Chapter Text
It was already November 1st. Just a few hours after Bloody Halloween, Chifuyu barely got any sleep during the night, and the first thought after waking up was to visit the hospital. He knew Baji was okay, they had to threaten him to go to hospital. ‘This but a scratch’ he said to Fuyu and Takemitchy after they managed to get him up after a fight. He was right, luckily Kazutora didn’t manage to stab him in the organs, but he still needed some stitches and monitoring, so this idiot wouldn’t run after his mental friend. This friend probably ended up in hospital as well, after the beating he took from Mikey. Chifuyu believed that he probably was in more life threatening condition than any of them yesterday. As soon as he entered the hospital his fast steps went straight to Baji hospital room. As soon as he was within hearing distance, he heard Ryoko lecturing Baji, how much he scared her. That woman always terrified Chifuyu, compared to his mom she was very attentive to her son's life. He looked at his shoes, worried about going in there, he didn’t know what Baji told his mom. Stabbed wounds are rarely an accident. His hands started shaking a little bit, the whole hospital scenario made him realize how close it was for his treasure to die, seeing blood on Mikey's hand almost murdering Kazutora that night. It all was so fresh.
He was so glad for Takemitchy saving both of them, if it was even possible to save a teeneger that already had one murder on his consciousness and when was beaten almost to death was laying and just looking up, even the memory of that brought anxiety in his stomach. Chifuyu let the air fill his lungs, and went to room smiling, he couldn’t let the mask slip. The silence filled the room when he opened the door. - Good morning. - He said with the best innocent voice. Both Bajis looked at him, he noticed red eyes at a woman, and felt guilt, they never even thought about how it is impacting his mom. Most boys from Tokyo Manji were not lucky enough to have loving parents. He and his neighbor were in the minority, both of their moms were working most of the time, but they were caring, even though they sadly had no idea what their sons were doing. - Finally! Tell my mom that it was not a dangerous accident and I am totally safe! I literally just fell on a metal spike mom - His black hair was loose falling into his shoulder, brown eyes full of sparks and red cheeks. Younger boy smiled seeing him in good spirits and healthy. - Oy! If you would get stabbed a few centimeters in different places it could end up in tragedy. I am not stupid Baji, I saw medical records, and you were stabbed with a knife! Doctors know better. What happened? Chifuyu, have you been there? - Her piercing brown eyes so similar to her son move onto blonde boy- Her eyes got tears in them and he felt so scared and guilt flew over him again, he shaked his head. Of course he won’t be one to break it to her. The tears flew over her face, Keisuke hugged her and whispered a promise of being more careful with an apologetic tone.
Meanwhile on a different floor, there wasn't anyone anxious about this patient. Bandage on face and body, broken cheek bones and multiple ribs. That’s what he heard when nurses were fixing his bandages and taking his clothing to thrash as it was so destroyed from blood and mud. Wonder what he is going to wear. Not like he has anything else. He should be dead - that's what he was thinking looking into the ceiling now. From that perspective, thinking about clothing seems silly. It’s not like he is planning to keep trying anything. Black and yellow hair were mostly hidden under bandages. He had in his head few version of yesterday… or was it yesterday? Maybe it haven’t happened yet. He was extremely confused. Kazutora believed that Baji is okay otherwise Mikey would definitely kill him. He should’ve die. Flash of some different memory or just his imagination, last scene - Mikey face with his blood all over and his last breath. Baji I am joining you, but he didn’t. Neither of them die. Then why those memories seem so alive in him. His craziness now started to produce realistically looking memories. There was another. Maybe even more painful. Baji in his idiocy stabbing himself, saving Kazutora from death. That also didn’t happen or did it? His head was spinning. He just wanted to know what is real. Pain was real, empty hospital room was real. White walls, some devices beeping. Lack of security would show that he is not being arrested. It’s not like he has anywhere to run. His own mother said she is scared of him and didn’t even pick him up from prison, definitely won’t even know that he is hospitalized. She was right, he wasn’t straight in his mind. He could’ve blamed Mikey for it or Baji. He needed acceptance in his brain, everything that happened is only his fault. Why wont they let him die. Is it his purgatory? Memories of lifes he didn’t have, but in all of them he murdered Shinichiro-kun. They were part of his purgatory, if there is god, he must be cruel. Making his parents the way they were, making Kazutora this monster and entangling his messines in the lives of innocent people. He felt cold in his vines.
