Sixth Chapter: Rescues
From inside a darkness Kazuya started to hear the sound of a siren followed by hurried voices.
"Inbound! Unit 86 inbound! Patient with severe burns & possible muscular damage. Notify burn-unit! Copy?!" A voice asked with eagerness followed by the sound of radio static filling the void for a moment.
"Copy that. Unit 86 is inbound with burn victim. Burn unit notified, will meet in ER. Condition of patient? " Another voice responded over the radio.
"Acknowledged. Please copy: severe burns to the left arm underside of the wrist, heavy burns on the left hand palm, and minor burns on the right elbow. Patient is regaining consciousness. Copy? Over," the first voice responded.
"Copy that: severe burns to the left arm underside of the wrist, heavy burns on left hand palm, and minor burns on right elbow. Patient is regaining consciousness. Over," the second voice responded.
"Understood. Unit 86 out," the first voice again answered.
Kazuya's vision was starting to come into focus, yet blurry in a white light.
"Ruka?! Ruka?! Are you okay?" Kazuya shouted.
A paramedic's hand patted Kazuya's shoulder and said, "Calm down Kazuya. It's okay Kazuya, she's okay. She didn't get burned. You're in an ambulance on the way to the ER. Can you tell me what day it is?"
"BP 145 over 90. Pulse: 140," A second paramedic checking Kazuya's vitals reported
The paramedic removed Kazuya's air mask, and suddenly he could see clearly again.
"Where is she?! Is she okay?" Kazuya yelled as he struggled on the gurney before realizing he was strapped down.
"Calm down, Kazuya. You're strapped down. We need you to relax and not move unnecessarily. You have a number of burns. Calm down. She's right here," the paramedic said as he stepped out of the way.
Kazuya looked up and saw Ruka wearing an aqua blue medical mask with her hands clasped, and even though her mouth was covered, he could tell by the position of her cheeks beneath her eyes that she was giving a weak smile. She gave a small wave and started smiling more now that he knew she was okay.
Kazuya cried just a little and smiled as he said, "Hey..."
"She wouldn't let us leave without her. She said she wasn't going to let anyone by your side until we agreed she could come with us. Now again: can you tell me what day it is?" the paramedic asked again.
"BP 130 over 85 and falling. Pulse: 120," the assisting paramedic checking Kazuya's vitals reported.
"It's Sunday... Sunday afternoon. It rained earlier," Kazuya responded.
"Good. Do you have a job? Can you tell me where you work?" the paramedic asked.
Ruka looked a the paramedic and pointed to Kazuya's hand see it shaking. The paramedic nodded and Ruka took Kazuya's right hand and held it smiling.
"BP 120 over 81 and falling. Pulse: 110," The assisting paramedic checking Kazuya's vitals reported
Kazuya calmed more and said, "I work at Sing Anything Karaoke Village. Hey, we have specials every Monday afternoon. You should all come by, and I'll make sure to get you a studio."
The driver and paramedics laughed.
Kazya's paramedic smiled before saying,"We'll be sure to all visit you when you're back at work. You'll help us select a good song. Now please stay calm and try not to move."
Ruka smiled widely at Kazuya as she released his hand and stepped back and stood by the paramedic.
Ruka wiped away a tear of joy and said, "The ambulance got to us fast. We were only there a few minutes. Campus security took the biker off to the infirmary and then he is sure to be expelled. His friends are likely going to be suspended if they are caught anywhere near campus with their bikes."
"Kazuya we need to clean your burns. This is going to sting, a lot. We're giving you something for your pain. We'll be driving and you'll be flying. Take his hand," the paramedic said as he looked towards Ruka as she once again took his hand
Closing his eyes and holding Ruka's hand Kazuya felt the paramedic inserted a needle pretty far into his upper shoulder as he injected it with an anesthesia. Kazuya grit his teeth and looked Ruka in the eyes almost worriedly as he felt his arm go numb and his vision start to darken.
Looking calmer Ruka said, "It'll be okay. I'll be waiting for you and...I love you too."
The paramedic smiled at her and went back to monitor Kazuya's vitals with his colleague.
