One Shots

58. [Remembering's Aftermath]

"Inigo, what are you doing after school?" Midoriko asked as she set her books into her bag. "Wanna hang out?"

"My archery lessons got cancelled, but I need to go pick up Minori," Inigo sighed, laying his head on his desk. "I'm gonna stop by the cafe before I go home. Wanna come with?"

The tone in his voice was different than usual. It was subtle, but Midoriko knew Inigo long enough to know that something was off.

"Is something wrong?" She asked. "You sound like you're dreading something."

"Not really."

Midoriko crossed her arms, her face pulling into a frown.

"Now I know there is something wrong," she said stoutly. "What happened?"

Inigo remained silent, keeping his head on his desk. Even though Midoriko kept prodding at him to tell her anything, nothing left the boy's lips. When he finally did lift his head off his desk, his eyepatch was askew on his face, leaving parts of Inigo's scar visible. Midoriko had to resist the urge to shudder at it.

"Grandfather said that my parents are in town," Inigo mumbled. "They're going to be home when I get there."

"What's wrong with that?" Midoriko sat on top of Inigo's desk, preventing him from laying his head down again. "I thought your parents coming around was rare since they're always working overseas. Aren't you excited to see them?"

Inigo looked out the window, deep in thought. His lip was curled into a solemn pout.

"Well..."

He stood up, grabbing his crutch from where it was lying against the wall.

"Is it because this is going to be the first time they've seen you since the accident?"

Inigo winced.

Although it was a little while since he got out of the hospital, the accident was still fresh in their minds. Midoriko could still see the sight as if it was burned into her eyes: a sea of red blood, shattered glass, and a strangled scream. It took a coma and six months for Inigo to finally regain consciousness, and even now, almost a year and a half later, Inigo was still having trouble walking. Although he managed to go back to his archery lessons, the frustrations of not being able to see completely shone through like a light in a dark hallway.

Inigo sighed, fixing his eyepatch.

"I knew that getting plastic surgery to fix my scar probably would have been the best bet, but I think I've seen enough of hospital rooms for the rest of my life and beyond," he mumbled again, shrugging his backpack on and tucking his crutch under his arm. "I don't ever want to go back there. C'mon, let's go. Boba tea on me today."

Midoriko walked next to him, making sure that he didn't trip.

"So is that it? You don't want your mom and dad to see you like this?"

"I guess. I don't know why, though, they always put me on edge. I guess it's because I don't know them as well as a normal kid would know their parents, I don't get to see them unless I'm watching them play a character in a movie or show."

Inigo stumbled, and Midoriko latched onto his arm, pulling him upright. His crutch clattered onto the ground with a dull thud.

"I freaking hate this," Inigo grumbled. "Damn it...!"

"It's okay," Midoriko said, picking his crutch up while keeping him steady. "You just need to get used to it."

"I don't think I ever am going to get used to it."