"She was too tired so Dr. Mitsui told her to end early," Mihoko informed him matter-of-factly as they finished up.
"Hm." Kousaku did not look up from the head he was bandaging. "Observe him for 24 hours. If his status changes inform me."
"Are you even listening?" She leaned over the treatment bed to glare at him. He paused in his work and stared straight back. Luckily the room was empty – for the moment. Kousaku turned to leave without another word and luckily a nurse came in, allowing Mihoko to chase after him.
"Aizawa, just wait for a moment!"
He stopped, sighed and turned around. His face seemed unusually pale in fluorescent lighting. Mihoko briefly wondered if he too was suffering in some way – and then cut the thought.
"She told me to forget what happened, that it was a mistake. It's not my fault if she can't take her own advice." He said coldly.
"And you believe that?" Mihoko folded her arms over her chest and glared at him severely. "Do you think it was a mistake?"
"What I think is irrelevant."
"And you looking for her is irrelevant as well, I suppose?" Mihoko pretended to study her fingernails, knowing it irked him when his words were challenged. "Face it, Aizawa. You let it happen because you wanted it to happen. Now you're just feeling guilty because she's trying to deny it, but you're not guilty because it happened, are you?" She would have come right up to him and poked him in the chest if she believed he'd let her get away with it, but as it was she didn't think he could be pushed much further than he already has.
"You should apply a transfer to the psychology clinic," Kousaku replied without flinching. "Don't pretend you know me, Hiyama."
"Fine. You're impossible," Mihoko threw her hands up. "Do what you like. But I'm trying to be a good friend here. You guys are a good team, and I'd hate to see it fall apart just because of this."
"That'd make two of us," He said bitterly and turned heel and left without looking back.
Mihoko took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. It suddenly occurred to her that they weren't really keeping their voices down. Ah, the waiting area was empty at this hour anyway.
Behind a pillar, Saejima Haruka still held her breath in.
******************************
Megumi reached into her handbag and found her house keys – well to be accurate it was keys to her parents' home. Her father had invited her home for dinner, and Megumi had practically jumped at the idea. Anything to take her mind off… things. The past two days she had calmed down somewhat but being in close proximity to Kousaku still made her stomach flip. At least she wasn't tripping over nonexistent things at the mere mention of his name.
So when the director suggested she take a few days off, she agreed without resistance. Her father had been asking her to come home and this would be a good chance to… reconnect with him. Ever since his injury during the plane crash she had tried to bond with her father, but he made her put her job first before anything else. She understood – her father had his pride and that pride did not allow him to be pitied – not even by his own daughter. So she complied, but it didn't stop her from worrying. And that worry was what eventually lead to –
"Stop." She almost barked at herself, forcing her thoughts to backtrack from whatever path it was on. "Don't think about him today."
"Darling!" Her mother, Shiraishi Natsuki squealed with joy when she came in. "You're home! Why didn't you call us? Your father's inside with a guest."
"A guest?" Megumi shrugged off her coat and hung it on the coat hook by the door. "Someone we know?"
"Oh, I'm sure you know him," Her mother smiled mysteriously and Megumi frowned as she followed her mother into the living area. Her father was sitting in the armchair talking with a man who had his back to her, but his very silhouette made her heart leap. It can't be…
Hirofumi caught sight of his daughter and his face broke into a wide smile. "Ah, here she is! Dear, I'm sure you know who this is?"
Megumi was rooted to the spot as the man rose and turned around to face her. She blinked to clear her vision to ascertain she wasn't hallucinating and breathlessly asked;
"Yuusuke-sempai?"
Miles away, Kousaku looked at the number on the screen of his cell phone. Megumi's number. His finger hovered over the 'call' button. He had already thought of the words. All he had to do is say them to her –
And then he thought against it. He shouldn't be too hasty. With an almost regretful sigh he closed his cellphone and slipped it back into his pocket. He can deal with this some other time.