The hospital room had become Haru's temporary home.
Not by choice
but by bruised ribs, doctor orders, and a mother who swore she'd wrap him in bubble wrap if she could.
He spent most mornings sitting upright with a pillow behind his back, watching the sunlight pass through the curtains. His Neurolink occasionally pinged him with heartbeat warnings whenever he moved too fast, which was unfair because sometimes he only sneezed.
Still, it was quiet. Peaceful.
Until Chiyuri visited.
Then it became the opposite.
Every afternoon, without fail, Chiyuri and Takumu arrived.
"HARU WE'RE HERE!!"
Chiyuri practically exploded into the room every time, nearly scaring the life out of the patient in the next bed. Behind her, Takumu followed calmly, carrying real food instead of the contraband snacks she smuggled in.
"Arita-kun, I hope you're resting properly," Takumu said politely.
"He better be," Chiyuri added, dropping her backpack with a thud.
"You scared me to death!!"
Haru raised his hands in surrender.
"Sorry, sorry. I'll try not to get beaten up anymore."
"That's NOT funny!"
Takumu adjusted his glasses.
"it wasn't even a very good joke."
Haru smiled anyway.
Being with them felt… warm.
Even if he didn't remember their shared past, his heart responded naturally to their presence, like a melody he once knew by heart.
On the fourth day of his admission, Homeroom Teacher Ms. Yamada came to visit, balancing a stack of school papers and a thermos of coffee.
The second she saw Haru, her expression softened.
"Arita-kun… I'm relieved you're healing."
Haru bowed his head.
"Sorry for causing trouble."
"No," she said firmly, pulling a chair beside his bed.
"None of this is your fault."
She waited until Chiyuri and Takumu settled quietly at his sides before she continued.
"I've spoken to the principal. And today… your mother requested something important."
Haru blinked.
"My mom?"
Ms. Yamada nodded.
"She asked that you take a leave from school for the rest of the year, your tests during this time for your classes will be passed online."
Chiyuri froze mid-snack.
Takumu subtly lowered his book.
Haru's breath caught.
"For… the rest of the year? That's… five months."
"Yes," she said gently.
"She wants you to have time to heal, physically and emotionally. She'll be taking you to Shibuya, to stay with your grandparents."
Chiyuri launched up from her chair like a rocket.
"WHAT FIVE MONTHS?!"
Even Ms. Yamada flinched.
Haru blinked rapidly.
"Chiyu calm down"
"NO! FIVE MONTHS IS BASICALLY FOREVER!"
Takumu touched her arm gently.
"Chiyuri, please…"
Chiyu was angry
But then she looked at Haru, eyes trembling.
"You're… really leaving?"
Haru exhaled shaky air.
"…It's not forever. The teacher said I can finish my classes online. I'll be back for sixth grade."
Ms. Yamada nodded.
"We will keep your seat in Class 6-B open, Haru-kun. Next year, you return healthy."
Chiyuri sat down again, deflated, hugging her knees.
Takumu reached out and placed a supportive hand on her shoulder.
"We understand," he told Haru softly.
"Your safety comes first."
Haru swallowed hard.
They were trying to be strong for him.
And that hurt more than his ribs.
One Last Week Together
The next days passed in a gentle rhythm:
School ended.
Chiyuri and Takumu visited.
They filled the sterile room with noise, laughter, and stories of their childhood Haru couldn't remember but loved hearing.
"Back when we were six," Chiyuri said proudly, "we played AR Tag every day. I was the queen."
"You cheated," Takumu corrected calmly.
"You used the tall bushes as cover. That is not the intended game mechanic."
Haru laughed as Chiyuri slapped Takumu's arm.
"And you always tried to teach us math for fun!" Haru added.
Takumu turned red.
"I…..well numbers are enjoyable!"
"And you cried with me," Haru said quietly, "when my parents… divorced." That thing he knew from harus core memory, one thing he slightly remembered happening as they were both with him"
Chiyuri and Takumu went still.
"…You remember that?" Chiyuri whispered.
"No," Haru said softly.
"But I feel like I do."
Chiyuri wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
Takumu smiled gently.
"You were never alone then. And you're not alone now."
The System Takes Notice
That evening, after they left, Haru's Neurolink pulsed.
A soft blue glow filled his vision.
[Quest Completed!]
Reforged Bonds ; Childhood Friendships Restored
Linked:
Chiyuri Kurashima
Takumu Mayuzumi
Reward: +1 Charisma
Haru smiled faintly.
He didn't regain his memories
but he gained something better.
His friends.
The Final Day in the Hospital
Chiyuri sat silently at the foot of his bed.
Takumu read beside her, though he hadn't turned a page in ten minutes.
Neither wanted to say goodbye.
Haru sighed softly.
"It's just five months."
Chiyuri shook her head.
"A lot… can happen in five months."
He reached out, placing a hand gently on her head.
"I'll call you. Three times a week."
"Three?" she sniffed.
"Five—?"
"THREE IS FINE!" She blushed
Takumu smiled.
"We'll be waiting for you next year. Both of us."
Chiyuri exhaled shakily, then hugged him tight but gentle.
"You better come back stronger. If you come back wimpy again, I'm gonna bully you myself!"
Takumu sighed.
"That is not a supportive message, Chiyuri."
But Haru laughed.
"I'll try. Really."
Five months.
A reset.
A chance to breathe.
And when he returned…
He'd have two friends waiting.