Odd Jobs

Chapter 27 - Heartfelt Goodbye

Four weeks. Four weeks, three days, eleven hours and 52 minutes. That's how much time has passed since they had found Mika.

Mitsuba let out a silent sigh, as she glanced at Yuu. He was fast asleep in one of the chairs next to Mika's bed. He barely left the boy's side. Only to shower, go to the bathroom, and when the nurses kicked him out at 11PM. But at 7AM, he'd be back at his bed, waiting for him to wake. At least he was asleep himself at the moment. Mitsuba doubted he'd gotten much, if any, the past few weeks. She leaned a little closer to Mika, inspecting him closer.

There had been hope, hope that vanished as quick as it came.

He was breathing independently again. As much as everyone had hoped it was an indication to his process of waking up, they were out of luck. It only meant he didn't have to wear one of those stupid breathing masks anymore.

Mitsuba brushed some of Mika's bangs out of his face. He looked so peaceful. He was always so stressed about something, be it work, school, rent or Yuu. It was a little scary to see him so calm. She heard some rustling next to her, feeling the figure sit down.

"Here you go.", Yoichi whispered, passing Mitsuba a sandwich from one of the shops in the hospital.

"Thanks...", she whispered, not taking her eyes off of Mika.

"You have a special bond with him, don't you?"

"I'd like to think so. We haven't known eachother that long but... He feels like a brother to me." She took a bite out of her sandwich.

"And him? Has he moved yet?", the brunette asked, nodding to Yuu. Mitsu shook her head.

"He's still asleep. I've talked to Shinya on the way here, apparently he's been screaming a lot in his sleep."

"I don't blame him. I didn't see Mika at the moment, but from how you described it, it sounded terrifying. I'm honestly glad he moved back in with his uncle for the time being."

"Though I'm sure you and Kimizuki would have taken great care of him.", Mitsuba smiled. Yoichi shot her a smile back, glancing over at Yuu again. He seemed to start to wake up.

"Morning, sleepyhead.", Yoichi said to him.

"Mhm...", Yuu shifted in his seat. As if per reflex, his hand shot to Mika's. "Anything?"

"Nope...", Mitsuba replied. The ravenette sighed. "You're getting tired."

"I was tired from the first minute we were in this forsaken hospital. I just... Fucking hell, I don't know how long I can take this anymore..." He rubbed his face in anguish, feeling the slight stubble of a neglected jaw start to scrape his palms.

"You should take a break, Yuu. Take some time to refresh yourself. Go on a walk, have a warm bath... Shave.", Yoichi said. He chuckled.

"I should really shave, yeah... But I'm not gonna leave Mika's side. He needs me."

"We're here, Yuu. We'll keep him safe.", Mitsu attempted to comfort him.

"I know that, but... What if he wakes up when I'm gone? He'll think I left him, or have given up on him..."

"Yuu, I'm sure he would never think that.", Yoichi said. Mitsuba sniffled.

"You don't know him like I do... That's exactly the kind of thing he'll think. He feels alone, scared, worthless... I want to be here so he knows that he isn't-" Yuu glanced up at them. "Mitsu? Are you okay?"

"I-I...", she sniffed again. "Yuu... Don't be mad at me, but I..."

"Don't say it."

"You need to-"