Jun let out a slow breath, his gaze lifting toward the patch of sky visible through the window on the far right of his bed.
It has already been one whole week since the physiotherapy began… It was difficult, and I felt irritated many times. But because of Nurse Shiraishi's instructions, I improved little by little.
His fingers curled lightly against the blanket, the tension easing as the words settled quietly in his mind.
My body is no longer as weak or as heavy as it used to be when I just woke up…
Jun lifted his hand and clenched his fist slowly. Both hands moved behind his head as he sank into the pillow. The fabric pressed lightly against his skin, cool and firm.
Maybe this is a sign that I'm going back to normal.
Jun shook his head slowly, his shoulders rising slightly with the movement. His gaze fell toward the floor, tension lingering in his hands.
Even if I regain my strength… what is "normal" for me… I do not remember myself, or anyone else. What I like… I cannot recall the person I was before I woke up.
He exhaled quietly and closed his eyes.
It still remains a blank.
The door to his room opened. Jun's eyes shifted open, and he saw Nurse Shiraishi enter. A clipboard was tucked under her arm, and a small cart with a few items followed behind her. Her steps were quiet, measured, the wheels of the cart making a soft, low sound against the floor.
Jun felt the window shift slightly as it was opened. Nurse Shiraishi stood beside him, her posture straight and still.
"Good morning, Mr. Hashimoto. I see you are up early," her voice was quiet, even, and measured, showing no change in expression.
"Good morning, Nurse Shiraishi," his voice came low and uncertain, barely rising above the quiet of the room.
Shiraishi moved with precise motions, sliding a pair of gloves onto her hands. She picked up a tongue depressor and a pen light from the cart.
"You sound better than yesterday,"
Shiraishi's eyes stayed on Jun, expression unreadable.
"Stick out your tongue, Jun," her voice was calm and even.
Jun felt a flush rise across his face as he shifted upright. He paused, fingers curling lightly against the sheet.
Shiraishi's lips curved very slightly, almost unnoticeable.
"Do you prefer… ahh…" her voice was quiet and even.
Jun hesitated before opening his mouth.
She is enjoying this, he thought quietly.
Shiraishi placed the tongue depressor gently and then switched on the pen light, her eyes scanning his throat with calm precision.
Shiraishi removed the tongue depressor and switched off the pen light. She lifted the clipboard and began making notes, her movements precise and controlled.
"You know… I have updated the doctor on your physiotherapy reports. He believes it is time to move you to the recovery ward 2-B in two days," her voice remained calm and even, expression unreadable.
Jun's eyebrows drew together slightly. He blinked, gaze shifting toward her.
"But… why so sudden?" His voice was soft, uncertain.
Shiraishi's eyes remained steady as she indicated for him to extend his hand.
"Since you can move on your own now, you will be able to go to the bathroom and take a shower by yourself," her voice was quiet and even.
He lifted his hand slowly. She wiped his index finger with a cotton pad, then pricked it lightly with the lancet. Jun's hand twitched slightly at the sting. She pressed the test strip carefully against the drop of blood, movements precise and controlled.
Shiraishi shifted slightly, the fabric of her white uniform moving with the motion.
"Or do you prefer I continue?" Her eyes stayed on his hand, still and precise.
Jun lowered his hand. "No, thank you." His voice came soft, hesitant.
She handed him a piece of cotton. He pressed it against the small wound. "Apply pressure." Her posture remained steady, shoulders unmoving.
The test strip was placed in the glucometer. Shiraishi's hand moved steadily as she recorded the findings on her clipboard, eyes scanning each line carefully.
Shiraishi lifted her eyes from the clipboard and paused, taking in the tension on Jun's face. His shoulders had drawn in slightly, breath held shallow.
"Do not worry. I will still be the nurse responsible for you." Her words came steady, controlled.
"Because a memory trigger may cause psychological shock, I must stay close and watch your condition."
She adjusted her grip on the clipboard, her presence calm and certain.
"I will not be far, so… do not miss me yet."
Jun's gaze lowered slightly. "I see…" His voice was low and even.
"And Jun, now that you can move, I suggest you try going outside more, and interact with a few patients or even staff, just to get some fresh air."