Kazuya squeezed Ruka's hand as he smiled and closed his eyes. Ruka watched as the paramedic took a clear plastic bottle, squeezed some clear fluid onto a medical cloth, and start dabbing away dirt, grass, and bits of rust along other materials in the burns. Kazuya flinched even as his anesthesia was taking effect and then stopped flinching as the paramedic continued as they drove to the hospital. The ambulance pulled into the ER entrance and Kazuya was quickly taken to the burn unit while Ruka was escorted to the front desk in the ER.
While waiting at the reception, Ruka suddenly realized she didn't have any of Kazuya's contact information and started to panic. Ruka hurriedly called Kazuya's school and got to the main office. Telling the operator the situation she was transferred to student affairs where the receptionist quickly pulled Kazuya's file and looked under the "emergency contacts" portion. Begging to stay on the phone, the operator attempted to make calls to both his parents' home and their workplace, along with his father's cell. All three lines were left voicemails, and the receptionist said that was all that was in the file. Still a tad frantic Ruka thanked the receptionist and ended the call.
A woman in the waiting room about the age of Ruka's mother asked what was wrong having heard most of the call.
Ruka still panicked said, "I need to tell my boyfriend's family he's here!"
The woman looked a Ruka warmly and said, "Calm down sweetheart. I am sure the school will do their best to contact his parents and surely will try again soon. Do any of your friends date any of his friends?"
"... 'Date…' That's it! Thank you so much! " Ruka said, while smiling with hope.
Furiously scrolling through her Sapphire Girls app she found Kuri under her client-history tab. Praying Kuri either still had the app or would accept an unknown/masked number she called with urgency.
Breathing fast Ruka heard the line ring three rings when Kuri picked up to her great relief.
"Hello? Who's this? " Kuri asked.
"Kuri! Thank God you answered! It's Ruka! Kazuya's in the hospital and I don't have his parents' contact information, I don't know what to do, I figured you're his friend and-" Ruka explained with the speed of a bullet train.
"Calm down Ruka. Calm down. Is he okay? What hospital are you at?" Kuri asked trying to keep his cool.
Ruka took a deep breath and said, "He's okay. We're at Ayuko General. There was an accident with a motorcycle gang on campus, he's burned, but okay."
"That 'rat bike' gang?! I knew something would happen eventually. Kobi is here with me, but we don't have anything beyond his parents' home number," Kuri said somewhat frustrated.
Ruka took a deeper breath and said, "Kuri...Mizurua is actually Kazuya's neighbor. Her door is on the left. Go there...her grandmother is best friends with Kazuya's. She's our best chance to reach his family."
"What?! She's his-"
"Yes, his neighbor. Go!"
"Ok. Stay with him. I'll call you back in ten minutes. In the mean time he'll be okay. He's in good hands," Kuri said calmly.
Ruka thanked him and ended the call.
"Thanks again so much. His friends are going to help me get in touch with his family!" Ruka said as thanked the woman in reception ecstatically.
"That's wonderful sweetheart. There's a vending machine down the hall towards the ward. Can I get you something to drink?" the woman asked.
"Yes, please. If you could get me a bottle of Coco Cola, it'd be great. I'm suddenly very thirsty. " Ruka started to get her purse when the woman smiled and went off, telling her to put her purse away.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Ruka called her parents and told them the events leading up to the call. They said they'd get there as soon as they could, but they too were away. They said they'd be there in just over an hour and to let them know of any updates. They finished the call lamenting they'd hoped to have met Kazuya at a Sunday dinner and not at the hospital, but would surely be happy to meet their daughter's hero today.
Meanwhile, hurriedly explaining what was going on, Kobi sent out a group text-message and ran with Kuri to Kazuya's apartment building across campus. In a frenzied manor, they located Mizuhara's intercom and pressed it, then pounded on the door in a frenzied manor.
"Stop pounding on the door! I can hear the doorbell. Who is this? " Mizuhara angrily answered through the intercom.
Kuri quickly responded,"Mizuhara! It's Kuri. I'm here with Kobi. Kazuya's been in an accident! We need your help! He's at the hospital and-"
Mizuhara burst out of the door in her girlfriend persona. With a look of determination like a special forces soldier about to ask what the tactical situation was upon arriving at a battle, she asked, "Where is he?! What do you need?!"