-Mooom… - Baji said putting his jacket on, finally he could leave this terrible place. He had to be in hospital only for 3 days but man was it boring. Friends visited him often enough but he missed riding his bike with Chifuyu and playing with Peke J. He even read some mangas from his shojo fanatic. Those were okay, but he wouldn’t say that to Draken.
His mom gave him a look that could probably stab him a million times over. She was talking to the doctor, Long haired boy decided to take a stroll around the waiting room. All kinds of people were waiting here. His eyes scanned everyone in the room. He noticed some adult man, he looked familiar, but he couldn’t place his face. He wasn’t smartest in any way, and his memory was short. He didn’t remember but his body didn't forget that easily, and looking at him Baji really felt the urge to hit him, even though this man was in his forties, fancy clothing and bag with name tag, he squeezed his eyes and came closer to read what was written there. Ha-nam-ya.. Ha-ne.. Hanemiya! Learning reading and writing is useful! After his neurons processed the name and face, he felt the stone sinking in his stomach. This motherfucker is Kazutora's dad, first he wanted to go and beat the shit out of him, but first it was at the hospital so that could be inappropriate, his mom would murder him afterwards. Then cold terror got into his body. What if Kazutora died. What if his father came here to confirm his poor beaten body, he saw his friend running away when they all were in shock, but he could pass out in some cold alley and just… He couldn’t think like that, so he went to his mom talking to the doctor. - Sir! Where is cold room?! - as he spoke, cutting through his conversation. Doctor that was an older gentleman in white kilt and as white hair, looked a little spooked or maybe shocked by teenager behavior. His mother was red, from anger or from shame. - Baji… You cannot go to the prosectorium. - She scolded him. She planned to follow his silly question later. Ryoko wouldn’t be surprised if he just wanted to see it. Doctor smiled. – Baji-kun you are definitely not in a state to go to such a place! You shouldn’t be in a hurry to go visit it either. If you are interested to know what it looks like, I recommend pick up some books and going to medical school - Doctor's voice was weirdly jokingly, which made his brown eyes ignite with anger, his Kazutora could be laying there.. - I think my friend may be there… I mean dead. - On those words both adults exchanged looks and the older man cleared his throat. Baji felt warm weight on his arm, it was his mom squeezing it with support. - You can ask about your friend's nurse at reception. Sadly, even if that’s the case, as you are not part of his family… Viewing won’t be possible. They shouldn’t even provide you with information, but I am sure they will understand. - He gave them a sad smile and after short goodbyes, went back to his patients. Baji's brain was processing-How could he let him run. He was shaking, so scared. This is how he felt when Shinichiro got hit in the head and the police were taking them to the station. Keisuke didn’t even notice when his mom led him to the reception. She looked confused. - Who are you talking about? All your friends visited you. - She said quietly. Both of them went to stand in the queue.Baji didn’t mention to her that Kazutora is out, she wouldn’t approve. He loved his mom, but she saw Kazutora like the rest, broken and without use to society. He didn't answer and she didn’t push. As soon as they reached nurse he braced himself. - Can I get information about Hanemiya Kazutora? - He said politely, his mom looked at him shocked but left it without comment. Nurse wanted to refuse but his mother, who is a nurse in this hospital exchange looks, and somehow unlocked forbidden knowledge for Baji. Click click looking through computer felt like forever, in this moment Kazuotra was Schrodinger Tiger. He was both dead and alive until the nurse gave them an answer. Maybe that twat of a person that gave DNA to Kazutora visited someone else. - He was moved from the ICU to the Neurological wing. Room 22. - Baji felt like all of the worries just disappeared. Tiger emerged from the box and he is alive. He didn’t die in some alley, he wasn’t arrested. He nodded and smiled to himself. Again pressure on his arm and he saw his mom's dark eyes looking at him and getting them out of the queue after thanking the nurse - What does it mean? You have contact with Hanemiya and how did you know he is in this hospital? - She was standing in front of him. Ryoko went fully into interrogation mode and now Keisuke wished that he was at police station instead of explaining everything to his mother. - Mom… He is my friend… I cannot just leave him. I…I..was writing to him. That’s why my grades got slightly better! I was learning how to write better letters to him.- His voice sounded weaker than in his head. His brown eyes looked for approval from his mom, but what he had met was more of an empathetic look. Baji really wanted to run to him, but nothing happened. He is well and now they can all go back to Toman. It will be like the good old times. Mikey will forgive him. It was an accident. He was nodding to himself. - Your heart is too pure and you are too stupid to risk it with people like Hanemiya. I am feeling bad for him, believe me I do, but there is nothing you, a child can do for him Keisuke. - Her voice was warm but she meant it.