Title: Hospital Blues
Fandom: Detective Conan
Pairing: Miwako Satou & Wataru Takagi
Theme: #16- honesty
Rating: K+
Summary: A look into Takagi's thoughts in the end of file 673.
Disclaimer: DC is not mine! I owe it all to the great Gosho Aoyama-sama. –bows-
What did I do to deserve this?
I flipped through the relatively few channels one last time before turning off the TV.
Why do I always end up like this?
As if on cue, my cell phone rang. I grabbed it expectantly, ready to thank the high heavens- but alas, it was only an advisory from my service provider. I placed my phone back on the bedside table, sat up, leaned on the bed post, and examined my hospital room.
The same old walls, the tiles, the green curtain hanging above the windows, the shrub in one corner, the TV overhead, the clock near the door whose hands seemed to be broken…
Someone get me out of this dungeon!
I sighed for the nth time that day. I've always hated hospitals. Scratch that. I've always hated being admitted to one, to these cleverly disguised psychological torture chambers. The syringes, the technical and uncaring air exuded by the staff, the fact that there are people dying in the rooms surrounding me; it makes me cringe just thinking about it! And no, don't get me started on the food.
My choice of profession isn't helping me much. Compared to most people, the chances of a cop getting injured are far higher. During the time I have worked for the MPD, I have been brought to the darn thing countless times, for reasons ranging from minor things, like bruises and scratches to gunshots and head wounds.
Head wounds. That's what got me here this time. But it was worth it; it's my job, after all, to ensure the safety of the people.
It's pretty amusing, though. I should've been dead right now. Ok, maybe not dead…severely injured? Yes, let's go with that one. I was this close to having a dinner date with death. But thanks to a certain small, rectangular plastic that just so happened to be in my pocket, I was spared.
My eyes meandered to the mahjong tile lying on my bedside table. The sturdy piece now had a gaping hole in its center- a hole that was supposed to pierce through my skin, through my flesh, through my heart. I pulled the sheets closer, as I began to shudder at my not-so-enticing thoughts.
Besides being alive, I have another thing to be grateful about. That moment me and Sato-san had a few hours ago; it still feels too good to be true! So surreal.
Before, it seemed like we were cursed. Every time we got the chance to spend some time alone, there's always this 'someone' that barges in on us, right when were about to get into some action. This 'someone' came in many forms. There's Megure-keibu, there's Conan-kun, and then there's the Mori's…Sonoko,that little detective group of Conan-kun's…the list goes on.
Those missed chances are remain very vivid in my memory; every detail of it. Come on, who wouldn't forget such things? I, for one, won't.
They've always said that third time's the charm. My experience tells otherwise. I'll never forget that inexplicable and much sough-after feeling of bliss that wiped out all the regrets that I once had in an instant.
Sure, the setting could use a little more of a romantic touch. To be honest, I have never imagined our first kiss to happen in a hospital room, with me lying in bed. My ideal location would've been in the shores of some dreamy Pacific island. Parks and cars are not that bad either. Nevertheless, I'm still glad that heaven took pity on me and gave me my way, for once.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
My contemplation was abruptly put to a close when I heard knocking on my door.
"Wh-who is it?" I stuttered.
"It's me, Shiratori," the person behind the door answered back.
"Oh, it's you. Come in!"
My face lit up as the superintendent entered the room. He had a bag of groceries and some take-out from a nearby fast-food chain with him. At last, some company!
He placed the food on the counter and stood beside the bed. He looked at me, his eyes narrowed, which made me feel uneasy.
"Are you all right, Takagi-kun? You seem a little flushed," he said, placing a hand on my forehead to check my temperature.
"I'm fine." I looked down on the floor. "I was just thinking about something," I added, as it seemed that he was not contented with my previous answer. He nodded, and then gestured to the bags he had placed on the counter. "I bought you some food. Hospital food can get very bland, you know."
"I can't agree with you more!" Shiratori laughed a little, seemingly amused by my response. "I mean, thanks, but you didn't have to bring me anything," I said, waving my hands to hide my chagrin.
Shiratori moved his head from side to side. "Oh, Takagi-kun. It's perfectly fine to be downright straightforward sometimes." I looked up. "And no problem. It's my pleasure, really."
We were quiet for a moment, until Shiratori, albeit hesitantly, started to speak.
"By the way…," he began, clearing his throat.
"Yeah?"
"Last night, after you've been shot and brought here, Sato-san said something about…"
He paused for a moment. "About what?"
"…about a hot springs promise."
I tried hard to stop my lips from curling into a smile. Poor guy. He must've spent the whole night mulling over this!
"Do you know what this all about?" he continued.
Thankfully, I was able to maintain a straight face. "Oh, that. It was just some kind of motivation that Sato-san used so that we could crack the case before the time limit expired. She told me that if I were able to find the serial killer in time, she would come with me to the newly renovated hot springs downtown," I explained.
He nodded slightly. "Ah, I see. So that's it."
"Yes, that's just about it. Nothing more, nothing less" I said.
He nodded some more, then turned to face the door. "Well, I better get going. There's still tons of work left to be done. Unlike for some people…"
I grinned, noticing his emphasis on the 'some people' part.
"Get well soon!"
THUD.
The door closed, and once again, I was alone in my room. There's only 2 more hours to go before lunch break- I can't wait until I see Sato-san again! Wait a minute, was that sobbing I heard just then? Shiratori? Sobbing? Yeah, right.
I am so sorry again, for the time it took for me to update. The schoolyear is already nearing its end, and we have a hell load of exams and such to study for. As usual. This fic has been long overdue. *ahem*Ruth-chan*ahem* XDD I've been wanting to write a POV about this lovely manga arc, but time just wouldn't allow me. That, and I had this huge writer's block recently.
So yes, thanks for reading! Feedback is *loved*.
ADIEU~
