Second Chances

Part 35

 The Doctor doing morning rounds stood at the desk and sighed deeply as he looked at the notes covering the top of Kazunari Hira's chart. "Nurse, what the hell is all of this?" He shook the file at her.

"Doctor," She pointed at the file, "I really suggest you take the time to read his file, carefully. This patient caused quite the uproar in ER last night. The resident made an error and his guardian was not happy."

The Doctor raised his eyebrow and walked around, settling into a chair. As he flipped open the chart, the guardian's name jumped out at him. " Hmm... it couldn't be." Bending his head, he paid closer attention until a soft, almost inaudible "Ah ha!" Escaped his lips. Standing, he tossed the chart back on the desk and with a cheerful stride, walked into Hira's room.

"Good morning, Hira. Did you sleep well?" He walked over to the vitals chart hanging on the foot of the hospital bed and gave it a cursory glance, more interested to see if Hira would interact with him this time, without his Aunt around. He had noticed the young man in the room, but his attention was more focused on the patient.

"Yes, Doctor Yuza, I did." Hira responded, his voice flat. "When can I go home?"

Doctor Yuza's lips twitched, very slightly. "Not yet, Hira. I want to ensure your fever has fully subsided and that you're completely hydrated first." He glanced at Kiyoi. "Are you going to introduce your friend?" He could see Hira tense visibly before doing some sort of breath relaxing exercises. Interesting...

"Doctor Yuza, this is... Sou Kiyoi, a classmate." If anything, his voice was even more bland while the young man looked upset at being described as "a classmate."

A small nod while Kiyoi bowed, and then Kiyoi asked a much more direct question. "Doctor, how do you know Hira?"

"Ah, I treated him when he was admitted before with a very high fever. It was interesting, wasn't it, Hira?" The Doctor's eyes twinkled. From his research, some Asperger's Syndrome patients could handle social situations, where some could not. Hira was admirable in his ability to function so well without a support system in place.

"Doctor," Hira sighed wearily, knowing what the doctor wanted. "I am too tired to play right now. I want to go home and I don't want a repeat of what happened the last time."

"Okay, Hira, I have marked this as a quiet room. You will only be bothered for vital checks and meals. Do you want visitors?" Doctor Yuza asked politely.

Hira glanced at Kiyoi again before replying. "You mean I have a choice?"

The doctor's brow wrinkled. "Of course you do. You are of legal age, despite having a disability and needing a guardian. If you don't want any visitors, we will restrict them, or just allow the ones you want in. Of course, we can't restrict your guardian."

For the first time, there was a difference in the tone of Hira's voice. It sounded happy, not as flat. "I want Kiyoi."

Suppressing his smile, the doctor noted that and bowed. "I'll see you tomorrow, then. Have a restful day, Hira."

As the doctor walked out, it reminded Kiyoi of the crumpled paper. He pulled it out of his pocket and stopped him at the door. "Excuse me, Doctor, are you a notary? Could you witness this for me?"

With a small smile the doctor turned and faced Kiyoi. "I am, young man. Let me see what you need notarized." He held out his hand and took the crumpled paper. His smile grew bigger, not a bit surprized to see the guardian form from his hospital. "I can indeed validate this for you. But first, can you satisfy my curiosity?"

Kiyoi's eyes narrowed with suspicion. In his small world, rarely a good idea when an older person asked for information. "What?" There was contempt his voice.