Shiraishi pushed the cart forward slowly. The soft scrape of its wheels moved across the floor as she reached the door. She opened it and stepped out, letting it close quietly behind her.
Jun exhaled slowly, sinking back into the bed.
Maybe she is right… The weight of isolation and loneliness pressed against him, quiet and heavy.
Jun stepped out of his room, the door closing softly behind him. He moved slowly along the corridor, passing nurses, porters, and patients. His gaze remained lowered, avoiding their eyes. His fingers brushed lightly against the fabric of his pants, holding them slightly as he walked, careful with each step. Footsteps echoed faintly against the tile floor, steady and measured.
He reached the staircase and gripped the railing, feeling the cool metal beneath his fingers. Slowly, he lowered himself down, step by step, muscles trembling slightly from disuse. At the bottom, he raised a hand to shield his eyes from the sunlight streaming through the windows. Warmth spread across his face. A breeze followed, brushing against his skin. From somewhere nearby, the soft laughter of children drifted into his awareness, distant but clear, and his chest lifted slightly with the sound.
Jun continued until he reached a quiet slope outside the hospital grounds. He lowered himself into the grass, the blades cool beneath him, pressing lightly against his back and arms.
Well, that was exhausting… He exhaled slowly, letting his body relax further into the gentle slope.
The breeze moved through his hair, carrying the faint scent of freshly cut grass. As the familiar smell hit him, a sudden, cold pressure squeezed his chest, his body felt heavy, instantly weighted down by an unknown, profound sorrow.
A single, cool tear tracked silently from the corner of his eye.
He blinked, suddenly aware of the moisture on his cheek.
Huh… Why am I crying? He reached up, touching the wetness with his fingertips, the small, involuntary act feeling utterly disconnected from his conscious mind. He closed his eyes, his chest still tight with the lingering, inexplicable sorrow.
A faint sob reached Jun unexpectedly. He stirred, lifting himself slightly from the grass, muscles tense with caution. The breeze shifted, brushing against his arms, and he paused, listening. The sound came again, quiet and trembling, carrying through the sunlight and the soft rustle of leaves.
He slowly scanned the slope, eyes narrowing against the glare. Beneath a tree, a small figure huddled, shoulders drawn in, body curled slightly. The little girl's hands moved to her face. Jun's chest tightened slightly at the sight.
He shifted his weight carefully, moving down the gentle incline. Each step was deliberate, scuffs pressing into the grass, hands brushing lightly against his pants.
When he reached her, he paused, hand hovering near her shoulder. He tapped lightly. She lifted her head slowly, her blue eyes wide and glistening with tears. She trembled as her gaze met his.
"What is wrong…" His voice was low, careful, carrying no suddenness. His posture stayed gentle, shoulders relaxed.
The girl lifted a small hand, pointing upward.
Jun followed her gesture, eyes rising to the branches above. A ball was stuck, tangled in the leaves.
From somewhere nearby, soft snickering reached him. He turned slightly. A few younger male patients were nearby, nudging each other, pretending to act normal. Their movements were small and hesitant, eyes darting quickly toward him before returning to their games.
Jun exhaled softly and reached for the low branches. He gripped the rough bark, muscles trembling as he pulled himself upward. Leaves brushed against his arms, and one branch bent under his weight, forcing him to adjust carefully. Fingers slipping once, he caught hold again, teeth gritted against the small strain. Finally, he grasped the ball and began to descend. His foot slipped briefly on a branch; he wobbled, catching himself just in time before landing on the soft grass below.
The girl's eyes widened slightly at his actions.
Jun brushed a few leaves from his hair, fingers lingering briefly on his forehead.
"Here… this is yours, right?" His voice was soft, careful, gentle.
She rose slowly, arms extending hesitantly. When the ball touched her hands, she hugged it tightly against her chest. "Thank you… Mister." Her voice was quiet, gentle, trembling slightly as she wiped at her tears with the back of her hand.
"It is no problem." Jun shifted his weight slightly, eyes lowering for a moment before returning to her. "Also… were they the ones who threw the ball into the tree?"
"Yes…" She lowered her head, fingers tightening around the ball. "They always tease me… because I'm frail and not so strong. The girls don't want to play with me either, so… I try to make friends with them, even though they act like that." Her voice thinned, shoulders drawing in slightly as she spoke.
