CHAPTER 19

NGHRNGHRNGHR!

My name is Mary Kaneko, and I’m stuck in this stupid hospital bed. Mommy and Daddy can’t come to visit me until later today, and I’m just soooo bored! Being stuck in this place is driving me crazy! I notice other kids playing outside in the courtyard from my room sometimes, but the doctors don’t allow me to go play. This is the 2nd hospital I’ve had to move to. After my last checkup with Dr. Mori a few months ago, he said I had to do some tests and talked with my parents waiting outside. I didn’t understand the big words they were saying, but Mommy and Daddy said everything will be okay. Even the nurses were saying how brave I was.

“Everything okay in here Mary-chan? Your birthday is almost coming up.”

Dr. Mori walked into my room. He looked super scary with his mustache, but he acted like a dummy. He reminded me a lot of Daddy.

“Yes, I’m turning 10! But I’m soooo bored Dr. Mori!”

He began to flip through the papers on his black clipboard. After a moment, he scratched his head and adjusted his glasses.

“I know you’re bored Mary, why don’t you read another book?”

I looked at my tiny makeshift bookshelf to the side of my bed. I put stickers all over the books that I had read, which happened to be all of them. Dr. Mori and the nurses would bring me books to read, and I was getting tired of reading manga and picture books all day. Most of my collection was from what Dr. Mori read to his daughter when she was younger though.

Why does he read her gross romantic stuff?!?

He flipped the pages on his clipboard back, and sat down at the stool next to me. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes in front of me.

“I also need you to stop trying to sneak out Mary…”

I turn around and look out into the window.

“W-Well I’m soooo bored!!!”

Dr. Mori gave a long sigh.

“Mary, I promise that you’ll only be in here a little longer. You’re showing great progress on your tests.” said Dr. Mori.

I felt sleepy. I know grown-ups like to say stuff like that, but it’s been over a month here. I had this strange feeling that Dr. Mori wasn’t telling the truth. It was like I was in jail here, trapped forever. I’d been trying to go outside when the nurses weren’t looking.

“W-whatever!”

I slam my pillow over my head. I didn’t wanna see or talk to any more grown-ups!

That settles it! I’m going to make my escape today!

It was easy to slip past the nurses! I just had to pretend I was asleep when they were off to lunch. They totally didn’t notice me jumping out of the window into the tree and climbing downwards.

I should’ve snuck out sooner!

I’m just gonna be out for a little bit, and then slip back into bed. Nobody will ever notice, haha!

“Woo-hoo!”

I started to run towards the neighborhood park that Mommy and Daddy would take me to when they weren’t busy. I loved it since they had just installed new playground equipment that would never get “rusty,” which was one of the things I read about in my books. I can come back here when I’m older and the equipment will still be new! I run as fast as I can with the small backpack behind me, flowing with the wind and finally out of the yucky hospital clothes they made me wear. Of course, I already put the gown inside my backpack, and I’ll quickly “transform” like the Masked Avenger back into my “secret identity” as a kid in a hospital bed.

I’m so cool, like the Phantom Defender!

I finally reach the park, and I had it all to myself! I was getting a little tired, but I can relax now with the swings and slides! I ran up to the long slide that seemed as tall as a mountain! Daddy would usually slide down with me, but this time I was all alone.

C-c’mon Mary! Y-you can do this!

My legs were wobbly as I climbed the flight of stairs to the top. I could see the entire playground from here. I was alone for the first time ever since being the hospital. No stupid adults, no stupid tests, and no stupid books! I don’t need anybody besides Mommy and Daddy! I sit down and prepared to slide down. I was wearing my yellow sunflower dress that Mommy gave me for my birthday. I liked it a lot since it was long enough to cover my legs, so that it wouldn’t burn when I slid down.

I can do this!

I held the sides of the slide with my hands as I scooted lower along its length. Finally, I let go.

“WOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOO!”

