XLIV

“I’m glad you’re up, Ms. Tanaka!” The doctor enthused, striding into the room and looking at the chart hanging on the end of the bed. “That was quite the accident! It could have been much worse!”

“My sister’s too mean to die properly,” Koemi supplied from her chair. Mari and Yukiko giggled like schoolgirls.

“Well, it looks like you’ll be able to get out of here in a few days! You’ll have some-“ the doctor began.

“Today,” Sachi interrupted. The doctor cocked an eyebrow quizzically.

“It’s good to have goals but I’m not-“he began before Sachi interrupted him again.

“I’m just waiting for my friend to get back with clothes. Thanks to everyone for all their help but I’ve got things to do,” Sachi eased her feet off the bed, trying hard not to wince in pain.

“I’m afraid I can’t let you do that, Ms. Tanaka,” the doctor shook his head. You had some swelling in your brain so we had to keep you unconscious to let the swelling go down, not to mention a lacerated kidney and broken bones. You were in a very serious accident.”

“Well, you know,” Sachi replied, getting unsteadily to her feet, “these things happen sometimes. I appreciate you keeping me alive and all but I feel so much better! It’s like I’ve got a new lease on life and all that. I’d love to stay for pampering and mud baths, but I’ve got something very important to take care of so I’ll just be checking myself out.”

“Here’s the stuff you wanted,” Mirai said, coming in and handing a bag to Sachi. “Ness is pulling into the driveway last I talked to her. We’ll use the helicopter to get up there.”

“Oh my God!” Yukiko gushed. “You have a helicopter?”

“Wanna join the mile high club, Yukichi?” Mari grinned.

“Do not let that happen!” Sachi snapped.

“You guys are sick,” Mirai gasped in shock. “Someone’s in danger! I’ll let you use it once we’re done.”

“Why do you encourage that sort of behavior?” Sachi sighed. The doctor looked on dumbfounded.

“Who am I to put the kibosh on young love?” Mirai shrugged. “Besides, how else am I going to fill my fap folder except with the video cam in the back of the helicopter?”

“You have a fap folder, too?” Koemi gasped.

“Doesn’t everyone?” Mirai asked with a shrug.

“I don’t know what this is all about but maybe you all could talk some sense into your friend,” the doctor sighed. “This is a very bad idea. She needs rest and recuperation.”

“Sachi’s a lawyer,” Mirai replied. “Lawyers, you know. You can’t tell them anything.”

“It wouldn’t do any good to talk to her,” Koemi shrugged. “She’s unreasonable and would just get violent if you try. She threw my rabbit plush out the second floor window when I was eight because I told her mom said to eat her spinach.”

“That never happened, Koemi.” Sachi snapped.

“Yes it did!” Koemi mouthed silently.

“If you could, like, turn around or leave or something while I get dressed that’d be great, doc,” Sachi said irritably.

“I’ll have to say that you’re leaving-“

“Against medical advice, yeah, I get it. Legal ramifications and all. Great, could you go? Time’s wasting,” Sachi said as sweetly as she could muster.

“Well, I hope what you’re going to do is worth your life, miss,” The doctor snapped.

“She is my life,” Sachi replied, shooing him away.