Chapter Four: The Miracle
Disclaimer: I do not own Clannad
Kyou takes Tomoya and Kotomi to the hospital's cafeteria to discuss Ryou's condition. She then tells them more details regarding her life during the past seven years.
Kyou's P.O.V.
Kyou: Good Evening you two. The reason I wanted to talk to you two is to inform you about Ryou's condition.
Tomoya: Can you tell us if she's doing better please.
Kyou: Well I can't say her condition has improved, but there are signs that she might be improving. Last night when I came to visit her she slightly moved her finger two times. When the nurse came to check up on her I told her that Ryou moved her finger slightly two times.
Tomoya: What did the nurse tell you, Kyou?
Kyou: She told me that it's possible she is regaining some of her moving functions. A neurologist came in to check on her condition this afternoon. The neurologist said that its possible Ryou can awaken at any moment because she is slowly regaining her moving functions.
Tomoya: That's good I want to see Ryou smile again. After what I did by isolating myself from you all I know Ryou probably needed someone to talk to during those difficult times.
Kyou: Its ok Tomoya what matters is that you're here with us now. What happened in the past will forever stay in the past.
Tomoya: I'm going to be real honest with you Kyou. So please listen to what I have to say.
Tomoya: I know I was such an annoying delinquent especially to your sister. I would always come late to school, and your sister would come to scold me, and to persuade me to come early to school. You would come angry and scold me for making Ryou sad. Honestly I can't say I regret doing that, but then again I do regret not being able to make good decisions.
Kyou: What do you mean Tomoya?
Tomoya: I'm going to tell something dark about my past that only Nagisa knew. Back when I was a first year freshman in high school I was the star captain of the basketball team. However one day I got into a real bad argument with my dad and he got furious and punched my right shoulder. He ended up breaking the bones around my right shoulder, and despite getting surgery it was never fully healed because the damage was very severe. That is the reason I can't lift my right arm high anymore. Ever since that dreadful day living with my dad has become painful because we were practically strangers. I would always go to the top of the hill on the east side of town and just reflect on why my life was so full of suffering.
Tomoya: However it wasn't until I met Nagisa for the first time that my life changed. Seeing her beautiful face and those honey colored eyes changed my life. The moment I saw her I knew my life was going to change for the better. Kyou you pretty much know the rest. However during those 5 years where I was isolated from everyone because of Nagisa's death I honestly felt lonely, and afraid of dying of loneliness. Afterward I quit my job and tended to Ushio's needs. I feel like life is toying with me because just when I started to form a family, both of my loved ones were taken away from me.
Kyou: I know how you feel Tomoya. Before I met you I had family problems with our parents, and consequently me and Ryou moved out of the house. We still talk to our parents from time to time, but the trust that was once there is no longer there. The reason why we moved was because our father was hitting Ryou because she got one failing grade. I managed to save Ryou from any more harm and took her to my apartment that I secretly bought with my savings from working at various places in town.
After talking for a bit Kotomi, Tomoya,and Kyou head back to Ryou's room. Tomoya after much pondering on what he should do regarding Ryou's condition finally makes a decision.
Tomoya's P.O.V.
Tomoya: Kyou and Kotomi I would like to talk to Ryou alone. Would it be okay with you two?
Kyou: Sure go ahead Tomoya. I know how you must feel.
Kotomi: Tomoya-kun I'll be waiting outside when you're done, and also take your time.
Tomoya goes inside the room and is amazed to see Ryou still have short hair and look very beautiful as well. He pulls up a chair to her bed, sits next to her, and gently holds Ryou's hands while talking to her.
Tomoya: Wow, you're still as beautiful as when I first sawyou Ryou. If you can hear me Ryou please listen to what I have to say. I'm so sorry for isolating myself from you and every one of my friends. Kyou told me you went through some tough times before we met, and also during the time I was isolated. I didn't mean to leave you or any one of my friends, but the pain of losing Nagisa was too much for me. Seeing you all happy while I was suffering made me realize you all were better off without me around. However, now I realized how foolish I was for making a selfish decision. Your happiness and every one of my friends happiness was the solution to my ordeal. I love seeing your beautiful smile, the way you blush when I tell you something cute, and I also miss your warm hugs. Those five years in solitude made me ponder about my life, and how I ruined it.
Tomoya: … Please Ryou! Please awaken from your coma. I can't stand this agony and seeing you in your current state. I want to see you smile again, having fun times with our friends, and spending time together. Don't leave alone, I beg you!
Tomoya lays his head on Ryou's bed and uncontrollably let's all his tears out. At that moment Tomoya feels something strange about Ryou. After he wipes his tears to take a better look he is shocked to see Ryou wide awake and petting his hair.
Ryou's P.O.V.
Ryou: It's been a long seven years Tomoya. I missed you a lot. She happily smiles at him.
Tomoya: Ryou! Please forgive me for being so selfish!
Ryou: It's ok Tomoya. All I care about now is that you're back with us. When Kyou told me that you left somewhere else after she talked to the Furakawa's I was really sad. You didn't even say good bye, and that hurt me because you were my close friend.
Tomoya: I promise to never leave you, Kyou, Kotomi and Tomoyo alone anymore. I felt so lonely during those five isolated years, but I did because I didn't want to lose another loved one.
Ryou: Don't worry after I get out of the hospital I promise to cook you your favorite meal. Also if you want you can come live with us. Kyou's cousin is a landlord of the apartments where we live. You can talk to her and see if you can get a room.
Tomoya: I'll think about it. Right now I lost my apartment, but I am living at Kotomi's house.
Ryou: How did you lose your apartment?
Tomoya: Oh well about that…Umm I quit my job to spend more time with Ushio.
Ryou: I assume you had enough savings to maintain your apartment for a while. Well despite that I'm anxious to see Ushio.
Tomoya: Hold on Ryou about that...you won't be able to see Ushio. Tomoya holds Ryou's hands and lets out some tears.
Ryou: What's wrong, Tomoya? Wait please don't tell me…
Tomoya: Yes, sadly Ushio past away about a week ago. She insisted in going on a trip so I had no choice but to taker her. About 3 blocks down from our apartment, Ushio could not handle the pain and she fell to my arms saying "I love you daddy", as her last words.
After talking with Ryou, Tomoya calls the nurse and tells her Ryou has awoken from the coma. Kotomi and Kyou talk to Ryou also. Having spent the entire evening at the hospital, Tomoya decides to spend the night at Ryou's room.
Tomoya's P.O.V.
Tomoya: Ryou are you still awake?
Ryou: Yea. How come?
Tomoya: It's wonderful to hear you will be medically clear from the hospital in 2 days. The neurologist said the data he got from the check up today was very positive. He was amazed to see you fully recovered.
Ryou: I guess you could say it was miracle because you words had so much energy that came from the heart that it managed to break through the coma barrier I suppose. I was still studying to become a nurse so there's some stuff I may not know.
Tomoya: Why don't you go to sleep, Ryou. You've had a long day and I bet you're tired.
Ryou: You're right, but can you rest your head on my chest. I want to be close to you Tomoya.
Tomoya: Sure Ryou just close your eyes and I'll take care of you.
Ryou: Alright, and before I go to sleep there's somewhere I'd like to go with you the rest of our friends after I leave the hospital. It's a secret for now, but you'll love it. Well Good Night Tomoya.
With that Tomoya spends the following two nights at Ryou's hospital room. During those two days both Ryou and Tomoya talked about their lives and what they plan to do after. After Ryou was medically cleared from the hospital Tomoya and the others went to the city park to have a picnic. The feelings Ryou used to have for Tomoya are slowly beginning to develop again.