Pain. Lots and lots of pain. That was what she woke up to. Her eyes were still closed, and she could hear some unknown female voice talking close to her. She only caught words here and there, and a male voice humming in return between them.

"Three broken ribs... Broken nose... Bruises... Black eye... Split eyebrow..."

The unknown female had to be talking about her because her body was aching like crazy and matched all those things listed. She tried remembering what had happened. Her ex Andrade had cornered her in an empty hallway and demanded some answers.

"Tell me the god damn truth!" He yelled.
"It's none of your business!" She yelled back.
"The truth!" Spit hit her face as he screamed. "You and Shinsuke! Tell me!"
"He asked me out on a date, and I said yes," she said.
"Say no!" He demanded.
"We're not together anymore, Andrade. I got every right to see whoever I want," she said.

Was that really all? That couldn't be all. Her body wouldn't be in that much pain by a screaming contest. And knowing Andrade the way she did, she knew he didn't only fight with words.

"So she's gonna be in pain for a while," that unknown female voice was still talking.

Flashbacks from the hallway came to her. Painful flashbacks. Fists and boots, delivered by Andrade, again and again.

"So are you her boyfriend?" That voice had to belong to a nurse or a doctor.
"I'm her friend," the man answered.

She knew that voice. She craved to hear that voice. She tried opening her eyes to see him, but only one eye opened. Right, she had a black eye. She had heard the woman say that. Her good eye landed on him right away.

"Shinsuke," she whispered.

He turned his head and looked at her.

"Dora!" He hurried over to the bed and took her hand. "How are you?"
"Am I in the hospital?" She asked.
"Yes," he answered.
"It hurts," she complained.
"I'll get some painkillers and water for you," the nurse said.

She looked friendly. Blonde like Dora, although a shade lighter. Her one good eye focused on Shinsuke again.

"How do I look?" She asked.
"Beautiful and like crap," he chuckled. "At least your open eye is still blue."
"He... Ehm... Andrade... He..." She couldn't find the words.
"I know," he stroked her hair lightly. "I found him beating you, and I stopped him. You were already unconscious. Shit fell down right away. He got fired and arrested, and I went with you to the hospital."

She brought his hand to her lips and kissed it. She ignored the pain in her lips. She craved to feel the hand of a gentle man against them.

"So I guess our date is off," she said.
"Tomorrow it is," he smiled. "But not for good. Whenever you're ready, we're going. Meanwhile I'm gonna stick around and take care of you."
"Thanks," she said.
"You'd do the same for me if it was the other way around," he said. "I have faith in us, Dora. One day I'll hopefully be allowed to call you my girlfriend, and we'll take care of each other. We're just getting a head start on the hard times."
"Head start," she laughed. "Oh! Don't make me laugh like that. It hurts."
"Sorry," he leaned down and kissed her forehead. "But it is good to hear you laugh though."