The sun was setting outside the window of Hitohito Tadano's hospital ward. As the day drew on, his injury felt less and less painful. Full credit to the doctors and his loving girlfriend Komi Shouko, who had decided to spend the night with him in the ward.
"Are you sure… You really want to spend this night with me…? There are not really many places you would feel comfortable…"
"It's… alright… I just want… to be with you…"
"Oh… thank you… Shouko…"
They blushed.
"W-What do you… want for dinner…?"
"Huh?"
"I'm… going to go buy dinner… for us…"
"Maybe some gyoza?"
"Alright…"
She stood up and began walking to the door. Then she turned to face him.
"Please… don't do anything dumb…"
"I won't." He smiled. "I'll be having a short nap…"
She smiled a little in return, then left the ward, turning off the lights.
Tadano lay down, slowly closing his eyes.
I'm so lucky to have someone like her…
The door to his ward opened slowly, but the lights weren't turned on. A dark figure stepped into the ward. This was not Komi Shouko.
It was Ramorou Kinshu.
The cult member, through many of his own means and ways, had learned that Tadano had survived the attack, and Ramorou himself knew that Tadano might have the evidence to turn him in to the police for attempted murder. This time, he had to get the job done. Once, and for all.
Slowly, under the cover of the dark room, he crept up to the sleeping Tadano.
Another thing about Ramorou Kinshu: He has a large collection of knives, blades and daggers. Only some are used for combat purposes, however.
He leaned forward. Tadano was fast asleep. He smiled to himself.
"Easier than taking candy from a baby…"
He slowly drew his dagger…
"Hey, Tadano-kun… You need to get your- Oh? Who's this?" A nurse entered the room and turned on the lights.
Ramorou instantly shoved the dagger back in his pocket.
"Oh, hello. I'm, uh… A friend of Tadano-kun's." Ramorou tried to come up with something.
The nurse questioned his outfit but said nothing about it.
"Oh, well, Tadano-kun here needs to get his bandages changed."
"Ah, alright then. I'll take my leave for a second…" He backed out of the room as Tadano slowly opened his eyes, unaware of the presence of Ramorou.
Outside, Ramorou began pacing back and forth nervously. The time is now, he has to get it done.
The ward door swung open, and the nurse stepped out, pushing the tray of medical equipment.
"Thank you," Ramorou bowed to the nurse, who smiled in return. Despite his inside character, he could be charming when he wanted to.
He turned back to face the room, but then his eyes met another pair down the corridor. Komi Shouko's.
The two made eye contact, eyes staring into the others. It didn't take long for Komi to recognise the outfit and eyes of this man. Her eyes widened.
She knows…
Immediately, Ramorou turned and made a break for it, leaving Shouko standing there in shock and fright. Now she knew that this guy was no ordinary 'killer'. He was only out to get her boyfriend. But for what reason?
"Oh, you're back Shouko… What's wrong?" Tadano noticed the darkness in her eyes. Something didn't feel right. Immediately though, her eyes brightened again.
"It's nothing… really…"
"Are you… sure?"
"Yes…"
"Alright then…"
Slowly, they both dug into their gyoza.
"This is delicious… But honestly, I think I still prefer your gyoza…"
She blushed from the compliment.
"Thanks…"
They continued eating in silence. The man Komi had seen earlier was still lingering in the back of her mind as she ate.
"Thanks for buying dinner…"
"It's… no trouble…"
They felt a little awkward, having nothing much more to say. Slowly, Tadano looked out the window at the starry night sky.
"Sorry… for ruining our date…"
She turned to face him. Did he really care more about the date than his own condition…?
How selfless… I guess that's why I fell for him…
"It's… alright… We could… always go on another one…"
"Well, true… Maybe we could… go on one the coming Saturday? I was told I'd be discharged on Wednesday so…"
"I'd… love to…"
Shouko went to turn off the lights and returned to her boyfriend's bedside. He had fallen asleep a few minutes ago.
He does look cute when he's sleeping, even with a bandage…
Slowly and gently, she stroked his hair, careful not to prod his injured area. She let out a deep sigh, a single tear forming in her eyes. She knew he wasn't safe, and that he'd be constantly attacked at any opportunity…
But why didn't he attack him when I was there? I would have been an easy target…
She could only guess.
Another tear fell down her cheek as she caressed Tadano's cheek, as she slowly drifted off to sleep…