It's back to same old same old, but my heart still feels like it's full of holes.

…As I thought , it's impossible to believe that Sei was found. But they did know he was my older brother. Why? Did someone tell them?

Or…

Is Sei really…

…That may have been a prank , or maybe a plain misunderstanding. But, still… I should go and see him. Those words plagued me with worry.

…Yeah. I remember his words and bring myself together.

Yeah. I don't need doubt. It doesn't matter even if it's just a prank.

So…

"Because I can always destroy the world at any time."

******

I got Haga-san's permission ahead of time, called Granny at home… and told her about Sei. She listened to me as she made dinner in the kitchen and then turn around and just said "Is that so?" I couldn't tell what was she thinking as I stared at her back. I think she feels guilty over letting Sei become a victim of Toue. But I don't think Sei ever hated her for it. That's how I felt. So I decided to go to the hospital to check if Sei was really there or not.

****

Midorijima General Hospital.

It looks like it's become a much finer building than I remember it being. Sei is in there. At the thought of it, my feet stop. I stand still in front of the entrance.

Ring

"…Hm?"

Instead of a message, I notice that a game app has been sent to me. It's been a while since a game app has been sent to me. It's been a while since this has happened. The ones before were messages from Sei, but what about this one…?

In the game, a knight and a princess were going towards each other, and when they stopped in between them was a chest.

"A present?... I don't get it, but are they happy?" I don't know if this is from Sei. But… "The only one who could get the timing so right…"

…Resolute, I stepped into the hospital.

****

The waiting lobby is nice and wide, crowded with people. A bunch of reception desks are lined up, up and there are people waiting on benches.

I go up to a reception desk and tell them the name of the patient, receive the hospital room number, and go up the elevator.

It's a room number 403. I went up the elevator to the fourth floor and went up to the nurse station. They did say to check into the nurse's station before I went in.

"Excuse me."

The nurse comes out when I call to her.

"Yes. Are you here for the patient in room 403?"

"Yes."

"Come this way, please."

The nurse goes down the hallway.

***

Bad memories surface when I walk down the completely white and sanitary hallway. But the sight of the plate numbered 403 blew them away.

"It's this one."

"….."

"Today is when his bandages can come off. The doctor said it'd be all right."

"Is that it?"

"Yes. Aren't you Sei-san's little sister?"

"Yes."

"I think he'll be delighted when he sees that you came to visit… Sei-san ? We're coming in."

It was a private room with white curtains.

"Sei-san, your little sister is here." The nurse goes over and opens the curtains. I take a deep breath and walk up to the bed. A man lies in bed, his head covered in bandages. Is this Sei?

… Is it really?

"He's been asleep ever since he was admitted here, so it may still be hard for conversation. But he's awake and can hear your voice."

"Is that so…"

No… This must be someone else. I hold back the bitter pain pooling by my eyes. There are openings by the eyes and mouth, but the rest is hidden by the bandages.

"What are the details on what happened to my brother?"

"He was moved to this hospital three months ago. He was at overseas one previously."

"Overseas?"

"Yes. Sei-san's caretakers had high hopes for him, so they moved him here."

They had high hopes…?

I wonder who.

"His physician was also surprised by his rehabilitation; he regained consciousness last month. Please speak to him. We'll be taking off his bandages."

The nurse carefully takes off his bandages. I watched over him, tense. The first thing visible was his black hair. It's a little shorter than I remember Sei's being. They must've snipped it in the hospital. And then his eyebrows. His nose, his cheeks. By the time it was down to his neck, I knew it was Sei's sleeping face. His complexion is deathly pale like a doll's, but…

Sei…

You were actually saved…

I put my hands down on the bed and slouch over to look onto Sei's face.

"…Sei… Can you hear me?"

I hear hoarseness in my voice as I speak to him. Is it reaching him? I held my breath, looking at him, and Sei's eyelids flickered. They flickered over and over until it became actual blinking.

He slowly… opens his eyes. I lightly touch his shoulder as his gaze moves from the ceiling to me.

"…!"

The color of his eyes…

They're…

A tender amber.

No, could…

Sei sluggishly raised his arms and touched my cheek. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

"…What?"

When I move my head close to his mouth, I grip his hand on my cheek. Is he trying to bring me in closer? I bring my face closer.

…And then he licked my cheek.

"!"

I look at him blankly. That old behavior…

My whole chest turns hot with unbearable emotion.

…I see.

That game application I just got. The happy princess with a present. I now understand the meaning of it. And right now I know who this man is. He smiles clumsily and opens his mouth.

...Aoba.

He was only mouthing the letters, but I could hear his voice. With his usual deep voice.

…It's him.

He's come back.

I thought… that I'd never be able to touch him again.

…Sei, my older brother, gave me this last present.

I put both of my hands on his face and brought out foreheads together. Like I always would.

And then I whispered:

.

.

.

"...Welcome back."