RABBIT 19: Hōgō

Two hours prior to Ishimasu-chan's disappearance:

Itogaya: "Are you familiar with suturing, Kuro-kun?"

Kuro: "As in stitching?"

Re-opening one of the few first-aid kits, Itogaya-sensei set out a focused inventory on the circular desk. This consisted of disposable gloves, two needles, scissors, forceps, as well as multiple thin black threads so long they could likely reach both ends of the room.

Itogaya: "Stitching, mm. Particularly, do you think you are capable of suturing mine and Kobayashi-kun's wounds?"

Kuro: "Is there enough time for that?"

Itogaya: "The bleeding hasn't stopped. It's blocked, which means suturing is a requirement if we want to move forward. Time is a threat whether you act for it or against it."

Having taken a closer inspection of Kobayashi-san's injuries, Itogaya-sensei was able to determine two things:

The punctures on both arms from the fox's teeth had only broken past the fat; it likely hadn't reached the muscle, and if it had it wouldn't have done very much damage.

And the punctures on her waist from the claws, had undeniably pierced the muscle. It would take far longer to heal, but recovery was more than possible.

Itogaya-sensei suffered similarly to the arm, nothing causing alarm. The set of lacerations across his back were slight, likely only touching the fat. The waist, however, had suffered lacerations that reached the muscle, barely piercing it.

Both had suffered similar injury to the 'external oblique', but Kobayashi-san alone took damage to an artery and bone. Thankfully however, that artery (ulnar) could heal on its own if it had minimal damage - and not only that, the fox had missed the two arteries close by in the forearm. If they had taken damage, Kobayashi-san would have lost enough blood to possibly kill her.

Itogaya: "It isn't difficult as long as you know what you're doing. I'd certainly prefer asking someone who isn't opposed to lending a hand, but neither Konsako-kun or Ishimasu-kun would be able to perform this task. They're bound to make a mistake."

Itogaya: "You on the other hand… are unusually composed."

Kuro: "That doesn't mean I can't make mistakes."

Itogaya: "It does mean you're less likely to."

Kobayashi Amano: "If it helps any, I'd prefer if you did it, Kuro-san."

Kobayahsi Amano: "I would've done it myself if… well."

Kuro: "Isn't there a risk I'll make your injuries worse?"

Itogaya: "Not if you know what you're doing… or someone else does."

Itogaya: "Follow my instructions carefully. Each step is important. Don't tear the gloves, we can't risk the equipment collecting bacteria."

Sat on the bed's nearby cabinet was a boiling pot, filled halfway using a water bottle. Kuro-san had placed two needles inside, leaving the liquid to clean it.

In the kitchen, he poured more bottles into another small boiling pot, heating it to the point of boil. And lifting the lid for a brief moment, the steam nearly scorching his exposed forearms, he also poured salt, allowing it to dissolve in the hot water.

Kobayashi Amano: "Is it safe to use bottled water?"

Itogaya: "According to Daikubara-kun, the 'skulk' likely resonates in the sewers, which could give them access to the town's water supply."

Itogaya: "If we're to use that running water, despite the uncertainties, we would have to distil it ourselves in order for it to be useful in a situation like this."

Kobayashi Amano: "That would take a lot longer, huh…"

Itogaya: "In comparison, the bottles sold in the convenience store are distilled, unlike most brands. We can use them, but only to a limited quantity. We have just enough for the suturing."

Moments before, Itogaya-sensei took time to explain the process of disinfecting the needles:

To begin, Kuro-san would clean the pot using bleach from the bathroom and boiling water inside the pot, before rinsing it out. A fresh bottle would be then poured into the (hopefully) disinfected pot, and boiled. With the addition of salt, this would create a saline solution.

After rinsing the needles in this sterile water, Kuro-san would reboil to the point of an attempted escape of steam from beneath the closed lid. Lifting it carefully, he'd position the needles above said steam to kill any remaining bacteria.

Twenty minutes spent boiling both pots, five minutes spent cleaning the pots and an extra fifteen minutes spent killing bacteria with steam; less than fifty minutes.

Itogaya: "Preferably, the needles would spend half an hour in the steam's path, but time remains a threat."

Kobayashi Amano: "I doubt we have to sterilise this equipment since it came from a first-aid kit, but at least with the kitchen's inventory I can understand."

Itogaya: "Kuro-kun is involving himself, albeit involuntarily. We can't allow him to risk infection, especially if he were to make a mistake and pierce his own skin."

That risk that lies in the act of stitching was the next step.

Thanks to sensei's cleaning, the wounds were in an approachable state. He couldn't irrigate the wound with limited equipment, so only an extra clean by Kuro-san was required.

As they had already been tended to, the wounds required very little cleaning by Kuro-san. Further irrigation would be helpful, but time was 'still a threat'.

Kuro: "I've washed my hands, I've replaced the gloves… can I start?"

Itogaya: "Slowly. Kobayashi-kun, resist squirming."

Kobayashi Amano: "Sure thing…"

Starting with Kobayashi-san's forearms, he commenced his makeshift operation.

