Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Takemichi's POV:
"She's....what?" The words left my mouth in whispers. Nakano survived but she's now in a coma.
A coma.
There's no telling when a patient will wake up from a coma. It could be weeks. Months. Years. The thought of not seeing Nakano alive and well and awake... scares me. All I can really do is sit and wait and hope, for her to be strong and wake up. Nakano's the only family I have left, I can't lose her, or else this power of mine will just have gone to waste.
"Hey lady, can we see her or what?" Draken says impatiently. I guess he was really worried, after all, he was actually there when she was stabbed. Mikey and Draken are probably dealing with the most guilt right now, I realize. Mikey gave the order, which she followed well, too well. And Draken feels as if it's his fault, she took the knife for him.
But it's not really their fault is it?
If only I had gotten there quicker. If only I were stronger. I thought to myself, tears threatening to spill from my eyes.
"You will be able to visit the patient after she is in a stable condition. For now only family members are allowed in. Otherwise visiting hours are over," The nurse says tersely. Everyone tensed at that, I'm sure everyone wants to see Nakano.
"I'm her brother. Please, let me see her."
"Very well. State your name and surname please sir."
"Takemichi Hanagaki."
"Very well, go to room 105, she has been moved there from the ICU."
And with that I was running. I have to see her. And she has to be okay. It doesn't matter if she's battered, bruised, or not the same, if she's alive with me then that's all I ever needed. For her to be alive and well.
Because in the near future she will be gone. Missing. Presumed dead. I'll never let that happen ever again.
The room 105 is just up ahead, I sprint and hold the door open. And then I stop. All is silent.
There's a girl, lying on the hospital bed. Machines hooked all over her body. Her face is deathly pale. And her oxygen mask fogs unevenly. She's deathly still, no movement courses through her body. Like a complete, strange stillness has possessed her body.
"Arae?" Something cold and wet drips down from my face. Tears?
"Watashi wa anata mamoru to yakusoku shimasta."
I promised. I PROMISED to protect you. I promised I'd bring you back, that you'd never be hurt again. You're my little sister, not by blood, but by my choice and time and time again I always fail to protect you. You don't deserve this, Nakano.
Why'd you have to listen to Mikey? Why'd you have to be so damn good at following orders? I've failed. As an older brother. As YOUR older brother.
