After a few days of being in the psychiatric ward, Kazuya began to better understand what he would have to do in order to be released. When they offered him medication, instead of refusing it as he had done before and getting it by needle instead, he found that if he accepted the medication that he could tuck the pill between his cheek and gum and then spit it out later. He also made it a point to be much more passive and agreeable and eventually, the staff removed his restraints and he was allowed to walk about the unit with more freedom. When the staff insisted that because of his illness it was important to continue to take the medications, he nodded in agreement and feigned concern about the status of his mental health. His careful control of his behavior paid off and within a week, the doctors were contemplating discharging him from the unit. Lisa however, was not so optimistic.
"I don't know." Lisa's tone was doubtful. "I mean, yeah he's not agitated anymore, but he's still got a lot of negative symptoms – the being withdrawn, flat, impoverished and all."
"That may be all we can do for someone like him," Dr. Goldberg replied. "You have to remember, if he's been having positive symptoms since the age of 5, his schizophrenia will always be difficult to treat. Remittance of the positive symptoms may be the best we can accomplish for him, and he has been compliant with his treatment."
"I just don't think that the odds of him following up once he's discharged are very good," she added. "I mean, he doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who would go regularly to see a psychiatrist, especially in light of his lack of a permanent residence."
Dr. Goldberg shrugged. "What can we do? We can't justify keeping him against his will any longer. The state of New York only has two criteria for involuntary admission to a hospital – danger to self or danger to others. He's not demonstrating either anymore so we really can't make a case to hold him."
"I suppose," she said, frowning. "But I don't have a good feeling about this."
"Welcome to practicing psychiatry in New York City," he joked.
Sitting Kazuya down in her office, Lisa informed him of her Attending's decision for his departure. "You could be discharged as early as tomorrow," she said. "We'll give you a prescription and you can follow up outpatient in our clinic until you can find a regular psychiatrist." She studied his face closely for his reaction.
"I understand. Thank you." His demeanor was still impassive.
Pausing momentarily, she asked, "Kazuya, do you really believe you have a mental illness?"
"I didn't before, but I do now." Faking a smile, he added for good measure, "You've all helped me so much and I'm extremely grateful."
She didn't believe him for a moment, but knew she was in no position to do anything about it. "Alright. We'll give you your prescription and a copy of your discharge summary tomorrow morning. Would you like us to call Jun for you and ask her to pick you up?"
"Please, I'd really appreciate it." He managed another small smile.
"Okay, I guess that's it then." Motioning to the door, she opened it for him.
"Thank you, Doctor." Standing up, he quietly left the room.
Picking up the phone, Lisa dialed Jun's hotel room. "Jun? Dr. Yanagi."
"Hello. Is Kazuya alright?"
"Yes he's perfectly fine. In fact I just wanted to give you some news. He'll be discharged from the hospital tomorrow morning. I thought you might want to come and get him." Lisa scrawled her signature on his prescription and dated it in advance for tomorrow.
"Oh, that would be wonderful! Thank you so much!" Her voice resonated with relief.
"One more thing," she amended. "It's not uncommon for patients to go off their medications and to forget to follow up with their doctor. He may need your help to do that."
"I understand. Thank you."
"Not a problem. I'll see you tomorrow." Hanging up, she turned to her computer and began typing her discharge summary.
Outside her office, Kazuya waited until he heard her hang up and casually walked to his room. Stupid girl, he thought contemptuously.
You know she helped them to keep you here.
"Yes," he mumbled, after checking to see that no one was around. Gritting his teeth, he tried to calm the rising fury he felt towards Jun. Being angry was preferable to feeling hurt and betrayed.
She has turned against you, given them information that they could use to keep you prisoner here. I told you before that she would cause problems for you. Now you see that I was right.
"Yes." He sighed with resignation and bristled as he heard a staff member walk by his room. When he couldn't hear his footsteps any longer, he allowed himself to relax.
She will try to convince you that she is innocent, that she was only trying to help you. It is a lie. Do not believe her. She is in alliance with them and believes you to be dangerous. You must separate yourself from her. It is the only way.
Though the thought made him incredibly unhappy, Kazuya knew that his otherworldly protector was right. "I will." It was comforting to have his friend back.
I am the only one you can trust. All others will betray you.
Jun nervously waited outside the hospital for Kazuya to come out. When he finally did emerge, she ran to engulf him in a hug and was stunned when he made no attempt to do the same. "Kazuya! Are you alright? I was so worried."
