Chapter "Lost In The Fog"

Hisashi was being rushed to the emergency room, surrounded by Hanae and a team of doctors. He lay unconscious on the stretcher, his wounds deep and the sheets soaked in blood.

Hanae was crying her tears dropping om Hisashi, Doctors then hurriedly took Hisashi inside the room while Hanae stood outside crying, she stumbles on the chair nearby crying, she then swiftly shifted her gaze towards the room and with determined steps, she rushed to the door and peered inside through the glass window. She watched anxiously as the doctors worked frantically on Hisashi, who appeared unresponsive, his heartbeat coming in slow, erratic waves.

Hanae, disheartened and overwhelmed, fell to her knees, her tears flowing as she continued to cry…..

Inside the hospital, Subaru ran forward, his breaths heavy and his eyes filled with tears. As he rushed down the corridor, he saw Hanae sitting by the emergency room doors, her face buried in her knees.

Subaru came to a stop near her, breathing heavily. Between gasps, he managed to say, "Hanae? What happened?" his voice filled with concern.

Hanae slowly looked up at him, her eyes red and her face marred with wounds. Seeing her condition, Subaru's concern deepened. He swiftly knelt in front of her, "What happened?” he gently asked again.

Overcome with emotion, Hanae threw herself into Subaru’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Subaru, stunned, looked on with eyes filled with deep concern and disbelief.

Subaru gently patted the back of Hanae's head, whispering, "Don’t worry, everything will be fine," as he returned her embrace. They held each other tightly, Hanae's cries echoing the scene……

Hanae sat in a chair, her expression blank and her gaze downcast. Meanwhile, Subaru paced restlessly, his anxiety evident in his every step.

The emergency room doors opened, and the doctors stepped out. Subaru and Hanae hurried forward to meet them. “Doctor, how is he? Is he going to be okay?” Subaru asked, his voice trembling with concern.

The doctor, wearing a somber expression, placed a comforting hand on Subaru’s shoulder and said, “It doesn’t look good for him.” Subaru and Hanae’s eyes widened in disbelief, their faces stricken with shock.

Subaru, visibly stunned, stammered, “W-What do you mean, doctor?”

The doctor continued, “He has lost too much blood, and, more critically, his brain has suffered severe damage.” Subaru and Hanae's eyes widened in horror and disbelief.

“His treatment will continue overnight,” the doctor added. “This night is critical for his survival; please keep him in your prayers.” With a reassuring pat on Subaru's shoulder, the doctor walked away.

Tears welled up in Hanae's eyes, her emotions overwhelming her as she sank to her knees, her silent sobs echoing in the hallway. Subaru stood beside her, his own eyes brimming with tears, a picture of shared anguish…...

At sunrise, Hanae sat in a hospital chair, her face a mask of emptiness. Her eyes were red and swollen, and she stared vacantly upwards, leaning heavily against the back of the chair.

“Hanae,” Subaru called gently, but she didn't respond, her gaze fixed upwards.

Subaru, his eyes red and swollen with sadness, added softly, “Hanae, you should eat something.”

Hanae slowly shook her head, her gaze fixed upwards. “I can’t eat,” she said softly.

Subaru’s face hardened with fury as he clenched his fists. “Who did this?” he demanded. Hanae remained silent, her anguish palpable.

“Hanae, who did this?” Subaru asked again, his voice low but seething with anger.

“Ryugari-Sha,” Hanae finally whispered, her voice barely audible.

Subaru’s eyes widened, his heart racing as he clenched his fists, his face contorted with rage and his eyes blazing with fury. “Ryugari-Sha,” he whispered, his voice a tight, controlled snarl. As he turned to leave, he was abruptly halted. Glancing back, he saw Hanae gripping his hand, her gaze pleading with him.

“Where are you going?” Hanae asked, her voice steady.

“To the Ryugari-Sha Dojo,” Subaru answered, his voice taut with determination.

“What do you plan to do once you’re there?” she inquired, her tone calm but probing. Subaru turned to her, his face a mix of confusion and anger.

“Are you planning to just leave that dojo?” she asked, deepening Subaru’s confusion. “Do you think that will have any impact on them? Or do you intend to confront them, even though you know you can’t stand a chance against any of them?”

Subaru’s expression hardened with anger. “I will leave that dojo,” he said resolutely. “I refuse to be part of a dojo that tried to kill my friend.”

“Oh, I see,” Hanae said. “So, you’ll leave their dojo and forfeit your career and your chance to compete in the Almighty Tournament. Do you really think the person you’re doing this for will appreciate your sacrifice?”

Subaru's eyes were heavy with thoughts and sadness. “Subaru, together we will win the Almighty Tournament” The echo of Haruto's voice reverberated in his mind, causing tears to well up as he struggled with the weight of his choices.

“Subaru!” the doctor called out. Instantly, Hanae and Subaru turned towards him, their expressions a blend of anxiety and anticipation.

They hurried over and positioned themselves in front of the doctor.

“How is he?” Hanae asked, her voice laden with worry.

A slight smile appeared on the doctor’s face. “Congratulations, he’s out of danger now,” he announced, eliciting a look of relief from both Hanae and Subaru.

However, the doctor’s smile quickly faded, replaced by a somber expression that did not go unnoticed by Hanae and Subaru.

“Doctor, is there something else?” Subaru asked, his tone growing serious.

The doctor nodded solemnly. “Let’s discuss this in my office,” he said, leading the way. Hanae and Subaru exchanged worried glances before following him.

Once in the office, the doctor took a seat behind his desk while Subaru and Hanae settled in the chairs in front of him.

“It’s true that Hisashi is out of immediate danger,” the doctor began, “but his brain has suffered severe damage. It’s remarkable that he’s pulled through; he’s truly a fighter. At one point, it was feared he might enter a persistent vegetative state (PVS), which is a prolonged coma.” As the doctor spoke, both Hanae and Subaru's eyes widened in disbelief and concern.

“But there’s no need to worry; he’s awake now,” the doctor quickly clarified, easing some of Hanae’s and Subaru’s concerns.

“However, he has faced some effects,” the doctor added.

“What kind of effects, exactly?” Subaru asked gently.

With a sorrowful expression, the doctor announced, “He has lost all of his memories.”

Hanae and Subaru’s eyes widened in shock, their faces reflecting their stunned disbelief. Tears began to well up in Hanae’s eyes as she covered her mouth in grief. Memories of Hisashi—when he had placed an anklet on her ankle, Haruto’s reassuring smile, their moments together, and the bouquet of flowers and hairpin Haruto had given her—all flooded her mind. Overcome by the weight of her emotions, Hanae burst into tears, her anguish palpable.

Subaru sat frozen, his mouth agape in disbelief. His eyes widened as his heart seemed to slow, the gravity of the news weighing heavily on him…..