a picture of the sky

Every day for the last six months, two weeks, and five days, Koharu has uploaded a picture of the sky. Every. Single. Day. Admittedly, she wasn’t able to keep the 5:00 PM streak for long, but neither was Munetoshi. She had work, and so did he. Even then, they’ve yet to deviate for more than an hour.

He has skipped a few days, though with time, it has become apparent that a day without a photograph means a day Otohama has lost somebody else.

THERE IT IS!!!

It’s getting dark. She has to go back.

my day doesn’t start without that picture

Koharu does.

Girls? What do we think?

She takes a seat to continue scrolling down the comments. If anyone complains, she’ll just say that she’s working, or that her leg hurts. Easy.

The third comment leads to a thread related to Koharu’s pictures. Over time, they have become an internet mystery of sorts. She has more followers than ever, and engagement has skyrocketed… just not on her freaking arts and crafts channel.

5 PM Sky: A Discussion

Theories range from thinly-veiled calls for help to encrypted military messages to something—or someone—affecting her during her medical leave. Koharu has yet to give any statement about it. She never will. Why would she? The agency harassed her about this for some time, but then sales must have gone up or something, because her manager stopped yapping about it… mostly. Now she wants merch.

And so, Koharu lives on without a heart. Back in that tiny, brown clinic, they’re protecting it.

And so, she waits.

***

While Toshi had correctly predicted that she’d look up his profile sooner than later, he had not expected Koharu to… answer.

Again.

And again.

And again and again and again.

On her public profile, no less.

A wiser man might’ve quit after the first few days, but a wise man would’ve never indulged her in the first place. After the first few times that Toshi posted a picture of the sunset, Koharu uploaded one of her own, exactly at 5:00 PM. He thought it was funny, so he did the same the next day… and then she did the same the next day… and they haven’t stopped since.

Why?

Toshi has thought about quitting, of course. Letting go and whatnot. But… it’s easier said than done.

Oh, well. One of them will get bored eventually. Surely.

“Nagumo!”

“...mhm…” Since the ritual for today has been fulfilled, Toshi goes back to work. Thanks to Koharu’s money laundering scheme, they have actual air conditioning now—as does the other clinic, and several more in the area—but the stupid thing keeps malfunctioning. They’re probably calling him over it. Hino shows up relatively often, but if he’s not around, then Toshi is the only one tall enough to reach for that thing and fix it. (By hitting it until it works.)

Upon reaching the lobby, he’s relieved to find out that this isn’t the case. Dr. Okita stands next to the front desk, giving him a small nod. “Good evening, and sorry to bother you. Before leaving, I wanted to confirm: who’ll be representing this center at the charity event? I thought it would be Dr. Shimazu, but she keeps insisting that it should be you. I suppose it makes sense, since you’re the lead nurse now. A bit strange, but it should work.”

The lead nurse out of a grand total of two, yeah. “Ah…” Toshi trails off. Dr. Shimazu and public events mesh as well as coffee and spaghetti. “I’m not sure. She told me about it, but there’s no one else scheduled to work that day, and…”

“Ms. Gaillard will cover for you.”

“...and I’ll be very busy…”

“If Dr. Shimazu is asking for that favor, it’s safe to assume that any work for that day will be taken care of.”

“...and there might be unforeseen circumstances…”

“Is it because Ms. Fujinomiya will be there?”

“W-who?”

Dr. Okita stares at him.

Toshi finds himself picking at the edge of the clipboard, which doesn’t help. “I don’t see how that has anything to do with anything. It’s her charity, isn’t it? Of course she’ll be there. That still doesn’t mean anything. She’ll just show up to give a speech and then shake a few hands and then leave. Due to her stay here, I suppose that we could prepare some sort of gift. I’ll tell Mrs. Gouda about it. Maybe—”

“Nagumo.”

“—she’ll help us with that. Yes, Dr. Okita?”

“Why are you speaking to me like I don’t know that her personal assistant still shows up to help?”

“Well, that’s… that’s him, not her.”

With a sigh, Dr. Okita bows, then begins to walk. “Please let me know who the representative will be by tomorrow. By the way, Mr. Oda’s request has been approved. He can go with you. Have a great rest of your day.”

Toshi waits until Dr. Okita leaves before he can take a seat. The Fujinomiya Relief Foundation has not only freed them from the perils of Saga’s Summer heat, but has since replaced the furniture in the lobby for something decent, helped hire dedicated cooks, provided more comfortable bedding, and sent two dozen handknit scarves that might seem strange compared to everything else, but that’s only if you’re not a regular.

Other clinics in the area have had similar upgrades depending on their needs. The one common link seems to be dedicated cooks. Surely Toshi’s vegan curry wasn’t that bad, was it?

Surely walking into the same room as her for an hour will lead nowhere, right? She’ll be surrounded by cameras. He’ll be another guest. Although… if Mr. Oda is going as well, then hopefully they will get to meet…

He could always tell Eguchi to go in his stead. She’ll say no, but Toshi can bribe her husband. If that doesn’t work, then maybe… Gaillard? What is the issue with him going, anyway? Again, it’s not like they’ll actually meet.

And if they do?

They might see each other in passing, but that’s it.

And if they do?

Perhaps they’ll get to shake hands and give each other a cordial smile before parting ways again.

And if they do?

And if that ends their stupid ritual? Then what? Maybe they’ll finally get to move on and act like normal adults again. Of course, they’re no longer a nurse and a patient, but she’s still an actress—arguably more famous than she ever was.

Yet…

She’s still taking those pictures, every day, without fault.

Knowing very well how it’ll end, Toshi confirms his assistance the next day. The event will take place next Saturday afternoon in some high-end hotel at Karatsu. Other celebrities will be there, mainly sponsors. Cameras, cameras everywhere. He’ll have to rent suits for Mr. Oda and himself. They’ll listen to a speech recited by Koharu but probably written by somebody else. Eat and drink. Take a picture of two. Then go home.

That’s it. It might not be what anyone wants, but it is what must be done.

For everyone’s sake.