My eyes were opened to the immediate blinding gleam of fluorescent lighting. It was such a shock, I tried covering my right hand over them. But nothing happened. The lights still shined brightly, painfully stinging my retinas. I was in a daze; both my head and my body was aching in pain.
Something felt strange. I…I can’t seem to feel it. My right arm!
“Ah!” I let out a little cry. I couldn’t move! My body… it’s completely paralyzed!
I immediately panicked and began to hyperventilate.
Then suddenly, the memories all started coming back to me. That strange world, the monsters… the strange person and… and…
I remembered everything. It wasn’t a dream!
“AAAAAAAHHHH!” I screamed at the top of my lungs as I felt the tears flowing uncontrollably out of my eye. Everything hurts, and I didn’t know what to do. What happened to me? Why couldn’t I move? Why? Why? WHY?!
Questions upon questions flooded my mind yet there was only but the sound of my own echoing voice. I was alone…
“Where am I?” I asked weakly, finally able to calm down. Rational thoughts slowly came back to my confused mind as I moved my eyes to my surroundings. I was in a bed, surrounded by white curtains.
“This is…the school infirmary, isn’t it? But how?” The last thing I remembered was passing out. How did I get here?
Confusion started to cloud my mind again as I felt a slight breeze. I looked down to see that my clothes were gone, as I laid naked underneath the covers.
Embarrassment immediately rushed over me.
“Why am I naked?! Ooh…!” I squealed.
CLACK
The sound of a door opening suddenly came into my ears, as someone had stepped into the room.
“I still don’t see why I have to be the one to do this. Those two bastards are really just…” came a voice of a male. He was getting closer!
“Wait! Wait! I’m awake!” I cried out desperately as I saw an outline of someone before me, reaching for the curtains.
WHOOSH
“Ah…”
My eyes met with his.
It was…the same boy from earlier! The second year, with the headphones, that was with that scary senior. In his hands were a bucket and a sponge as he stared at me, dumbstruck, and his face slowly turned bright red.
“WAAAH! I’M-I’M SORRY!” He shrieked, quickly closing the curtains. “I didn’t-! You’re awake-! I’m…I’LL GO GET THE PREZ!”
“What?! Wait, no! Don’t go get anyone! Wait! Wait!” I pleaded as I heard him crashing as he ran out of the room. The last thing I need is for more people to see me like this!
I laid there alone again, my face burning and beet red. I wanted to hide under the covers, but my body wouldn’t move.
–
“Ahem…are you awake now? H-how are you doing?” A gruff voice asked from behind the curtains. I could make out an outline of someone really big. It was that scary senior without a doubt.
“I can’t move…” I replied meekly, still flustered. From a distance I could hear laughter and the sound of people arguing.
“HA HA HA!”
“That’s it senpai! I’m wrapping you in tinfoil and tossing you into the toilet!”
“Wha-wait! Let’s not be hasty!”
I heard a weary sigh from the “president”.
“I apologize for the…mishap. You were in a coma and…”
“How long?”
“Huh?”
“How long have I been sleeping?”
“Uh…hmm, in counting…about 4 days?”
FOUR DAYS?! I was asleep for four days? And also…
“Uuhhh…”I let out a groan as my face got even hotter.
“I’m sure you have many questions, and we’ll gladly answer them all once you’re able to move again. Until then, we’ll wait for you in the clubroom. Here,”
He slid something underneath the curtains. It was a pair of a female school uniform.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have your exact size and measurements but hopefully it will fit.”
“Umm…where is the clubroom?”
“Ah, right. There’s no way you would…hmm…I’ll have to have someone bring you there.” I heard the sound of him moving away.
“Hideyoshi!” I heard from a distance chatter between him and someone else.
“Eh?! Prez, come on! Not after what has-, why are you doing this to me?!” Came the protest of the boy from earlier.
“Hideyoshi…”
I heard a loud disgruntle sigh of resignation. “Fine dammit!”
“So yes, I’ll have Hideyoshi wait for you.” The president came back and said to me. “I hope you will recover soon, and I hope to see you later.”
I heard as he quickly left the room, as if he was trying to escape.
“Damn him. He’s letting all the power go into that scary head of his.” I heard the other boy grumble.
“Umm…”
“Before anything, I want to apologize to you. I’m not sure if you’re talking or sleeping or anything right now but since I can’t read your lips, I don’t know.”
“Huh?”
“You were asleep for a long time and…err…you were covered in blood and your clothes were torn so they made me take care of you…! I’m sorry and I hope that we can just forget about what happened”
“Okay…” I replied shyly, my face turning red again as I thought about the incident earlier.
I listen to the sound of him sighing loudly and sitting down, the room going silent again except for the sound of breathing. I laid there in the bed, only able to stare blankly at the ceiling.
There was nothing to do.
How long will I have to wait? Why won’t my body move?
These questions ran through my head. The room was so quiet, it was as If I was alone. I couldn’t even sleep. I was starting to feel scared again.
But then came the sudden sound of music as it slowly filled the air. Breaking the silence, was the sound of a…flute?
