Chapter 2, Lost and forgotten
“Miss Himeko? I’m Dr. Rodriguez. I’m the doctor taking care of Miss March. Nurse Andrews told me you would be here.” She casually walked up to the red-haired woman.
“Ah, Doctor, how is she?” The worried woman stood up, her fingers intertwined as if she were praying.
“I understand that you are worried, but unfortunately, we don’t know the effects of the injury on her brain.” She looked down at her clipboard for a beat, her voice not filled with confidence at all.
“We can run some tests, but it isn’t certain that this will give us any insight into how she will function when she wakes up.” Her eyes met Himeko’s, who was clearly shaken up, but her expression was still filled with hope, though.
She sniffled a bit and closed her eyes, trying to compose herself before speaking “So she is going to wake up?”
“I see no reason why not; it is only a matter of time. We should stay optimistic, let her rest, and see what the tests reveal.” She briefly put her hand on Himeko’s shoulder, though she looks a lot more like she needs a whole hug.
“You can stay with March as long as you want to; no one will bother you. If you need anything, you can ask the nurses or me, and if there is a problem, you can press the call nurse button.”
Himeko thanked her, and the doctor went to pursue other parts of her work. She turned to the door of March’s room and prepared herself for a bit before entering. March wasn’t alone, however.
A tall figure with long gray hair, presumably dyed, stood up quickly; she seemed somewhat startled. They both started speaking at the same time.
“He-”
“Oh-”
They sort of stood there for a moment in awkward silence.
“You go ahead”, says Himeko to the familiarly gray-haired girl.
She reached her hand out for a handshake sort of insecurely. “My name is Stelle, I’m March’s... uh...”
Himeko smiled a little while looking her in the eyes and shaking her hand “Girlfriend. She has mentioned you before. My name is Himeko.”
“Oh, she told me about you. She always talks about how much she loves her mom.”
Tears gathered in her eyes at those words. “I...” She wiped her eyes. “I love her a lot too, she is the only family I have left.”
Stelle nodded in understanding. “She is everything to me, too. I just hope she wakes up soon.”
“The doctor said she will wake up, but I’m scared she might not be the same anymore.” Himeko’s hands were shaking at the thought.
“I’m sure she will be okay,” Stelle said, touching March’s hand. “I do have to go now. I have the same classes as her, so I will be taking notes for her. Take care, Ms. Himeko.” She pats Himeko on the shoulder softly before leaving, she looks like she needs it.
“You too, Stelle.”
She is alone with March again. Sitting down next to her, she starts talking.
“You know you caused quite a bit of trouble for me. I started talking to Kafka again.”
She paused and pinched the bridge of her nose. “We even got a bit too close... I don’t know what I’m doing. I tell myself it’s just comfort, but she isn’t some toy for me to use. Maybe I messed up.”
Her brain reminds her of the night before, how loving and comforting Kafka was, as if they were still together after all that time.
“And... and yet she is still so kind and warm to me. I’m stretched too thin between you and her and my silly feelings.”
She put her forehead to the back of March’s hand.
“Please just wake up. I miss you... So, so much.”
Just yesterday, they had been on the phone for hours, talking while doing their things. Himeko was working on some personal projects, and March was doing homework. Everything seemed so perfect.
She got up. “I must go take care of some business, but I will come visit you again soon. I’ll get you some flowers.”
Reluctantly, she opened the door and stepped out, looking back at March one more time before leaving.
On her phone, she went into contacts and once more dialed “DO NOT ANSWER!!!”
“Yes, Himeko?” The familiarly coarse voice asked in that ever low and seductive tone.
“Could you pick me up and take me somewhere? I need to grab March’s things from her car. I’m at the hospital.” She didn’t like depending on Kafka or making trouble for her, but she had no one else, and her car was not done yet.
There were some unintelligible sounds, like voices, muffled by what she could only assume is Kafka’s shoulder.
“Of course, I’ll be right there.” Beep. She hung up. She always does that, which Himeko finds both incredibly annoying and somewhat attractive. That confidence and composure never failed to stir something within her.
Himeko walked down the stairs and out of the building, appreciating the sunny day after last night’s rain.
Before long, that purple car with spiderweb decals pulled up, and Kafka leaned to the side and popped the door open for Himeko. “Hop in.”
Himeko rolled her eyes at Kafka’s gentlemanly behaviour but soon after climbed into the car.
