ACT TWO
A BRAND NEW DAY
Edogawa General Hospital was an eight story complex, a modern architecture piece completed sometime in the late 1990s, at the peak of Japan's cultural 'shift' into the modern, tech-embracing age. With exposed steel beams, all-shiny glass exteriors and lush with swamp oak trees, its stood out among the rooflines of the nearby homes and stores, one of the tallest structures in town.
The hallways were sterile white with checkerboard tile floors, various pieces of equipment kept outside the doors, waiting for emergency use. Bulletin boards and various posters advertising Japan's amazing healthcare perks and tips on hygiene adorned the walls. Nurses and doctors frequently walked in and out of the rooms, scribbling down furiously on clipboards and exchanging notes with each other (almost like a school). The halls were orderly and clean, and a janitor frequently strolled by in hunt of spare trash and dust to sweep up. Orderly and rigid.
I sat at the small bench just outside of Sayori's room, my head hung low and my hands buried in my face. A small water bottle a nurse handed me sat at my feet, unopened. I couldn't stop my knees from wobbling and, try as I might, I couldn't shake the horrific, sickening feel in my stomach. It had been hours since morning when I found her.
My mind forced itself to replay the morning's events in my head.
I immediately rushed towards Sayori and tried to get her down. Her father stood in the doorway, taken aback before rushing forward to join me. He quickly retrieved a utility knife from his pocket and slashed the rope tied to the ceiling with a swipe. He carried her in his burly arms and laid her down gently on her bed, and fumbled with loosening the rope around her neck. With shaky hands, I dialed emergency services.
An ambulance arrived in minutes, sirens blaring. Sayori was hauled away on a stretcher as stern-faced workers struggled to revive her. I climbed in the EMS car with Mr. Asoka, and I stood side-by-side next to him as the workers brought her to a steady breathing rate, and tried to soothe the lacerations on her neck with what they had on-hand. It was the most horrifically intense several minutes I've ever experienced.
Calls were made. Mrs. Asoka, busy at work at the time, quickly arrived at the hospital. I texted the Literature Club chat saying what had happened, to horrified reactions. After sharing her room number, the three said they were immediately on their way. I still hadn't heard back from them since.
Sayori's eyes slowly opened about a minute before we pulled into the hospital. The blues of her eyes were slowly returning, still with a glaze of gray. Mr. Asoka immediately rushed to her side, clutched her small, pale hand in his. Tears rushed to his eyes.
Sayori's eyes met mine.
They were...
The door clicked open. I snapped my head up, alert.
First a doctor stepped out, an older Japanese with grayed hair and circular glasses that dropped beneath his eyeline. Dressed in a drooping white doctors coat, he had a scratched clipboard tucked under his arm, with thick papers clipped onto it. He gave me a passing, sympathetic glance, then stepped aside so Sayoris parents could step out.
Mr. Asoka was gray, a blank, thousand-mile stare locked on his face. His eyes were heavy, an arm wrapped around his wife. Mrs. Asoka was a shorter, chubbier woman than my mother, with matching coral pink hair (albeit a bit faded) like her daughter's. Still dressed in her work attire, she had her face buried in Mr. Ashoka's dress shirt, stained with her tears, ugly sobs coming from her.
I felt the pit in my stomach lurch deeper. The pair continued down the hallway, Mr. Asoka slowly rubbing his wife's hair in an effort to soothe her. They didn't acknowledge me, more than likely blaming me for the entire thing.
The doctor approached me.
"Kazuma? Kazuma Odaka, is it?" I stood up from the bench.
"Hai, sir." I gave a slight bow. The doctor smiled, appreciating the gesture. He stuck out a hand, which I shook firmly.
"I'm Dr. Nakai. I'll be the doctor looking over your friend Sayori."
He paused, and glanced behind me, watching Mr. and Mrs. Asoka walk away, turn the corner. He made a motion with his clipboard to sit back down at the bench. I did, and he took a spot next to me.
