Chapter 14
Tohma took in a deep breath before following Dr. Saraga into the room. He was almost afraid to look in the direction of the bed.
"How are you feeling Seguchi?" asked Dr. Saraga, looking at her charts.
"A little sore, but okay," Mika answered and Tohma shuddered at the soft, helpless tone in her voice.
Dr. Saraga nodded before putting down her charts. "Your husband is here to see you."
Tohma allowed himself to come into her view and he winced at what he saw. Mika was generally a strong person. But with the bandage wrap around her head and nose, and the brace around her wrist, he could tell she was having a hard time staying strong.
"I'll going to check on my other patients," said Dr. Saraga, heading for the door. "If you need anything push the call button." Then he left
Leaving Tohma alone with Mika.
"How are you feeling?" asked Tohma, taking a seat next to the bed.
"Terrible," said Mika. "But the drugs they gave me has helped dull the pain." She paused for a moment. "How is Eiri?"
"He has a concussion, but that's it. I can't tell you more because I haven't gone to see him yet."
Mika's eyes widened. Tohma didn't go to see Eiri first?
"My vision is screwed up," said Mika. "Not enough to cause blindness, but the doctors said I might have to wear glasses for the rest of my life."
Tohma kept his gaze on his folded hands. "Well, glasses are better than blindness."
"I guess so."
They sat there in silence for several long moments. It was if both were afraid they would say the wrong thing.
"Tohma-"
"Why didn't you tell me about the baby?" he suddenly blurted out.
Mika's eyes widened before closing them. "The doctor told you?"
"Yes. I don't think he realized I didn't know, but he informed me that the baby was all right."
Mika nodded slightly. "I was able to avoid a miscarriage."
"Mika-san...why didn't you just tell me about the baby?"
Mika opened her eyes. "I did want to tell you. Remember how I stopped by you office that day with news? I had found out from my doctor that I was pregnant. But after the argument in your office, I just became...angry. And fed up. So I decided not to tell you unless you yourself outright asked me." She blinked back tears. "Of course you didn't, but I don't blame you for that."
Tohma took her hand in both of his and raised it to his face. "I'm sorry. I've been selfish lately, wanting solely what is best for me. I don't know, maybe I don't know what's right for Eiri-san."
"You've tried to help him out. That's what matters."
"...But I haven't tried to help you or the baby out at all."
"Do you think I'm angry at you for that? I mean, you had no idea of our child's existence until a few minutes ago."
"Even so, I haven't really benefited anyone. All I've done is to increase everyone's pain. Now Eiri-san, Shindou-san, and you are hurt."
"Our injuries weren't your fault."
"But I could've done more to prevent these attacks."
"Tohma..."
Tohma kissed her hand. "One of the officers said Shindou-san distracted that woman long enough for Eiri to regain consciousness, which it why his injuries are the most severe. I don't think I'll ever approve of their relationship, but...I'm thankful to Shindou-san for saving his life. And yours."
"How severe are his injuries?"
"He has head trauma, a cracked skull, a damaged temporal lobe so his hearing is going to be altered, a compound fracture in his knee, and a dislocated shoulder."
Mika shuddered. "Poor Shindou-kun. He'll never be able to hop around stage again with his knee in that shape..."
They sat in silence again before Tohma spoke.
"Do you know what it is?"
Mika eyed him. "Huh?"
"The baby. Did the doctor tell you what gender it is?"
Mika nodded. "A boy."
Tohma managed a small smile before placing one of his hands on Mika's stomach. "A boy, huh? That's great. Neither of you have to worry. From now on I'll take better care of you."
Mika laughed a little. "Are you talking to me or our son?"
"Does it matter? You both can hear me."
"Yes, that's true."
***
The next several weeks were hard on everyone. Yuki was let out of the hospital right on schedule, while Mika and Shuichi remained. As a plus Tohma's realization to his child's existence helped to put a smile on Mika's face a lot more.
But Shuichi was still being heavily drugged and his recovery was going at snail pace. He was recovered enough to allow visitors inside his room, though at first it was only his immediate family.
"How are you feeling, Onii-chan?" asked Maiko, trying to be as cheerful as possible.
"Drowsy," murmured Shuichi. "All this pain medication. What with my dislocated shoulder and hurt knee."
"At least they removed the tubes from your head."
"Ugh, don't remind me. Knowing I had tubes in my head will probably be the freakiest experience for me."
Maiko laughed a little. "Your song 'Mizerable' debut at number 1 on the charts."
