A familiar warmth cradled me as I awoke. My head was heavy with fatigue. I blinked, adjusting to the sterile white of the room and the antiseptic smell that stung my nose. A hospital. My brow furrowed as I tried to piece things together. “How did I end up here?” The last thing I remembered was the fight—the blood, the panic. Everything had gone dark after that. Someone must have brought me here.
A soft rustle broke through my thoughts. I turned to see Kristine slouched in a chair, head resting on her folded arms by the bed. Even in sleep, worry etched lines on her face, her breaths slow and heavy. I felt a tug at my heart. Reaching out, I brushed a few stray strands of hair from her face. She stirred, and a small sigh escaped her lips. Her presence grounded me and made all this feel real.
The wall clock read 4 p.m. “I’ve been out for a while.” I should’ve let her sleep, but I couldn’t help myself. I shook her shoulder with care. “Kristine… wake up.” She blinked with heavy eyelids, then her eyes shot open, locking onto mine. She reacted at once. She rushed at me, her arms wrapping around me with a grip that made me wince.
“Suki, you idiot!” Her voice cracked with frustration and relief. “Do you have any idea how worried I was?” Tears glistened in her eyes, but she held them back, her voice raw with emotion. Guilt twisted in my gut, sharper than any pain I felt from my injuries. I wanted to make it right, but my words felt weak. “I’m sorry…”
Kristine pulled back and gripped the bed’s edges with such force that her knuckles turned white. “Sorry doesn’t cut it, Rei. You could have died!” Her voice wavered on the last word, and she bit her lip, fighting to hold herself together. My throat tightened, guilt pressing down on me. I reached for her hand, but she shook her head, cutting me off before I could speak.
“Let me finish,” she murmured, her voice soft and her fingers trembling in my grasp. “I know you want to protect everyone. That’s one of the things I love—” She stopped, catching herself before pushing forward. “That’s what I admire about you. But you have to think about the people who care about you too. What would I do if… if something happened to you?”
Her words hit harder than any blow I’d taken in battle. I had never thought about it from her perspective. My recklessness wasn’t just a risk to me—it hurt the people who cared about me, and it hurt her. I squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry, Kristine. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
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She sighed, her shoulders slumping as if the weight of her fear had finally caught up with her. “I know you didn’t mean to. But you always take these insane risks, and one day…” Her voice trailed off, her eyes dark with unspoken fear. She tried to smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Just… be more careful, okay?” I nodded. “I will.”
She leaned in, her voice a faint whisper. "You'd better.” Kristine pulled me into a tight hug, her warmth chasing away the chill in my bones. When she pulled back, the tension in her face had eased. “How are you feeling? Do you need anything?”
“I’m fine,” I lied, though every muscle and bone screamed otherwise. But the weight of her worry made my pain seem insignificant. Kristine scanned me, noting every bruise and bandage before flashing a teasing grin. “Well, you’re recovering, at least. You’re tougher than you look.”
I chuckled, trying to match her lightness. “Guess I got lucky.” But her earlier words stayed with me. I wanted to say more, to tell her what her words meant to me. But before I could find the courage, a knock at the door interrupted us.
A doctor entered, his gentle smile immediately putting me at ease. “Rei, good to see you awake,” he said before turning to Kristine. “Miss Lay, could I have a moment with Rei?” Kristine hesitated, looking to me for reassurance. I gave her a nod, and with a reluctant glance back, she left the room. “Is everything okay, Doc?” I asked, trying to keep the nerves from my voice.
The doctor pulled up a chair beside the bed. “You’re going to be fine, Rei. But you need to rest and take it slow.” He paused, glancing at the door. “She cares about you, you know. You should listen to her.” My cheeks warmed, and I looked away. “I know,” I muttered.
The doctor gave me a knowing smile and patted my shoulder. “That’s all I needed to hear.” He got up and headed to the door, pausing for a brief moment. “You have another visitor,” he said as someone entered. “Mom?” My eyes widened. She rushed to my bedside, her eyes red-rimmed, the same striking yellow as mine. “Rei,” she breathed, her voice trembling as she took my hand. “My brave, foolish boy.”
“Mom, I’m sorry—”
“I know, sweetheart,” she interrupted, gripping my hand tighter. “But when they called and told me… I thought I'd lost you.”
Her voice wavered, and I squeezed her hand, trying to reassure her. “I’m okay, Mom. Really.” She pulled me into a gentle hug. “Thank goodness,” she whispered, tears escaping despite her efforts. “How long have you been here?” I asked, noticing her work clothes. “I came as soon as I got the call,” she replied, forcing a small smile.
We stayed like that for some time, engaged in quiet conversation until she had to leave for work. Watching her go, knowing she had come to make sure I was alright, hit me harder than I expected. She had to return to work; we needed the money, but it still stung to see her leave so soon. Kristine came back with food, and we shared an easy conversation until she too had to go. Without her, the room felt emptier. The beeping machines and sterile white walls closed in on me.
Knock, knock.
I sat up, heart racing with anticipation. Another visitor? The nurse entered, smiling kindly. “Mr. Moutsuki, there’s someone here to see you.”
Before I could respond, the door creaked open. A man in a sleek suit stepped inside, moving with practiced ease. Round-tinted glasses hid his eyes, but his posture radiated confidence. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Moutsuki.”
[End of Chapter]