Gravity Calls - EraserJoke

002

Early in the morning, Emi can already find herself wandering around the hospital just like she always did in her days off. This same hospital she have been visiting feels too personal for her to not call it home-the second one at least. With her hair braided and her knee-high sunflower dress she entered room 245-Kaneko's. Her hand gripping a bento box in excitement as if her fate depends on it.

"Neko-chan," she called walking in. It was 9 in the morning and she's expecting Kaneko to be awake by now-but knew that even if he isn't, she should probably wake him up for breakfast. But the boy didn't reply-which is normal for a one time call. "Kaneko," she called again as she is now right beside his bed. But still, the boy didn't reply.

At this point all she can see is a boy laid in bed facing straight to the ceiling with his eyes closed. His skin looks slightly paler than usual. Her heart pounds at a much slower pace as she stared through the boy. Her grip of the bento box loosened. 

Without the heart monitor that was taken off yesterday for some reason, there's no way Emi can know if Kaneko is still there all along-and she refused to step in and find out. "Neko-chan," Emi stuttered.

"Emi-san, one day I will be a hero," said Kaneko with a beaming slime.

"AAA!" shouted Kaneko at Emi who is now shrinking on the floor like he just won some world-class prank competition. Emi looked up at him and sighed as her heartbeat burst in full-speed. She couldn't even think of a word to say. Other than the boy scaring the shit out of her, she couldn't resist how grateful she is for the world to be on her side this one time. "That's not funny," is all she can manage to say. 

Kaneko haven't stopped laughing by the time Emi stood up with the bento box she brought. "I brought you this," she said as she placed the box on the boy's lap. As shocked as she is, she couldn't manage a grin nor a single smile. With her heart still pounding hard she mentioned, "Ah, don't ever do that again." 

She walked to the door heading out. "I'll need to get some air, make sure you finish that before I'm back," said Emi forcing a grin. At this point, Kaneko stalled with his hand placed on top of the bento box filled with his absolute favorite. 

Emi gasped for air as soon as she's out of the room. She crouched on the floor against the wall with her hand covering her face frustrated. That really does scare her to death. She knew all along it wasn't a good place to be spending great times with patients-especially ones with severe disease-but she kept doing it. Again and again, time to time, from one to another. 

She turned her gaze to the room next to Kaneko's, room 246. She can hardly see the figure laying on the bed from where she is-although she's well aware it's a male figure with his face covered in breathing equipment. She shouldn't be visiting any new patient right now-at least not in her state, she knew that she can hardly make them feel better in her condition-she might possibly make things worst. But it's almost like her leg walked anyway despite her doubts. She feel the need to know who's in there, at least to ask if he'd mind keeping an eye on Kaneko when she's not around or call the nurse if he shows any sign of his constant seizure. 

It might be too much to ask, she thought as she laid a soft knock the door. Even through the door she can tell the patient's condition isn't well at all. After a couple knock on the door, she notice the figure gazing to her with the corner of his eyes through the see-through part of the door. She can at least guess that by the way he stared, it was an approval for her to come in. 

She entered the room awkwardly walking in with nothing but herself. Emi stalled the moment she laid her eyes on the man. Her heart skipped a beat.

"S-Shota?" she stuttered.