RABBIT 17: Night Sky

Whatever was making noise in the store wasn't one of us; wasn't human. The place was in disarray, with shelves knocked to the floor and the inventory torn apart. The back door was no longer connected to its hinges, having blasted towards the front of the store. Whatever took that door down wasn't one of us; wasn't human.

Konsako-san slowly walked the young girl out of the store, not turning his back on the noise building from the staff room. Kuro-san followed him. No words had been spoken between the three, as they came to the census that this place never belonged to them.

However, one person stood completely aware of what was inside, yet showed no hesitation to walk forward.

Itogaya: "Calm down; it's not going to cause any issues." He said with conviction, taking a deep breath as he steadied his heartbeat.

The doctor pointed to the blood pulled against the walls, leading to the staff room. The creature was injured.

Itogaya: "It's not a threat."

In disbelief at his assumption, Kuro-san spoke out.

Kuro: "It's cornered and wounded, and you're asking to approach it?"

Itogaya: "I never said anything about approaching the creature."

Kuro: "We don't draw the line. It does."

Itogaya: "It should be aware not to draw the line past where it can cross."

Konsako Akihi: "Where's the stuff you need?"

Itogaya: "The first-aid kits and medication are likely behind the reception counter. Food, water and clean cloth however… you'll have to look through the shelves."

Konsako Akihi: "Okay, but… we can't let Ishimasu-chan inside."

Although hesitant to lose numbers, he agreed.

Itogaya: "Then Kuro-kun, can you-"

Kuro: "I won't."

Itogaya: "I understand you have no interest in risking your life, however… these supplies are valuable to all; including you. You understand that much, don't you?"

The boy's eyebrows furrowed.

Kuro: "We won't starve in one day. We can go without water for a couple more; or drink from the tap."

Itogaya: "Assuming the water is safe to drink."

Kuro: "It isn't worth the risk."

Itogaya: "Do you know exactly how long we'll be here?"

That question had yet to be asked. Perhaps we were trying our best to ignore the possibility of spending another minute in this town; in this game. However, it needed to be approached.

Just how long did we have to fight against these circumstances? When would this game end?

Itogaya: "We have to keep moving forward for this game to end. But we don't know when it will end."

Itogaya: "Eight people. Eight people are all we have to work with."

Itogaya: "Three missing, two injured, one incapacitated. That leaves us with two capable."

Itogaya: "That includes a child."

Itogaya: "You can certainly argue against eating and drinking, for now."

Itogaya: "But, we're wounded and cornered… don't make us starve, too."

They both grew increasingly tense… until the boy made his way to the knocked shelves, and began lifting them in search for supplies.

Not a word exited his mouth, but he too understood that what was worse than a cornered or injured animal… was a starved one.

The four were equipped with defences brought from the factory; foreign objects to utilise in time of need that were easy to carry. At the very least, they could force damage on the creature if it were to approach them.

But to Itogaya-san, that seemed far too unlikely. I'm certain Kuro-san was also realising so, but that didn't mean he'd leave his back open to the door.

Minutes passed. Soon, aside from the continuing noise of the cornered creature, one could hear the shuffling of cupboards, prescription bottles, shelves and boxes from outside.

Minutes passed. Minutes continued to pass.

The two outside grew nervous in their wait; Ishimasu-san beginning to slide against the wall, cupping her knees against her chest.

Konsako Akihi: "Don't sit down. You need to be ready to move."

Ishimasu Kanana: "I'm a bother…"

Konsako Akihi: "What?"

Ishimasu Kanana: "It'd be easier for everyone if I wasn't here… then they wouldn't have to worry about me."

He had no response. Surely, he wanted to tell her otherwise… but it was difficult to deny the frustration he felt having to worry about her also.

Ishimasu Kanana: "It was the same before… I'm sure after I died… they didn't have to worry anymore." The girl mumbled to herself, without shedding so much as a tear.

Ishimasu Kanana: "Maybe they're happy now."

…She looked up towards Konsako-san, who still hadn't found a response. His thick pink bangs covered his eyes, and he had pulled his face mask up to cover his mouth.

He wasn't even looking at her.

