nhp | (Sutamai) Character Main Story

2.1.

-Kujo Household: Kujo’s Bedroom-

After finishing eating, I made time for just Shindo and I under the pretense of having a routine check-up.

The conversation opened up from his sigh laced with concern.

Shindo: Frankly speaking, it’s looking to become quite the hassle of a situation.

Kujo: … I see.

Shindo was sitting on the stool beside the bed. He appeared to be stifled as I watched him go to loosen the knot of his necktie with his fingers.

Kujo: (The window—)

When I looked to the window after it had crossed my mind to let in some air, it was still raining outside, and so I concluded that it seemed better off not to open it.

Shindo: It’s completely up to you to decide, but I reckon it’s a good idea to be actively taking measures here.

Kujo: I’m considering them.

It happened when I answered while gazing at the garden beyond the glass that was in Go’s care.

Kujo & Shindo: !

A bird had come flying headlong, crashing into the window before it fell.

It was a tiny bird. It resembled the one I remembered from my dream.

Shindo: … Seems to be okay.

Kujo: Yeah…

I squinted my eyes at the receding back of the bird that had staggered to take flight.

The flapping of its wings was uncoordinated, and you could tell that it was hurt.

All at once, I was hit with difficulty in breathing, and let out a cough.

Kujo: G-Guh…

Shindo: Drink the medicine. It’s made for you specifically.

Kujo: … ngh…

… Sorry for the trouble every time.

I gratefully accepted the medicine handed to me.

Shindo: I’m doing what I’m getting paid to do. There’s no need for apologies.

Kujo: …

My own wry smile was reflected in the glass.

Kujo: … Had I opened the window, perhaps the bird from before would not have gotten hurt.

Shindo: I’ll have you know that I didn’t bring any eye medicine with me.

At my friend’s sarcastic, “Can’t you see this rain?” I could feel my wry smile mellowing out into a regular one.

Shindo: Stop thinking that everything’s your fault.

Kujo: … I’d like to head out for a bit once the rain lets up.

Shindo: You have my permission as long as there’s a car and Kirishima in the picture.

Kujo: Sure.

It’s the anniversary of my mother’s passing today.

* * *

-Rei’s Home: Bedroom-

Rei: Hmm… yeah, that medicine was no good.

I tossed and turned around on my bed.

There was no escaping the heat and sluggishness regardless of what position I was in.

Rei: (I guess the new cold medicine from Oomori Pharmaceuticals doesn’t work on me.)

I peeled off the ice pack that had become lukewarm on my forehead, and flung it into the bin.

I tediously got out of bed and opened up the window.

After soaking in the chill of the outside air on my face and neck, I let out a flushed breath.

Rei: (… Smells like after the rain.)

When I breathed in, my head became just a tiny bit clearer.

I had to go into work starting from the day after next, so it wasn’t an option for me to simply take leave. I needed to be fully recovered by this weekend.

Rei: (Maybe I should go out and buy some medicine and stuff.)

* * *

-Neighbourhood-

After changing and also putting on a face mask, I left the house.

I was headed for the drugstore that was about a five-minute walk away.

I was making steady progress up until the half mark point between my apartment and the destination.

However…

Rei: (I really might not be feeling too great.)

My head felt heavy and hot, and it hurt—it was spinning.

An extreme nausea was building up from the pit of my stomach, and I unconsciously crouched down on the spot.

Rei: (G-Guh… Oh no…)

My heart was loudly drumming.

I squeezed my eyes shut and put my head between my knees, and then repeated breathing in and out shallow breaths.

Rei: (For the time being, I’ll wait out the headache and nausea, and then go back home.)

(Before I cause any trouble for anyone…)

Immediately following the soft splashing sound of a puddle, I heard this voice.

???: Are you not feeling all that well, Miss?

2.2.

-Neighbourhood-

??? (Kujo): Are you not feeling all that well, Miss?

Rei: (A man’s voice… ngh… no good. My headache is killing me…)

??? (Kujo): If you’d like, I can give you a hand there.

I managed to somehow wheeze out my pass on the offer as I remained unable to move.

Rei: S-Sorry, I think I’ll be okay if I just stay still for a b-bit—Oof.

Towards the end of my sentence, I blew out a chunk of air.

It felt like I would pass out if I didn’t catch my breath in between speaking.