Kobi jumped in asking, "Do you have his grandmother's phone number?! We know your grandmother is close to hers and-"
Mizuhara hurriedly pulled out her phone and called her grandmother to explain the situation. Quickly calling Grandmother Kinoshita, she established a three-way call.
The moment Grandmother Kinoshita answered the phone Mizuhara took off like a bullet train, attempting to explain the situation until Kuri took the phone and slowed down and asked if she could contact Kazuya's parents. With great relief, she told them they were both next to her at a liquor merchant expo about an hour away. She assured him they were on their way and not too panic as she's sure the doctors are doing all they can.
The moment the phone call was over, Mizuhara canceled her upcoming date with a blink and said, "I'll meet you there. Off you go!"
Back at the hospital a doctor came out to the front desk and walked up to Ruka. He took off his mask and smiled before saying, "Ruka I presume? Kazuya's going to be okay, he's just badly burned. The paramedics told me too look for a young lady with a blue ribbon in her hair."
Ruka responded, "Yes, I'm Ruka. I have told my friends to get in touch with his parents, but I am not sure—"
Suddenly Ruka's phone rang and she saw it was Kuri calling back and quickly excused herself to learn the good news and told the doctor.
The doctor then said, "Listen closely: Until his parents arrive you are the sole person who determines if anyone beyond medical staff enters the room. I have four masks for you, that's all I can spare. There is a virus which is gaining a lot of momentum coming out of China and we're being asked to conserve masks. I hope it doesn't get too big before the fall as with the flu season things could get well out of control."
Ruka thanked him and bowed.
Sitting down in the waiting room a friendly voice called out to Ruka.
Ruka smiled at seeing a friendly face and jumped up as she yelled out, "Dr. Humana! What are you doing here? My boyfriend has been in accident and..."
Dr. Humana broke in,"Hirano notified me to a huge spike in your pulse. Are you okay? What happened? Did they admit you? If so what are you doing out here?!"
"Oh no. I am okay. My boyfriend is in the burn unit. There was an accident. I was pinned under a motorcycle which was breaking apart. I almost got badly burned, but Kazuya was able to lift this motorcycle off me with help from the biker. He had trouble at first, the biker was banged up due to the accident," Ruka answered.
Dr. Humana sat down with her and asked her to tell him the everything that happened and not to leave out medical details. Ruka went over how she felt before, during, and after. She excitedly told him how she pushed Kazuya out of the way, of Kazuya's using the adrenaline, and how brave he was before falling into the bike after he was able help her escape serious burns. She shed a tear at how he got badly burned in his saving her. At the mention of the adrenaline Dr. Humana asked when Kazuya's parents were arriving and requested her empty syringe. Ruka said the paramedics grabbed it while she was demanding they to allow her to travel here with them. Dr. Humana laughed and gave her a hug saying it was clear he meant something to her and she to him. He went on to say that he is relieved they were together at the time of the accident, and that he was equally, then gave a smile and told her Kazuya was in great hands and will be okay.
The nice lady who calmed Ruka returned and gave her the requested drink. Ruka thanked the woman again and opened her bottle of Coco Cola. She took a long drink and put it in her backpack, smiling as she felt the fizz on her tongue, bringing a little comfort.
At that moment, a hurried group of footsteps approached the waiting area as Kuri, Kobi, and the rest of Kazuya's group of friends all arrived eager for any updates. Ruka hugged Kuri hard, thanking him for taking the call. Kuri hugged her back, saying he was quite relieved she still had him in her Sapphire Girls history and that he took the call. Ruka pointed to the chair next to her for Kuri, and he sat down. After everyone settled in and quieted down, Ruka finished bringing them up to speed just as the sound of footsteps from a distinct pair of high heels came from down the hall. Ruka looked at the entrance to the waiting room with an angry set of eyes as the rest of the group looked on in shock as Mami walked in with a look of concern. Ruka didn't believe it for a second.
Back at her apartment, Mizuhara called Sumi, as she was the only person she could talk to about Kazuya. After relaying the events Mizuhara quickly asked Sumi where she was, saying a taxi was on its way, and she'd make sure to grab her before going to the hospital.
"Are we requested?! What if his family or friends say we're not welcome?" Sumi asked with reservation.
