Chapter 45 - Confession (1)

It is 11:45 a.m.

I just walked into Son's room.

_ Son: “ Yo, buddy. ”

_ Ayden: “ So, feeling better? ”

_ Son: “ A few bruises here and there, but big Son will be back on his feet in no time, you'll see! ” he said, patting his chest with his fist.

A slight smile touches my lips, soothed by this rediscovered familiarity. Suddenly, a door opens. Hazel appears.

_ Hazel: “ So you were here. ”

_ Ayden: “ Were you looking for me? ”

_ Hazel: “ I wanted to see how you were feeling. I was going to ask Son as well. ”

_ Ayden: “ Physically, I'm recovering well, thank you. The girls are doing okay too. ”

_ Hazel: “ Yes, I know. I went into the twins' room. ”

_ Ayden: “ I see. ”

Suddenly, a nurse joins us.

_ Nurse: " It's almost noon. I'll bring you your meals. You can eat together in the same room if you want. "

_ Ayden: “ Thank you. ”

_ Nurse: " One last thing. Only children with good diagnoses will be able to leave the clinic after lunch. For you, kid, it will only be from tomorrow. " he said, pointing at the kid with the mohawk.

_ Son: “ Ughh, what a pain. ”

The nurse leaves the room.

_ Son: “ You're lucky. ” he says, with his hands behind his head.

_ Ayden: “ It's for your own good. ”

_ Son: “ I know. ”

On the other side.

_ Kona: " Where are you going like that? I should point out that you have to stay at the clinic. "

_ Kaya: " I'm not going to apologize, but I want to at least see with my own eyes if those idiots are okay. You're not going to stop me, are you? "

Her twin's poignant argument leaves her speechless, and she lets her pass. So they arrive in Shailly's room, where Maïko is waiting.

_ Kona: “ Hi, we wanted to know how… ”

Her sentence, suspended mid-air, dies on her lips, surprised to see her friend awake.

_ Kona: “ You're already awake?? ”

_ Shailly: “ Hi girls, yes, I've only been awake for a few minutes. ”

_ Kona: “ I'm relieved. How's your injury? ”

_ Shailly: " The doctors took care of me all night. They managed to stop the bleeding and partially cover my wound. "

These words soothe his troubled soul, and he places a hand on his chest.

_ Kona: “ That's really great. ”

_ Shailly: " However, I'm not allowed to move from my bed for several days. "

A mischievous look fixes itself on the other side.

_ Kona: “ Ah, well, that reminds me of someone. ”

_ Kaya: “ Nonsense. I'm just not allowed to leave the clinic. ”

A slight laugh tickles Shailly's lips in this moment of respite. What follows is a collection of fragments from their experiences, weaving a shared narrative. They share their emotions, one after the other, mingling their sorrows, hopes, and dreams for the future. The last words still echo in the room when, impatiently, a small figure rises to head for the only exit.

_ Kaya: “ Well, I'm going back to my room. ”

She stops at the doorway, then turns her head, her face expressionless.

_ Kaya: “ By the way, good luck with Hazel. ”

She leaves the room, acting as if nothing happened, leaving the atmosphere filled with questions.

_ Kona: “ But! ”

_ Shailly & Maïko: “ What do you mean? ”

His jaw clenches, trapping a growing rage.

_ Kona: “ What a pest! She clearly did it on purpose! ”

The girls, their eyes sparkling with feverish curiosity, lean toward the girl with the binoculars, forming a circle around her.

_ Maïko: “ So what's this all about?? ”

With her back against the wall, her eyes close, as if to escape the reality that is suffocating her. Then, in a hoarse voice, she resolves to confess her most intimate thoughts.

_ Kona: “ I admit I have feelings for him. ”

A knowing smile stretches across their lips. The girls exchange glances, their pupils dilated with excitement at this new revelation. Their curiosity still overflowing, their souls whisper the same questions, eager to know more.

_ Maïko: “ That's great! Are you going to tell him?? ”

_ Kona: “ I have no idea. I don't think it's a priority right now. ”

_ Maïko: " What do you mean, it's not a priority? This kind of situation only happens once in a lifetime, so you have to enjoy it while you can! "

With a slight smile on her lips, the twin drops the argument, sensing the futility of any further discussion.

_ Kona: “ That's true, you're right. ”

_ Maïko: “ Of course. ” she says proudly, shrugging her shoulders.

The echoes of the beautiful words had barely faded when a sudden sound broke the calm.

_ Maïko: “ So Shailly, are you going to make the first move with Ayden? ”

This secret, dropped like a bomb, startles the child concerned. Her eyes, wide open, question her friend's, betraying a barely concealed disappointment.

_ Shailly: “ Hey! You promised me you wouldn't say anything! ”

Shoulders shrug casually, while eyes sparkle with childish mischief, betraying the deception.

_ Maïko: “ Are you sure? I don't remember making such a promise. ”

The broken promise causes Shailly to sulk stubbornly, puffing out her cheeks. A hint of cynical amusement appears on the twin's face.

_ Kona: “ You really can't count on anyone… ”

Then he continues, crossing his arms.

_ Kona: “ Now that I know, I might as well reveal everything. Besides, I just did it a moment ago. It wouldn't be fair otherwise. ”

_ Shailly: “ You're right. ”

Pupils turn toward the window.

_ Shailly: “ At first, it wasn't very clear in my mind, but as events unfolded, I think I also have feelings for him. He's a really respectable guy. He's talented and quick-witted. I even think he's a good leader. ”

_ Kona: “ That's really cool. Are you going to tell him? ”

She looks the girls straight in the eye.

_ Shailly: " No idea. But I'm sure of one thing. I want to become as strong as him and protect everyone. I don't want to see anyone disappear anymore. "

Initially surprised, Kona's face lights up with a reassured smile.

_ Kona: " She seems calmer since last night and more determined than ever. It's good to see. "

Maiko stretches, gets up, and watches with excitement as a rainbow appears, combined with the sun partially covered by clouds, the downpour interrupted.

_ Maïko: “ What a beautiful sight! It makes me want to go out for a walk! ”

_ Kona: “ Not so fast, dear. ”

_ Maïko: “ ? ”

_ Kona: “ I haven't forgotten you. Are you planning to sneak off without telling us anything? ”

The silence stretches out, then Maïko bursts out laughing, holding her stomach.

_ Kona: “ Why are you laughing? ”

_ Maïko: “ If you think I've got my eye on a guy, forget it, girl. ”

_ Kona: “ Really? Not even Son? ”

_ Maïko: " Huh? That idiot? Come on. I'm sure he can't even count to ten. Give me some respect. "

_ Kona: “ We have no proof that you can count either… ”

The person concerned heads toward the bedroom door.

_ Maïko: “ No, the only person I'm interested in is our boss. ”

_ Kona: “ Chief Moana? ”

_ Shailly: “ No... Wait... Don't tell me… ”

_ Maïko: “ Not in that sense, silly. ”

Then she lifts her head and smiles devotedly.

_ Maïko: " During her fight against the Reclus, I thought she was incredible! She had such presence. She was so stylish! So I made my decision. When she returns, I'll tell her that I want to become a woman as authoritative and classy as her! "

Kona smiles again.

_ Kona: “ That's a nice goal. ”

_ Maïko: “ Of course, hehe. ”

_ Shailly: “ I hope she managed to defeat that mummy and that she'll be here soon. ”

_ Maïko: “ Of course she did, what do you take her for? Have faith in her. ”

_ Shailly: “ Yes, you're right. ”