Archive of Our Own

The first thing Kirari saw first were the numerous injured people inside the emergency department.

It was Kirari’s first time to see a mass casualty incident.

Kirari tried not to flinch from the sight and smell of blood. More than a dozen people were with her inside. And most were wounded patients.

She didn’t know who to ask, who to follow nor what to do. She was sticking like a sore thumb in this room with her freshly clean and unruffled clothes. Kirari felt like she wasn’t even supposed to be in the ER at this time. All were busy doing their jobs, and she was just standing there, in the middle of the room.

Well, in her defense, the guard didn’t take a glance on her when she arrived. He was busy with directing other visitors to the waiting room or lobby, adjacent to where the ER is.

Now that she thought about it, she was sure any visitors weren’t allowed to go inside and they were supposed to be just in the lobby (which is now converted into a waiting room due to the overcrowding of patients).

But since she was already here, might as well take the opportunity to find her sister. Kirari looked again at the scene in front of her.

Doctors were telling instructions for the immediate treatments of the more serious casualties. EMTs were bringing in the patients with tags in them. The emergency room is crowded with patients lying on bed, some are sitting on wheel chairs, especially those that looked like they couldn’t walk at all and in need of assistance.

The most notable distinction for the patients, with the exception of their ragged looks and wounded appearances, are their color-coded tags strapped to their wrists. It is mostly red and yellow, which meant it is really bad.

Red tags are for critical patients in need of immediate life-saving care. Yellow are still in need of observation but their lives are not in immediate danger, however they still need care and treatment.

Green tags are for patients who are capable of “walking”. They also need medical care at some point, but can be tended later after more critical injuries have been treated.

Lastly, patients with black tags are directly taken to the morgue. These are already dead people or those who have no chances for survival.

Kirari tried to look at those patients, trying to discern her sister’s silver hair, the most distinct feature for Ririka among these people.

So far, Kirari hasn’t seen her.  Currently, there was an overcrowding and Kirari can see that there is a limit to what the doctors could only handle. Among the victims, what stuck in her mind was a boy crying with his parents holding his hands. It looked like both his leg are broken and the crying his emitting is very bothering for Kirari. Kirari looked away.

Another patient that stuck to her was a man with visible burns along his arms and most of his upper body. It seemed like he was having problems with breathing. And then there was this another woman who has a metal pierced on her neck, blood gushing out from it and turning the white sheets of her cot to red.

Kirari looked blankly at those patients, thinking that the pain they’ve been feeling must’ve been hurting bad as hell but she couldn’t care less. She was here for her sister.

And then she felt bad, because if that happened with her sister… She shook her mind of out these thoughts. It’s impossible. Because luck is always on their side.

“Ma’am! Please step aside!” Someone shouted behind her. A nurse was carrying some gauzes with her so she quickly stepped aside to give her way. However, as she moved a step backwards, Kirari suddenly felt goosebumps crawl on her skin when she realized her hand brushed with someone, onto another skin. It was cold and wet.

Kirari looked back and saw two personnel rushing someone lying on a gurney. As it was pushed back into another part of the ward, she could see that it was that person’s hand that brushed onto hers. Their arm was hanging limply on the side. Dried and fresh blood were covering and started to drip down their hand.

Kirari looked at her right hand. There was blood left on her skin, with some stains left on the hem of her jacket.

She looked at them again wondering if that person could survive at all. She couldn’t have a clear description of the person on the gurney since they were being wheeled away from her but she was sure they weren’t her sister due to the color of the hair.

Suddenly, someone in a scrub suit touched her arm.

“Maam, are you a patient?”

Maybe Kirari looked like lost for a while now and she was acting suspicious or maybe that was really the woman’s job. But Kirari just couldn’t answer.

The woman was looking for a tag so Kirari answered that she only went inside in a way to look for her sister, who was involved in the incident. Afterwards, she was immediately motioned to go outside.

As they walked outside the vicinity of the ER, Kirari asked again if a certain Ririka Momobami was admitted. A feeling of terror was gnawing out from her chest as the person looked into her clipboard. Minutes ago, before Kirari was even in the hospital, she received a text coming from Mary Saotome.

The text was vague. Like it was typed in a quick manner. It was full of typos but Kirari got it. She and Ririka were both in the hospital. Kirari just didn’t expect that it was a massive car accident – that it affected people other than them.

“Yes, she’s in the list but protoc-”

Kirari didn’t let her finish her words. “Where is she?”

“I’m sorry but for now please wait here. Just give us more time, once she is… more stable we’ll contact you.” After that, she directed Kirari to another person where she had to write her name and contact number before going to the lobby.

In the waiting room, she finally met Mary Saotome.

The waiting room was full of patients too, but some visitors were also given a pass, especially those who are considered as their healthcare proxy.  In Ririka’s case, Kirari is hers.

Once Kirari saw Mary Saotome, she walked towards her but Mary had also noticed her too. She was about to stand up when Kirari motioned her to remain sitting.

“I’m glad you received my text,” Mary started. There was a large gash on her face and her right side of face was red, already forming into a bruise. But what was the most noticeable were the neck brace as well as her right arm was put into an arm sling.

“It was full of errors but I did understand it,” Kirari replied.

“Well, I really couldn’t type with this,” Mary said, slightly raising her arm but flinched when she did so.

“Did you see Ririka?”

Mary nodded, but it looked like she had a hard time doing it. “I saw her being strapped on a stretcher… back in the road,” Mary explained. “But I still haven’t seen her at all.”

“How is she?”

Mary thought about what she would say. “…I don’t really know. The accident happened so fast. Suddenly, there was the bus infront of us.”

“You were driving?”

Mary was about to shake her head when she stopped. The pain was really stopping her from doing so. “No, Yumeko was.”

“Yumeko? I thought it was only you and Ririka.”

Again, Mary looked like she wanted to shake her head. She gritted her teeth when she felt a pain around her neck area. She was sure her whole body would be excruciatingly aching tomorrow. “Yumeko wanted to come with us. So, we let her.”

Kirari nodded her head in understanding. She turned her back to Mary and was about to walk away, when Mary called for her.

“Hey, where are you going?” Mary yelled.

“I need to inform someone at the desk that I’m also with Yumeko,” Kirari shrugged her shoulder. “After all, she’s still family.”

It wasn’t fair.

Kirari knew she shouldn’t be thinking like this. But as she saw her sister lying unconscious on the bed, with swelling bruises and broken bones, arms and legs wrapped in casts, a life support machine hooked up on her, and screens of different scales that stood beside her to monitor all her condition, Kirari couldn’t help but to think that this is karma, for all the things she have done before.

The doctors have put her in an induced coma. It was better this way, they said. Kirari believes them. She didn’t want Ririka to feel the pain at all. Eventually, she asked them how long this would last.

