I watched with mild interest as the home doctor conversed with Miss Amakata in the doorway of the boy's hotel room. Yes, I was still bedridden in the room that was not my own. Hopefully with any luck, the doctor will give me the okay to get out of here.
Makoto and the rest have been pretty persistent in keeping me in Haru's bed for fear that I might have broken something in my fall on the staircase.
But apart from the dull ache in my ribcage and my ankle I didn't think my injuries were serious enough for everyone to be concerning themselves over.
I sighed and rolled onto my back, ignoring the discomfort it caused me. My gaze flicked up to the white ceiling above. I hope they'll let me out today, I'm fed up with being stuck in this bed.
Don't get me wrong, it was actually pretty comfy here; more so than my own bed strangely enough.
And it didn't smell half bad either. Usually the scent of chlorine would make my stomach recoil in disgust, but mixed with the faintness of a lingering cologne and another scent I could only familiarise with the smell of on-coming rain, it was surprisingly comforting.
I almost wanted to bundle these sheets up and take them to my own bed. But alas, I think Haruka might have something to say about that...
It's been three days since the staircase incident and the aromatic scent of the sheets has dwindled down considerably, but it was still present enough for even my sense of smell to pick up.
The sound of flicking paper caught my attention and I turned my attention back to the doorway, green eyes widening in surprise to see the doctor standing a few feet away from the bed.
When did he get there and how on earth hadn't I noticed?!
I quickly sat up, digging my elbows into the plush mattress to propel myself forward. I glanced up at the man expectantly, waiting with bated breath for him to finish scribbling whatever he was putting down on the paper.
Hopefully all good things...
The man forcefully dotted the end of his sentence and clicked the pen before placing it in his breast pocket. Our eyes met and I swallowed nervously. His eyes were as dark as the richest soil on earth, his grey-flecked hair combed back and out of his face.
I stared diligently at the rims of his half-moon glasses, unable to look him in the eye anymore. I could already guess what he was going to say.
I'm going to be confined to this bed for the rest of the stay in this hotel. I'll never be able to wander outside, or join the others for a late afternoon stroll after practice is over.
...I wonder if I'll be allowed to walk to the toilet on my own? Or will people still be subjected to helping me everywhere I need to go?
I hope not...everyone may be insisting that they don't mind helping me now, but by the end of the week I know they'll start to resent me for it.
And what about Haruka? I'm sure he's seething about the fact that he's permanently lost his bed for the duration of this trip. For the last few nights I've seen him sharing Makoto's bed, but I'm sure it's extremely cramped and uncomfortable for two grown men to share a single bed...
Of course, Haru could always take Nagisa's bed since the blonde's tried on more than one occasion to sneak into my (Haru's) bed, claiming he couldn't sleep and wanted something to cuddle.
Makoto was never too happy about it...neither was Rei; and speaking of the butterfly swimmer, I could tell that he's not happy about the sleeping arrangements.
Every time I speak a word to the guy – which is not often – he practically jumps out of his skin and turn as red as a cherry. I can't blame him though. I'm not exactly pleased about sharing a room with four boys either.
Although one of them is my cousin, it's still a little unnerving. If Makoto wasn't with me I probably would've dragged myself down that hallway and away from this room with or without the teacher's consent.
My train of thought had gone off course, but it was quickly dragged back on track when the doctor suddenly began speaking.
"I-I'm sorry, what was that?"
The doctor sighed at my clueless look and repeated his conclusion.
"I said, Miss Tachibana, that you're free to move now," My jaw went slack at his words. That's not the answer I'd been expecting, but I was more than happy to accept it.
"With some conditions, of course." I was quickly cut off from any celebrating at the man's next words. My arms went limp and my shoulders sagged. Here we go, a set of rules to follow...
The doctor smiled at my deflation and tucked his clipboard under his arm, his earlier stony-faced demeanour quickly vanishing.
"There are no broken bones, but you have suffered a fair amount of bruising to your ribcage as well as a sprained ankle," I'd figured as much, I've always had weak ankles so it came as no surprise to me. "You're free to move around now, but try to limit any physical activities like running and jumping."
