Patient - Volume 2

Two female nurses exchanged whispers behind the closed door. They were wary to enter the room, as the patient's tattoos and damaged finger were a sign of his criminal past. The two nurses shared a look of hesitation, but then one of them slowly opened the door and stepped into the room.

The patient had been in a sedated state for the last few days but was finally awake and aware of his surroundings. He looked at the two nurses with a pleading expression, his voice trembling as he asked if he could leave.

The dark-haired patient had been in an extremely desperate condition a few days back, pouring opioids down his throat in an attempt to escape the pain he was feeling. His vision was already blurred when he picked up a message from his missing fiancé. He was able to call for an ambulance before losing consciousness and the paramedics managed to take him to the hospital in time to save his life.

His only thought was to get to the love of his life and be with him once more, even when he had no strength to move. However, adrenaline kicked in and he felt a renewed sense of strength, an urge to fight for his life and his loved one.

(Elsewhere at the same time)

Natsuo had been lying in bed under the duvet for the past few days, isolating himself from the outside world. He had been struggling to come to terms with the events that had unfolded in the past week.

The curtains were drawn shut and the only source of light was the dim glow of a single lamp in the corner. Natsuo had rarely ventured out of the room, preferring to remain in the darkness of his own thoughts and memories.

The door got slightly open and his mother peeked inside, asking what he wanted to eat. Natsuo didn't hear her at first, but when his mother repeated herself again, he just shook his head without looking at her and rolled over.

Saika sighed and looked at him worriedly. She had been trying to reach out and comfort him ever since he arrived, but he had been avoiding her.

Natsuo scrolled through his messages, a wave of sadness and longing washed over him as he read the texts his boyfriend had sent him in the past. He hadn't heard from him since they argued about breaking up and Natsuo had tried to contact him multiple times, but all his attempts had been met with silence.

"Maybe we should go for a walk?" Saika proposed after she opened the curtains, letting bright light flood into the room.

Natsuo was startled by the sudden movement and he looked down to see his cat curled up beside him, purring softly. He smiled sadly and gently ran his hand over her spotted fur.

"Well... there is one place I would like to visit..." Natsuo murmured in a hoarse voice.

(A while later)

Natsuo stared at the carved letters of Ayumi's name on the tombstone. He was wearing a black sweatshirt, the hood pulled up to cover his face as he knelt down in front of the grave.

"Can you please show up when I need you...?"

Natsuo had no more tears left to pour. He was emotionally exhausted after crying tears of sadness and disappointment for days. His eyes were blank as he stared at the gravestone, lost in thought.

The winter weather was frigid and a chill ran through Natsuo's body as he let the wind blow through him, the cold air seeping through his sweater and into his skin.

"You haunted me when I didn't even ask... now that I need you, you don't bother?" Natsuo asked as he clenched his jaw.

His breathing started to quicken as his anger and frustration grew. He balled his hands into fists and slammed them against the frosty ground, his voice rising in pitch as he screamed.

"Why don't you come out now that I need a friend?!"

She had been the only friend Natsuo had ever been able to rely on. He had been haunted by Ayumi's ghost in the past, appearing to him unexpectedly in his moments of despair. But now, when he wanted actually to see her and speak to her, she didn't seem to care enough to show up.

Natsuo collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain as the realization that Jiro had abandoned him hit him. He curled up in a ball, wrapping his arms around his knees and letting out a deep, shaking sigh.

"Please haunt me now... I won't fight back..."

Saika watched from afar as his son slumped down, his voice cracking as he shouted out to the grey sky. He glanced at his husband Isao with a look of sympathy and understanding, before walking up to Natsuo and placing a hand on his shoulder.

She gently helped him stand up, supporting his weight as he slowly rose from the ground. He clung to her as she held him in a comforting embrace and rubbed his back.

(Later that day)

Saika stood at the sink, washing the dishes as Isao dried them and put them away. As they worked, Isao glanced at his wife and noticed the look of concern in her eyes.

"Did he take the medication as prescribed?" Isao asked. He was a large man with a mustache and his strong frame was a stark contrast to Saika's small stature.

"Yes. I have been giving them to him every morning," Saika answered. She had seen firsthand Natsuo's breakdown and she knew that his emotional state was fragile, as she had witnessed it in the past as well.

Their white kitchen had a large window looking out onto their snow-covered garden, the light streaming in and filling the space. The room was cozy yet spacious, providing a calm atmosphere for the couple to work together in peace after their dinner. Natsuo had returned to his bedroom without eating anything, leaving the couple alone in the kitchen.

"It is your responsibility now to do what is best for him," Isao said, his voice stern but gentle.

Saika understood that now better than ever before. She had made the mistake of giving him to adoption, but now she wanted to do everything in her power to make sure he had the support he needed.

"You are right. I'll go talk to him."

Saika dried her hands and walked up the stairs, the burden of her son's health heavy on her heart. She paused outside his bedroom door, taking a deep breath before pushing it open and stepping inside.

Natsuo was sitting on his futon with a blanket draped over his shoulders and his phone screen casting a faint blue glow on his serious face.

"Would you like to be admitted to the psychiatric hospital?"

"No."

Saika was taken aback by his sudden answer, her eyebrows rising in surprise. Natsuo's expression turned desperate as he looked at his mother.

"Please don't make me go back," he said quietly.

Saika could see fear in his expression. She settled next to him and gently stroked his hair as she held him in her arms.

"Seems like you're not feeling well. Why don't we get a doctor's appointment at least?"

Natsuo's gaze fell on his phone again, waiting to hear from his partner. Saika noticed exhaustion in her son's eyes and the dark circles forming under them. She knew he hadn't been sleeping much, the stress of his current situation weighing heavily on him. Rather than eating anything, he chose to make himself a cup of coffee and nibble on crackers every now and then.

"We'll make sure you get help."

His head nodded in agreement as he put down the phone and leaned against his mother's shoulder.

Saika smiled softly, her heart warmed by her son's response. She gave him one last hug before standing up and guiding him to the futon.

"Try to get some sleep first," she said. Natsuo sank onto the mattress and his mother tucked the blanket over him, watching him with a fond smile as he closed his eyes.

(A couple of days later)

A man quickly made his way through past crowds of people, his long coat flapping behind him. He ran down the stairs, two steps at a time, while announcements about the departing train echoed around the station.

He looked around frantically, searching for the platform number he needed. His eyes spotted it at the far end of the station and he quickly made his way toward it.

The man ran as fast as he could, his feet pounding against the pavement as he dashed toward the train. With a last burst of energy, the man managed to jump inside the train just as the doors slammed shut.

His face was sweaty as he walked to his seat, holding a phone and a couple of papers in his hand. He was breathing heavily and his heart was racing from the rush of hormones that had coursed through his body.

As the train slowly pulled away from the station, the announcement of its departure for Tokyo began to play over the loudspeaker.

His fingers trembled as he typed a brief message letting his spouse know he was on his way. He sent it before leaning back into his seat and closing his eyes, exhaling a sigh of relief...