On the second day, since I awoke from a coma. I can move my hands a little, but I still can't talk. How long am I going to be mute? It's early in the morning, and I heard the door open. I look to see who it is. Oh, it's Aoi, and she is in her school uniform.
"Oh, brother, good morning. I brought some breakfast."
[Why is she here?]
"You still can't talk or move? Guess I'll have to feed you then."
Wait, she's going to feed me? Aren't you supposed to go to school? What even is the time?
*looks at the clock directly in front of the bed.
It's 6:00 in the morning. Aoi visited me this early to take care of me? I guess I'll have to play along. I can't use my arms anyways.
"I brought some chicken soup. Mom made it this morning."
[Nothing like a warm soup for a cold day.]
"Try opening your mouth."
*slightly opens mouth
"Eh, good enough."
*puts the spoon in mouth
"So, how is it?"
*blinks profusely
"Blink three times if it's a yes."
*blinks three times
"Ok, then try finishing the entire thing."
Ah, I'm full. Mom's cooking is the best.
It's still 6:30 AM, Aoi's classes begin at 8:30. I think she came too early. What is she going to do for the next 1 hour?
Then suddenly, I hear the door open again. Who could it be this time? Wait, Hasegawa-san?!
"Good morning Tanaka-san. Oh, Aoi-chan, you're here too."
"Yeah, I'm in charge of taking care of him."
"Every day?"
"Yes"
"What about your parents?"
"They have work early in the morning, until late night. So, I basically have no choice."
[Since when did Aoi and Hasegawa-san get this close? Did something happen while I wasn't awake? ]
"Aoi-chan, I have a suggestion."
"What is it?"
"How about we alternate days to take care of Tanaka-san."
"That would be great, but are you sure?"
"I'm sure. So that means I'll take care of Tanaka-san starting tomorrow."
"What about his food?"
"I'll buy him some."
"That's too much."
"Oh, It's alright. It's just my way of repaying his kindness."
"His kindness? How?"
"He actually helped me regain my confidence as a person."
"Eh, my brother did something like that?"
[I can still hear, you know.]
"But I do hope you will take care of him. Hasegawa-san"
"Don't worry, I will."
"Oh, It's already 7:30. I need to go to school. What about you?"
" I'll stay a little longer. My school is just five minutes away."
"See you then."
*Aoi leaves the room.
Now, only me and Hasegawa-san are in this room. All of a sudden, Hasegawa-san brings out something from her bag.
"Tanaka-san, I have a gift for you."
[What could her gift be? I'm kind of curious.]
"And... Here it is."
[A bracelet?]
"It might not be something expensive or big, but it's something I made for you. I made this bracelet a few days ago before you awoke from your coma. Do you like it?"
*blinks 3 times
*Hasegawa puts the bracelet on Tanaka's right hand.
"It's a gift I made to celebrate you waking up from a coma."
[I better make sure to pay her back when I regain my strength]
"Well, that's all I wanted to give you today. I need to go to school too. So, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then. Bye-bye Tanaka-san"
*Hasegawa-san leaves
Guess I'm all alone now. What do I even do? Wait, I can finally move my arm. Hmm, what is this thing beside me? Does a TV remove? There's only one way to know, press the buttons. The TV is still not turning on. The batteries are probably dead.
Then I heard the door burst open. It was one of the nurses. She looks at me worriedly.
"Is there anything you need?"
[I think that was not the remote. It was the nurse button.]
"Sir?"
*she checks the documents with my current body status.
"Oh, I see you can't speak."
[Uh, what should I do?]
"Blink three times for yes and two times for no."
[Oh, just like what Hasegawa-san did.]
"Does anything hurt?"
*2 blinks
"Are you hungry?"
*2 blinks
[This is getting us nowhere.]
*Tanaka stares at the TV. The nurse notices.
"Do you want to watch TV?"
*3 blinks
[Ah, finally. The nurse gets the remote then turns on the TV]
"Can you move your hands?"
*3 blinks
"Can you move both of them?"
*3 blinks
"Then I will place the TV remote to your right hand. The nurse call button to the left. Got it?"
*3 blinks
"Do you need anything else?"
*2 blinks
"I will take my leave then."
That was a bit awkward, but at least I get to watch TV. So, the TV is on the right side, the nurse is on the left side.
