standards either, but she could at least be someone she tolerated.

It's been a few weeks, maybe even a month already, since Isuke's been hospitalized. Today she comes in around lunch time, a tray of hospital food in her hands. ]

Ready for lunch? They've got a special rice lunch so I grabbed it before it was gone. Need help sitting up? [ She sets the tray down to the side, sits by the edge of the bed in case Isuke needs some help. ]

Comments

[shiseido]

Hmph, you're late.

[this is terrible and everything is terrible. it could be even more terrible (if Haruki hadn't been visiting so often, not that Isuke would ever admit that to herself least of all anyone else), but there's still plenty of reason to complain and make the lives of the staff difficult.

Isuke likes being pampered and doted on. but she absolutely loathes being helpless like this, with both her arms bandaged up and more or less useless. no, this isn't being pampered, it's being assisted. if only Mama and Papa didn't live so far away. Papa promised to visit as often as he could (it isn't often enough), but Mama was too busy with work. it only soured Isuke's mood even more.

still, even with all that and in spite of all her grumbling, Isuke's glad Haruki's around. better her than those stupid doctors and nurses.]

I can sit up myself, so stay away. [she wriggles in bed, shirt bunching up as she uses her legs to push herself back and up into a sitting position. there was no way she was going to wear that hideous hospital gown, so she'd, uh, convinced the doctors to let her wear her own clothes that her dad brought over.]

And Isuke wants real food, not this hospital crap! Next time Isuke will give you money to buy her something better to eat, okay~?

[setmefree]

Haha, okay, okay. How about I treat you to something nice for dinner today? I've got some money to spend. Don't worry about lending me any.

[ This is money separate from her assassination income, mind. She's going to keep killing, probably, for a while to get food on the table for her family. This stuff's pocket money she saves up for a while. She'd use it to buy a new color nail polish or something, but... Isuke's a little more important.

She doesn't like killing for a job, but people have to do the things they don't want to do to get the stuff they want, right? That's how life is. ]

Comfortable? Here, let me fix your pillows for you.

[ Haruki leans over Isuke, fluffs up the pillows that support her sitting position.

It's not like her chest is in Isuke's face or anything. ]

What are you in the mood for? You can pick anything for dinner. It'd be great if it didn't kill my wallet, though...

[shiseido]

[this is the closest she'll get to being pampered, she figures. so unfair.

the offer's... nice, though. why does Haruki have to be so nice? sometimes Isuke genuinely wonders how Haruki can put up with her, when no one else but her parents could (and that's only because her parents are the only two people in the whole human race she actually respects).

she's somewhat tempted to see how far Haruki's patience can stretch. call it boredom.]

Kobe beef steak. Fresh, not frozen. Isuke will be surprised if you can afford something like that.

[setmefree]

See, if it was frozen, that'd be one thing, but fresh...

[ She stops herself, instead grinning a little more. Forget the fact that Haruki sounded a little unsure of herself there. ]

Not a problem. We'll have steak for dinner. [ There, confidence! She can get some money - it's not big deal. It isn't often she gets to buy such fancy food.

(Probably because fancy food is hard to get.) ]

Like I said, don't worry about the money. I can't say we can do this every night, though. [ She comes every day. Once in the morning, once during lunch, and once during dinner. ]

Alright, say 'ah'~ [ Now that she's comfortable, Isuke can eat now, right? There's onigiri in front of her mouth. ]

[shiseido]

Be quiet. I'm not a child. [even if she often speaks like one. Isuke leans forward, quickly takes a bite out of the onigiri, and settles back against the pillows. the rice is pretty dry and the filling is too mushy to not be something that came out of a can, but she forces herself to chew and swallow anyway.

a grain of rice is stuck to the corner of her mouth. it doesn't look like she notices it.]

Isuke wouldn't even throw this junk to the dogs on the street. Who's the idiot cook trying to kill everyone in the hospital with this? I'll kill them first!

[setmefree]

With a chest like that? Yeah, definitely not a child. [ Sorry, she just wants to humor her with a little crudeness!!

Once Isuke gets her bite, she sets that aside and lets her chew that. ]

Bear with it for a little, 'kay? Haruki-sama here is gonna treat you to Kobe beef today! That's something to look forward too, ain't it?

[shiseido]

[if only she could use her arms. then she would totally smack Haruki for that comment about her chest. unfortunately, the most Isuke can do here is glare.

kinda like an unamused cat. yeah, you know those ones.]

Only if Haruki-chan isn't the one who's going to be cooking it.

[the title of sama belongs to Isuke ok.]

[setmefree]

Hey, I can cook pretty well. Too afraid to taste what delicious concoctions I can brew up?

[ Talking to Isuke like this is a lot more relaxing than back at the academy. She doesn't have to worry about a mission, or killing, or having to keep up pretenses... It's just natural conversation.

