The next morning, Hanako awoke to the gentle rustling of curtains and the soft golden glow of the sunrise. She let out a slight groan as she squinted at the sunlight beaming through the slightly opened window.
Slowly, she opened her eyes, her pupils constricting at the sudden brightness. The brilliant blue sky beyond the window greeted her, and she couldn't help but gasp at its beauty. It was as if she hadn't seen it in forever.
She sat up slowly in bed, her body still aching from the previous day's ordeal. Her eyes never left the outside of the window, as if she were afraid to look away. The soft chirping of birds filled the air, creating a peaceful ambiance.
As the curtains gently swayed in the breeze, Hanako felt her heart begin to calm. The gorgeous view of the sky and the sun rising over the horizon was like a balm to her soul.
Hanako took a deep breath, savoring the fresh scent of the morning dew. The tranquility of the scene outside brought a sense of calmness to her restless mind. But then she remembered being chained up and being told that she was going to be executed because of Akki. A sense of fear washed over her, and her heart began to race again.
Was she dead?
Was this the afterlife?
She glanced around, searching for any clues to her surroundings. But everything looked and sounded familiar. Hanako was confused and disoriented. She didn't know what to think.
"It looks like you're finally awake," Tsukumo said as she looked up from the book she had been reading. Hanako's eyes landed on her. She was sitting by her bedside, one leg crossed over the other, with a book that was in a different language in her hands.
A memory of her flashed in Hanako's mind, like a flickering candle flame. She remembered her speaking to her, her voice soft and soothing, and the warmth of her touch as she took Hanako's hand. But what Tsukumo had said, Hanako couldn't remember.
"Am I dead?" Hanako whispered, her voice trembling. "Is this the afterlife?" She closed her eyes and squeezed them tightly, hoping that when she opened them again, she would be back in her own bed, safe and sound.
But when she opened her eyes, the woman was still there, her expression filled with concern. "No, you're not dead, Hanako," Tsukumo said gently. "This is real life."
Hanako let out a sigh of relief, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. She looked at the woman suspiciously. "Did they kill me already?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "And are you my guardian angel?"
Yuki raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a faint smile. "No, I'm not your guardian angel," she said. "But I can understand why you might think of me as having been the one to keep you from being executed."
"Who are you, then?" she asked.
"Yuki Tsukumo, but just call me Yuki, alright?"
Hanako tilted her head, her eyes wide and curious. "Where am I?" she asked, her voice soft and raspy.
"You're in the infirmary at Kyoto Jujutsu Tech," Tsukumo replied with a gentle smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "You passed out from dehydration and exhaustion yesterday, so we had to put you on an IV."
Hanako glanced down at her right arm, where a needle was inserted into her vein and an IV bag hung overhead. She felt a pang of embarrassment at her own weakness. "How long have I been out?"
"Over twelve hours," Tsukumo said. "But don't worry, you're going to be fine."
Hanako nodded, but her stomach growled loudly, interrupting her thoughts. She flushed red with embarrassment.
"You must be starving," Tsukumo said with a knowing smile. "I'll go get you something to eat." But first, I'll let the nurse know you woke up.
Yuki got up and left the room, leaving Hanako alone with her thoughts. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She had so many questions, but she was too exhausted to think straight. She thought back to yesterday, in that room where she was being held. She also remembered Akki; she hadn't made her presence known since she woke up normally.
Hanako opened her eyes and looked around the infirmary. It was a small, sterile room with white walls and a single bed. A window on the far wall let in a sliver of sunlight. that faded as time went on.
Hanako lay in bed, her mind racing with questions. What was this school she had been brought to? Why was she here, besides almost being put to death? Her life had taken a strange and unexpected turn, and she felt completely lost. She waited patiently, hoping that Yuki would return soon. Usually, her curiosity would get the best of her, and she would try to escape, but she had a feeling that this time it was different.
...
Sometime later, Yuki returned with the nurse. After a quick checkup, Hanako was given the all-clear to leave. Relieved to finally be free from the bed, Hanako eagerly followed Yuki out of the room, her mind still buzzing with unanswered questions. She hoped that Yuki would be able to provide some clarity.
When they entered the hall, they were approached by Iori and Mei. Yuki waved brightly at them as they approached.
"Hello," Yuki greeted them.
Hanako glanced at the two of them, her eyes landing on Iori. A big smile grew on her face.
"I'm so glad to see you're okay," Utahime said cheerfully. Iori reached out to take Hanako's hand, but she flinched and hid behind Yuki.
