The worst thing about hospitals was the feeling of being trapped...unable to move, unable to leave.
The smell of sanitizer, medication, and clean sheets lingered in the air, constantly reminding him where he was.
At least there was a large window and a door leading to the balcony.
From his bed, he could see the sky clearly.
If he weren’t tied down by the IV needle in his hand, he would have jumped out of bed to get some fresh air.
His eyes felt heavy, probably from the medication.
Lost in his thoughts, his head sank into the pillow, and he fell asleep.
He couldn’t tell how long he had been sleeping, but when he opened his eyes, the room was no longer as bright with daylight as before.
The scraping sound of a chair in the silence made his eyes widen.
He turned his head toward the sound.
“You’re finally awake.”
The man approached his bed.
“You were asleep for ages.” he added with a bright smile on his face.
“Kenta…” Takashi tried to lift his head.
“Wait. I’ll help you.” he said, leaning down to adjust the bed and place Takashi in a half-sitting position.
“How long have you been here?”
“I came as soon as the nurse called me.”
He pulled a chair closer to Takashi’s bed.
“Here…”
Kenta pulled the phone from his pocket.
“I found it in your car.”
“My car?”
Takashi took the phone from Kenta’s hand.
“I left it in front of the house that night…”
A memory flashed through his mind.
“I found your car in front of the hospital. They called the police station the night you were wounded.”
“And asked for your…”
Kenta stopped before finishing the sentence. With a quiet sigh, he changed the subject.
“I came as soon as the chief called me.”
Takashi was fifteen when his father was found dead by the shore.
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They never found any evidence connecting his death to the organization.
His mother passed away four years later, leaving Takashi alone in this world.
Kenta was his high school friend. They were very close, and after Takashi’s parents’ deaths, he never left his side.
Later, they joined the police together.
It had always been Kenta’s dream to become a police officer, while Takashi, a top student was determined to become an architect.
He had been fascinated by tall buildings and their beauty ever since their school trip to Tokyo.
But destiny changed his path…
He joined the police with Kenta, determined to uncover the truth behind his father’s death.
“So he brought me here in my car?” Takashi concluded.
“Yes. Do you remember the man? It seems like he disappeared into thin air. I asked for his information, but they told me he had already left you there before the doctors arrived.”
So that was what happened…Takashi thought.
He didn’t want to be seen or connected to the case.
“I only know it was a man, but I don’t remember anything else.” Takashi lied.
If he told Kenta anything, it could ruin his plan…so he decided to lie to his friend for the first time.
It made him feel uncomfortable, but the lie was necessary.
“Well…” Kenta’s expression changed, turning cheerful.
“The most important thing is that you’re alive. Everyone was worried. The chief called so many times.”
“They’ll come to visit you soon. The doctor said you can be discharged in a few days.”
Kenta stood up from the chair.
“It was such a stupid decision not to call for backup. What were you thinking?”
He scolded him like a father would scold his child, even though they were the same age.
“It was police instinct.” Takashi said, smiling as he looked at Kenta’s angry face.
“And by the time backup arrived, they would have surely harmed that woman. I couldn’t just let that happen.”
“And you left your phone in your jacket. What if nobody had found you?”
He couldn’t restrain himself anymore... everything he’d been holding back spilled out.
He was clearly worried about Takashi.
“I know…it was a stupid decision. I thought about it while lying in that alley alone. But it seems I couldn’t think straight that night.”
Takashi lowered his head, embarrassed by his recklessness as he saw the worry on Kenta’s face.
“You made a beginner’s mistake and allowed your emotions to lead you. Don’t ever do that again.” Kenta said as he adjusted the pillow on his bed.
“Do you need anything while I’m here? I didn’t know what to bring. They told me you’re not allowed to eat or drink for a while.”
“I’m okay.” Takashi said.
“Though escaping this hospital doesn’t sound like a bad idea.” he joked.
“Lie down and rest.” Kenta said as he gently pulled his head back onto the adjusted pillow.
“I’ll come again tomorrow. Call me if you need anything.”
He paused, a grin spreading across his face.
“I was hoping for a room full of hot nurses… turns out I came here for nothing.”
He laughed as he headed for the door.
“I’ll arrange that next time you visit.” Takashi laughed.
“You said it yourself...don’t let me down tomorrow.” he smirked, and disappeared behind the closed door.
The bright morning light woke Takashi from his sleep.
Eight o’clock…
He rubbed his face and stood up from the bed.
It was the fifth day since he had been admitted to the hospital.
Now he could move freely, no longer tied to the bed.
Wearing hospital pajamas and with messy hair, he walked straight toward the balcony doors to catch some fresh morning air.
The room wasn’t very big, but it had everything he needed.
In the corner stood a small table with chairs where he ate his meals.
There was a sink with a mirror above it.
He had already grown used to the atmosphere.
The smell of fresh air filled the room.
Takashi approached the sink, washed his face, and adjusted his messy hair.
His face looked better... he had regained some color compared to the first days he’d spent there.
He looked healthy.
The door opened.
“Good morning, Mr. Mori.” a familiar voice greeted him.
“How are you feeling today?” she added.
“Good morning, Dr. Akiyama. I’m feeling much better. Thank you.”
Takashi answered, approaching the bed and waiting for the examination like he did every morning.
“I’m glad to hear that.” she smiled, glancing at the papers in her hands.
“Your condition has improved a lot, Mr. Mori. You’re ready to go home.”
His face brightened when he heard those words.
“But...” she added,
“You can’t return to work until you’ve fully recovered. And you’ll need to come in for regular checkups.”
“Yes, Dr. Akiyama. I understand. When can I go home?”
he asked, excitement was clear on his face.
“We’re waiting for the final blood test results today, but I’m sure everything will be fine.”
She stood there with the papers in one hand and the other tucked into the pocket of her white coat.
“You can call someone to pick you up today. As soon as I get the results, I’ll prepare your discharge papers.”
She left the room, and Takashi couldn’t hide the excitement bubbling inside him.
Finally…
He felt relieved.
Those five days had felt like an eternity... not because he was wounded, but because he had been waiting.
Waiting to find that man.
Waiting to fulfill the promise he had made to himself.
He would avenge his parents…
and the life that had been taken from him.
