This is another practice run of writing first person point of view. I like the anime and decided to elaborate on a what-if scenario
"Stop playing around and take your seat!", Tanabe-sensei barked as he entered the classroom. He then proceeded to call out our names.
Ignoring the roll call, I took a worried glance to the empty seat on my left.
'Is he sick ? He is not still mad about yesterday, right ?', I sighed, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
"... I really should apologize ... running off after I tease him, he must be angry", muttering softly to myself.
"... Nishikata ...", Tanabe-sensei called. "Oh, forgot that his parent called", he added before proceeding to the next student on his list.
"Sensei, is Nishikata sick ?", one of the boys in the front piped out.
"Er ... no he is not", Tanabe-sensei replied.
'That's good, I can apologize to him tomorrow', I smiled.
Tomorrow morning come, but to my dismay his seat remained empty. Tanabe-sensei took our roll call as usual but skipped Nishikata's name.
"Sensei, is Nishikata still sick ?", one of the boys ask after roll call is completed.
"I don't think he will be coming to school in the next few days", he replied. Seeing the alarmed look on the boy's face, he added "Can't tell you more, sorry".
I felt like a big ball of rock has just dropped down by stomach.
The bell signalling the end of the day has just rung. While most student rush to stuff their bag and bolted out the door, a few linger on taking their sweet time.
As for me, I took a few glances to the empty seat on my left as I methodically empty out my desk.
'What should I do about Nishikata's absence ...', I pondered.
"Ne, Takagi-san. Do you know what happen to Nishikata ?", a small girl approach and ask me. Next to her stood the boy who ask about Nishikata earlier this morning.
I tilted my head and raised my eyebrow in question, "No, Mano-san why ?"
"Well ... you often went home together, so Nakai thought that you might know something", she glanced at the boy beside him.
"Sorry Takagi-san, I did not mean to imply anything about you and Nishikata. But I am just worried", he added with a sheepish look.
I gave him a small smile, "No problem, I did not know anything though". Nakai looked somewhat disappointed at my reply. "You should ask Tanabe-sensei, I will go too", I make up my mind and stood up.
Nakai gave a nod and started to walk to the door, Mano follow suit behind him with me completing the entourage.
I gulped down the can of juice and gave out a loud sigh. Sitting on a low fence I could not help to glance beside me, where Nishikata usually sat.
"Argh ... sensei is annoying" I gave out a shout.
Our visit to Tanabe-sensei does not yield anything new. He flat out refused to explain what is happening to Nishikata, saying that he cannot share what he know so far and that Nishikata's parent has not called with any update. He did not deny though that Nishikata might still be absent until next week.
'At least a week huh ... should I go visit Nishikata ?', I sighed.
Come to think of it, I don't think Nishikata ever give me his home address. I know that his house if not far from where we usually parted ways but I have no idea where it is.
"I guess I will try to search his house then", I jumped down with determination.
I glanced at my watch for the umpteenth time, shifting my weight as I did so.
"... is he really not coming ...", I muttered. "Or maybe I miss him ... ?"
I pondered for a few moments before finally strode towards the store. Once I enter the door, I took a moment to orient myself.
"Let's see ... magazine ... comics ... textbook ...", I mouthed as I peered across each shelf. I stopped at a section marked new release. A big stack of one particular book catching my attention.
"A new volume did release today", I gave a relief sigh.
It is somewhat a coincidence that I heard the ads on TV last night after the drama aired. I remember the book as Nishikata's favourite and that I catch him bought a past volume of it on this store.
I glanced at the cash register, a plump woman is currently serving a middle-aged man buying some sort of magazine.
"Good morning, Yoshida-san. The usual issues, right ?" she expertly scanned the magazine. "How is the garden coming along ?", she smiled making small talk.
As I looked around while trying to decide what to do next, a sign caught my attention.
"Maps, huh", I took a closer look and found a low shelf with various kind of maps. I skimmed their covers and found that while most is tourism spot maps, there are a couple of city maps too.
"Hmm ... this one is discounted", I took it down and glanced at the back cover. "Detailed municipal maps ... dated 5 years ago ? ... it is cheap though"
I glanced at the map in my hand, the new release shelf and the cash register.
"Excuse me, this just come in today, right ?", I show her Nishikata's favourite book.
"Yes it is, young lady", she smiled.
"Is there a boy about my height with black hair buying this today ?", I inquire, sliding the book over the counter.
"Today ... no ...", she shook her head. "But I think I remember that boy, very few boy came to buy 100% Unrequited Love", she chuckled.
"I see ...", I grimaced.
"Are you buying that ?", she nodded towards the map on my hands.
"Oh ... yes please", I hold out the map. "... and the book too ...", I added on a whim.
"Argh ... where it is ...", I gave a frustrated shout as I turned my head around.
Looking down at the map in front of me, I gave the area where I am a big X mark.
"Three days, one more road and I still have not find it", I grumbled.
The idea is simple, go around the area and scan the name board that people usually placed in front of their house. Hopefully Nishikata is not a common family name, so I should be able to find one house with that name on the board.
