Accident - Volume 2

A/N: I simplified the medical stuff in this chapter for clarity.

The dim light of the morgue cast a hauntingly eerie glow as if warning of the dead that lay within the walls. A creaking door or careful footsteps occasionally broke the silence, further heightening the sense of dread.

Natsuo's blank stare was stuck on the corpse covered in a white sheet. His breath came in short, shallow gasps as he took in the sight before him, unable to accept the tragedy that had happened a couple of days ago.

A sinking feeling seized him as the morgue attendant pulled back the sheet, revealing the face of a frail, bruised face.

A person stepped next to him, gently squeezing his wrist with a warm touch. He turned to meet deep and compassionate brown eyes behind a pair of glasses.

"Let me help you arrange the funeral," his biological mother said in a soft voice.

He was silent for a moment, before finally managing to whisper a quiet thank you.

"It's still possible for him to survive," Saika said calmly.

His throat felt tight and dry after he had argued with the nurse in the ICU, so he didn't have the strength to speak anymore. He was not allowed to enter because he was not an official family and they didn't have a partnership certificate. Despite his anger and frustration, Natsuo asked about the condition of his loved one before agreeing to leave.

"Very critical," was her hesitant and nervous answer.

Jiro was not among the three casualties of the shocking chain-reaction crash that started when another vehicle skidded on black ice. Natsuo had read in the news that a steel-colored sports car had been crushed so badly that the driver had to be cut out and taken to emergency surgery. The passenger in that car died instantly.

"Rest in peace, Kyoko..." Natsuo thought as he lifted the sheet back up and wiped away the tears that had started to form in the corner of his eyes.

(Two days later)

The hours were indistinguishable stretches of time. Natsuo had isolated himself in a cheap motel near the hospital, closing the curtains and curling up in bed.

He wanted to be alone, to grieve in peace and quiet. His solitude was disrupted only by the occasional sound of ambulances and police sirens, which were a harsh reminder of the world outside his room.

The thoughts in his head were a tangled mess, his emotions a wild sea of uncertainty. His mind was constantly running, going over the events of the past few days and all the possibilities that could have been.

The hospital's increased security systems made it difficult for Yoshio to retrieve Jiro's patient records. Natsuo had been holding his phone every waking hour, hoping that a notification would pop up and he would finally know what condition Jiro was in.

A number called him as he stared at the screen of his phone.

"I'm coming to Tokyo with Rei. Where are you?" Hide worriedly asked as he answered the call. Natsuo was able to tell from the background noise that he was in a car.

He was taken aback by the sudden phone call. Natsuo had texted Hide to let him know that Jiro had been in a car accident and they couldn't attend school for now, but he didn't see them coming all the way there.

"You don't need to do that," he answered hoarsely.

"How is he?" Hide questioned, ignoring what he said.

"I don't know. They won't let me see him..."

"We'll be there by evening. Tell me where you are."

Natsuo stared at the stain on the carpet as he held the phone to his ear. He had grown used to carrying the burden of his struggles alone or with Jiro by his side, but he had yet to experience the support and encouragement of a group of friends.

"Are you there?"

"I'm at the motel..." he finally said quietly, giving him the address.

"Okay. See you tonight."

As Natsuo lowered the phone he suddenly felt dizziness sweep over him. He grew anxious as he realized that he hadn't taken his medication for quite some time - and that there could be consequences as a result.

A long-awaited notification appeared on his screen just as he swallowed one pill.

The shake in his hand made it difficult for him to read the tiny font on his phone. His heart raced as he opened the document of Jiro's medical records that Yoshio had sent him. He tried to steady his trembling hand, but the adrenaline coursing through his veins made it nearly impossible to focus on the words in front of him.

Anamnesis... brought by helicopter, patient sedated and intubated onsite, cervical spine supported.

Imaging scans revealed three vertebral fractures, a hip fracture, and a minor fracture of the left humerus.

The screen of his phone became smeared with warm tears as he read further medical terms, tests, and results, blurring the sentences before him.

