So where was he? Taki sucked in some mentholated tobacco and checked his wrist out of habit. Fucking doctors. Forgot once again that his watch, along with all his other possessions, had been taken away and sent home with Ma on his one and only visit weeks earlier. So what time was it? Much too late. Figured Seguchi would keep him waiting. Not that he was waiting.
"Would you like a stroll around the grounds, Aizawa-san?"
"No. Has Tohma Seguchi come in today?"
"I haven't seen him. Maybe he'll come later?"
"Yeah, maybe."
Who cared if Tohma never showed up at all? It was just that his visits were something interesting in an otherwise dispiriting day. Nothing to look forward to, ever, except this. Not to mention Taki now had a career goal to work toward, and he couldn't do any of that here.
Maybe he should tell his doctor point blank that he was ready to leave. "Taki Aizawa is no mental case! He's a star!" And stars needed to shine. "It's just that simple, Doctor. I've got to get back to work. N'est-ce pas?" Would she let him? Maybe he could get Tohma to lean on her. After all, it was in Seguchi's best interests if Taki checked out of this hell hole.
So where was the bastard? Must be noon. Taki could see the food trolley wheeled past his door every so often, loaded with trays. How come no one had brought one to him yet? At least eating lunch would kill some time.
He wheeled his chair over to the window and watched the boring monotony of nature for a few minutes, until the stillness outside grew tiresome. Wasn't there ever going to be any excitement in his life again? Was everything from now on going to be still and calm and tedious? He'd rather die than endure this place another minute.
"Aizawa-san?"
Taki wheeled himself around at the familiar voice. His therapist had deigned to visit his room a second time during his incarceration? Phenomenal. And what was this? Wonder of wonders, Seguchi was at her side. Astonishing beyond belief.
"Aizawa-san, after discussing your case with Dr. Minamoto, I've agreed to your release from the hospital on Seguchi-san's promise that you'll continue your physical therapy and psychoanalysis on an outpatient basis. I also want you to continue taking your medication at the prescribed dosage until further notice. Do you understand? I'm counting on you to prioritize your health issues. You won't disappoint me, will you?"
What? He was getting out? After all this time he was finally getting a pardon from the governor? "You kidding? Anything to get out of here."
"Fine. There's some paperwork to be done at the nurse's station. I'll have an orderly pack your belongings."
"Great." What belongings? My clothes? I'll have to wear those. Idiots.
Still, how about that. Paroled on his own recognizance. He'd no longer have to ask Doctor Stuffypants for a simple smoke anymore, and Seguchi was lowering himself to push Taki over to the nurse's station. As the doctor headed down the hall in that priggish way of hers, he knew exactly what she was thinking. He'll be back.
But she was wrong. Dead wrong.
