Persona 4- Resonance of the Abyss
April 1st 2011. Afternoon- Tatsumi Memorial Hospital- Room 303
A nurse and a doctor were looking over a medical chart of the patient that was occupying the room, a comatose sixteen year old girl.
"So this girl has been in a coma for ten years?" asked the nurse.
"Yes, that's right. You've just started here Mariko so you don't know about this patient's story," replied the doctor. "She was a victim of that horrible incident that occurred in this island ten years go."
"Oh, that awful explosion that killed so many people? She's a victim of that?"
"I'm afraid so," said the doctor as he looked over the chart's information. "She was found and brought here by someone from the Kirijo Group. Unfortunately, we don't even know who she is. No one ever came to claim her. It's a sad story indeed."
"How horrible..." trailed the nurse as she looked down at the teenager. "I..."
The doctor continued to look at the chart. Noting the nurses sudden silence he glanced up at her.
"Something the matter Mariko?"
"Doctor, the girl...she's...awake!"
The doctor quickly looked over to the patient, who was now looking at the two of them with a confused expression.
"You're really awake! I don't believe it!" said the doctor as he rushed to the girl's side.
The girl looked up at the doctor. "W-where am I? What's going on?"
"Calm down, young lady," reassured the doctor. "You're in Tatsumi Memorial Hospital. You've been in a coma for a very long time."
"What?" The girl seemed even more confused. "I don't understand."
"I know all of this is very confusing, but we will help you any way that we can," said the doctor. "For starters, can you tell us your name?"
"My name?" The girl thought for a moment before answering, "My name is...Hamuko. Hamuko Arisato."
"Did you say Arisato?" The doctor thought for a moment. She has the same last name as that young man who passed away just a short while ago. It was reported that his family was killed in that incident, but if this girl is telling us the truth then it all makes sense... "Watch over her for me for a moment Mariko. There's someone that needs to know about this..."
"Yes, Doctor," answered the nurse.
Leaving the room, the doctor took out his cell phone and quickly dialed a number.
"Mitsuru? This is Doctor Kajuro over at Tatsumi Memorial. I have something urgent that requires your attention here."
"What? Is it really that important that I need to be there? I've had a bit of a long day, so to speak..."
"You'll understand when you get here. Come to room 303 when you get here."
"Alright. This had better be as important as you say it is."
The hospital 45 minutes later...
Mitsuru Kirijo found herself in front of the door to room 303, and the doctor next to it.
"Well, what's this about, Doctor?" she asked in a slightly annoyed tone. After her ordeal in the Abyss of Time with her friends, a needless visit to this place wasn't very high on her list of things to do.
"It's about the patient in this room Mitsuru," replied the doctor. "You were friends with that young man who passed away recently- Minato was it?"
"Yes, that's right," answered Mitsuru in a sad tone. The mere mention of his name reminded her of the sacrifice he had made for her and everyone else.
"The girl in this room was a coma patient for the last ten years. She woke up today and claims to be that young man's sister."
"What?" Mitsuru's eyes widened in surprise. "But the report we had on him said that his family was killed ten years ago during the incident. Are you sure she is telling the truth?"
The doctor scratched his head. "Maybe the report was wrong? I'll look into that matter, but as far as I can tell, she has no reason to lie."
"Does she know anything about her family, or her brother?"
"Not yet," said the doctor. "We don't want to risk any kind of emotional trauma so soon after her waking up. I don't suggest you tell her about it when you speak with her."
"Understood," said Mitsuru. "Shall we then?"
The doctor nodded and opened the door for Mitsuru, who entered and walked next to the girl inside.
She does resemble him a little bit, thought Mitsuru as she looked at the girl's reddish-brown hair and pale skin. "Hello, Hamuko-san, how are you feeling?"
"Fine, I guess," said Hamuko, looking up at Mitsuru. "Um, who are you?"
"Oh, my apologies," said Mitsuru. "My name is Mitsuru Kirijo. I'm a ...family friend."
"Oh, I see," replied Hamuko. "The doctors said that I was in a coma for ten years... My memories are kind of fuzzy right now."
"It's okay Hamuko, take your time with things," said Mitsuru. "There is something I need to ask you however, if that's okay."
"Sure, I'll do my best to answer."
"Do you remember anything about the day when you went into your coma? I don't want to make you remember anything unpleasant but it is important."
"I was with my parents and my brother," said Hamuko as she tried to recall the memory. "We were near a bridge I think? Suddenly there was this loud sound. I heard my parent scream and then...nothing. I'm sorry, but that's all I remember."