"Really?!" Shuichi quickly sat up but yelped in pain from his hurt knee.
"Onii-chan!!" Maiko helped him lie down. "Please try to control yourself!!"
Shuichi sighed. "This sucks."
"I know. But your recovery is very important. The more you cooperate with the doctors, the faster you'll heal."
"...Maiko, why hasn't any of my friends come to see me?"
"Oh, the doctor didn't tell you? Due to your condition at the current moment he said that only immediate family members might see you."
"Oh, he did? Maybe I don't remember...or I didn't hear him."
Maiko's stomach churned. "How is your hearing, Onii-chan?"
"It's not as bad as the doctors had originally thought. But they said it won't be the same as it use to be." He sighed. "I guess it's a good thing that it's only happening in my left ear. If it was happening in both I don't know what I'd do. What, with my music and everything."
"Onii-chan..."
"Ugh, I don't care if it's for my health!! Tell the doctors I want to see my friends!!"
After much convincing (and a loud Shuichi), the doctors allowed for Shuichi to see his friends.
"You're looking better than I had thought," said Hiro, grinning at Shuichi.
"HA!!! Did you think a couple of bruises would bring down Shuichi?!" yelled K. He smacked Shuichi's leg, which happened to be the one with the bad knee. "It won't be too long before he's up on stage!!"
"OW!!!!"
"You idiot, what the hell are you doing?!" barked Suguru. "Didn't you realize that's his hurt leg?!?!"
"It's good to see you again, Shindou-san," said Ami. "You ARE looking better than what the reporters are saying."
Shuichi blinked. "Huh?!"
"Oh, didn't you know?! There have been TV people outside the hospital everyday for the past several weeks doing continuing coverage on your recovery. A reporter managed to sneak in, but one of the doctors threatened to throw him off the roof if he didn't leave."
Shuichi groaned inwardly. "The press never stops, do they?"
He kept seeing more and more of his friends come by everyday. One day even Ryuichi and Tatsuha stopped by.
"SHUUUUICHI!!!!!!!!!!" shrieked Ryuichi, glomping him. "You're all right!!!"
"Ow!! Yes, I'm fine Sakuma-san."
Tatsuha pried Ryuichi off him. "Calm down Ryuichi. He's still in recovery."
"Oh. KUMAGOROU BEAM!!!!!!!!!!" Ryuichi threw Kumagorou at the wall.
Shuichi sweatdropped at him. "That's Sakuma-san for you."
Tatsuha took a seat next to the bed. "He's been very worried about you. After we first saw you he was hysterical for several hours. It took me a long time to calm him down."
"Really? How did you calm him down?"
Tatsuha turned red and coughed. "I'd rather not say. But he's relieved to know you're all right. I mean, him being in his child mode is a sure sign. He's been in between his serious and child mode ever since you were hospitalized. He does consider you to be his best friend, after all."
Shuichi suddenly went starry-eyed. "Wow, really?! Sakuma-san considers me his best friend? Wooooooooooooow..."
"KUMAGOROU BEAM!!!!!!!!!!!" Ryuichi yelled again, throwing Kumagorou at the TV.
Shuichi sighed sadly. "Yuki hasn't come by to see me."
Tatsuha patted his hand. "Aniki has a concussion, remember? After he was released the doctors advised that he not move unnecessarily. But he's overcoming the concussion, so he'll be sure to see you soon."
Shuichi nodded, feeling a little relieved.
Suddenly a nurse came in. "Visiting hours are ending soon."
Tatsuha sighed, standing up. "I guess I better go, huh? Let's go, Ryuichi."
"Huh?! Oh, okay!!" Ryuichi glomped Shuichi again and gave him a peck on the cheek, much to Shuichi's shock and Tatsuha's horror. "Get well soon, Shuichi!!"
Shuichi sat there stunned, even after they left. Shaking it off, he settled down for some sleep. Even if Yuki was under doctor's orders, he still wanted to see him. But as he was drifting off to sleep the door to his room opened. He snapped awake and looked at whom had come in, hoping it was Yuki.
Tohma stood there.
"Seguchi-san," said Shuichi, not even bothering to hide his disappointment.
"I know, you expected Eiri-san," said Tohma, walking further into the room. "But he's still under doctors orders, I'm afraid."
Shuichi glared at the opposite wall. He didn't need this now. He didn't need to hear any of Tohma's bullshit. "Visiting hours is almost over."
"Yes, that's why I'm going to make this quick."