"There's only one way to find out. I don't have any of his friends' numbers. Come on! We owe him a visit. We owe him enough to visit, whether or not our presence is 'requested' Sumi,"Mizuhara said as she called for a taxi using an app.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Ruka shot Mami an angry look and asked, "What are you doing here, Mami?"
Ruka suddenly felt her phone vibrate and looked at it, seeing that Hirano was giving a warning that she was approaching the outer limit of her safe range.
Mami asked, "Ruka?! Why would you ask such a thing? I am here with the rest of my friends. I got the group message."
Kuri, Kobi, and the rest of the gang all rolled their eyes. They looked back at Mami and told her what was going on.
"Wow... he must be facing quite a 'hero's welcome' when he gets back home. That's my Kazuya... always able to bounce back from accidents if there is any chance for a "physical reward," Mami said, looking at Ruka with an impish smile.
Ruka's phone suddenly gave a double-vibration as Hirano once again gave her an alert warning. This warning said she is very close to her limit and to limit further activity.
Suddenly, the two girls grabbed Ruka, knowing she'd fly at Mami with the strength of a rhino if they didn't restrain her.
Kobi looked at Mami with disgust and said, "Mami-Chan, this is really neither the time nor the place to reminisce. I have a good mind not to call security. "
Ruka felt her pulse drop as she relaxed, seeing Kobi's attempt to quell the situation and smiled.
Mami, "Oh, relax. I am told that humor helps in instances like this. It's just our 'group-dynamic,' right?"
The group rolled their eyes again, but didn't tell her to leave, figuring she had as much right as the rest of them to be there.
Ruka further calmed and smiled as Kuri jumped in saying, "Mami, this really isn't the time for joking around either. Don't you think you should—"
Mami didn't let Kuri finish and looked to Ruka like she was asking for an extra napkin at a fast food restaurant and said, "Ruka, give me a mask, I'm going to see Kazuya."
"Like hell! You're not getting anywhere near the door. Stay back! I'll cut you with a scalpel if you take a step towards the door!," Ruka said like a lioness guarding her cubs.
Once again she felt Hirano warn her with her phone giving a three-vibrate alert and this time with an audible warning too, as a computerized voice said, "WARNING! Warning! Upper-limit reached! Warning! Reduce activity at once! EMS will be contacted if the set parameter is exceeded."
Ruka felt herself starting to shake while fading and grabbed Kuri's hand, looking him in the eye, knowing he was the closest thing to a friend in the room beyond just the group. Kuri nodded, knowing what could happen instinctively, and gave a reassuring look, holding her in his arms so she'd not fall to the floor, and said in a soft voice, "It's okay, we're in a hospital if you pass out. We're all here for you. Take a breath, calm down."
The group suddenly looked at Ruka, about to ask what the warning was all about, but didn't get the chance as Mami sneered and angrily asked, "Who are you to decide? I'm his former girlfriend...I have known him far longer than you. If anything, they should leave me in charge. I'm far better because—-"
"Why?! Since you're so in tune with his feelings? That you know just what to say? That you'll bring him comfort when he looks up? Whatever!" Mizuhara said as she walked into the waiting room, like a SWAT team member arriving on the scene, flanked by Sumi shaking from nervousness.
Immediately Ruka felt herself returning to stable levels. Even though she was still at high levels, she felt herself calming quickly, but was being extra vigilant in pulling out her phone to check her pulse and saw it at 120.
Everyone smiled and said they were relieved Mizuhara was here to Mami's great annoyance. Ruka smiled and said she was happy to see her and grateful she came.
Mizuhara sat down next to Ruka and asked, "How you holding up? Can I get you something to eat? You may be here a while."
Ruka smiled and felt relieved and thanked Mizuhara again for coming and said, "It's Sunday and the cafeteria is closed. The gift shop only has some candy, but I'd love a blueberry muffin. Unfortunately, all of the delis in the area are closed on Sunday. Do you want to see Kazuya?"
Mami rolled her eyes, sneered, and stood up, about to say something to Mizuhara when she jumped up saying, "Whatever you're about to say, don't say it! Don't. I have zero patience right now and the only thing keeping me from really going off on you is that I am here with this group of people."
