A Girl's Turmoil

Chapter 33 - Recovering

On the next shiny day was the day she couldn't go to school. While Sakurako is happy with the concept, she also feels a little dismayed that she doesn't get to see her friends for quite a while at school. And then there are the lessons she needs to catch up with. By this point, Sakurako would be much more content with getting extra homework from school than she is receiving more notes to write. At least the bed is comfortable for her if she needs to sit up to write something.

Her sisters and mother have stayed by her side since yesterday to the point that her family slept at the hospital to accompany her. None of them are willing to return home, work, or even go to school to study. Sakurako had pointed this out, but they refused her words. After what had happened, Sakurako thought to herself that it might be wise not to push that point further. Until she recovered, that is.

Sakurako shifts her head around her comfortable pillow to look at her family. Hanako is still sleeping in her chair next to her bed, resting her arms and head over Sakurako's bed. The mother is half sleepy, sitting beside her head bed, supervising her daughter's condition. Nadeshiko sat next to the mother, occasionally checking her phone for texting with apparent concern over her face. There's nothing more rewarding than the silent harmony with her own family.

Yui and Kyouko returned home yesterday but promised they would visit Sakurako today. Aside from them, she's expecting Sumida and Shiba also to show up because she knows they'll be having questions about what had just crossed her mind on that very day of the incident. Sakurako reaches her hand over the wound on her stomach. It was still painful to touch; thankfully, it wasn't as bad as yesterday. The wound on her is exceptionally bearable as long as she doesn't stretch her neck too far or bend her neck too much over that wound.

Sakurako sighed heavily, catching her mother and eldest sister's attention. They both smile at her.

"Something's troubling you, Sakurako?" the mother commented.

"Nothing. Just still feel a little tired somehow," Sakurako replied. "When can I get out of the hospital again?"

"The doctor said it should be a couple of days," Nadeshiko responded, putting away her phone. "Does it still hurt?"

"Not that much," Sakurako replied. "Then again, not the first time I got shot."

"That's not reassuring, Sakurako," the mother responded grimly.

Sakurako looks over her sleeping youngest sister. "How long did Hanako sleep?"

"Should be three hours by now," Nadeshiko replied. "She hadn't gotten much sleep last night, you know?"

Sakurako leers her eyes at the two. "Is it alright, though? She's missing her school."

"Don't worry about it. Her school permits her to be absent for today," the mother assured her.

"What about you?" Sakurako asked toward Nadeshiko.

"I don't think the school won't mind me skipping school for today."

"You mean permitted to be absent for today," the mother corrected. "You didn't forget to write the letter, didn't you?"

"I will never forget that," Nadeshiko nodded. "Should be okay for today. I entrusted my friend to send it this morning."

"Good then."

Sakurako turns her head toward the ceiling with slight apprehension in mind. "I should be in school right now."

"You're still recovering, Sakurako," her mother pointed out.

"I know. It just feels weird not to be in school today."