I didn't hesitate to ask the big question. "Is she-"
He gave me a bleary smile. "Sayori is fine, for the most part. The rope did do some light damage to her esophageal placement, but we've taken proper measures to repair that. Nothing serious or lasting. She's breathing just fine, so there's no issue about that."
Dr. Nakai paused, thinking over his words.
"The primary concern is the lacerations and bruising caused by the rope itself. It dug fairly harshly into her neck, and her hands suffered some moderate cuts and bleeding. Once again, she's being taken care of. She's been given some antibiotics to avoid a possible infection and some generous aloe vera to soothe the wounds, but the damage should heal in a few days."
He continued. "I've asked her parents to go to the cafeteria to try to clear their heads, ease their nerves a little. Right now, Sayori is currently resting, but she's in good spirits, to say the least."
On the outside, I nodded. On the inside, I grimaced at how far from the truth those words really were. Only I knew her suffering.
"It's...a miracle you found her at the time you did."
I glanced at Dr. Nakai. "Why is that?"
He paused. "While the rope didn't do any real damage, it very well could have if you found her mere minutes later than you did. Hanging survivors are often found much later, where the rope has been able to dislocate the bones in her neck, cut off her circulation, et cetera. Lasting damage that cripples people for life. And of course, some aren't, ah…"
He didn't need to finish his sentence. An eerie silence fell between us, thinking about the unthinkable.
"You should be thanking yourself, Kazuma. You saved a life today."
His words were thankful, praising, but they were hollow to me. They bounced around in my head. I should be feeling prideful, but instead I feel empty.
"C-can I…"
Dr. Nakai glanced at me.
"Can I see her?"
He frowned.
"I'd have to check with her, if that's alright. I'm not sure she's...ah, let me check." I nodded. He got up from his bench and re-entered her room, the door opened a crack.
Their words were muffled.
"Mi...Asho...a boy...to you…"
"Who?"
"Kaz…daka…"
A pause.
"Yes...please…"
Dr. Nakai leaned back into the hallway, and made a motion with his clipboard to me. I got up slowly, my muscles aching slightly.
Sayori was propped up by a pillow against her head, her morning attire exchanged for a blearly hospital nightgown. Her hair was slightly ruffled, her bow sitting on the small, expandable tray attached to her bedframe. The small television attached to the wall droned on softly, switched to some random channel. A small, beige couch with a matching table was against the windowsill, with a nice view overlooking Edogawa. The curtains were closed slightly, with a thin ray of sunlight streaming in.
Sayori's eyes met mine, staring blankly. I didn't dare say anything. I felt like a stranger to her, awash with immense guilt and a lingering sense of...fear. I stood awkwardly behind Dr. Nakai, frozen. My palms felt sweaty, the sick feeling in my gut threatening to return. I fought back the urge to vomit.
Dr. Nakai patted me sympathetically on the shoulder, and quickly shut the door behind him. I felt a cold wave of air rush over me with the shut of the door. For a few damp seconds, it was just Sayori and I. Staring at each other, not a word escaping our lips but our minds talking at a million miles an hour.
"H…" my voice struggled to say. My voice croaked, rusted and shaky.
Tears rushed to Sayori's eyes. She buried her face in her shaky hands, her sobs muffled by her hands. Her entire body quivered, shaking with each sob. "K-k-k-k…." she mumbled.
I didn't hesitate in rushing up to her bedside, and quickly embracing her. She didn't resist, and wrapped her arms around me, pulling me in tighter.
"I'm so...so...sorry...sorry...sorry…" Sayori cried, repeating the word over and over. Her tears wetted my blazer. I didn't even notice or care. I stroked her soft coral pink hair, trying to soothe her again like I did the Friday we had spent together.
"K-k-Kazuma…" she croaked, muffled. Her crying put a heavy strain on her voice.
My voice was heavy with worry. "Yes?"
"D-do you...h-h-hate meee?" she managed to say, her sobs breaking up her voice again.
I shook my head quickly. "N-no! H-how could you even think that?"
