Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn - The Heart of Darkness -

Chapter 9

"... Where am I?" Everything was white. There wasn't anything there. Shiho was floating, naked. "... I guess I'm dead..."

There was a voice calling out for her from a distance. It was a man's voice. But she could feel the presence of a number of people. 

".... Shiho...."

"... Who are you?"

"It has been a long time... It’s a no wonder that you forgot about me."

That man materialised in front of her, a Japanese guy in his mid-30s with black hair. "... Dad...?"

He smiled; the same gentle smile that Shiho remembered. "I'm glad. There was so much thing that I want to tell you but...it is not the time. You have to go back. You are not supposed to be here yet."

"Eh??" 

"Wake up, Shiho. You'll understand everything in due time.... Don't be reckless and I love you."

"Dad!!" Shiho was floating away from her father. She was being sucked by an unknown force. Before she lost her vision, she could see a lot of people behind her father, young and old, men and women. "... My ancestor...?"

A bright light shone upon her and she slowly opened her eyes. It was hard to breathe. There was something stuck between her nose and mouth. Her whole body was in pain and she couldn't even move her fingers. Even opening her eyes was a difficulty.

Someone was desperately trying to wake her up. "Shiho! Shiho!!"

She managed to get her vision back. It was a bit blurry but she could make out who he was, "... Dino...?" 

He breathed a sigh of relief, "You are awake...." He looked as if he wanted to cry. He quickly went outside and called out the doctors. After being examined for a while, she heard them talking, "It is a miracle! She couldn't have survived with that deep wound and weak heart."

"So..."

"Yes, she will make full recovery."

Dino came into the room again after thanking the doctors, "Thank goodness. You are in a comatose state for a week. There was almost no hope."

"... Can you...remove this thing...? It’s hard to... breathe..." She said.

He moved and took the breathing aid away from her. The smell of sterilise room took over. But it’s easier to breathe now. Shiho looked at Dino. His eyes were getting watery any moment. "Hey... Don't show me that face. I'll make full recovery, won't I?"

He wiped it away, "There is someone you must see. I'll make the call right away. She has been so worried."

"Who?" Shiho asked but Dino has already gone out to make the call.

Shiho sighed. She tried to move her body. Every part she tried to move came back with great pain to her, "The side effect is still there..."

The pills took away other functions of her body and channeled it to her heart. That will help her endure longer training but once the effect is gone, she couldn't move her body, worst case, for a month. 

"She is on her way here." Dino said once he came into the room. "You'll be surprised."

"Who is-?"

Dino shook his head, "I won't tell. You'll have to see her on your own."

"???" Shiho decided to just wait as Dino didn't seem to want to tell. The whole day Shiho tried to move her body but to no avail. Dino saw that and lectured her again on never again over-using the pill.