Chapter 17

Thankfully they were able to evade the clutches of the authorities, the group escaping in time just as they heard the sirens coming round.

"Fuuuu...." Takashi groans, hunched over in pain. They had gotten back to the house quickly so that the two can rest on the couches while Erina goes to grab the first aid kit. Yukiko hands them icepacks for the areas that were seemingly beginning to bruise. 

"Thanks for taking care of the women..." Takashi mumbles, holding the ice against his arm. "You really saved me, Haruko."

"I tried, like I said before.. I know you don't hit women so..." Haruko shrugs, groaning when she felt a jolt of pain, "O-Ow..." she whimpered, the adrenaline from earlier had really worn out so now they were felling everything. 

Erina came back out with the first aid kit in her hands. "I'll start with Takashi, that way he can head up to his room already. Then I'll deal with your wounds, okay? Haruko?" she asks, glancing her direction as she places the kit down on the coffee table, opening it.

"Yes ma'am..." The two answered in unison. 

Erina did what she could, wrapping his arms and applying some ointment where it hurt or bruised. She placed some bandages on the small cuts on his face that were bleeding. 

Erina squeezes his cheeks hard in the end, a way of disciplining him a bit.

"O-OW!" Takashi whined.

"That's what you get for getting into a fight like that..." Erina huffed.

"B-But we couldn't just let them do that shit to you guys..!" Takashi pouted, his voice raising in frustration.

"I know... I appreciate that, but still... I just wish you two didn't get hurt so badly." Erina grumbles sadly, "You know it hurts me to see you hurt." she pets his head softly.

"I-I'm sorry, sis..." Takashi relaxes against her hand, feeling a bit guilty. "I just-- I had to protect you three..." he admitted strongly. 

"Yes, I know. Just... go lay down. Change your clothes and leave them on the ground outside, I'll take care of them." Erina motions for him to head up. She sighs heavily, watching as Takashi makes his way up the stairs slowly.

"G-Goodnight everyone..." He got out before he continued. 

"Goodness, stubbornness runs through this family." Erina mumbles, she turns to face Haruko now. The woman tensing from the attention, "I'm going to take care of your wounds now, okay?"

"Y-Yes..." Haruko swallows nervously.

Erina worked silently, doing what she could to clean any of the wounds on Haruko. She stops and hesitated for a moment, cleaning her eyebrow wound. "You shouldn't have gotten hurt... what were you thinking...?"

"That you three shouldn't have been harassed like that." Haruko said. "I didn't want you getting hurt." She met Erina's eyes, watching as she looked away a bit flustered, a pink beating hear appearing above her head.  'Oh...?'

"Please, Haruko. You need to be more careful." Erina frowns, clearing her throat. "You have a game coming up too..." she said quietly before tugging on her shirt lightly, "Do you think you can take this off so I can check the rest of your body? I know that woman hit you around here too..." 

"O-Okay.." Haruko nods, she tries to tug her shirt off but honestly she was having a hard time. Erina decides to help her in the end. 

"Oh my gosh...I'm going to touch you, Haruko." Erina warns, reaching out to touch at the bruised skin hesitantly. 

Her hands rested on the bare skin, she feels around a bit, retracting when Haruko doubles over in pain. "HSsnnn..." she hissed loudly. 

"I-I'm so sorry...!" Erina backs up, looking at her worriedly. "Are you okay???"

"It must be bruised..." Reika frowns, "Unfortunately, we aren't well versed when it comes to tending to injuries. So we're going to have to wait until Akemi can check on you." she suggests. "For now, let's just place some ice on there." 

"Agreed." Erina sighs. "Mother and father are out tonight, so you can stay in their room for now." she offered.

"E-Eh??"

"You need your own bed at this very moment, we can't risk anyone touching you and further worsening the wounds." Reika was in agreement to what Erina had said. "Come, I'll help you walk there." 

"Oh, uhh thank you..." Haruko nods, she holds an icepack against the swollen area around her ribs. Reika helping her stand up from the couch, allowing her to use her shoulders to lean on. 

They head up the stairs, seemingly towards their parents room.

"Should I get you some pajamas, Haruko?" Yukiko offers.

"Ah, no. It's alright, I prefer not to wear much when I sleep anyways, less restriction so... I think that would be for the best right now." Haruko admitted, struggling to move even with Reika's support. 

"Yukiko, go and get the clothes from Takashi's room, I'll bring Haruko's clothes after so we can put them in the wash." Reika said, helping Haruko into the bed. Yukiko makes her way out of the room to get Takashi's clothes. 

Haruko sneakily takes the letter out of her pants first before slipping them off, handing her clothes to Reika. "Can I have my bag real quick?" she asks, Reika nodding and giving her the bag. Haruko pretends to look through it, placing the letter inside and shutting the bag again. She places it on the ground by her side of the bed. 

"Rest up. This means you can't go on your jogs with Saeko in the morning, or basketball training for now." Erina reminded her, fixing the blanket so it covered her body. 

