A Ray of Sunlight

Chapter 17 - Hospital (Haruto's POV)

"Hi Koichi." I said. I had just come back from Earth and is now in the hospital with Koichi.

Koichi doesn't look too good. His face was bandaged and one of his arms was in a cast but at least he woke up and the spark in his eyes was back.

"I'm so glad I have insurance." He said. "You want snacks? My instructor brought some." He pointed to the bag next to the hospital bed.

"Umm...no thank you." Koichi and I aren't exactly friends despite being cousins. We were close when we were little because Koichi used to babysit me but ever since he went away to train with his instructor, we drifted apart. He was always talented but didn't have the motivation to do well in anything. It makes me jealous that I could put so much effort into something but still be bad at it and when Koichi puts minimal effort into it, he would do especially well.

"That's alright."

There was an awkward silence. The silence that I hate.

"So...how's life going?" I asked, trying to say something so the silence could be broken.

"My arm hurts." Koichi chuckled. "But I'll be okay." He paused for a second. "How was Earth?"

The thought of Earth makes a tight knot in my throat. "Well, I survived Earth mostly because of friends and I really miss them."

"Okay, that's great." He looked out the window. "Well nothing really happened here except, you know."

"Know what?"

"Your father, he..."

I stared at him curiously. "What happened to my father?"

"He's in his sad phase."

"What?" What was Koichi trying to say? Father had always been like this.

"Never mind. It's okay. You'll see." Koichi said and returned to watching whatever was playing on the tv. Then suddenly, I heard heavy footsteps. "Oh no. Oh no no no. Fuck." Koichi said, suddenly sitting up. "Haruto, go lock the doors, please." Before I could say anything, the door fling open and a boy wearing a blue hoodie, has messy hair and is way, way taller than me, bust in.

"Instructor! Are you okay?"

"Go away! I don't know you!"

"Please instructor Koichi! Be my instructor! Please, please, please!"

"No!"

"But I was assigned to learn from you because you are super cool and talented and the best on the defense force and-"

"Father forced me! I never said yes!"

"Please instructor! Please! I need help with my homework."

Koichi sighed. "Bring that stool forward." He turned to face me. "This is Riki, my-"

"I'm Koichi's student. He's the best person ever and super cool too!"

"No, I don't know this kid." Koichi sighed again. "Bring the homework."

So, I spent the past hour listening to Koichi frustratedly teach Riki.

"WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU GET HURT DURING A FUCKING BATTLE?!"

"I DON'T KNOW?!"

"IS THAT AN ATTITUDE I'M HEARING?!"

"I don't know!" Tears were pouring down Riki's face. "I really don't know instructor!"

"What did you even learn in the academy?!"

"I don't know!"

"How the- how did you even get into the academy?!"