“We have the capacity to wake her,” the doctor said. “A few days, yes, but it could lead to weeks if her brain still couldn’t handle the pressure. Two-weeks max.”

They explained that the accident had made her brain tissue to swell caused by the shock injury from the accident. In addition, broken pieces of her skull ruptured blood vessels in some part of her head causing hemorrhaging. When she was asked if it was okay, Kirari agreed to all the medical procedures they had suggested.

“Are there risks involved?” She asked, she never cared about the risks, but this is her sister, her sister who was always there for her. Even if Kirari doesn’t show it very much, she loves her sister very dearly.

“Yes,” the doctor nodded. “Most procedure carries risks, of course,” he assured Kirari. “This isn’t different from that. But with comas, there is an increased risk of infections. But do not worry, we’ll monitor your sister, Ms. Momobami.”

She walked away from her sister and towards the window. She looked outside. It was still the early morning. The sun isn’t up, so the view is eerily dark. Kirari still haven’t had any sleep and she supposedly still have work but she already informed her secretary that she’ll be on leave for a while.

They were in a private room now with two beds inside, one for Ririka and Yumeko. Kirari wanted to have just a large room instead of having two rooms with separate beds. Yumeko’s injuries are not that bad compared to Ririka’s. Possibly in just a few days she could be dismissed from the hospital. For now, the doctor recommended to let her rest.

For Yumeko’s case, both of her legs were broken. It needs to be in a body cast so of course, for a few weeks she’ll be in a wheeled chair. Kirari plans that when Yumeko got dismissed, she’ll be transferring Ririka to another room.

The door suddenly slid open and Mary walked inside. Mary’s arm is now properly casted unlike the evening before.

Kirari looked at Mary as she walked towards her sister. She was limping as she walks. When Mary was beside Ririka’s bed, she touched her hand and painfully crouched down and whispered something before kissing her head. Kirari looked away and tried to find something to do to easily pass time. Grabbing one of the magazines in a stand, she opened it and flipped over the pages.

“At least, Yumeko has fallen asleep now,” Mary broke the silence, who was now sitting infront of Kirari, a table separating both of them.

Kirari nodded, looking at Yumeko.

“You should sleep,” Kirari suggested.

“Never thought you cared about me.”

Kirari looked at Mary and shrugged her shoulders. I still blame you. You never much initiated any of your dates so when you invited Ririka last night, she was happy. Really happy.

At some point, she had the sudden urge to punch Mary for inviting Ririka out that day. But it’s no use to get mad at Mary. It just wouldn’t solve anything. Plus, she’s not someone who confronts people with force.

Kirari sighed, now just tired after the whole incident.

“Did you know that Ririka wasn’t feeling well last night?” she said, almost in a whisper. But of course, Mary noticed what she was hinting about.

“What?!” Mary already raised her voice.

“Nothing,” Kirari shook her head and closed off the magazine she was reading.

“What the fuck, Kirari. You think I want this?”

This is what Kirari hates about Mary. She is such a hot-headed person.

“Well, do you think I want this?” Kirari repeated her question, but more in a calm manner, head tilting towards the patients’ beds, to both Yumeko and Ririka.

“Fuck you, Kirari. I’m hurting too! No one knows this would happen. I know you don’t like me being Ririka’s lover but we love each other. So, fuck off!”

“I’m just asking if you knew that Ririka was sick yesterday.”

Mary looked confused, “No.”

“…She’s the kind that would keep it to herself and you’re just oblivious to things. Yet, if the situation’s flipped, Ririka would notice all things about you… that if you’re sick, she would call off your date and would nurse you back to health,” Kirari shrugged.

“My sister’s very observant. You on the other hand…” Kirari shrugged her shoulders again, leaving to Mary to think what she wanted to say.

Mary looked speechless. She looked like she wanted to stand up and confront Kirari but stopped. After all, her body’s all aching in pain. “What the fuck are you saying Kirari. How dare you? I care about Ririka much as you care about her. I love her. I love her so much I…” Mary shook her head. “It just pains me to see her condition now.

“And fuck you. I never wanted any of this to happen,” Mary continued. “I know what you’re trying to say and I’m really sorry. I fucked up. I know. Did you think I’m also not blaming myself?! For all of this? I do, I fucking do, Kirari! If you think-”

She stopped speaking when they both heard a groan coming from Yumeko’s way. “Ahh, please don’t fight,” said Yumeko softly. Yumeko looked at the two arguing. “I know both of you knows that Ririka will not be happy with seeing you two fighting.”

Kirari is sure if Mary had her arms fixed up, she would be punched by her already. Kirari is not much of a fighter so she would not counter back. And she is sure if Jabami could walk, she would be already in the middle of them, appeasing both she and Mary… especially Mary. Yumeko would definitely try to make Mary calm down… if Ririka is not here.

But no, they were in no capacity to do that now. Broken bones could not be mended overnight. So, they left the conversation just like that.

To cool her head off, Kirari went outside leaving the two in their room.

She did say to them that she needed to take a walk outside, so at least they wouldn’t be worried. She even suggested to Mary that she could get their chauffer if she wanted to go home. She didn’t answer, but she did respond with shaking her head no.

Kirari walked away from their room. The corridor looked like those you could see in any movies. Full of rooms, no one in sight. The corridor had also dimmed lights adding to that scary feeling you get in any horror films.

Kirari hates hospitals. Whenever she goes to the hospital, death follows – the same thing that happened with her mother and father. There is an aura of death lingering in hospitals. When you go to the hospital, it usually means something bad happened… it always leads to something wrong.

Kirari clenched her fists in frustration. If something will happen to Ririka, she shook her head.

She can’t, Kirari thought. She can’t leave, Kirari repeated the thought. She remembered her mother’s words. “Death is inevitable,” she had said.

She hated thinking of that. She was sure that at these moments, the best way would not be to grieve, but to think of positive things. After all, Ririka can still be saved… with medicine and with technology at hand.

Seeing an alcohol dispenser perched on the wall she walked towards it. By now, the small strip of blood that rubbed her off earlier the night before had dried off. She took a load of alcohol and rub her hands with it but the hem of her coat jacket had still a stain of blood on it.

Directly soaking it with a small amount of alcohol only made the blood spread around the cloth. Although it did kind of removed some stain, Kirari shook her head in annoyance and left to walk around.

She kept on walking until she was in the middle of the corridor where an intersection with another hallway lies. She actually had no destination in mind. Her “talk” with Mary was still on mind. She felt bad. She didn’t really want to blame her. She knows, of course, that there was no one at fault.

It was an accident for god’s sake, she swore.

She stopped walking and looked around. Kirari guessed that for every floor, there has this small lobby. There was a bulletin board with announcements. It was like a mini lobby, extending where the intersection lies and a full floor-to-ceiling windows.