"E..Eh? But--"

"I will let Saeko know that you're unable to jog with her in the morning, and that she can't go out alone right now because it's dangerous." Erina explains, "I'll be sure to tell her that you said she can't jog without you, how about that?"

"I guess so..."

"You need to heal, Haruko." Erina frowns, sitting at the edge of the bed with Reika standing there as well. "I don't want you getting hurt from practice, it'll worsen your wounds."

"Yes ma'am..." Haruko pouted, getting comfortable in the bed. "Um... thank you for tending to my wound..." she said softly. 

"Of course, sweetie." Erina smiles, brushing some of her hair out of her face. "Goodnight, Haruko. Rest well, okay? I'll check on you in the morning." she smiles slightly, waiting until Haruko closes her eyes and dozes off before exiting the room with Reika. 

*

The morning sunlight peaks in through the slight opening of the curtains, the warmth sneaking in and hitting the bare of her skin. 

She woke up only a few hours later, considering they got back to the household pretty late (early?). A grunt escapes her lips when she woke up and felt like a truck had hit her straight on. 

'Guuhhh... everything hurts...' Haruko thought, "Mmnn..." she groans, trying to move around. That's when she realized there was another human presence in the bed, right next to her. She winches when she feels arms wrapping around her body.

Haruko opens her eyes slightly to see who it could be. 

A woman. Obviously.

She looks familiar, but Haruko couldn't recall who this woman was. 'Oh well...' she gave up, closing her eyes again when the woman settles down. She stopped moving around so it allowed the pair to doze off comfortably.

"Mother???!" A voice screamed out in shock, Haruko opens her eyes slightly again to see Reika had walked into the room. 

'Mother...??' Haruko gasps in shock when she let that settle after a moment. She shot up quickly, attempting to sit up as much as she could. "Shi--...!" Haruko groaned, doubling over in pain. "O-Ow..." 

"Haruko!" Reika approaches worriedly, "Are you okay...??" she sits at the edge of the bed. 

"Fuck me... everything hurts..." Haruko answered, she smiles sheepishly, turning her head to look at Reika a bit. "D-Don't worry, I'm okay..." she tried to reassure. 

Reika helps her sit up again. "Don't move too much.." 

"Sorry..." Haruko says, she was quick to notice some movement beside her and looks. The older woman sitting up as well, "M-Mrs. Hasegawa..." she gasps, becoming timid under her presence. 

"Good morning, Haruko." The Hasegawa mother, Yuriko, greeted with a beaming smile. "Were you always this shy?" she asks in amusement.

"Why are you laying beside her, mother....?" Reika huffs, raising a brow in her direction.

"Why? I mean, this is my bed Rei." Yuriko giggles. "What were you planning on doing? Coming here so early in the morning~" she glances at a phone to check the time, Haruko noticing that the woman had her cellphone in her hands. "It's only 6, sweetheart. Were you going to lay here with her?~" 

"I-I-- N-No..." Reika grumbles, her face becoming red when she realized that she figured out her intentions. "E-Erina said to check on her, maybe help her take a bath before she changes her bandages..."

 "Um... you have my cellphone." Haruko pointed out shyly.

"I do~" Yuriko nods, "Feel free to take it." she offered teasingly, placing the device between her breast. She left just enough to stick out for Haruko to grab it, barely. 

'I can see where Reika gets her teasing side...' Haruko thought nervously, her cheeks growing warm. "I-I shouldn't..." 

"Ehhh, not going to take it?~"

"N-No, I-I-- I'm sorry, ma'am..." Haruko mumbled, she hides her face by looking away. 

"So cute~" Yuriko squeaks, she caresses her cheek softly to pull her in and hug her in a gentle manner. "It's okay, just take it, Haruko~" 

"Mother..." Reika frowns, she reaches over and pulls the cellphone out for her. "Ugh... leave her alone..."

"Ehhh?"

"Where is the man...?" Reika asks blandly. 

"Hm? Your father? He's still out on a business thing. I got home super late after work expecting an empty bed, but thankfully Haruko was here to fill in the spot." Yuriko giggles, she pets Haruko's head softly. 

"She is hurt, mother..." 

"So I've noticed. What happened, sweetheart?" Haruko flinches when Yuriko reaches up to touch lightly at the bandage on her eyebrow.

"I-I got in a fight..." Haruko answered quietly. She felt awkward being held by the older woman, but it was somewhat comforting. 

"She was protecting us." Reika added in.

"Oh! How kind of you!" Yuriko gasps, she nuzzles Haruko softly. "Please, allow us to make you some breakfast, okay?"

"I-If you'd please..." Haruko couldn't help but agree with her, she was hard to decline. She feels her cheeks warming up when she realized how underdressed the other woman was as well, mesmerized by her getting out of the bed to prepare something for them. 

