Warmth

-----Yui's POV

Aki: "Take care~"

We all ended up staying for quite some time, but Aki and Ken ended up leaving at some point, just like she said earlier with the receptionist.

Maria: "It's getting late. Should we also call it here?"

Emi: "...Hahh. I guess... But I want to bring some flowers over before we leave."

Maria: "Ah~ Good idea! I want to help pick out some as well. Yui, you joining?"

Emi: "Uh, actually. Could you stay back with Kaede? I don't want her left alone in this place."

Yui: "S-sure."

Emi: "Thank you."

And with the sun soon beginning to set, Emi gently leaves Kaede's side as I watch Emi and Maria both head towards the door.

Emi: "We'll be back."

Maria: "Mhmm! Look after Kaede for us~"

Yui: "Of course."

With smiles on everyone's faces, they leave the room, leaving just Shin and I next to Kaede. But to still feel Kaede squeezing my hand like this, my smile refuses to fade as I move my other hand over atop of hers, now warming her hand all over.

Yui: "Mmmm."

Shin: "Never seen you make that face before."

Yui: "W-wha?"

I knew that Shin was here, yet I totally forgot his presence within a matter of seconds.

Shin: "You really like this girl, huh."

Yui: "!"

I feel my body tense up at his words as I look back over at Kaede, the girl full of surprises. I still remember bumping into her at the train tracks. My first thought was "we're in different worlds," as her beauty alone was enough for me to run off as soon as the train had passed. I thought that would be the extent of our relationship, but she just had to wedge herself into my life by visiting my house... Soon enough, I felt as if maybe it could be possible, but it was clear that she was just seeing me as a friend. But then that day, she... Slept over and, licked my neck, and the next morning even kissed me. It really sent me spiraling in confusion. It was then that I felt like I did have some feelings for her, but when I saw her run, as she ran past me with a smile on her face, her long silver hair blowing through the wind, it was in that moment that I wanted to be by her side.

Yui: "I didn't know it was that obvious..."

Shin: "That just means she's an important friend to you, right?"

Ah, is that what he meant? I guess I never really told him "that," huh.

Yui: "Y-yeah..."

I guess I'll just keep these feelings to myself. I don't want Shin to think I'm weird or something.

Suddenly, the door opened to the room. We turned our heads, thinking that Emi and Maria has returned, but my heart felt heavy the moment I saw that it was the doctor. I guess Emi and Maria have only been out for a bit... But now I can't help but feel anxious now with the doctor in the room.

Yui: "U-uhm! Is she okay?"

Doctor: "Yes, I just came here to check how she's doing."

Yui: "Can I ask what happened? She wasn't wearing that thing on her head yesterday."

Doctor: "Yes. When she was first brought in, there was so sign of brain damage-"

His words lighten my heart as I end up breathing a sigh of relief.

Doctor: "However, until now, it looked as though we were wrong as her brain was behaving strangely, so we've been monitoring her brain activity closely."

Shin: "You said, until now?"

Doctor: "Yes. It would seem as though her brain has returned to a more stable state since your arrival. I guess it was a good decision to open this room for visitors, haha."

So, he's saying that we helped?

Doctor: "But unfortunately, I need to ask for you two to step out for a while."

Yui: "Eh?"

Doctor: "This will take a while, and in case something happens, we need room for staff. Don't worry. We're not closing off visitors, it's just for Kaede's safety."

Yui: "Yes, I understand."

However, when I look back down at Kaede's hand still holding onto me, I almost feel guilty to have to force her to let go. But I guess this would be for the best. The faster the doctor does his thing, the sooner she'll be released. And so, I gently pry her fingers away from my hand before I could finally slip my hand free.

Yui: "Thank you doctor."

Doctor: "And thank you for visiting."

But just as I was about to exit through the door with Shin, I recall Emi and Maria.

Yui: "Ah! But two of her friends stepped out to get her some flowers."

Doctor: "Just have them give it to one of the nurses. We'll make sure that they get delivered here."

Yui: "O-"

Suddenly, the beeping from one of the monitors begin rapidly increasing, cutting me off as the doctor quickly began to assess her. But my legs now feel frozen in place as I no longer feel comfortable leaving. At least this time Kaede's not squirming in pain, but hearing her heart rate suddenly increase does make me worry.