Ishimasu Kanana: "If I could change spots… with Kobaya-"

-The automatic doors opened before she could force those words out, as the two inside had left.

And, the doctor shook his head; his hands empty.

In short sentences, Itogaya-san explained that the medication and first-aid kit weren't in the reception; neither were they hiding under the shelves, ventilation or the dumpsters.

And, they had to have existed… as Michifuku-san only carried one out of the vent with her. Which left one possibility…

…The staff room.

Konsako Akihi: "Do you know what's inside?"

Itogaya: "There are fixed windows connecting to the room. Kuro-kun was able to determine the creature."

The rabbit, clumsily treating itself with the first-aid.

Konsako Akihi: "Can you beat it?"

Itogaya: "I don't know."

Konsako Akihi: "Maybe if Kuro-san, or even you try-"

Kuro: "I won't." He said, slinging the bag of goods around his shoulder.

Konsako Akihi: "Then, Itogaya-sensei…"

Itogaya: "..."

The doctor was silent, refusing to make eye contact.

Itogaya: "Kuro-kun and I gathered food and water before we left, along with clean cloth."

Konsako Akihi: "Wait…"

Itogaya: "We have to make do with what we have."

Konsako Akihi: "Itogaya-sensei-"

Itogaya: "We'll come back later for more supplies, if necessary-"

Konsako Akihi: "ITOGAYA!"

Unlike the small girl, who had jumped at the loud sound, the doctor was motionless. He couldn't even look at the pink-haired boy.

Konsako Akihi: "What's with you…? You've gone out of your way to risk your life time and time again, but this time you can't?"

Konsako Akihi: "Did you have a change of heart, or something?"

Itogaya: "That was before we fell to five."

Konsako Akihi: "Fell to- we still have eight! The others are just-"

Itogaya: "Konsako-kun."

He understood. He understood, but he didn't want to understand, because then he would be admitting his powerlessness.

The boy who was so keen on risking his life for others, the boy who lacked an understanding for his own wellbeing…

He couldn't comprehend the doctor's ability to switch that off; to look past others, and focus on himself. Even if it was logical, even if it made sense…

He felt alone.

Itogaya: "I'm not trading blood."

But-

Konsako Akihi: "...Then, can we approach it without fighting?"

Itogaya: "What?"

Konsako Akihi: "Maybe we don't have to hurt one another. Maybe we can get what we need without putting one another at risk."

Kuro: "Approaching the rabbit is putting one another at risk. Standing here, doing nothing, is putting us at risk."

Konsako Akihi: "It might not want to fight…"

Itogaya: "...Kuro-kun is right. Even with your plan, we don't know if the rabbit can communicate. It might be fruitless, and might get us hurt or worse."

Konsako Akihi: "...Oh."

He thought back to his encounter with the rabbit.

Konsako Akihi: "When Kobayashi-san and I encountered the rabbit, I got its attention by yelling at it."

Konsako Akihi: "But that wasn't enough, and so it continued ignoring me-"

Konsako Akihi: "-Until I acted as if I didn't know it was a threat."

Konsako Akihi: "It charged towards me after the specific words that told it I was prey."

Itogaya-san seemed surprised, and then he thought for a minute. Could there possibly be a way to communicate between prey and predator, without blood being spilt?

The rabbit had attacked mercilessly and without hesitation, there was no telling what it would do under threat while injured.

But… if there's the chance, just the slightest chance the rabbit could be reached…

Itogaya: "...Ok."

Itogaya: "I'll approach the rabbit."

And as the night sky refused to change its mind and move, the two of them had changed theirs.

Twenty minutes had passed, and I found myself tended to by Ishimasu-san.

Kobayashi Amano: "...Um-"

Ishimasu Kanana: "Don't worry, Kobayashi-san. It's just me."

She can remember my name, but I can't remember hers.

I can just blame that on my side, right?

Kobayashi Amano: "What're you doing here?"

Ishimasu Kanana: "Well, sensei and Akihi-aniki are in the store. Kuro-san is in the bathroom."

Ishimasu Kanana: "My dog got bit by another dog once… it's kinda close to your bite."

Ishimasu Kanana: "Except, you have a hole in your stomach too."

