Pieces That Don’t Fit

The sound of quiet beeping echoed softly in the white hospital room.

Kaito's eyes opened slowly. A dull pain throbbed behind them. He blinked at the ceiling, his vision unfocused, then sat up with a sudden jolt.

The images hit him all at once—blood, screams, the monster… and Yuna.

He clutched the sheets.

"Yuna..."

A voice answered from the nearby chair.

"Easy, bro. You're awake."

It was Haruto, leaning forward with a look of relief on his face.

Kaito turned to him, breath short. "Where is she? Yuna—what happened to her?"

Haruto blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, how do you even know her name?"

Kaito stared at him. "Just tell me, Haruto!"

"You've been out for two days," Haruto said slowly. "You collapsed screaming after… after whatever happened. But the first thing you say when you wake up is about a girl you never talk to? It's weird, man. I'm calling your mom and Mr. Hayashi."

Kaito didn't respond. His mind spun.

Moments later, his mother rushed in with Mr. Hayashi and the doctor.

The checkup went quickly. The doctor smiled and said, "He's stable. He can leave tomorrow."

Kaito didn't wait. He turned to Mr. Hayashi.

"Where's Yuna?" he asked, his voice shaking.

There was a pause.

Mr. Hayashi exchanged a glance with Kaito's mother, then finally spoke.

"She's in this hospital too. Still unconscious."

Kaito's chest tightened.

"Was she hurt… during the attack?"

Mr. Hayashi frowned. "What attack? Kaito… she was hit by a car on her way home."

Kaito froze.

A car accident?

His hands gripped the bedsheets. His voice trembled. "That's not… what happened."

Mr. Hayashi gave a tired sigh. "You're still recovering. Let's not talk about this now."

A nurse stepped in and gently urged everyone out. "He needs to rest."

Haruto turned to leave, but paused at the door.

"Oh right—" He pulled something from his pocket and handed it to Kaito. "You were clutching this when they brought you in. I kept it safe. Here."

Kaito stared at the item in his palm.

It was a silver locket—familiar, delicate, and warm.

Yuna's locket.

"Get better soon," Haruto said with a grin. "We'll throw a party when you're out."

Night fell. The room was quiet again.

Kaito lay staring at the ceiling, the locket clutched in his hand.

A car accident? That's what they all remember?

He turned the locket over, remembering the moment it had fallen—when the monster's sword struck Yuna, and the locket slipped from her neck, landing by his leg as she hit the ground.

Why don't they remember?"

Then it hit him.

Yuna.

She was here. In this hospital. Right now.

Kaito pulled the covers off and stood up too fast, his knees buckling. He stumbled, caught himself on the wall, and forced his way down the corridor. He didn't care about the pain.

He found her room after checking two others.

There she was—lying still, her face pale, machines beeping softly beside her.

Kaito stepped in quietly. He stared at her, and his heart ached.

A tear slipped from one eye. Then another.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I couldn't protect you."

He sat beside her, clutching the locket. Then, gently, he placed it in her hand.

"Please… wake up."

Just then, the nurse appeared again. "Kaito! You shouldn't be out of bed."

She helped him up and guided him back to his room.

The next morning, he was discharged.

But his heart stayed behind.

With the girl who remembered the same nightmare—and who still hadn't woken up.

End of Chapter .