Mami felt a huge challenge from someone whom she felt great hatred towards and stayed standing, balling her fists.
Kobi smiled and said, "I'd listen to her Mami...don't push her. If she doesn't do something, Ruka will do something worse. "
Mami looked at Ruka, who again narrowed her eyes like a hawk about to swoop in on an unsuspecting field mouse. Ruka then slowly reached into her bag, and while Mami was the only one who could see it, and brandished the top of the bottle of Coco Cola.
Kuri looked to the girls who nodded and said, "They're not going to hold her back a second time."
Mami looked back with a great amount of fear and caution as she sat down.
Mizuhara looked back to Ruka and said,"I'm sure we'll find something to eat. Relax. Oh! I wanted to introduce my friend Sumi—"
Mizuhara looked around and saw that Sumi had disappeared and few moments later came walking back into the main room and went over to Ruka. She held in her hand a bag of Hostess mini blueberry muffins and while looking away held them towards her like when she offered Kazuya ice cream at the bowling alley unable to speak. Sumi stood shaking, unsure if she was welcome.
Ruka blinked several times as she suddenly felt her pulse returning to a very stable level in the optimal range. She smiled as she stood up. Looking at Sumi happily she said, "...You must be Sumi. You got these for me? Thank you so much."
Sumi handed her the bag smiling and calming a little
Ruka smiled feeling better and gently asked, "Would you like to see Kazuya?"
Sumi looked back at her with innocence and a little trepidation and then gave the same smile moments after taking Kazuya's hand at the bowling alley and nodded. Ruka smiled again and softly told her to come with her. Sumi started to follow her and looked to Mizuhara with reservation who smiled and nodded. Sumi then held up a small yellow bag of mini Swedish Fish and smiled showing them to Mizuhara who smiled back. As they approached the door Ruka gave her the spare mask and pulled the one from the ambulance back up.
As they opened the door and went inside Ruka said, "You're pretty much the purest soul in the world, aren't you?"
From behind the mask, Sumi looked scared like Kazuya spoke to her on the street during their date, made a shocked noise from under the mask, and asked, "What do you mean?"
Ruka smiled and said, "You brought me these muffins and these Swedish Fish, which I am sure are for Kazuya, and didn't say a word. You just wanted to bring me comfort and we've never even met. There's just something about you which is very reassuring and calming. When this is all over I want to take you to breakfast or lunch. Something tells me you like pink lemonade over coffee."
Sumi was shocked and asked, "How did you know?!"
Ruka smiled under her mask and said, "Oh, it was a guess." It was just your orange and pinkish hair. However, I love sweet drinks over coffee any day. teas, lemonade, and such. Now I love blueberry muffins too. Here, try one... I insist."
Sumi held her hand out with trepidation and, after receiving one, took down her mask and smiled ear to ear after eating it. Ruka smiled and gave her a second one before eating one herself. Kazuya was still coming out of the anesthesia, but starting to move and looked up. Both girls quickly put their masks back up and looked towards Kazuya as they slowly came to his bed.
Smiling, he said, "Ruka... I knew I smelled a blueberry muffin. I feel like I am in a steam room from the anesthesia. Who's with you? Oh my God! Sumi-chan! You came to see me? I have two angels visiting me."
Ruka smiled, as Sumi turned the color of her hair and said, "She brought you something too. Look."
Sumi held up the bag of mini Swedish fish and Kazuya smiled, saying, "I'm not supposed to eat anything right now, but I suppose one couldn't hurt. I can't really move as I am still numb."
Smiling Sumi slowly brought a little fish over to Kazuya who ate it as she dropped it into his open mouth.
Sumi laughed and Ruka said, "He's just like a dolphin at an aquarium."
"I love dolphins," Sumi said smiling.
"Now I know what kind of gift I'm going to give you as a thanks for being here when I needed people the most," Ruka said with a smile. Sumi smiled and said she didn't need to get her anything, but thanked her nonetheless.