I gave a him a simple nod.
"That includes swimming." I felt my stomach knot up just at the mention of the sport.
I cast my gaze downwards, a small, somewhat bitter laugh escaping. "Don't worry, I could never swim."
The doctor eyed me curiously, though I didn't notice as my eyes were concentrated on the varnished floor beneath my bare feet.
I felt the bed sink to my right, throwing my balance off a little. I repositioned myself so I wouldn't fall over onto the man's lap. That's an embarrassing moment that I want to avoid at all costs...
"How is it that someone who doesn't swim is on a swimming practice trip?"
...Just how much did Miss Amakata spill to this person?
I gave a nervous chuckle and shrugged my shoulders. "I sort of...just happened to be dragged along, really."
"Mhm," The doctor hummed under his breath, scepticism clear in his voice. "And if you don't mind my asking, why is it that you don't swim?"
I blanched. I did mind actually, and I was really hoping he wouldn't ask,...but I guess it's inevitable when dealing with a person who's job is to ask questions.
Wringing my hands, I looked anywhere around the room but directly at him. This conversation was starting to become increasingly uncomfortable by the minute.
"I...I don't...like water. It-..." It what? It scares me? It annoys me? What was I possibly going to say that could correctly sum up my distaste of the one thing everyone in this town seemed to love?
I decided to keep quiet, my obvious silence not going unnoticed by the person beside me.
A moment passed before something was finally said, breaking the heavy atmosphere. "I'm no psychologist, but I can tell when something is affecting one of my patients," I watched as the man stood and moved to stand in front of me, the mattress springing back into it's regular shape once the weight was gone. "I told Miss Amakata that exhaustion was the cause of your sudden passing out, which is true.
But there's also something else, an underlying problem that's acting as a trigger. And I have a feeling you know what it is."
I gave the man a small, hesitant nod, only now just noticing my hands were shaking uncontrollably. I stuffed them in my lap and squeezed them tightly between my thighs in an attempt to hide it, but I'm sure it didn't go unseen.
The taste of copper flooded my mouth and I reluctantly swallowed the thick, hot liquid. I instinctively brought a hand up to my face, wondering what is was. I looked down at the splotches of dark red dusting my fingertips.
I'd been biting my bottom lip so hard without even realising that the skin broke. Green eyes flicked back to earthy brown as the doctor knelt in front of me, his gaze steady and stern. He was serious about this, that much I could tell.
I licked the remaining red from my lips and dropped my hand, glancing away from the steely stare.
"I won't ask what your connection to water is, I'm not that nosy," His expression softened ever so slightly, enough for me to be able to shift my gaze back to him. "But, I will say this. I once had a little sister, about your age."
"...What happened to her?" Guilt rose in my chest the moment those words left my mouth. I shouldn't have asked such a personal question! What was I thinking?
But the man simply smiled as he sat on the floor and continued. "Our parents took us to a water themed amusement park during the Summer when we were kids. There were tourists everywhere, and it didn't take long for my sister and I to get separated from each other.
Being the little tyke I was back then, I rejoiced in the fact that I wasn't held back by a tag-along anymore and didn't bother to look for her. I wasted away my time going on rides and playing small stand games. By the time I'd caught up with my parents again it was almost closing time.
They were furious that I'd left my little sister alone. When I found out what happened..." The doctor let out a quiet laugh, followed a soft shake of his head. "You should've seen my face when I was told she'd been pushed over the edge of the harbour."
An involuntary gasp sounded throughout the room, my hand flying up to cover my mouth in shock. "Did she...?"
The man in front of her shook his head again, strands of dark hair beginning to fall out of the neatly combed bunch. "No, she was alright. At least, she was physically. It didn't happen right away and no one had caught onto it.
My sister locked herself up in her room for a long time after that incident. It'd taken months of my parents coaxing her to come out before she'd finally given in and re-surfaced to the world. She was different after that...always quiet, always timid, always alone...it was almost like she'd become a frightened animal. She'd jump at the littlest things.
