Translator: RaidenTL
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"Overall, there don't seem to be any problems... but you said you swallowed a lot of water, so I'm concerned about swelling. Let's have you stay for a day to monitor your condition."
That was the doctor's opinion after all the tests were done.
Midori, standing behind Miyuki, answered.
"Okay."
"If you go to the Admissions/Discharge Counter and fill out the forms, we'll show you to a room."
"Thank you..."
Miyuki gave a slow, deep bow and trudged out of the examination room.
Wataru, Kana, and Tetsuya were waiting for her outside.
Miyuki glanced over them and asked Wataru.
"Dad... where's Matsuda-kun?"
"He didn't have a change of clothes or shoes, so he went to a street shop to buy some."
"Really...? Did you give him money...?"
"I tried, but he adamantly refused to take it."
"You still should have given it to him... Is he coming here after buying clothes...?"
"He didn't say... but I told him the name of the hospital, so I'm sure he'll come."
Now that the chaotic situation had passed, she could clearly remember what she had done in the ocean.
It wasn't enough that she had grabbed the head of Matsuda, who had come to save her, and pushed him underwater; she had also tried to grab him as he attempted a rescue from behind.
She'd gotten smacked on the forehead twice for it... he must have been pretty pissed.
But what could she do?
At that moment, Matsuda approaching her had looked like a relief pitcher with a 0.00 ERA.
And to top it all off, even on the boat the lifeguard brought, she needed something to hold onto and instinctively tried to move toward Matsuda, only to throw up water.
She felt so sorry, so embarrassed, and so grateful.
"His contact info? You gave it to him, right...?"
Wataru nodded.
"I wrote it down on a piece of paper for him."
"Paper...?"
"He said Matsuda lost his phone. Seems like he dropped it in the ocean."
Miyuki squeezed her eyes shut.
She owed him her life, and now his phone too...
She couldn't face Matsuda.
"Miyuki, what did the doctor say?"
Tetsuya took a step forward and asked.
Miyuki looked at him with dazed eyes and replied.
"He said there are no major issues... but that it would be best to stay overnight for observation..."
"That's such a relief... I was so worried."
"Thank you... Tetsuya-kun, aren't you on vacation with your family?"
"How could I go on vacation when you're like this? My mom and dad were worried too."
"Yeah... I'll call them later."
"You don't have to. Just take care of yourself."
She was completely drained of energy and had no strength left to talk.
It seemed she'd used it all up flailing in the water.
After thanking Tetsuya, Miyuki, along with her family, completed the admission process and was assigned a hospital room.
"They said even family can't go inside the room. We'll be in the lounge, so if you need anything, just let us know. Got it?"
After showering and changing into a patient gown, Miyuki told Midori she understood.
Following the nurse's kind instructions, she lay down comfortably on the bed and looked around.
It was a four-person room, but no one else was there.
Being alone in a quiet place made her thoughts race.
Kana had said it. That Matsuda had saved her incredibly fast.
From the sounds of it, he must have jumped in the moment she fell in...
If so, had he been watching her the whole time?
Or was it a coincidence that felt like fate?
'I want to ask him...'
Just like at the bookstore...
No, an expression even more desperate than the one at the bookstore flickered before her eyes.
When would Matsuda get here?
What if he lost the piece of paper with their contact info?
Besides, Matsuda was an idiot, so he might have even forgotten the name of the hospital.
As Miyuki lay there, weighed down by all sorts of worries and staring blankly at the ceiling,
Vrrrr-!
Her phone vibrated, and she glanced at the screen.
Seeing a text from Wataru in the center of the screen, she shot upright.
[Matsuda's here.]
"Thank you so much... If it weren't for you, Miyuki would have..."
No, Mother-in-law. Hearing the same story for the dozenth time is getting a little boring.
But I do love how you're holding my hand so tightly.
Your hands are so warm. Can I just have one suck of your milk jugs?
"Let's go look for a phone first. We'll buy you a new one."
"I'm fine."
"What do you mean, you're fine...! Of course we should buy it for you..."
"That's not it... I just bought a new one. I was planning on replacing it anyway, so you really don't have to worry about it."
After I put it like that, it would be hard for them to insist.
If you're that grateful, invite me over to your house later instead of buying me a phone.
After exchanging a few words with Wataru about Miyuki's condition, I walked over to the timidly standing Tetsuya and gave his back a light pat.
"Miura, huh? Just saw you."
"Hey, Matsuda."
"I heard you were here with your family?"
"I was worried about Miyuki... I have to get going soon, though. I saw you save her. It was really amazing."
You're an uninvited guest.
Wouldn't it be polite to disappear quickly?
"If you saw, you could've lent a hand."
"Sorry... By the time I spotted you guys, the lifeguards were already approaching on their boat..."
"It was a joke, man. Your hair looks cool today. You should keep it like that."
"Th-thanks..."
After subtly dissing Tetsuya, I saw Miyuki walking out from around the corner in a patient gown and gave her a wave.
"You're here?"
She didn't say anything.
She just walked over, stood in front of me, and stared intently.
The color was drained from Miyuki's lips, making her look delicate.
She looks like a frail beautiful girl. A breeding press in a situation like this would be the real deal.
Pretending to be flustered, I lightly scratched my temple.
Then, in a joking tone, I chided Miyuki.
"I told you to stretch, didn't I? You better listen to me from now on."
At that, Miyuki, who had been wearing a complicated expression, let out a hollow laugh.