And in the heat of the moment, melting away my frozen legs, I rush back over to Kaede's side.

Doctor: "H-hold on! This could be serious. I'll need you to leave immediately."

Nurses began to funnel into the room as Shin stood outside the room with worried eyes. But a part of me refuses to listen as last time this happened, I could barely sleep well, knowing that Kaede might be dead. So, I take Kaede's hand in my own, as if to say that I'm staying. If they want me to leave, they'll have to drag me out.

Nurse1: "Ma'am, you need to leave."

Nurse2: "Please."

They place their hands on my back as if to reassure me, but that only makes me squeeze on Kaede's hand more.

Doctor: "Ah, wait."

It was then that the nurses stopped talking as the doctor spoke. And it was in that moment that I realized that the beeping of the monitor had returned to normal. Wait, so her body has calmed down? That's good, right? And just like before, as if to confirm my thoughts, Kaede gently squeezed my hand back.

Nurse1: "Ah!"

And it would appear that the nurse next to me, who was trying to get me to leave has noticed as well.

Nurse1: "Doctor. The patient's conscious."

Doctor: "That, shouldn't be possible. She's still under anesthetic."

The doctor showed the tablet in his hands to the nurses.

Doctor: "Her brain indicates that she should be in a state similar to a deep sleep, certainly not awake."

Nurse1: "But I saw it. Even now, look."

With the doctor now peering at Kaede's hand joined with my own, I try and let go as if to prove that I'm not the one holding, and almost immediately after I opened my hand, Kaede increased the strength of her grip.

Doctor: "Interesting. What is your name?"

Yui: "Y-Yui. Yui Kimura."

Doctor: "Well then, Yui. Could you stick by her side like this while I do some tests?"

Yui: "Y-yes!"

...

The tests only lasted about thirty minutes as the doctor and nurses ended up leaving the room.

Doctor: "Visiting hours close soon, but do stay here until then if you like."

Yui: "Thank you."

And with that, he leaves the room, opening the door. However, upon opening the door, Emi and Maria begin charging their way inside, followed by Shin close behind them.

Doctor: "Haha. Visiting hours close in an hour, so be sure to leave before then."

Emi: "Yes~"

With the doctor now gone, Emi and Maria end up placing flowers on top of the bedside table. The flowered brought a new sense of freshness as it did wonders to lighten up the room.

Maria: "Hah~ Yeah, this is better."

Emi: "Mm! Now when she wakes up, she won't wake up depressed."

I did think about telling them about what happened before, but that'd probably only worry them. I guess I'll just keep it to myself. Looking back at Kaede, I smile as I gently caress the top of her hand with my thumb. To think that her body still moves under anesthetic... I swear, even now, you're still full of surprises. Even the doctor was questioning what was happening.

Kaede: "-i"

Emi: "Ah!"

It was an ever so slight sound, but all our eyes darted towards Kaede, the source of said noise. At first I thought it was just another beep from the monitor, but after thinking about it for a second, it did sound quite a bit different. That said, we were all focused in on Kaede. And in that moment, I could see her eyebrows furrow as her eyes twitched ever so slightly followed by an even tighter squeeze on my hand.

Emi: "K-Kaede?"

Shin: "Oi oi. She's waking up?"

Maria: "Kaede?!"

I could only wait in silence as I was too focused trying to make sure my heart wouldn't explode. Her holding my hand was already enough to send my heart into overdrive, but now having her begin to move more is almost too much to handle as my mouth flutters open and shut, not knowing what to say.

But despite all of us waiting in silence, seeing if Kaede will actually wake up or not, is was then that Kaede face relaxed once more, her eyes remaining shut as she continues her deep sleep once more.

Emi: "Y-you all heard that, right?"

Maria: "M-mm. I thought she'd wake up for a second."

Shin: "That's good though, right? She's still kicking in there!"

He's right. I felt unbelievable happy, knowing that Kaede might not be stuck in a vegetative state. But after seeing her looking to be on the brink of waking up, I feel more inclined to stay here the night.

Just then, I get a text on my phone as I felt it vibrate in my pocket. With my right hand still occupied with Kaede's, I awkwardly reach for my right pocket with my left hand before pulling out my phone.

Mom: "We're coming to the hospital now. See you soon!"

Ah, I guess it is getting a little late. The doctor did say visiting hours were nearly up... Hmmm.