Ruka held up her phone recording and told Kazuya to tell everyone how he feels and what happened. Kazuya relayed the details from the moment they hid behind the lamppost to arrival. Sumi stood shocked and looked relieved as she heard the story's ending with his recovery. Sitting down while Kazuya continued to wake up and relax Ruka told the story of the thugs in the alley having heard only a few details from Kazuya about her encounter that day. Sumi told her what happened and agreed the biggest creep was the one in the black shirt. Ruka shook her head at bonding over something like that, but said blueberry muffins were a better start. She made a date to meet Sumi for breakfast tomorrow morning. The two spoke about little things for the next 45 minutes or so as Sumi opened up more until a knock at the door got their attention.
Opening the door, Ruka saw Grandmother Kinoshita and Kazuya's parents wearing the remaining three masks. Sumi bowed three times, and Ruka made a quick introduction, noting this was a close friend to Mizuhara and someone she felt was more than welcome to visit with Kazuya. All three bowed to Sumi, who once again changed the color of her hair. Walking outside to give Kazuya privacy with his family, the two of them showed everyone the video. The group allowed Mami to view it feeling again while they didn't like her presence, it wasn't their place to tell her to leave. Mizuhara was shocked and hugged Ruka hard as she'd suddenly started crying. Kobi and Kuri took off due to a wink from Kuri saying he needed help with his cell phone. Kobi followed and, after being gone for a few minutes, returned and tapped Mizuhara on the shoulder, who excused herself to follow them. Ruka sat and wiped the last of her tears away as her phone rang and her parents told her they were pulling into the parking lot.
Once around the corner, Kuri smiled, and said, "Here, this is for you."
Kuri looked both ways and smiled again as he handed her a fresh mask.
"W-where did you get this?!" Mizuhara asked with excitement as she tried to calm herself.
"Shhhh. They only gave Ruka four masks, and since Sumi received the extra, we wanted to get you one, "Kobi said.
"That's very nice, but how did you get it? They are in short supply," Mizuhara said.
"Oh simple...Kobi here flirted with a nurse wheeling a cart of supplies and I swiped it when she wasn't looking. We'd have done it for Sumi too. We figured if she's here with you surely she's someone you trust," Kuri said while checking around the corner to see if the nurse found them.
Mizuhara hugged both guys thanking them.
Returning with Kobi and Kuri Mizuhara smiled at her holding her mask as Ruka smiled under hers feeling Mizuhara must have gotten one from a nurse by asking politely. Kazuya's friends all nodded happily as she put the mask on. Mami was furious and stormed out having been snubbed twice in a row.
Inside Kazuya's room his parents and grandmother spoke to him happy he was okay and saying all was well and they'd make sure his fish are fed. Kazuya smiled and said he could think of someone he could call upon for that task when there was a knock at the door.
Grandmother Kinoshita said, "Come in, come in please."
Mizuhara came in wearing a mask followed by Ruka. Everyone in the room was happy to see Mizuhara as she bowed and greeted everyone. They did the same and bowed to her as well when Mizuhara volunteered to feed Kazuya's fish while he was recovering. Kazuya's father handed Mizuhara his spare key to Kazuya's unit.
Kazuya spoke now more lucidly, saying, "The doctors tell me my skin will likely heal quicker than normally expected and they wish to keep me for observation for 1-2 days." They said I was lucky the grass was wet as it likely saved me from a longer path to recovery. "
Grandmother Kinoshita and Kazuya's parents left the room, along with Ruka, to give Kazuya and Mizuhara some privacy.
"You have a great group of friends you know that? I can see why you like them. Don't tell anyone, but it was Kuri and Kobi who distracted a nurse which got me this mask. Ruka only got four and Sumi was so nice to her...she invited her in giving her the sole extra mask. Sumi is a sweet soul and got Ruka the mini-muffins just because she heard her say it was something she wanted. She just wanted to make Ruka feel better since she was concerned about you. If you come across any nice guys make sure to get them to me for her," Mizuhara said from behind her mask.
"Yeah, they are great. I'd gladly do the same for them," Kazuya said.
Mizuhara agreed saying that's why like him for sure. Mizuhara said she'd be happy to care for his fish and said she had a request. Kazuya agreed and asked what did she wish.
"I'm gonna buy a box of Twinkies. Ruka gave me an improvised lesson her condition, but I want to invite your friends back to your place and have Ruka give a presentation...after all your girlfriend should be all the more familiar with your circle of friends considering what they just witnessed. Don't worry, I'll be sure to save you a pair and leave them in your cupboard. I should grab some soy milk," Mizuhara said.