Kirari looked outside and noticed that the first stretch of sunlight was already seen from afar. There are also chairs lined up at the sides. Kirari then remembered that she wanted to drink but found out that there are no vending machines here.

Probably only in the main lobby.

She walked again and tried to go to every floor of the building. She wanted to walk after all. Currently their room is in the 7^th floor of the general hospital ward. So, she went down another floor… and then another and another floor. By now, she’s at the 4^th floor.

Again, it just reminded her of how she hated hospitals. The hallways just looked the same from each of the other floors. It just fueled again how she despises hospitals. Starting from its harsh antiseptic smell, to its atmosphere. Kirari hated it all.

Although Kirari had to say that the structure was really good compared to other hospitals. It was after all a world-class modern hospital. One of the best hospitals in the whole world, they say.

Kirari scoffed, then shouldn’t be Ririka awake by now?

As she walked towards the central lobby of the floor, she noticed the same floor-to-ceiling windows but this time there was a vending machine for drinks. She looked at the available drinks and saw that a canned coffee was available.

Getting her wallet at the back of her pockets, she felt a breeze of wind and Kirari felt shivers crawling up on her spine. Kirari rolled her neck counterclockwise and sighed in relief when she heard it crack.

She was fishing out some coins for the vending machine when the coin she was holding slipped out of her finger. It rolled up until it was at the feet of a girl. Kirari was surprised. She didn’t notice that there was also another one with her at the lobby.

The girl was sitting on one of the lined metal chairs attached to the walls. She was wearing a white blouse paired up with a plaid skirt. Her raven-colored hair was also tied up in side ponytail. Eventually the girl crouched down and with her fingers, rolled again the coin until it reached back to Kirari’s.

Kirari smiled to keep up with the girl’s playful act. When she looked up however, the girl was not smiling at all.

“Thank you,” Kirari said nevertheless.

The girl infront of her looked like she wanted to say something but Kirari was already punching in numbers to get her drink in the vending machine.

“Yes?” Kirari asked, when she noticed the girl wanted to say something.

“I- I’m quite lost,” she said.

“Oh, okay,” Kirari normally never cared, but the girl looked like a teenager in need of help. “Are you looking for something?”

She nodded her head. “Where is the elevator?”

“Just at the other end of the hallway,” Kirari pointed out, hands both carrying cans of coffee. It wasn’t really something you’ll miss. So that made Kirari wonder how didn’t she found it yet.

“Oh,” The raven-haired girl looked up to her. “Can you help me?”

Kirari raised her eyebrows. “With… finding the elevator?”

The girl nodded her head but shook her head no quickly after. “No. I mean, can you accompany me?”

Kirari didn’t know what compelled her to say yes. But she did, quite hesitantly at first, to escort the girl to the elevator.

“Thank you,” the girl said before bowing her head in Kirari’s direction.

She ended up pressing the 6^th floor, the floor where the girl wanted to go to. As she was looking at her own reflection on the silver doors, Kirari thought if that was the hospital floor her family was confined to but she didn’t want to prod anymore.

The girl was not really bothering her. Kirari was already planning to go back to their room, which is only a floor higher from hers, so she was technically on her way too. Plus, she already bought coffee for herself and she was planning to give the other one to Mary.

That reminded her if it was okay for Mary to drink coffee. She was trying to think if Mary wasn’t banned by the doctor to drink coffee when she was interrupted by the elevator dinging, denoting that they were already on the girl’s floor.

The girl gratefully bowed her head again before leaving Kirari alone in the elevator. Kirari looked at the girl walking away until the elevators had closed infront of her.

She must be afraid of being alone in elevators, Kirari thought.

That was the first time Sayaka and Kirari meet.

The next day they met again, this time Kirari found her looking lost again.

Kirari was back at the 4^th floor, where the vending machines were.

By now, she had already known that there was a hospital cafeteria, but it was too far to go to if she was only buying a drink. She noted to herself that the next time she’ll be going to the hospital, she’ll bring her own drinks already (if it is permitted…).

But as she walked down the hallway, she realized that the raven-haired girl was there again, sitting at the far end of the lined-up chairs. 

“Are you lost again?” Kirari looked back at her while she was putting coins in the machine, asking her out of curiosity.

Sayaka shook her head but changed her answer and was now nodding her head.

Kirari sighed. “You should stick with your parents. Are they here?”

“Yes, but… I don’t want to see their crying faces.”

“Oh,” Kirari became quiet not knowing what to say to that. It was again the early hours of the morning. The sun is already up but it was still quite early.

“Is someone in your family confined?” It was a rather private question but Kirari was really curious ever since yesterday.

The girl didn’t respond at first until she answered. “Yes.”

“…Me too,” Kirari smiled, an apologetic smile.

Sayaka looked at her sadly. “I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry too. I’m prodding.”

There was a complete silence after that. Kirari sat at one of the metal chairs after getting her coffee drink. This time, she only ordered one.

Yesterday, when she offered two, one for her and one for Mary, out of kindness, Mary took the coffee hesitantly.

“Thank you, I appreciate this,” Mary said, putting a straw at the can so she could drink it better.

“I actually don’t drink coffees,” she said matter-of-factly. Sipping it quietly, she continued. “But Ririka had mentioned that you don’t apologize directly. So, if this is you telling sorry, I completely accept it.”

That infuriated Kirari. She even swore to herself that she’ll never ever talk with Mary again. Of course, it was a light hearted joke because after that Mary went home to her house to rest for a while, just as what Kirari suggested.

“I’m just trying to get back to our room,” the girl told her. “But at the same time, I don’t want to stay there.”

Kirari nodded, knowing what she felt. It really felt constricting to stay at their room. But on the other hand, she was afraid that if she left there’ll be something bad happening to Ririka. At least, Mary was there now.

“So, do you need to go back now?”

“No, just…” the girl paused. “I need to be alone.” When she realized that Kirari was standing up. “No, not you. I’m sorry,” she scratched the top of her head. “I usually just walk around to think things through. But, I like you.”

Kirari looked at her, eyebrows raising.

The girl ended up blushing, shaking her head quickly in embarrassment. “I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant.”

Kirari sat down again. She didn’t know what to do. It was probably just an admiration the girl was feeling for her. “You don’t need to be sorry.”

Silence surrounded them. It was not the awkward kind of silence; but rather a comfortable one. Maybe it was because of the condition of the room? Rays of sunlight were already coming through the windows and Kirari loved the warmth with it. It was rather early, so the feeling she got was rather calming and soothing.

Like her childhood days…. with Ririka at their backyard, or playing chess with her father, or that time with Riri catching the koi fishes at their mini pond, and the scolding after that, then the laughs they sneakily let out during the punishment.