Mitsuru took a moment to take in what the girl had just told her. Everything indicates that she really is Minato's sister. But, why wake up now? Did it have something to do with the Abyss of Time? Or is it just fate?
"Thank you Hamuko, what you've told me was enough," she said as she gave the girl a smile.
"My parents, they're dead aren't they?" asked Hamuko as she looked away from Mitsuru. "And my brother too?"
"Hamuko, I don't-" Mitsuru trailed.
"It's okay," said Hamuko as she closed her eyes with a sad smile. "The way everyone was avoiding the question earlier made it easy for me to figure out."
"It's true that your parents died on that day," said Mitsuru after a long pause. "Your brother survived, but...He died from an...illness just recently. I'm sorry."
"They're in heaven at least," said Hamuko as she looked back at Mitsuru. "So it's not all bad. But, what happens to me now?"
Doctor Kajuro walked up next to Mitsuru. "We need to run some tests on you for the next week. Standard procedure and all. Once that's taken care of, we'll see about releasing you from the hospital."
"Oh, okay," said Hamuko.
"Now then, I hate to cut this visit short, but there are still a few tests we need to with her right now Mitsuru," said the doctor. "I'd suggest you return next week when everything is finished, and we have a more solid conclusion to her overall condition.
Mitsuru nodded. "Very well. I'll leave her in your hands doctor. I'll be back next week to check up on you Hamuko if you don't mind."
Hamuko nodded and smiled. "Okay." Even though she had never met Mitsuru before, she felt like she could trust her. Besides, what choice did she have? She no longer had any family.
Mitsuru left the room and began walking toward the hospital exit, a thousand thoughts swirling in her head. Do I tell the others about her? No, not yet. Not until I know more about her... Hopefully the doctors will have some more answers next week when I return.
April 8th. Afternoon - Tatsumi Memorial Hospital
Mitsuru had found herself back in the hospital, standing in Room 303 with Hamuko and Doctor Kajuro.
"Ah, you're here Mitsuru," said the doctor. "I'm glad you've come."
"I take it the testing has finished?" asked Mitsuru.
"Yes indeed," nodded the doctor. "For starters, after comparing her DNA with a sample we had from Minato, we can be certain that she is who she says she is."
"That's...good," said Mitsuru. So she really is his sister...
"Physically she's below-average compared to what she should be, but considering the reason why it is understandable," continued the doctor. "Once she's out and about I think time will take care of that. Her intelligence, we have found out, is exactly where a high schooler her age should be at."
"Wait, is that normal?" asked Mitsuru. "I mean she has been asleep for ten years."
"It's puzzling for sure," agreed the doctor. "But, I don't think we should be complaining. Perhaps it is a small miracle."
"Anything else?" asked Mitsuru.
"The other tests came up normal," said the doctor. "She could be released as soon as tomorrow."
"W-wait," said Hamuko. "What happens to me after that? I...don't have anywhere to go."
"I could arrange to have you move into one of the dorms near Gekkoukan High School," said Mitsuru. "I can arrange to have you attend the school as well."
"Um, Mitsuru, I'm not sure that's a good idea," said the doctor.
"Why not?" asked Mitsuru, a somewhat frustrated look on her face.
"A lot of things have changed since she was in a coma," answered the doctor. "To be honest, the city is not an ideal place for her to start her recovery, physically or socially. If it were possible I'd have prefer her to be placed in a more rural environment."
"Rural?" Mitsuru pondered the thought. It was true that if she remained in the city, she would become an instant topic for everyone at the high school, including the former SEES members, considering how popular her brother had been. She could see how things could quickly turn bad for Hamuko. If she were to go to a place where no one knew her however...
"I understand," said Mitsuru. "Actually I have just the place in mind, if you're okay with it that is, Hamuko."
"Huh?" asked Hamuko.
"There's a small town a few hours away from here called Inaba," explained Mitsuru. "My family owns a house there, so if you want, I can arrange to have you stay there, and attend school there as well."
"You would do this for me?" asked Hamuko. "I'm grateful and all, but...why?
"I did say I was a family friend when we first met right?" asked Mitsuru with a smile. "Also, I owe a lot to your brother, so perhaps this would be my way of paying him back..."
"I see," said Hamuko. "When you put it that way, I can sort of understand. I'll accept your offer then."
"Very well," said Mitsuru. "I'll take care of everything, so you just focus on getting some more rest. And your new life."
"Inaba huh?" said the doctor as he looked at Hamuko. "Well, that's rural all right. From what I hear it's famous for two t hings. The Inn they have there, and the fact that nothing ever happens there. I'd say you'd have one very peaceful year ahead of you young lady."