Shuichi's fingers inched towards the call button.
"I want to thank you."
Shuichi froze. He looked at Tohma in total shock.
"I spoke with the officers and they told me you provoked Mayumi enough to divert her attention away from Eiri-san and Mika-san. You saved their lives."
Shuichi sighed. "I didn't want her hurting Yuki again."
"Yes, and it's because of that that he only suffered a concussion. Mika-san is hurt as well, but our baby is safe."
"Well, I didn't want-" Shuichi stopped. "Baby?"
Tohma turned red. As if he didn't want to tell Shuichi that. "Yes, Mika-san is pregnant with a baby boy. Anyways, thank you."
Shuichi turn his head away. "You're welcome." Now please go away, he said quietly.
"Also, I want to apologize for my treatment of you. I don't apologize often, but I feel I need to apologize to you. I didn't have faith in your relationship, but I think I do now."
Shuichi sighed again. "I accept your thanks, but I do not accept your apology. From day one you've never approved of my relationship with Yuki. Every time something bad happened to him or he disappeared it would somehow be my fault. His ulcer or going to New York or even the amnesia. You even manipulated his memories and made him believe I was the one responsible for hurting him in such a way. You weren't convinced that I loved him."
"But now I am-"
"Oh really? Was my cracked skull a clue? Or my damaged hearing? Or maybe it's my knee? I'm not stupid; I won't ever be able to run around crazy again. I love him very much, Seguchi-san. I'd DIE for Yuki if I could and I nearly did. But now, JUST NOW you're convinced I truly love him?! It took all this shit to happen to me for you to be convinced?!"
"..."
Tears spilled down Shuichi's face. "You want me to feel better? Then get me Yuki. Even when he treated me like shit just being there with him was enough. I don't care if he has to stay home, I want to see him. If you do that, then maybe JUST maybe I'll be a little convinced that you're sorry."
Tohma coughed. "You want me to get him right now? With visiting hours nearly over?"
Shuichi glared at him. "Forget it, I knew you wouldn't do it..."
Tohma glanced at his watch. "I'll talk with the night staff tonight. This'll take me a while, but I'll be right back." Then he was gone.
Shuichi stared shocked after him. Would Tohma do it? Was he really going to get Yuki?
Tohma took in a deep breath before following Dr. Saraga into the room. He was almost afraid to look in the direction of the bed.
"How are you feeling Seguchi?" asked Dr. Saraga, looking at her charts.
"A little sore, but okay," Mika answered and Tohma shuddered at the soft, helpless tone in her voice.
Dr. Saraga nodded before putting down her charts. "Your husband is here to see you."
Tohma allowed himself to come into her view and he winced at what he saw. Mika was generally a strong person. But with the bandage wrap around her head and nose, and the brace around her wrist, he could tell she was having a hard time staying strong.
"I'll going to check on my other patients," said Dr. Saraga, heading for the door. "If you need anything push the call button." Then he left
Leaving Tohma alone with Mika.
"How are you feeling?" asked Tohma, taking a seat next to the bed.
"Terrible," said Mika. "But the drugs they gave me has helped dull the pain." She paused for a moment. "How is Eiri?"
"He has a concussion, but that's it. I can't tell you more because I haven't gone to see him yet."
Mika's eyes widened. Tohma didn't go to see Eiri first?
"My vision is screwed up," said Mika. "Not enough to cause blindness, but the doctors said I might have to wear glasses for the rest of my life."
Tohma kept his gaze on his folded hands. "Well, glasses are better than blindness."
"I guess so."
They sat there in silence for several long moments. It was if both were afraid they would say the wrong thing.
"Tohma-"
"Why didn't you tell me about the baby?" he suddenly blurted out.
Mika's eyes widened before closing them. "The doctor told you?"
"Yes. I don't think he realized I didn't know, but he informed me that the baby was all right."
Mika nodded slightly. "I was able to avoid a miscarriage."
"Mika-san...why didn't you just tell me about the baby?"
Mika opened her eyes. "I did want to tell you. Remember how I stopped by you office that day with news? I had found out from my doctor that I was pregnant. But after the argument in your office, I just became...angry. And fed up. So I decided not to tell you unless you yourself outright asked me." She blinked back tears. "Of course you didn't, but I don't blame you for that."
Tohma took her hand in both of his and raised it to his face. "I'm sorry. I've been selfish lately, wanting solely what is best for me. I don't know, maybe I don't know what's right for Eiri-san."
