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Where am I?
A fluffy sensation. It feels like I'm in a dream.
Is it like being wrapped in cotton candy? There's a sweet scent too.
Time is flowing slowly... it's warm.
Anyway, I should move my body.
That's what I thought, but... even though I try to move, I can't.
It feels as if I'm being tied down... Sleep paralysis? No, that's not it... it's like someone is leaning on me, that kind of feeling.
『...-to...!』
...Someone is crying... who is it...? Who is crying...?
Dammit... I won't move. I have to wake up... I have to wake up... I have to wake up—.
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"......nn"
...Bright.
Where am I...?
A white ceiling. A fluffy bed. A window. Sunlight. The smell of disinfectant.
The nurse's office? No, that's not it... a hospital, maybe?
"*Hic*, *sob*... Akidooo... Akidooo...!"
"Riran-chan, calm down. Okay?"
"Akky..."
These voices are...?
"Who... is someone there...?"
"!? Akito...!"
"Ah... t-the nurse call!"
"Akky!"
"Sana-tan...!"
One by one, faces looking at me worriedly appear before my eyes.
While staring at everyone with a dazed vision, I found myself unable to think about anything.
Why are they crying so much?
Why are they making such worried faces?
What... happened to me...?
A doctor came and gave me a brief explanation of various things.
Apparently, during the Sports Festival, I fell off the horse and hit my head.
On top of that, several people fell on me like a landslide, and I was crushed.
............
"I don't remember it at all."
In fact, I don't even remember that we were having a Sports Festival.
Did I hit my head so hard that my memory is gone...?
"It's only natural. We will perform a detailed examination later, so you will remain hospitalized today. We will contact your family now."
Ugh. Well, I guess it can't be helped.
After seeing the doctor out, I asked everyone what I had been wondering about.
"So, why is Ryūya sitting in seiza with his face all swollen?"
"It's because of this idiot's reckless plan. Seriously, I'm sorry for our idiot, Akky."
Ah, I see, so that's how it is...
"Akito, I'm really sorry."
"I don't know what you're talking about... well, don't worry about it."
I'll make him treat me to something later.
"How much time has passed since the accident?"
"Two days. You didn't wake up at all during that time."
Two days... that much time has passed?
No wonder my joints ache. My limbs feel stiff.
Once I'm discharged, I'll have to stretch them out properly.
"Akito!"
"Eh, uwa!?"
Wait, too close...!?
"Akito, is your head okay? Does it hurt? Should I go get some painkillers for you?"
"I-I'm fine. I'm okay!"
"Now, now, Rira-tan. Don't surprise Sana-tan."
The face that was so close is pulled away.
I-I'm saved...
"Thank you, Tsuchimikado."
"No. Don't mention it... wait?"
Tsuchimikado stands there blankly.
No, not just Tsuchimikado. Everyone else is also looking blank.
W-What's wrong? Did I say something strange?
"Um... sorry, Akky. Try calling me?"
"Hm? You're Neika, right?"
"What about the idiot over there?"
"That's Ryūya.‐
What is she talking about?
"Then, Akito-kun. What about me?"
"...You're Ryūgūin. Hey now, since when did you start calling me Akito-kun?"
Were we ever that close? I don't have any memory of that.
"This... could it be...?"
Everyone's expressions turn solemn.
Whoa, scary, scary. Don't look at me with those faces.
"A... a... Aki, Akito... w-what about me...? Do you... know who I am...?"
Know who she is... what is she even saying?
"You're Kuonji, aren't you. Why are you the one worrying about me?"
——.
The atmosphere died.
Eh? Eh?? Eh????
"I mean, you hate me, don't you? And calling me Akito without an honorific... what's gotten into you?"
"How could this be..."
"Uwaa, is this for real? Something like this..."
Ryūgūin and Neika hold their heads.
Tsuchimikado and Ryūya are still standing there blankly.
And Kuonji, with a face full of despair, shed large tears.