The GATE Academy [Please read description]

Chapter 33: The Silent Hero

Through the shades of the medical bay's windows, a ray of golden sunlight shined through, onto my bed, and blinded me. I rolled the other way to avoid the brightness and stared across the empty room. It had been a while since I was last in this room, as a patient, not a visitor, but laying in the bed then brought back a feeling of nostalgia. In fact, the fact that I was back at the school filled me with nostalgia, it felt like ages since I was last there.

I sat myself up on the edge of my bed and looked down at myself. I seemed fine, despite the fact that I was only wearing a pair of loose, linen white shorts. I chuckled at the thought that somebody had to have changed me into the clothes.

Off to my left, next to the head of the bed, was a little wooden nightstand with a school uniform folded neatly on it. On top of the uniform was a box of chocolates. Next to the stand were several chairs, which made it apparent that I had company while I was asleep. That was... Really comforting to know, actually...

I smiled at the thought and stood up, moving the curtain that was around the bed to cover up my bed space as I began to dress into the school's red and black uniform. I had set the box of chocolates on the bed and, when I was done changing, I set it back on the nightstand to fix the bed. I removed the curtain from the bed and started to walk out with the chocolates, but I came back to the bed. I almost forgot that they usually put your pocket stuff in the drawer of the nightstand. I opened the single drawer and sure enough my personal items were in there. I pocketed my keys and wallet and held up my phone to check the time, but my phone was dead. Of course it had to be dead at the time.

I walked out into the hallway, exiting the medical bay, and looked down it, seeing that the new sun cast a surreal light throughout it. I was excited to be back at school and the thought of being back with my friends here, where we are safe. I looked down at the box of chocolates and wondered who left it there.

I paced a few steps down the hall before I stopped, leaning up against the closest wall and slid down it. I sat against the base of wall and looked back down at the box. I opened it up to find an assortment of delicious chocolates, on the inside of the cover was a key that described each chocolate and which was which. Seemed like pretty quality chocolates.

I found one that was filled with a cherry filling, after finding out with the help of the key, and ate it. The simple chocolate was delightful and warmed my heart. I closed my eyes and leaned up against the wall I sat against and let out a carefree sigh.

Am I really back?...

I let my thoughts wander for a little, but before anything went too deep, I slipped into a peaceful, well-deserved sleep.

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"Oh my, Shizuo!"

A delicate female's voice called out, stirring me in my sleep. The sound of heels clopping against the wooden floor was what really woke me.

"I'm glad I came to check on you before class started. Please get ready and go to your first period, I'll write you a late pass. Come with me into my office!"

I rubbed my eyes open to be met with the gentle, maternal Professor Itara looking down at me. She smiled lightly and walked ahead into the medical bay.

I looked down to see that the open box of chocolates was still in my lap, glad to see that all but one of the chocolates were still there.

I stood myself up and followed after Professor Itara, who had already filled out a late pass and was waiting for me with it in hand.

"Here you go, Shizuo," she said, handing the pass to me.

"Thank you, Professor..." I said back softly, my head dipping slightly. I felt fine, but I was little dazed, maybe because I just woke up.