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Chapter 8 - Sleep like a baby and get spoiled

Lights were beaming inside and outside the room. The sky transcended through the windows of the room that reflected the greyish clouds as an indicator of a rainy day. Ken slowly opened his eyes, as the sound of a machine making a –beeping- noise right next to his ear. He gazes around the room and on his left side, he sees his mother sitting down and sleeping, with her head bowing.

Around the room, there were many gifts laying on the shelves. Some baskets of fruits, books, bouquets of roses, and many bags who he couldn't identify what was inside. He was in the hospital as he thought. But why was he there? He can't remember what he was doing earlier. He went to arcades, and he went to Hinami's tutoring class and-

"Oh, my goodness gracious Ken you're alive!" His mother woke up suddenly grabbing his hand. He slowly sat down and gave his mother a tight hug. "What happened?"

The door burst down open, two girls suddenly walk inside the room. They almost look the same, the only difference is that they have different types of hair colors. One of them has raven hair and the other has white hair but their faces look exactly the same. They were wearing white coats, who were open to reveal a one-style simple black dress. Are these girls really doctors? Or just teenagers pretending to be doctors? Are they even adults? I mean looks can be deceiving in this modern age.

The girl with black hair grab a thermometer and put it inside his mouth. "Miss, has this patient just woke up?" Hiroko adverted his gaze of them to look at her son. "Yes, just some moments ago". The other girl with white hair started at the Ventricular Assist Device. "Sister Kurona his pulse seems normal even when he was sleeping." The girl stood up and grab a pencil and give it exactly when the other sister grabs her notes. "¡Excellent! Thanks, sister Nashiro."

Both he and his mother stared at the girls in front of them. "Girl? I mean Madame, can you tell me what happen to my son?" Hiroko grabs his hands. Kurona was ignoring his mother and started writing in her notepad. "We both think he had Tachycardia" They both in unison exclaimed.

"What?"

"No, no, that's not the way we tell our patients they had something. Both of you have much learning to do." A man with an elderly, grey-haired with two or three loose strands of hair falling over his forehead who was wearing a white coat, white shirt, and black necktie entered the room. The older man places both of his arms around each side of the shoulders of the girls. "Allow me to introduce myself I'm Dr. Kanou and both of these girls are my daughters. They are in the first year of their practice."

"¿First year? But like… in medicine years?" Ken exclaimed. "Both of you are ju-"

"We are in our twenties". Nashiro said.

"When we were in our second grade we suddenly jump to sixth grade and we also graduated at 16 years old." Kurona said. Both of them approximately stare at him. "Don't you think it is impressive?" Kaneki was taken back.

"Um, yeah it really is."

Both of them blushed and walked away. Hiroko covers her mouth. "Oh my!" As Dr. Kanou watches Kaneki's reaction to turn into being shy to being extremely embarrassed. He approaches Kaneki's bed. "Perhaps, you are wondering what happen to you?" Kaneki gulped. "Ken when you passed out at first we thought you had Situational Syncope."

Hiroko frowns her gaze and stares at him. "Since the people around you were saying that you had a conversation with your mother so we believe it was stress or anxiety that took your body to faint."

"BUT IT'S NOT MY MOTHER FAULT!"

Both Dr. Kanou and Hiroko stared at him. "Umm... I'm not blaming your mother in any way but if I did I apologize". Hiroko slapped Ken's head back. "Ahh… I'm sorry I lost my senses". "It's okay it's normal for patients like yours release stress like this after an event that you just had". There was a long pause after that. "So um… then what do actually happened to me?"

"Well, normally people who suffer for Syncope often faint for some moments but when one of the people who were feeling your heart, they felt your heart speeding out and that is not normal in people with Syncope. So when you fainted and your heart started beating fast we concluded that you had Atrial Tachycardia. So when you enter the hospital still having the unusual heart beating we told your mother to intern you here instead."

Ken puts his hands together. "So, you said earlier that this happens because of stress?"

"Well, they are many causes for this but in your case. Yes, that will be stress. so I recommend you to, if you have any situation you feel under pressure, to take deep breaths or go to a quiet place to clear your mind."

"Thank you, Dr. Kanou, and please forgive me for earlier". Ken bowed his head.

