Aiu let out a series of subdued complaining noises as her head was lowered into Barb's lap. "I just got a bit dizzy," she began to protest, but her situation became clear as Barb reached for his medical tools.
Ah, I must have gotten a minor concussion somehow, she thought. She couldn't believe that made her mistake Barb for her brother though! She came over to apologize for being clingy and saying terrible things only to be right back in his arms again. She closed her eyes to avoid awkwardly looking at him, hoping any blushing would be excused as part of the concussion.
"About Icaro?" Aiu muttered. She noted her medical training and figured he wanted to make sure she was coherent. She'd have to tell a good story to escape his warm lap. Maybe I should stay quiet for a little bit, she briefly thought before pushing that idea away.
"Icaro is my little brother," she began. "He's a few years younger than me and would always cling to me whenever we ran around outside. He enjoyed climbing trees and jumping over rocks like I did, but he'd cry at the slightest bit of pain. I used to rub his head to reassure him like I did to you just now. His hair's a pure, brilliant white. Fluffy like mine but cut a little shorter. He'll always be my innocent, happy brother."
"But, he changed a little bit after I was attacked. I tried to protect a Daur from bullying Laibes, but I ended up taking the beating for that Daur instead. That's where I broke my ear. I have no regrets and was more than glad to bear that pain for someone else, but Icaro took it harder. My family practically made me learn the sword to defend myself at that point and Icaro learned as well. I just focused on learning defense, but Icaro pushed himself to exhaustion to get better. He continued to follow me around, but more like a bodyguard protecting me. He felt more aggressive, more quick to assume bad in others after that. As I joined the navy, he promised to follow me in a few years. I'm worried about what he may become. When you yelled at the terrorist the other day, it felt like my worst fears were coming to life. So I said some terrible things to you, unloading my feelings for my brother onto you. I'm sorry, it really wasn't fair. You're a good person, I know it. And I also felt bad about breaking down in your arms right after meeting you, I didn't meant to latch onto the first person I ran into."
Aiu slowly propped herself up, feeling the well-done bandage wrapped around her head. She felt a little dizzy, but should be okay to work.
"I hope we can still be friends, Barb."