Down the stars

Through Thick and Thin

December 18th, Thursday - 16:00

Atsumu sighed as he walked down the hospital corridor.

"Aaa… I hope he doesn’t mind that I’m late…" he muttered under his breath, brushing his blonde hair out of his face. He had made this trip so many times now, visiting the little redhead every day when he didn’t have practice, but today was different. Today, the routine was slightly off, and Atsumu couldn’t quite shake the feeling of unease that hung over him.

He had been meaning to come earlier, but his training had run late, and now it was already afternoon. Still, the thought of seeing Shoyo's bright smile was enough to lift his spirits. The door to Shoyo’s room was just ahead. Atsumu reached for the handle with a soft smile, ready to greet his friend, but when he stepped inside, the room was empty.

(Where is he...?)

He stood frozen in the middle of the room, the air suddenly feeling heavier. No cheerful greeting. No Shoyo jumping out of bed to greet him. There was only the quiet hum of medical equipment. Atsumu’s heart sank in his chest, and his worry intensified.

He heard footsteps behind him, and an older woman dressed in white passed by the door. Atsumu quickly turned to her. “Excuse me, do you know where Hinata is?”

The nurse turned and looked at him with a soft smile. “Oh! You’re the one who visits him every day, right? I’m sorry, no one told you? Hinata Shoyo has been moved to another room. His condition has worsened, so he’s been relocated to room 405 on the fourth floor.”

Atsumu stood there for a moment, processing the nurse's words. The fourth floor? That meant... it was bad. The hospital’s fourth floor was reserved for the most serious cases. His throat tightened, but he nodded quickly, trying to keep his composure.

“Thank you,” he said, his voice unsteady, before quickly walking toward the elevators. His mind raced with thoughts, none of them comforting.

When the elevator doors opened, Atsumu took a deep breath, steeling himself before stepping out into the hallway. Room 405 was just ahead. He reached the door and paused, a lump forming in his throat as he knocked gently.

*Knock* *Knock*

No answer. But just as he was about to try the handle, he heard a faint voice from inside.

“Atsumu... you’re here?”

Atsumu’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of Shoyo’s voice. He opened the door slowly, stepping inside. What he saw stopped him in his tracks.

Shoyo was lying in a hospital bed, surrounded by beeping machines and tangled tubes. His body was frail, and his face, usually so full of life, was pale, his eyes dull with exhaustion. Several IV lines ran into his arms, and the sight made Atsumu feel like the wind had been knocked out of him. His throat tightened as he tried to swallow the lump that had formed.

Shoyo smiled weakly at him. “I hope I didn’t scare you… I know I look awful…”

Atsumu’s gaze softened, and he walked over to the side of the bed, trying to force a smile. “Shoyo…” His voice was low, full of concern. He could feel his heart breaking at the sight of his friend in such a vulnerable state. “What... What happened to you?”