After another tearful meeting with our parents the next morning, Yasuhara and Mai are allowed in. I've managed to get up and walk around a little, but Gene was still bed bound. The doctors had told us we'd be under observation for a few more days.

I think this is for Gene's benefit more than mine, but they are keeping us together for psychological reasons.

I don't mind.

"Mai, perhaps we ought to go and get hot drinks for everyone," I suggest pointedly.

"Okay," she agrees, catching my meaning. I follow her to the door, thankfully dressed in my own pyjamas rather than the hospital gowns, and am about to leave when Yasuhara calls my name.

"Oliver, this won't happen again, will it?"

"No."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

He nods, I leave.

"I didn't realise Gene was struggling so much," Mai says as we begin to walk down the hospital corridor.

"Neither did any of us," I lie. We had sort of agreed a story to follow regarding Gene's mental health. "I almost realised too late. I think his troubles built up rather rapidly."

I see her glance at me out of the corner of my eye. Her gaze cycles between my face, my hand and the floor in front of her. I offer her my hand and she takes it with a small smile.

"I was worried about you too," she admits. "That was really brave of you, you know, jumping in there like that."

"I've had several people tell me that it was reckless and irresponsible. That I put myself in danger and it could have resulted in two bodies instead of only one."

"But you didn't."

"No, we were lucky," I admit.

We reach the cafe and order our drinks. Mai has to pay as I do not have my wallet on me.

"I will pay you back," I promise.

"You could pay me back with a date."

I do not have time to reply as the barista passes over our drinks. We start the return journey. Mai's cheeks are still red from her boldness.

"I do not remember you being this forward," I say.

"Well…" She steels herself. "Look. You fell down the stairs and then you almost died from hypothermia." This is a gross exaggeration, but I do not correct her. "And I don't want that to happen again without even trying for something between us. Because I like you. A lot. So there."

She pouts defiantly up at me.

"Are you sure you want to be with someone with such a dreadful track record?" I ask.

"Well I quite like the idea of lording it over you. So next time I do something stupid, I can retort with 'well at least I didn't fall down the stairs and almost die of hypothermia'."

I raise an eyebrow at her.

"I see."

"We can still watch a film today, by the way," Mai goes on. "Yasuhara brought his laptop. And we bought sweets on the way. His laptop has a bigger screen than mine. His is seventeen inches, mine's only thirteen. He says the speakers are better on his too. He was rambling a lot about the features of his laptop. I think he was worried about seeing Gene though. They're going to be okay, aren't they?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Good. I didn't like that they argued. I think Yasuhara felt guilty about that."

He didn't. I know he didn't. But I do not correct her.

"So about that date?"

We're almost back at mine and Gene's room.

"What about it?" Wait. I'm sure that sounds wrong. Gene said not to pose questions like that. Damn. "I mean, it's a given that it is happening," I rectify quickly. Mai beams. "What do you want to know about it?"

"When? Where? What do I need to wear?"

"Once Gene and I are both out of hospital," I answer. "Perhaps a cafe or something? I don't know. I'll think of something. Wear whatever you want to wear." I shrug. "There's no rush."

"But if it goes well, you have to come to prom with me," she goes on.

I frown down at her.

"I do, do I?"

"Well yeah. I need someone pretty for the photos and Mr Takigawa said he'd put you in detention if you didn't agree."

"Oh really?"

I knock on the hospital room door and hear a 'come in'. We enter, hand out the drinks and take our seats.

"So what are we watching?" I ask to break the silence.

Gene sends me a small smile.

"You want to watch things now?" Yasuhara asks, reaching for his bag.

"May as well."

"What's on offer?" Gene enquired.

"Mai brought some DVDs," Yasuhara said as he booted his laptop up.

"If we move this table to the other end of the bed, we could move your chairs to where the table was and we'd all be facing the right way then."

I frown at Gene's suggestion.

"Or they could just sit on the beds?" I point out.

"Are you trying to get my into your bed?" Yasuhara asks me in mock outrage. I do not think he has forgiven me entirely, but if he is willing to jest, then whatever Gene has said to him has improved the situation. "Well as long as Mai is willing to keep Gene company, I don't see a problem."

Mai pouts at me. I smirk back, roll my eyes, and pat the bed beside me. She smiles in a self-satisfied way and jumps up from her chair to join me.

Yasuhara loads the first of the DVDs and sets up the table so that everyone can see it. He then joins Gene on his bed. Gene pulls him in for a hug. Should I do that to Mai?

She seems quite content leaning against my arm.

I close my eyes and let out a deep breath. I do not need to worry about it. She has been in an assertive mood so far today; if she wants something, she can tell me.

I pick up my disappointing hospital tea and sip at it.

If you had told me a week ago that in a week's time I would have a brother and a sort-of girlfriend, I would have laughed in your face. Which is quite something for someone that barely expresses emotions adequately.

Yet now I find myself with both of these things. And other friends too.

And it's nice.

Not that I'll admit it out loud, of course.

Smirking to myself, I put my arm around Mai's shoulder — despite my previous conviction — and she blushes. I take this as a good sign.

For the rest of the film, I ponder whether Gene has genuinely had a positive influence on my ability to read and understand people, or whether Mai is just really transparent.

I think it's the latter.

Author's note: And it's finished. Please review!