Early mornings made Kirari lazy. She just wanted to sleep… if it was possible… she could take a lifelong sleep already…

Kirari opened her eyes, she didn’t realize she was dozing off. She looked beside her and saw that the girl was also sleeping… or at least she was closing her eyes. But Kirari didn’t want to disturb her so she let her.

It only took a couple of minutes when their eyes met, when the girl stirred up from her nap.

“Took a nap?” Kirari broke the silence.

The girl only replied with a smile which Kirari suddenly find attractive and then pushed the silly thought out from her mind.

“Sleeping is hard to do… these days,” the girl suddenly said.

Kirari nodded, agreeing with what she says. Eventually, their small bubble had to be popped. She needed to go back to where Ririka is.

“I have to go now,” she told her standing up, smiling.

“Wait,” the raven-haired girl uttered quickly.

Kirari stayed, although she had a clue of where this would go.

“Can I go with you again?” she shrugged her shoulders. “I mean to the elevator?”

Kirari nodded. Even without asking, she was about to offer the girl to walk with her.

By the evening of the same day, they met again. But unlike the previous encounters, they met at the main lobby at the ground floor.

Kirari was sitting at one of the chairs, near the entrance. At the ground floor, nobody was with her, with the exception of the janitor and two nurses behind the counter.

For tonight, Mary suggested that she can accompany Yumeko and Ririka and that Kirari had to sleep and take rest properly at her own house. Kirari was hesitant but knows that Mary was correct, so she agreed with her decision.  

The only reason why she still hadn’t gone home was that she was drinking a bottle of green tea and she was trying to empty it. She actually bought it the vending machine at the opposite end of the lobby.

However, while she was checking out some of her unread emails (from her phone), she noticed someone at her peripheral sight. That someone was the girl she met the morning before and yesterday.

Currently, the girl was now wearing a jacket but had the same clothes the morning before, which is coupled up with a purple buttoned-up shirt and black slack pants. Unlike yesterday, Kirari realized she is now looking more mature than your average high school girl.

Eventually, she was noticed too and walked towards Kirari before sitting a seat away from her. Kirari couldn’t help but to tease her about the large jacket she was wearing.

“I hate the evening. It’s too cold. I hate cold weathers,” she simply said.

That made Kirari remember that she has a small scarf tucked inside her coat jacket.

Kirari gave it to her but she declined it. “Oh no, you don’t have to. I- I’m completely alright.”

Kirari couldn’t think but be disappointed. After all, Kirari was just a stranger to her.

“You know, I still haven’t asked your name yet,” Kirari started.

The girl only looked at her skeptically and then, “Sayaka Igarashi,” she answered, telling her her name.

“Sayaka,” Kirari repeated her name.

“You?”

“Kirari Momobami,” Kirari told her.

“Momobami,” Sayaka repeated hers too, albeit her surname.

Kirari hummed. She really didn’t want to talk about her being a Momobami. But the way Sayaka repeated her surname made her think that she already had an inkling idea of who Kirari is, especially of how huge the role the Momobamis play in the whole country. Fortunately, Sayaka didn’t question her anymore.

For the nth time, they were again surrounded by a complete silence.

“So, are you lost again?”

Sayaka looked at her before laughing, a hand on her mouth.

Kirari was confused. She was seriously asking her. But the way Sayaka laughed also made Kirari chuckle softly.

Sayaka shook her head. “No, no. I was just really walking around. During these hours, I..” she paused, thinking of what she was about to say. “Yesterday, I walked around here too,” she said, talking about the spacious ground floor.

“I just took the stairs from our floor since I wanted to walk. I couldn’t really rest well at our own room,” she looked sideways, at Kirari’s way. “So, it’s a surprise to see you here. We always meet at the 4^th floor.”

“The stairs?” Kirari remembered that she was from 6^th floor. That was a long walk.

“Yes,” Sayaka nodded. “I don’t like being in elevators so I always used the stairs.”

“But you’ve been with me in the elevator before.”

Sayaka smiled sadly. She was looking down at the ground, deep in thought. “I just don’t like being alone in elevators.”

Kirari had noticed that before. “Yes, I guess as much.”

Sayaka didn’t reply anymore. Instead, she asked Kirari a question. “So why are you at the 4^th floor this morning and the other day?”

“I thought it was obvious,” Kirari chuckled. “We’re at the 7^th floor but there are no vending machines there. So, I have to go down to the 4^th just to get the nearest bottled drinks.”

“Ahhh, now that made sense.”

Kirari slightly shook the bottle she was drinking, checking the amount left. It was almost empty now.

“If only there’s an alcohol beverage here, I would like that,” Kirari said to Sayaka before drinking and emptying the contents of the bottled tea. “But of course, the hospital vending machine wouldn’t have that available.”

Sayaka nodded. “I agree, I would get one too,” she said agreeing with what Kirari just said.

Kirari suddenly looked at her with wide eyes.

Sayaka then realized Kirari was staring at her, “What?”

“You’re underage, right?”

Sayaka squinted her eyes, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. “Who said that?”

Kirari just continued looking at her. “But you… You’re in high school, right? Wait, how old are you again?” Kirari haven’t really asked her age before that.

Sayaka chuckled. “Excuse me, I’m 24 years old already.”

Kirari was speechless. “That was only a year younger than me. And I thought you were in highschool,” Kirari muttered.

Sayaka laughed. “What? Actually… yeah. People would think I’m younger than my age. It’s probably me having these cheeks.”

Now that Sayaka had said it, Sayaka looked baby-faced. “I’m really sorry,” Kirari said, now just finding the whole thing funny. “I shouldn’t have assumed your age.”

Sayaka was still laughing. “I can’t believe you’re making me laugh like this.”

“But thinking about it now, I really thought you’re like a teen or something around younger. That was one of the reasons I helped you, you know, during the first time we met.”

Sayaka smiled. “One of the reasons? So, there are other reasons?”

Kirari shrugged. She was not sure how to answer that. “It looked like you just wanted to be helped.”

Sayaka hummed, her lips still curved in a smile however, she inhaled a deep sigh afterwards. “You know, I haven’t laughed this hard in a while. Thank you, Kirari” she told Kirari, smiling.

Kirari hated seeing Ririka lying unconscious. Her condition is stable now, yes. But that was the problem, it was just the same thing as yesterday and the other day too. Although her complexion is now better than the other days, it wasn’t enough for Kirari. Kirari just wanted to see her sister walking already.

Mary just went home with Yumeko (because she insisted Mary to help her). She was now good to go home per doctor’s order. However, Kirari also insisted to bring along another of their maids just to help both Mary and Yumeko. After all, both of them still have broken bones and needed help.