Using the forceps, Kuro-san exposed both tissue and skin, opening an angle for the needle to enter and exit without complication. And using his uninjured arm, Itogaya-sensei helped hold Kobayashi-san's limb in place, as she bit hard into cloth ripped from the bed.

Individually, the puncture wounds were small, no more than half an inch wide. With finite movement and no room for error, Kuro-san was accurately walked through the operation.

Itogaya: "At this angle, the needle can enter and exit without piercing fat. I'll cut the thread myself."

Kobayashi-san took a deep breath, her eyes clenching and her feet shaking. I'm sure she wanted to kick through the floor underneath.

And under Itogaya-sensei's countdown, Kuro-san began to pierce the cleaned wound. It entered the tissue above the fat, and when it had begun to pierce the opposite side, Kuro-san twisted his hand clockwise, pushing the needle upwards. Once it had pierced outside, Kuro-san pulled the needle further until Itogaya-sensei had cut the thread. And to finish, he slowly moved the threads into position, pulling the tissues tight together, before sealing with an overhand knot.

Next, he quickly wiped the blood from Kobayashi-san's arm with cold distilled water.

Itogaya: "Before we continue, I'll confirm the quality."

Holding back her tears, Kobayashi-san continued to bite so hard into the cloth she was beginning to tear through it.

Kuro: "Well?"

Itogaya: "Mm, it's good. Messy, though the situation can't demand perfection."

Itogaya: "We'll keep this up. Two knots for each puncture wound."

In less than ten minutes, the apprentice had finished both arms; the two sets of four punctures. And although the job wasn't perfect, Itogaya-sensei found himself impressed by Kuro-san's work.

Itogaya: "At least we've confirmed we're in good hands."

Kobayashi Amano: "Ahh… is it over…?" She whimpered, spitting the cloth from out her mouth.

Itogaya: "We'll need you to lay on your side."

Laying on the side opposing the puncture, Kobayashi-san leaned against the bed's backboard for support, as Itogaya-sensei again surveyed the injuries.

Itogaya: "Kuro-kun, use the second needle."

Kobayashi Amano: "Eh? Are you sure? What about you?"

Itogaya: "...Focus on yourself for the time being."

Kobayashi Amano: "..."

Not everyone can do that so easily.

Kobayashi Amano: "K-Konsako-san…"

Itogaya: "Mm?"

Kobayashi Amano: "K-Konsako-san!"

Her voice passed through the hard wall, reaching me in an instant. I pushed the door fast open, sending the nearby equipment almost flying.

Kuro: "Watch it."

Konsako Akihi: "What is it?" I urged.

Kobayashi Amano: "Do you mind boiling water in one of the pots?"

Konsako Akihi: "Eh… okay?"

Itogaya: "Kobayashi-kun…"

Kobayashi Amano: "It's the least we can do."

The four puncture across her waist were at least an inch long, requiring four threads… meaning the needle would have to pierce-

Kobayashi Amano: "E-Eight times?"

Itogaya: "Each, give or take."

Kuro: "Keep your mouth closed. You'll distract me."

Like before, Kuro-san slowly pierced the skin at an approachable angle, allowing for the needle to move from each end of tissue. The two closest lacerations required more stitches due to the angle she'd been attacked, fiteen minutes passing before Kuro-san had sealed the knots.

After sealing the slightly more difficult wounds, Itogaya-sensei cleaned around the stitches while Kuro-san washed his hands. After spotless bandages were applied, Kobayashi-san soon stuck back on her shirt and sweater, shivering in the ruthlessly cold air of the apartment.

Kobayashi Amano: "It hurts, it hurts a lot, but… thank you, Itogaya-san, Kuro-san." Her soft voice struggled to leave.

Itogaya: "Pain is to be expected, that's what these are for."

The doctor handed her painkillers, which she downed without hesitation.

The doctor dropped a small pack of painkillers, her not hesitating to swallow the lot.

Itogaya: "Kuro-kun, I'm relieved I didn't make a mistake choosing you."

Kuro: "It isn't difficult to follow instructions."

Itogaya: "It'll take most students hours of practice to remain as calm as you on a pig's carcass, nevermind a breathing human."

Kobayashi Amano: "So, what about you Itogaya-san? We've used both needles…"

Itogaya: "We suffered the same injuries, via the fox's teeth and claws. The first needle can be used for the teeth's punctures, and the second for the claw's."

Kobayashi Amano: "We can at least clean it first."

Itogaya: "We would need to boil water again for that."

Kobayashi Amano: "Yeah, we would."

I can promise I didn't time my entrance, though it's not like anyone would believe me.

Konsako Akihi: "The boiling water's ready, do you need me to bring it in?"

Kobayashi Amano: "Thanks, Kuro-san can get it."

The doctor couldn't help but snicker with closed eyes. Laughing must hurt, but he really couldn't help it.

The needles couldn't be given the same steam treatment as before, with time only allowing us to rinse them in the boiling pot. But it was enough. It had to be enough.

That half an hour spent on Kobayashi-san ended up being shorter than the time spent on Itogaya-sensei. His wounds were a higher quantity, though thankfully not as extensive. Not only that, but Kuro-san was entirely on his own. Neither Itogaya-sensei or Kobayashi-san could physically aid him.