Especially when it included any body of water. She'd stopped taking baths and only ever took showers. She started avoiding the beach by walking through the city to get to school, even if it meant she got a detention for being late.
The aquarium used to be one of her favourite places to visit, but that too she started avoiding. My parents thought nothing of it for a long while, assuming she was just growing out of her love for water.
I too ignored the signs, and I ignored her as well. The guilt I felt for that day was easier to manage when I didn't have to face my little sister. So she became nothing but a part of the background to me. It went on like that for years...
Up until her second year of high school. It took us all by surprise...my parents were devastated and I was in denial."
"You mean..." I wrapped my arms around myself as a shuddering chill crept through my body, numbing me to the very core. The doctor swung his gaze my way, confirming my thoughts with a sullen nod.
"My parents blame me for it...and deep down I do too. She was suffering quietly for so long...lost and all alone. Dealing with the trauma by herself. My sister wanted to find peace, a safe haven from the dark thoughts she couldn't shake...she eventually found that peaceful place she'd been searching so hard for."
"I'm...s-so sorry..." My voice cracked under the strain of trying to speak. My throat felt too tight and my shoulders were trembling.
"It happened a long time ago." The man dismissed quietly. He suddenly stood up again, pushing off the floor and dusting his hands on his denim pants. He reached for the briefcase holding all his medical supplies, his large hand slipping around the cool, silver handle and hoisting it up.
"I-Is..." I cleared my throat as he turned to look back at me. Steadying my nerves, I flicked my eyes up to his own. "Is that why you became a doctor? To save others...in place of your sister?"
The man sent me a knowing smirk, turning his head down as he flicked the lid of his lighter. "You're a smart one, kid. But it's not the only reason...do me a favour, will you?"
I nodded quietly, signalling for him to continue. I was caught off-guard by the sudden intensity of his gaze landing on me again. His eyes were as hard as rock and as cold as ice, that once warm underlying tone now replaced by a steely resolve. He flicked shut the lighter in his hand and stashed it into the pocket of his coat, turning to face me completely; his burly shoulders blocking the light filtering through the doorway.
"Get some help, Miss Tachibana. There are only two roads people like you and my sister can take, there is no in between. Get the help you need, and choose the correct path before it's too late to turn back.
Because if you keep going the way you are now, no one will be able to save you."
With those words left hanging in the room, the doctor turned and made his exit, muttering a quick apology to someone on the other side of the wall before continuing on his way.
I sat there, motionless amongst the messy cream sheets. My mind felt cluttered with thoughts, but none of them I could hold onto long enough to make any sense of. They were like fish in a large pond, always slipping through the gaps of my fingers, unable to be caught.
My vision began to blur, my cheeks bathed in a warm, wet substance. I felt chilled to the bone, my limbs shaking in an uncontrollable fit even though I was numb to the temperature around me.
My breathing came out short and wispy, my lungs heaving with the effort it took. The little organ tucked away beneath my battered ribs fluttered unevenly as if it were trying to escape it's cage.
I was so caught up in myself that I didn't even notice the person making their way across the floor towards the bathroom.
He watched with a somewhat muddled expression, obviously not sure what to do in such a situation. After much hesitation the sound of the bathroom door closed with a soft click, though it fell on deaf ears.
The side of my head met with something soft, the remnants of warmth clinging to it. I inhaled deeply, realising it was a pillow.
Haruka's pillow, to be exact. I could tell by the smell. Realisation suddenly dawned on me. I was still in the boys room; in Haru's bed.
I'd been so lost in thought I'd momentarily forgotten where I was. What if someone came in and saw me in such a state? What would they think?
What would I say?
I quickly wiped my face on the sleeve of my pyjama shirt, staining the cotton. I buried my face in the pillow, sweeping my arms up and underneath it before rolling onto my stomach and hugging it to me with all the force I had.
It'd been so long since I'd cried over the accident.
...But was it the accident I was even crying over? Or was it the story of the doctor's little sister?
I just didn't know anymore, maybe it was both...or maybe it was because of something else entirely.