Fright flashed across her eyes. God, I didn't mean to almost yell at her, but I was so taken aback by the thought I couldn't help it.
"H-why? How could you n-n-not?" she said, staring into my eyes. "A-after everything I-I've...p-p-put you th-th…" her crying cut off her voice again. Her cheeks were flushed red, tearstreaks running down the side of her face. Driplets of mucus hung from her nose.
"Oh, jeez…"
I reached over to the small tray and plucked out a few tissues from a box. I quickly wiped away at her nose, tossed the tissue and reached for another. I held it up to her nose.
"Blow." I told her.
Obediently, she did. I quickly crumpled it up and tossed the used tissue paper away. I grabbed a few more and started to carefully blot away at her tears, combing back strands of her hair behind her ear.
I stopped, and slowly grabbed Sayori's small, soft hand, lightly wrapped in bandages.
"Sayori…" I started, my mind lost for words.
"I...you...I almost lost you, forever."
She numbly shook her head, bleary. I struggled to form my next words.
"I...I know you're going through so much pain and trouble. Pain I had no idea you were forced to bear, and I'm truly sorry for you having to go through it all, by yourself."
I sharply inhaled, my breaths shaky.
"But what you did...what you tried to do...is never the option. Never."
I gently cupped her cheek with my hand. Sayori stared into my eyes, glossy with tears.
"I don't know what I would do if I lost you, Sayori Asoka. You've always been my dearest friend, my first friend, and the only person I can truly be myself around. The only person I know that can help lift me up on my bad days, and I hope I can do the same for you."
I embraced her again in a hug. Sayori's arms gently wrapped around me, as I did the same.
"I'm always going to be here for you, Sayori. Please know that, despite whatever thoughts may come to you, I'm always going to be here to help you. You have to know this."
I could hear her sobs returning. I hugged her tighter, adjusting myself on the bed to be closer to her.
"I-I know...and I lo-"
There was a knock at the door. Sayori and I slowly released each other. I patted her hand gently and got up from her bed.
I opened the door, and was greeted to Monika's worrisome face. Natsuki and Yuri stood behind her, looking just as worried as their club president. They were still in their school uniforms. A white plastic band hung from their wrists, their admittance passes to the hospital.
"Monika-"
I was cut off by Monika embracing me in a tight hug, her arms wrapped around my back. I could feel her shudder slightly, her breaths shaky. "Oh thank God, you're here." she said lightly. I gingerly returned the hug, looking at Yuri and Natsuki. They gave me lukewarm smiles, the horror of the situation lingering above them.
Monika released me, and immediately rushed to Sayori's side. At seeing her distressed club president, Sayori once again broke down into tears. Monika immediately embraced her, with Natsuki and Yuri sitting beside her, patting her on the back and rubbing her hair to soothe her. I somewhat awkwardly joined them, and simply held Sayori's hand tightly, never wanting to let go.
Hours passed. Sayori was calmed down again, and we soon found ourselves just resting and relaxing with each other. I took the spot closest to Sayori, my hands still intertwined with hers. Eventually Sayori ended up falling asleep, so the four of us quietly talked amongst ourselves. Nobody wanted to talk about the festival (set to happen today), only interested in just enjoying each other's presence and being there by Sayori's side.
Sayori's parents returned, and we respectfully decided to leave and let them have more alone time with their daughter. We started to gather our things and head for the door.
I felt a firm hand rest on my shoulder.
"Kazuma," Mr. Asoka said. "Would you mind staying behind for a few minutes?"
I uncertainly glanced back at Monika and the Literature Club, lingering by the door. "Ah, sure." I replied. Monika gave me a look, then turned for Natsuki and Yuri to head out the door, quickly closing it behind her.
Ms. Asoka sat on the bed by her daughter, her hand resting on her thigh, rubbing it soothingly. Mr. Asoka rubbed a fleck of dirt from his eyes.
"We...we just wanted to tell you…" Mr. Asoka started, but he trailed off.
"How grateful we are for you. What you...did, today." his wife finished for him.
