We'll Meet Once More

Chapter 3

My muscles scream and my chest feels as though it's on fire as I run. The hospital isn't far if you're driving, but if you're running, I should've called a cab. Running towards the hospital, thoughts swirl through my mind and each are worse than the last. There are a hundred different reasons Harumi could be in a hospital.

But I can't think of any that would make me calmer.

Coming into the lobby, I race past the front desk and recall the room number Mrs. Momose gave me. Pushing myself to the limit, I bound up the stairs. Then comes the process of finding the right room number.

"6-E... 6-F... 6-G..." Finding the right room, I pull open the sliding door. Looking in, I freeze at the sight of the room. There, the evening sun casting a red glow through the window behind her, I find Harumi. She's facing the window when she starts talking.

"Time for another check-up, Doc? I keep telling you-"

She starts to turn, "The pain's... gone." Harumi stops talking upon seeing me, the easy smile she has freezes on her face. The only sound is that of the ragged breathing. Eventually, Harumi overcomes the shock, "Hey! Been a while stranger."

I take an unsteady step forward. Then, all at once, I'm rushing towards her. Her eyes are wide as I close the distance between us. Colliding with her, I almost send her back onto the bed. She gasps as I wrap my arms around her. She's okay. The beating of her heart against me is reassuring, enough to a point I'm almost ready to cry. 

She's alive.

It's only a few seconds later that I notice she's rigid with shock. And then I realize what I'm doing. The adrenaline fades. 

I should let go. I have no idea if we're close enough for this. I made a huge assumption so I should let go. And yet, some part of me doesn't want to. Being this close to her feels... right. My mind starts going towards the worst-case scenario. 

The panic I'm starting to feel right now is similar to when I ran here.

I'm about to let go and apologize when I feel something on my back. It's Harumi wrapping her arms around me too. Leaning her weight against me, she chuckles a little.

"Never thought you'd be the one to spring this on me." She says, I can't see her face, but I can tell she has that usual cheerful smile on her face, "Sorry."

"Did I say I didn't like it? Read the room, (__)."

"You're overestimating my social skills." My heart's still pounding but I don't think it's from the run. Harumi looks up at me.

"Sorry. I made you worry, didn't I?" She squeezes me.

"Is it bad if I consider this a silver lining?" She asks. I only smile, "I'm sweaty from running here, so..."

Despite this, she makes no attempt to move away. In fact, I can feel her arms tighten a little more, "Honestly, next time you want a hug, just ask. It'll be easier than suddenly going MIA on me, Harumi."

"So I get these on demand? Score!"

Still smiling and happy she's alive and well I just roll eyes at her, "I'm letting go now."

Again, I feel her arms tighten even more, "Wait, wait! I'm not done yet!" I'm glad she can't tell it's an empty threat. I'm not ready to let go of her either.

"I'm not used to caring about people. It's a whole lot of effort that doesn't pay off most times." As I speak, I can feel Harumi idly tracing shapes over my back with her fingers.

"So I guess I kind of... stopped at some point. But then you showed up with your garbage taste-" Harumi suddenly prods me in the ribs.

"Watch it, (__)."