Chapter Five: Waiting

While Kouji was in the operating room, the nurses put a mask containing nitrous oxide and as he stared at the bright lights on the ceiling, his eyelids became heavy and he fell asleep.

Meanwhile, in the waiting room, Kouichi was pacing, Kousei watching television, Satomi glancing at magazines, and Kouichi's mother, Tomoko, sitting on the other side, doing her work upon a laptop. Izumi stood at the window, watching the sun set, worrying about and only of Kouji. Kouichi walked up to her and asked,

"Izumi, you're okay aren't you?"

Izumi didn't answer. Kouichi thought it was best just to leave her as she was for now and sat on the couch with his mother. The sun set down, and the moon appeared with many stars to gaze at. She still stood at the window, motionless. Mr. Minamoto had a call from work, so he had to leave and would come back within three hour. Mrs. Minamoto fell asleep and was resting soundly on the couch. Ms. Kimura was done with her paper work and did nothing but flip through magazines lying around. Kouichi took the time to think and pray for his brother, that he would be all right. He noticed Izumi had not left from her post and was standing for almost six hours.

"Kouji…" she whispered, looking from the window, gaping at the scenery of Jiyuugaoka. She still kept thinking about the last time she saw him this day. "Izumi, I'll be all right…" the words echoed in her mind again for the billionth time. She couldn't stop. The words gave her hope to believe he'd be fine and that she wouldn't cry. Kouichi walked to her and asked,

"Izumi, don't you think you've been standing for a long time? My mom and I will share our dinner with you. We bought some dumplings you might like."

Izumi stared straight ahead and said, "No, thank you."

Ms. Kimura rose from her seat and grabbed a plate of gyoza, walking to Izumi.

"Izumi, we're all worried about Kouji, but you have to eat to regain your strength you know."

Izumi finally budged and started wolfing down the food. "Thanks," she said with her mouth stuffed.

Ms. Kimura smiled and replied, "Come Izumi, sit down." Izumi finally moved for the first time today and sat with her. She had nothing to say as Ms. Kimura read a book and Kouichi fell asleep. Izumi was about to drift to sleep, but her phone rang. Izumi walked out of the waiting room and answered. It was her mother as usual.

"Yes, mom?" she asked.

"Izumi! Where are you? Don't tell me you're at the hospital again."

"Mom, yes, I'm here at the hospital."

"The hospital isn't a hang out. If you want to hang out, go to the park or something."

"I'm watching over a friend, not playing."

"It's almost nine, come home!"

"I… I can't right now."

"Izumi, if you don't come home, I'm going to have to just bring you home myself."

"Mom, I'm not doing this to defy you—"

"Then come home!"

"I can't. I just can't leave right now."

"Izumi… tell me. Why have you been spending so much time with this person?"

"Because. I care," Izumi said, and hung up then walked back to the waiting room with Ms. Kimura, Kouichi, and Mrs. Minamoto, who was snoring. She sat there; everyone had fallen asleep except her. She walked outside, feeling guiltier disobeying her mother, but she just couldn't leave Kouji at a time like this.

She walked back into the room and sat on chair. Her feet really hurt from standing six hours straight. She heard the door open. She spun around. It was the doctor.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I don't wish to wake anyone up. Are you the sibling of Minamoto Kouji?" he asked Izumi quietly.

"No, but I'm a friend."

"Where's his mother?"

"Sleeping right there," Izumi said, pointing to Mrs. Satomi Minamoto, who was still snoring.

"Can you wake her up? I have to tell the parent of Kouji's prognosis."

Izumi widened her eyes and walked to the door with the doctor. She walked outside as he talked.

"How is he?" Izumi questioned.

"Kouji is completely fine. He'll have to stay here for a week as his scar heals and mends. Then he can go back to school. He just can't swing his arm around violently very much. He can resume normal schooling soon," the doctor said with a glad tone. "I can't tell you other legalities as you aren't a blood relative." Izumi smiled as a tear formed in her eye, but asked,

"Where is he?"

"In the recovery room."

"Can I see him?"

"I'm very sorry, but we have to maintain the sterilization in this hospital, and there are no exceptions. I'm sorry; you'll just have to wait till daybreak."

"Oh," Izumi said, subdued, and walked heavily back to the waiting room to tell Kouichi and his parents the news. She saw Kouichi, and told him exactly what Kouji's doctor had told her. "I have to go now, I'm sure my mother is furious at me for not going home on time," she said, and walked out the door.

"Izumi," Kouichi said,

"Yes?" Izumi replied, looking up from staring at the cold floor.

"Thanks for caring about Kouji, Izumi. I'd bet it would help him recover."

Izumi blushed slightly and said, "Thanks Kouichi," and walked out the door.

End Chapter Five: Waiting

Onto Chapter Six.