Ootori's Anatomy

Chapter 3

Karariri pulled up a chair at the bar and sighed heavily, looking at the back of the bartender. She asked for a coke, and leaned her head against her hand. The man nodded and smiled at her, handing her the virgin drink. Akira had seen her at the bar a lot ever since she started her new job, but he loved hearing her stories about the hospital.

"What's got you down Riri?" he asked, sliding the coke in front of her. Karariri shrugged and began to sip her drink. "Come on there's gotta be something, you're being so mopey" he reminded, wiping at a few glasses before hanging them up.

"I just wish I knew what to do. I don't think I want to be a cardiothoracic surgeon" she admitted, picking at her nails. Akira gasped, dropping a glass onto the floor. He couldn't believe she might be giving up on her dream- the thing she's been working for since college.

"Why would you even suggest that?" Kyouya said, pulling up a chair beside her. She groaned and looked away from him. "You saved the head of the board today"

"That is precisely why I can't do it anymore" she laughed, sipping her coke. "I don't want all that pressure"

"You love pressure! You tied with that boy for valedictorian because you loved the pressure, you went to med school" Akira reminded. "Too bad that idiot couldn't have backed down just a little bit so you could be number one" Karariri laughed and covered her mouth.

"That idiot is right here" Kyouya coughed, "And I'll take sake please... Karariri why are we at a bar if you don't drink?" Karariri stirred her coke with a straw.

"I drink plenty. Water, coke, lemonade, you name it" she said seriously. "And I only come here to visit Akira" 

"She tells me everything that goes on in that shit show of a hospital" he noted, cleaning up the broken glass. Kyouya let out a long sigh.

"Again with the insults Akira, you are on fire. He owns the hospital" she laughed and patted Kyouya on the back. Kyouya fixed his glasses and sighed.

"Whatever will you do if not cardiothoracic surgery?" Kyouya questioned, ignoring Akira's apologies.

"Oncology" she said sternly. Kyouya raised an eyebrow. He knew how painful that would be for her after everything her family had gone through with her mother's cancer journey. 

"An admirable sacrifice" he replied, sipping his drink. "But you wouldn't be happy Riri" he gently reminds, refusing to look at her. Karariri smiles sadly, a few tears slipping down her face. 

"Can't remember the last time I was happy" she winced, wiping her eyes quickly. Kyouya attempted to rub her back to comfort her but she stood immediately. Karariri fished some money out of her purse and placed it on the table. "Sorry for the trouble Akira, keep the change" she says softly, slinging her purse back over her shoulder and leaving. Kyouya remained seated and watched as she left. Unfortunately, a sight he knew all too well. Akira coughed loudly, startling him out of his daze. 

"So you're the one that couldn't stand up to his father" Akira shakes his head. "Yet, you sit here and beat yourself up over it right in front of her. Now I'm not any sort of psychologist but don't you think there comes a point where you're doing her more harm than good?" Akira ponders, refilling his drink. Kyouya pushes up his glasses and scribbles furiously in his little black book.

"Is that what she told you?" he almost smiles. "Well, she left out the part where I did just that and she had already gone". He also placed his money on the counter, putting on his coat before he left. Kyouya spotted Hina on her way in to the bar. Her beautiful curls seemed to frame her body perfectly. She looked so different outside of her uniform.

"Good evening Kyouya, funny seeing you here" Hina smiles innocently. "Are you okay to drive?" she asks, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I could easily drop you off if you'd like" she offered, looking up at him. He looked back at her and nodded slowly.

"That might be for the best, if you don't mind" Kyouya agreed, wrapping an arm around her. Hina lead him to her car, carefully helping him sit inside and buckle up. She moved around to the driver's side and they were off to her apartment. 

Karariri headed straight to her house, noticing the lights were all turned on. She parked her car and walked up to the front door, spotting her friends all sitting together through the glass. She smiles slightly and opened the door, the room filled with laughter. Kamika and Kiyoko had their face masks on and were working on painting each other's nails while Hitomi was picking the movie they would watch and most likely cry over. Karariri hung her purse up and carefully locked the door behind her. 

"So how was work today? Did you go to the bar again?" Kamika and Kiyoko asked in unison. Karariri nodded and remained quiet, plopping down next to Hitomi. 

"Kyouya's dad almost died on my table" she whispers. Hitomi paused the movie and looked at her with a pale expression. The twins gasped and turned to her. 

"How could they put you through something like that if you're only a resident?" Hitomi demanded, studying her best friend for some sort of answer. 

"The attending was busy in another surgery and he couldn't drop it to help me through a surgery I've done millions of times. Kyouya begged me to try, and I couldn't say no it was such an impossible situation. I blanked when I saw his father on my table it was so hard to see someone you know exposed like that" Karariri explained, hugging a pillow. 

"Its not your fault Riri," Hitomi reminds, hugging her. "He's alive right, the other surgeon took over in time?"

"Yeah, he sure did" Riri sighed. Kamika pouted, scooting in next to them.

"Riri its gonna be okay" she comforted, "unfortunately that's the job. Saving lives isn't easy."

"I know its just, I'm not so sure I'm still interested in surgery" Karariri sighs, standing up. The three girls remained quiet, staring at their exhausted friend and feeling the anguish in those words. 

"Why don't you go get some rest Riri." Hitomi suggested, "Shun will be home any minute and I'll personally make sure he goes up there to join you." Karariri shook her head. 

"I'm happy right here".