Unfortunately, Yuriko was quick to notice the look she was giving her. She smiles at her in amusement, "Haru, if you stare at me like that you'll make me you want to have me for breakfast instead." she teased. 

'HASAHKHF...' Haruko's mind was fried by the words alone, but she was losing it over the woman's smile. All she could do was lower her gaze timidly, forcing herself to stop staring any longer.

Yuriko reaches over and pats her head lightly, making Haruko look up again hesitantly. "Be a good girl and listen to Rei, okay?~" she asks her, running her hand down from her cheek to her jaw to caress her gently.

"U-Uhhhuhh..." Haruko slurred out, absolutely bewitched by the woman. She watches as Yuriko heads out of the room with a pep in her step, waving them a temporary goodbye. "H..Hot..." she blurted out.

"Hmm? Interesting." Reika hums, getting her attention right away. Haruko whips her head around to realize Reika had been there the entire time, the other woman looking at her in amusement. "You really do like your women older, huh? She's 21 years older than me, you know?"

"Ah... 45...?" Haruko chuckles nervously. 'Ugh... can't I-- she's closer to my age in the real world, just a little bit older... is 17  years close?? Please say yes... I don't know-- ugh... wishful thinking. ' Haruko rubs the back of her neck. "S...Sorry..."

If Takashi wasn't the main character, she would unfortunately try going for Yuriko... but that's not the type of game she's playing right now... unless? 'Stop, bad Haruko...' she mentally slaps herself for thinking about it. 

"So, how are you feeling?" Reika asks.

"My body aches a lot..." Haruko admitted, thanking the Gods she decided to move on from that whole thing. 

"I figured." Reika sighs, "I'm going to get Akemi to come over to check up on you, unless you'd like to go to the hospital instead?" she offers, it was still an idea. They didn't want to at first, considering the circumstance was because they beat people up, but they could probably try to come up with a different excuse now that they had time to think. 

"Uhh, no hospitals please..." Haruko shook her head slowly, "I-I'll just wait for Ms. Minatozaki, I suppose."

"Great. I'll bring her over after classes, for now you're staying here."

"Eh? I-I can stay at my place." 

"Looking like this?" Reika frowns. "At least here, mother is home now to keep an eye on you, which I'm sure you don't mind apparently."

Haruko whines, looking at her with a pleading gaze to stop teasing her on that. 

"Fine, fine." Reika laughs, "You're so cute, Haru." she admitted, petting her head. "At least stay for today, until we figure something out. Like getting someone to keep an eye on you at your home. There's no way you're going to be able to take care of yourself like this." 

"I mean-- we don't know that..."

Reika hums, raising a curious brow before she reaches over to press a light hand on Haruko's ribs. The woman jolting away from her touch before hunching over from the sudden movement. "Uh-huh..."

"I-I guess..." Haruko groans. 

"Alright, let's go give you a bath now." Reika nodded, she got out of the bed, turning to face Haruko.

"Y-You're going to-- me?? Bathe?? You?" Haruko practically choked on her words. "I can do it myself."

"We've just been over this, you can't even lay down without struggle." Reika frowns, "I think a bath will really help ease the aching." she tried. "I swear I won't do anything too rash." she offered as a means of persuading her. 

"B..But..."

"Should I get my mother to give you a bath instead?"

"I-I'm coming..." Haruko grumbles in defeat, she shuffles closer to the edge carefully. Reika helping her stand up out of the bed. 

"I thought so." 

*

She was so glad the bath was over, it was one thing to give her the bath... but why did Reika join her instead??

Haruko was having such a hard time focusing on anything she was saying to her while trying not to stare for too long at anything she wasn't supposed to. 

She avoided looking overall, even if Reika decided to sit right between her legs in the bath. The woman was rubbing her hands all over her body and hair, she thought she was going to faint right there. 

Haruko had long forgotten about the pain in her body to make sure she wasn't doing anything bad while in that bath. Even if Reika was tempting her so, intentional or not, it was still too much. 

'These women are going to be the death of me... not the whole gang thing, I'm going to die somehow by them...' Haruko thought as Reika took the time to dry her body and apply new bandages and ointment. 

Reika helps her into the extra undergarments Haruko conveniently packed in her bag. She had figured she was going to wash her body at some point, either after basketball practice in the girls locker room or even at the gym.

She helps Haruko sit back in bed again, sitting at the edge to watch her get a little comfortable.

“Haruko…” Reika started out quietly, staring at the younger woman.

“Hmm?”

“I'm really grateful you helped us last night…” Reika admitted silently, she stared down into her own lap. Thinking back on things, the situation was really dangerous for her and the other two. “You saved us, you and Takashi.”

“It was technically my fault you all came out…” Haruko grumbles. “I should've gone home before it got so late…”

“It was our decision to go out and look for you.” Reika shook her head, and she reached out to hold Haruko's hand. “Well… Ultimately, I did run out first.”

“You ran out?”