Kirari just took a nap earlier. It was really bothersome to sleep on a couch but she was never the kind to complain on things. However, she still hadn’t had her lunch so, for a while, Kirari left Ririka

"Wait for me, okay?" She told her sister, touching lightly her sister’s hand.

…

Kirari went down again to the 4th floor. She was actually not sure why she expected Sayaka to be there. She was just left with a feeling of disappointment when she didn’t find her in her usual seat. So Kirari left the building. Looking at the time now, it was way beyond the time to eat lunch. But Kirari still needed to eat, so she went to the hospital canteen.

The hospital caters food for the patients and family but she didn't really like their food. Hospital food is tasteless for Kirari’s taste. The food in the canteen is more bearable for her.

She was about to go inside when she saw someone familiar sitting at one of the benches near the playground field. It was really far so Kirari was amazed with herself that she even noticed her.

Kirari walked towards the said person. Now the idea of going to the playground is better than going to the cafeteria.

“Hello, I can’t believe we’re seeing each other again,” Kirari greeted Sayaka.

Kirari wanted to sit with Sayaka on the bench but thought better than occupying her personal space. Instead she went to the swing set and sat down on it.

“Oh,” Sayaka was surprised. “Hello, Kirari.” Sayaka addressed her with her first name. Kirari swore she could feel shivers down on her skin. She would love to hear Sayaka speaking her name again.

“Hello, Sayaka.” She greeted her again even if she had already greeted her before. She just wanted to call out Sayaka’s name. “So, what are you doing here? Lost again?” Kirari told her in a joking manner.

Sayaka hummed. She looked like she was thinking of something before answering. “I wanted to go… somewhere… but I don’t really want to at the same time.”

Kirari thought about what she said. “…What?”

Sayaka shook her head and then smiled at Kirari, a sorry look etched on her face. “I’m sorry. I’m confusing you. It’s just,” Sayaka paused. “These days,” she shook her head sideways, “I’m just confused. Even at myself. And, I’m just so tired.”

Kirari didn’t know what to tell her. She didn’t know if she should sympathize with Sayaka or comfort her. “I- I’m sorry,” Kirari felt bad. Because if Sayaka needs a friend, Kirari really sucked. “I don’t know how to help. But do you want to me to come with you?” Kirari shrugged her shoulders. “I mean to this place you want to go… Maybe you just wanted someone to come with you again.”

Sayaka looked at her.

Kirari stared back.

Eventually Sayaka smiled, her smile reaching to her eyes. “I’d like that.”

Kirari then realized for the first time that it wasn’t really shivers she was feeling this time. It was just a feeling of butterflies on her stomach. Kirari tried not to notice the growing blush on her own face, but it was hard to. Maybe, just maybe, she was slowly falling for Sayaka.

“Where do you want to go again?” They were now walking side by side.

“The Church.”

“Why?” Kirari still hadn’t gone to the hospital’s church but it was obvious where it was based on the large looming cross atop of the small church.

Sayaka looked disbelievingly at Kirari. “Why do people go to church, Kirari?”

“To pray… for their sins?”

Sayaka smiled. “You should’ve just stopped at the “praying” part. Of course, people pray but not only to ask for forgiveness.”

“People just pray a lot,” Kirari told her.

Sayaka smiled again and just continue walking.

Along the way, Kirari noticed that some people had been giving her looks. Kirari was thinking if the media had already gotten the news that one of the heirs of the Momobami Group of Companies was involved in a terrible accident. If that was the case, she needed to increase the security of the entire hospital.

She sighed. Kirari didn’t want to think of more problems. For now, she just appreciates the time she would be spending with Sayaka.

…

It was not a moment later when they were infront of the doors of the church. Opening the door, Kirari looked behind her, “Come on.” Sayaka let herself in and Kirari closed the door behind her.

There were people inside but it was quite few. Kirari could easily count on her fingers the amount of people inside.

“Sayaka,” Kirari called out Sayaka’s name. However, it echoed throughout the small church and suddenly pairs of eyes looked at her.

Sayaka looked back at her and shushed her, her index finger up to her lips.

Kirari really doesn’t care but she felt embarrassed suddenly. Continuing their business, she followed Sayaka and they sat down at one of the middle pews.

Sayaka already closed her eyes when Kirari couldn’t just help but to prod and ask something to Sayaka. “Who are your prayers for?”

Sayaka unclasped her fingers and looked at her. She didn’t look like she was irritated at Kirari but she was contemplating her answers. “For my brother and my mother,” she simply said.

“Oh.” Kirari was thinking if her brother was the one confined. Since she remembered Sayaka telling her that she hated to see her mom crying.

“Do you even pray?” Sayaka asked curiously.

“I don’t. I don’t pray.” Kirari shakes her head.

Sayaka looked at her with wide eyed. “Oh, I’m sorry for pushing you to come with me here.”

Kirari shook her head. “No, remember, I was the one who wanted to come with you,” Kirari looked around. She didn’t really go to churches a lot, especially catholic churches. “Plus, it’s okay. I have no problem with going here.”

Suddenly the person sitting a few pews infront looked back at them. Kirari could also see that some people at the other side of the aisle were looking at them.

“Lower your voice,” Sayaka smiled. And then she signaled Kirari to be quite and kneeled down again.

And so Kirari was left sitting. She felt useless so she kneeled too (which she felt dumb to do). Sayaka looked at her side and noticed what Kirari did. But Kirari tried not to notice her, instead she prayed for Ririka and concentrated on her prayers. That made her think… Prayers to? Who should she pray to?

Suddenly, Kirari stopped kneeling down and sat again at the church bench. After a while, Sayaka sat down too.

“I’m sorry for interrupting your prayers. Do you believe in gods?”

“I believe in God,” Sayaka nodded.

“Ahhh. Is there a difference? Gods, God,” Kirari stopped herself. “I’m sorry. I’m just not a religious person.”

“Don’t worry I’m also not a religious person.”

That made Kirari raised her brows. But Sayaka continued.

“People think of me as a… robot, void of emotions, always thinking logical. I don’t have much friends. I’m the weird person in the class, in our work, everything. So, it never occurred to me to believe in something… with more power… in God. It just seems illogical don’t you think? I never believed in religions, even now actually.”

“Even if you don’t believe in religions, you believe in God. Because if not, what are you doing here?”

“It’s nice to believe in something. But most of all, why do you think I’m here?” Sayaka looked straight at Kirari’s eyes. It only just occurred to Kirari how Sayaka’s eyes had a tint of violet color. It was captivating, something that can pull Kirari to the depths of it.

“Why do you think all this people are here?” Sayaka smiled, sadly this time. The curves on her lips didn’t even reached her eyes.

Kirari knew the answer, but she didn’t speak of it.

Sayaka looked straight infront of the aisle. “We’re all here praying for miracles.”

