As I woke up in the morning, the first thing I saw was an unusual white ceiling. I realized then all these events were real. I prayed so much yesterday before sleeping; I wished this was just a nightmare and I would wake up tomorrow in my room and go back to school and meet my friends… and Kotori…
Kotori… the though of her made me stop for a while as a tear ran through my cheeks.
I quickly whipped the tear as soon as I heard footsteps coming toward my room and then knocked the door.
"Kousaka-san, may I enter?" A soft voice asked. "Yes! Go ahead!" I answered.
As the woman entered the room, I recognized it was the nurse from yesterday.
"Good morning! How are you today?" she asked throwing a warm smile at me. "I'm ok…" I answered. "That's good! Shall we take your temperature, then?" she proposed taking a thermometer from her pocket and she came closer to me. I just nodded in agreement as she put the thermometer into my mouth…
As we waited for the result, I looked around the room, still sitting on the white bed. I could realize the room fell empty. It was a large room but there were only one bed, one pliable chair, a bedside table and an armory full of pajama. I heard yesterday, the patient of the seven has individual room, no bedtime limit no alimentation restriction. In other word, they are allowed of near everything. Unfortunately, the only thing they can't get is "life". Every patient admitted at the seven are already doomed… waiting for death…
I was brought back in reality by a little bip. I realized it was the thermometer. The nurse took it from my month and readed it. "36.5°C… It's ok!" she gave me another warm smile. With that, she excused herself and was ready to leave.
"Ah, one last thing," she added before leaving "your helper has been settled."
"A helper? What's that?" I curiously asked. "You'll see… She will be there later." She gave me another smile, and then exited the room.
I was left alone in this big room again. I watched at the ceiling for about ten minutes thinking about what my family might be doing.
"I thing I should have a walk…" I initiated myself and stood from the bed.
As my feets met the ground, I could fell I didn't have the energy I had once… My legs started shaking, not having enough strength to support my body. It took about five minute to stabilize myself. After I was sure my legs won't give in, I let go of the bed I was griping to and I took a few walk in my room.
I could feel a gentle wind from the 15cm opened window. I came closer to that spot and watch through the window. The hospital was the highest building in the district, so it was possible to see everything from the spot I was standing.
I could see students meeting with their friends and going to school. It's not like I was jealous, but I just envied them… I continued to watch that scenery for another hour.
I was once again brought back into reality when a gentle knock came from the door.
"You can come in!" I answered in response.
Not long after that, a young woman came in. I could feel my widened as I realized that girl was no one else but Nishikino Maki, a first year from my school.
"Good morning, Honoka!" she awkwardly tried to smile. I came back into my senses and returned her greetings.
"Good morning, Maki-chan!" I gave her a smile. "But what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at school now?" I was curious.
"The truth is…" she took little pause, then bite her lips and finally spoke again "…I stopped going to school since yesterday, and now I take lesson at home."
I was taken by surprise by that announcement. I knew she came from a well-shaped family but I never though she would actually stop school and start home-studying.