"Haha, I think I also have to apologize for my daughters"

"Oh no, you shouldn't! I think it's impressive to meet people like them." Dr. Kanou looks at him smiling. Ken adverted his gaze. He was getting shy now. "Umm …I-"

"I cannot thank you enough, Dr. Kanou! Thank you so much!" Hiroko got up and bowed herself as Dr. Kanou was getting up from the bed. "It's okay, it's my job after all. I think I have to congratulate you for raising a wonderful son." Ken blushed. As his mother was giving him more praises, he reaches for the exit. "Please do take of yourself, Kaneki Ken." "I will and thank you". As he was leaving, his mother missed the beat where Dr. Kanou wink at him. "What now?"

"Hmm..?"

"Nothing mother."

So the hospital suggested Kaneki to stay in the hospital for the day. As he was waiting for his mother to come again with his change of clothing. Suddenly a knock on the door was heard. A nurse came in, "Hello Kaneki san, some people came to meet you would you like to see them?"

'Perhaps his coworkers at his café? Honestly, he doesn't know many people'

"Yes, of course!"

He sat down once again since he was resting after his mother left. "KAN KAN!" He knew that familiar high pitched sound. He knew that blue hair. The same girl who screams was now hugging him. "I WAS SO SCARED!"

"Saiko please refrain yourself. He just fainted!" The boy with green hair and eyepatch said. "Ah well, I'm sorry for worrying about my friend." Saiko let go of Kaneki, while the other people enter the room. He recognizes all the students that were there. Of course, he doesn't know their names but he remembers Saiko and…..

"Kukie, you are here!"

His face lights up and blushed. All the people were now looking at Kukie who just scratch his back and looks down, slightly a blush covered his face.

"Don't tell me you find cuter Kukie than me?" Saiko frowns and puts her hands in her hips in an offense tone. "Oh no it's not that, I just remember that I met Kukie the other day so I got interested in him because of that."

Higemaru sighs in frustration. "Another cutie who falls down in the false façade of the popular "bad boy." Kukie grabs Higemaru by the collar, "What did you just say?"

"Nothing I swear!"

Kaneki sweatdropped and panic himself. If the nurse hears they are making too much sound, they will kick them out. Apparently Ching Li saw Kaneki was struggling to speak up, that she broke apart the friction between them. "Don't make noises or do you want the hospital to ban us?"

Kaneki whispered a 'thank you' to Ching Li, who just nodded in his direction and blush, looking to the floor.

"Well now, that the kids are not fighting now. I will introduce them since you don't know their names!"

"Uh… okay, thanks, Saiko chan!"

"Don't worry Kan Kan, Saiko got your back!" Saiko began a drum roll on the bed. "First we have Mutsuki, he is very kind. You can tell him you murder somebody and he won't tell anybody! But don't get on his bad side!"

Mutsuki bowed and look terrified at her. "This tall man right here is Shinsanpei Aura. Just like Mutsuki, you can count in him for any errands you want". "Saiko, I'm not an errand boy" "Yeah, my mistake you're my personal errand boy either way… another thing about him is that you shouldn't insult his aunt or either he will mess you up!"

"Oh, so that's the reason why you almost beat the teacher once?"

"He deserves it." Shinsanpei almost whispers that sentence. Ken shivered.

"Next is the cute Higemaru Toma, another errand boy of mine and my personal gamer partner of mine."

"And an idiotic person" Kukie added.

"Hey!" They both got offended.

"Next is the beautiful Ching Li Hisao. She does martial arts and has won 3 competitions in the female category in our school! She is so awesome!" Ching Li coughs and blushes. "Thank you Saiko sama!" Something inside Kaneki tells him, the reason why she praises her so much is because she calls her "sama". Saiko passes through her group. She passed away from Kukie who was just crossing his arms around his chest. "And well that's it". Kukie looks at her and coughs. Saiko looks at him and forms a fist to punch her hand as a signal 'I get you'

"Ah yeah, I forgot Shirazu kun. I mean, he came with us but he decided to look after his sister first and then he said he will come later to greet you. If you can't picturing him, he is the tall punk blonde guy, who looks like he will punch you but he won't because he cares a lot about people."

"That's very specific Saiko san, but yeah I think I can picture him."

"Yeah..."

"What about me?"

"He already knows you dumbass" Said Saiko

"Excuse me, do you want me to beat you up?!"

