Chapter 4:

He can't be left alone!!

Returned by a Thousand Times


“Are you fine!?” Airi asked troubled, seeing the slumping Koi.

“Please don’t mind me and continue…” Requested Koi.

Airi was confused, but she continued,

“So, the thing is the money that our NGO was supposed to pay for that girl’s operation was redirected to someone else’s operation, if we can find the uncle and get his statement that you paid in our stead… then one of the core members was saying we shouldn’t involve ourselves much as we can get bad nam……. Also, we cannot make a personal transaction with someone from our funds and even if we gave money to the hospital to give it to you, it won’t work as the hospital already has a record of us paying twice……. We can’t make an empty transaction to the hospital where they just take and give money to you…….”

Airi was explaining why she couldn’t pay back Koi’s money. But all Koi heard was,

‘Blah blah money blah blah can’t give back blah blah hospital sucks blah’ the expression on Koi’s face, however, was serene as he was trying to pretend that he was understanding everything she was saying.

“... did you get it?” Airi asked as she finished explaining,

“Yes, I got it. My money cannot be returned due to various reasons,” said Koi as he tilted his head.

‘Did he really get it!? He didn’t even ask a single question’ Airi looked at him with doubt and Koi gave her a thumbs up,

“Well, whatever!! I will be off to the doctor to ask when you can be discharged. I honestly don’t want to discuss the further matters here and I can’t let you make an important decision when you are admitted,” Airi sighed,

“Further matters?” Koi asked confused,

“Yes, we will be discussing some matters… don’t worry, they will mostly be positive for you. Why else would I make the effort to find you?” Airi said as she moved towards the door.

“I see” Koi nodded,

“Just have a rest for now,” she said as she left the room.

‘It made sense… hope I can focus properly in further discussion,’ Koi prayed as he made himself comfortable on the bed, falling asleep,

Airi, who just walked out, was conflicted as she thought,

‘This guy…. He is too believing!! He didn’t ask NGO’s name, he didn’t ask any questions about the reason, and took it at a face value,’  she didn't know that Koi hardly listened to any of what she said,

She turned towards the hallway to the doctor’s office as she put a hand on her forehead.

‘Being accepting is good… but this is stupid... he will be fooled easily...’ she was feeling concerned for Koi after thinking hard about a lot of things, she concluded.

‘he can't be left alone!!’, and pulled her mobile out of her pocket,

“Ring Ringgg~”

“Pick the phone up already!” Airi thought, and the phone was picked up.

“Air… Airi? What… What happened? You know it is 12 in Pm right?” the lady on the other side of the call seemed to have just woken up from sleep,

“It is an important discussion, so the thing is….” Airi began explaining her conclusion to the lady,

“I see, well he sure seems too nai…nice for his own good according to your description,” the lady replied,

“Right!! Right, I am not worrying for nothing, right?” Airi said as she kept walking.

“Certainly, so according to your solution… the question is who?” the lady asked,

“How about Mr. Oomori?” Airi questioned,

“No, never you don’t want him to be sick every second day too? do you!?” the lady exclaimed from the other side,

“How about Kawaguchi senior?”

“It can work but, I wonder if he will end up learning his womanizing ways…” the lady answered,

“You?”

“No!! Our house is already small for these two,” the lady answered, referring to her kids,

“Then the only one left is…? Me?” Airi said confused,

“Technically, it is the best choice. After all, you two will be going to the same college… and you got a guest room empty, but are you sure?”

Airi thought a bit about various stuff and said,

“Yes! Because this will be the most economical and effective option,” Airi answered cheerfully as she finally got a solution.

“Ahh, our young Airi grew up!! She is so happy about bringing a guy home!! I should tell it to boss….” lady mocked her,

“No!! No!! It is not like that, don’t tell lies to papa!!” Airi pouted,

“Sorry mam but I am bound to inform the boss!!... and will also suggest using protec...” the lady used a professional tone but before she could complete Airi smiled as she spoke,

“Miss Fukumoto, I was just reviewing your salary increment… it might be not to your liking but,”

“Airi stop!! Stop!! I was just joking; you know I would never do that,” the lady's voice was pleading. Airi cut the phone.

‘She deserves this much… I’ll text her later that I was joking as well,' she thought as she stepped inside the doctor’s office,

“Miss Ito, I thought you went back home?” the doctor said.

“I wanted to talk with the patient I brought as soon as he woke and also wanted to know when he will be discharged?”

‘As I expected,’ doctor’s glasses shined as he asked,

“Is the patient your boyfriend?”

Airi was taken aback by the sudden question and shouted,

“He isn’t even a friend. Please don’t misinterpret things!!”

The doctor just grinned at the heavy rejection as he thought this was her attempt to cover it,

“So, the patient only has weakness and cold, it seems he was eating bare minimum to keep him going… breakups can be painful,” the doctor said with a sad expression.

“What did you say?” Airi asked with a serious expression and the doctor gulped as he continued.

“He can be discharged tomorrow, but please go easy on him and make him eat properly… also love is as good as a Medici…” before the doctor could finish, Airi just said,

“Thanks, and have a nice evening” as she left the room, seeing her cold expression, the doctor felt pity for Koi.