Way to the Dawn [Eng Version]

§£Cha-a-apterr III: H-H-Hopeee*$

- So? How is he, doctor?

- It's hard to tell ma'am...It looks like he's in a deep coma, however I can't figure out "why". His injuries were not serious enough to cause one...

A middle-aged man in medical gear settled back into the chair provided for him, looking grim. He had just examined the body of the 11th Top Ranger, who was still lying in his bed. Except that he never woke up.

The doctor then turned his gaze toward the figure seating in a far corner of the room. This was the 12th Top Ranger, biting his lips while curled up on himself. Beside him were his partner and Fischl who were listening in a religious silence.

- Tell me kid. Did your friend behave strangely before...This happened?

The redhead jumped, visibly taken aback, then raised his crimson gaze toward the adult, tears accumulating in the corners of his eyes, threatening to spill at any moment.

- I-I....I-I don't know...! He was feverish when he woke up s-sure, but nothing seemed abnormal...!

The teen gasped, barely holding back a loud sob in his throat, causing Sapphire to wince and rub his cheek against his.

- { Shh~ Calm down Keith, calm down. It's nothing, it's not your fault. You couldn't foresee what was going to happen. So calm down okay? Breathe, and resume.}

The otter whispered softly in the boy's ear, making sure he was listening. The latter nodded slightly while sniffling. He took a deep breath, calming his nerves somewhat.

-...He...He was affectionate, as usual. Hum...He was hurt, but that was to be expected....Oh, and he...Hum, was afraid of being alone? I don't know why, but he didn't want me to go. Well, it wasn't the first time he wanted to keep someone close to him, so I didn't really pay it any mind.

He paused, searching for his words and avoiding the insistent gaze of the adults.

-...But his eyes, they looked so...Desperate. He wanted to make sure that I wouldn't disappear once he fell asleep. Sounded like a typical reaction to a nightmare or something...Except with what happened recently...I didn't dig more. Maybe I should have...

Keith lowered his head, ashamed of not having been able to notice the catastrophic state of the brunet. What a pathetic excuse of a boyfriend!

He felt a hand land on his head and tensed abruptly, momentarily catching his breath.

- I see...Thank you for your bravery and honesty, kid.

- Y-You're welcome.....I guess...?

The doctor, who had approached, gently ruffled the red hair, while taking note of the peculiar reaction of the teenager. The latter also involuntarily took a breath of air when the man withdrew his hand.

- It would seem that this coma is the result of a mixture of intense fatigue and trauma... Which raises other questions: what trauma, and why now?

The adult slowly tapped his chin with his index, while staring at the floor, lost in thought. Meanwhile, the woman with strawberry blonde hair approached the 12th Top Ranger and sat down next to him, startling him violently.

- Oh, I'm sorry, little one. Did I scare you?

- I-I-It's nothing, ma'am!

The redhead hastened to put a smile on his face, hoping to reassure the mother who sighed for a long time. A moment of silence passed before the adult decided to break it.

- Tell me, this bracelet....Did you give it to him?

Keith suddenly turned scarlet, and jerked his head to the side, refusing to look at the oldest woman in the eyes. Eh? Since when was he so shy...?