Summer Wars: Aftermath Part 1

Chapter 2

"Make way," Mansuku said. "Let me through." He pushed his way through the group crowded around Kenji's doorway and knelt at the young man's side. He did a quick evaluation; heartbeat elevated, sweating profusely, eyes normal.

"Tell me what's wrong, Kenji," Mansuku said.

"Can't stop thinking," the boy gasped. "Please make it stop." Tears started leaking from the corners of his eyes.

Mansuku turned his head toward the doorway. "Kazuma, in the closet of my room is a silver case. Bring it and my regular bag."

Kazuma turned and dove through the crowd in the doorway.

"Clear the way here," a gravely voice said from the doorway. The Prime Minister and Mariko entered.

"Is this the boy? Is he ill?" Prime Minister said.

"I don't know yet," Mansuku said. "I'm waiting for–"

"Here Uncle," Kazuma said as he wormed through the renewed crowd.

Mansuku opened the case and stretched an elastic band around Kenji's head. He turned his attention to the display in the lid of the case and watched as multiple lines traced their way across the screen, while numbers flickered and changed.

"Let me through!" Natsuki's voice shrilled from the hall. "What's wrong with Kenji!"

Natsuki pushed through the crowd and dropped to her knees beside Kenji. She took his hand. "Hey, Kenji, what's wrong."

Kenji grasped her hand tightly. "Natsuki," he said.

"Kenji," Mansuku said, "how much have you slept since the battle with Love Machine?"

Kenji jerked his head back and forth. "Can't sleep. Can't stop thinking. "

"But that was two days ago," a voice out of the crowd said.

"Try to calm yourself," Mansuku said. "It appears to be a sort of runaway mental process."

Prime Minister turned and whispered some instructions to an aide, who pushed his way through the crowd and disappeared. "Doctor," he said, "may I speak with you a moment?"

Mansaku glanced around distractedly and back at the display.

"It won't take but a moment," the Prime Minister said.

"Natsuki," Mansuku said, "calm him as much as you can." He stood and walked over to where Prime Minister was waiting. Mariko joined them.

"I have sent for a helicopter to take him to Tokyo Hospital," Prime Minister said. "The finest doctors will be waiting there to care for him, led by Doctor Tanaka, the renowned brain specialist."

"I don't know..." Mansuku said.

"This boy was instrumental in resolving the recent crisis and he deserves the best that Japan can offer by way of thanks."

"Out of the question," Mariko broke in firmly. "He is family and Mansuku, as the family doctor, will direct his treatment."

"Family?" Prime Minister said. "I understood he was just here visiting."

"He is the fiancé of my grand-niece, Natsuki. That makes him family in our eyes and we take care of our own. If your specialists would be willing to assist Mansuku, I am sure he would be grateful, but he is in charge."

"I see, well the helicopter will be coming here anyway, I will see if the experts can come with it. Excuse me."

Prime Minister left the room and Doctor Mansuku returned to Kenji's side.

"Kenji," Mansuku said, "I think it will help if you get some sleep, so I'm going to give you something to relax you."

"Th-thank you, doctor," Kenji stammered.

"Now, now, you've been made part of the family. Call me uncle."

"Thank you, Uncle Doctor," Kenji said. He gave a shaky grin.

Mansuku grinned back and deftly gave him an injection. "There now, we'll see how that does."

Within a minute Kenji's eyes had closed and his hand would have slipped from Natsuki's grasp if she hadn't tightened her grip.

"Is he all right now, Uncle?" Natsuki said.

Mansuku frowned at his monitoring machine. "For the moment. Why don't we let him rest and we'll talk outside."

"Right," Moriko said briskly. "All of you go back to our guests." The crowd at the door faded away. "Mansuku, you and I and Natsuki will walk in the garden.

"Mansku? What's wrong with the boy?" Moriko said when the three of them had gotten a small measure of privacy.

"I'm not sure. It's nothing I've seen before. It looks like his brain is slipped into overdrive. The sedative I gave him should have had him nearly in a coma, but while it relaxed his body, his mind has been barely affected."

"Should we contact his parents?" Moriko said.

"That might be wise," Mansuku said.

"Natsuki? Do you know how to contact them?"

"No," Natsuki said slowly, "but Sakuma might. I can call him."

"Do that, but don't alarm anyone. Say that we wish to invite them out to enjoy our hospitality."

"All right, Aunt," Natsuki said. "I'll do that immediately." She turned away but was stopped before she got two steps away.

"In a moment, Natsuki," Moriko said.

"Mansuku, is there anything else we can or should do for him?"

"Well, we need to keep him as relaxed and calm as possible."

"What about more drugs or other treatments?"

"I hesitate to try anything else at this time," Mansuku said. "With the way he is reacting to what I already gave him, I doubt anything else I have with me will do any good. When he wakes, perhaps quiet and some calming tea would be the best way to go for now."

Moriko looked at Natsuki. "Do you agree dear?"

"I? Why do you ask me?"

"While his appearance here as your fiancé was a sham, you are still the closest to him until his parents arrive. You will be making all the decisions for his care."

Natsuki gulped. "Me?"

"Yes dear," Moriko said. "Of course, you should carefully consider the opinions and recommendations of the professionals." She tilted her head in Mansuku's direction.

"I–I suppose I can do that," Natsuki said.

"Good. Now go call his friend and try to find his parents."

"Should you have placed such a burden on her?" Mansuku said after Natsuki had hurried off.

"It is a burden for one so young," Moriko said, "but it is properly hers until his parents arrive. And we will all be here to support her."

"I suppose you are right." He was interrupted by his phone beeping.

"He's starting to wake up." He shook his head. "What I gave him should have kept him unconscious for ten or twelve hours, but it has barely been one. This is very unusual. I should return."

"I'll have someone bring the tea," Moriko said.