kscans

Chapter 11 - Let's Go Tomorrow

A few days later, Tsukie went to the hospital to find Akina huddled under her covers, looking miserable.

Wondering what was wrong, she looked at Akina's mother, who stood nearby with a complicated expression. Her mother, Akemi, said in a weak voice:

"She can't be discharged. The test results weren't good, so they're going to do more detailed tests starting next week... The doctor said she probably won't be able to start elementary school in April..."

For a moment, Tsukie couldn't believe her ears. It meant that Akina's illness, which she had thought was getting better, wasn't better at all. It was so bad that she couldn't leave the hospital or go to elementary school.

"Oh, but if the test results are good, they'll see how she does and she might be able to be discharged, and go to school..."

Seeing the color drain from Tsukie's face, Akemi quickly added, but her words were choked with tears.

"I'm sorry. I'm going to go buy some juice, so please stay with Akina."

Akemi said this and fled the room. She was probably going to cry. She was probably going to hide in a bathroom and cry so the children wouldn't see her.

For some reason, Tsukie had a feeling that Akina would never leave the hospital. She didn't want to think it, but a strangely real, dark anxiety clung to the back of her chest, and she couldn't shake it off.

"Akina-chan..."

Tsukie called her name and gently stroked Akina's small body through the blanket. She couldn't think of any comforting words to say.

"Am I... going to die...?" a muffled voice came from under the covers. It was a faint voice, as if it could disappear at any moment.

"No, you're not... Of course not..."

Like a mantra, Tsukie repeated, "Of course not," over and over again as she continued to stroke Akina's body.

Akina's mother didn't come back for a long time. She must have cried so much that her eyes were too swollen to return. That was probably how serious Akina's condition was.

She'd said the detailed tests would start next week. These tests were tricky; some people said the tests themselves made them feel sick. Once the tests started, she wouldn't be able to go out, and if they found anything wrong, then treatment even more difficult than the tests would begin.

Somehow, Tsukie felt that now was the only time.

"Akina-chan, let's go tomorrow."

"Huh?"

Perhaps moved by the strange strength in Tsukie's voice, Akina, who had been hiding under the covers, slowly poked her head out.

"Tomorrow, let's go see your dad."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Tomorrow. After the morning rounds are over, let's sneak out."

"We'll get in trouble. You'll get in trouble too, Tsukie-chan. They might tell you you can't come to the hospital anymore. I don't want to not be able to see you."

"But you'll get to see your dad. Maybe, even if you can't see me anymore, you'll be able to see your dad. I'll make sure you get to see your dad. I promise."

It was a promise without any basis. An adult would probably laugh off a six-year-old's "promise" and not take it seriously.

But Tsukie couldn't help but say it. If she didn't get Akina to her father now, she would probably never get another chance. Akina's mother would likely hesitate to contact the father even if Akina's condition worsened. And while she hesitated, the opportunity would be lost.

That was why she had to be the one to take her. That's what she believed. Even though a little girl's desperate purity could sometimes lead to cruel consequences.