Kazuya smiled and gave full permission before urged Mizuhara to come closer. Mizuhara smiled and leaned in closer to better hear Kazuya who said he was extremely grateful they had gotten close otherwise his parents likely wouldn't have known what was going on for at least another hour, thanked her for bringing Sumi, and overall was joyous she came. Kazuya finished by saying any guy she sends to her for Sumi would have to be an angel too. From behind her mask Mizuhara smiled broadly and said to rest up.
Meanwhile Dr. Humana retrieved the empty syringe from the "patient's possessions box" along with Kazuya's locked cell phone to bring to him. Finding Kazyua's parents he brought them to an office and shut the door.
Dr. Humana,"Your son is very brave. I am glad he is with Ruka, but I am sure he's going to have muscular damage too. He did some pretty heavy lifting, but he'll be okay."
Mrs. Kinoshita, "Yes, he told us he used her adrenaline. That must have been something."
Dr. Humana, "Actually that wasn't adrenaline, it was saline...the same stuff in an IV bag. Well, there is a very small percentage of adrenaline in the saline, enough to hopefully trick the mind. "
Mr. Kinoshita, "What do you mean 'trick the mind'?"
Dr. Humana, "Kazuya has seen too many action movies. Scientists have found out what is actually happening in the moment of an adrenaline rush, a.k.a. 'hysterical strength.' Under immense stress, your body assembles for robust activity. The adrenal gland pumps adrenaline into the blood, and your muscles surge with oxygen, igniting your system with energy.
The brain's 'fight-or-flight' reaction detonates and rushes the body with proteins and enzymes to fuel endurance. We preserve this strength for a reason. Though scientific understanding is still limited, many researchers believe we keep such a reserve of unharnessed strength predominantly for safety reasons. When pushing our bodies to the limit, we create the potential risk for tears in muscle tissue, ligaments, tendons, et cetera. Creating such a risk in times other than life or death is evolutionarily unwise.
The body pulls out all the stops and lets you turn up the dial to 11. You don't feel the ache of your muscles. You don't feel the pain. You just do what needs to be done. In other words..."
Mr. Kinoshita said, "It is like taking 'a shot of adrenaline to the arm' from a needle."
Dr. Humana, "Yes, it was all in his mind, well most of it. Scientifically, it all happened, but it was not from the shot itself. Little Ruka has it for the same reason...the body can do amazing things when we allow it to believe it can. She was initially given a dose of real adrenaline and her little heart pumped too much power to her body and she had to be brought to this very ER. She has since been given a much lower dosage. Would it have worked on her to prevent her from passing out? We hope so, but we feel it would be more 'mind over matter.' You're familiar with the story of the woman who lifted a 1350kg (approx 3000lb) car off her child when she saw he was in pain? It's an urban legend. There are variations of it with a mother in Canada fighting off a polar bear to save her child, the mother in the US lifting a car off her child, in old Europe lifting wagons, and here now is a new legend of which your son will be part. It is legend, but with legend there is usually some reality. Kazuya didn't lift the entire bike, but he did lift enough to free Ruka. He couldn't do it moments before and the 'shot of adrenaline' surely helped him believe he could do it. Keep this 'amazing feat' our little secret, after all we shouldn't make his heroics seem any less because medically I feel they're completely true, just not a result of a shot. While the story of him doing it on all his own is exciting the part about the shot is already firmly now part of the story. Let's make sure it stays that way."
Mr. & Mrs. Kinoshita smiled and thanked Dr. Humana and said they can't wait to hear the story from Kazuya once he's fully back on his feat knowing they'll likely get a physical reenactment too.
Outside in the waiting room Mr. & Mrs. Sarashina arrived and after they were done speaking with Ruka Dr. Humana approached them as a family.
"I'm rather glad you're all here," Dr. Humana said while smiling.
"Why is that?" Mr. Sarshina asked.
"There is a study starting soon, which I wanted to ask if Ruka would wish to take part in, which could greatly improve her life," Dr. Humana answered with a smile.
Ruka smiled and asked Dr. Humana what he meant.