After reaching the hospital, the nurse guided the injured man to an orthopedic doctor, to get his potentially fractured arm examined. And Takeru was requested to wait in the waiting area.
While waiting Takeru couldn't help but feel at edge, and it was very prominently noticeable in his body language. Unconsciously he kept on tapping his feet and from time to time he would turn to see if the man was coming out or not.
"Thank you for waiting", Takeru turned and looked at the man, whose fractured arm was now secured with a cast. He couldn't help but stare at the cast for a second too long. Feeling guilty, Takeru bowed to a ninety degree and apologized, 'I'm truly sorry'. "They say it will be completely healed in a month and a half", rescinded the man.' A collision between a bicycle and a pedestrian...The perpetrator was me', Takeru thought internally.
Looking at Takeru's identity card, the man read out Takeru's name and asked, "Takeru Nagami...You're a university student". 'Yes', responded Takeru, for which he was only acknowledged by an "Um…", the man looked like he was contemplating something. Looking at the man's stoic face,Takeru felt panicked and thought, 'I'm done, what if he asks me for compensation money? I don't have any'. Therefore, Takeru decided that he would be completely transparent, about his circumstances and how he is not in a position, where he could compensate him with money. 'I don't have any insurance. To be honest, I don't have any money either...But I will get a job and pay for your medical expenses, I am sorry about this!', tried to explain Takeru and again bowed deeply to the man, apologetically. Their interaction caught the eye of other people sitting in the waiting room, they were all thinking why is that young fellow constantly bowing so deeply , to the man with the cast, their whispers were clearly audible to both Takeru and the man."Hey, what's going on there? Did that young boy do something to that man with the fractured arm?" The injured man turned his head and gazed at the people and smirked while thinking, "Disgusting". At that time Takeru also lifted his head up and gazed at the now dispersed onlookers with confusion, but after a few seconds Takeru realized what he had done and again apologized being embarrassed, 'Sorry'.
After a moment of awkward silence the man asked Takeru, "Hey this might sound a bit strange but are you good at kanji?" 'Huh? Kanji?', asked Takeru. Nodding the man said,"That's right". 'I passed the first level kanji exam in high school', answered Takeru. The man began by saying "Then, you…", then suddenly he paused and looked at Takeru, 'Yes?', replied Takeru, "Can you work immediately?", questioned the man. 'Huh?',Takeru said in a confused manner.
Takeru was doing the paperwork because the man had injured his dominant hand, which was currently in an arm cast. While Takeru wrapped up the paperwork, the man paid for his medical fee.
By the time they left the hospital it was already 11:30 pm and the night had fallen long ago. While filling out the paperwork, Takeru got to know that the man's name was Kairi Morioka and he was 34 years old.
Walking down the road, together, Takeru asked, 'Mr. Morioka, what do you do?' "My job?", questioned Kairi. 'Yes', nodded Takeru. "I guess I am a novelist", answered Kairi. 'That's amazing!', commented Takeru. "I have a novel due this month", announced Kairi."I have the plot worked out in my head, I just need to write it all down, but because of the condition of my arm like this…", Kairi emphasised on his words by touching his arm. Instantly Takeru felt responsible and apologized, 'Sorry about that'. Finding the perfect opportunity Kairi reminded Takeru of his earlier offer,"That's why I want you to work for me. I want you to write down everything I say on paper". 'Huh?', Takeru reacted perplexed. "Can you do it?", probed Kairi. 'I will do it. I mean, please let me do it!'replied Takeru, afterall it was his fault that the man was in such an odd situation to begin with. He decided that he would take responsibility for his actions. "Forget about the medical fees. Let's settle it this way", Kairi suggested. 'Huh? Really? Thank you very much', answered Takeru wide eyed. "You need to help me until it heals", warned Kairi. 'Of course',enthusiastically replied Takeru. "But...You can't back out halfway, you have to stick around until my arm's better", informed Kairi. 'I assure you that I will be taking full responsibility for my actions and I am very grateful to you, as well for understanding my situation', Takeru sincerely assured Kairi. Kairi only replied by saying, "We will see".
Looking at Kairi's back, Takeru was finally able to take a breather. 'Ah...Thank god I hit a nice person. And helping out a novelist sounds fun', thought Takeru, now getting slightly excited. Looking at Kairi's back, Takeru was finally able to take a breather. 'Ah...Thank god I hit a nice person. And helping out a novelist sounds fun', thought Takeru, now getting slightly excited.
Submerged in his thoughts Takeru didn't realize that he was left way behind Kairi and in order to catch up with him, Takeru sprinted towards Kairi. As they started walking together, matching each other's steps,the only sound audible was the heavy breathing of Takeru and the comforting sound of the wind.
Looking at his watch Takeru realized that it was already past twelve O' clock and there would be no public transport running at this time. Seeing the worried look on Takeru's face, Kairi enquired, "What happened?" Looking up at Kairi, Takeru explained,' It's past twelve, therefore, I won't be able to go back home today and I don't have any money to stay at a hotel. So, I guess I have to sleep on a bench in a park. Do you know any park here, which is closer to the station? I am not familiar with this area', asked Takeru. "You can stay over tonight at my place", offered Takeru.
'But aren't you scared that I might steal something valuable of yours. After all today is the first time that we have met each other, we are strangers, after all. You know Mr. Morioka you should not let strangers into your house, it's unsafe', blabbered Takeru. Slightly chuckling Kairi informed Takeru, "I don't have anything valuable here, so if you want to steal something...feel free to do so.And yes I agree with the stranger part but I have been an adult for a long time, I am well aware how to take care of myself. That I don't need to learn from you".
Standing in front of a one storied house Takeru asked Kairi, 'Mr Morioka is this where you live?' Without saying anything Kairi opens the door and lets Takeru inside.