Vagus
By – Hime no Ichigo

Genre: Angst
Rating: G
Character: HIJIRIKAWA Masato
Story Type: Drabble
Summary: Of cranial nerve damages.

Disclaimer: Uta noPrince-sama is the intellectual property of Broccoli.

Notes: This is from this week's theme: "tragedy".


Only when they leave does his smile flatten, the reality creeping upon him again.

Everyone except his roommate is here, even the Headmaster – although his presence causes more chaos and pressure than what he needs right now. They visit with a basket of fruits that he has no way of finishing (but of course, Shining takes the cantaloupe and eats it all by himself), Nanami, Otoya, and Natsuki fussing over him; with Tokiya, Syo, their upperclassmen and teachers crowding around the hospital bed.

He shakes his head to their questions, not willing to talk about the accident.

Rather, he can't.

Masato touches the bandages around his head, long fingers tracing the uneven wrappings to the bump at the back of the right side.

He remembers the doctor telling him, in firm, quiet tones, of the results from the accident: the concussion he suffers, while luckily does not knock him into a coma, creates an entirely separate problem that may ultimately destroy his career. The recovery is unknown. The initial shock of opening his mouth and stretching his vocal cords – no matter how much – and finding that he can only shape words, is life-changing. Masato has never once imagined life without the ability to speak, and most importantly, to sing.

He knows Ren blames himself for getting into the accident, not reacting quick enough to avoid the oncoming car. The rest of them feel terrible as well, even when not on scene at the time.

None of them can hold Ren completely at fault, not when it's the other driver who's driving under the influence of alcohol.

Masato eases back onto bed, gingerly resting his head on the pillow. These days, they're fitful sleeps, the dull ache constantly vibrating inside. Every morning, Masato hopes for a miracle, that his nerves heal soon – but the sad smiles of his doctors and nurses extinguish the small spark that keeps him going.

He's not the type to give up easily, but what good is it if he can no longer express himself through his voice? It's his most powerful weapon. It's unfair to take it away from him so soon; he has so much left to do, left undone.

- Owari -

Authoress' Notes: Welp.