Golden Era (Book 2)

74. Accident

Ayuna was unloading groceries when Noa burst into the new apartment they rented together. 

The entryway being right next to the kitchen, Noa slammed straight into her friend and practically knocked her over. Once Ayuna regained her balance, she saw that Noa was near delirium: her face was drained of colour and she was wheezing uncontrollably.

Placing a hand on Noa's arm, Ayuna asked, "What's the matter?"

"Sachi had an accident. He's critically injured and is on his way to the hospital as we speak—"

Ayuna had her coat on before Noa finished speaking. Ushering her friend out the door, she said, "Explain everything to me on the way."

***

Noa received the call in class. 

She'd first let it go to voicemail because it came in the middle of an important lecture. Yet her phone continued buzzing in her purse. Only when she took her phone out did she realize the call came from Sachi's phone. When she picked up in the hallway, Yosuke was the one to speak. He explained to Noa that he was calling her because he couldn't connect with Ayuna. 

"What do you need her for?"

In a quivering voice, he told Noa that Sachi fell from horseback while they were hunting. Thankfully, he had on a crash vest that helped to reduce impact. The bad news was that his right arm took the brunt of the fall. He fell unconscious on the spot.

Noa's heart heaved at the mention of "right arm".

"He looked awful lying there in the snow. I knew with one look that he broke bones," said Yosuke in a pained voice.

"Why the hell are you calling me?! Shouldn't you call an ambulance instead?"

"I did. I've chartered a helicopter rescue."

"Helicopter?"

"We're near Mount Hiei. There's no way a car can get up here!"

Noa took several measured breaths, blown away by the notion of hunting in the snow, up in the mountains. Only a legitimate idiot could come up with such an idea. "Did you call Ayuri?"

There was a pause, then Yosuke stammered, "I-I don't know how to deliver the news. She was against this hunting trip, but we both ignored her. She'd kill me with her bare hands if she knew—"

"I don't care what she does to you—you must tell her."

In a trembling voice, Yosuke said he would. "Can you please put me in touch with Ayuna?"

Noa paused, prudently choosing a response, "I'll get in touch with her and meet you at the hospital. When I get there, I'd better see Ayuri there, too." With that, she hung up. Then she bolted to the bathroom and threw up. As she lifted her head out of the toilet bowl, Noa prayed that Sachi wasn't dead.

Ayuna listened to her recount without a word, her eyes staring straight into nothing. As soon as the cab stopped in front of Kyoto University Hospital, she jumped out and headed for the private care wing. At the lobby, she demanded to see Yozei Sachi. The nurse informed her that the crown prince was still in surgery. They'd already set up a suite for him and he'd be wheeled there as soon as the procedure finished.

That means he's alive, thought Ayuna, releasing a long-held breath.

"What's the extent of his injury?" she asked.

The nurse took down her personal information first to verify her identity and relationship with the imperial family. "Kamiya Ayuna... Are you his fiancée?"