One More Chance
Reminiscence 1: First Meeting
After a long stay in the hospital for months, Mikan Sakura waited patiently at the payment counter for her hospital bills to be handed to her. Feelings of apprehension mounted within her as the nurse handed the bill to her. Carefully and slowly, she flipped open the paper and let out a heavy sigh. The sum was way too much for her to pay up and there was no way for her to foot her bills right at that moment. She was penniless and helpless.
Her foster parent had passed away not long ago and worst of all, she was still studying. Her poor health could get her to nowhere but hospitals. It was as if her life was devoted to hospitals as she had been consistently admitting into them due to her severe symptoms of anaemia.
The nurse at the counter stared at her worriedly and spoke, "Your bill have been greatly subsidised by the government and the hospital because you are our repeated patient. Based on your current family status, you are living alone and you are a university student. Sorry to pry into your personal life but may I want to know who is paying for your school fees? Do you have any close relatives or guardians whom you can count on?"
Mikan shook her head and replied, "No, I have no close relative and my guardian had just passed away. I am also under a scholarship so I do not have to pay for any school fees. As for the bills, is it possible for me to pay up later? I will borrow money from someone else instead. I'll be right back!"
Mikan immediately stood up but the nurse called her back, "Wait a minute! You can always pay your bills at the later date. No hurry, Sakura-san."
Mikan sat down and looked sadly at the nurse. She had once again troubled other people; when she was young, her parents and her old foster parent had to pay a huge amount of hospital bills just because of her poor health and right then, she owed the hospital another huge amount of money. She seemed to owe everyone in her life.
Mikan spoke, "Thank you. I will pay up once I get the money."
Suddenly, a young man walked towards the counter and asked the nurse, "Excuse me. How much is her bills?"
"Which patient are you talking about, Sir? Is it your father?" the nurse diverted her attention to the handsome little guy standing next to Mikan.
"Oh, I mean both my father and the girl next to me," the grey haired man said.
"Wh... What?" Mikan sounded very shocked.
The nurse stared suspiciously at the man and his parents behind him.
The young man smiled and reassured her, "I will help this lady to pay her bills. I'm her friend."
Mikan opened her mouth to retort and no words came out from her mouth. She was utterly speechless by his helpfulness. However, it was her first time seeing this man and yet, this man had just told the nurse that they were friends and he was willing to pay up her bills!
The nurse smiled warmly at the man and replied, "That young lady's bill is three thousand and forty-five dollars. Together with your father, it will be four thousand and ten dollars."
"Thank you. Here you go," he said and handed the cash to the nurse.
Mikan looked at the man dumbfounded. Why would a stranger help her to pay up such a huge amount of money? Oh great! She would be owing him a lot.
The nurse handed him a receipt and he left with his parents. Mikan stopped staring into space and immediately stood up to catch up with the family. She wanted to thank him and maybe promised him that she would pay him back as soon as possible. As soon as she caught up with the man, he stopped abruptly, causing Mikan to smash her face right onto his back. She quickly stumbled backwards and rubbed her nose in pain.
"Yes, Miss?" the young man queried. "What can I help you?"
Mikan blushed and replied shyly, "Would you mind giving me your contact number so that I can return back the money which I owe you the next time?"
The man's mother laughed, "How sweet, Dear! Why don't you just take it as if my son is doing a charity? I'm sure my son doesn't mind about you not returning back his money. Right, Yoichi?"
The young man nodded and smiled at me.
Mikan shook her head in disagreement and exclaimed, "That's not right, Madam! I must return back his money. It was a huge sum too! I will have sleepless nights if I don't do that. So, please give me your contact number! I promise..."
"Fine then. Here's my contact card. You can return the money to me next year or maybe ten years later too. No hurry," the young man said as he handed his contact card to Mikan.
After taking the card from his hand, Mikan's eyes were filled with tears and she quickly bowed to the Good Samaritan. She was so touched by his kind actions. Where in the world could anyone find such a good-hearted person?
"We have to leave now, Miss. See you the next time," the father said.
Mikan looked up and bowed once more.
"Thank you very much! Goodbye," Mikan said.
The family of three walked away and exited the hospital main entrance. Mikan picked up her backpack and walked out of the hospital too. She looked at the contact card and realised that the Good Samaritan's name was called Yoichi Hijiri.
This was how Mikan Sakura and Yoichi Hijiri first met each other but would they meet again in the near future?
Hi guys, thanks for reading 'One More Chance'. Please review. I don't mind criticisms but they have to be constructive. A simple review is more than welcomed! I wish to get at least 5 reviews before continuing to the next chapter. Thank you! :)
I hope you can also read my other fanfics too! :D
Note: This story is the 2nd prequel of 'I Like You, Mikan-sensei'. Feel free to read that story too if you are interested. :)
Disclaimer: I don't own either Gakuen Alice or its characters, except for this story plot.