Kirari just woke up. Kirari stayed up all night with Ririka in their room. She couldn’t remember her dream. But she knew it was bad since she could still remember being scared from it, from her dream. Or maybe it was the feeling of dread because of what happened these past few days. Kirari is aware that dreams are technically an extension of waking life.

She looked at her phone. 3AM. The witching hour.

Ririka was once scared of that time. Kirari never believed in any scary stories but one time, Ririka was woken up and she had to sleep in Kirari’s bed because she was afraid to sleep alone in her room.

“Why are you still awake, Riri?” A young Kirari opened the door of her room and saw a young Ririka clutching a pillow of her own.

“I’m scared, Rari. Can I sleep with you?”

Kirari looked at the clock at her bedside table. It was just past 3am. “Okay. Come here.”

Ririka followed Kirari to her bed until they were both comfortably tucked in.

“I can’t sleep at my own room,” Ririka explained to Kirari.

“Just close your eyes and you’ll fall asleep,” Kirari had already closed her eyes and she could already feel sleep coming in.

“I can’t.”

Kirari opened her eyes and looked at her sister, their eyes meeting even if the room was dark, with only the moon giving light to the room. “Why?”

Ririka didn’t answer at first. “Remember? We just talked about scary stories earlier… with our cousins.”

Kirari smiled and remembered. She moved to face Ririka, now they were facing each other. “Ahhh, the witching hour. That one story where if you are woken up for no reason during-”

“Shussh,” Ririka pressed her fingers to Kirari’s mouth to make her stop talking. “Don’t talk about it.”

Kirari giggled. “I thought you’re not scared at all earlier. Do you want me to open the lights?”

“No. That just makes more shadow. That’s scarier.”

Kirari nodded in understanding, smiling, amused at how scared her sister is.

“You just didn’t realize I’m scared because I’m wearing my mask,” Ririka said a matter-of-factly.

“Yeah, you have your mask with you.”

“Isn’t that good? Now, people can’t see the face I’m making.”

Kirari smiled sadly. She didn’t know if Ririka could see her but she actually didn’t want seeing her sister with a mask on but… “Yes. That’s good. Anything for own good…”

“…”

“…”

Silence surrounded them briefly.

“Are you still scared?” Kirari had broken the silence. “Don’t worry, I’m here. The demons are scared to me so they couldn’t come here at all.”

Ririka giggled. “You’re funny, Rari. But i-is it okay to h-hold your hand?” She asked hesitantly.

 “… Okay. If that will help you to sleep.”

Ririka immediately removed her hand from clutching her pillow and grasp Kirari’s tiny hand.

Kirari had already closed her eyes to sleep but Ririka had more something to tell.

“I just really don’t like the idea of someone staring at me… in the middle of the night. Especially the devil.”

Kirari looked at her sister. She didn’t know why the memory resurfaced back to her mind but it was ironic. Now, if only her sister could be awake.

But honestly, Kirari was really scared. For Ririka. She still hasn’t said it to anyone else. She knows she shouldn’t think of it, but Kirari really didn’t know what to do if Ririka will die.

In all the moments they had attended funerals, Ririka was always there at her side. During their grandmother’s, their uncles and aunts, their father, and even at their mother’s.

During those time, Ririka would always be the one holding her hand and Kirari would let her. Even picking up the bones of their deceased parents, they would still hold hands.

She didn’t know what to do if this time the funeral she’d be attending would be her sister’s.

Just the thought of picking Ririka’s bones and putting the ashes in an urn made her knees buckled. She sat down at the chair near Ririka’s side. She breathed in and out, trying to hook herself in the present and not think of the future. After all, Ririka is still alive.

Kirari touched her Ririka’s hand, taking care not to touch the tubes and the needle that made her stay alive. Kirari then wiped the tears gradually flowing on her cheeks, she didn’t realize she was already crying.

And eventually, the beeping of the monitors lulled her to sleep.

It was already morning when she was woken up by the nurses. She was scared that something happened but no, they were just doing what they were tasked to do. A complete morning routine for them.

Kirari then thanked the nurses and went outside. She fell asleep while sitting down on a chair last night and now she could feel her neck stiffed. She gently rotated her neck leftwards and rightwards to release some tension on her neck.

As she walked the hallways of the hospital, she thought about what Sayaka said yesterday at the church.

Mary is actually on the way now and after that Kirari will be going home. So, while waiting for Mary, Kirari went outside the General Ward building.

Kirari walked down the path she and Sayaka went to yesterday. Going back to the church, she prayed. This time, she is serious.

Kirari is desperate. And desperate people find faith.

Then, it happened.

Kirari was outside the hospital when she received a call. It was bad news from Mary. Ririka had been admitted to the ICU again. This is what she was fearing for. She wasn’t even beside Ririka’s side this time around. Kirari hadn’t even gotten enough sleep but she immediately drove to the hospital.

She first met Mary silently crying. When Mary noticed her, she quickly wiped away her tears with the hem of her long-sleeves.

Kirari sat down at one of the metal chairs, a chair in-between both Mary and her. They were just outside the ICU, at the waiting room. Kirari wanted to ask Mary what happened but she’s too scared to even open her mouth.

“I don’t know what to do,” Mary said to her. “If she’ll-” Mary paused.

Kirari knew what Mary was about to say because that was also the thing Kirari had been thinking about the past few days. If something bad happened, both she and Mary will be in so much pain. They both loved for Ririka after all.

….

That afternoon, it was Sayaka who first saw her.

“Did something happen?” Sayaka could tell from how Kirari was slumping down on the chair that something did happened.

Currently, Ririka is still in the ICU but her life is nowhere near critical. The ICU staff still just have to continually monitor her and adjust the dosage so she could still stay back on coma.

But Kirari had to take a breather from the stress, so she went back to their private room and left Mary back at the ICU in the Emergency Ward.

Kirari slowly nodded her head in answer to Sayaka’s question. She was in the central lobby of their hospital floor, so Kirari was surprised to see Sayaka.

“It’s Ririka,” Kirari told her. “She’s now better, but she’s still in the ICU for monitoring.”

“Ririka,” Sayaka repeated her name.

Kirari nodded her head, “That was my sister.” Kirari turned off her phone and put it back on her pocket. She was previously searching for what the doctor just told them, medical terminologies she couldn’t quite understand.

Sayaka nodded her head in understanding. “I’m glad she’s better.”

Kirari hummed. “She scared us… I was- I was really scared. I thought it was really serious. Well, it was serious,” Kirari pushed her bangs upwards, she didn’t know what to feel. She actually felt numb this time, she could feel her eyes closing, needing sleep, but on the other hand, her mind is fully awake too.

“There was a blood clotting inside a vein, near her lungs,” she explained to Sayaka. “Apparently, it was another complication for induced comas, since she’s unresponsive. It was a good thing that the clot didn’t travel up to her lungs or-” Kirari sighed. “or else it could lead to a lung infection or another internal bleeding.”

