Perhaps he had used too much force. The child's head smacked into Xiao Xiao's chest.
They were too close together, and Xiao Xiao hadn't had time to stop him.
"Are you all right?"
Xiao Xiao reached out and steadied the child.
He carefully examined the child's forehead.
There was no red mark.
Though the thud had sounded alarming, it seemed there was no serious injury.
The child covered his head and swayed slightly.
"...I'm fine."
The child spoke softly.
His voice sounded rather weak, though.
His hand fell limply to his side.
The maple leaves in his hand dropped...
"Huh?!"
The child was a beat slow to realize what had happened.
"It's fine."
Xiao Xiao had already lifted the three maple leaves before the child's eyes.
The child's head rested against his big brother's chest.
He tilted his head to look at the three maple leaves in his big brother's hand.
He reached out to take them...
Xiao Xiao didn't immediately return the three maple leaves to the child.
First, he helped the child onto the hospital bed.
He made sure the child was lying comfortably.
Only then did he return the three maple leaves in his hand.
The child reached out and took the three maple leaves, more than a little eager.
He held them up before his eyes.
Wonder filled his gaze.
They were so beautiful...
Xiao Xiao raised the head of the child's bed a little.
That way, the child could admire the maple leaves in his hand more comfortably.
The child's eyes slowly closed.
Just before they shut completely, the child suddenly opened them wide.
Then his eyes slowly closed again...
Xiao Xiao gently pressed down the hand holding the maple leaves.
"If you're sleepy,