"You've tried to help him out. That's what matters."
"...But I haven't tried to help you or the baby out at all."
"Do you think I'm angry at you for that? I mean, you had no idea of our child's existence until a few minutes ago."
"Even so, I haven't really benefited anyone. All I've done is to increase everyone's pain. Now Eiri-san, Shindou-san, and you are hurt."
"Our injuries weren't your fault."
"But I could've done more to prevent these attacks."
"Tohma..."
Tohma kissed her hand. "One of the officers said Shindou-san distracted that woman long enough for Eiri to regain consciousness, which it why his injuries are the most severe. I don't think I'll ever approve of their relationship, but...I'm thankful to Shindou-san for saving his life. And yours."
"How severe are his injuries?"
"He has head trauma, a cracked skull, a damaged temporal lobe so his hearing is going to be altered, a compound fracture in his knee, and a dislocated shoulder."
Mika shuddered. "Poor Shindou-kun. He'll never be able to hop around stage again with his knee in that shape..."
They sat in silence again before Tohma spoke.
"Do you know what it is?"
Mika eyed him. "Huh?"
"The baby. Did the doctor tell you what gender it is?"
Mika nodded. "A boy."
Tohma managed a small smile before placing one of his hands on Mika's stomach. "A boy, huh? That's great. Neither of you have to worry. From now on I'll take better care of you."
Mika laughed a little. "Are you talking to me or our son?"
"Does it matter? You both can hear me."
"Yes, that's true."
***
The next several weeks were hard on everyone. Yuki was let out of the hospital right on schedule, while Mika and Shuichi remained. As a plus Tohma's realization to his child's existence helped to put a smile on Mika's face a lot more.
But Shuichi was still being heavily drugged and his recovery was going at snail pace. He was recovered enough to allow visitors inside his room, though at first it was only his immediate family.
"How are you feeling, Onii-chan?" asked Maiko, trying to be as cheerful as possible.
"Drowsy," murmured Shuichi. "All this pain medication. What with my dislocated shoulder and hurt knee."
"At least they removed the tubes from your head."
"Ugh, don't remind me. Knowing I had tubes in my head will probably be the freakiest experience for me."
Maiko laughed a little. "Your song 'Mizerable' debut at number 1 on the charts."
"Really?!" Shuichi quickly sat up but yelped in pain from his hurt knee.
"Onii-chan!!" Maiko helped him lie down. "Please try to control yourself!!"
Shuichi sighed. "This sucks."
"I know. But your recovery is very important. The more you cooperate with the doctors, the faster you'll heal."
"...Maiko, why hasn't any of my friends come to see me?"
"Oh, the doctor didn't tell you? Due to your condition at the current moment he said that only immediate family members might see you."
"Oh, he did? Maybe I don't remember...or I didn't hear him."
Maiko's stomach churned. "How is your hearing, Onii-chan?"
"It's not as bad as the doctors had originally thought. But they said it won't be the same as it use to be." He sighed. "I guess it's a good thing that it's only happening in my left ear. If it was happening in both I don't know what I'd do. What, with my music and everything."
"Onii-chan..."
"Ugh, I don't care if it's for my health!! Tell the doctors I want to see my friends!!"
After much convincing (and a loud Shuichi), the doctors allowed for Shuichi to see his friends.
"You're looking better than I had thought," said Hiro, grinning at Shuichi.
"HA!!! Did you think a couple of bruises would bring down Shuichi?!" yelled K. He smacked Shuichi's leg, which happened to be the one with the bad knee. "It won't be too long before he's up on stage!!"
"OW!!!!"
"You idiot, what the hell are you doing?!" barked Suguru. "Didn't you realize that's his hurt leg?!?!"
"It's good to see you again, Shindou-san," said Ami. "You ARE looking better than what the reporters are saying."
Shuichi blinked. "Huh?!"
"Oh, didn't you know?! There have been TV people outside the hospital everyday for the past several weeks doing continuing coverage on your recovery. A reporter managed to sneak in, but one of the doctors threatened to throw him off the roof if he didn't leave."
Shuichi groaned inwardly. "The press never stops, do they?"
He kept seeing more and more of his friends come by everyday. One day even Ryuichi and Tatsuha stopped by.
"SHUUUUICHI!!!!!!!!!!" shrieked Ryuichi, glomping him. "You're all right!!!"
"Ow!! Yes, I'm fine Sakuma-san."
Tatsuha pried Ryuichi off him. "Calm down Ryuichi. He's still in recovery."
