Chapter 13:
Haruka had been checked in at the hospital and was currently sitting in one of the exam rooms, waiting to be seen by one of the doctors.
Setsuna sat with her, not feeling comfortable with leaving Haruka alone. She had told Michiru and Hotaru that Haruka was going with her to run some errands, not wanting to worry the pair.
"You know we'll actually have to run errands after this, right?"
Haruka asked as she tore pieces of the doctor roll off and watched as they fell to the floor.
"I'm aware of that."
Setsuna said, bending down to pick up the pieces of paper Haruka had discarded.
About ten minutes later, a nurse walked in to check Haruka's vitals and get her weight.
The nurse noted that Haruka's weight was on the low side, but since her vitals were normal she didn't seem too concerned.
"See, I told you I was fine."
Haruka said, giving Setsuna a smug look.
"What you had written on your arms and what you said to me in the bathroom would beg to differ. Now, when the doctor comes in to talk to you, I want you to answer all their questions honestly. Is that clear?"
Haruka rolled her eyes at Setsuna.
"Yes, mother."
Setsuna was about to say something, but then the doctor walked.
"Hello, sorry for the wait. I'm Dr. Furuya."
Dr. Furuya said, shaking Setsuna's and then Haruka's hands.
"You must be Haruka. How are you doing today?"
"I'm good."
"That's good to hear. So, what brings you in today?"
"My friend, Setsuna, threatened to take away my car keys if I didn't come here."
"That is not why we're here. I mean yes, I did threaten to take her keys, but it is not the reason why I brought her here."
"I see. So, Haruka, what brought you here?"
"Setsuna thinks there's something wrong with me."
"Why does she think that?"
Haruka shrugged her shoulders.
"Haruka, we talked about this. Tell Dr. Furuya about what you wrote on your arms and about what you told me."
Setsuna said, giving Haruka a pointed look.
"What did you write on your arms?"
Dr. Furuya asked.
"Just some stuff."
"Such as?"
"Just stuff."
"Hmm, I see."
Dr. Furuya then handed Haruka a pen and a piece of paper.
"I want you to write down the words for me."
Dr. Furuya's voice held a sense of authority, letting Haruka know she was not getting out of the little exercise she had been given.
Haruka then quickly scribbled down the words and handed the pen and paper.
Dr. Furuya took a look at the words Haruka had written down.
"Haruka, these words are concerning. Have these been said to you?"
"Some of them. Some haven't been said, but I know people think them about me."
"I see. Out of the words that have been said to you, who was it that said them to you?"
"My dad."
"When was the last time he said anything hurtful to you?"
"It's been a few years."
"So has his language towards you gotten better?"
"I don't know, we don't talk."
"I see."
Dr. Furuya then took a look at one of the new patient papers Haruka had filled out.
"I see here you put down that you live with your friend Setsuna, your girlfriend Michiru, and your adopted daughter Hotaru. Is that true?"
Haruka nodded her head.
"When was the last time you saw and spoke to your dad?"
"The last time I spoke to him was a few years ago. The last time I saw him was a few months ago."
"Did he acknowledge you in any way?"
Haruka shook her head.
"I'm not even sure if he knows I saw him."
"What was your gut reaction to seeing him?"
Haruka shifted uncomfortably, which didn't go unnoticed by Dr. Furuya.
"If you don't feel comfortable saying, that's okay. Let's move on, and you tell me about what you said to Setsuna earlier."
Haruka looked down and began fidgeting with her hands.
"Haruka, don't withdraw."
Setsuna said, having spoken for the first time in the last several minutes.
Haruka let out a shaky breath, before speaking.
"That I don't want to do this anymore."
"What is this?"
"Live."
Haruka's voice was quiet, but she was heard loud and clear.
Dr. Furuya stiffened at that single word that Haruka had uttered.
"Haruka, on a scale of one to ten with one being you have nothing planned and ten being you have a clear plan in place, how likely are you to attempt suicide?"
"A five."
"Why five?"
"I'm not sure."
Dr. Furuya jotted down a few things. He then turned his attention to Setsuna.
"May I speak with you out in the hall for a moment?"
"Of course."