"They never take me seriously…" Her grip on the ball tightened a little.
Jun let out a slow breath, then lifted his head to meet her eyes. "I am sorry you have to deal with that." His hand rose and rested lightly on her head, his touch careful. "But… if those boys treat you like that, then trying to be friends with them will only bring you trouble. It is not worth it."
"But… even so," she murmured, her gaze dropping to the grass. "It is better than being alone." Her voice thinned at the edges as the words left her.
Jun froze for a moment, eyes resting on her small figure.
"Um… Mister…" She looked up at him, fingers fidgeting with the edge of her dress under her gown.
Jun leaned slightly closer, eyes meeting hers. "What is it?" His hand shifted lightly, resting near his knee.
She lifted her gaze to him, blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Do you think… you can play catch with me?" Her hands tightened slightly around the ball.
Jun drew in a slow breath, shoulders shifting slightly. "I will… only if you stop calling me 'Mister.' I am still high school age, you know."
She tilted her head slightly, lips parting. "Then… what should I call you?"
He leaned back slightly, stance straightening. "Call me Jun."
Honoka held the ball out to him, a bright smile lighting her face. "Um… alright, Jun. My name is Honoka Mizuno. You can call me Honoka." She nudged the ball toward him with both hands. "Shall we play?"
Even though he had been caught off guard, Jun managed to catch the ball.
"Nice catch, Jun!!" Honoka called, cupping her hands as she jogged a few steps away, her bright smile unwavering.
Jun's gaze lingered on the ball. A faint memory surfaced—he saw a ball flying toward him, running, jumping into the air, and making a catch that won the regional finals. Faces he could not place cheered and praised him, and a girl he could not remember smiled at him from the stands. The memory left a quiet warmth in his chest, fleeting but vivid.
Jun's eyes widened, gaze fixed on the ball.
Was that… my memories? The warmth in his chest lingered, tugging at something deep inside.
"Jun, over here!" Honoka's voice pulled him from his thoughts. She waved, letting out a small giggle, and held out her hands. "Pass it to me."
Jun tossed the ball gently. Honoka ran a few steps, catching it with a small laugh. She spun lightly, tossing it back. Step by step, the ball moved between them, soft thuds on the grass marking each throw. Sunlight warmed their shoulders, the breeze rustling around them as they played.
Honoka stepped back, then ran forward on her tiptoes, sending the ball soaring over Jun's head.
"Hey… I wasn't ready for that." He spun sharply, sprinting after it.
A black-haired girl walking by with a book in her hands felt the ball bump lightly against her head.
Jun froze, gaze falling to the grass.
Look at what that little girl has gotten me into… he breathed out slowly.
Honoka ran over, stepping quickly to Jun's side. "Jun… what is wrong?"
He nudged her gently. The ball hit her in the head. Go on… apologize.
Honoka lowered her head, hands folding slightly. "I am sorry, Miss." She bowed carefully.
The girl did not answer. Her deep purple eyes stayed fixed on them, sharp and unyielding.
Jun's eyes widened, gaze locking on her.
Could it be… the girl I saw at the fountain a week ago, when Shiraishi pushed me in the wheelchair for physiotherapy?
The memory tugged quietly at his chest.
Jun held out his hands slightly. "Could you pass the ball?" His gaze stayed on hers, waiting.
She turned her head slowly, then tapped the ball with her foot, sending it rolling in the opposite direction. Without looking back, she began to walk away.
Jun's eyes followed her as she walked away. What is her deal… He ran after the ball, bending to pick it up, brushing the dirt off with a quiet sigh. Something else drew his attention — a small notebook lying in the grass, half-tilted against a tree root. It did not look like it belonged there.
He turned the notebook over in his hands, studying it briefly.
Did she… drop this? His gaze swept the area, but the dark-haired girl was gone. She had already vanished down the path.
Jun opened the notebook.
Inside the front cover, a name was written in neat, careful handwriting:
Rin Tachibana
So… her name is Rin Tachibana. He held the notebook in his palm, still for a moment, unsure whether to call after her, return it, or keep it until he saw her again.