“Umm…hello?”
No reply came. Just the melody of a song I’ve never heard before.
It was played so wonderfully. The music brought about a feeling of happiness, yet at the same time there was a hint of sadness. Every note seemed to be bringing out a deep emotion.
I have never heard such a beautiful piece before.
My eyelids suddenly felt heavy as all my fears and worries were washed away. Gently, the music lulled me back to sleep.
–
When I awoke again, it was already dark. The lights were off and the room was quiet, except for the soft sound of breathing from a distance. My bones cracked and my muscle ached as I stretched my left arm out towards the ceiling.
I could finally move again, yet I struggled. Like a machine turning on after a long stand-by, my body seemed to still be adjusting to the long slumber I’ve been in. Carefully, I sat up and stretched myself. My legs felt numb and as I moved them, it felt like pins and needles all over.
“Ow…”
The moment my feet touched the ground, the coldness of the infirmary floor could be felt across my entire body.
“Brr…” I shuddered as the blanket fell off the moment I stood up. Next to the bed was a mirror attached to the wall. I looked into it and saw myself. I was standing naked; my hair was a mess and my body was…,
Slowly, I moved my left hand across my body. So cold. My right shoulder was heavily bandage as I, hesitantly, moved my hand towards it and carefully removed the bandages.
“…”
The wound had completely closed up. There was nothing but a stump. Yet, it was almost as if I could still feel it. The strange feeling of my right arm, to still be able to still send thoughts of movement yet nothing happening. It didn’t ache. It didn’t hurt. There was just nothing. My right arm…
“Sniff…” My eyes became watery at the realization that swept across my mind. In the mirror, I could see the figure of a pathetic girl. Crying for something that she will never get back. My chest tighten as I thought of what had happened and only the words “why me?” came to my mind.
“No, crying won’t do anything.” I lightly slapped myself out of my slump and quickly dried my eyes.
“I must…I must move on…” Desperately I tried to convince myself.
I struggled to get dressed. It was a little difficult with only one arm and took time to do some of the buttons. The clothes were also a bit tight, especially in the chest area, but nonetheless fits.
WHOOSH
I pulled away the curtains and surveyed the room, my eyes finally attuned to the darkness. In the corner was the boy from earlier, sound asleep. As I carefully walked toward him, I was not sure whether to wake him or leave him be. Besides him, on the table, was a small velvet box containing pieces of a flute.
Was this the same instrument I heard before?
Curiously, I took a closer look. Assorted into 4 pieces, it was neatly fitted within the case with utmost care. It did not look like any ordinary flute I have seen before, its intricate shape and design looked foreign and special. Each part seem to shine, a craft of silver and fine wood. The edges were slightly rough, as if it had seen years of use, yet it was still well kept like a treasure.
Was this, an antique?
“Wow…” I whispered as I carefully reached for it.
“You’re finally awake.”
I jumped, turning around to the sudden voice and saw the boy awake. His eyes were wide opened, and he was looking at me with a slight grin.
“G-good morning. I didn’t mean to wake you.” I stammered as I slowly took a step back.
“It’s more of night right now, but good to see that you’re up and about. However, don’t force yourself.” He replied as he got up and stretched. Standing closer to him now, I could see that he was only slightly taller than me.
“O-okay. Thank you.” I nodded my head, my eyes still fixed on his instrument.
“Oh? Caught your fancy?” He chuckled as he noticed my interest. “It’s a specially made 4-piece Celtic flute. One of a kind, a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“I heard you playing earlier. When I was lying in bed, it really helped me to sleep. I’ve never heard such wonderful music before…”
“Is that so? I’m glad then.” He replied with a warm smile. “It must be nice…”
“Huh?” I tilted my head to his response.
“Nothing. Thank you for your kind words.”
“Are you a musician?”
“You could say that. Although, it’s been a long time. I think you’re the first to have heard me play in a while.” He laughed as he spoke in a somber voice while running his hand across the instrument, gently stroking it.
He was smiling, yet there was sadness in his eyes. As he stared at his flute I could see a vaguely familiar look. It was the same look I had mere moments ago when I saw myself in the mirror; the look of longing for something precious that was lost.
“What’s wrong?” He asked as he glanced back at me, noticing that I was staring.
“Wha-no…nothing!” I stuttered, my face becoming flustered as I quickly looked away. “Umm…I’m Takatora Ryuuko. It is nice to meet you…umm…again? Thank you, for taking care of me when I was…you know.” I fidgeted as I introduced myself.
“Oh. I’m Hideyoshi Takuya, a member of the Artificial Research Club, A.R.C., as you might already know.” He suddenly blushed as he scratched his head. “And…umm…about that earlier…err, well, you’re welcome.”
An awkward silence filled the room.
“So, do you want to go to the clubroom now?” He asked. “I’m sure you have lots of questions and no doubt want answers. That, and the Prez must have been waiting for a while now.”
“Yes, that would be great.” I hastily nodded my head in response. “Let’s go.”
