Chapter 13

My eyes were opened to the immediate blinding gleam of fluorescent lighting. It was such a shock, I tried covering my right hand over them. But nothing happened. The lights still shined brightly, painfully stinging my retinas. I was in a daze; both my head and my body was aching in pain.

Something felt strange. I ... I can’t seem to feel it. My right arm!

“Ah!” I let out a little cry. I couldn’t move! My body ... it’s completely paralyzed!

I immediately panicked and began to hyperventilate.

Then suddenly, the memories all started coming back to me. That strange world, the monsters ... the strange person and ... and...

I remembered everything. It wasn’t a dream!

“AAAAAAAHHHH!” I screamed at the top of my lungs as I felt the tears flowing uncontrollably out of my eye. Everything hurts, and I didn’t know what to do. What happened to me? Why couldn’t I move? Why? Why? WHY?!

Questions upon questions flooded my mind yet there was only but the sound of my own echoing voice. I was alone...

“Where am I?” I asked weakly, finally able to calm down. Rational thoughts slowly came back to my confused mind as I moved my eyes to my surroundings. I was in a bed, surrounded by white curtains.

“This is ... the school infirmary, isn’t it? But how?” The last thing I remembered was passing out. How did I get here?

Confusion started to cloud my mind again as I felt a slight breeze. I looked down to see that my clothes were gone, as I laid naked underneath the covers.

Embarrassment immediately rushed over me.

“Why am I naked?! Ooh... !” I squealed.

CLACK

The sound of a door opening suddenly came into my ears, as someone had stepped into the room.

“I still don’t see why I have to be the one to do this. Those two bastards are really just...” came a voice of a male. He was getting closer!

“Wait! Wait! I’m awake!” I cried out desperately as I saw an outline of someone before me, reaching for the curtains.

WHOOSH

“Ah...”

My eyes met with his.

It was ... the same boy from earlier! The second year, with the headphones, that was with that scary senior. In his hands were a bucket and a sponge as he stared at me, dumbstruck, and his face slowly turned bright red.

“WAAAH! I’M-I’M SORRY!” He shrieked, quickly closing the curtains. “I didn’t-! You’re awake-! I’m ... I’LL GO GET THE PREZ!”

“What?! Wait, no! Don’t go get anyone! Wait! Wait!” I pleaded as I heard him crashing as he ran out of the room. The last thing I need is for more people to see me like this!

I laid there alone again, my face burning and beet red. I wanted to hide under the covers, but my body wouldn’t move.

“Ahem ... are you awake now? H-how are you doing?” A gruff voice asked from behind the curtains. I could make out an outline of someone really big. It was that scary senior without a doubt.

“I can’t move...” I replied meekly, still flustered. From a distance I could hear laughter and the sound of people arguing.

“HA HA HA!”

“That’s it senpai! I’m wrapping you in tinfoil and tossing you into the toilet!”

“Wha-wait! Let’s not be hasty!”

I heard a weary sigh from the “president”.

“I apologize for the ... mishap. You were in a coma and...”

“How long?”

“Huh?”

“How long have I been sleeping?”

“Uh ... hmm, in counting ... about 4 days?”

FOUR DAYS?! I was asleep for four days? And also...

“Uuhhh...”I let out a groan as my face got even hotter.

“I’m sure you have many questions, and we’ll gladly answer them all once you’re able to move again. Until then, we’ll wait for you in the clubroom. Here,”

He slid something underneath the curtains. It was a pair of a female school uniform.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have your exact size and measurements but hopefully it will fit.”

“Umm ... where is the clubroom?”

“Ah, right. There’s no way you would ... hmm ... I’ll have to have someone bring you there.” I heard the sound of him moving away.

“Hideyoshi!” I heard from a distance chatter between him and someone else.

“Eh?! Prez, come on! Not after what has-, why are you doing this to me?!” Came the protest of the boy from earlier.

“Hideyoshi...”

I heard a loud disgruntle sigh of resignation. “Fine dammit!”

“So yes, I’ll have Hideyoshi wait for you.” The president came back and said to me. “I hope you will recover soon, and I hope to see you later.”

I heard as he quickly left the room, as if he was trying to escape.

“Damn him. He’s letting all the power go into that scary head of his.” I heard the other boy grumble.

“Umm...”

“Before anything, I want to apologize to you. I’m not sure if you’re talking or sleeping or anything right now but since I can’t read your lips, I don’t know.”

“Huh?”

“You were asleep for a long time and ... err ... you were covered in blood and your clothes were torn so they made me take care of you... ! I’m sorry and I hope that we can just forget about what happened”

“Okay...” I replied shyly, my face turning red again as I thought about the incident earlier.

I listen to the sound of him sighing loudly and sitting down, the room going silent again except for the sound of breathing. I laid there in the bed, only able to stare blankly at the ceiling.

There was nothing to do.

How long will I have to wait? Why won’t my body move?

These questions ran through my head. The room was so quiet, it was as If I was alone. I couldn’t even sleep. I was starting to feel scared again.

But then came the sudden sound of music as it slowly filled the air. Breaking the silence, was the sound of a ... flute?

“Umm ... hello?”