Chapter 208: Waiting in Silence ( 208 )

Words : 1047 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

Chapter 208: Waiting in Silence ( 208 ) Several days later. The hospital hallway was quiet, the polished floors reflecting the soft morning light. Kyouko arrived early, just like she had every day. She stood near the ICU doors, eyes fixed on the small window. Waiting. Her hands were gently clasped in front of her, but her fingers kept fidgeting. The moment the clock struck visiting time. She stepped forward, heart racing, hope quietly blooming in her chest. But when she entered the ICU room. She froze. The bed was empty. No Haruki. No machines. No nurse nearby. Just silence. Her heart dropped. Panic surged through her. She turned and rushed out, heels echoing down the corridor as she hurried to the nurse’s station. "Where’s Haruki!?" she gasped. "Where is he!?" The nurse at the counter looked up in surprise. "Ma’am—please, calm down!" "Tell me where he is!" Kyouko’s voice trembled. Her eyes were already welling up. The nurse quickly checked the chart. "The patient—Nakagawa Haruki—was moved this morning." Kyouko’s breath caught. "Moved?" "Yes, to the general ward. His vitals have stabilized." She turned the chart. "Room 324. East Wing. Third floor." Kyouko blinked—then bowed quickly. "Thank you!" And without another word, she turned and ran down the hall. The fear still lingered in her chest— But now, hope was rising faster. She rushed to the elevator, heels clicking against the floor in sharp rhythm. Her hand slammed the button for the third floor, chest rising and falling with each anxious breath. The elevator doors closed. And the slow ascent felt agonizing. She gripped the handrail tightly, her eyes fixed on the blinking numbers above. 1... 2... 3... Ding. The doors slid open. Kyouko stepped out immediately, looking around the quiet corridor. Clean. Bright. Still. She spotted a nurse arranging a cart nearby and hurried over. "Umm... excuse me," she asked quickly. "East wing? I’m looking for Room 324." The nurse smiled , pointing down the hallway. "Just follow this corridor and turn left at the corner. It’ll be on your right." "Thank you," Kyouko nodded quickly and took off again. Kyouko reached the nurse station, heart still pounding softly in her chest. She stepped up to the counter, hands gripping her purse tightly. "Umm... excuse me?" One of the nurses looked up and smiled politely. "Yes?" Kyouko took a breath, steadying her voice. "I’m looking for Room 324. The nurse in ICU said my... my husband, Nakagawa Haruki, was moved here this morning." The nurse nodded and turned to her computer. "Let me check first. Just a moment." Kyouko waited, trying to stay still. Her nails pressed into the edge of her purse strap. She could hear the soft hum of the hallway behind her—the distant roll of carts, the faint murmur of voices. But all she could focus on was the screen the nurse was typing into. The nurse glanced at the monitor and gave a small nod. "Yes, ma’am. We have the record here—Nakagawa Haruki, Room 324." She turned slightly, pointing down the hall. "From here, you can head straight down, take the first left, and you’ll see Room 324 on the right-hand side." "Thank you." Kyouko bowed politely, her voice quiet. And without delay, she moved quickly in the direction the nurse pointed. Her heels clicked softly along the floor—her pace eager, yet graceful. Once she was out of earshot, one of the younger nurses leaned toward her colleague. "She was beautiful, wasn’t she?" "Mm," the other nodded, pulling up the chart again. "The patient who moved here... he’s handsome too. Look—this is his ID image." The first nurse blinked. "No way—" They both exchanged a glance. "Can’t believe he scored a girl like her..." "Looks like a movie couple." The first nurse gave a small smile. "...Kind of makes you hope he wakes up soon." Kyouko arrived at Room 324. The door was slightly ajar. She stepped in quietly, her heels muffled against the polished floor. The room was spacious—a first-class ward, no doubt. Soft ambient lighting, large windows with drawn curtains, a private sink, fresh flowers by the shelf. And in the center of it all— Haruki. Lying silently on the bed. His face calm. Still. His chest rising slowly with every breath. Even now... he looked handsome. Too handsome to be lying there like that. Kyouko approached gently and sat down in the chair beside him. Her voice was soft. "Haruki... I’m here." She reached out—her fingers trembling—and gently took his hand. Warm. She leaned forward, lips brushing lightly against his cheek. A whisper against his skin. "I’m here, Haruki." Her voice trembled now, eyes misting. "Please wake up..." She leaned into his shoulder—carefully, lovingly—her head resting just beside him. The monitors beside them beeped softly, steady. Kyouko closed her eyes and whispered— "I missed your touch..." Her voice was barely audible. "I miss your smile..." A quiet breath. "I miss your kiss. I miss your feeling... your warmth when you hold me..." She turned her face slightly, brushing her cheek against his arm. "Haruki..." "I’m here." "I’m ready for you..." "I really hope..." Her voice cracked, just a little. "...that you’ll wake up." "That you’ll say my name again." "That we can... be together again." Tears welled in her eyes. "Because no matter what happens..." "I’ll always be here." "With you, Haruki." She squeezed his hand gently. "Believe me..." "I won’t ever..." Her lips trembled. "...leave you." She lifted his hand and held it close to her chest, eyes searching his face as if hoping he might stir. "Haruki..." "I’ll stay here." "I’ll look after you." Her voice was soft, steady—but her smile trembled at the edges. "Don’t worry." "I’ll always be nearby..." She leaned in, brushing her fingers along the edge of his hair, tucking a stray lock gently behind his ear. Kyouko forced a small smile, trying to hold it, even as her throat tightened. "I’ll be waiting." "The day when you wake up..." She reached out, fingertips lightly grazing his cheek. "So I can be—" "The first one..." "...who you see..." She rested her forehead gently against his. "...the moment you open your eyes." The room remained silent. But her presence filled it. And her love, quietly spoken, wrapped around him like the softest light. ( End Of Chapter )

Chapter 208: Waiting in Silence ( 208 )

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