Well ... I have gone around peeking at all the board that I can find and no mention of any Nishikata. There are a couple of apartments complex and a couple of houses without any board. If this last road came up empty, I might have to resolve to knocking on those doors.
"Well, here goes nothing", I gave my bike a firm push down the last unverified road.
"Finally!", I gave a small celebratory shout as I spied the familiar characters I was desperately looking for.
It was a small two-story house with a space to park a car at one side, currently devoid of said car. Curtains was drawn on all windows facing the street on both floors. My finger hesitantly hovered on the doorbell button before giving it a gentle push.
I looked around as I waited. The houses on both side seemed to be about the same size as to the houses on the opposite side of the street, maybe part of a uniform block of housing. However the style of each house tend to differ indicating a personal preference over the final built.
To my surprise, no response came from Nishikata's house.
"Is Nishikata away too ?", I frowned before pushing the doorbell for the second time.
'Should I come back tomorrow ?', I debated.
"Who are you looking for, young lady ?", an old voice asked.
I turned around and saw an old lady with a grey apron standing by her gate on the opposite side of the road.
"Is this the house of Nishikata family ?", I tried to ask politely. "I am a classmate of their son. He has not come to school for the last few days, so I am wondering if he is sick".
"Yes, it is", she replied. She gave a few seconds of thought, "I think they went in a hurry a few days ago, saying something about going to the hospital", she nodded to herself.
"Hospital ? ... Who ?", I stuttered.
"What's your name, young lady ?", granny smiled.
"Takagi", came my reply.
"Takagi-san ...", she spelled out. "When I see them again, I will tell them that a classmate wanted to see their son", she added before turning around to go inside.
"Can I come back ... ?" I hesitantly ask as the old lady is about to enter her house.
"Sure, you can", she briefly turned back and smiled.
"Damn it, I am late !", I stormed out of the house, and quickly snatched my bike. With a furious pedalling, I rocketed toward the school. But even with adrenaline rushing through my body I couldn't keep up top speed for too long and soon my pedalling began to peter out.
Hence, I was able to recognise the familiar area where I usually parted ways with Nishikata, quickly decided to redirect my bike upon yesterday's route. I can hear my heartbeat became louder as my bike inched closer to his house. Then I glimpsed at the empty porch with those curtained window and felt as if cold water doused upon my body.
Letting out a tired sigh, I turned the left handle and started to pedal again. Little did I know that the door on the opposite house slightly opened and the old lady stood there watching my diminishing figure.
In a distance I saw three girls from my school sitting on a bench. Their forms becoming clearer as I drew near, I can now identify them as my classmate. Yukari, Mina and Sanae the trio that spend almost of their time together. Today was now difference since each was holding some sort of snack, no doubt purchased from the store behind them. I rang my bell as I approached, gave them a smile and wave before turning at a nearby intersection. However just as I turned, my tire went over a rather large rock, prompting me to hit the brake and dismount.
"Ne ... do you notice how Takagi-san acted strange lately ?", Yukari's voice drifted to my ears.
Hidden by the tall shrubbery planted alongside the road, I perked and tried to listen in.
"Hmm ... ?", Sanae seemed to ask for clarification.
"Like how she rushed into class yesterday or fell asleep over her desk at lunchtime today", Yukari tried to elaborate.
"We have PE before lunch", Sanae gave a curt reply.
"I think she watched late drama and overslept", Mina added her opinion. "Like how I binged on those action re-run and almost got late to school last month".
Of course that comment triggered a round of teasing from the other two girls and Mina defending her favourite show.
"Why the sudden interest in Takagi ?", Sanae sounded curious.
"I can't help to feel that Takagi is starting to act different, maybe around the time Nishikawa is absent", Yukari voiced her doubt.
"You still think that they are dating", somehow I imagine Sanae rolling out her eyes.
"Well ... it would fit", Yukari argued. "Nishikata is sick and Takagi went over and nurse him ... getting little sleep at night", she added.
"Meddling girl, she is perceptive though ... even if the reasoning is way off mark", I cursed softly.
Somehow I could not hear their conversation anymore, I decided that I heard enough and continued my trek home.
With a tired sigh I opened by bedroom door and placed my bag on my desk before collapsing on my bed.
"I am tired ...", I mumbled.
As I closed my eyes, my mind wander to the Yukari's conversation that I heard today. "Me, nursing Nishikata ...", I scoffed. "I wonder which hospital he is in ...", I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling.
At first I am tried to repeat my already-proven-sucessfull strategy on one hospital around the Nishikata's home. However the front desk refused to confirm or deny whether they have a patient with Nishikata's name admitted there, citing that such information is for family member only.
It has been almost a week since Nishikata is absent, so whatever is causing it must be serious. Furthermore, that old lady said that his parents left in a hurry, so it sounded like something urgent ... like an accident ... ?
"... Accident ...", that word left a bitter taste in my mouth and I can feel my brain started spinning of worst cases scenarios.