“It's dangerous lately, we just experienced that.” Reika sighs, “I… I didn't want anything bad happening to you.”

“That's very sweet of you, Reika.”

Haruko stared at the older woman in slight awe. She hadn't expected her to drop everything, run out of her own home and look for her. All past midnight.

“I care about you, Haruko.”

“I care about you as well… Why else would I fight for you?” Haruko chuckles lightly, she notices the pink heart indicator pop out, beating largely.

“Y-You…” Reika started, her cheeks slightly red. “You know how to fight… and you didn't want us getting involved...”

“I'm just as surprised as you.” Haruko hums. “I'm really not the best at fighting, but I'm serious when I say I'll protect you. I will fight for you.” It wasn't meant to sound like a declaration, but it kind of did. “A-All of you…”

Haruko was willing to protect most of the women, considering they're pretty much important to her story at least.

Even if they're just background characters.

“You treat us so well, I just might award you for your chivalry.” Reika laughs, she shuffles a little closer. Bringing her legs up onto the bed as well.

“I mean… I-I don't decline rewards from pretty women…” Haruko coughed, she didn't usually care about being rewarded for her hard work but with how things go around this game.. she was kind of excited to see what the reward could be.

“I know you wouldn't..” Reika mumbled softly, she was close enough to rest her hands on Haruko's shoulders as they gaze into each other's eyes. “Can I reward you…?” She asked in a hushed tone, already leaning in close. Their lips barely an inch away from one another.

“P-P-Please….” Haruko instinctively reaches out to hover a polite hand over Reika's hip.

It didn't take long until the two found themselves in the midst of a passionate kiss.

Reika slowly makes her way closer, comfortably straddling Haruko's lap after working her way up to there. She wraps her arms around Haruko's shoulders and neck, trailing a light touch behind the back of her neck to her shoulders.

Haruko flinches a bit from the slight pain she felt but presses on, she deepens the kiss. Pulling Reika close until their bodies flushed against one another.

She didn't mean for it to happen, but her hands were getting a bit curious to the touch. Reaching under Reika's shirt to slide her hand against porcelain skin.

Haruko had thought Reika would have been cold to the touch but surprisingly she was warm, very warm.

Her mind had slipped and she had been moving unconsciously.

“W-Wait, Haruko…” She hears Reika whimper, kissing lightly at the older woman's cheek before peppering kisses down her jaw and neck. Haruko nipped lightly at the bare of her shoulder.

She let her hands roam on their own, squeezing lightly at Reika's thigh.

There was a knock on the door, snapping her out of her trance. Haruko wasn't the first to pull away though, she watches Reika silently through dazed eyes. The woman pulling away quickly and climbing off her lap.

To Haruko's disappointment.

Reika was frantically trying to look casual just as the door opened, Yukiko walking in. "Erina and mom made food, they told me to come and get--" she paused when she noticed them sitting on the bed together. "Why is she in bed with you??" she pouted, glancing at Reika. 

"U-Uh..." 

"Hmph, I'm keeping her company. What's wrong with being in the bed too?" Reika huffs, she had avoided facing Yukiko directly, hiding the fact that her cheeks were red.

"Well, we need to bring her downstairs for breakfast." Yukiko rolled her eyes, "Haruko, let's go eat?" she suggested, approaching the bed now to see if she can help her up.

"S-Sure..." Haruko nods, "Um... do you have any clothes I can wear for now?" she asks timidly, coming to a realization that she was still slightly underdressed. 

A lot underdressed, she was in her underwear. 

"Oh! Let me go grab you something to wear." Reika offered, "Probably something breathable.. hmm... hold on, okay?" she shuffles her way off of the bed to go grab something for Haruko to put on Yukiko sitting at the edge of the bed to keep her company now.

"Are you feeling alright?" Yukiko asks.

"I'm feeling a lot of the pain right now, so not really... but don't worry, I'm fine." Haruko smiles at her briefly. "Although, I'm probably not going to school today, your sister told me to stay here for today."

"And I agree with her, please rest a bit." Yukiko giggles, "Do you want me to inform anyone about your absence? A professor or counselor or something?" 

"Don't worry, I'll be sure to send them an email. I'm hoping I'll be okay tomorrow or something to go, I don't want to miss out on much." Haruko hums. 

"Are you sure?" Haruko only nods in response. "Alright, I'll see if the other two want to come over to check on you after classes."

"Haruko, let's try this, okay?" Reika suggests, she walks back into the room with some clothes in her hands. "I stole some clothes from the boy." she hummed, proud of her handiwork. She helps to put the clothes on, Haruko realizing that she had put a jinbei on her. "Is it comfy?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Alright, let's get going then." 

They head down the stairs, Haruko leaning on Reika for support as they entered the dinning room to see the other three in there. Takashi and Erina were sitting at the table as Yuriko places some food on the table. 

"Glad you two can join us." Yuriko smiles in their direction sweetly, "How are you feeling? I didn't harm you earlier, did I?" she asks Haruko.

