Loner’s Past Dream 2
This time, a new person appears. This takes place after the incident.
---
I had such a nostalgic dream. It’s been five years since then... It feels like it went by in the blink of an eye.
“A fever brings up dreams like that, huh? I hadn’t had one in a while…”
“Hmm… You seemed to be groaning a lot. Are you alright?”
When I turned toward the voice, I saw Hinata-san. For some reason, she was holding my hand.
“Um... Why are you holding my hand?”
“Because I wanted to,” she said casually.
Well, sure. It’s quite the privilege to have an attractive school nurse hold my hand. But still, that doesn’t explain anything!
“Uh, right. But, why?”
“You’re the one who grabbed my hand first. I was a bit surprised myself…”
...Seriously? That’s going to be a black mark on my life record. Thank goodness it was Hinata-san. She doesn’t seem like the type to mind things like this.
“You were so passionately holding on, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse. It was great.”
Can this nurse only talk in ways that cause misunderstandings? And now that I think about it, how did she even get into my house? She’s the second intruder today.
“Yeah, I’m definitely not clinging to you like that. More importantly, how did you get in here?”
“I used a wire to open the lock. Piece of cake.”
She’s going to ruin the keyhole on my front door! Wait, was it Hinata-san who taught Yuki-san how to pick locks? No proof, but it feels like it.
“Actually, I’m joking. The door was already unlocked, so I just let myself in. Though, I can pick locks.”
“You’re kidding…”
I believed her! I wish the lock-picking part was a lie too!
“Don’t sweat the small stuff. Anyway, how are you feeling?”
“Completely exhausted, thanks to you.”
“You’re young; don’t be so weak.”
Stop hitting me with so many jokes; I’m already sick! It’s exhausting!
“Alright, alright. My condition isn’t great. I’m still feverish, and my body feels heavy.”
“Hmm… Let me check you out for a moment.”
Hinata-san pressed her hand to my forehead and examined my throat. Seeing her like this, I realized she really does have medical knowledge. Normally, I just think of her as an attractive but eccentric school nurse.
“It’s definitely a cold. Resting should help you recover quickly, so make sure you get plenty of sleep. I’ll prepare some porridge and then have a word with Yuki. Don’t overdo it, alright?”
“Understood...”
She spoke to me kindly. Probably because she knows about my past, she’s careful to avoid making me feel like a burden.
“I’ll head out after I make the porridge. Once I’ve spoken with Yuki, I’ll check on you one last time before leaving. Focus only on resting for now.”
With that, Hinata-san left.
“Alright, I guess I’ll do some laundry and eat while I still have the energy. I feel sluggish, but it seems manageable for now.”
I got changed, did the laundry, and ate the porridge Yuki-san had made.
“It’s good... It has a slightly different flavor than the porridge my mom or I used to make. Maybe a little saltier.”
It’s been a while since someone looked after me like this. I should thank her once I’ve recovered.
“Thank you for the meal.”
After confirming the washing machine had stopped, I hung the laundry out to dry, lay down on the sofa, and went to sleep.
---
A distant voice echoed in my ears. Another dream, huh?
“Why did you kill him?”
A police officer was questioning me in a harsh tone. Now I remember—I woke up in a locked room after losing consciousness. Every time the door opened, I was asked about the incident. The same questions, over and over.
“To avoid being killed.”
“I see. Do you know who the perpetrator was?”
“No. I’d never seen him before.”
That’s all they ever asked me. Over time, I started to lose my sense of self. A room with no TV, no clock, just white walls and the same questions. Back then, I really wanted to die.
“...Why? Did I do something wrong? Somebody, please tell me!”
Even when I screamed, no one came. Days like that dragged on endlessly. But one day, a woman appeared before me.
“...Kiriyama Yuuki?”
“...Who are you?”
She didn’t say much and didn’t show much emotion either. She had black hair tied near the ends and slightly narrow eyes that gave her an air of dignity.
“...My name is Takigawa Shino. I’m your assigned officer. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you.”
At the time, I didn’t care about anything anymore. But Shino-san came to see me every day and talked to me.
“...I’ve got some free time today, so let’s chat.”
Each time she came, she’d do things like hug me gently from behind or give me a lap pillow while I slept. Slowly but surely, I started opening up to her.
“Thank you, Shino-san.”
“...No need to thank me…”
Even when I thanked her, she’d blush and avoid looking at me. But to someone like me, who had lost my family, she became my only emotional anchor.
Yet, even Shino-san cried in front of me once.
“...Why? Yuuki-kun didn’t do anything wrong…”
At the time, I didn’t understand. But now I do. The case was all over the news, and public opinion was split on whether my actions were self-defense or excessive force. Some even called me mentally unstable. Shino-san was crying because of that.
“I’m sorry, Shino-san. But I’m okay.”
For the first time, I hugged Shino-san back.
“...Thank you.”
But after that, she stopped coming. Around the same time, the trial progressed, and I was ultimately deemed to have acted in self-defense, though I would remain under police surveillance until I finished middle school.
When I asked about Shino-san, I was told she had quit the police force. That was all they would tell me.
---
And that’s where the dream ended, and I woke up.
There’s still more to my past, but I’ll save it for another time.
---
Author's Note:
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