Chapter 55: Shoko: Haruka Needs Me
"What did you just say?!"
Yukino Yukinoshita's expression was one of pure shock.
Across the table, Shoko looked haggard and worn.
"Kasugano... in a vegetative state? How is that even possible..."
Yukino couldn't believe it. That genius, the one even she admired and respected, had fallen into a vegetative state?
And in such a sudden, nonsensical way.
Over the past two years, she had heard countless rumors about Haruka.
Distinguished graduate of Meiji University, recruited by the Shinomiya Group with a high salary, developer of multiple high-value pharmaceuticals, rising star of the medical world, new authority in the field, Director of the Shinomiya Group's Medical Research Institute...
It was no exaggeration to say he had become a big shot.
Just the title of "Director" within the Shinomiya Group was enough to make everyone in her hometown of Chiba orbit around him.
Her family's construction company, the position of a councilor—none of it was worth mentioning in comparison.
Money, fame, status—he had everything.
And he had achieved all of this in less than two years.
Such a person... even geniuses could only look up to him in awe.
Even...
Her own mother had personally asked her if she knew Haruka and what their relationship was.
Of course, whatever scheme her mother was hatching, Yukino refused to play along.
However, she never expected this.
That such a person, someone so admirable and unreachable, would fall so abruptly.
A star falling from the sky?
A dream bursting like a bubble?
"Shoko, what did the doctors say? Did you get a second opinion?"
"Sometimes, hospitals make mistakes."
Yukino spoke slowly, enunciating clearly so Shoko could read her lips.
In front of her, Shoko, whose face was haggard but showed no sign of tears, slowly shook her head. "We've seen them all. The doctors the Shinomiya Group brought in confirmed it too. Haruka waking up... depends on luck. Maybe soon, maybe slowly, or maybe... never in this lifetime."
"..."
"..."
The atmosphere sank into a heavy silence.
Yukino was out of ideas.
What could she do?
She knew very well that Shoko came out to talk to her today perhaps just to vent a little, not to seek comfort. Maybe she didn't even need it.
The current Shoko might be stronger inside than Yukino imagined.
Just as a fragile heart, once it has a persistence it cannot betray, can become as hard as iron.
Looking at Shoko's eyes—haggard but calm and determined—Yukino realized this.
Subsequently, Shoko rambled on about every little detail between her and Haruka from university until now.
She spoke of Haruka's kindness.
She spoke of Haruka's hardships.
She spoke of her own guilt.
She spoke of the panic she felt the moment she saw Haruka collapse.
And now, the determination that she must be strong.
"Haruka needs me."
Finally, Shoko said this sentence.
Yukino was speechless.
She couldn't judge their love, nor did she want to borrow poetic words to describe it. But she felt that if love truly had a form, perhaps this was it.
But... why did it have to be a tragic love?
This wasn't fair at all...
Yukino looked at Shoko. "Good luck."
"Mm. Thank you."
After saying that, Shoko left.
Yukino sat in the café, watching her walk away.
Outside the window, the early spring sun shone down. Tender green grass struggled to break through the cold soil, holding its head high, seemingly heralding vitality.
***
In the hospital room.
Haruka lay on the pristine white bed.
Beside him, instruments beeped steadily.
Shoko sat by the bed, taking care of Haruka.
Because he was in a vegetative-like state, he currently had no ability to care for himself. Eating, drinking, and bathroom needs—all required someone else's care.
And Shoko took responsibility for all of it.
According to her: Haruka is a very shy person. If he woke up and knew about these things, he would probably want to dig a hole and hide in shame. As his lover, she had the responsibility to prevent that from happening.
Moreover, she didn't want other women to see Haruka in such an undignified state.
Therefore, Ai Hayasaka canceled a large number of nursing staff, keeping only a few essential ones.
Shoko carefully wiped Haruka's cheek. Today's full-body wash and feeding were already done, but a vegetative patient couldn't eat too much at once.
Small, frequent meals were necessary.
So, Shoko had to pay attention to this aspect as well.
Outside the ward.
Kaguya Shinomiya and Ai Hayasaka watched quietly.
Hayasaka was silent.
Beside her, Kaguya watched for a while, then suddenly turned her head away. "Boring."
Hayasaka opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing.
***
As time passed.
Two months went by in the blink of an eye.
During this time, Haruka never woke up.
Shoko continued to care for him without complaint.
However, after two months with no news, Haruka's condition could no longer be hidden.
Haruka's family found out.
Shoko's family found out as well.
At the same time, news of Haruka was leaked by a spy within the research institute.
Instantly, headlines from major news agencies exploded.
The Fastest Fallen Genius Star
The End of an Authority
The Shinomiya Group's Astronomical Loss
Can Kaguya Shinomiya Maintain Her Position?
Divine Retribution for Defying Fate?
A Loss for Humanity
Genius Medical Scientist Becomes Vegetable: The Joke of the Century
How to Prevent Vegetative State
Haruka and Shoko's friends and classmates also learned of the news one after another.
For a time, both Haruka's and Shoko's phones were bombarded with calls.
Messages instantly hit 99+.
No matter how much the outside world buzzed with discussion, Shoko didn't care.
However, when friends called via video, she still chose to answer.
"Shoko-chan, is Kasugano-san really... like that?"
It was the timid Hitori Gotoh. Her eyes were filled with disbelief. To her, Haruka was an object of admiration—a genius in music, socializing, sports, and academics. An all-rounder!
He was so dazzling; he was practically the person she wanted to become.
How could someone like that just fall?
Shoko pointed the phone camera at Haruka on the bed.
"..."
Hitori opened her mouth, looking at Shoko with worry.
"I'm fine. Thank you for your concern." Shoko simply said this.
Bocchi didn't know what to say. Her mind was in chaos. After saying a few more comforting words, she hurriedly hung up.
The next call was unexpectedly from Kazusa Touma.
That woman... who hugged Haruka and kissed him on the cheek at graduation.
Shoko fell silent for a moment but still chose to answer.
"..."
"..."
"Has he been doing well recently?" Kazusa Touma asked, her voice slightly hoarse.
Shoko just glanced at her indifferently. "Mm."
"How did it become like this? Wasn't he very strong? He could knock a person down with one punch..."
Shoko didn't speak.
She waited until Kazusa finished speaking before hanging up.
She didn't really want to talk to her, but she didn't want to be rude either.
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Here's your extra chapter...
Throw your Power Stones at me with all you've got! I'm pretty sure I can handle it.
(First Goal: 100 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter)
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