"I-I'm fine, ma'am. Thank you." Haruko nods, she takes a seat at the table as well. She was a little tense, it was weird being around a lot of people at the dinning room table. "Um, this looks good." she admitted to them timidly.

Yuriko sits beside her, unfortunately. "Thank you~ I just had to make sure you eat something good for helping my children~" she stares at Haruko closely, noticing her clothes. "Oh my Goodness, is this Takashi's old Jinbei??"

"I-I uhh-- y-yes?"

"You look so cute~" Yuriko swoons, giving her soft kisses on the cheek, she held her jaw gently. "He doesn't wear this anymore." she admitted in awe.

"Mom..." Takashi rolled his eyes, "Leave her alone, and stop doing that. That's weird." Haruko assumed he meant all the kissing. 

"Ehhh..." His mother only pouted in response, "Do you mind, Haruko??"

"N-No ma'am, I-I don't mind..."

"Then I don't have to stop~" 

"I told Haruko that she should stay here for today, I don't think she should be alone at her home or going to school under these conditions." Reika spoke up, looking around the table. 

"Oh, but of course. You are welcome to stay as long as you want~ You can share the bed with me for now." 

"T-T-Thank you.." Haruko swallowed hard, "I-I think I'll just stay for today though... In the end, I would like to stay at my home." she looks down at her food before glancing at Takashi curiously, "Are you staying home too, Takashi?"

"Yes, he is." Erina answered for him. "I already got him to email his professors for today."

"I'm probably just going to watch some anime since I'm stuck at home." Takashi snickers, "Some needed R&R."

"If you're going to be doing that you'd better stay in the bed."

"Yea yea." 

"Good~ Now eat your food, Takyun~" Yuriko spoke up. Takashi turned to her abruptly with a red face, he hisses in pain and turns back towards his food. 

"M-Mom! Don't call me that!" 

*

Haruko sits with Yuriko on the couch for a bit, watching as Yukiko, Erina and Reika get ready to head to school. Takashi had already gone back up to his room to most likely sit at his computer. 

"We'll be back later, okay? Just rest, Haruko." Erina tells her, petting Haruko's head softly. "Would you like anything to eat later? We can stop by somewhere to get anything."

"Uh, whatever is fine." Haruko nods. "I appreciate all of this."

"Of course, you really helped us yesterday. Even though we were the ones out looking for you." Erina smiles down at her. 

"She can clearly handle herself at night." Reika chuckles. "Mother make sure she doesn't get hurt." she looks towards the other woman.

"Leave it to me!" Yuriko saluted playfully, "Don't worry, Haruko. I'll take good care of you."

"T-Thank you Mrs. Hasegawa..." Haruko grumbles shyly.

"Boo, call me Yuriko. Mrs. Hasegawa makes me sound old." Yuriko whines, she holds Haruko's arm lightly, resting her head against her shoulder. 

"Mother, you are old." Reika rolled her eyes.

"Y-Yuriko..." Haruko got out quietly, causing the older woman to squeal with glee.

"Sounds so much better~" Yuriko swoons, satisfied with the outcome. She looks back to see the other three standing near the front door. "Get to school safely, okay?"

"Haru, don't encourage her." Yukiko pouted, "We're heading out now." She tells them, following the other two out the front door. Leaving Haruko to fend for herself against their mother, who made her tremendously nervous. 

*

She had spent the rest of the day laying in Yuriko's bed while the older woman had done some house chores. Yuriko occasionally checked in on her while she was busy, as well as checking on Takashi. But most of the time she was alone.

Thankfully.

Haruko stares at the ceiling, wondering what she could do for now. She wasn't really sleepy, but there really wasn't much to do when in bed. 'Usually these games skip around to the main parts, but I think because I'm aware it's a game it's making me live out the days and hours...such a hassle...'

She tries and turns over in the bed, attempting to lay on her side to take in the interior. '...Those people yesterday, they're definitely apart of the Ishikawa group... what did they talk about again...?' she closed her eyes, thinking back to what happened yesterday. 'They mentioned a list...' 

List...

'The letter...!' Haruko's eyes shot open, how could she have forgotten about that. She shuffles a little closer to the edge of the bed to dig through her bag. 

Looking at the name on the letter, she could finally read it. 'Fujiwara...? Who is that...? There's so many characters being unlocked now because I'm actually inside of the game...' She gives the letter a look around, curious if she should open it.

"Should I wait for the others..." Haruko grumbles.

"Is it homework?" Asked a voice behind her. 

"No. Just a letter."

"Oh! Love letter?~"

"Love letter? No way, it's a --" Haruko turns her head to look at the person speaking, she gasps when she notices Yuriko was in the bed with her. Clinging to her back to glance at the letter as well. "Y-Y-Yuriko...!"

"Hi Haru." Yuriko hums, she backs up a little bit to let Haruko turn over a little and face her. "What're you looking at?" she asks curiously.

