Happy New Year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGrculCTe5Y
"Mrs. Takeda, I'm very sorry to say, I don't have any better news than any of the other experts, whom Miss Chang called over."
Satoko listened to the doctor's words in silence. It had been days since that night. It was not the first time she'd seen her son get hurt, but never like that. The sight of him that day broke her heart. Seeing him every day since, lying lifelessly in that bed, somehow managed to do it a second time.
"We were able to treat most of his injuries. There shouldn't be any long-term damage to his limbs. We realize that it might be difficult in the line of work he's seeking, but we'd recommend being extra cautious in the future. Even with Quirks, there is always a risk of issues arising during the healing process. It's not uncommon with this scale of injuries. He was lucky this time. As for the rest..."
The corridor of the Kyoto University Hospital felt cold and oppressive to her. Hailey had it arranged to place him on the top floor, in luxuries the Takeda family couldn't even dream of affording. Yet, even such an environment did not help settle her down.
"We've pumped out the last traces of the substance he took out of his system. Samples had been sent for analysis, but we couldn't find any matches for it. We're most worried about his neurological state. It seems like his brain had undergone a lot of stress in a very short amount of time, or as some of my colleagues described it, 'as if it had to do half a year of work in half an hour'. It's similar to some cases of overuse of mental quirks that had been studied in the past."
She had heard it all before, but some part of her hoped that some new revelation had been found. That this doctor will arrive with a miracle cure that will bring her son back to her. Each time she ended up disappointed.
"We've observed some signs of permanent changes in his neurological structures, but they seem minor, and luckily, neither do they seem to be progressing. We'll continue to monitor him, but unfortunately this is the extent of what we can do for now. We'll just have to wait and see how the situation develops. His state is stable, and we expect he'll regain consciousness in a nearby future, but we are unable to determine when exactly that'll happen, nor do we have any way to speed it up."
'Unable.' That summed up her recent experience. The feeling of powerlessness of it all. She couldn't help him that day, and neither could she do it now. All she could do for him was to try to stay by him and pray.
She wiped a tear rolling silently down her cheek.
"Thank you, doctor."
"Any time, Mrs. Takeda."
She sat down in one of the available armchairs, and watched him walk away. She slumped her shoulders and let her head sunk upon her chest. The exhaustion of the recent days flowing through her body. She hasn't slept much recently. No one in the Takeda household did, really.
"Mom."
Fujiko had arrived for the change of guard. She extended a can of hot coffee to her. The top floor had some high-quality coffee machines, but drinking that right now didn't feel right. They needed something more familiar, and for that, cheap vending machines served them better.
"Any changes?"
"No."
"You should go home and get some rest. I'll take over here."
"Thank you, Fuji."
"She's still inside?"
"Yes. Please tell her to get some rest too."
Fujiko nodded and went towards his room. The doors were slightly ajar. She peeked inside.
"I think I'm getting better at this." Hailey said while cutting little bunnies out of an apple.
"You do understand this is a threat, though, don't you? If you don't wake up soon, I swear to God, I'll make you wear that bunny hat to school."
She placed the plate of them on a shelf next to his bed. He looked peaceful, almost as if he were just sleeping. The IV drip and the beeping of machines did not help to keep up that illusion.
"Inigo visited earlier today. He left a letter for you. I'll read it to you later."
She pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down. Her head rested on his arm, while her hand held his.
"You already messed up our Christmas, and now you're also screwing up our winter break."
Soft sobbing filled the room. She pressed her face into his duvet, wanting to hide her tears.
"Please wake up."
Fujiko waited a moment longer before entering.
The bell rang for the 108th time, its sound slowly reverberating through the room. Hailey took her eyes off the window and back at him.
"Happy New Year, Babo."
She nestled herself by his side as she continued talking in a sleepy voice.
"Well, I have to admit, there was something calming about it. I still prefer the firework shows, though. Going into the New Year with a bang is more my style, wouldn't you say? You remember our first date? Of course, you do. You took me to see fireworks from a rooftop of a temple. I guess it was a bit like a combination of the two. Maybe we'll be able to do it again soon... I'd toast it, but they didn't let me bring champagne in here... And drinking by myself would be sad... So you better wake up soon..."
Her voice was getting slower and quieter, until finally, she dozed off.
She woke up a couple-hours later. She felt someone toying with her hair.
"Stop it, Fujiko."
She swiped her hand in the direction she suspected she'd be, but caught only air. She raised her head, and tried to rub the drowsiness out of her eyes.
"I'd wake you up, but you looked too cute."
She threw herself into his chest, weeping loudly.
"Sorry for missing our date."
"Idiot! Moron! Retard! If you pull this shit again, I won't forgive you!"
"I'm sorry, Hay."
He hugged her. For a while, the only sound filling the room was her crying.
Finally, she wiped her tears and pulled back.
"I'd better call the rest."
They rang the bell, bowed, and clapped their hands.
"What did you wish for?" He asked her as they finished praying.
A richly patterned kimono enhanced her beauty. The white fur stole, above the azure silk of it, reminded him of a sole cloud amid the clear sky.
"For my boyfriend to get an actually working brain, and not take any more unidentifiable substances from dubious sources. You?"
He was dressed more comfortably. As they walked, she let him lean on her to help keep him steady.
"For many more new year shrine visits with my beautiful, wise, and oh so forgiving girlfriend."
He grinned and she smirked back.
"You're lucky you pulled a good fortune. Your wish may come true if mine does."
Her expression turned more serious.
"But before that, let's sit down. I have to tell you something."
They found an open bench.
"I pulled some strings, and got them to back off for a bit, but when we get back, the police will probably want to talk to you."
He shrugged.
"I could have expected as much."
"You could have. I also got you some lawyers just in case, so as long as you listen to them, you should be fine."
"So, what's the issue?"
She looked concerned as she moved closer to him and held his hand.
"That night is not the only thing they might ask you about. Something happened while you were unconscious, and I think it's better if you hear about it from me. It's about Sandatsu..."