Brain contusion, internal bleeding. Directly taken to emergency surgery. A defibrillator was used twice.

A pang of panic filled Natsuo as he read further, knowing that his deepest fears had been realized. His hands shook even more as he struggled to comprehend the severity of the situation, tears spilling down his cheeks as he tried to process everything.

He scrolled to the end of the long page.

Reoperations with specialists are planned in the future. The patient has been anesthetized in the intensive care unit.

Signed by Masashi Nakashima, chief of the surgical department and senior physician.

The phone fell to the floor with a big thud as his fingers turned numb. His heart pounded even more as he scrambled to pick up the phone, feeling a deep sense of unease in the pit of his stomach.

The man he despised throughout his entire existence saved the life of the person that mattered the most. He found it strange to be grateful to someone he had always held a grudge against.

In order to gain a complete understanding of everything, he scrolled up again and began to read it again.

(Later that evening)

A knock on the door caused Natsuo to look up from his phone screen. Throughout the hours that followed, he studied Jiro's medical documents from lab tests to nurses' notes.

Hide held their luggage beside Rei as they stood behind the door, both of them having emotional expressions on their solemn faces.

Rei threw her arms around him, tears glistening in her eyes as they embraced in a long, comforting hug.

"You didn't have to come all the way here," Natsuo muttered as she drew herself away and gazed at him with a look of sorrow in her eyes.

"That's what friends are for," Rei said and gave him a small, gentle smile in an attempt to reassure him.

"I can pay you for a better hotel," Natsuo replied, acknowledging that his current accommodation smelled a bit too musty.

"No need, this place has its charm," Rei answered as she glanced at the tattered walls and worn-out flooring.

"Do you have any news about him?" Hide asked as he closed the door and lowered their suitcase.

"He is alive, but..." Natsuo began, his voice strained with stress.

"And that's all that matters for now," Rei said sweetly and rubbed his arms.

"I'm going to get some food for us. See you a bit later," Hide announced and disappeared into the hallway again.

"Well, I suppose there's nothing left to do now but wait," Rei sighed.

(Later that night)

As there was only one more room available at the motel, Hide stayed with Natsuo and let Rei have her privacy.

They felt a strange connection as they lay on their beds, not speaking, but sensing each other's presence in the dark.

"I understand what you are going through," Hide finally said breaking the silence.

Natsuo had finally put his phone down and glanced at him sideways.

"My parents died in a car accident. Not that I want to bring you down, but I know how it feels," he said, his squinting eyes fixed on the ceiling.

"I'm sorry," Natsuo said softly.

"I had to drop out of high school to take care of my siblings since my big brother was too busy with university."

"Where are they now?" Natsuo asked, desperate for something else to occupy his mind.

"They are staying with my grandparents since they are feeling better."

Hide could tell that Natsuo wanted to say something, but he remained silent.

"What are you thinking?" he asked, his voice a mere whisper in the stillness of the room.

"It's nothing," Natsuo lied.

"You will get through this. You are a strong person," Hide said emphasizing his support and trying to give Natsuo the assurance he needed.

His blue eyes were droopy and staring ahead. He didn't want to go through anything anymore - and he hadn't felt strong since he woke up in the mental hospital, restrained and unable to control himself.

He had transformed from being an independent, confident individual to a dependent, insecure one, relying on Jiro for purpose and direction.

And it all happened because of his love for him. His devotion was so strong that it changed the course of his life.

He put himself in danger and ended up in life-threatening situations as a result. His loyalty was so unwavering that he was willing to sacrifice his own safety and security for Jiro, regardless of the consequences.

Eventually, it cost him his sanity and nearly his life.

He was so lost in his feelings that he failed to recognize the tiny droplets of tears trickling down his cheeks as he hid under the blanket.

"Hey, it's going to be okay..." Hide whispered as he sat on his mattress and patted the sheet over his head.

Natsuo couldn't bring himself to believe him, but he felt some of his anxiety disappear as Hide kept saying comforting words and gently stroked his back...