Itogaya: "Two minor lacerations and five punctures on the left arm. Three minor lacerations at the lower back, and two deep lacerations at the waist."

Itogaya: "Lacerations will require more time, but don't rush."

Kuro: "I won't."

Itogaya: "I'm not saying that for my own well being. If you prick your own skin, it won't do you any good."

Kuro: "I won't."

Fourty minutes passed, and the last of his lacerations were pulled shut by the tight threads. The punctures were simple enough to deal with, but the lacerations; specifically the waist, proved to be a pain.

Yet in spite of the several piercings and moving of damaged tissue, Itogaya-sensei refused to flinch, subtly intaking deep breaths without either noticing. And unlike Kobayashi-san, as the needle was inserted and extracted, Itogaya-sensei watched robotically, mercilessly, and without so much as blinking.

The overhand knots Kuro-san formed sat outside the wound; not on top, to avoid any interference with the wound itself. From the outside, it was an undeniably messy result, but one that was 'more than operable for now' (according to the doctor). The two could no longer engage in physical alterations, whether it be attacking, defending or fleeing… but it was a price to pay.

To prevent damage, they took damage.

And even if they knew of this outcome, I doubt they would've changed anything.

That's… how I feel, too.

Kobayashi Amano: "Can we really climb the gate like this? How tall is it again?"

Kuro: "Around fifteen-feet, but it won't be difficult to lift you using sheets; as long as someone can help."

Itogaya: "Konsako-kun and Ishimasu-kun can lend a hand. Speaking of which, we really need to get moving now. It's almost been two hours."

Kobayashi Amano: "I thought we might be losing track of time, but… two hours? We haven't even heard a word from the others yet."

Kobayashi Amano: "Actually, just how much time has passed all together? Have either of you been keeping track?"

Itogaya: "If I were to guess, I'd estimate-"

Kuro: "Two-hundred and ten minutes inside the apartment. One-hundred and fourty-one minutes between the escape and the power returning. One-hundred and seventy-three minutes from the power returning to now."

Kuro: "To be specific, we spent roughly one-hundred and ten minutes on this 'operation'."

Kobayashi Amano: "...Eh? Really, uh… wow."

Itogaya: "Kuro-kun… were you tracking the time while-"

He stopped.

Kobayashi-san began counting on her fingers, trying to estimate just how much time had actually passed.

Kuro: "Less than nine hours have passed."

And yet, it felt like so much less.

The concept of time doesn't seem to apply here. The sky hasn't changed, yet we still bleed. Our wounds worsen, our temperature drops as we expose ourselves to the cold.

But while the sky doesn't change… why do we?

Kuro-san, who supported Kobayashi-san with his shoulder, moved the bedroom door open with his right foot, and walked through the cluttered space of the kitchen… except-

-That space was no longer taken up by people, but only the bags and bags of supplies they couldn't even carry.

Those bags were meant to be carried; carried by the ones no longer there.

Kuro: "What now…?

Kobayashi Amano: "Um… Konsako-san?"

The boiling pot had already cooled.

Itogaya: "..."

Walking past the two, who had almost tripped over one another in pause, the doctor pushed the doors to the bathroom and restroom in search of what wasn't there.

And as he learned that, he had to accept it… and as he accepted it, he couldn't help but bite down on his cold pale lips, drawing a fresh stream of red.

Lost in the rain, lost in this town… it's the same thing. My body can only push so far, but I reject its wishes to stop and breathe. I've already made up my mind.

Even if I'm alone;

Even if I have to break my body;

Even if I can't handle the punishment;

I won't let anyone else die.

"If it was only the two, then we wouldn't have an issue. But, there might be more."

Sensei's probably right… who knows just how many enemies we have in this town. And with everyone separated, we're really not helping ourselves… but I can't wait around and let someone else handle this. Not like anyone else could.

Kuro-san and the others can leave us behind if they want. I don't care. I refuse to follow them.

This… is how you felt, isn't it Ishimasu-chan? You couldn't bear not being able to help. This is my fault as much as it is theirs. But even if I understand, even if I'm the same… I have to follow you.

I dragged my leg up the steep hill leading to the apartments, the blades of grass and wet mud pulling at my shoes; but I didn't stop. Even when it pulled so hard, like chains locking me to the ground, I could only fall to the cold dark pavement, scrape the stone from my chin and get back up.

Dried puddles of blood lit by the streetlights led me to an apartment. It led from the entrance past the point of my sight, but it told me where I needed to be.

I called their names, ignoring the dark corners of the hall. A clatter rang through the floor; it had to have come from the basement.

And, I checked. Looking down the long stairway leading to the basement floor, which was lit in a moon's hue, I saw.

This smell of blood and sweat can never leave me. It's something I'll surely remember, even if I manage to leave. That was the game.

Even if we're selfless or selfish, even if we stitch our wounds, even if we do our very best… we still draw blood; those scars will remain; and the concept of death will resonate, just like that sickening stench.

"Will our blood stop flowing when our bodies are empty?"

That thought entered my mind, as I locked eyes onto a cold, unmoving body.

Even if I lose everything, I won't let anyone else die.