Author's Note: Sorry for the delay. The day I posted the last chapter, my father-in-law passed away. Even though this chapter was 75% done, I just wasn't in the right headspace to finish it. C
Fuyumi groaned as she pushed against the airbag. She could feel the sting of the fabric burns on her arms from the way it deployed. Groping blindly around in the console next to the seatbelt latch, she pulled out the multitool that Atsuhiro insisted be kept in every Hinansho vehicle.
Flipping open the blade, she punctured the airbag and used both hands to push the air out of it so she could look in the rearview mirror. There were red patches on her face from the airbag, but no bleeding. She sighed in relief as she pushed the seatbelt release and it pulled free.
Opening the door, Fuyumi swung her legs out and winced at the sore spots on the tops of her thighs where she expected bruises would bloom sometime that night or the next day. She stood up and looked back at what had hit her car. She was surprised to see three vehicles instead of just one. "Wow. If I felt that much of an impact from the chain reaction, it must have been much worse for the occupants of the two cars in between."
Walking around to the passenger side of her car, she opened the door and pulled out her suitcase and purse. Sitting gingerly on her suitcase, she slipped her phone out, and called the emergency number. Looking up at the street signs, Fuyumi gave the location and explained to the dispatcher about the accident, requesting emergency services be sent.
Before the dispatcher ended the call, sirens could clearly be heard approaching. Once her phone was free, Fuyumi accessed the camera mode and started taking pictures as she surveyed the damage to her car. "As bent as the frame appears to be, I don't think even Atsuhiro could fix this mess," she mused. With a sigh, she leaned into the car, opened the console, and pulled out all of the paperwork.
Fuyumi watched as rescue personnel assessed the situation and began working to extract the occupants of the two vehicles behind her car. She could hear cries of pain and frantic voices from the people trapped in the vehicles by the damage.
Her attention was drawn further back by a loud, obnoxious voice yelling at people to get out of his way because he was on vacation and they were wasting his precious time. Several police officers were trying to get him to perform some actions to prove that he was not intoxicated. The driver swore at the officers and tried to leave the scene, throwing a punch at one of them. In her distraction, Fuyumi didn't notice an officer approaching her.
"Excuse me," the officer said politely to gain her attention. "May I ask you a few questions?"
Turning to face the officer, Fuyumi winced as she shrugged. She responded politely, "I don't know how much I can tell you. I was stopped at the traffic signal when I was hit from behind." She reached up and touched her cheek. "The airbag deployed, and I was focused on getting it out of my face."
Glancing at the car, the officer commented, "It looks like your vehicle is beyond repair. How are you feeling?"
"For right now, it's just these fabric burns on my arms and some bruises from the seatbelt and airbag," Fuyumi said, turning the insides of her arms to show the officer. "They will be itching something fierce by tomorrow, I have no doubt."
"After I get your details but before you leave the scene, I insist one of the medical personnel with the ambulances take a look at you." The officer pulled out a notebook and started asking questions. A few minutes later, he closed it and slipped it back into his pocket. "Now let's get you looked over."
Fuyumi followed him to the ambulance. All of the personnel were still focused on the occupants of the two middle cars, several with serious injuries. "Don't worry, I'll just wait here until they have time for me," she assured the officer, noticing that the other officers were having difficulty subduing the driver from the rear car that caused the accident. She tried to ignore his profanity-filled rant about being on vacation and his right to enjoy himself any way he wanted.
While she waited for the medical personnel, Fuyumi sent the pictures of the car to Atsuhiro before calling him to report the accident. When he answered, she said, "First, let me say that I'm fine…
Before she could continue, Atsuhiro interrupted, "That does not instill me with any confidence. What happened?"
"I was rear-ended at a traffic signal not four blocks from the pension," Fuyumi explained. "Other than fabric burns from the airbag and bruises from the seatbelt, I'm fine." She went on to explain the extent of the accident, including the other vehicles involved.
Atsuhiro snorted. "You will be feeling it tomorrow. You probably won't feel like getting out of bed for a day or two. I speak from experience." His tone was light and teasing, but sincere.
"I will keep that in mind," Fuyumi assured him. "I sent you some pictures of the car. Even I can tell that there is no repairing it. What should I do?"
"I have a friend in Karuizawa who will take the car for parts and scrap. I'll text you his information to pass along to the other two drivers who were hit. He'll make sure they get a fair deal for their vehicles. In the meantime, I'll make arrangements for him to pick up your car and provide a vehicle to drive back to Hinansho. I'll call him as soon as we're done."
"I appreciate that," Fuyumi sighed in relief. "This was definitely not how I planned my time away from the kids to start."
"Do you want me to tell them?" Atsuhiro asked in concern.
Fuyumi replied, "No, I'll have Kyoya and Haruhi break it to them. He is my next call. I would never hear the end of it if I didn't call and tell him about this myself."
"Then I'll let you go and contact my friend," Atsuhiro remarked. "Remember what I said about feeling this tomorrow. Take care." Then he ended the call.
Next, she called Kyoya, determined to keep her tone light so he wouldn't worry.
"What happened that your are already calling?" Kyoya asked as soon as he answered, worry coloring his question.
"I'm fine. I just got rearended a few blocks from the pension. There's nothing to worry about, but I may have to stay a few extra days to get another car," she replied, tensing slightly as two of the ambulances left with their sirens blaring.