"Oh. KUMAGOROU BEAM!!!!!!!!!!" Ryuichi threw Kumagorou at the wall.
Shuichi sweatdropped at him. "That's Sakuma-san for you."
Tatsuha took a seat next to the bed. "He's been very worried about you. After we first saw you he was hysterical for several hours. It took me a long time to calm him down."
"Really? How did you calm him down?"
Tatsuha turned red and coughed. "I'd rather not say. But he's relieved to know you're all right. I mean, him being in his child mode is a sure sign. He's been in between his serious and child mode ever since you were hospitalized. He does consider you to be his best friend, after all."
Shuichi suddenly went starry-eyed. "Wow, really?! Sakuma-san considers me his best friend? Wooooooooooooow..."
"KUMAGOROU BEAM!!!!!!!!!!!" Ryuichi yelled again, throwing Kumagorou at the TV.
Shuichi sighed sadly. "Yuki hasn't come by to see me."
Tatsuha patted his hand. "Aniki has a concussion, remember? After he was released the doctors advised that he not move unnecessarily. But he's overcoming the concussion, so he'll be sure to see you soon."
Shuichi nodded, feeling a little relieved.
Suddenly a nurse came in. "Visiting hours are ending soon."
Tatsuha sighed, standing up. "I guess I better go, huh? Let's go, Ryuichi."
"Huh?! Oh, okay!!" Ryuichi glomped Shuichi again and gave him a peck on the cheek, much to Shuichi's shock and Tatsuha's horror. "Get well soon, Shuichi!!"
Shuichi sat there stunned, even after they left. Shaking it off, he settled down for some sleep. Even if Yuki was under doctor's orders, he still wanted to see him. But as he was drifting off to sleep the door to his room opened. He snapped awake and looked at whom had come in, hoping it was Yuki.
Tohma stood there.
"Seguchi-san," said Shuichi, not even bothering to hide his disappointment.
"I know, you expected Eiri-san," said Tohma, walking further into the room. "But he's still under doctors orders, I'm afraid."
Shuichi glared at the opposite wall. He didn't need this now. He didn't need to hear any of Tohma's bullshit. "Visiting hours is almost over."
"Yes, that's why I'm going to make this quick."
Shuichi's fingers inched towards the call button.
"I want to thank you."
Shuichi froze. He looked at Tohma in total shock.
"I spoke with the officers and they told me you provoked Mayumi enough to divert her attention away from Eiri-san and Mika-san. You saved their lives."
Shuichi sighed. "I didn't want her hurting Yuki again."
"Yes, and it's because of that that he only suffered a concussion. Mika-san is hurt as well, but our baby is safe."
"Well, I didn't want-" Shuichi stopped. "Baby?"
Tohma turned red. As if he didn't want to tell Shuichi that. "Yes, Mika-san is pregnant with a baby boy. Anyways, thank you."
Shuichi turn his head away. "You're welcome." Now please go away, he said quietly.
"Also, I want to apologize for my treatment of you. I don't apologize often, but I feel I need to apologize to you. I didn't have faith in your relationship, but I think I do now."
Shuichi sighed again. "I accept your thanks, but I do not accept your apology. From day one you've never approved of my relationship with Yuki. Every time something bad happened to him or he disappeared it would somehow be my fault. His ulcer or going to New York or even the amnesia. You even manipulated his memories and made him believe I was the one responsible for hurting him in such a way. You weren't convinced that I loved him."
"But now I am-"
"Oh really? Was my cracked skull a clue? Or my damaged hearing? Or maybe it's my knee? I'm not stupid; I won't ever be able to run around crazy again. I love him very much, Seguchi-san. I'd DIE for Yuki if I could and I nearly did. But now, JUST NOW you're convinced I truly love him?! It took all this shit to happen to me for you to be convinced?!"
"..."
Tears spilled down Shuichi's face. "You want me to feel better? Then get me Yuki. Even when he treated me like shit just being there with him was enough. I don't care if he has to stay home, I want to see him. If you do that, then maybe JUST maybe I'll be a little convinced that you're sorry."
Tohma coughed. "You want me to get him right now? With visiting hours nearly over?"
Shuichi glared at him. "Forget it, I knew you wouldn't do it..."
Tohma glanced at his watch. "I'll talk with the night staff tonight. This'll take me a while, but I'll be right back." Then he was gone.
Shuichi stared shocked after him. Would Tohma do it? Was he really going to get Yuki?