It was like being in a race car! I wanted to close my eyes, but I wanted to see everything zoom by as I went down the slide! I could see the entire playground get larger and larger as I was going lower and lower, until I finally reached the bottom. As I reached the end of the slide, I tucked my legs in and jumped, and landed on my feet.

“Awesom-!”

A sharp pain raced through my leg!

“Owwwwwwwww!”

It was like a giant needle poked through my skin. I fell onto my butt, grabbing my leg to try to make it feel better. It hurts so much that tears began to form in my eyes. I tried to stand, but any time I put my foot down it started to hurt. I couldn’t walk very far at this rate, and it was starting to get late. Tears began to flow out, and my nose got stuffy.

“MOMMY!!! DADDY!!! Somebody, save me!”

I’m so stupid! There was no way someone would come save me! I snuck out without anyone knowing!

I just wanted to go outside…

I couldn’t see very well since I was rubbing my eyes so hard from the tears.

“What do we have here…?”

I wipe away my tears and look up. Three boys appeared in my vision. The guy in the middle was clearly their leader. He had on a black and white striped shirt with a stupid face of a tiger on it. His two henchmen beside him looked stupid in their sagging uniforms from the nearby middle school.

“Y’know, I’ve never seen you around here girly.” said the leader.

“Y-Yeah Kanji! I’ve never seen blondie around here either.” said one of his henchmen.

They surrounded me. They weren’t here to help me.

“Aww, is baby gonna cry? We own this park, y’know. You’re going to have to pay a fee for using it…” said the leader.

I tried to hold back my fear and my tears. I didn’t want to show him I was weak, but my body was telling me otherwise.

Stay strong Mary! You don’t need any stupid adults!

I finally stood up on my feet, ignoring the pain as best I could.

“S-Shut-up you punks!” I shouted.

The three punks started to laugh at me.

“Haha! What are you going to do about it blondie?” mocked the leader.

I swung my fist at him, but the pain in my ankle was too much to bear. I fell over again onto the ground.

“N-Cice dodge Kanji!” said one of the henchmen.

I didn’t want to admit defeat, not to these idiots! It can’t end like this!

Somebody! Save me!

“H-Hey! L-Leave her alone!” said a mysterious voice.

We all turned to look in the direction of the voice, and see a boy around my age standing tall and pointing his finger at the bullies. He looked rather plain, and it seemed he was mustering up all his courage to save me.

“Get outta here kid, she’s not your problem!” said the leader.

The boy smiled at me.

“It IS my problem! Because I am a hero of justice!” said the boy.

He posed like the Masked Avenger did from the TV show. His smile somehow made me feel at ease. Even though the three bullies were way bigger than him, somehow, I believed him. The three bullies focused their attention on the boy instead, and began to walk towards him. I wanted to tell him to run away, but I was too afraid to say anything.

“You’re gonna regret those words kid!”

They started to get closer and closer to him, but the boy didn’t move back at all. Instead he stood there, with his eyes closed, bracing for impact.

R-Run…

I closed my eyes. I was expecting him to scream in pain, but there was silence. Instead, I heard footsteps running in the opposite direction. I opened my eyes to see the three bullies run away from the boy. Now they were scared.

W-What happened?!?

I looked over to the boy and saw another boy standing next to him. That boy was taller and bigger than the boy who saved me. The two were standing next to each other, shaking each other’s hands. They walked closer and closer to me.

“A-Are you okay?” asked the boy who saved me.

“I-I’m fine…”

I tried to stand up again, but the pain made me stumble.

“Woah!”

He grabbed me before I fell again. My chest started to tighten. It wasn’t pain like my ankle, but it felt different.

“I can carry you on my back.” said the boy who saved me.

He bent down to let me climb onto his back, and began to carry me.

“T-Thank you…” I said.

“I’m a hero of justice after all! My name’s Kaz, so don’t you forget it!”

Owie…

I’m alone. There’s not a single sound in the building right now. The sun has set, and I’m alone in this empty room.