"No ... he can't be dead, there would be a memorial service by now if he is", I shook my head to stop any further gloom what-ifs.
As I shook my head, my eyes fell on the spine of a book placed on my desk. The book is 100% Unrequited Love, Nishikata's favourite, one that I buy on impulse last weekend. I can't help but remember his expression when I first bumped to him in front of that bookstore. How he tried to lie to me about what he bought and his expression when he learned that I already know before I ask.
Ah ... his expression is so funny ... It is still funny the second time I tease him about that book ...
Bit by bit my mind conjure out scenes as after scenes of our interaction, and as I drift into slumber a smile began to form on my face.
"Thank you for the meal", I muttered as I finish my dinner and pick up my tableware. "Have you done yet, mother ?", I stood up and ask for her empty plate.
"There is something I wanted to ask you about", she gestured for me to sat down.
Raising my eyebrow in confusion, I complied with her request.
"Earlier this week, did you went to a house of your classmate ... Nishikata ?", mother ask
"Yes, until now he is absence from school. So I search around and manage to find his house", I answered.
"Since you came back afterwards, I am assuming that you still wanted to visit him ?", she inquired.
"Wait ... how did you know all this ?", I blurted the first thing on my mind.
"His mother called me", my mom gave a curt reply.
"You have her number ? ... how ... why didn't you tell me ...", my eyes grew wider in confusion.
"PTA association, and you never ask", she chuckled.
"Oh ... so Nishikata has been released from hospital ?", I tried to get back to the initial question my mother asked.
"No, I will take you there this Saturday", my mother gave a firm head shake.
"Which hospital ?", I rapidly ask back.
"They have not told me ... and please don't go to his house again", mother glared at me.
"I won't", I slumped back into my chair and looked down. "Can I start washing those dishes now ?" I peeked at her.
My mother nodded and together we began stacking those dinnerwares.
"We are here", my mother voice drew me out of my musing.
I looked out the window and saw a four-story green building with large windows.
"Mom ... did Nishikata's mother told you what his sickness is ?", I ask with a slightly worried tone.
"Not really, she did say that it is not contagious ", my mother answered while shutting down the engine.
"His neighbour said that she heard there is an accident ...", I grimaced, curling my fist on the hem of my skirt.
My mother gave me a reassuring smile and gently touched my shoulder, ushering me out of the car. As we walked towards the entrance, a gust of wind blew. I tightened my overcoat and drew closer to my mother.
I let out a contented sigh as we enter the building and warm air enveloped by body. Mother walked towards a circular booth with Information sign hanging above it. A slim woman in long sleeved sweater and long skirt stood beside it, looking at us. As we approached the counter, she took a few hesitant steps forward.
"Excuse me, are you Takagi-san ?", she asked.
I looked at her and notice that she seemed tired and her eyes appeared sunken.
"Nishikata-san, I assume ?", mom asked in reply.
"Yes I am, please follow me", she bowed slightly and turned around.
As I walked behind her, I notice that how her hair tie that kept her bun seemed somewhat crooked. Also there seem to be creases on her skirt. I looked at my mother, but she just shook her head slightly. Hence, I return my gaze up front but focusing instead of the signs placed in the surrounding hallway. We pass many of such sign before I began to notice that Nishikata's mother seem to follow the sign marked Intensive Care Unit.
"Mom ...", I tugged at my mother's hand and gave her a worried glance. She just gave me a reassuring squeeze but kept her gaze forward.
I tried to keep my focus that crooked hair tie in front me and the sound of my heartbeat, ignoring everything else when suddenly Nishikata's mother push open a pair of door in front of her. I saw the label Intensive Care on the door and I stood frozen. My mother seemed to sense my hesitance and tugged me forward.
I follow her in mechanical motion, my mind unable to register anything except for the drum of my heartbeat. My mother seemed to be aware of my dazed condition, putting something on my head and wrapping another around my body before squatting down at my feet. Then she dragged me past another door and immediately I saw a row of bed, each end jutting out from the surrounding curtain. I forced my gaze downward, fearing what I would see on each one as we walked past.
Finally, we stopped. Nishikata's mother walked to the side opening part of the curtain. I felt a hand on my chin, raising my face upward. My gaze found the smiling face of my mother.
"It's all right", she mouthed. She then turned me around to face the bed.
On the bed lay the familiar form of Nishikata, or at least I assume that whoever in that bed is Nishikata since a mask cover most of his face with bandages around his head hiding his hair from view. My gaze fell downward towards his limbs, one is bandaged and another covered in cast. His body is covered in green garment, hiding several tubes that peeked out from its collar. Both of his legs are also covered in cast from above his knees to his toes and elevated over the bed.
I felt whatever residual strength I had on my body vanished at that instant. I sense my knees hitting the ground but strangely I don't feel any pain. Hot tears started gushing out, I squeezed my eyes tight, but they kept on flowing.
"... sorry ... I am sorry ...", I wailed over and over again.
There you go, please leave a review and tell me how to improve this chapter.