I shook my head. "Really, you shouldn't thank me. It was...something anyone would have done, in that situation."
"But it was you who did it, you saved her." Ms. Asoka continued. "You were the one who got up early to come see her and walk her to school every day. You were the one who was there for her, to encourage her to get up."
"If you didn't come this morning, I-I would have...she would have…" Mr. Asoka stuttered, tears beginning to choke his voice. It was distressing, seeing a man I had always feared and looked at as a burly, masculine figure crying in such a way. Ms. Asoka got up from her spot to console her husband.
I stood in silence, feeling more awkward than ever.
"Here." Mr. Asoka gently took Sayori's bow from her stand, and handed it to me. "I think Sayori would want you to have this."
I carefully took the bow from Mr. Asoka's hands, feeling the soft fabric of the bow in my hands.
"Th-thank you." I said, a smile spreading across my face. Mr. Asoka warmly returned it.
I glanced to Sayori, still sound asleep. "Are you two going to be alright? Do you need anything?"
Mr. Asoka looked back to his wife, who was sitting on the bed next to their daughter, gently rubbing her face. "I think we'll be fine, Kazuma. Thank you for asking."
I paused. "I should, uh, get going then. I'll leave you be."
Mr. Asoka nodded. "Of course." He got up to walk me to the door.
He stopped, and stuck his hand out. I gingerly started to shake it before he pulled me into a close hug, patting me on the back. I gingerly returned the hug.
"Thank you." he said quietly.
The door clicked close. The literature club was sitting on the bench I was seated at before, looking fairly glum. Monika was in the middle of talking to Yuri and Natsuki, who were both at her side, sympathetic. She glanced up, noticing my arrival.
"H-how could I have never known this, Kazuma? How?!" She said, shrilly. "She's my vice-president! I'm supposed to know everything about her! What kind of a friend am I?" Monika broke down into tears, burying her face in her hands. Natsuki and Yuri tried to console her again, but to no avail.
I took a knee in front of Monika, and pulled her close. I could hear her sniffling, trying to wipe her tears away. "Monika, everything is going to be okay. You have to understand that. Sayori is going to be okay. She just...needs time to heal. It's alright. Everything is okay." I hugged her closer, rubbing her back.
Monika sniffled. "You're right, Kazuma. I need to relax. Sayori is in good hands, and she's with us. I need to...relax." She wiped away the trail of tears running down her cheek with her sleeve.
A silence fell upon us.
"So what do we do now?" Yuri said. There was a pause.
Monika glanced up slowly, entranced deep in thought. With a renewed sense of energy, she stood up. "Okay." Monika sniffed, straightening her bow up, taking authority. "Okay. We...let's just go home, or go out somewhere to clear our thoughts. Sayori is going to be safe and sound here, and...we-she's going to be okay. She's going to be okay, and that's all that matters at this point."
The three of us slowly nodded in agreement.
"We...I'm going to talk to the student council and let them know the situation. We're not going to have our presentation without our vice president. Hopefully she can recover before the festival ends. We can all agree to that, right?"
"Of course." Natsuki chimed.
"Absolutely." Yuri said.
I just nodded.
"But, where should we go? Back to school?" Natsuki said.
Monika paused. "Well, we're technically excused for the whole day, so we don't have to return to school. I can pay for us to go somewhere to eat or something, if everyone wants to…"
Natsuki glanced away. Yuri seemed pleased at the thought. "Well, we could try going out to a cafe or a shop, or go to one of our houses."
I interjected. "If you want, we could go over to my house. I could order us a cab and we could be there in a few minutes. I have snacks and all that stuff, and my parents are at work, so it would be just to ourselves." Pause. "Just offering that."
Monika smiled dimly. "I like the sound of that. What about you two?" she said, turning to the duo. "Any objections?"
The pair glanced at each other, and shook their heads no. Monika quietly clapped her hands together. "Alright, then. Shall we?" She said, looking back at me. And with that, the four of us started down the hallway.
In my hand, my thumb gently rubbed against the silk of Sayori's bow.