"J-Just some letter..." Haruko mumbles, hiding it behind her back. 'When did she get here...? How long was she in here...??' 

"From the Fujiwara?" Yuriko looks at her in slight awe, she sits up a bit to pull her hair out from it's ponytail. Allowing her long light brown hair to cascade down her shoulders beautifully. "Is it their daughter, Ayako?"

"You know them, Yuriko?" 

"Of course." Yuriko hums, "They're close family friends of ours, my husband has been friends with the head of the household ever since he was a boy." she explained briefly. "I didn't know you and Aya knew each other~" 

"A-Ahaha... s-small world." Haruko smiles slightly, she puts the letter back into her bag. "Y-You finished with the house chores already??"

"Don't underestimate a mommy of four. I was always left to watch the kids at home when they were younger, I've become an expert on doing house chores quickly to make sure my babies were okay." Yuriko giggles, "And right now I have to make sure this baby is okay as well..." she pokes Haruko's nose playfully, "Are you okay, baby?~"

“Y-Yes…” Haruko coughed, clearing her throat of the knot. “Um… about Fujiwara…”

“Yes?~” Yuriko tilts her head slightly, “Lay down first, Haru. Then we can talk a little more. I at least want you to be comfy.”

‘Ughhh!! She's too cute…’ Haruko thought she was mentally fangirling over Yuriko's cute mannerism. She lays back down in the bed, Yuriko pulls the blanket over them. She lays next to Haruko, cuddling her from the side.

“Okay~ As you were saying?”

“So, I actually don't know them too well. But, the Fujiwara do they live near here?”

“They're a little ways that way.” Yuriko motioned a bit. “Their home is a bit more traditional than ours though, the head of the house is a very traditional man. They're a respectable family all in all.”

‘So why is there a letter for them in a bag full of drugs…’ Haruko pondered. ‘I need to check that out later…’ she could only nod slightly to Yuriko's admittance. “Thanks… oh um, did you check on Takashi already?”

“Don't worry about Takyun, right now, Haru…” Yuriko pouted. “I checked on him before I came here. Please focus on yourself for now.”

“I-I will, I just wanted to ask out of curiosity. I was worried about him too.”

"So sweet..." Yuriko whines, she leans down to press her cheek against Haruko's, nuzzling her cutely. "You're just too sweet to my children."

Haruko was going rigid, she didn't know how to act right now. She just lays there awkwardly, keeping her hands to herself as the woman does what she wants. "Um, w-what are you going to do now?"

"Hm? Me? I'm going to hang out with you until the others get back~" She knew the older woman meant well, but it didn't stop her from being a little disappointed about it. 

'Damnit...'

*

When the other three were back home, they had brought the others over. Surprisingly, Chisako and Noriko were there as well. Takashi and Haruko were weary to see them, wondering if the group from last night had said anything about the fight to them. 

"Oh my God, look at you, you're all beat up." Minami frowns, she approaches Haruko quickly and rests her hands on her arms carefully. "Are you okay?? Does it hurt??"

"After seeing you, all my pain went away." Haruko admitted. Minami hugs her, attempting to bet the back of her head. "Sorry, I didn't text you last night because of everything that happened."

"Don't worry about that, I'm just glad you're here." Minami sighed in relief, she moves back a bit to take in Haruko's injuries. "I see Mrs. Hasegawa has been busy?" she chuckles, touching on a spot on her neck.

"Hm?"

"Mother, did you leave kisses on her." Yukiko pouted. She walks up to Haruko to wipe at something on her neck, smearing something red. 

"Guilty~" Yuriko giggles, passing them by to enter the kitchen to fix up the food the women had brought back home with them. 

"Quite the youthful woman, huh?" Minami laughed, "She left lipstick all over your neck and face, Haru. But I guess you didn't notice, huh?"

"W-What??" Haruko gapes in slight surprise, she looks around for a reflection. Seeing the lipstick marks on her neck that Yukiko had been wiping at, and some on her face. "Ehhh!?"

"Ugh, mom...." Takashi rolled his eyes.

The commotion died down, the group sitting around in the living room. Yuriko had laid the food out on the coffee table, allowing them to eat when they could. She personally made sure Takashi and Haruko had plates full of everything available. 

"What happened to you two?" Haruko looks up from her food, to see that Shizuka had spoken, a weary expression on her face. She was sitting beside Haruko on the couch. 

Haruko opens her mouth, as if she was going to explain everything but remembered one of the reasons she was out so late in the first place. She bit back her remarks and poked at her food quietly, allowing Takashi to take over.

"We got in a fight yesterday--" Takashi paused, realizing the actual time they had started the brawl. "This morning... a fight we won by a landslide by the way." he pointed out with a prideful grin. "Thank you very much."

Shizuka rolled her eyes, she had something to say but chose not to say anything either. She didn't want to go off on him considering the situation they were in now. 

