FMS Episode One 48 (Patreon)

"-ya, Chihaya"

Chihaya heard faint echoes of Aya's voice .

Was it already morning? Chihaya opened her eyes slightly, but here vision was just a flood of vague white light. And she felt very tired.

"Chihaya, wake up, Chihaya."

Someone was rocking her shoulders. Okay. Okay. As her eyes slowly regained their focus, she saw Aya’s sobbing face against a backdrop of a white drab wall.

"Oh…Aya."

"Chihaya!"

Aya clung to Chihaya, her arms tight around her shoulders. Chihaya had been lying on bed. She felt soft garment brush against her skin and noted she was in some hospital clothing.

For some time, Chihaya was numb even with Aya’s embrace and sobs. But gradually, her head became clearer, and her memories had come back. Oh, I was trapped inside a wreck, and then…

"Ow."

Chihaya felt a sharp pain on her forearm. She noted it had been taped up and an IV needle had been inserted beneath her skin. She must have inadvertently tugged on the drip tube. In addition, there were gauzes on her arms and upper body. 

"Rise and shine."

Chihaya heard a man’s voice from the bedside. side. His face was copper colored from the sun, and the wrinkles on his forehead were carved deep by decades of his trade at sea. It was Uncle Isuzu, and Auntie was beside him as well at the bedside.

“Good,” Uncle breaks his face, creating wrinkles around his eyes.

"Oh Chihaya, take it easy." When Chihaya tried to lift herself, Auntie placed her hands on Chihaya and urged her to lie back down. "You need to rest. Chihaya-chan, you've been bedridden for two days."

"Wow."

Chihaya said, and noticed her voice was hoarse.