Mei's eyes flashed with disapproval as she grabbed Utahime's arm. "Utahime, you know better than that!" she scolded.
Utahime rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "Sorry," she mumbled. Hanako peeked out from behind Yuki, her eyes wide and wary.
Yuki chuckled. "Hanako, it's okay. No need to be shy." She turned back to Mei and Iori, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Sorry about her." Hanako stood next to Yuki but remained close to her, as if seeking protection.
Yuki raised an eyebrow. "What brings you two here? Were you on your way to class?"
"No, we were given a mission," Mei replied matter-of-factly.
"Mission?" Tsukumo echoed, her tone curious.
Utahime nodded. "Principal Gakuganji ordered us to stay with Hanako until she reaches Jujutsu Tech in Tokyo."
Yuki's lips pouted into a sulky frown at hearing Principle Gakuganji's command for them. She knew that he wasn't going to leave Hanako in her hands without a fight. As far as he was concerned, Hanako was a threat that needed to be wiped out. But Yuki was more than capable of watching Hanako herself, and certainly Masamichi.
She wondered if both Mei and Iori had been given more than just a bodyguard mission. She was going to keep a close eye on them, just in case.
"Alright," she said, standing up straight and assuming a more commanding tone. "Right now, both Hanako and I are going to meet with Mr. Yaga and inform Hanako of her situation. Come along."
She took the lead in the hallway, her footsteps echoing off the wooded floorboard. Mei and Iori fell into step behind her, their faces set in grim determination.
Before leaving the school complex, they stopped by the girls' dorm. Iori looked around curiously, wondering why they were stopping there. But she didn't question Yuki, simply staying behind while Yuki and Hanako entered the building. Mei remained in front of them, her eyes scanning the area for any potential threats.
They reached the first vacant room in the dorm hall. The door creaked open, revealing a plain and simple room. An empty bed stood in the corner, a dresser next to it, and a closet against the wall.
Iori couldn't help but ask her brow furrowing. "Yuki, why are we stopping here? You said we were going to meet Yaga Sensei."
Yuki turned to her, her eyes soft. "We are, but Hanako needs to freshen up. We can't have her looking the way she does now." She held up a fresh pair of clothes. "I had them prepared for her."
Iori glanced at Hanako, who was still wearing a white hospital gown and had her hair a mess. She nodded in understanding. "Yes, of course.
"It would be a crime for her to look anything less than her best," she said, her tone lighthearted. "Besides," Yuki continued, her voice hardening slightly, "the way this school has already treated her, she deserves to be taken care of now."
She grabbed the towel she had also prepared and ushered Hanako into the bathroom. The door shut behind her with a soft click. Once the door shut behind her, Hanako turned around and looked at the bathroom. It was spotless and smelled like it had just been cleaned.
Hanako placed the clothing and towel on the rack next to the shower, her reflection in the mirror revealing her disheveled appearance. Bruises and marcasite-like marks adorned her wrists and ankles, remnants of the chains that had confined her. A surge of emotion welled up within her, threatening to spill over like a tempestuous ocean, but she clenched her fists, holding them back. She took a deep breath, determined to regain control of her emotions. As she stood there, staring at her reflection.
Opening the door to the shower, her eyes scanned the well-stocked array of products, from body wash to strawberry-scented shampoo, conditioner, and a bar of Dove soap. A scrub hung neatly next to the shower head like a sentinel.
In her previous life at the orphanage, such luxuries were unimaginable. The simplicity of this bathroom, however, felt like a rare indulgence to her. Slowly, she undressed, cherishing the opportunity for solace and cleanliness that awaited her.
She undressed and stepped into the tub, turning on the faucet to the shower head and seeking solace in the warm water that cascaded from it. The scalding droplets met her bruised skin like a healing balm, bringing a sense of relief. It was as if the water was purging her of the accumulated filth that had burdened her for so long.
As she closed her eyes, she let the soothing sound of the water drown out the noise of the outside world. The steam enveloped her, creating a sanctuary where she could finally let go of her worries and find peace.
At least for a moment, she couldn't help but reflect on the path that had led her here. She pondered the acts of kindness that Yuki had bestowed upon her. Whether driven by genuine compassion or a sense of duty, no one had ever shown such benevolence towards her.
The weight of this realization washed over her once again, overwhelming her to the point where she buried her face in her hands. Unable to contain the emotions any longer, tears streamed down her cheeks, mingling with the water that surrounded her like a river of sorrow.
A/N: How does the pace of this story feel. Does it feel too fast too slow or is it fine? I would like to know