I’m a selfish person…

I’m so stupid…

I couldn’t just stand on that stage and pretend that everything was fine. My heart feels like it’s been shattered into a million pieces, and I just want to cry so badly, but no tears come out of my eyes, no matter how hard I try. It’s because I don’t want them to see me like this. I accidently twisted my ankle in these high heels walking over here, and I’m still in my costume. I can see the couples outside in the courtyard, making memories and having the time of their lives together. All I wanted was to make him happy. Maybe if I made him happy, then I would be happy too, right?

Do I deserve that?

I didn’t even have the courage to step into the room. I promised Kazuki and Akane-chan that I would visit them at the café before they closed down. Before the show started, I wanted to stop by for a last cup of Akane’s delicious brew, to help give me that last boost of energy. When I arrived, it was already near closing time. I tried to run in my heels but I was already in costume and didn’t have a pair of shoes to change in. I told Daisuke I was going to the bathroom a little bit. It was going to be just a short visit. I’d be back in time for the show to start. When the show was finished, I would finally muster up my courage and do what I should have done on Valentines’ and tell him the truth.

I’m so stupid…

Instead, I saw what I already knew; I didn’t want to admit it.

Kazuki-kun likes Akane-chan. Akane-chan likes Kazuki-kun.

I could see their eyes through the little slit of the sliding door of their café. They were on the floor, cleaning up some sort of mess, looking like a romantic couple with how close together they were. They probably would have kissed if I was more careful with the door! Seeing that made me want to cry, but I couldn’t.

You’re strong Mary! You’ve worked hard! You can’t!

“What am I doing…”

I hear footsteps at the door.

Who could that be?!?

The door slides open, and I see a silhouette trying to catch his breath. The figure sounded like he was on the verge of exhaustion after a long race.

“MARY!”

My heart skips a beat.

He starts to walk towards me, slowly regaining his composure.

“T-There you a-are Ka-Kaneko-san…I knew you were here…of course you were at the study room…” he gives a deep huff and puff.

It was Kazuki.

“D-Don’t come any closer Kazuki!”

I turn back towards the window outside. I don’t want him to see me like this.

“O-Okay Kaneko-san…” said Kazuki.

NGHRNGHRNGHR…

I clench my fist.

“W-Why do you still call me Kaneko-san?”

There was silence in the air, as all I could hear was the evening wind pass through me and into the room.

“Aren’t we friends Kazuki? I’ve known you for a long time now!”

Was everything a lie?!?

“O-Of course we are Mary. What do you mean?” he asks.

NGHRNGHRNGHR! This dense idiot!

“That was the first time you’ve ever called me by my first name…”

“I’m sorry Ka- I mean Mary.”

He stops talking for a bit, and takes a deep breath.

“It’s because I respect you too much…I admire your perseverance, how you never give up, no matter what…”

Stop saying stuff like that you idiot!

“But we’ve known each other for a year, of course we’re friends.”

“Do you remember a little girl when you were younger?”

“You’ll have to be a little more specific...” he says.

He doesn’t remember…of course he doesn’t.

“There was a little girl that was weak, timid, and spent nearly her whole childhood in a hospital bed. All day she would talk to doctors and nurses, and see her parents argue about the health of their little girl. One day, that little girl decided to sneak out, to finally explore the world outside the confines of her hospital room. Of course, the girl got lost, and screamed for help. A boy appeared, one that she would remember forever. The girl would strive to be strong, so that maybe one day, she could be more like him. It’s a pretty stupid story, isn’t it Kazuki-kun?”

“No…it’s not a stupid story Mary…”

I can hear him slowly walking closer and closer to me. I take a deep breath and turn around to face him.

With my head kept low, I finally look at him in the eyes.

“Kazuki…I love you.”

My arms wrap around him, and he feels warm. Our heartbeats become one, and it feels as if time stopped.

The fireworks outside light up the room as I lean in to give him my first kiss.