Ishimasu Kanana: "Haha… this is a lot more blood than I was expecting." The girl tried to chuckle out, as she battled the urge to vomit.

She began redressing my wound with clean cloth, and although it wasn't to the level of Itogaya-san's, she did fairly well.

Ishimasu Kanana: "Does it hurt a lot? I know it probably does, but am I-"

Kobayashi Amano: "You're not hurting me, if that's what you mean."

Kobayashi Amano: "I'd fix it myself, but I guess I'm not in the position for that."

Kobayashi Amano: "Next to Itogaya-san, you'd be my choice."

Ishimasu Kanana: "I doubt that…"

Kobayashi Amano: "You're gentle. I could tell from when I first met you, and I can tell right now."

Ishimasu Kanana: "..."

Kobayashi Amano: "Speaking of Itogaya-san, you said him and Konsako-san were in the store?"

Ishimasu Kanana: "...Uhuh."

Kobayashi Amano: "What're they doing?"

The girl bit her lip, no longer cleaning my wounds. I heard the tap in the bathroom turn off, and Kuro-san stepped out.

Kuro: "They have ten minutes left."

…

The dripping, by now, had stopped. The puddle that formed below began to darken, filling in the gaps of the tiled floor. The cool breeze seeping through the closed door passed through two pairs of feet, and one pair of paws.

The rabbit, and the two humans.

Itogaya: "Then, we should start as such."

Itogaya: "Can you, once again, raise your right… paw, to confirm you understand what I am saying?"

And like it did before, the rabbit raised its right paw slowly, whilst continuously throwing its pupils back and forth, against the two humans.

Itogaya: "...Ok."

Letting out a sigh, though not one of relief, Itogaya-san accepted the challenge in front of him.

The rabbit hadn't yet settled, having its legs in a position where it could quickly escape through the upper window, though not without further injuring itself. It understood too, that neither party could afford to shed more blood.

But… if the rabbit, for even a moment, thought it could take both humans down without so much as a scratch…

Itogaya: "I can treat your wounds, in exchange for some of the supplies you took from the reception."

Itogaya: "But first, I need to determine your wounds. Can you present them to me?"

The rabbit blinked, and began to stand; albeit slowly. It began pointing at the affected areas on its body, which included its right eye and arm (courtesy of Daikubara-san), and waist.

While it did so, Konsako-san looked nervously towards Itogaya-san. Although it was his idea, he couldn't help but grow anxious… though it was understandable, considering their previous altercation.

Itogaya: "Can I inspect your body?"

In an instant, the rabbit shot back down. The fast movement forced it into a coughing fit, but not once did it remove its eyes from the two.

Itogaya: "...Then I can't help you."

Forcing blood out of its mouth, the rabbit began to clench its fist, as it stared tirelessly into the doctor's eyes.

Konsako Akihi: "Wait, how about you… just have it follow your movements?"

Itogaya: "What?"

Konsako Akihi: "If you raise your right arm, it raises its own. That way, you can properly inspect the injuries without invading its space."

The doctor wasn't used to patients putting up such a fight, but he had no choice other than to adapt.

In the following minutes, he began to inspect the rabbit's wounds from a distance, by having it follow along to his movements. The pulling of the eyelids, the moving of the arms' joints, and the showcasing of its waist injury.

He squinted again and again, furrowing his eyebrows as he stared at the rabbit's wounds.

And, after that time passed… he sat down once more, closed his eyes and…

Konsako Akihi: "Itogaya-sensei?"

Itogaya: "Hyphema in the right eye, infection likely."

Itogaya: "Right arm, fractured bone; with how the joint is moving, it's likely the humerus that's suffered the blow."

Itogaya: "Puncture wound to the internal oblique muscle, likely reached the small intestine. Infection undeniable."

He then stood up, and began searching the staff room top to bottom.

Itogaya: "Konsako-kun, to your right. Toss it to me."

Konsako Akihi: "Oh, sure."

He caught the packet and began to read the details.

Itogaya: "Rabbit, can you read?"

It slowly raised its right paw.

Itogaya: "Follow the instructions on the back. This is for your eye."

He tossed it to the rabbit who quickly caught it.

