Thank you for your kind review. Honestly I do not expect any review since the number of story for Karakai Jozu no Takagi-san can literally be counted with one hand. This chapter is largely pre-written so I am able to post the update within a week.
By the way I am trying to avoid having first name or area name since the anime / manga does not seem to mention any, but it seemed that I have to come up with some names for variety sake.
"Ouch !", my scream somehow sounded muffled.
I opened my eyes and tried to focus on the dark blob in front of me.
"A chair ... on the ceiling ... ?" I muttered in confusion.
The last thing I remember was going to bed, so is this a dream ? My mind seems to recall running, then slipping and falling. Maybe that is the dream, therefore I must have been awake now.
Suddenly a shrill of alarm broke the silence. Craning my head aside to locate the source, my eyes spied an overturned beeping clock.
"That's not supposed to be there, right ?", I frowned to myself.
I tried lifting my head but found it unresponsive. Next I tried moving my right hand but some sort of wrapping was preventing it from fully responding to my command. Luckily whatever it is does not impede my other limb, so I tried pushing myself to one side.
"Oomph ...", I successfully turned myself over, which resulted in my face being plastered to the ground. Luckily my right hand managed to broke free so I can try to push myself to crawl out of whatever cocoon that encircle me.
"Fuih ... finally ...", I half shouted as my feet managed to kick off the offending restraint. Hurriedly I slammed my hand and the offending alarm was cut off.
Casting a look around I saw my blanket crumpled between my bed and the floor, so I hasten to pick it up and properly fold it. I then put back the clock on my bedside table before opening the curtain.
"Argh ... too bright", I squinted as sunlight broke in to illuminate my bedroom.
A knock on the door interrupted my antics. "Wake up, breakfast is ready", my mother shouted.
"I'll be right there", I shout back.
Stepping through the classroom door, I nodded towards the Nakai and Mano before making a beeline towards the back corner, where my seat is. Once there I turned aside and sat with my back against the wall. My gaze fell down on the empty table in front of me. That seat has stayed vacant for two weeks now.
"Ano ... Takagi-san ...", someone called out.
I shifted by gaze and saw Nakai stopped short of my desk. Mano's face peeking out at his right side.
"Yes, Nakai-san ?", I raised my eyebrow in question.
"Do you really not know when Takanashi is coming back ?", he ask hesistantly.
Ah ... I really should not told them that I have visited Takanashi. But then they would have dragged me to question Tanabe-sensei again and I would have to listen to his excuses. The man can at least said that Takanashi has an accident and as a result was currently hospitalized.
I shook my head in reply. "His mother said that they would let us know via Tanabe-sensei if his condition improved".
Nakai looked like he wanted to ask another question but kept his mouth shut.
"When will you visit him again ... can we come too ?", instead Mano's timid voice raised that question.
Will I ? I trembled at the possibility of seeing thim again. After all I collapsed the last time I did.
"I think the hospital said family only", I grimaced. "It was a special exception so that we did not keep bothering Tanabe-sensei", I tried to reason.
"You did see him, right ?", Nakai sounded uncertain. "... How bad is it ?"
Oh come on, do you have to remind me of that sight ? How Nishikata is wrapped from head to toe with machines beeping around him. Nakai, you are a cruel man !
Nakai must have noticed my pained look. "It's pretty bad, huh ..." he muttered. "Sorry to bother you, Takagi-san", he added apologetically before going back to his teast with Mano in tow.
'Arggh ...' I laid my head against the wall, my eyes getting moist. I wonder if the tears would erase that gruesome image from my mind.
'Yeah, right', I can hear my guilt mocking me. 'You pushed him to far, the least you can do is bear the burden'
"Try not to get injured. You have exams coming up", our gym teacher shouted.
If I injured myself, would I ended up in cast like Nishikata ? I pondered as I go through the motion.
"Ne ... Takagi-san ...", someone interrupted my suicidal train of thought.
I looked up and saw Mano doing the exercise in front of me.
"Hmm ?", I raised my eyebrow, while continuing my exercise.
"Sorry about yesterday, Nakai is being rude", Mano explained.
'Rude ? ... maybe she meant insensitive ?', I raised my eyebrow in confusion.
"It must have been hard ... to see Takanashi-san's condition in the hospital ...", Mano trailed.
'Ah ... that's what she means', I nodded in confirmation.
"We won't push you further, but if you want to talk about it ...", she kindly offered.
"... Thanks", I said after a few seconds of silence.
Mano accepted my reply and having finished warming up, moved to the waiting area. My gaze followed her as I pondered whether or not to accept the help. I know I could not tell them everything, my guilt and shame would not allow that relief. But maybe some talk would be beneficial to lessen the burden.
"Come on, I wanted to buy a good luck charm", the ever bubbly Mina dragged her two friends to the kiosk on one side of the temple.
"I think you better spent your money on study guides", came the monotone reply from Sanae.
I watched the scenes with exasperation, 'Why do I allow myself being dragged allong with this ?'. I looked back and saw the rest of the girls still waiting for their turn to pray before the bell.
"Yukari need to stop stealing glances at me ...", I sighed. "Thankfully, this is a girls only outing", I muttered as I saw Mano climbing down the steps toward me. Nakai has been awkward so his absence is a relief.
"You are not buying any charm ?", Mano tilted her head in question as she stood beside me and looked towards where Mina and her gang is.
"To be honest I rather went to the library and do another revision. But you guys dragged me here anyway", I rolled my eyes at her.
"You looked like you need a change of scenery, Takagi-san", Mano smiled back. "I'll go and see if they have sany kind of get well charm for Nishikata", she hopped down the stairs without waiting for my reply.