He looked at her, unmoved as his eyes bored into her. "Yes, I bet you were."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean!" he snapped. "You conspired with them to keep me there! How could you turn on me like that?"
Mortified, she took a step backwards. "Kazuya, that's ridiculous. I just wanted to make sure you were okay!"
"You told them things, didn't you? About me. I know you did." He glared at her from underneath knitted brows.
Trying not to let her guilt show, she averted her eyes. "It was just so that they could better help you."
"Liar!" he screamed. The passerby on the street turned to look at him curiously at his outburst. "You plotted to keep me there!" he hissed angrily.
Staring at him in disbelief, she cried, "You can't possibly believe that. That's crazy!"
Clenching his fists, he spat, "Yes, everyone's made it quite clear that they think I'm crazy. I just never thought you would buy into their lies." For a moment, the anger vanished and was replaced by sadness. "I thought you cared about me, Jun." He sounded so wounded. "I – I thought you loved me."
Fighting back a flood of tears, she reached for him. "Kazuya, I do love you! I care about you more than anything!"
Slipping out of her grasp, his harsh unforgiving expression returned. "No you don't, and I was stupid for trusting you."
"You don't mean that," she begged. Without answering, he hailed a cab and stonily motioned for her to get inside. Not wanting to upset him further, she meekly climbed in as he told the driver where to go. Upon reaching their room, Kazuya gathered his few things while Jun waited nervously to see what he would do next.
Shouldering his pack, he handed her his bank card. "I'll start a new account with my winnings from the tournament. You can use whatever's left until you can sort something out." When she didn't take it, he shrugged and tossed it on the floor.
As she stared at the card, all she could think was that this couldn't be happening. It felt like the worst nightmare she could ever possibly experience was being enacted in her waking life right in front of her. Feeling faint, her knees buckled underneath her and she crumpled to the ground. Too stunned to cry, she whispered, "Kazuya…you're the only person…I have left."
He swiftly turned his back on her, willing himself not to falter in his decision as his demon berated him further.
Will you be weak and fall prey to her lies again? End this. Leave now and never look back. She has no part with us.
Though it tore his heart to walk out without meeting her eyes, he didn't want to risk wavering. Setting his jaw, he softly muttered, "Goodbye, Jun," and resolutely strode out the door.
It took her a minute to finally register that he was all too serious about leaving her forever. When the finality of his action sank in, she bolted to the nearest elevator and banged the button furiously, praying it would come. After ten seconds, she couldn't wait any longer and flew down the stairs to the lobby just in time to see Kazuya about to walk out the door.
At the concierge desk, Lei was preparing to check out when he caught sight of Kazuya exiting the building. What drew his full attention was that he was alone and Lei could almost feel the anger that radiated out of him. His distraction was interrupted by the hotel manager's voice. "And here's your card, Mr. Lei. We hope to see you back here soon."
"Oh, uh, thank you," he answered with an absent smile.
"KAZUYA!"
Everyone in the lobby, including Kazuya involuntarily turned to look at the young girl racing towards him. Collecting himself, Kazuya turned and was about to step into the revolving doors when Jun pulled him back by his arm.
"Kazuya, look at me!" she begged.
If it will break you to look, then do not. Leave. Now. Do as I say, boy!
Viciously shaking off her arm, he flatly answered without looking behind him. "Be a lady, Jun. Don't make a scene." Exiting the hotel, within seconds he had slid inside a cab and was lost among the thousands of taxis that ferried the city's population.
Jun felt frozen to the spot, trying to come to terms with the fact that she was devoid of family, friends, or even a familiar face in a foreign country where she didn't speak the language and the very real possibility that she would never see Kazuya again. Overwhelmed, she finally did lose consciousness and collapsed.
Running to her side, Lei picked up the unconscious girl and asked which room was hers. When they'd given him the information, he pushed the up button to the elevator with his elbow and waited. Looking at her face, he was startled to find that she had gone completely white. When the elevator doors finally opened, he shot a warning glance at some impatient patrons who attempted to get on as well and growled, "Get the next one." Upon reaching her room, he saw that she hadn't bothered to close the door so he walked in and laid her on the bed. At this point he'd never make his flight back to Hong Kong in time. JFK International Airport was simply too far away. As the point was now moot, he pulled up a chair and sat next to Jun and waited for her to come to.