Itogaya: "You need a splint for your arm. You can use a table leg."

Itogaya: "As for your waist, you would benefit most from resting for the next… however long."

Itogaya: "Find someplace safe, that won't require you to move around too much. Prop your legs up on something so they're above your chest. You'll need that blood flow."

Itogaya: "Keep the wound clean and redress it every so often. You're suffering internal bleeding, but the puncture to your intestine is likely minute. It should heal by itself given time."

Before speaking his next word, Itogaya-san's eyes grew in concern for the quickest second, before falling back down.

Itogaya: "As for infections, they won't settle in until later. For now, don't eat, don't drink. And keep pressure on the wound, that way you only have to worry about internal bleeding."

Itogaya: "Oh, and take these antibiotics."

The doctor continued, likely to find out what the rabbit could and couldn't understand.

And as his diagnosis came to a close, Konsako-san moved towards Itogaya-san, so the rabbit could quickly leave through the staff door. In seconds, it was gone, the pitter patter of its footsteps fading into the town's fog.

The two had no words to share. They collected from the room what they needed, and made their way to the apartment.

The altercation was less than conceivable, and yet… it pumped the blood through Konsako-san's body even faster.

For a reason he couldn't understand… he was excited.

…

Itogaya: "We don't need the ten minutes."

The doctor grinned, pushing the door open.

Ishimasu Kanana: "Sensei!"

Kuro: "..."

Itogaya: "We're alive."

Itogaya: "Sorry you had to wait, Kobayashi-kun."

Kobayashi Amano: "...You better be."

The doctor approached me, my right arm raised above my head for some time to keep my blood flowing properly.

Itogaya: "I'll discuss everything I need to, in the next few moments… but for now, I'll have to ask the rest of you to leave me alone with Kobayashi-kun."

Konsako Akihi: "Why?"

Itogaya: "I'll explain later, but… don't drink from the taps. If you need to wash your hands, use the water bottles from the store."

Itogaya: "Understand?"

Konsako Akihi: "We'll wait outside."

Itogaya: "Thank you."

…

The three stood outside the apartment, with Kuro-san watching the stairs closely.

Ishimasu Kanana: "I'm happy you're okay."

Ishimasu Kanana: "When you talked about the rabbit, I thought you were going crazy… but it worked, didn't it?"

Konsako Akihi: "It worked, thanks to Itogaya-sensei. I didn't do anything."

Ishimasu Kanana: "But you knew it could work… how?"

Konsako Akihi: "I didn't… I didn't, but… it just came to me. I've seen a lot of blood being spilt today, but it only occurred to me then, that maybe it wasn't our only option."

Ishimasu Kanana: "You're really helpful."

Ishimas Kanana: "...Unlike me."

And expecting to once again be met with silence, the girl held back her tears, as if she wasn't allowed to share them.

…But, a gentle hand placed itself on her shoulder.

Konsako Akihi: "No one should be hurt. No matter what, no one should have to bleed."

Konsako Akihi: "And if there's a choice… a choice that can keep that from happening, I want to make it."

Ishimasu Kanana: "Even if you hurt yourself?"

Konsako Akihi: "I'd like to avoid that, definitely. But sometimes there isn't a choice."

Konsako Akihi: "You can make choices too, Ishimasu-chan. So that means you can be helpful."

Ishimasu Kanana: "But your choices are always more important than mine, cus' I never get a say in anything."

Konsako Akihi: "They're not more important. You're just agreeing with those choices, even if you don't like them."

Konsako Akihi: "We can't force you to do anything, but you understand what we're doing is best for you too, that's why you're agreeing, isn't it?"

She pouted.

Konsako Akihi: "You don't want to worry anyone, huh?"

He walked towards the complex's window, as the night sky stayed put, and began to rest his palm against the cold glass.

Konsako Akihi: "But no amount of worry can compare to the pain you feel through loss."

Konsako Akihi: "So I'll choose to worry about you everyday, instead of wishing I could."

The mask he wore was no longer on, as he painted his face with a big smile, his blue eyes hiding behind closed eyelids.

And, the girl began to share her tears.

…Although this sky doesn't change, we can.