Dr. Furuya then informed Haruka that they would return shortly, before stepping out into the hall with Setsuna.
"Has Haruka ever mentioned to you or anyone that she's felt suicidal in the past?"
Setsuna shook her head.
"This is a first as far as I know."
Dr. Furuya nodded his head in understanding.
"Well based on the responses she gave, I don't think she's an immediate threat to herself. However I don't think she should be left alone. Would either yourself or Michiru be able to keep an eye on her?"
"Yes."
"Good, good. Now I am by no means saying she needs to be watched like a hawk. Allow her space when appropriate."
"Understood."
"Now, before I let you go, is there anything else you'd like to discuss?"
"I'm concerned about Haruka's eating habits."
"Hmm, I noticed that fat was one of words she had written on herself and that her weight is on the low side for her height. When did you first notice that her eating habits were changing?"
"It's been about a couple of weeks now."
"Any ideas as to what caused the change in her eating habits?"
"No, but I think seeing her dad might have something to do with it."
"Was Haruka's father known to be critical of her weight?"
"I'm not sure. Truth be told, I don't really know anything about the man. Haruka doesn't like to talk about him, and has only ever mentioned that she can't stand him."
Dr. Furuya thought over Setsuna's words for a moment. He then handed Setsuna a sheet of paper.
"On that paper I just handed you is a list of therapists. I'd like for Haruka to start seeing one as soon as possible."
"She's definitely not going to comply easily with seeing a therapist. She tends to shut down when a conversation brings up anything she would much rather keep buried."
"That's understandable. However, she might surprise you. Sometimes people in Haruka's situation are more willing to be open with a complete stranger, than they are with friends or family."
"I will sit down with her later today and discuss the possibility of seeing a therapist."
"Good. Now, if you have no further questions, the two of you are free to go."
"Thank you for your time, Dr. Furuya."
Setsuna said, bowing slightly to the man in front of her.
"You're welcome."
The two then headed back into the exam room.
"Ready to go?"
Setsuna asked.
"I've been ready since we got here."
Haruka said, hoping off the exam table.
She then said a quick goodbye to Dr. Furuya, before practically making a beeline out of the room.
Setsuna thanked Dr. Furuya once more, then headed off in the direction she had seen Haruka go in.
As she turned the corner, she found Haruka on the ground, nose to nose with a girl that had long red hair and the most stunning lavender colored eyes she had ever seen.
"Wow, you're by far the prettiest looking hallucination I have ever seen."
The mysterious girl whispered, continuing to stare at Haruka.
The girl's words caused Haruka to blush slightly and clear her throat.
"Uh…thanks."
Haruka then slowly stood up and helped the girl to her feet.
She was then about to ask the girl her name, but quickly got her answer by one pissed off looking man approaching and shouting at the girl.
"Yuiko, get your fucking ass into gear! It's bad enough I gotta bring my defective daughter here once a week, but I'm gonna make your life a living hell if you make me late for my meeting with Tenou-san!"
Haruka's eyes widened in shock at the name the unknown man had mentioned.
"He can't possibly be talking about my dad, can he?"
Haruka wondered.
"No, no, I'm sure he's not. Sure last I checked my father was a businessman, but it's not like he's the only businessman with the surname Tenou. I'm sure it's just a coincidence."
Still though, Haruka couldn't shake the feeling that her dad was exactly who the man was referring to.
She then got the feeling she was being watched and looked to find Yuiko's dad staring intently at her; seeming to study her.
Haruka felt a chill run down her spine. The man before her reminded her so much of her own father.
Yuiko's father stared at Haruka for a few more minutes, before grabbing his daughter by the arm and heading out.
"Well, that was interesting."
Setsuna said, watching the pair leave.
Haruka for her part remained silent, as she stared at the spot where Yuiko and her father had been standing just moments ago.
"Are you alright?"
Setsuna asked, placing a comforting hand onto Haruka's shoulder.
"I'm fine."
Haruka's voice was barely audible.
"Can we go home now?"
Setsuna could tell by Haruka's tone that she wasn't doing well, but decided not to press the matter further.
"Sure, let's go."
The pair then made their way home.
End of chapter 13: