The Fate Of Hope

°•|7: Alive|•°

Munakata couldn't recall at what point in the ambulance ride he blacked out. He just knew when he woke up, he awoke to blinding lights and the faint sound of repetitive beeping.

For days, all he could really do was sleep. Eating was a difficult task and he was going through a lot of surgeries anyways. He began to feel very lonely, even though there were nurses who came in regularly to check on him, as his injuries were very concerning. He felt so lonely despite it all. Oftentimes when he did have someone come in, he was asleep. Usually it was Tengan who visited but sometimes it was Gozu. Ocassionally it was Kizakura or Jin. Sakakura only visited once over the past couple of weeks and Munakata had been asleep at the time.

Munakata desperately missed being around Sakakura.

"You have a vistor," The nurse told him as she entered the room. Munakata sat up, hoping to see Sakakura. Instead it was Tengan following behind her. The nurse checked his vitals and quickly left, leaving him alone with the old man.

"How are you holding up?" Tengan asked him.

At this moment, a part of Munakata broke. After everything he'd experienced, he kept a strong face for the world and this is sent him into a sobbing fit. Munakata curled up into a ball, crying his eyes out.

"Disappointed to see an old man that much?" Tengan tried to joke. Of course, humor wasn't particularly helpful in this instance. He asked, "What has you so worked up?"

"I feel so alone without Sakakura or Yukizome here," Munakata felt pathetic admitting it and crying over it.

"Sakakura has to handle matters in Towa City. He's constantly complaining about how much he hates it. He'd rather be here," Tengan tried to reassure him.

"What's that all about?"

"Trying to shut down a factory. Sakakura had found Enoshima's plans and apparently she was planning on mass producing murderous robotic bears. Enoshima tried to burn it but the notebook was still mostly in tact," Tengan explained.

"Sounds ridiculous," Munakata says as he wipes away his tears.

"The entire situation is ridiculous."

"How is Yukizome holding up?"

"Not looking good. Ikusaba had given her a lobotomy so... they're not sure what they can do for Yukizome."

"God damn it," Munakata hissed, unable to stop himself from crying, "GOD DAMN IT!"

"I'm sorry, Munakata. None of this should've happened."

"No shit..."

"You're starting to sound a bit like Sakakura."

"...I never got a chance to tell him..."

"Hm?"

"Well... no use hiding it. You remember what Enoshima said about Sakakura over the intercom?"

"I do recall, yes."

"I already knew about it. Yukizome had shown me proof, earlier that day and... Sakakura didn't deny it. He told me the truth when I asked him."

"Regarding his sexuality, correct?"

"Yes... I think I have developed feelings for him... also..." Munakata admitted sheepishly, worried that Tengan was going to judge him. After all, he did view Tengan as practically being a father figure even though he always kept things professional. Tengan was more like a father to him than anybody else and he had nothing but respect for the old man. Though they'd disagree a lot, there was no doubt that they thought highly of each other.