Even so, we are living in the present

Chapter 10 – “Bereaved Family”

After finishing the pudding, Yuu rested in a sitting position briefly and then asked Kyosuke to recline the bed back to a sleeping position. As for Kyosuke, there was a small refrigerator under the TV set next to the chest of drawer, and he was putting away the rest of the convenience store sweets he had bought.

“Speaking of which, have you seen the news lately?”

Abruptly, a question was posed by Yuu, and Kyosuke gave a small groan as he had his back turned to the other party.

“… Sorry. I haven’t seen it.”

“I haven’t seen it either… but I was wondering if they were reporting about that accident. I still don’t have the courage to check it out myself.”

With a rustling sound of fabric, Kyosuke folded the plastic bag into a smaller size, rose to his feet, and sat down on the edge of the bed, which had served as a fixed position for him.

“Well, that can’t be helped… It was right on the heels of yesterday, so you shouldn’t force yourself to look at it. If you want to know, I’ll look at it and tell you.”

“Mmm, I understand.”

Yuu let out a brief sigh of relief. Although he still did not dare to view the scene of the accident, he was nonetheless curious about the progress that had taken place. After that, nothing much was said, and there was a quiet interval.

Bang, bang!

All of a sudden, there was a knock on the door so solidly that it caused a vibration. Evidently, it was not the nurse.

“Yes?”

It was Kyosuke who answered.

Yuu cast a wary glance toward the door. Soon after, an unfamiliar woman opened the door and rushed in. She was approximately in her forties or fifties.

“… Who are you?”

“I’m so sorry!”

Upon apologizing with a momentum that interrupted Yuu’s question, the woman dropped to both knees right next to the bed and hung her head. Yuu’s troubled gaze swept over Kyosuke, as the other person appeared to be getting down on her knees. After nodding as if to say, “I understand,” Kyosuke lightly and fearfully poked the woman’s shoulder.

“… Um, how can I help you?”

“My… my husband caused an… accident… I am really…”

The woman’s voice trembled and her words soon trailed off. However, that was all it took for the two of them to figure it out.

“…”

Having detected a slight disturbance in Yuu’s breathing, Kyosuke stroked his lightly pigmented hair to induce relief and addressed the woman in his place.

“You’ve found this place quite easily, haven’t you? Have you spoken to the police?”

“I was contacted, and I had a conversation… and was told that my husband was also lost in the accident… and that they would verify the facts and provide more details at a later date… but I am certain that my husband caused the… accident… and I am really, really sorry…”

When the woman remained drooping all the while, Kyosuke folded his hands and heaved a sigh.

“‘It’s only been a day. Nothing has healed yet. Why are you coming without prior notice? The thought of someone suddenly entering the room and storming in is simply terrifying.”

“… I’m sorry… I’m confused and I absolutely have to apologize first and foremost…”

“As if an apology would make things any easier──”

“Wait, Kyosuke.”

When Kyosuke’s emotions were threatening to run rampant, his words were interrupted by a quiet but firm tone. Turning his gaze, which was laced with a hint of astonishment, Kyosuke shifted his gaze to the owner of the voice.

“… Yuu?”

His reddish right eye stared straight at the woman.

“…”

“…”

Except for Yuu, the others were merely silent, awaiting the words that would carry on.

“… My family was killed. It is unforgivable.”

His calm voice reverberated in the tranquil room.

“…”

“But blaming you is somehow wrong.”

Even if he were to blame the woman who is not the perpetrator herself, he is aware that nothing will be reciprocated. Furthermore, Yuu himself understood the utmost agony of suffering the loss of a family member, hence he can hardly blame her to that extent. Although she was related to the perpetrator, the fact that she was a “bereaved family member” like himself kept Yuu’s emotions at bay.

He gulped down his saliva dryly once and spoke up again.

“I will probably have to be subjected to an interrogation by the police from now on. Since I don’t have any knowledge and I can’t make the decision on my own, I’ll have to consult with a lawyer… I’m sorry that you have arrived here, but would you mind leaving today?”

“Excuse us. As such, please withdraw from here.”

Following Yuu, who remained calm and unaffected, Kyosuke added in a polite tone.

If you apologize, you will be forgiven. The idea of “I’ll forgive you if you apologize” has never been a part of his mindset.

“I am sorry… I understand. Please excuse me…”

When the woman responded in a trembling voice with tears streaming down her face, she stood up, bowed, and quietly exited the hospital room with her shoulders slumped, contrary to the way she had stepped in.