She was on enemy territory. 

"Are you okay though, Haruko?" Chisako asks now, a weary expression on her own face. "I heard from Noriko and Kou about the fight you two had got into this morning. It didn't sound good..." she admitted with a frown, she took in the damage on the other woman's body, "Gosh, how did this happen to you..."  Her words caught their interest, because how else would they have gotten that information if not from the group themselves.

"I just-- they were being harassed, so Takashi and I took care of those guys." Haruko explained awkwardly, trying to give her a reassuring smile. "I'm okay, just a few cuts and bruises. I'm sure I'll heal quickly." 

"Are you sure?? I heard you got hit around the rib area though... doesn't that hurt? It was with a metal pipe, no??" Noriko asks now, making the usual group suspicious of her. How did she know all of that....?

'Interesting...' Haruko thought. "Don't worry. I-I mean, yea it was a pipe, but I'm fine. It doesn't hurt as much as it did the first few hours."

"A pipe...!?" Chisako gasps, she looked very worried at that point.

"It's okay, Chisako. Don't worry.... As long as I don't do anything too straining, it doesn't hurt as much." Haruko tried, "They've been taking care of me too, so I've been okay." she motions to the Hasegawa family slightly. 

"I see, that's good, Haruko. Well we just wanted to come and check on you for a bit." Noriko said, "Kou wanted to come as well, but unfortunately something came up." she smiles, "And it seems that he needs our help with that now." she admitted to the group after glancing at her phone. "Chisako, let's go. She's fine, we can rest easy."

"B-But--" Chisako was hesitant to even get up from where she sat. She, glances at her own phone quickly, wondering what Noriko was referring to with Kou and instantly changed her mind. Chisako stood up, "I guess we'll be leaving now..." she mumbled, shoving her phone into her bag. She approaches Haruko, holding her shoulders carefully. "We'll see you later? Please text me, okay? You worry me sometimes."

"I will." Haruko laughs, "You're going to go help Kou with something?"

"Just taking care of some trash." Noriko nods, "He needs help considering it's a large amount and not things that can be broken down easily." she admitted with a smile that gave Haruko chills. "Do not worry, Haruko. It shouldn't concern you any longer, we can take care of it." she walks over and pats her shoulder lightly. "Please take care of yourself, alright? We will see you another day."

"Y-Yea. See you guys later." Haruko rubs the back of her neck awkwardly, she stops Chisako first. Grabbing her hand before she could walk away. "Eh, no goodbye kiss? You did it last time." she pointed out playfully, she still needed to keep her act up. Even if the whole conversation with them made her weary of the context.

"H-Haruko..." Chisako pouted, she didn't really fight much on it though. As if she was getting used to Haruko's flirting antics. Surprisingly she leans down and captures Haruko's lips briefly, leaving a chaste kiss before backing away with her own red cheeks. "We'll be heading o-out now..." she mumbles to the others.

Haruko was just as surprised, she had expected a kiss on the cheek or something, not the lips. 

Akira whistles in awe, "Get it, girl~" she cheers. Chisako shot her a pout, glaring at the older woman. "Okay, okayyyy..." Akira laughs in amusement, "See you tomorrow, you two." she waves. 

"Goodbye." Noriko hums.

They leave.

* 

After eating, Akemi had checked on Takashi first before Haruko. Most of the group decided to sit around in Yuriko's room. Haruko sat on the bed awkwardly, “Do you all need to be in here?” She asks them weirdly, looking around at the group.

“We're worried about you.” Saeko pouted, “Of course we'll want to be near when she assesses the situation.”

“I'm going to be checking the severity of your wounds.” Akemi spoke up, “Erina and Reika explained a few things but I'm going to make sure they didn't miss anything else.” she explains. “And check if there's any internal damage or bruising.”

“Can you take your clothes off, Haruko?” Shizuka asks, already knowing some of the procedure.

“Uh, I'll try.” Haruko grumbles, and she attempts to take the top off first. She hunched over in pain when she felt a sharp sensation in her ribs area, there was an aching pain right after. “Ugggghh…”

“Goodness, you can't even take your own clothes off…” Saeko frowned, she was the first to move. Attempting to help her take it off instead, moving slowly and carefully.

“How are you going to eat at home? You can't make food like this.” Akira pointed out.

“And that's what we need to discuss.” Erina sighs. “We said we could take care of her here but she insists she wants to stay in her own home. So….”

Haruko listens quietly as Akemi checks on her wounds, cleaning them at the same time and replacing bandages when she could. “Um… I could always just order take out and stuff?”

“And the wound care? You'll do that on your own?” Shizuka raised a brow at her. She clears her throat, “I'll take care of Haruko.” She offered. “I can stay with her until she gets better, my parents are very lenient just so long as I keep my grades up and attend my classes." 

Their train of thought cut off when Akemi touches the area around Haruko's ribs, causing her to double over in pain and let out a soft cry. "Guhhh...." 