The material pressed to my face began to feel cold and wet, chasing away the rest of the heat within it. I lifted my head enough to peak at the pillow, seeing smeared, salty water marks across white.
Why...?
Why am I so weak? What good will crying do? Why can't...
...Why can't I stop these tears?
They just keep flowing...
I can't do anything right...
I'm so weak...I'm...
Maybe that doctor's right? Maybe I should get help...but how? I don't have any money, my parents have left me...everyone's left me. I'm all alone.
No one can help.
You told me to get help, doctor. But how can I...
When there is no one to help me...?
. . .
I drifted in and out of sleep for the rest of the day; the same murky dream recurring while I slept, and my thoughts clouded and indecipherable while I was awake.
It was before dawn when I finally decided that getting up was better than going through the same cycle for the next three or so hours.
I removed the sheets from on top of me and swung my legs over the side of the bed, bare feet meeting with the cool, smooth wooden floor. Standing, the bed let out the tiniest of squeaks as the springs adjusted to having no weight on them anymore.
I stood frozen to my spot as the room fell into silence once more, a slight snort coming from Nagisa's general direction.
Tip-toeing, I made my way to the door and closed it softly behind me. The hallway was dark, save for one flickering LED light hanging above.
I took the stairs slowly, the height between each step slightly awkward on my sprained ankle. With one last clumsy step down I made it to the first floor. Brownie points to me for not landing flat on my face a second time.
The vending machine was around the corner and past the reception desk if I remember correctly. I followed the route I was fairly certain I should be taking, relieved to see I'd been right.
I moved around the cluster of tables and chairs littered throughout the small space. The light pouring from the snack machine was bright enough to illuminate my way, so I didn't need to worry about tripping on anything unseen in the dark.
Pulling a small pouch from the pocket of my pyjama pants, I began counting out the amount of yen I'd need for a bottle of iced tea.
Darn it! Looks like I'm 100 yen short...
I searched the insides of my pockets thoroughly, hoping to find a spare coin tucked away in the corners. No such luck...maybe someone left yen lying around here?
Determined to get my iced tea I scouted the room, hoping for a little bit of luck. I checked the chairs, the tables, the various shelving and even the floor, all for a little yen.
"Nothing..." I sighed miserably before sitting back on my legs, wiping the collected sweat from my brow. Searching for money was more of a workout than I'd thought it to be. Who knew? Maybe I'm just disgustingly unfit?
...Yeah, that's probably it.
"...What are you doing?"
A shrill shriek crawled up my throat and escaped me as I spun towards the startling voice, twisting my sore ankle in a distorted direction. I yelped once more as a sudden rush of sharp pain hit me, causing me to fall back as I clutched the throbbing area with both my hands.
"...Are you okay?"
I was suddenly brought back to the realisation of someone else being down here with me.
"Uh, yeah I'm fine. You just caught me off-gua-" I moved to sit up, being wary of the tender ankle, but was surprised to find out who I was actually talking to. "N-Nanase!"
I sprung to my feet, flinching at the sharp ache travelling through my foot and staggered to the side, catching myself on the large, burgundy coloured pole jutting out awkwardly in the center of the room.
Whoever thought it'd be a good idea to put poles inside buildings, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, as it was clear Haruka wasn't going to make a move to catch me in my moment of flailing.
Not that I expected him to though, he's probably had more than enough of touching me to last him two lifetimes.
I stuttered over incoherent words as the usually stoic boy in front of me was sending an incredulous look my way, probably wondering why on earth I was crawling around the floor like an uncivilised cave woman.
"I- uh...was looking for a 100 yen." I clarified, shifting my gaze around the room while nervously pulling on the end of my braided hair.
Haruka's eyes swerved down to the linoleum floor before flicking back up to me, remaining ever silent.
I could feel myself starting to cave beneath his cold stare, that all too familiar look of disinterest causing my palms to become slick with sweat. I wiped them on the sides of my legs, my gaze flicking between the tall boy before me and any other nearby object.
Movement suddenly caught my attention and I glanced down at the round, shiny object rolling between long, thin fingers before disappearing.
