The busy corridors of the hospital felt empty to Komi Shouko. She was seated outside the A&E, staring at the floor.
The past events still could not properly render themselves in her mind. Even as she was writing in her notebook, she couldn't really come to believe that this incident had even happened. She wished it was just a nightmare. Unfortunately, this nightmare was a reality.
She took another look at the bandages on her thigh, barely above her knee. That was where Ramorou's dagger had struck her. She gently prodded the bandage, then flinched as the sting of the wound reached her nerves. It didn't really hurt though, she had more on her mind to worry about.
Her eyes shifted focus to the lights above the A&E room. Silently, she prayed, hoping her boyfriend would be alright and hoping the doctors were professional enough and able to treat him.
"Shouko!" A voice rang from the end of the hallway. Komi turned to look. It was her parents, as well as Tadano's family and even Najimi had come as well.
"Are you alright, Shouko? You're not very badly hurt, right?" Her mom bent down in front of her, looking into Shouko's slightly traumatised eyes. She went to grab her notebook and flipped to the pages to show to her mom.
"I'm alright."
Shuuko breathed a sigh of relief, but the atmosphere darkened again, and they all fell silent. Even Najimi was beside himself/herself from shock and couldn't find the words to lift the mood.
Seconds turned to minutes. The minutes, to hours. To Shouko, it felt like an eternity sitting out here, waiting for the news of Tadano to reach her ears.
The doors to the A&E opened as the head doctors walked out of the room.
"How is he…?" Tadano's dad spoke first.
"He made it, don't worry. There has been quite some blood loss, but we've handled it. Your son is not in a life-threatening situation anymore."
Immediately the corridor felt a little brighter. Although Jeanne was still sobbing into her husband's shoulder.
"Unfortunately, you can't visit him till tomorrow. But rest assured we will take good care of him."
The doctors then walked off. Shouko had no choice but to wait till tomorrow.
Shouko was now walking down the rather deserted hospital corridors. It was barely past 8am, the first hour allowed for visits. She wanted to make sure she was early enough to see him. Her leg stung a little with every few steps she took, but the pain was worth it if it meant seeing Tadano first thing in the morning.
She slowly opened the door to her boyfriend's ward with her bag in hand.
"How's your head feeling?"
"Ah, it hurts a little… but I think I'll be fine in a few days…"
"That's great then. Oh, you have a visitor, Tadano-kun."
Tadano's eyes turned from the nurse to the door.
"Oh, good morning, Shouko!" He smiled, making her feel a lot more at ease.
"Alright, have fun you two." The nurse bowed and left the ward, leaving the couple to their own devices.
"You're here pretty early, Shouko. How's your leg?"
"It's… a-almost healed now… Is your head… alright…?"
"Yeah, it hurts a little… but I'll be fine- ow!"
Shouko prodded his bandages to make sure Tadano wasn't lying about the pain. Truth was, it hurt quite a bit still.
"Shouko…?"
"Please… don't l-lie about the pain… I don't w-want to feel better while you're s-suffering…" Her eyes met his as she spoke.
"I… I'm sorry…" He blushed, embarrassed and slightly ashamed he got caught lying.
"It's okay…"
She bent down to pull out a flask from her bag. Tadano could smell ginger.
"I… brought b-breakfast for you… I'm not sure if the food here is t-to your liking… so…"
She poured out some of the drink for him and handed him the flask lid, then bent down to grab his breakfast she had made before leaving her house.
"Wow… thanks so much, Shouko…"
As he ate, Shouko took a good, long look at him. It made her feel more at ease and more relaxed to see he was conscious and able to pull through. But something was tugging at her heartstrings. Something she really did not want to do.
Why do I feel…? No, it's probably just a fling. I still love him a lot, don't I?
"Shouko?" Tadano noticed her expression change.
"Oh… yes…?"
"Are you… alright?"
"Y-yes…"
"You sure?"
"Mhm…"
"Oh… alright then." He returned to finishing his breakfast. But her expression remained in his head. He felt as if he had seen it before, a long time ago. He just couldn't remember what it meant or when it happened, his head still hurt.
"If you want to tell me anything, just say it, alright?"
Shouko nodded.