Imminent Death (2)

Pulling the car into the parking lot, my father first contacted doctor Trisha via his phone. After which, we supported Liliath into the main lobby where she waited.

"This is bad," the doctor grimaced.

Instructing us with a follow-up, we brought Liliath to a private hospitalization room with a number of machines hanging around. It was a single room that looked like the kind used by big shots you would see in dramas. Furnished with a small table, couches and indoor plants.

We were asked to wait outside while the doctor examined Liliath's condition.

Sitting on the bench with my father beside me, I waited in silence.

"This isn't a coincidence isn't it.." I said.. not particularly to anyone since my mood had hit rock bottom.

I totally wasn't expecting this. It's not every day someone close to you gets hospitalized you know?

I don't really know how to put this feeling into words— dread? Was this dread? Liliath won't die, right?

Heroines don't die, right?

Calm down Noel. There must be some logical explanation to this..

But what if there isn't one?

Taking what my father said into account, what if Liliath's arrival cities the start of a story-like setting? Like how a protagonist's story starts when they are thrown into an 'isekai'? Could my TALENT be something like that? Having me go through these sorts of ups and downs— the nonsensical drama where I, the protagonist, has to go through a bunch of emotional roller coasters?

What is my TALENT?

"Maybe," I bit my lips.

"Noel, heads up."

"Hm?"

I reacted just in time to catch the package my father threw at me. Food, sushi?

"You haven't eaten yet haven't you?" he sat beside me, sipping his can of coffee he probably bought from some vending machine.

"Ah. yeah. Thanks.."

Right.. what time was it? 8 o'clock? How long has it been since Liliath was admitted? The doctor hadn't come out of the room.

"I understand you're having a hard time but… you gotta still eat you know? Overthinking doesn't really help anything." My father advised with a smile.

Yeah. It's not just me.. everyone is having a hard time too huh? Liliath, being the one in the worst position.

I opened the packet of sushi. Disposable bamboo chopsticks were included— reminding me that Liliath still cheats her way with chopstick etiquette.

"By the way, Liliath can use magic right? Can't she heal herself?"

"Apparently, it doesn't work that way in her world.."

I stuffed the sushi in my mouth and chewed on it.

Tasteless.

Bland.

Tears.

Yeah.. emotions affect taste a lot.

"Wow, Noel. Get a grip of yourself." my father said in an astonished tone.

Wiping my tears with the sleeve of my shirt, I replied, "I know.."

I'm weak. Really weak… how deplorable..

Unlike Liliath or my father, my emotions are easily swayed by external events. I understand emotions are emotions and that external events aren't the main cause of emotions..

My father taught me this analogy once:

If a plate of delicious food was presented to you, it would make you hungry— If, you were hungry. If that same plate of food was presented to you when you were full— you probably won't feel hungry.

Food represents the 'external events' while hunger represents one's 'emotions'.

Food isn't the root cause, hunger is— emotions are the root cause.

Though the presentation of food makes the hunger worse, it wouldn't be otherwise if the hunger was solved.

That said… I can't help it.

This premonition...

Liliath won't die— right? She'll be alright.. right? Right?

A heroine won't just die like that right?

Finishing my meal, doctor Trisha came out of the room to tell us that her condition was stabilized. As of the moment, she said she can't be sure if her diagnosis was correct but— it had something to do with Liliath's lack of immunity against pathogens.

In any case, we were allowed to visit her in the room. Well— visiting hours were limited to 10 pm usually but for whatever reason, the doctor said that we can stay with her for the night.

My father and I locked gazes.

What did this mean?

Liliath was sleeping on bed, her dress had been changed to a pale green hospital gown.

An IV drip attached to her wrist; a tube connected to her nose, a machine reading her heartbeat and breathing; she was sleeping soundly.

"Her condition is unusual, and may fluctuate from time to time so if you see any abnormality, don't hesitate to press the call bell. The nurses will come every now and then to check in on her condition."

"Doctor, is it normal for patients to be admitted to a single room? No right?" my father asked.

I'm sure he's thinking about the hospital bills. At least— that's what I guessed. The bills should be a pretty hefty one.

"It was arranged beforehand, in a way— you could say I was specially assigned to deal with your case…" doctor Trisha said in a faraway tone, "It's a government secret, anyways, it's my duty to make sure she recovers."

"Government secret huh? How sketchy.."

Doctor Trisha flattened her lips, it looked like a meek smile.

Watching Liliath sleeping, it wasn't long before my mom and Novelle came into the room. My father had notified them of Liliath's condition and with the second car, they drove over.

"Big sister will be alright right?" Novelle asked with teary eyes.

"I'll do the best I can for her recovery," the doctor said with a smile.

"Ah, you two haven't eaten right?"

"I got something for Noel a little while ago?"

"How about yourself dear?"

"I had my fill with coffee.. plus, I'm not really in the mood to eat anyways."

"Please take care of yourself too dear."

"Got it, got it."

My mind was blank. Just because Liliath's condition is stable currently doesn't mean she's safe.. yet. Anything can happen.

"Noel."

"Hm?"

"I can understand your sentiments as a summoner but please be at ease, she'll be fine," the doctor asserted.

"Yeah.. thank you doctor.."

Her remarks.. it helps.. I guess? I'm a little bit more relieved.. in a sense.. maybe.

I'm too confused to really say I'm alright in an emotional sense.

*

"Stay safe, good night, I'll come back again tomorrow morning," my father said, holding the little depressed Novelle's hand.

"Good night, safe driving."

"Good night, see you tomorrow."

And with that, they left for home.

It was getting late, my sister was drifting off to sleep. It was decided that my mom and I will stay back in the hospital to watch out for Liliath.

I couldn't really bring myself to return.. I'm grateful my parents took that into consideration. Really grateful..

I can't believe myself.. I'm.. I'm responsible for this right?

But there's nothing I can do about this right?

These sorts of thoughts assailed me as I continued watching Liliath in her sleep.

I wonder how she is doing? I wonder what she's dreaming about?

Novelle did tell me before that when Liliath first arrived, she had nightmares almost every night.

Though I never questioned Liliath about what she saw— it had to be something really painful.

Liliath will be alright..

Right.. I have to believe that everything will turn out alright.

I closed my eyes.