“Okay, Grandpa, room’s all tidy!” I tuck the dusting cloth into the back pocket of my jeans as I rise from my knees and stand proudly before the shrine with my hands on my hips.
“Looks good to me!” Hisao cheers and I look over my shoulder to see my boyfriend sitting cross-legged on the wrong side of the door frame. The big chicken simply refused to step inside this time.
“You’re right, Grandpa, he is a smarty-pants!” I agree with the silence in the room, earning an incredulous look from Hisao.
“I’m okay with paying respects to the departed but I draw the line at being slandered to them.”
“Oh yeah? And how you gonna stop me, scrub-pai?” I lean forward, hands still on hips and flashing just a little cleavage from my loose vest top. “You’re too chicken to step foot into a room.”
“And you have to leave said room eventually.” Hisao smirks, rocking his head from side to side and rolling his shoulders. “I can wait.”
“Oh yeah?” I narrow my eyes at him and plop down in place, crossing my legs. “I guess we’ll have to see!”
We sit there for a couple minutes; giving each other the stink-eye like gunslingers in the old west, turning our heads to give the other pause at possible motives, playing footsies with looks alone.
“Alright, knock whatever game this is off.” Mom says as she appears in the doorway, confused. “Come grab your lunches, and we’ll hit the road.”
The last day at home was being cut short due to Mom having to cover an emergency shift but she insisted on taking as much time as she could to spend with us, so she’s driving us back to Yamaku. No rest for the wondrous.
After our little post-syncope chat, the evening was fairly mundane. Hisao fussed and was checking on me constantly, just like he did in Meguro. Mom, of course, found it adorable but I threatened to end him once again and he went back to normal. The night was even less eventful…
Between Mom’s request playing on my mind, and Hisao’s general nervousness whenever something happens to me, we agreed that cuddling was the most either of us could handle that night. Didn’t stop me thinking about crawling over to his tatami mat in the middle of the night though…
We find ourselves outside the school gates within an hour and Mom is quick to hug each of us in turn.
“It was so nice having you, Hisao!” She beams, tightly squeezing him.
“Thanks, Rui. I had a lot of fun.” He smiles genuinely as Mom releases him and shuffles towards me with a pleading pout.
“And Rika! I’ll be seeing you soon, okay?” She says, pulling me in. “Make sure to get your homework done and to keep up your routine. I don’t want you to be worrying about History or Math when you should be focussing on recovery.”
“I know, Mom. My friends are already helping me.” I pat her back and nuzzle against her shoulder. “I’ll see you in a week.”
She nods enthusiastically as she holds me by my shoulders before heading back to the car. “Good. You two look after each other! Bye, Hisao! Love you, Rika!”
Hisao and I share a look, wordlessly agreeing to do just that. As we’re waving her off, a couple familiar voice sound off behind us.
“Yo, is that Rika’s mom? Doctor, doctor, give me the news!” Akio purses his lips through a smirk but is reined in by Molly and Fuuka by dual smacks to his arms. I all but leap onto Fuuka and squeeze her tightly while Hisao greets his friends.
“God, I missed you!” I whisper into Fuuka’s ear. She hugs me a little too tightly in return.
“Sorry, Akio. Dr Katayama is off the market, apparently.” Hisao jokes, much to Akio’s seeming dismay.
“Really?” He asks me and I nod, giggling. “Damn! Fuuka, what’s your mom look like?”
“Oi! No hitting on mums!” Molly chastises with a cuff to Akio’s bicep. “That’s not on!”
“Things haven’t changed much around here then.” Hisao chuckles.
“I wouldn’t say that… But I’ll tell you guys all about it at the Shanghai?” Fuuka’s invite is intriguing but I did have other plans for the rest of the day. Hmm. I look at Hisao and he gives me a little shake of his head.
“We actually have lunch plans, sorry. Mom made us bentos so we’re gonna have a little picnic date and try to clear my assignments before next week.” I explain, knowing that’s only half-true.
“Sounds saucy.” Akio jokes, waggling his eyebrows at Hisao who bops his arm.
