Chapter 43

Beep, beep, beep.

Rika cringed, waking from her slumber. Her body felt heavy. A sterile scent stung her nose. "Ugh." She opened her blurry eyes.

"Hey! You're awake! Oh my gosh. I'll get a doctor." The older, brown-haired man beside her fled the room.

Yuto? What's he doing here? What's going on? Guess I'm not in Thornburg anymore. An image of her new friends flashed through her mind. A flood of tears followed. She tried to speak, but her throat was too dry.

"Ugh..." She forced her stiff fingers to move, repeating the movement.

The door to her hospital room opened. "Are you sure? She hasn't been showing any signs of coming back yet, and our other coma patient just woke up an hour ago." A doctor in a white coat walked in and froze. "Well, I'll be... Two in one day?" He shook his head and checked her vitals on the machine attached to her.

"Oh no, she's crying." Yuto rushed up to her, and the doctor pushed him away.

"Let me check on her. Hello, Miss Kacho, I am Dr. Yamanaka." He pulled out a small flashlight to examine her eyes, then took her hand. "Can you give me a little squeeze?"

Rika forced her fingers to move.

"Good, good. She's stable, but disoriented. Try to keep calm for her, please."

"Yes, sir." Yuto bowed to him. "Thank you."

A nurse came in with a glass of water with a straw that Yamanaka had requested. "Can you take a sip for me?" She put the straw in Rika's mouth.

Rika took a sip of cold water and cringed as it slid down. She tried again, and it went down easier. "Yuto?"

"I'm here, little sis," he called out to her from the side. "Our parents have also visited you several times since you've been admitted."

"Can you tell me your name?" Yamanaka asked.

"Rika... Kicho," she whispered.

"Good." He nodded and marked it down. Yamanaka continued his checks while Yuto stepped out to call their parents. A few quick tests followed to make sure everything was stable. "Do you remember what you were doing before you fell into a coma?"

"Roof..." Rika mumbled. How in the world should I explain that a beam of light transported me to another world?

"That's right. You were found on the roof of your building, unconscious."

"What's the verdict?" Yuto rushed back in. "Is she going to be okay?"

The doctor nodded. "We'll still need to keep an eye on her. We haven't found a reason for her to fall into a coma in the first place, but we'll start on physical therapy soon. She's going to need support during this time—I hope she can count on you."

"Of course." Yuto bowed again. "Anything for my little sister."

Yuto's going to support me? We barely talk outside of holidays and birthdays. Did I even go to our family Christmas last year? Can't believe he's here.

Once the doctor finished his checks and left, Yuto sat in the chair beside her.

"You gave us all a mighty scare." He held onto her hand, his own shaking.

"What are you... doing here?" Rika mumbled and licked her lips, wishing for more water.

"Of course I'm here. Where else would I be? You have no idea how worried we've been. That woman, Hinata, was it? Your assistant said you stopped answering your phone and used the spare key you gave her to get in. She found you on your rooftop garden, unconscious, and called an ambulance. They contacted your closest relative." He pointed at himself. "And I got here the same day. I've come by every day to hold your hand and talk to you."

"Surprised you came..." Kinda thought my family didn't care at this point.

His eyes widened. "Why would you think that? I know we don't talk much anymore, but we still care about you."

"We don't... talk or meet up." Other than on special occasions.

Yuto held the drink up for her to take another sip. "Because you always say you're busy with work. We figured that meant you didn't want to. Come on, sis, you skipped out on Christmas. We always at least had a special dinner together, but not last year. Were you thinking we didn't want to talk to you? To see you?" His brows knitted. "We didn't want to keep bothering you."

Bothering me? Is that how I came across? Rika sighed and turned her head to the opposite side. Her gaze landed on a white teddy bear with a red bow. "Is that...?" her breath caught. Duke?

"That's stuff brought by everyone who visited you. Although I don't remember seeing the white bear before. They kinda remind me of the one you had growing up."

I still have it. Rika pointed at the bear. "Can you... hand him to me?"

"Sure." He rounded her bed and picked up Duke, handing him to her. "Hey, what's that on your neck? I don't remember seeing it before."

"What?"

Yuto took a picture of it with his phone and turned to show her a black rose on her neck. "That's not pen, is it? And I'm certain you didn't have that tattoo before. Who the hell would tattoo a comatose person?! I'm going to get to the bottom of this." Yuto stormed off.

Holy crap. How did the mark transport, too? If Duke wasn't enough proof, the mark definitely is. With a bit of force, she moved her shaking arms to hug Duke. I hope you all stay safe.

"You think I'm crazy. Look right there." Yuto came back into her room with the doctor and pointed at the rose on her neck. "She didn't have that before, and she can't move, so someone else must've done it."

Doctor Yamanaka tilted her head to the side slightly and swallowed hard. "I see... I'll talk to the nurses." He scurried off.

"Don't worry, Rika; we'll get to the bottom of this."

I'd rather some random person not get in trouble over it. "I wouldn't worry about it. I kinda like it." Serves as another reminder of Thornburg. Kael... I wonder what happened to him. He's probably in the same position as I am.

"Even if you like it, it's still not right."

"Don't want the wrong person blamed, though."

Yuto sighed, shaking his head. "Anyway, our parents are rushing in to see you by tomorrow. And I talked to the doctor; we'll start your physical therapy right away, but it's more about getting you able to sit up right now."

With that thought in mind, she clung to Duke and tried to sit up. "Ugh." It shouldn't be this hard.

"Just relax for now." Yuto pushed her shoulders back. "And wait for the professionals to help."

"How soon can I get out of here?"

"It'll be a few weeks, at least."

"Ugh..." Weeks?!

A doctor and a nurse walked by her room. "What do you mean he almost fell off the bed? He shouldn't even be moving much yet."

"Do we need someone to keep an eye on him?"

"We don't have that much extra staff."

"Sounds like someone is causing trouble," Yuto commented. "Please don't follow their lead. I don't want you falling all over the place and injuring yourself."

Rika pouted, staring at Duke. "But what if I need something?"

"Then call for someone. I know you hate having to ask for help, but this time you need it. It's okay to ask. Promise you won't get out of bed on your own yet."

Rika puffed her cheeks out.

"Please.""

"Fine," Rika sighed. "I promise I won't leave on my own yet."

"Good. Thank you." Yuto sighed and patted the bear's head. "Guess he'll keep you company now that you're awake."

"Are you leaving?"

"Not yet, but there are time limits on staying, plus I have work. I'll still come by every day. You're not in this alone."

"Thanks." And here I thought I'd be alone if I ever found myself bedridden...

"Hey, help me with this one!" a nurse called out to another nurse in the hall.

"Hopefully, you can get some proper rest here." Yuto glanced out into the hall. "Definitely noisier than normal today."

"I should be fine, as long as I have this one to comfort me." She hugged Duke tighter.

"Got a name for him yet?"

"Duke."

He raised an eyebrow. "Not like your usual names. Where'd that come from?"

"Someone special."

"Oh? Does that mean you're dating? I've asked in the past, and you always said you were too busy with work to date."

"No, I'm single. Let's leave it as someone I used to know." A lump formed in her throat. Dammit, not again. She held back her tears.

"You look tired. Maybe I should let you get some rest. I should also contact Hinata; I'm sure she'll be thrilled to know you're awake."

Rika nodded. "Thanks."

Yuto ruffled her hair and smiled. "Of course. I'd do anything for you, little sis. If only you'd ever ask me to do anything!" He chuckled and got up. "I'll see you tomorrow, Rika." He kissed the top of her head and left.

Geez, did I just miss everything all along?