"You have anger issues Kukie san. You should get those anger issued checked" said Higemaru.

"By the way, how do you guys knew I was in the hospital?"

The room went all silent. There was this atmosphere that if you could touch it, you can cut yourself of how sharp it was.

"Perhaps I was spying you through the day and I told them you got injured."

Kaneki put his hands on his head. He just remembered what Dr. Kanou told him ´breath when stressed´. He left a long breath from his mouth and started laughing. Everybody surprised and started laughing along awkwardly.

"Hahaha! Stalker jokes always get to me! But seriously how?"

Again the serious atmosphere began and Kaneki looks dead serious to the teens in front of him. Ching Li, who was just staring at the floor, give him a bag. "This of us for you, thank you for your service!"

"How? I'm asking again!" Kaneki deadpanned expression looks at them, grabbing the bag. "It's your favorite Kaneki san!"

Kaneki looks at Shinsanpei. "How do you know it's my favorite?"

They stay there silent. "Thanks and get out!"

"Okay bye!"

It has passed 10 minutes since the incident when his mother came with his change of clothes as well as some of his personal favorite books. After that, many people came to visit him. First, it was the staff of his work. Who came with some of his favorite pastries of the café as well as greeting his mother. After them, it was Nishiki, Kimi and Hide who came to give him a basket of fruits as well as some pamphlets of "how to handle stress". Of course, they all left because they had midterms the next week. "I will study all night and come tomorrow morning Kaneki!" "Ah c'mon Hide you shouldn't."

"Goodbye, Hiroko!"

The Fueguchi Family came and deliver a whole cake for him. Of course, the cake when Kaneki looks at it, said: "I'm sorry!" Of course, Kaneki told them that Hinami wasn't at fault. As they left, the Kirishima's came as well, with a cake as well? And just like the Fueguchi family, this cake also said: "I'm sorry for my family." He also assured Yomo that he shouldn't blame Ayato and Touka for this. But regardless they both apologized and left. Amon came and gifted him some medicine for the head, as well as some cookies and a book. As he was leaving, his mother commented on how handsome the man was. He only blushed. I mean, yeah he is handsome but he won't say like that. Kooru came as soon Amon left, just gritted his teeth at him. He stood beside Hiroko all the time.

Of all the people who he never suspected to be here were Akira and Seidou? Of course, Seidou gifts him a box of sushi and Akira a box of those same cookies, she gave him that morning.

At last, Shirazu visits him. This is the man Saiko refers to as 'somebody who will punch but he won't?' Shirazu told him, his sister was also being hospitalized because she has epilepsy. So he had come with her for her monthly visit to the neurologist. Since their parents are always working late even at the weekends. Of course, his mother didn't miss a bit to 'congratulate' him and calling him a "wonderful man" for doing all that for his sister. Right after he was leaving, he saw Shirazu peeking his head through the door.

"I apologize once again for what we did. Of course, I will tell the other guys not to that again".

"Of doing what you mean, kid?" Kooru said.

"I'm sorry and goodbye!"

He told his mother and Kooru they can go and rest. Of course, they both protested, but Kaneki insisted they go home. He will be fine in the hospital. After many declines, his mother and Kooru left.

Now that he was alone. He had wondered HOW in the world did this many people knew that he was hospitalized. I mean, he can see why the Kirishima's and the Fueguchi's came to visit him. But like Saiko, and her friends how? And why the heck did Shirazu apologize? Amon and his ex-coworkers? And why when he first opened his eyes, they were present before him, when he asked his mother but she refused to answer him. But why? He wanted the answers of all of that, but just like Dr. Kanou said, 'don't stress yourself'. So he will just leave the questions to hang in the air.

Time had passed and he already had eaten dinner. Surprisingly hospital food was good. After that, he started to read one of his books. The door of his room was opened. When he was reading, he adverted his gaze in front of him as he heard some people leaving the door in front of his bedroom. Kaneki puts his book on his chest and stares at both gentlemen. One of them had a beautiful whitish-grey hair that adorns the clouds, and the other had brown hair as brown as the beautiful woods who cover the beautiful forests. They both look at him, and he shocked and pick his book again. They both move in front of his room, after entering the man with glasses knock on the door. "Can we enter?" The way he speaks is so endearing, he liked it. It almost feels like the wind was in his tongue. Ken nodded. He saw the man enter his room, along with his friend.