Sayaka didn’t replied at first. “I guess, that’s a miracle.”

Kirari looked Sayaka.

“What?” Sayaka asked when she noticed that Kirari looked at her.

“Nothing,” Kirari smiled genuinely.

“What was again the reason why your sister’s confined?” Sayaka asked.

Kirari still haven’t said it to her. “The mass casualty the other day. A lot of people were injured and unfortunately, my twin sister and her girlfriend and my cousin got involved.”

Kirari looked at Sayaka. “Are you okay?” she asked when she noticed the sudden change in Sayaka’s expression.

Sayaka quickly turned her frown into a smile. “Yes, of course, I am.”

…

When she got back into their room, the first thing Kirari did was to lay in the couch. Sleep followed after. However, she was disturbed and woken up when she heard Mary’s talking on her phone. Kirari sat up on the couch and looked at Mary.

“You got enough sleep?”

Kirari nodded. “Is Ririka still in the ICU?”

Mary nodded, putting her phone away.

“Oh, yeah about that, the doctors were asking if you’re going to let Ririka stay in the ICU.”

“Me?”

“You’re the healthcare proxy.”

Kirari nodded. “Do you want Ririka to stay in the ICU?” Kirari wanted to let Mary know that she as well has a take on her decisions to Ririka.

Mary sat down at the other end of the couch. By now, the bruise on the side of her face was visibly gone, but there was still a pinkish tinge left. She looked at Kirari. “The doctors recommended to so they could focus on monitoring her.”

Kirari nodded. “Okay, I’ll let them know later. I trust them.”

“I guess this is better too,” Mary agreed. “We’ve been spending too much time here in the hospital. Go home. I feel like Ririka’s going to be angry when she found out about us spending most of our time here. She’s not going to wake up, at least for a week, just so you know.” When Kirari didn’t replied, Mary continued. “Don’t worry, she’ll be here. She’s not going anywhere.”

Kirari nodded. She didn’t really think of what Ririka would be thinking of them all this time. But it felt like Mary is convincing herself more than she’s convincing Kirari. “I’ll go home later. You should too.”

Mary hummed in agreement. She couldn’t really nod her head. “By the way,” Mary called for her again. “Who are you talking with, earlier?”

So, Mary saw me with Sayaka. “Oh, that was just someone I met. They have a family confined at the lower floor.”

Mary hummed in thought.

“Why?” Kirari got curious for the sudden question.

“Nothing.”

Kirari was about to go to her car so she could already leave the hospital. It was late in the evening but by now, she was wide awake since she just took a nap. She offered a ride to Mary but she declined her offer telling her that her house was on the different side of the city from hers and that would take more time for Kirari.

While walking to the parking lot, she noticed Sayaka, for the second time that day. It was very dark but she noticed her again. There was something in Sayaka that attracted Kirari, much like a moth attracted to a lamp in the dark.

As she walked near her, Kirari could tell there was something different, she didn’t know what it is yet.

“What happened?” She called Sayaka out from behind her.

Sayaka didn’t looked back. It seemed she didn’t realize that Kirari was even there. As she walked near her side, she heard Sayaka talking.

“Why am I still here?” She heard her. Kirari could see that Sayaka was looking down on her hands, fists both clenching and unclenching.

“Sayaka?” Kirari called her out again. And that made Sayaka looked up at her.

"Hey, Kirari," Sayaka looked surprised. She looked around at their surroundings. "I'm surprised you're out here. How about your sister?" She talked casually.

“Well, I’m surprised you’re out here too,” Kirari counter-acted then she replied to Sayaka’s question. "I was just about to go home and my sister will be spending the night at the ICU." Kirari looked at Sayaka, she could see how uneasy she was. "Are you okay?"

Sayaka hummed. "Not really." She said truthfully, shaking her head.

Kirari waited for an explanation but Sayaka didn’t said anything more. There were surrounded by an awkward silence, so to divert the conversation, Kirari changed the topic of conversation. “It was rather windy today, don’t you think?” Kirari said, her arms crossed around her chest.

Sayaka looked around their surroundings. The nearby trees were swaying along with the wind and even Kirari’s braids were moving with it. After a while, the wind tamed but it was still cold. Sayaka smiled, a sad look on her face, “Yes, it is.”

Kirari realized that there was something about Sayaka that night. Was it her hair style? No, it was still the same. Her clothes? No, she still had that baggy-looking jacket. So, what is it? But Kirari didn’t want to think about it anymore, so she pushed the thoughts out of her head.

“Kirari,” Sayaka started. Again, that made the hairs on her neck tingled up. Kirari internally smiled. She would really like it if Sayaka would call out her name every time they meet.

“Can you help me with something? You said before that you wanted to help me, right?”

Kirari blinked, “Of course. Do you need to go somewhere again?” Kirari chuckled, her hand covering her mouth. It was supposed to be a light-hearted joke but Sayaka looked serious, which also made Kirari serious.

“Can you go with me?” Sayaka said, standing up.

“Where are we going?” But even with her question, Kirari knew she would follow Sayaka anywhere.

Sayaka stood up from the bench and walked away. She was heading towards the Emergency Ward, a complete separate building from the general ward where the in-patients were confined to. This is the same building where the emergency room is, the first place Kirari went to days ago. But they didn’t head there, instead Sayaka went to the main lobby of the building.

“Why are we here?” Kirari asked as they passed by the motion-censored glass doors. There was a single nurse behind the counter but they didn’t even notice that they entered.

Sayaka looked at her side, to Kirari and put her index finger up to her lip. Kirari nodded in understanding and followed Sayaka. They walked through the empty hallways of the building, then turning right until they reached another room at the end of the same hallway.

It was eerily creepy since the whole corridor didn’t have any rooms with the exception of the room and the end of the hallway. Kirari find it odd… and scary.

Just another reason why I hate hospitals.

Sayaka now stood infront of the door. Kirari didn’t know these parts of the hospital but Sayaka wanted to go here, which meant she needed help with something.

With slight hesitation, Kirari opened it. She was quite surprised to see it was unlocked. She looked back at Sayaka only to find that she wasn’t there.

“I have to show you something,” Sayaka said, now inside. “Can you please open it?” Sayaka was standing near a large bag.

Kirari walked in and finally stepped inside.

The moment she stepped in; she knew she shouldn’t be in here.

The room was moderate in size. It was really clean with white tiles on the floor and walls. Metal bed frames lined up the other side of the room. But what filled most of the room were the rows and columns of what looked like drawers.

Kirari was now aware of where they are and all her nerves are screaming to run away, to get away from the room. She was supposed to go home, so why was she still here?