Rei: (Actually, I think I’m already—)

??? (Kujo): !!

I was overcome by a sensation that was as if the whole world was being forcibly sucked into a white hole.

Then everything cut off with a snap.

[Thud]

* * *

-Inside the car-

Rei: (… Huh? I’m…)

It was seeming like both my consciousness and vision were being blanketed by a film of drowsiness.

So I couldn’t quite grasp the situation I was finding myself in.

But I knew for a certainty that I was warm.

There was the feeling of a cloth attentively wiping the sweat off around my temples, and I heaved out a deep sigh.

Eventually, a broad palm thoroughly made contact with my forehead.

Another sigh escaped my lips at that pleasantly cool body temperature.

??? (Kujo): We’ll be arriving at the hospital shortly.

I wondered if the voice belonged to this hand.

??? (Kujo): It’s okay… You’ll be fine. It’s alright now.

The voice floating down from above was almost like my very own special effective medicine, curing me of my agony.

??? (Kujo): It’s okay. You don’t have to worry about a single thing.

Rei: (Mhmm… This person…)

(They’re definitely someone who’s very kind and tender.)

??? (Kujo): The hospital is within view. You’re going to be absolutely fine now.

Somehow, I got the feeling that I really would be okay.

As though I were leisurely sinking into the warm water that had melted away my relief, I let go of my consciousness.

* * *

-Inside the car-

Kujo: Can you hurry, Kirishima? It appears that she’s completely lost all consciousness.

Kirishima: On it. I’m flooring it like crazy to the hospital while also keeping to the road rules.

Kujo: Thanks.

Only but a moment ago, I had spotted an irregularity within the quiet neighbourhood passing by the window of my car.

A figure crouching down on the ground, seemingly in pain.

The look of it wasn’t normal, so I had gotten out of the car. The instant I spoke to them, they had crumpled over, and I had impulsively caught hold of that body.

That was how we came to now.

In the backseat of this car heading for the hospital, the woman in my care was grimacing across my lap.

Kujo: (What a horrible fever…)

I left the facemask covering most of her expression, as is.

And wiped away the sweat drenching her brows.

I took in the slight fluttering of her eyes, and realised that her consciousness had returned.

With the thought that it would bring her some ease, I dug up an old memory, and imitated that person.

Kujo: It’s okay… You’ll be fine. It’s alright now.

They were simple words, but nothing could top them, was what I believed.

Kujo: You’re going to be absolutely fine now.

I got the feeling that the furrows in her brows went away just a little.

Kirishima: I’m turning into the hospital’s carpark.

Kujo: Right.

The hand that I had held out to this woman would never reach the bird that had disappeared into the sky after being injured from plowing into the closed window.

All the while acknowledging that voice crying out in my head…

I ignored the tightness in my chest and the oncoming signs of a cough with a soft blink of the eye—

And I reached out with my cold hand to protect her from the jolt of the car coming to a stop.

* * *

-Hospital: Patient’s Room-

Rei: …?

Nurse: Oh, Miss Izumi.

A woman in a nurse’s uniform sprung into my vision.

A nurse… Was this… a hospital then?

I was… sleeping… on a bed… in the hospital?

Rei: (Oh, yeah! I collapsed on my way to the drugstore!)

Nurse: Are you feeling okay, Miss Izumi? Can you hear my voice?

Rei: Oh, yes… I can hear you. Um…

Nurse: You’ve been through quite a bit, haven’t you? It’s alright now.

Your belongings are all here. So if you’re able to sit up, then please run a check of them.

On the ledge of the overbed table was my wallet and smartphone.

And a handkerchief that I had no recollection of.

Nurse: In order to confirm your identity, we had a look at the healthcare card inside your wallet.

I’ll go call for the doctor now.

Rei: … If you could, thank you.

The nurse had briskly straightened out the sheets, and then exited the room.

Rei: (It ended up turning into a huge fuss…)

I slowly lifted myself up, and reached for the handkerchief.

Rei: (This probably belongs to the person in the car who rescued me.)

The memory of my sweat having been wiped away for me faintly came back.

When I gently and carefully went to open up the handkerchief, there was a nice scent coming off of it, and my eyes zeroed in on the initials.

Rei: “S.K.”…

(Sutamai) Character Main Story - Kujo Soma, Vol 0 Ch 2