“It’s sweet, Akio. Let me know if you need any help with History or English, Rika.” Molly offers with a cute head tilt. “
“And call me if you want some actual help with English. Molly will have you spelling things with extra U’s.” Akio teases his British classmate, who glares back a little.
“Thanks, guys, I appreciate it more than you know.” I say with earnest. I’m gonna need all the help I can get. “If I can get all my outstanding assignments done before the summer ends, that’d be a big help.”
“She’s getting special consideration due to her being in recovery when the new term starts.” Fuuka elaborates for me. “So I’ll be able to cover those lessons with all the notes I’ll be taking.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Hisao agrees, knowing he’s got Science and Social Studies covered for me. I blush a little as I take hold of his hand.
“We’ll see you all later though! Have fun!” I call as I pull Hisao quickly towards the girls dorms.
“Waaaah, why is Math so convoluted!? Why do we need to do multiplication with letters? Whoever thought of adding letters into Math problems was stupid.” I push the infuriating textbook off the bed and moan into my pillow as Hisao laughs at me. Sitting there with his back against my bed, he checks my Science assignment. “You can shut up too!”
“Is it actually that bad or are you just feeling hangry?” He pulls up the textbook and scans it as I look over his shoulder.
“Probably both… Pass my bento pleeeeeaaaasee!” I stretch out my arm towards the table and Hisao retrieves the box, handing it back to me. I kiss my dutiful boyfriend’s cheek and tuck in.
“Hm, yeah, I remember some of this stuff. This is a little advanced but hey, learning curves are there to overco-” He pauses when he looks over his shoulder at me with a mouthful of food.
“Wha’?”
“You should sit up, you’re going to get a tummy ache.” He shakes his head and turns his attention back to the page. I get a cheeky idea and sit up, scooting along the bed and draping my legs over his shoulders. He scoffs as my legs slip into the gap between the book and him but he adjusts his arms so he can keep reading. I then gently lean on his head with the arm holding my bento.
“Comfy?” He mutters, a slight annoyed tone in his voice.
“You were right, this is much better! Oh, see, this one! This is the one I can’t get!” I lift one foot slightly and point to the Math problem with my big toe.
“Alright, Tezuka, I get the picture.” He chuckles to himself and I lean over to show my face of confusion. Who?
“See, Tezuka uses her feet for everything, no arms.” He waggles his elbows up and down, as if he had no forearms. “And she’s a painter so, heh, getting the picture?”
“Oooooh! The girl who painted the mural! Redhead, really dopey.” I point my chopsticks at him when I get a clear picture of who he means.
“She’s not dopey, she’s just… Rin.” Hisao defends the girl but seemingly runs out of steam when he can’t think of an adequate descriptor for her.
“I didn’t mean it in a bad way, she seems really nice!” I scramble before chuckling myself when I don’t find a good enough word of my own. “Just a little… Rin, I guess.”
“But yeah, variables can be a little tough in the abstract. Here, lemme see if I can explain it…” He reaches for the table and just manages to grab his notepad before nestling back into the embrace of my legs.
He takes the equation I was stumped by and begins methodically breaking it down into parts. He’s careful and measured in his speech, soft and understanding. He asks if I’m following at every step and, to be honest, I’m not but I say yes. I’m just enraptured by the way he speaks.
I feel a warm smile slowly spread across my face as I place my bento down onto the bed next to me as he finally reaches the conclusion and tilts his head back to look at me.
“Does that make sense?” He asks, with a brilliant smile. I take his face in my hands and gently kiss his forehead.
“You’re going to be a wonderful teacher, Mr Nakai…” I compliment, stroking his face ever so gently. He blushes hot pink while gazing up into my eyes before blinking and focusing on the task at hand.
“Um, thanks… But do you get it now?”
“I kind stopped paying attention about halfway through and was just listening to your teacher voice, sorry…” I give him a crooked, apologetic smile as he frowns, tucking his arms under my legs and tipping me backwards onto the bed. I let out a shrieking giggle and he moves to the opposite side of the table in a huff.
“Alright, you, no more distractions. Time you knuckled down!” He taps the desk several times then gesture for me to join him on the floor.
