A hazy line of white light was what greeted Hajime as soon as his eyes fluttered open. He was still confused, and disoriented, and a stinging pain in his back and stomach made him uncomfortable. It was also difficult for him to breathe as if weights were placed on top of him. 'Where am I?' He asked himself, his headache bothering him a bit— a fragment of memory he locked away suddenly resurfaced.
There was a child, standing by the corner of the hospital. That child stared straight at him as he was wheeled away in one of the gurneys. He perfectly knew why he was being wheeled into the hospital. At that time, there was a ringing in his ears and the worst of headaches plagued him as if his skull was cracked open. It took all of his strength to activate the muscles on his shoulders and lift up his right hand. He was badly injured back then, and the extreme pain made him conclude that he was slowly dying. For a few seconds, he stared at his hand and his hand stared back at him like a terrifying nightmare. He still sees this hand in his dreams to this day.
And every single time, he wondered if it was only his blood that trickled on it.
Hajime finally got to his senses, he found himself in the local hospital, much to his surprise. The first thing that he noticed wasn't the doctor that listed down a few things on his notes, but the IV Drip that mesmerizingly dripped down liquid as if it had its own rhythm. The IV Drip then flowed through the tubes that connected to a needle attached to Hajime's arm. He slowly watched as the liquid slowly flowed through the tube, then into the needle.
Schwip!
In an instant, he unstrapped the tape on his chelidon (the opposite part of the elbow), ripping off the needle buried on his skin. "How dare you take advantage of an unconscious person!" Hajime shakily pointed at the doctor, who confusingly adjusted his glasses in response. "Just so you know, I'm not paying a single cent for that IV Drip. I don't need it!" He slightly raised his voice on the last sentence as if to emphasize it.
"Oh, Sasajime Hajime, was it? You don't have to worry about paying for anything. It's already taken care of by your benefactor."
"My benefactor?" Hajime asked, thinking that it was probably one of the debt collectors who got him and sent him to the hospital. If that were the case, he still won't' think twice about not paying off his parents' debt.
"Yes, a gentleman who does not wish to disclose his name. Apparently, he found you unconscious in front of your school, along with five other guys. They were brought in just a little after you were." The doctor narrated. "You were lucky. You had a slight hemorrhage. There was a chance that you could die from it."
In response, Hajime winced, remembering the time when the guy he met brought down the bat on his head. He didn't want to experience such torment again. "How long before I could get discharged?"
"You can stay here for three days just to make sure." The doctor said. "Or you can go now if you're feeling better, but just so you know, everything's already been paid for."
"Do you have a phone?" Hajime then asked out of the blue.
Of course, if he really did have a benefactor who seemed like a gentleman and who already paid for everything, then the opportunity's too hard to pass up for Hajime. His lips curved upward as the doctor responded with a 'yes' and handed him his phone. The doctor didn't know why Hajime asked so suddenly but he figured Hajime might call his family members. That's why he didn't hesitate to lend Satoshi his phone.
"Hello, sir?"
"Yes, this is Takai Daichi of Menlo Constructions, to whom am I speaking?"
"This is Sasajima Hajime, sir."
"Oh, Hajime!"
After explaining his situation, Hajime's employer then accepted his absence for the next three days. There was a bit of sympathy in his voice that Hajime felt a tad bit guilty for staying-in in the hospital. 'Are you all right? Do you need any money?' He asked.
"No, sir, the hospital bills have already been paid in full." Hajime continued.
"I see, let me know if you need anything. Take care of yourself."
Click!
The doctor in the room eyed Hajime for a few seconds before turning around. He probably expected him to give the phone back since the call was already over. However, Hajime just put the phone on his lap and stared at it in deep thought. His eyebrows furrowed, then they relaxed, then they scrunched again. The doctor couldn't make heads or tails of the situation but he was a bit intrigued by Hajime's actions.
That's when it dawned on the doctor that Hajime was wondering whether to call someone or not. In that regard, he cleared his throat and gently smiled. "You almost died today, um, Sasajima Hajime. If I may offer a bit of advice, it is best to call that person now rather than later. Life is pretty unpredictable after all, and living a life of indecision and regret will only put more weight on your shoulders."
"Are you a therapist too? Sorry," Hajime asked, then apologized a second later after hearing his own sarcasm. "You're right, thanks."
"No worries," The doctor smiled, then headed to his seat before writing a few things. A moment ago, it was clear that he was about to exit the hospital room, then he remembered that Hajime still had his phone. That's why he patiently waited, trying to look as busy as possible even though there was nothing for him to do aside from monitoring the other patients.
Rummaging through his pocket, Hajime finally found the piece of paper Akamine-sensei gave him. The call was made and Hajime was allowed to skip school for three days. Oddly, Akamine-sensei also gave the same response as Hajime's employer, asking him if he needed any money or if he needed any help. Hajime misunderstood their concern as pity, and this left him confused as he said goodbye to his homeroom teacher.
"I'll drop by tomorrow," Akamine-sensei said before hanging up.