Chapter 3

"4:30 already" Keisuke said as he left the jewelry shop. He headed home to be on time for their meeting.

He still was questioning himself about what to do about Kyoko and whether he'd keep her bracelet. Almost a keep sake.

Keisuke had to clear his mind for the meeting. In his garage he took a chair next to Takumi and listened to his brother speak of their next opponents and the course.

Once the meeting was over he figured he'd have a chat with Takumi.

"You do anything today dude?" he asked his teammate.

"I had an early shift at work today and I met up with Waturu for some coffee."

"The one with the supercharged Levin?"

"Yeah he was just nearby so he called. Oh yeah, he told me that girl with the FD got into some accident last night."

It was uncanny how Takumi could talk about this with such nonchalance.

"Kyoko?! What happened is she alright?"

Keisuke might have choked Takumi for more details but he tried to remain calm.

"He said some guy t-boned her car running a red light. I think Waturu said she a little banged up. If she hadn't ripped the emergency break and counter steered she probably would have slammed into a poll."

Keisuke's heart was beating so fast you'd think it might have exploded from his chest.

"Did Waturu say where she was taken?"

As unobservant as Takumi was, he was finally catching on to Keisuke's anxiety.

"I think he said she was taken to the Saitama General Hospital."

"Alright I'm going. Thanks Takumi."

Keisuke didn't even bother to tell the rest of the team where he was going in such a hurry.

'Please be alright' was all Keisuke could think as he took the motorway and finally reached the exit for the hospital.

When he arrived in the lobby the women at the front desk assisted him giving direction to the third floor room where Kyoko stayed. He practically jogged from the elevator, stopping right in front of her room.

Keisuke knocked gently on the door but there was nothing. He let himself in where Kyoko appeared to be asleep. He crept slowly to the side of her bed. Her head was bandaged up, a dark bruise across her cheek bone, and her right arm had large bandages placed upon some cuts.

Seeing as no one was going to disturb the sleeping patient, Keisuke thought he'd have a look at her medical chart. Although he was not as medical savy as the rest of his family he knew enough to be able to read a chart.

The chart read 'minor body cuts and bruises, minor concussion, 2 stitches on the scalp.'

When Keisuke put the chart down, he noticed Kyoko's head start to move as she slowly opened her eyes.

Keisuke felt like running but he was as immobile as a statue.

"Keisuke…?"

The heart monitor hooked to Kyoko seemed to be accelerating.

"Woah, woah calm down do you want a heart attack?"

Keisuke put a comforting hand on Kyoko's uninjured arm and Kyoko's heart rate seemed to slow down.

"I…I think I remembered what happened. I was almost home and I remember feeling the crash with everything spinning. I tried to keep from crashing into a poll. After that I don't remember, except waking up in the hospital this morning."

"I barely heard an hour ago you were in the hospital, so here I am."

Keisuke could hear the worry in his own voice.

"You know how people say your life flashes before your eyes when you think everything's over… well they're wrong. You only see the things you love."

Kyoko looked at Keisuke briefly but then down at her hands.

"Keisuke, why were you in Saitama yesterday and why are you here now? A month ago you made it very clear that we wouldn't see each other on any level."

Keisuke wasn't positive how to answer her question when he couldn't answer it for himself.

"When I'm out with Project D I try to concentrate on only the battle. But being home or even driving, you're still in the back of my mind. I still wonder if my decision last month was the right one. Why I was even in Saitama yesterday? I really don't know, I guess I wanted to run into you. Waturu told Takumi about the accident; I just needed to know if you were alright."

Kyoko looked like she could hardly take in so much after an accident.

"So what does this mean for us Keisuke? Should I except not to see you after today…"

Keisuke could tell that as much as she wanted him to stay, it would hurt if he decided to stay and leave again.

"I don't want to not see you. I always want to know how you are. Can we be friends right now, I know that's more than I deserve."

Keisuke stared into Kyoko's eyes and knew he didn't want to be away from her again.

Kyoko sighed.

"Okay Keisuke, being friends sounds like it would be okay."

Keisuke smiled to see the sarcastic smirk on Kyoko's face.

"Can I get you anything, maybe something better than this hospital food?"

Keisuke poked at the tray of food with disgust.

Kyoko let out a small laugh.

"Sure I'd love some ramen, there's a great place across the street."

Keisuke went across the street and bought the ramen. He served it in a bowl in front of Kyoko.

"Mmm, this is just what I needed. Thanks Keisuke."

Seeing Kyoko's bright smile made Keisuke smile back.

"I have something else for you"

Keisuke reached into his pocket and pulled out the charm bracelet he had found yesterday.

"Oh wow, I thought I lost it yesterday! Where did you find it?"

"Well when I was in Saitama I was driving the pass when I pulled over to check my car when I found it on the floor."

Keisuke took Kyoko's wrist and fastened the bracelet. He barely grazed the soft skin on her wrist and it sent shock waves through him. It was like a spark.

"Thank you" Kyoko said happily.

"I think I'll get some rest now. They are discharging me tomorrow, would you mind picking me up, seeing as I can't drive."

"Sure"

Keisuke opened the door and took a last look at Kyoko and left.