I Wish I Could Hear You

My Childhood Home

Shouya's point of view: 

     Childhood home? What does she mean? Did she live for a while in the hospital?

Narrator's point of view: 

     'When I was born my hearing was bad, but I could still heart to some extent. When I was a baby I was taken for testing and surgeries as much as we could afford. My hearing kept getting worse the older I got though. Surgeries to prevent it from worsening started when I was around five and continued til I was eight. I spent a lot of recovery time here. I also learned a lot of sign here. They released me when I was nine and I never saw this place again.' Shouko explained. "I came here a lot to see her." Yuzuru explained. "I'm surprised though, I can't believe you still remember the way." Yuzuru added while signing. Shouko smiled. 'I guess it's just something you don't forget.' Shouko signed back. 

Shouko's point of view:

     I was so scared back then that I would have to come back one day, I guess now I'm kinda scared that I'll never see it again. Never be able to see the people who were with me all that time. Never being able to see those nurses who helped me. I guess there's no hope for seeing my old friends. 

Shouya's point of view:

      I never knew she went through so much. She lived here? To go through that when she was so young. She's so strong. I wish I could have been there for her at the time, though I guess my young self wouldn't be much help. 

Narrator's point of view:

     Suddenly the doors opened and twelve kids ranging in ages from five to twelve ran into the room, all of them wearing hospital gowns. "Okay kids! Settle down!" A nurse who was holding the door called while signing. She looked over and suddenly noticed Shouko and the other's. "Oh, sorry about that. They're always hyper after lunch. Who are you here to see?" She asked them. Shouko's eyes widened as she heard her voice saw her worn face. 'Just came to visit.' Shouko signed. The nurses eyes widened. "Little Shouko! Is that you?" She asked loudly as she signed. Shouko nodded and the nurse threw herself into a hug around Shouko. "You look amazing!" She exclaimed. "Who's that?" Shouya whispered to Yuzuru. "That's Mrs. Kobayashi. She was Shouko's head nurse when she was here." Yuzuru answered. 

Shouko's point of view:

     I can't believe that she's still here! I'm so happy to see her again. I wonder if she finally got married. She does throw herself into her work. 

Narrator's point of view:

     Ms. Kobayashi looked behind Shouko and eyes Shouya with a knowing smile. "Is this your boyfriend?" She asked and signed. Both Shouya's and Shouko's face shot red. 'Just a close friend.' Shouko signed quickly. A few of the kids were looked over curiously at the four of them. "This is an old patient of mine. She's come back for a visit." Ms. Kobayashi explained. A few of the kids faces lit up with excitement. A little nine year old girl ran up to Shouko and signed, 'Do you know sign?' 'Yes. I'm Shouko, what's your name.' Shouko signed back. The little girl excitedly took Shouko by the hand and led her to her bed so they could sit down and sign. Suddenly another door opened and a different nurse walked in who had locked hands with Haruto. Haruto was looking down with a sad look on his face, but loooked up and saw Shouya and gave him a wide smile. "Haruto." Shouya yelled and signed. Haruto ran over to Shouya and hugged his legs. "Looks like he likes you." Ms. Kobayashi said under her breath trying not to laugh. Shouya patted the top of his head and Haruto looked up to look him in they eye. 'How did it go?' Shouya signed. Haruto looked down and a few tears fell on the marble floor. 

Shouya's point of view:

     Oh no. What could have happened? I know it sounds weird, but when he gained the confidence to go and get the surgery it felt like no matter what this would come back okay. I guess that's not really realistic though. 

Narrator's point or view:

     Shouya scooped him up and carried him over to his bed. 'Are you okay Haruto?' Shouya asked, his eyes full of sympathy and compassion. Haruto took a few deep breaths and started signing. 'The doctor's said that there was a very low chance it would work, but mom wanted me to take the chance since my hearing had gotten so bad. They said that this was the last test they could do that would let me hear again. All they can do now is prevention and hearing aids.' He explained. 

Shouya's point of view:

     Just like Shouko. I wouldn't be surprised if they had the same cause for it. I wish there was something I could do! What can I do? He needs a miracle or at least the money to go see a better hospital that is focused on surgeries. Two things I can't do. 

Narrator's point of view:

     Shouya looked to the side trying to find something to say. He looked over at Shouko signing with that little girl and an idea come to him. 'Haruto.' Shouya signed. Haruto turned to face Shouya with his puffy red eyes and red face. 'You see that girl over there?' Shouya asked. Haruto nodded. 'She's my deaf friend.' Shouya told him. Haruto's face lit up with shock. 'She went through the same thing that you did. But she's okay now. She learned sign and has friends and family around her who love and support her. There are only a small percent of things that you can't do Haruto. The rest of the world will is entirely your creation, and I'm sure a little boy as smart as you can cut those few things in half if you wanted to.' Shouya signed. Haruto wiped away a few of his tears. 'Normal people don't know how to talk to me though.' Haruto signed sadly. 'Well. When Shouko was in school she would write to people in her notebook and they would write back.' Shouya explained. Haruto smiled, but then looked down. 'Some people won't be willing to do that though.' Haruto replied. Shouya thought for a second. 'Then one day you'll find someone to be your interpreter.' Shouya responded. Haruto looked up at Shouya with a smile. 'Are you going to be an interpreter?' He asked. Shouya was caught a little off guard, but just smiled. 'Maybe.' He signed with a wink. Shouko walked over and smiled. 'We have to go now. The kids will start class soon.' Shouko signed. Shouya nodded. 'Bye.' He signed to Haruto as he got up and walked out with Shouko and the others. Shouya looked back at Haruto who was waving goodbye. 

Shouya's point of view:

     I think I know what I want to do now. If I could help people like Haruto and Shouko feel more connected to the rest of the world, it'll be worth it.