The entire day all I did was watch TV and sleep. I hope I recover fast. Not being able to move is quite inconvenient. Also, the lunch food in this hospital sucks. I hope Aoi brings me something good for dinner.
Its 5:00 PM
My sister Aoi just arrived in my room.
"Brother, I brought dinner."
[Finally! I'm starving here.]
"I cooked up some fried fish at home."
[I wish Aoi could stay this nice forever.]
I had just finished eating dinner. Ah, that was some delicious food, but come to think of it, I never ate one of Aoi's cooking before. Aoi's cooking is actually good. I'd like to eat some again when I get out of this hospital.
"Oh, by the way, I saw Takimichi-san while I was on my way here."
[Taki? Now that I think of it, I didn't even see him even once, ever since I woke up.]
"I was going to call him, but he somewhat looks depressed. So, I just left him alone."
[Eh, what happened to him? I can't remember, but did something happen between us?]
"Takimichi-san used to visit you while you were in a coma, but after you woke up, I never saw him come back. I don't know why."
[Maybe he's just busy or something, but why would he be depressed though. Taki was always cheerful. Guess I have to contact him after I get out of this stinky hospital.]
"It's getting pretty late. I'll head home then. Oh, yeah, Hasegawa-san will be the one taking care of you tomorrow. Finally, I get to sleep longer. Well then, see ya."
Then I was all alone again. Ah, I want to get of this hospital as soon as possible.
A couple of days have passed with Hasegawa-san and Aoi alternating to take care of me. I was finally discharged, though I haven't fully recovered my ability to walk and speak. So, I have to go to rehabilitation every day, but at least it's better than staying in bed the entire day. I have to use a wheelchair till I fully recover.
I can finally get out of that damned hospital. I might not be able to walk yet, but at least I can enjoy the manga and animes at home. The TV channels in the hospital only broadcasted children's anime and documentaries. I should also contact Taki when I get home. I tried texting him when I recovered my strength to move most of my upper limbs, but he never responded. I couldn't call him since my voice hasn't returned yet, but I can say a few words before stopping.
Ah, at last, I have arrived home. I miss the scent that lingers within the house. It somehow feels nostalgic to me, even though it feels like I've only been away for a few days. I can finally rest comfortably without the putrid odor of the hospital and rowdy hallways. The best part is I never have to eat any more of that repulsive lunch.
As I got home, I was greeted with a party. My whole family was there, even Hasegawa-san, but I couldn't see any signs of Taki anywhere. I was sad that he hadn't turned up, but I had later accepted it. They prepared this party for me after all, what's the point of not enjoying it?
The party went well, but as it was about to end, Hasegawa-san approached me.
"Congratulations on being discharged."
[*I smile]
"I brought you another gift."
[She brings out a box full of colorful wrapping.]
"Here's something you can read when you're bored. I figured you might like it."
[Hmm, what is it?]
"Well, then I'll have to head home now."
Before she could even leave. I immediately grabbed her hand.
"Th-thank y-you..."
"You're welcome. Well, then goodnight Tanaka-san."
Hasegawa-san leaves. Ah, now what could be in this box. Huh? What's this on my hand? Powder? I don't know any powder that looks like this. Maybe this is make-up? Why would she need make-up on her arm? She probably placed some by accident. Anyways I'm curious to see what she got me.
It feels heavy.
*opens the box.
This is the manga series I've wanted to buy! But I was in a coma before I could even get it. Ah, thank you, Hasegawa-san. Wait, she got the entire series! I could totally fall for her right now, but I promised myself that I won't fall in love again. Argh, I can't understand anymore.
[N] ~Hello, nice to meet you all. Starting from this part of the story, I will narrate some parts for better understanding. My author has decided that it would be better to add a narrator to the mix. That's all for my introduction.~
[N] ~At this point, Tanaka is having a self-conflict. The addition of Hasegawa to his life has made quite an impact on Tanaka's mentality. In the past, Tanaka used to be gloomy, which was caused by his so-called trauma back in middle school. But after he met Hasegawa, he became a bit more lively without even realizing himself. As of now, Tanaka is conflicted about whether he should stick with his current or former mentality. Will we see our main character fall for Hasegawa or not? The answer we'll see soon.~