"Hello, I'm Arima Kishou." Oh Arima, such a beautiful name for a beautiful person

"And this my partner Take Hirako".

They both bowed at him and he also bowed. "Hello, my name is Ken Kaneki". Scratching his neck, while blushing. Arima just chuckles and sits down on the bench that was in front of his bed, while the other stayed still near the bench. "Perhaps, you're wondering why are we here?"

"No, but I bet it's really important." He felt his cheeks getting redder at the thought of just talking with him. It is not like he was in love. It's just there was something around him that made him all nervous. Was he getting weird?

"No, we don't even know who you are."

Both Kaneki and Arima gasped out loud as they stared at Hirako. "Actually, this man right here has to stay all night for a sudden Craniotomy in the patient that is in front of your room." He turn his head to point the room he was referring to. "And since he needs to have some entertainment, he is asking if he can borrow your book."

Ken look at Arima, who was just silent, he noticed the man flinch a little bit. He looks up and smiles. "Indeed, I think I saw a person carrying the same book when I was entering my shift. Do you think there's a possibility if you can lend it to me?"

"Um... of course" Ken tries to stand up but it was stopped by Hirako when he grabs the book out of his chest. "Thank you Kaneki." "No need, can you um… pass me the book that's on the table?" Arima looks beside him and grabs the book.

"Mortal Memory? You know English?"

"Well, yes… but it's not like I'm such a well-spoken person. I tried to read more English books to expand my English vocabulary."

"That's interesting… have you already read it or..?"

"Yeah I have read it already, but I like read it again because I often find things that I didn't notice. I believe it's my third time reading it."

"What's the story about?"

"It's about a man called Steve who lost his mother and brother by the hands of his own father. As he continues with his life, a person called Rebecca wants him to reopen his memory to dig deeper into what happened that day."

"Hmm… Interestingly is it better than "Copycat?" Arima smiles and holds the book in the air.

"I don't know I think you have to read it. Many people can interpret the books they read in their own way."

"That's true, well then…"

Arima stands up and bows. "Goodbye and have a goodnight Kaneki!" Hirako does the same and bows him 'goodnight'. He does it as well.

It was 1: 00 am and Kaneki couldn't sleep. Why? You may ask? While he was sleeping, he felt some people moving his bed to another room. This room was a shared room for many people. Apparently, his room was going to be used for another patient that had a minor problem breathing.

But the problem is… that this shared room was empty. He was the only one there! It is not like Kaneki hated sleeping alone, but he hated that the only thing that was separating him between the other empty beds was a curtain.

Of course, you may think, he is just being a scary cat. But what if, just what if… he opened his eyes and there was a figure moving being reflected on the curtain? Nope. He has seen many scary movies with Hide to know where this was going. So he decided to stay awake.

Some time passed when he heard some people enter the room. He pretends to sleep. The persons entering the room, close the door behind them.

"I got rid of Rize because I know Rize would devour him and kidnap him. And that's not fair! I want him by my side!"

"That's just nonsense, Furuta, get a grip! I thought you got rid of her because of that 'thing' and I don't really want to alarm you but Shachi is looking for her, so you should be cautious from now on."

What? Furuta? What he was doing here? And that voice was it Dr. Kanou's?

Ken gulped. He opened his eyes in fear.

-Fuck, he can't believe what he just heard, does he heard that right?-

"You know, Dr. Kanou do you know if it is alright if we do it?"

"If something happens to me, I will bring you down with me. Did you hear me?"

"Loud and clear Dr. Kanou"

As soon as the curtain opens, Kaneki immediately closes his eyes. He tried no to breathe too hard, but his heart was beating so fast. As he was laying on the bed, he felt Dr. Kanou grab his arm and injected something unto his veins. He opened his eyes and was immediately pushed away, as well as someone was closing his mouth.

"Sweets dreams Kaneki kun!" Kaneki eyes tear up, as Furuta lick his tears straight from his face. Kaneki began feeling sleepy, he felt tired. His muscles just gave up and he slept like a baby.

By the way, the books mention like Copycat and Mortal Memory in this fic are real. If you had the opportunity to read them, do it.

I hope you had like it!