"It is bruised..." Akemi frowns, grazing the area lightly with her fingers.

"Can we do anything to ease the pain??" Yukiko asks, "Like wrap it or something?"

"We seldom practice wrapping a bruised rib because it restricts breathing. So I'm just going to apply a sort of cooling ointment in the area instead." Akemi explains, she digs through her bag to look for said ointment.

"Then, I assume we're going to have to give it 3-6 weeks for it to heal on its own." Shizuka added on.

"That's the nurses for ya, well informed." Akira laughs.

"A...Am I still able to play in next week's mock game?" Haruko asks wearily, she was hesitant to join at first but she started enjoying basketball and the girls in it. She didn't want to disappoint anyone.

"I wouldn't suggest it, I know that for you explosive movements would hurt." Akemi shook her head, she scoops some of the ointment onto her fingers before touching the area directly.

"What if I don't move often..? I-I want to play..." Haruko mumbles, holding her head low. "Sorry... I don't want to disappoint my team..."

"... As long as you have some restrictions, then I suppose..." Akemi answers, giving in to Haruko's sad puppy dog look. "But you shouldn't do much until then...! Okay??" she reminded her, rubbing the ointment in, touching her skin lightly.

"Y-Yes!" Haruko smiles up at her, nodding with a relieved sigh. Her face grew a bit red when she realized the way Akemi had been touching her felt a little... nice. "U-Um..." she grumbles, clutching tightly at the blanket.

"Are you alright? Did I hurt you?"

"N-No... Thank you for doing this for me..."

"Of course, Haru." Akemi hums, she leans close to kiss her forehead softly. "We care a lot about you, you know?? We have to make sure to take care of you."

"W-What about Takashi? Is he okay??"

"Takashi's wounds aren't as bad as yours." Reika shook her head. "So don't worry too much about him, worry about yourself."

“I guess so…” Haruko mumbles quietly, she fiddles with her fingers. “Um.. is it okay if I hang out with my friends?” She asks the older women timidly.

“Of course! We have to do some homework anyways.” Erina admitted, “We will leave you kids to it, just call us if you need anything else?”

“What?? But I want to stay and watch Haru–” Reika started with a pout, huffing when Erina gave her a scolding look. “Ugh, don't give me that look.”

“They're friends, why would we force ourselves into their little hang out. Just let them have fun…”

“We're fun too, Rei-rei.” Akira snickers, putting a playful arm around Reika's shoulders. “We can struggle with homework together and meet up afterwards when they're done chatting or something.”

“I don't struggle, that's just you.” Reika rolled her eyes as Akira led her out of the room.

“We'll see you later, Haruko.” Saeko smiles, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “Have fun, but don't move too much.”

“Yes ma'am.” Haruko hums, watching the older girls leave. Yukiko shutting the door behind them and locking it to give them the privacy they needed.

There was a pause at first, before anyone spoke up.

“How did this happen…?” Shizuka frowns, looking between Haruko and Yukiko. “You and the boy just got into a fight last night??”

“I… I made the decision to fight with him..” Haruko answered in a hushed tone.

“Why would you get into a fight? Him and his gang are ass at fights so it makes sense that he'd get hurt. But you're not in one…” Shizuka shook her head in disapproval.

“I couldn't let those people harass Yukiko or her sisters…” Haruko frowns, she was getting kind of sick of Shizuka's attitude but she wasn't going to say anything about it… yet. “Also, Takashi doesn't hit women. I wasn't going to let them beat him up for free.”

“You…” Shizuka glances at Yukiko now. “You just let yourself get harassed by some hooligans, really...? And yet you two claim you're leaders of your supposed gang." She rolled her eyes, gaining a glare from Yukiko.

"They were looking for me, I stayed out late to practice basketball and go to the gym." Haruko explained blandly, "If you're going to scold anyone, just scold me because they only came out to look for me. I don't like that you're being rude to them for something that I was at fault for." she stated honestly.

"I--" Shizuka paused, not knowing how to respond to Haruko's frustration. 

"I'm really in no mood for your bitchy attitude." Haruko admitted, she rubs the side of her temple. "Can we just move on...?"

"Was there something you wanted to talk about, Haru?" Minami asks, the women sitting around on the bed. Listening closely to what she has to say. She knew that they shouldn't linger to much on the tension between the three that was already brewing, so she decided to move the conversation on for them.

"Some things happened last night that I just wanted to talk about with all of you." Haruko nods. "One of the people last night was carrying a bag full of those drugs..." she explained briefly, reaching over to open her bag and tug the letter out. "I was able to pocket this after that whole fight, without any of them noticing..." she shows them the letter.

She gives the letter to Shizuka, Minami and Yukiko glancing at it as well.

"Fujiwara..." Shizuka frowns. "Now why would they be addressing them in a letter..."

"And why would it be in a bag of drugs...?" Haruko says. "That's what we're going to have to find out, huh?"