“I don’t want to,” Kirari said in a small voice, almost in a whisper.

“Please,” Sayaka pleaded. And Kirari couldn’t help but find herself caving in to Sayaka’s plea. She remembered why she helped her the first time. Sayaka was looking lost, needing help.

Why did she look lost?

Kirari couldn’t help but to talk to her. It was the only thing Kirari could only do.

Kirari opened the bag. She could feel her hands trembling as she opened the zipper of the bag. She didn’t even open it the whole way through when Kirari had to already close her eyes, a cold feeling washing over her. She stepped back and her hips bumped into one of the bed rails behind her.

There, the body of the same person she was with was inside the body bag. It was Sayaka Igarashi. Now paler in color, eyes closed, naked, cold, and dead.

Kirari looked at up to face Sayaka. But she looked down not wanting to meet her eyes.

Kirari touched her temple. She suddenly felt dizzy to the point she wanted to throw up.

She realized she has never touched Sayaka at all. Ever since, the day they met.

Kirari closed her eyes again in frustration. “Why do you have to show it to me?” She asked in her small voice.

She could feel it in her bones. She was trembling. It was the same way. The same way back when she was a child.

“You could always find death in the hospital, Kirari.” Her grandmother used to say that to her when they visited her when she was sick in the hospital back when Kirari was a child. But now that she thought about it, maybe her grandmother meant to say that it was Death she would always find.

Kirari remembered seeing her grandmother outside their private room, sitting on one of the chairs, looking contented. She was lively and happy, a complete opposite of when she was lying on the hospital bed.

“Baa-baa, what are you doing outside?” A young Kirari had asked. It was the twins’ nickname for their grandmother.

Her grandmother had a surprise look on her face. But she eventually smiled. A genuine smile. A smile Kirari always looked for on her grandmother’s face. It made her warm, felt like she was loved.

“I thought you’re sick. Shouldn’t you get inside?” Kirari continued asking.

“Did you call for me?” She told her. It was a serious question.

“Hnngh. No. What do you mean?”

Again, her grandmother smiled and then laughed. “Nothing. You’re amazing, Kirari,” she laughed. Kirari noticed that the wrinkles on her eyes whenever she laughed were gone. It looked like her grandmother was younger. “I have something to tell you, my dear Kirari.”

Kirari quickly nodded her head. She always wanted to receive instructions from her grandmother. It always meant fun and exciting games. Kirari was just worried that Ririka wasn’t by her side to receive the same instructions. She always wanted to share things with her older twin sister.

Her grandmother stood up her from her seat and walked towards an open window. “Tell your parents that I love them so much. And don’t forget that I’m always there at yours and Ririka’s side,” she looked back at Kirari, now facing her. “I love you both so much. Don’t forget that.”

Kirari noticed that there was a wind blowing. She was frustrated that her hair wasn’t tied in braids which was the reason why it got blown and obstructed her sight.

That only made her realized that her grandmother’s hair didn’t even moved along with the wind. It was unusual but it made Kirari be amazed at her grandmother too and thought that she had powers to control the wind.

Kirari immediately opened the door to their private room, meaning to tell her parents what her grandmother just said to her. However, when Kirari opened the door, she knew it was bad. She could feel it in her whole system.

Her father then took her outside, carrying her up in his arms. But before the doors had closed, she saw it. Kirari could see her mother crying over the dead body of her grandmother.

Kirari crouched down in pain. She used to hate hospitals because there was a reason why.

“That night, our hands touched,” Sayaka started.

Kirari looked up at Sayaka and she shook her head, not quite getting what Sayaka was talking about.

“The mass casualty days ago,” Sayaka pointed out. “You were in the ER and you accidentally bumped into me.”

Kirari remembered. The bloody person in the gurney, Kirari thought. The hair color... It was Sayaka’s. She was so busy with checking out for any silver-haired. But now, she remembered it.

It was raven-colored. Kirari stared at her hair. It was the same color.

Kirari looked at the back of her right hand. She remembered getting blood on it. She clenched it in a fist. She wanted to go outside. She couldn’t breathe well inside the room. The atmosphere felt intoxicating. She was getting suffocated.

“Someone wanted to kill me, you see.”

Kirari didn’t want to hear anymore. She just remembered why she hated hospitals. She was always seeing things. Things people couldn’t see. And it was common especially at hospitals and cemeteries.

“But it was covered up as a car accident,” Sayaka continued.

“I don’t want- Just stop,” Kirari sobbed, she walked away from Sayaka, from the body bag, not even bothering to zip it back again. As long as Kirari didn’t take notice of the ghosts and the spirits, she was never bothered. After many years, she completely forgotten about her sight. But here she was, she was crying again.

Why is it that these days I am in so much pain?

“A lot of other people were indirectly involved,” Sayaka wasn’t moving at all. She was still looming over her dead body. “I got your sister involved. I’m really, really sorry.”

Kirari’s ears were ringing so much but that made her listen to Sayaka. She shook her head in disbelief.

“No… Oh no, no,” Kirari pleaded. It was too much to handle. She stepped back until her back was leaning on the tiled-wall.

Why is she doing this to me?

But it was a rhetorical question. She actually knew why. Kirari was the only one capable of seeing her. Sayaka was just explaining things and Kirari really couldn’t help but to feel sorry for her. But at this point, she needed more time to take in the things she just said.

She walked outside, to get away from her, from the room, from the morgue. At first, she was just walking and then she quickly stepped up her pace, now walking fast. The hallways looked like it was longer than it was before but eventually she got out of it. At the end of the last hallway (near the main lobby), she took a detour to go to the rest room.

Kirari immediately threw up on the sink. She felt sick. Kirari felt cold again and suddenly Sayaka was also in the room with her, near the door. There were goosebumps crawling up on her arms but she didn’t pay attention to it. Instead, she continued washing her hands and her face. Still not believing everything happening around her.

“I-I’m really sorry, Kirari. Please forgive me, b-but I need your help.”

Kirari wanted to look at her through the mirror but her own reflection is the only thing she could see on the mirror. She just realized one thing again. She realized that all this time during the elevator rides, she couldn’t see Sayaka’s reflection at all.

Kirari then also remembered the people looking at her back in the church, even Mary. It wasn’t because she was talking loudly. It was because it looked like she was talking to herself alone. They couldn’t see Sayaka.

“I survived the accident. I was alive these past few days… But, someone went to my room to kill me again. I thought that if I die, I’ll be… somehow passing on. But I’m still in this... form.”

Kirari faced her. She felt tired but she just knew, even without anybody telling her that she was the only one that could help Sayaka.

Kirari inhaled a deep sigh. Her voice and her hands were still badly shaking but Kirari really wanted to let her know. She looked into her eyes, blue and violet eyes meeting, “I’ll help you, Sayaka.”