Chapter 25:

LAWRENCE

Watch Over You

I tried my best. I tried my absolute best to mask my condition as we walked. I walked beside them to best hide the shaking in my arms. I bit my tongue to attempt to sedate the pain in my forehead. We walked through mounds of pedestrians that evening, as many celebrated the start of Golden Week. My headache worsened as we moved through the crowds, the loud noises and bright lights made it one-thousands times more excruciating.

‘Lawrence, Lawrence, Lawrence…’ My brain repeated.

“Do you know where you are going, David?” Hiroshi asked me.

“Y-yeah, I know where it is.” I replied as I turned a corner.

“Okay…” Hiroshi responded.

‘I played games with Misako? I played games? I knew her?’ I repeated internally.

It made no sense. It made no sense. It made no-

‘WHY CAN’T I REMEMBER.’ I screamed internally.

Then, Yuta tugged my jacket, bringing me out of my thoughts. I did not say anything, my brain throbbed.

“David, we’ve been going in circles for five minutes now.” Yuta said.

I looked up, and noticed we were at the same convenience store we passed earlier.

“Oh, we were. You didn’t say anything to me.” I said in response.

“We thought you would have noticed.” Hiroshi replied.

“David…are you okay?” Misako asked me.

I placed my hand out to dissuade their worries, waving it in front of them.

“I’m good! Sorry I was just thinking about something.” I lied.

I flashed my teeth, in an attempt to smile, to dissuade their fears.

I continued walking on, my brain replayed static as I walked on. I attempted to hide my blunder, ensuring to keep walking straight ahead. Then, as we passed some people, Yuta swooped in front of me to greet the passerby’s dog. I was too late in my movement as I swerved out of Yuta’s way. I tripped over my own foot, falling flat on the concrete pavement. Yuta rushed to me.

“Mister David, are you alright?” Yuta asked.

“You idiot, look where you are going!” I yelled.

Yuta recoiled from my anger. Stepping behind Misako and Hiroshi.

“David…” Misako began.

Before she could finish, I lifted myself off from the floor, patting myself on the sides.

“Ah, I must’ve forgotten the way. Hiroshi, you can show us where it is.” I said, walking on.

“David-” Hiroshi began, but I interjected.

“Let’s go, Hiroshi, we don’t want to be late.” I spoke.

They were quiet as Hiroshi led the way. We walked through alleyways and past sidewalks, missing most of the bustling celebrations. We turned a final corner. But to my knowledge we were nowhere near the karaoke place.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“The local pharmacy.” Hiroshi said.

“W-what? Why are we here?” I asked.

“Go and take a seat by that bench there, David. Yuta and I will go inside.”

Hiroshi pointed to a bench outside the pharmacy. ‘Please don’t say…’ I thought. I followed his instructions. Sitting on the bench. Misako wheeled herself closer to me. She was angry. An anger I’d never seen. She was not just angry, she was furious.

“W-What?” I said to her.

“Show me your hands.” She punctuated.

“Why? I’m fine.”

“David, show me your hands!” She yelled at me.