Recognizing the sounds in the background, Kyoya's voice sounded strained as he asked, "Just how bad was the accident if you need another car?" He huffed before continuing, "I'm sorry. You are a perfectly capable adult and know what you're doing."
"I don't mind your concern," Fuyumi admitted. "Totaling a car is not something I've done before."
"Do you need any help with the wreckage and a replacement?" Kyoya asked.
"I already called Atsuhiro. He has a friend in this area that he is going to ask to help me with all the details," Fuyumi assured him.
"Since you have everything under control there, I will try not to worry too much." Kyoya's voice softened as he added, "I don't know what I would do if something happened to you."
Sighing as her stomach started to growl with hunger, Fuyumi said, "I am in need of some lunch. Which reminds me, I still need to call Shimura at the pension. She is probably wondering where I am by now."
As Fuyumi ended the call, someone behind her cleared their throat. She turned and smiled at the medical person.
"I am nurse Oyagi. May I please examine you for the police report?" he asked politely, gesturing to the back of the ambulance.
Settling onto the bumper, Fuyumi replied, "Of course. Sorry for keeping you waiting."
Shaking his head, Nurse Oyagi said, "I just finished with those who needed to be transported to the hospital." He proceeded to examine Fuyumi, making notes of his findings on a clipboard. After he finished and reviewed the information, he smiled. "You seem to be okay. I would suggest taking it easy for a few days. You may not be feeling sore now, but there are often delayed reactions in situations like this."
Fuyumi nodded and remarked, "My friend Atsuhiro told me nearly the same thing. Thank you for your help." Her phone chimed that she had received a text message.
The officer who had interviewed Fuyumi earlier approached the ambulance. "Since you have been seen by medical personnel, you are free to go. Do you need to call someone? Or a ride somewhere?"
After thanking the nurse, Fuyumi started walking back toward her car and the officer followed her. "It's a short walk to my destination. I am staying at Misuzu's Pension for a few days." Opening the text she'd received moments before, she saw that it was from Atsuhiro, containing a photo and the name 'Issei'
As they reached her vehicle, a large car-hauler rumbled around the corner and parked. A spry older man with grey-streaked hair climbed out and walked over to them. "I'm Atsuhiro's friend, Issei. You must be Fuyumi," he said smiling graciously.
"I am. Thank you for helping me with this," Fuyumi replied, returning the smile.
"It's what I do," he replied before turning to the officer and handing him a business card. "If it is okay with the police, I will haul away all four vehicles so we can get this intersection re-opened."
The officer sighed in relief. "That would be most helpful. All other tow-trucks in the area will be busy for at least another hour." Tucking the card in his pocket, he pulled out his notebook. Jotting down some information and tearing out a sheet, he handed it to Issei. "These are the names of the owners of the other vehicles. I will email a copy of the police report when I return to the station."
While Issei and the officer completed the arrangements, Fuyumi called Shimura.
"Get distracted at attractions on your way here?" Shimura teased when she answered the call.
Sighing, Fuyumi replied, "I wish it were something like that. I got rear-ended a few blocks from the pension."
"Are you okay?" Concern replaced the light tone in Shimura's voice.
"Minor scrapes and bruises for me, but the car is totaled," Fuyumi explained. "As soon as I finish with the police and Atsuhiro's friend, Issei, I'll walk to the pension. Could you have some lunch ready for me? My stomach has been growling," she continued, trying to lighten the mood.
Shimura said, "I'll have Ryoji put something together while I walk down to meet you. Then we can sit down and talk over lunch."
"Thanks. I'll see you in a few minutes." Fuyumi ended the call and returned her attention to the exchange between Issei and the officer just as Issei gave a wave and headed back to his truck.
The officer turned to Fuyumi and said, "It looks like everything is well in hand here. Are you sure you don't want me to give you a ride?"
"No need," Fuyumi assured him. "I don't have far to go. Thank you."
Touching the brim of his cap, the officer bid her a good day before leaving.
OHSHC
When Fuyumi woke up the next day, every muscle ached stiffly. Groaning, she tried to get up, desperately needing to take a pain reliever. Flopping back in frustration, she thought, "I can't believe I feel this bad. Now I know what Atsuhiro was talking about. How am I going to get Shimura's attention and ask for help? I left my phone all the way over there on the desk."
As Fuyumi lay there, she heard a tentative knock on the door before it was opened by Shimura carrying a new bottle of water and a small bottle of pain reliever.
"I thought you might be needing this," Shimura explained as she approached the bed. "How are you feeling?"
"So stiff I can't move," Fuyumi admitted. "Could you help me sit up so I can take the medicine?"
Setting the water and medicine on the nightstand, Shimura eased her arm under Fuyumi's shoulders and helped her sit up. Then she adjusted the pillows to support Fuyumi as she settled against the headboard.
"Ugh, I feel stiff as a board this morning," Fuyumi complained, reaching for the water and pills.
Shimura murmured comfortingly, "I'll go down and get a breakfast tray for you. You take all the time you need to relax and recover." As she headed for the door, she noticed the phone on the desk. "Here, just in case you need it, I'll put this on the nightstand."
Fuyumi smiled appreciatively. "Thanks for everything."
"Think nothing of it. Remember, we're family," Shimura called over her shoulder before closing the door.