Chuuya x OC ~ Let the memories cry (Bungou Stray Dogs)

Chapter 6

With all the disturbing, not to say bewildering, things that had happened to her in the last few days, the place she was currently in was completely different. The air was pure, perfectly breathable, and for the first time since she woke up, she felt calm.

She guessed almost immediately that she was in a dream. Everything was icy white, yet it gave off a gentle warmth that reassured her, though she did not know exactly why.

It seemed familiar to her. Just like the person who was in front of her, and who had his back to her.

She knew this person; she could have bet her life on it. But, unfortunately, the silhouette was far too blurred for her to distinguish even the color of his hair.

Where had she met this person before? Was there a connection to her missing memories, the ones she had lost in unknown circumstances?

She was so frustrated. She had a feeling that, if she put enough effort into this, she would be able to find what she was missing. If she could not, it was because she did not really want to.

She was weak.

As these melancholy and accusatory thoughts crept into her, along with a growing sense of hopelessness, she saw that the figure had finally turned around. But she could not see anything else. Except one thing.

The figure was smiling at her.

Before she could do anything else, however, she woke up with a start, gasping for breath, her brown hair sticking to the sweaty skin on her forehead.

It took her many seconds to catch her breath. The frantic beating of her heart calmed down after a few deep breaths, and she was finally able to open her heterochromatic eyes to detail where she was.

The room was spacious, as was the bed she was lying in, albeit in darkness. If she had not noticed the many machines and various medical instruments, by the light of the moon slipping through the cream-colored curtains of a stately window, she could have sworn she was in a hotel.

But no. For lack of other memories, those of the last few days came back to her. From her first awakening in this room, to the doctors, and finally to this young man with red hair.

Nakahara Chuuya, if she remembered correctly? Who had told her about finding her in an alley, at death's door, and to whom she obviously owed her life? She remembered his last words about their later meeting, assuring her that he had in his possession something that had belonged to her.

He had promised her he would return tonight. Given the glaring lack of light, it was still dark at the moment. The sun had not even risen yet.

With a defeated sigh, the nameless girl fell gently back onto the mattress, grateful for the softness of the pillow that came to cushion her fall. A sharp and sudden pain assailed her, and she immediately put her hand to her neck.

Her trembling fingers met a slightly rough material, that of the bandage she had had since her awakening, and that the doctors changed regularly. She had been assured that, if she continued to heal well like this, she could be released from the hospital in about a month and a half.

But to do what? She could not even remember her name. What was she going to do when she got out? Search for her past?

But where exactly could she start? She had more or less understood that she was not from here. The country she was in, Japan according to the doctors, was not hers. She could speak the same language as them, but not as well. There were words she simply did not understand.