An audible ting sounded before I caught sight of the same shiny thing flying towards me. I fumbled to catch it, holding my hands up and cowering behind them, eyes squeezed shut.
The silver object collided with my palm and I closed my fingers around it, turning my hand over to gaze at whatever it was.
100 yen lay flat against my palm, the cool metal almost an icy burn against my heated skin.
I looked up at the retreating form of Haruka Nanase, only now noticing his attire. Was he going for a run this early in the morning? The sun hasn't even shown itself yet!
"Um..!"
Haru halted but didn't turn around, his eyes trained on the world outside of the glass doors in front of him.
"Thank you...f-for the yen, but I can't-"
"It's of no use to me." Haru quickly cut in, his voice as monotone as ever.
"Oh..." I think this is the longest conversation I've ever had with him. Heck, it might even be the first if you discount the one back on the bridge. Ah, speaking of the bridge...I still haven't asked him yet!
I quickly shuffled forward, a slight limp in my step, coming to stand a few feet from the silent boy.
"I also, um...wanted to know if you're okay?" Haruka gave me sidelong glance, clearly not getting what I was hinting at. "You know, from the bridge incident..." I trailed off, not wanting to delve any deeper into the details.
Thankfully he understood though. Haru remained silent and turned his gaze away from me once again, but gave a small nod, more or less answering my question.
"Good..! I'm glad you're fine." I felt a weight I'd never noticed until now lift from my shoulders, my heart beating the slightest bit easier now. It was relieving to know he hadn't been hurt because of my foolishness, the last thing I want is another person...
I stopped that train of thought before it could continue, instead opting to continue the conversation.
"And um...thank you, Nanase. F-for saving me back there," I gazed up the face of the only other person down here. He was still looking in the other direction, but I could tell he was listening. I wrung my hands in front of me, trying to push away the dark thoughts making an effort to resurface. "If it weren't for you, I might have..."
"It's nothing." Haru muttered, his voice echoing in the emptiness of the room despite how quiet he'd been. I watched with bated breath as he moved for the first time in minutes, indicating our conversation was over.
Haruka stepped through the sliding doors, taking off into a steady run once he was a considerable distance from the hotel.
Releasing the breath I'd been holding, I turned from the doors and grabbed the iced tea I'd originally came down here for in the first place. I was almost reluctant to the put shiny silver piece I'd received in the machine.
It was such an odd occurrence to be given something by Haruka Nanase – of all people – that it felt somewhat like this little coin was a memento of sorts.
But in the end my thirst drove me to slip the yen into the tiny black slot, along with the other coins. The vending machine whirred to life and the iced tea jolted in it's spot before sliding towards the edge, dropping to the bottom and rolling into the container for me to retrieve it.
I pulled the plastic flap down and scooped the drink up, cracking the bottle cap open with strained difficulty. A sudden rattle caught my attention and I turned back to the machine. A shiny yen piece was sitting in the coin catcher, glaring up at me as the light pouring from behind the glass bounced off it's surface.
It was Haru's yen...why didn't the vending machine take it? I flicked my gaze up to the list of prices, running them all through my head.
...Ah, the price for the iced tea was the bottom one, not the top. My bad...guess I didn't need the 100 yen after all.
I took the coin and placed it in my little yellow pouch. The thought of giving it back to Haruka crossed my mind, but then I remembered his stony reply "It's of no use to me." and decided against it.
Giving it back would probably just cause more unnecessary hate towards me. I'm sure he loathes me enough, without having to add a little coin incident onto it.
"Guess it's just you and me now, yen." I tucked the pouch away and took a long, somewhat loud sip from the bottle in my hands; enjoying the feeling of cool, refreshing tea sliding down my parched throat as I trekked back up the stairs.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I know I said another Free! Character was coming into this chapter, but it was already starting to near the 5,000 word mark. I generally try to keep chapters between 2,000 and 5,000 so it's easier for people who don't have much time on their hands to read it.
The next chapter after this however will definitely contain all the stuff I promised in this one.
What do you think of the 2,000-5,000 word limit? If you'd like to see longer chapters please let me know.