Raika lay quietly in her bed at her mansion, her body still recovering, but her mind far away, drifting back to the hospital. The memory felt vivid, as if it were happening all over again.
In the memory, she was sitting in a sterile hospital hallway, her friends gathered around her. The bright fluorescent lights above buzzed faintly, casting cold shadows on the white-tiled floor. Fay was standing next to her, tapping Raika's shoulder with that friendly but persistent energy, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"So, Raika," Fay had asked, her voice casual but probing, "how did you manage to survive back there, huh?" Her hand remained on Raika's shoulder, a soft but reassuring touch. Lay and Nana were seated close by, gently comforting Mia, who was still wiping away the last of her tears from earlier. They all looked tired, but relieved to be together again.