That dazed smile, like she has a screw loose somewhere... I love it.
"Okay... Thank you for saving me, Matsuda-kun."
"I heard from your dad you have to stay overnight, right? Get some rest. I'm gonna go now."
"Huh...? Go? Go where...?"
"I have to get home before the last train."
I'm not going. I'm going to have dinner with you and your family.
So hurry up and stop me.
"What are you talking about...! If I just let you leave like this, what does that make me...! My dad will drive you home... He said he would... For now, let's eat together..."
"Didn't they give you food at the hospital?"
"I just got admitted, what are you talking about... Let's go to the cafeteria."
"Are you okay to move around? You look like you're in pain."
"I'm just completely drained... I'm fine, really... As long as I stay inside the hospital, it's okay, so let's go... I haven't eaten anything, I'm hungry..."
Miyuki tugged at the sleeve of my shirt.
She really didn't seem to want me to leave.
I glanced at Wataru, and when he gave a small nod with a smile, I said.
"Alright."
"Tetsuya-kun, do you want to come too...?"
Miyuki asked Tetsuya, who had been standing there awkwardly the whole time.
Before the guy could say anything, I cut in.
"Miura said he has to get back to his family."
"Oh, really...? Well then, take care, Tetsuya-kun. I'll contact you later."
Tetsuya flinched, then stammered a reply.
"Ah, okay... Rest well... and make sure you call."
"I will."
Miyuki gave a weak wave to Tetsuya, then told me to follow her and headed for the elevator.
See, Tetsuya? Why'd you have to run your mouth?
If you hadn't brought up your family, you could have gotten in the way of me and Miyuki...
This is why people shouldn't be too honest.
You just keep kicking shit balls when the goal is wide open, don't you?
"Shouldn't you be eating patient food, though?"
"No... The doctor said I could have a regular meal."
"Still, eat something light. You just had a belly full of seawater, and now you want to grease it up?"
I pushed away Miyuki's arm as she was about to select Tempura on the kiosk and pressed the button for the Daily Home-style Meal instead.
Then I placed the order ticket in her hand.
Should I push it a little further? I think I can.
Though I was nervous inside, I feigned nonchalance and gently stroked the back of Miyuki's head.
"From now on, eat things like this even when I'm not around. Don't just eat greasy food because your parents aren't there. Got it?"
At my blatantly childish tone, Miyuki's lips jutted out in a pout.
But aside from her expression, she didn't say anything.
It meant that besides my teasing, my other actions didn't bother her.
So, the rescue really worked.
Cheering inwardly, I pointed to an empty table in the corner.
"Wait over there. Don't wander off."
"What are you going to eat, Matsuda-kun...?"
"Pork Cutlet."
"No... Eat the home-style meal."
"Why should I?"
"Because you always eat unhealthy things... At least eat healthy here."
With that, Miyuki pressed the home-style meal button herself and took the ticket.
Then she went to the back of the line and gestured for me to come.
It feels like she's a wife worried about her husband's health. Am I imagining things?
I happily stood behind Miyuki.
Of course, I didn't forget to grumble on the outside.
After getting our food, we sat at the empty table I had pointed out earlier and ate.
Miyuki wasn't even touching the side dishes, just picking at her rice.
She seemed to have a lot on her mind. I took a big spoonful of rice and said.
"What are you doing? No appetite?"
"That's not it... Matsuda-kun."
"What."
"Your phone... I'm sorry I made you lose it..."
"Your dad and mom said the same thing. I'm only going to say this to you once, so listen up: don't worry about it. I was going to replace it anyway."
"And thank you for saving me..."
Miyuki placed her hands on her lap and bowed her head.
I let out a short laugh and held out my new phone.
"Didn't you already thank me earlier? Forget it, just put your number in."
"Ah, okay..."
Miyuki carefully tapped the keypad and handed the phone back to me.
After I saved her number and started eating again, she hesitated before speaking.
"Matsuda-kun."
"What now."
"Is my forehead bruised?"
"No."
"Look closely. I think it's bruised...?"
"Bring your head here, then."
She stretched her neck out, showing me her forehead.
Her bangs were in the way, so I couldn't see properly.
This sly little thing... you want me to brush your bangs aside, don't you?
You got it.
I casually swept her bangs up with my hand and examined her forehead.
Then I shrugged as if it were no big deal.
"It's not bruised."
"Really...?"
"That's too bad, isn't it? You could have sued me for assault, but the evidence is gone."
"...Not funny."
"What a shame."
Miyuki let out a weak laugh, then fiddled with her phone and sent me a picture.
It was none other than the photo of the two of us we took on the way home after eating together last time.
The one where our heads were so close they were almost touching.
"I'd like you to save that."
"Alright. I'll do it when I get back."
"....."
I nonchalantly put my phone away and was about to eat again when I noticed Miyuki just staring at me. I furrowed my brow slightly.
"You want me to save it now?"
"Yes, now."
Right now, she wanted the monumental first picture on my new phone to be the one of us.
That's why she was pestering me to save it right this second.
I had done everything I could during summer vacation, and this event was the finishing touch.
I needed to gain a lot today.
And Miyuki was generously giving me gifts that fulfilled that wish.
Not only did she allow me to touch the back of her head and her forehead, a complete change from her usual self, but she was also showing a possessive side, demanding I save our picture first...
The scales in Miyuki's heart, with Tetsuya and me on either side.
I could practically see the weight tipping in my favor.
Wanting anything more than this would be greedy.
Miyuki has shown more than enough courage.