Her smile's lopsided, and she's just. She's just kinda gazing (staring) at Isuke for a little too long... ]

[shiseido]

[oh please, do not gaze upon her with such savagery- wait wrong gay assassin

but really, it's pretty nice being able to relax like this in spite of everything else that's shitty, even if Isuke doesn't seem relaxed at all.

because how can she relax when Haruki is looking at her like that!!]

You can look, but no touching. Ah, Isuke might have to charge money for looking, actually. ♥

[setmefree]

No one's got the money for that sorta thing. You can add me to the exception list!

[ Is that a little blush on Isuke's face?? Cuuuuuuute

Haruki doesn't decide to poke fun at it, though, just picks up that onigiri and holds it up to her face again. ]

You know how much longer you're stuck here? It's been a month since you got in...

[shiseido]

[she's turning her head away. that's enough of that crappy hospital food. she wants her fancy rich people steak, dammit.]

Not long. If Isuke doesn't get out soon I'll just have to kill the doctors for not doing their job more efficiently.

[Isuke's kidding, of course. mostly. maybe.]

do you remember this one too

[setmefree]

You can't do that, they're the ones who have to take care of everyone else you know!

[ Here, have another bite Isuke. ]

Have your parents contacted you at all? I thought I'd run into them by now, but I guess we just miss each other if they come in to visit you.

━Σ(ﾟДﾟ|||)━

[shiseido]

[nooOO SHE DOESN'T WANT okay fine she'll take a bite.]

Mama and Papa are busy. But of course they came to visit Isuke~ ♥ And they will again, soon.

[but not often enough.] They won't like you so don't try to find them.

[that's not true. maybe?? Isuke just doesn't want Haruki meeting her parents.]

[setmefree]

Right, what parents wouldn't visit their daughter in the hospital?

[ She remembers how her siblings, all nine of them, came to see her a day or two she was admitted in... She'd worried them so much. Part of her wonders why she planned on 3 deaths that day instead of just 1 or 2.

She smiles at Isuke. ]

What are your parents like, Isuke-sama?

[shiseido]

They're the best, obviously. ♥ [get it?? because look at how great Isuke turned out.

ha ha.]

Isuke will spare your feelings and say no more, since you'll only get jealous.

[setmefree]

You can tell me. I won't get jealous.

[ What she'll be feeling is happy - happy for Isuke and the fact that she has such loving parents. She wouldn't be jealous of that.

The look on Haruki's face is something like pride and joy but also... just Haruki. It's just Haruki's face, yep. ]

They're lucky to have you.

[shiseido]

Hmph, I know that. [baka etc]

They love Isuke lots. ♥ The next time they visit, I bet they'll bring all sorts of gifts for me.

[ugh Haruki ugh what's that look on your face...! Isuke quickly looks the other way.]

[setmefree]

That'll be nice! Those gifts will keep you company when no one else is here.

[ Haruki brings the food up to Isuke's mouth again. ]

Come on, you can take a last bite out of this and we'll just skip to dessert, if you want.

[shiseido]

Are you saying I'd get lonely? Don't be so ridiculous~ ♥

[hhhhhH fine, she takes a bite, chewing with exaggerated distaste.]

Ahh, I can't possibly wait to see what quality dessert this hospital is providing.

[setmefree]

They've got pudding today! But I brought something myself too.

[ Take a guess at what Haruki brought.

If it's pocky, you're right. ]

I got strawberry for you. [ She looks so proud of herself ]

[shiseido]

I don't want it.

[color tinges her cheeks. if only her arms weren't like this, then she could actually smack Haruki for being an idiot.]

I've had enough of this crappy hospital food~ ♥

[setmefree]

That's why I got you the pocky!

[ She opens up the box and just. pops one end of the pocky stick into Isuke's mouth.

Haruki's grinning as if she's expecting Isuke to fall in love with it or something ]

Taste good? It's not a gourmet dessert, but nothing goes wrong with pocky!

[shiseido]

[what!! oh fine. she holds it between her teeth, threatening to snap it in half. how does Haruki even talk with these things hanging between her lips all the time?]

No~ ♥ It tastes cheap. [well.] Take it back!

[she doesn't spit it out, expecting Haruki to do as told.]

[setmefree]

It's not good to waste food, though. [ Seriously brah, it ain't good.

So Haruki has the perfect solution!!

She's going to lean in and take a bite of the pocky even though it's still in Isuke's mouth! That's a smart idea! ]

Don't know why you wouldn't want it, it's not like there's expensive or cheap pocky. It just is what it is.

[shiseido]

[THAT... NO....... NO DON'T DO THAT ugh!! she doesn't move a muscle, only glares hard.]

If you like it so much then you take it. ♥

[Haruki ur face is too close]