Chapter summary: Mei is traumatised.

For as lighthearted and happy-go-lucky as Yuzu seemed, Mei knew that the blonde could do anything once she put her mind to it. Just recently she witnessed the results of Yuzu's hard work of studying late into the night as her grades have been steadily improving. However, when it came to any athletic activities Yuzu had been average at best. Once or twice Mei had to reprimand Yuzu for skipping out on PE and when the annual sports festival came around Yuzu was always suspiciously absent from any events.

So how was it that Yuzu was able to not only keep up with an experienced basketball player, but also outdo her?

Mei never thought that she'd be so captivated and apprehensive by watching a simple basketball match, yet there she was clenching her fists and almost biting down on her tongue to keep herself from cheering Yuzu on. As soon as Yuzu managed to swipe the ball from midair, Mei along with everyone else in the sports hall, knew that it would be Yuzu's win.

But Yuzu doesn't score.

Instead, Yuzu falters and collapses. She's on the floor laying on her side, curled up into herself and clinging to her knee. Mei was already running, almost stumbling because of her perfect school attire. She felt her throat constrict and her heartbeat increase in both speed and intensity.

Both the basketball club president and club member were already at Yuzu's side, though they were unsure whether to move her yet. Although conscious she was unresponsive to their questions.

"Yuzu", Mei placed a gentle hand on her hair. "You have to tell us what's wrong", her composed facade crumbling as her voice wavered.

"Mei"

and her heart broke at hearing the feeble voice that she never imagined hearing from Yuzu. Mei hated this. She wished she could comfort Yuzu. She wished she could hold her close now, to make up for all the times she refused when Yuzu pleaded for some simple affection. She was barely holding in her tears of both anguish and frustration of not being able to do a single thing to alleviate Yuzu's pain.

"It's...i-it's…"

"It's an old ACL injury in her left leg", Matsuri answered coolly behind them. "The pain will go away after a while... but she needs painkillers while it passes", the explanation intended for Mei more than the others.

Sunada, the basketball club president, raised an eyebrow, "An ACL injury this bad?", she questioned. "And an old one at that?"

"It... didn't heal properly", Matsuri shrugged and then turned to Mei, "Come on, let's get her to the infirmary".

"I'll do it", Sunada offered. Matsuri eyed her but didn't refuse the offer.

Mei was afraid to move Yuzu, and for good reason. As soon as they lifted her up Yuzu barely bit down a cry, instinctually leaning into Mei more.

"Shh, it's okay", Mei whispered. They were the only comforting words she could give her, though with each hiss and groan Yuzu let out Mei felt her eyes tear up more.

After receiving some painkillers from the school nurse Yuzu succumbed to sleep and Mei, with great relief, watched as her pained expressions gradually eased.

Sunada had left to go back to her club shortly after helping her bring Yuzu to the infirmary, and Matsuri had already gone home, telling Mei that she'll explain the events that led up to this incident next time. She didn't mind waiting since her current priority was making sure that Yuzu was okay now.

At around 6 in the evening Yuzu stirred awake.

"Hey", Mei placed a hand on her arm.

The contact made Yuzu rouse from the drowsiness. "Hey", she replied, sitting up cautiously, the pain in her knee had subsided but the memory of the agony made her wary of making any sudden movements. "How long was I asleep?".

"Only about an hour and a half. Students are starting to go home from their clubs. I told the nurse to go home", after a beat of silence she asked, "Does your leg still hurt? Can you walk?".

"It's fine now, I can probably walk home", she stared at her knee as she answered.

"Alright", with that the younger girl stood up and gathered their things, "Let's go home then".

They walked at a slower pace. The pain really was gone but Yuzu still felt exhausted after everything. Mei remained at her pace, walking right beside Yuzu but keeping her eyes forward. She taciturnly carried Yuzu's bag for her but otherwise remained silent.

"Mei... I'm sorry".

"What for?", her voice remained neutral, "I'm not angry". She was telling the truth. Yuzu couldn't hear any apathy in her voice. "I'm not angry... but I am upset".

Yuzu was stunned at her honesty but remained silent.

"Yuzu, when I saw you fall I-", she had to blink back the tears at the mere memory of Yuzu falling. "You were on the floor and at first I thought you fainted because you weren't moving but then…", Mei had to stop. Remembering Yuzu's broken voice was making her lose her composure. Yuzu waited patiently for her. After a moment she continued, "Yuzu... you were hurting so much and I couldn't do anything to help you".

Yuzu didn't know what to do. It was her own fault for being reckless but she never thought about how her recklessness would affect Mei. Of course Mei was upset. The frustration and helplessness she must have felt... Yuzu wanted to, for lack of a better word, kick herself.

"I'm sorry Mei, I knew that I shouldn't have agreed to the match. In the back of my mind I knew this would happen but... I was thoughtless and impulsive".

Mei sniffed and quickly wiped her eyes. She wasn't particularly angry with Yuzu but the apology calmed her down nonetheless. "Matsuri mentioned an ACL injury", her voice was still hoarse but she started to walk again and Yuzu followed suit.

"Yeah…", Yuzu looked up at the sky. "It happened a couple years ago... stuff happened and it never ended up healing properly", she shrugged.

Mei observed the blonde, recognising Yuzu's expression as the same one when she invited her to visit her father. From the way Yuzu spoke at the time, Mei had no idea that she meant visiting her father's grave. Mei wordlessly reached for Yuzu's hand, loosely holding it, as they continued on their walk home.

"Why didn't you tell me?".

Instead of the sky Yuzu shifted her gaze downward, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for you to find out… well, like that. I just didn't want to remember... it's an unpleasant memory".

Mei squeezed her hand, "It's okay. You can tell me when you're ready".

"But, what if I'm never ready?".

Mei started to fidget with Yuzu's hand, rubbing her thumb and drawing circles along her knuckles. "Well, if possible, I'd like to know. We'll be getting married soon... and I want to know when you're in pain, and why, and what I can do to help you…", she lifted Yuzu's hand to her lips, kissing it gently.

Yuzu felt her cheeks flush at the sudden intimacy. She felt comfort from hearing Mei's earnest declaration and was touched by her sincerity. She took a deep breath, "Okay, I'll tell you. But let's head home first".

Mei smiled, "Alright".

I really struggled with this chapter because I didn't want to make Mei too ooc. I mean, how would a person react to seeing someone they love experience pure physical agony out of nowhere? And then put a fictional character in that situation. Anyways, I'm not super satisfied with how it turned out but I figured y'all wanted the next chapter and I wanted to move on. Next chapter reveals Yuzu's past.