I stared at Mano's receding back while my mind slowly replayed what she just said. 'A charm ... for Nishikata ... should I get him one ?', I contemplated. 'Wait a minute, do they have charms for operations and accidents ? ... I have seen a few for good health ...'. my mind goes off tangent.
I saw the last group of girls coming down the steps towards me. Looks like everyone has finished their prayers. Hopefully now we can get this over with and I can go home.
"Oh, come on ... where is that temple", I half shouted to myself as I encounter another dead end.
Inwardly I cursed at Mano for putting this crazy idea in my head. It started as an innocent question from Mano to the temple attendant, who tried to be helpful and ask one of the monks. Apparently there is a small shrine with a patron god that specialized in recovery from accidents. Unfortunately that temple is located at the other end of town.
For this reason I am spending my weekend getting of from a train half a dozen stops from my usual station and walking around trying to find an obscure temple. The ticket attendant did gave me a general direction, but I am forced to figure out the rest.
"I am seriously starting to regret this", I muttered as I back-tracked my route and tried to go another way.
After half and hour of circling about I spied a red color at the end of the road.
"If this is not the temple then I am going home", I decided as I walked closer.
Luckily it is indeed a temple gate that I saw. But there is no sign at the entrance so I steeled myself for a steep climb to find out if I indeed get to the right place.
"Hmm ... the sign did say Tenomonji", I read the wooden board at the end of the stairs.
Reaching the bell, I dutifully rang it before bowing.
'Kami-sama ... please have Nishikata recover and go back to school ... I beg you. Give me a chance to redeem myself ... I will do anything to make up for my mistake'
Finishing my prayer, I went around to the back where I assume the rest of the temple is. As I suspect I saw a small kiosk with rows of charms in front of it.
"Wow ... it's expensive ...", my breath hitched as I saw the price tags above each one.
But having spend so much effort getting here I can't really come home empty handed, right ?
I walked down the hall with a loaf of bread and a pack of milk. With a purposeful stride I enter my class and headed towards my desk. I fiddled with the packaging, trying to hold my grumbling stomach at bay.
'Urrgh, red bean paste ...', my mouth grimaced as I took a bite of bread.
'Beggars can be choosers, right', I sighed as my teeth tried to mulch those dreadful pieces quicker.
As I popped the last piece into my mouth, I twisted the bottle cap open and tried to wash it down. However, a bit of it seemed to stuck in my throat, causing me to cough.
"Are you all right ?", a female student in front of me asked in concern.
I took a gulp of milk and nodded in reply.
"Anpan and milk ? That's an unusually light lunch, Takagi-san", she frowned.
'Did she just implied that she remembered what I usually buy ? ... Well, it's usually some sort of sandwich, so I guess it is easy to notice', I inwardly sighed.
"Study guides are expensive", I tried to give a convincing lie.
Luckily she nodded in understanding before turning back to her lunch mates.
'Thank god for exams', I send out a silent praise.
"I'm home ...", I called out as I enter the house.
"Welcome home", unexpectedly my mother's voice replied back. She is sitting on our couch, reading a magazine. "How's the last day of exams ?", she asked.
"I'm just glad it's finally over", I muttered. "You were home early mom", I raised my eyebrow in question.
"There is something I wanted to tell you", mother patted the seat next to her.
Dutifully I sat down, feeling slightly worried about this dubious development.
"Nishikata's mother earlier today, apparently yesterday he has regained consciousness again", she smiled.
I felt rays of sunshine peeking out of my gloom and doom cloud. 'Yes ! my prayer's has been answered'
"Wait a minute ... yesterday ? ... again ?", I blurted out the first few things I notice.
"She did not say anything about the first time, just that his doctors has done a through examination after his was awake yesterday", my mother patiently explained.
"... and ... ?", a tingle of fear seeped into my question. 'Please let him be all right ... please ...', my heart franticly shout out.
"The doctor is hopeful that he can be moved out of intensive care. But they will also run additional test to make sure", this time my mother reached out to grab my hands and smiled. "They just wanted to be through, no need to worry".
"Can ... can I come and visit him ?", I stuttered while looking pleadingly to my mother.
"Maybe once he is moved to regular rooms", she answered with a calming pat on my hands. "Aiko promised to let me know as soon as possible".
"Can I go to my room ? I need to process all this", I tried to hold down from snivelling.
My mother just gave me a warm hug before letting me go with an understanding smile.
"Ah ... nothing like a good soak and a full stomach to end the day", I grinned as my hand guide a blow dryer through the length of my hair.
"Mom cooked quite a feast today", I smiled as I recall having second portions of my favourites. "I guess she wanted to celebrate."
As I finished drying my hair, my gaze met a piece of charm hanging on the vanity mirror. As a result, after turning of the dryer I picked up said charm.
"I guess my prayer has been answered", I muttered. "I need to remember to give this to Nishikata when I visit him", a small smile grace my lips.
My mood definitely improved today, way better then I had felt for the last couple of weeks. Moreover it will likely keep on improving since we have graduation in a couple of weeks and then holiday. I will have more than enough time to visit Nishikata. I can even visit him daily if allowed.
Suddenly a yawn interrupted my happy train of thought. I glanced at the clock on my bedside table and saw that it was slightly over 9 PM. Well, I suppose I can go to bed early today.
I climbed into my bed still clutching the charm. As I tucked my blanket over me, I got the feeling that tonight sleep will have an invigorating one.
I thought that I would end this chapter in a somewhat happier tone compared to the last one. In the next chapter I hope to have some scenes from Nishikata's point on view. As usual, please leave a review and point out what I need to improve.