Train was lying in the hospital bed, feeling lonely. The nurses had come in and told Sven, Saya, and Eve that visitor's hour was over, so they had left with the promise that they would come tomorrow.
"Heartnet." Train saw who the voice belonged to. Sephiria.
"Hello, Sephiria. Back again already? Did you miss me?"
"That is not why I came to visit, Train."
"Then why did you come?"
"I came to ask you how your mission went. Did you receive his bounty?"
"Actually, it's kind of complicated."
"Complicated?" It was a challenge. "Tell me."
"Well, he was at the hotel room that he said he was going to be in. Things were going fine until he pulled out a bomb. Naturally, there were other people in the same room, so I yelled, 'It's a bomb!' Then everyone ran out of the room except Joe and me. When he lit the bomb, I grabbed him and got the hell out of there before the bomb killed us both.
"Then the scumbag had to pull out a knife and stab me in the stomach with it. I screamed and let go of him. He started falling, and when he landed, he just took off like a bat out of hell. When I landed, though, my knees buckled and I fell over on my side. These people started crowding around me and they were saying, 'It's the Black Cat!' and 'Is he okay?' Then someone vomited."
"And?" It was a prompting word, a word that said, 'Go on.'
"And then this woman—"
"—What was her name?"
"Margaret Duvet."
Sephiria nodded.
"This woman came over and she asked me what my name was. I told her and she called an ambulance. Once I was in the ambulance, they gave me morphine and took the knife out of me. The rest, as they say, is history."
"I saw Vollfied, Minatsuki, and the bioweapon leave. Were they there when you were injured?"
"No. Have I failed the mission?"
"No, but the police are still waiting for you to come and get his bounty."
"I'll do that tomorrow, when I'm better."
Sephiria left a few minutes later. The smell of cleaning fluid bothered Train's nose, and he sneezed. He lay there for a few minutes and then took a nap. He slept soundly and woke up to pitch black.
What the hell? He thought as he lay there. What's going on here? Why are all the lights off? Most importantly, where is everyone?
The lights flickered back on again a few seconds later. Ow, Train thought as he squinted and struggled to let his eyes adjust to the light. Can't they dim the lights in here?
His cell phone rang on the table beside him. He picked it up and answered it.
"Hello?"
Silence.
"Hello?"
The dial tone exploded in his ear. What was that all about? I guess someone tried to call me and the call was lost. A second later, his phone rang again, and he answered it.
"Hello?"
"Mister Black, you finally answered! I've been trying to call you for hours now, and you haven't picked up!"
"I actually picked up the last time you called me."
"Oh. I lost the call because my phone service sucks. I'm sorry."
"That's okay. Do you need anything?"
"I heard that you were hurt and wanted to know if you were okay."
"I'm okay. You don't need to worry about me."
Kyoko sighed on the other line. "Mister Black, you're so handsome," she gushed. Train sweatdropped profusely while she continued to talk. "I love you so much. I wish I was there. I'd kiss you until you felt better."
No thanks, Train thought. I'll pass.
"Listen, Kyoko…. I have to go. The doctor will be mad at me if I don't rest."
"Okay, Mister Black. I'll call you tomorrow." She hung up after that.
"She's so annoying," Train muttered to himself as he put his phone back on the table beside his hospital bed. The bland white walls made him feel as if he was in some sort of mental institution. The lights glared at him and he glanced at the bathroom door. He got up, went to the bathroom, and got back in bed again. He closed his eyes. The last conscious thought that hit him was that he missed Saya before he fell asleep and dreamed about her.
--
"Saya, get back here!" Train said. He was currently chasing after her on the rooftops, leaping with enthusiasm after his friend.
Saya laughed and said, "Catch me if you can, Train!" She leapt over countless rooftops in an attempt to get away from Train, but Train was always a step behind her. Train finally caught up to her and pulled her into a tight hug.
"What do I get for catching you?" he asked her.
Saya smiled. "This," she said while leaning in to kiss his cheek.
Train felt fireworks explode inside his heart at the moment Saya's lips touched his cheek. He felt his face warm with hot blood. He hated blushing at moments like these— tender moments that warmed his heart and made him fall a little more for Saya.
--
Train woke up with that same warm feeling in his heart. He sighed quietly as he pictured Saya's face in his mind. At that moment, Saya walked into the room.
"Where are Sven and the Princess?" he asked her.
"They're checking in." She had cravings for little one-on-one times with Train.
Train nodded and smiled. Saya smiled and sat on the edge of Train's bed. She asked, "What did the doctor say?"
"He said that I should be fine in a few days or so."
Saya nodded. She leaned in and pressed her lips against Train's forehead for a few seconds. Train felt electric shocks run through his muscles and his blood turn warm when he felt Saya's lips. "Feel better, Train," she said.
At that moment, Eve came in.
"Train, are you okay? You look as if you are in a daze or something," Eve said.
Train was unable to speak momentarily, but he got his voice back after a few seconds. "Saya kissed my forehead," he managed to croak. Eve looked over in Saya's direction and Saya blushed.
Train started giggling madly. Saya stared at him like he was possessed. Eve sweatdropped and asked Train, "Train, are you possessed?"
Train stopped giggling and asked, "What?"
"You were giggling," Saya said.
"What's wrong with giggling?" Train asked.
"Nothing," Saya said. "I've never heard you giggle before, that's all."
Train nodded, a small grin appearing on his face.
Sven came into the room at that moment.
"What took you so long, Sven?" he asked as Sven handed him a present. He unwrapped it and stared in slight shock. It was a new bell that shone in the sunlight.
"A bell?" Train asked, slightly taken aback.
"It's for your collar," Sven said. "Eve picked it out."
Eve put the new bell on Train's collar. It sparkled in the sunlight. Train flicked the bell and it jingled loudly in the room. Train smiled delightedly. "Thanks, Princess. I like it."
"When will you get the bounty?" Sven asked.
"Tomorrow," Train said.
"Sounds good to me," Sven said. Train nodded.
Sven and Eve bid their goodbyes and said that they would pick Train up tomorrow.
"Wait," Train said to Saya before she left the room.
Saya came over and asked Train, "What is it?"
He motioned for her to come closer. "I have to tell you something." Saya bent forward, expecting Train to whisper something into her ear. Instead, he kissed her forehead. They smiled at each other for a few seconds after Train pulled away.
"You should go," he said to Saya. "Sven and Eve are probably wondering where you are."
"Yeah, I probably should. See ya tomorrow!" She winked at him as she left the room. Train felt his face go red, but he ignored it.
Saya, Train thought happily as he sunbathed in the room. It's a shame I can't go out on the rooftop, he thought. He was happy for some unknown reason. He lay in bed until he was so hungry that he could eat a horse. He then ordered a bowl of chicken noodle soup and hoped that it tasted good.