“Yes, Mr Nakai” I purr as I slink down off the bed and am greeted by an eraser to the face and a playfully stern look from my boyfriend.
“Knock it off, Katayama!” Yes, sir…
The following days were interesting mix of study sessions and exercise routines. I’d study a subject with another combination of my friends and then go do some laps in the pool with Hisao or Fuuka. Strangely, I never saw Saki at the pool. Maybe it’s because I don’t dread her being there anymore and that’s done something to the universe where it doesn’t conspire to throw her in my way as much?
Or maybe she went home for a week, hell if I know.
The fact that the week leading up to my last procedure was so mundane was a little unnerving, honestly. Like, this is the last hurdle, it should be harder than this, right? Why are you tempting fate, Rika? Why, oh, why…
I feel confident in the doctors, I feel confident in myself, and I have a good support network. I even have a great boyfriend, too! I have a real shot at something here… And there I go tempting fate again. I should really do something cathartic and something that isn’t just playing video games. Something, I dunno, productive. Meaningful. But what…
What helps people get things off their chests? Talking, duh. But Hisao is such a worry-wart sometimes and I know he’s already pretty worried… People write in diaries, right? It’s not something I’ve ever really done before…
I pull my A4 pad of lined paper out my backpack and begin writing. Just general thoughts on what’s going on, what’s going to happen, how worried I feel in this very moment…
Living with death was a lot easier when you had nothing to live for. Ugh, that sounds like Goth Rika coming out, being all faux intellectual and deep. Not inaccurate though. I’m not scared of dying, I don’t think I have been for a long time. I feel lucky to have lived long enough to meet amazing people. To be loved, to find some kind of meaning in my life.
But that’s kind of the problem. I’m not scared to die but I am terrified to leave everything and everyone I love behind. And the hole I’ll leave in their lives when I’m gone. Okay, that sounds a little egotistical but it’s not unreasonable to believe that Hisao, and Mom, and Fuuka would be devastated, right? I don’t want them to be scared for me or to be hurt by my absence.
Through the process of writing down my ramblings, I finally piece together something. Something so obvious yet I’d never have thought about it had I not gone through what I had these past months. I look at the words on the page and realise what I’ve been doing; I’ve been writing Iwanako’s letter.
Okay, not the exact letter - it’s nowhere near as full of empty platitudes that would piss me off if I read them but they’re my genuine thoughts. Thoughts I’ve shared before and thoughts that I hope would bring hope, or closure, or some sense of relief to whoever read it.
I tear the page out of the pad and put it in front of me on the table. I read it over again, making note of what thoughts are relevant and what aren’t, and then I put pen to paper once more.
Dear Hisao…
Over the course of an hour, I write the three most important letters I’ve ever written. Okay, they’re the only letters I’ve ever written, but that’s partly why they’re important. Should’ve asked Iwanako where she got her stationary from, these look pretty bland by comparison. I fold each three times, as if they’re going to slip into envelopes. Note to self: get envelopes. In the mean time, I hide them away where they’re the least likely to be discovered.
I slide my bedside drawer open, and wedge the letters behind the non-descript white box that I wedged into there after I got back from Shogen. A full compliment, still unused. They can last a little longer, just until after I recover… My cheeks warm at the thought as I rub my biceps slowly. Two-three weeks. I can last just a little longer, right?
…I want to call Hisao.
I pick up my phone and think better of myself. It’s definitely too late to call him. Too late for anything, really. [12:04am]. I have a big day tomorrow. Today.
Today’s the day. I should really go to bed. But the increasingly hot thoughts of Hisao mean I won’t be going to sleep just yet…
“Dawn of the Final Day.” I breathe a quiet chuckle into the morning air as I step outside of the girls’ dorms, overnight bag stuffed with everything I’ll need for the foreseeable. Okay, it’s neither dawn nor my final day but it feels appropriate, I think. My sweet Hisao wouldn’t appreciate the reference, however.
