Chapter 47: Midnight Tragedy

 

It’s still early in the morning, and I’m sitting in front of the operating room at the Saotome Clinic with Sakurako and Shino.

　Himari, who had slipped out of the house late at night, had been hit by a drunk driver and was wandering between life and death.

　We were just praying for her safety in silence.

　The door to the waiting room opened and the doctor in charge came in.

　I looked at her expression, but I couldn’t read either of them at all.

　I gulped and swallowed my spit.

“The surgery went well. …… It’s not expected to be life-threatening……”

　I was momentarily relieved to hear that, but from the way the doctor said it, it was clear that there was something seriously wrong.

“Is it the aftereffects ……?”

　Before I could open my mouth, Shino asked the doctor.

“Yes,……, there is that too, but to begin with, I’m not sure if she’ll regain consciousness,…….”

　No. ……. So-called vegetative state,…….

　I could only stare blankly at Sakurako-sensei and Shino as they cried and hugged each other.

　I regret that I didn’t ask Himari out at the time, but I spend my days in melancholy.

　As her condition is still not stable, it is impossible to visit her. We don’t even know what kind of condition Himari is in right now.

　Sensei and Shino often head to the ultra-luxury hotel where her parents are staying after their sudden return to Japan to discuss various matters.

　Shino in particular is often summoned, going out almost every day and coming back with a gloomy look on her face. I guess it’s not a good story.

　I asked her about it once, but she wouldn’t tell me.

　A week later, Himari was moved from the ICU to a private ward.

　Finally, I could visit her.

　First her family and then I visited her room.

　The bandages around her head, the IV tubes, the electrocardiogram electrodes peeking out from her chest, and the pulse oximeter attached to her fingertips were all very painful. I couldn’t help but want to turn away.

“Himari ……, are you okay ……?”

　As expected, there was no response at all.

　I was prepared for this, but when the reality hit me, the shock was too much.

　After that, her classmates came to visit her one after another.

　Kitahara and Komatsu were talking to her in tears, but Himari didn’t move a muscle.

　I was hoping that these two best friends would have some kind of reaction, but alas.

　A week later, I came to Himari’s hospital room alone.

　Of course, she hadn’t regained consciousness.

“Himari…… please wake up soon, okay?”

　Himari didn’t say anything.

　Rather, there was no response at all.

　If she stays like this forever, what am I going to do ……?

　Isn’t it hard for Himari?

{1 (Put air into Himari’s IV tube and let her go.)

{2 (Put chemicals in Himari’s IV tube and let her go.)

　……Ha?　What the fuck do you mean ……?

　Are you saying that it’s a certainty that Himari won’t recover ……?

“You’re probably close to God, so you know that. ……”

　What would Himari think if she found out that she would never recover?

　Would you rather die than be kept alive like this?

“Himari……, what do you want me to do?”

　Himari didn’t say anything.

　What should I do?

“—–Yagami, you’re here.”

　I turn around with a jump.

　It’s Sensei and Shino.

“Yeah, well, …….”

Sensei stares at my face.

“You’re blaming yourself …… again, aren’t you?　As I’ve said many times, it’s the driver who is at fault, the drunk driver. Yagami-kun is not at all at fault.”

“But if I have invited her……!　This is what happened to Himari……!”

　It’s a shame, but I shed a tear.

“It’s all right, senpai!　Himari-chan will definitely recover!”

　Shino, who always cries every time I visit her, is cheering me up.

　I guess I’m so shabby now that I make her care so much about me.

“…… Yagami-kun, you don’t have to strain yourself on the track and field team, okay?”

“Thank you very much.”

　The teacher gave me permission to leave the club.

　Now I can finally quit the track and field team.

　After the accident, I said, “I want to be by Himari’s side as much as possible now. Besides, I don’t think I’m going to be able to make a difference anyway,” I said to my teacher.

　In addition, I have already quit boxing because the chairman, Sakoda-san, and the old man Zama encouraged me to quit.

“Senpai!　You can’t quit the track and field club!”

　Shino gets angry in a loud voice.

　This may be the first time she’s ever been this angry.

“Shino ……, why don’t you give Yagami-kun a break?”

“L-Look at this!”

　Shino took out a can box from her bag and put it on the side table.

“What’s this?

“I was looking for something to remember Himari by. I thought if I showed it to her, she might respond. Then, I found this. –Senpai, please take a look.”

　I opened the lid and took out the contents.

　What was inside was a sheet of paper and a stone.

” That’s the stone……”

　It was a stone with a creepy smile on it that I gave as a gift.

　Did she keep such a thing in a safe place……

　I put the stone back in the box, picked up a piece of paper and started reading.

　My list of things I want to do!

　1. Reduce the number of red marks!

　2. Be able to do math!

　3. Become a good cook and a good housekeeper!

　4. Have long black hair!

　5、Become a manager and cheer for ●● (blacked out)!

　6、Make ●● win the inter high championship!

　7、Enter the [Black Iron Warrior] world tournament with ●● and win!

　8、Finally eat a bowl of parfait with ●●!

　9、Go on a date with ●●!

　I’ll find Sakurako a nice guy! (Probably not!)

　I’ll let Shino lead a free life!

　I’ll kill anyone who sees this!

　If it’s Yagami, you must make it happen!　Then I’ll forgive you!　I promise!

　My tears fall on the paper, and then the ink blots.

” Yeah, ……, I’ll definitely make it happen, ……!”

　I take Himari’s hand in mine.

“I’ll be sure to make it happen. –Shino, thank you.”

“Yagami-kun, ……”

“As expected of a senpai!　That’s what senpai should be!”

　The two of them wipe away their tears.

　I will definitely win the Inter-High Championship.

　So, I want you to wake up. I’ll be waiting for you with faith.

　I chose the non-existent option {3 (Wait and trust that she will regain consciousness).