A Hefty Stay

"Woah!"

I found a pretty dress. It was red and had a flower pattern. 

Without thinking, I let go of Noboru's hand and jumped into the crowd of people. 

I have to get it!

Fighting with the crowd for a dress seemed stupid, but I wanted it at all costs.

"Ugh, move out of the way!"

"Make me!"

After 15 minutes of fighting with older women, I finally got my hands on the dress.

"Yeah! See that! Hahaha!"

Playfully, I swing the dress above my head as a victory celebration.

"Did you see that, No-"

I froze when I realized what had happened.

"Noboru!"

Grabbing my dress, I ran around, looking for him.

"Noboru!"

I couldn't hear anything through the constant noise of people fighting. An idea popped into my head, and I grabbed my handphone.

Good thing I saved this funny app...

"NOBORU!"

My yell echoed through the store, stopping everyone. The megaphone app seemed effective.

"DID ANY OF YOU SEE A PALE BOY!"

Murmurs could be heard.

"He's right here!"

I fixate my gaze on the voice. It was an older man.

"I think that he collapsed!"

Hearing that, my face turned pale. When I got to him I was shocked. It was him. As I checked his pulse, the older man called the ambulance. My body started shaking.

"His pulse is slowing down!"

Everything in me broke. I could only hear ringing as my vision blurred.

"Hey, calm down! Ambulance is on the way!"

The older man shook me.

"I-I j-just..."

"Take deep breaths."

I snap my head around when I hear the voice.

"Masato?"

"I was worried that it took you so long, so I came here. As I said, take deep breaths. He will be fine."

"...Hah...Hoh....Hah...Hoh..."

"Better?"

"Yeah. You're right. He has to be fine."

After 10 minutes, the ambulance arrived. They told us that we could come with them, which made me a bit less stressed.

When we got to the hospital, they made us wait in the waiting room for hours. It felt like an eternity since we entered.

"Why are they taking so long?!"

I was walking up and down the hallway while Masato was sitting on a chair and tapping his foot. It made me break character.

"I don't know! You're just making me more nervous by walking around!"

He did sound irritated, but he can't complain.

"Could you then stop tapping your feet?"

"I can't! I feel more comfortable tapping my feet."

"Ehm!"

The doctor cleared his throat, signaling us to stop.

"Doctor! How's Noboru?! Is he okay?! Will he-"

"There's no need for panic. He suffered a heart attack due to stress, but he's stable now."

I let out a sigh of relief.

"Why are his parents not coming? Aren't they worried about him?"

Masato pointed out, to which I didn't think.

The doctor tensed up.

"You see, it was said to me to not tell you anything about that, but I think you should know. You're close friends, right?'

"Yeah! Super close!"

My mood lightened up at the mention of friends.

"Well, you see... His parents were murdered 8 years ago."

Immediately, my mood dropped down at the speed of light.

"WHAT?!"

"Ow! Don't scream, Ko!"

"How can't I scream, Masato! That's..."

It felt horrible to imagine my family getting murdered.

"Where is he now?"

I ask the doctor.

"He's in room 22."

"Thanks."

When I grabbed Masato's collar, I started dragging him.

"Hey! You know I can walk!"

"I'm not in the mood to argue now."

Without a warning, we barged into the room.

"Ah!"

Noboru jumped up from his bed.

"Oh... It's you guys."

"I'm glad you're okay, Noboru."

Without thinking, I hugged him.

"H-Hey! W-What a-are you doing a-all of a s-sudden!"

I smiled at myself, even though I wanted to fluster him, I still wanted to hug him.

"Get a room you two!"

"M-MASATO!"

His beet-red face made me laugh. 

"So, how are you feeling?"

"... I'm not talking to you!"

Masato let out a sigh. It seemed like Noboru had enough of teasing.

"Don't act like a toddler, for god sake. I was worried about you!"

"Well, I feel great."

"Yeah, especially from that hug with Ko."

"RAGGHH! MASATO!"

It looked like Noboru was trying to get out of bed and strangle Masato.

"Hehehe. But in all seriousness I'm glad."

"I swear... Next time I won't talk to you, even if you do anything."

Masato just smiled.

"We'll see about that."

"Anyways..."

I speak up.

"There was something I wanted to know."

"Huh, what are you talking about?"

"About your parents..."

His gaze immediately fell towards his covers.

"I told the doctor not to tell you two..."

"But why?!"

"It's because..."

It seemed clear that he hesitated to answer.

"I didn't want you two getting roped into my problems."

"I don't care. You can-"

"I'm sorry."

Masato cut me off and raised his hand.

"But I feel that you're leaving me out of this conversation."

...

Never in my life have I ever wanted to punch a person just as now.

"Oh! I completely forgot to ask! What did even cause your heart attack?"

...

"I have social anxiety disorder. My stress skyrockets when I'm in a crowd."

Noboru looked like he wanted to slap his head. I didn't judge him...

"Oh, yeah. The doctor said something about stress!"

As I couldn't take it anymore, I punched Masato.

"Ow! You're strong!"

"You don't say to a girl she's strong!"

I punched him again.

"I really can't believe that he can act so smart sometimes..."

"Hey! You're hurting my feelings, Noboru!"

"Stop it!"

Masato went quiet after my roar.

A nurse slid the door open.

"Kids, could you keep quiet? Patients here need rest."

"Sorry."

We all whisper.

"Oh, and before I forget."

The nurse seemed to search for something in the pile of papers in her hands.

"Here is your medical bill."

Noboru grabbed the bill.

"Huh? I thought I had bought insurance."

His eyes seemed to grow wide, as he saw the numbers.

"Are you serious?! This is absurd?!"

"I'm sorry, but the prices just kept growing over the years. Medical staff needs money to maintain the robots we use for operations and checkups."

When the nurse left, Noboru turned towards us.

"Um, guys... If you could, could you please help me pay the bill?"

He turned the bill towards us and our jaws dropped to the ground.

"Woah, look, Chia is calling me. I got to go and help her with the jetpack race!"

Masato ran off.

"Don't worry, I'll help pay the bill."

"You don't have to. I was just joking."

"No, it's no problem. I can pay right now if you want to."

Now Noboru's jaw dropped.

"How do you have that much money?!"

"Oh, I didn't tell you? My family's rich."