He’s painting on a warm, supportive smile as he walks across from the boys’ dorms, dressed all neat in his uniform for the first day back. Even through the veneer of smartness, I can tell when he’s worried and I don’t blame him, I’d be just the same in his position. I’ll have to do my best to show him I’m not scared and he shouldn’t be either.
“M-Morning, Rika.”
“Good morning, Hisao!” I cheerily step up to him and kiss him on the lips. “I hope you slept well?”
“Um…” His smile disappears as his expression becomes confused by my early morning cheeriness. Well, that didn’t work.
“I haven’t gone crazy, Hisao.” I reassure, cupping his face. “You look like you’re about to invert yourself with worry. Chill out, would you?”
“I’m trying, Rika, I really am.” He nuzzles into my palm. My dear, sweet boy…
“I know and thank you for offering to come with me, but it wouldn’t do for you to miss the first day of the new term.” I explain to him again, like I have at least three other times. He missed a lot of school already, he doesn’t need to miss more because of me.
“I wish you weren’t going in there alone…” He laments with a sigh.
“I won’t be alone, silly. Mom is going to be with me.”
“I know but I… I should be there for you. You would be for me.” He meets my eyes with a determined look. He’s sweet when he’s chivalrous. I lean up and kiss him again.
“Tch, get a room!” An unfamiliar voice calls out from the girls’ dorms and we both look to see a pair of girls reaching the end of the ramp. One is Saki, done up to look her best in her school uniform, and the other is a brown-haired girl with an orange headband.
“Get a life, Tainaka…” Hisao rolls his eyes at the girl, a move she doesn't appreciate as she clicks her tongue at him again.
Saki, meanwhile, lags behind a little to look at me. I give her a nod of acknowledgement and a smile, hoping our truce or whatever still stands. She mouthes the words ‘good luck’ and gives me a wink before catching up with the Tainaka, linking arms with her.
“That was the last thing you needed.” Hisao’s right eye twitches a little but I shake my head at him.
“Nah, it’s good. Spite is one hell of a motivator!” I wink at him and nudge his ribs, finally earning a laugh out of him. More and more students begin to filter out of the dorms and we hold hands as we move towards the gates, stopping about halfway there.
“You really need to get to class.” I give Hisao a disapproving look but a little smile just afterwards.
“I will when your Mom gets here.” He grips my hand a little tighter. I don’t want to let him go either, honestly.
“She’s only gonna be another ten minutes! Go on, I can stand at the gates without a chaperone, senpai. You, however, have to answer to the Student Council and you don’t need that kind of drama.”
Hisao pulls me into a tight embrace and sighs just behind my ear. “I love you and I’ll see you soon, okay?”
“I love you too, now get your rear in gear!” I push him away from me, a playful smile on my lips. He smiles back, walking backwards for as long as he can before he has to turn into the stream of students and head into the main building.
“See you soon, Hisao.”
“I’m glad to see you’ve been taking measures to improve your overall health, that will definitely help you. I know this will be old hat for you, Rika, but I still have to outline the prospective side-effects you may experience post-op, so please bear with me.” Dr Horishi Miyagawa says with a warm smile. The sandy brown-haired man in his late-forties has known me for the better part of my teenage life.
He was the one who performed my Glenn procedure when I was fourteen. He’s funny, kind and - most importantly - straight with me about my condition. A lot of doctors I’ve met sugar-coat my prospects but Dr Miyagawa never did. He recognised that I, as a long-term survivor, didn’t need to be coddled.
I trust this man, sitting on the edge of my bed running through all the information I already know, with my life. I have before. He tilts his head as he finishes his explanation.
“Does that sound about right to you, Rika?”
“Yup, glad to see you remembered it this time without notes.” I playfully jab at him and his bassy laugh is strangely soothing.
“A positive attitude and a sense of humour are often the first casualties with these kinds of procedures so it’s refreshing to see you haven’t lost yours.” He pats my leg as he gets up off the bed. “The nurses will be along shortly to prep you for surgery and I’ll see you in there!”
“Thank you, Dr Miyagawa.” My Mom and I say in unison and he nods genuinely as he slides the room door closed.
“How you holding up, sweetheart?” Mom asks, placing her hand on mine.
