Chapter 13

Emotional coma

The alien ship was well-hidden in a little creek near Tokyo Bay. It was a peaceful place spared by pollution ; only a few people used to wonder here, because its access was pretty difficult.

But, for the aliens, there wasn´t any problem for this – thanks to teleportation.

In a whirlind, the small group appeared in the cavern, next to the ship. Pai and Masaya were supporting Kisshu, who was still unconscious. Taruto was holding Purin. Retasu was – vainly – comforting Ichigo. The redhead was still in tears, but silent now.

They all got inside the ship ; fortunately, this one had its own infirmary.

« It´s too little for all of us, Pai stated. I have to examine Kisshu. Ichigo, you might want to...

« I´m staying with him » she said calmly.

Masaya gave her a concerned look. But before she could notice, he turned his head. Pai simply nodded.

« Aoyama, help me carry Kisshu on the bed. »

The three of them went into the small cabin ; Retasu, Purin and Taruto remained outside in the corridor. The monkey Mew mew gave her green-haired friend a curious look.

« Retasu onee-chan, shouldn´t you be in class right now ? »

She just shrugged with an absent-minded expression.

« I totally forgot that when I met Pai last night. »

Despite the circumstances, Taruto and Purin grinned to each other.


« He´s still alive » said Pai after a while.

Ichigo sighed.

« Yes, I know. I noticed he was breathing. But...

« Calm down, Ichigo, Masaya said gently. Let him finish. »

Pai looked at Kisshu. His eyes were reflecting all of his anxiety.

« On our planet, when we are in important emotional pain, we usually fell into what you humans call coma. It can be more or less short. But in Kisshu´s case, it´s the worst state. His body is slowing dying. I... »

Ichigo shook her head in despair.

No. No, don´t say it !

The tall alien looked deep into her brown eyes. He said it.

« I can´t do anything. Our medicine is powerless for this kind of trauma. »

Masaya took his fiance by the shoulders before she could fall down. Tears were spilling on her face, as if they would never stop.

She... she feels remorse, he realized. She thinks she´s responsible for this...

What she said next confirmed his doubts.

« It´s all my fault. »

Masaya opened his mouth to violently deny this statement. But, to his surprise, Pai beat him to it.

« You are mistaken. It´s not your fault if Kisshu loves you. This boy has always been stubborn », he declared in a bitter tone.

He said gave her this strange half-smile of his, which made Ichigo stare at him wide-eyed.

He has really changed, Masaya thought. The last time he had seen Pai, he was a quiet, cold-hearted, almost cruel alien, who had tortured him – in fact, nearly killed him – and swore to destroy all of the humans. Now he was comforting Ichigo – who, the young man had no doubt, he had hated a lot when they were fighting.

« I think you should stay with him » Pai spoke again.

He stood up.

« Hearing the sound of your voice might drift him back to consciousness. It´s the only thing to do. You have to talk to him. You are the only person that matters to him. You are the only one who can help him. »

Ichigo seemed to understand. She wiped her tears and went to Kisshu´s side.

« Masaya... »

He watched her with concern.

« Yes ?

« I... I need to be alone with him. »

Alone with him.

Masaya remained silent for a moment, then responded calmly :

« Of course. Pai and I are leaving. »

Ichigo gave him a grateful smile and turned back to Kisshu. The two men went out of the cabin and Pai closed the door behind him.

« Do you... do you really think she´ll make it ? » Masaya asked.

Pai shrugged.

« Six years ago, it would have been unthinkable to me. But now things have changed. »

He didn´t say more, but the young man had understood.

I suppose it means yes.