“Usual levels of anxiety but feeling pretty confident, though!” I reassure her, squeezing her hand. “Though there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Please don’t say you’re pregnant, my heart couldn’t take it!” Mom jokes.
“No, hehe, not pregnant. I need to tell you…” I take a moment and a deep breath. Time to be serious. “There’s three letters in my room, in my bedside table. One’s for you, the others are for Hisao and Fuuka.”
“Rika…” Mom frowns as she interjects but I slip my hand out from under hers and place it on top, squeezing gently.
“No, Mom, listen. Please. I’m totally confident in Dr Miyagawa but we both know things can go wrong with even the most routine procedures. Those letters are…” I close my eyes before choosing my next words carefully. They’re certainly not my last will and testament, more like… in case of emergency: break glass. “They’re for the absolute worst case scenario.”
Mom’s eyes glisten with emotion as I open my own to look at her. It’s probably the last thing a mother needs to hear but I hope the doctor in her understands my reasoning.
“I didn’t tell Hisao and Fuuka about them because they’d only worry and probably read them early…” I smirk a little. They’d probably toss my room looking for the letters if I told them.
“Oh, but I wouldn’t?” The laugh leaving her lips is choked through the emotion swelling in her throat.
“No, because I trust you to know me better. You know it’s just me being practical, maybe a little cautious, and that there’s no one I trust with this more than you, Mom.” I shake her hand a little, indicating with my head that I’d like to hug her. She obliges and stands, wrapping her arms around my shoulders.
“When did you become so grown-up?” Mom quietly sniffles into my ear.
“What can I say? I was raised tough.” I grin through the wetness pooling in the corners of my eyes.
“Damn straight, you were.”
A little while later, I’m trundled out of my room on a gurney by the nurses.
“Guess I’ll see you in a few hours.” I smile crookedly up at my Mom as she kisses my forehead. Okay, the anxiety is getting the better of me now.
“Yeah, you will. Love you, sweetheart.”
“Love you!” I call back as my hand finally leaves hers and I’m escorted towards the operating theatre. Okay, here we go… I shift a little on the bed and tighten the bow keeping my braided hair rooted to my skull.
“Soooo… How’s your day going?” I ask the nurse nearest to me with the same crooked smirk. She’s nice enough to snort in amusement but doesn’t answer as she pays close attention to controlling the gurney.
The fluorescent lights and door ways passing overhead change very little until we enter the operating theatre. From a cursory look around the room, I see the team of strangers making little preparations for the work they’ll be doing on me for the next four hours or so. When they catch sight of me looking at them, they smile behind their masks, bowing a little toward me.
“All set, Rika?” A masked man on the opposite side of my field of vision asks. I turn my head towards him and immediately recognise his eyes. Oh good, I was getting worried for a second that he wasn’t here.
“Th-think so. Just a quick tune-up and a n-new set of tires right, Dr Miyagawa?” I can feel my somewhat confident smile falter a little even as he pats my shoulder.
“You’re in safe hands.” His reassurance is appreciated. I know he’s going to do his best. The anaesthetist places the mask over my head and adjusts it over my mouth and nose. I give her a little thumbs up when it’s comfy.
“Okay, Rika, think you can count backwards from ten for me?” Dr Miyagawa asks and I nod. I close my eyes and take a deep breath as I hear the near-silent hiss of gas filtering into the mask.
“Ten.” Here goes everything, I guess. My thoughts immediately shift to Hisao, sitting in class, hopefully doing his best too.
“Nine.” I’ll see you soon.
“Eight.” I promise, Hisao…
“Seven.” This won’t be…
“Sizzzzz-*”
Game Over.
Accept Side Quest? Bonus Act 3.5: Co-Op
Previous Level <---> Next Level
I don't think it helps that I cast a Big Fave as an antagonist but I hope people will understand my ideas when Saki's story concludes
Now if I was writing this, I may have the next scene open with Hisao reading his letter. Now THAT would twist the knife and I would probably come north and give you a big kiss for it, but you’re too good at fluff and lovey dovey stuff to do that 