“Where to, my lady?” Kafka smirked.
Himeko looked at her with a rather unamused expression “The junkyard, on the east side of town.”
“Anything for you.” She winked.
Himeko couldn’t help but smile a little. She would never admit it, but she still likes Kafka’s little gestures.
The ride was as smooth and pleasant as it always is when Kafka is driving. “Any news today?”
“They expect her to wake up sometime in the next few days, but they don’t expect her to be unaffected. I’m scared that she won’t be all there and that her spark will be gone. That she will be someone else.”
Kafka put her hand on Himeko’s. “Whatever happens, I will be there for you, for her. I promise.”
“You don’t have to promise anything, but... Thank you. She always liked you; she would be happy to know you are there.”
Kafka chuckled a little. “Yeah, I know. We have been exchanging birthday and Christmas gifts for years. Don’t suppose you knew about that.”
Himeko laughed a bit with her. “Really? Of course you two did. Very in-character.”
They arrived at the junkyard. Kafka parked and walked with Himeko to talk to the receptionist. Letting Himeko do all the talking, she looked like a scary dog following her owner. Soon, they found March’s beetle. Or, well, what’s left of it.
The car was all mangled up, looking like a sixteen-wheeler made sweet love to it.
“Damn.” That is all Kafka could say about the state of it.
Himeko looked at it with sadness, nostalgia, and shock. “She’s lucky to be in one piece. This is worse than the insurance company made it look in my mind.”
Himeko attempted to open the passenger-side door, but it simply wouldn’t budge.
“Give me a moment.” Kafka left for her car. Before long, she was back with a crowbar.
“Why do you have that in your trunk?” Himeko asked suspiciously. They had fights over similar things in the past.
“I know what it looks like, given my past, but I assure you that is all behind me.” She looks Himeko in the eyes with an undeniably sincere look.
Kafka is many things but scarcely a liar. “I keep a few tools that can be useful to me. I may not be in ‘the business’ anymore, but I am still friends with a lot of bikers, and I’m handy with machines. You should know that better than anyone how good I am with my fingers.”
Himeko went through a lot of thoughts all at once but simply sighed and ignored her crude remark. “I believe you.” ‘Don’t make me regret it’ she whispered to herself.
Kafka swiftly and expertly pried open the door, and the glove compartment was open within seconds.
“Practice makes perfect, huh?” Himeko teased. “I suppose so, dear.”
Himeko gave her an unimpressed look for a moment before grabbing all of March’s documents. She passed them to Kafka before looking through the centre console and other compartments and finding nothing.
Meanwhile, Kafka looked through the documents and found that these were indeed all of the car’s required papers.
“I think we have what we need. Look.” She handed Himeko the relevant papers while holding onto the irrelevant contents of March’s glovebox. “This it?”
Himeko nodded. “Yeah, this is it. I’ll go talk to the reception, let them know we got what we needed.”
“I’ll get the car ready.”
They walked their separate ways briefly. After notifying the reception that they can dispose of the beetle, Himeko walked out of the building, where Kafka was waiting for her, right outside. She was on the phone with someone.
She put her phone down before Himeko could get in. “Who was that?” She was nosy.
“Oh, just Wolfie. The team is hungry, so we will be stopping somewhere to grab something for all of us.” She nonchalantly explained as they exited the junkyard.
Himeko got a tiny bit upset but tried not to let it show. “You’re still around Bronya? I thought you said all that is behind you.”
“Well...” Kafka sighed. “I know you don’t necessarily like them, but I got my friends out of the gang business; we are all legit now. No crimes, no messing around. I gave myself, and them, a second chance.”
“Hmmm...” Himeko thought for a bit. “Okay, I apologise for doubting you. It’s just... well, you know how it is.
“That I do. No harm done, Himmy.” She smiled, and even though Kafka was looking at the road, Himeko noticed.
They picked up some In-n-out for the team and themselves, and they drove back to the tattoo parlour.
“Oh, by the way, Himeko, beware of Wolfie... I don’t think she likes you after what happened.” Kafka drops nonchalantly.
“Ah... I understand.” She says as they pull into Kafka’s parking spot.
They walk to the front door, fast food bags in hand, as the group is just talking idly, no customers in sight.
“We’re back,” Kafka announces, “And we brought you goodies.”
“Hello...” Himeko greets them awkwardly. Their last meeting was certainly not pleasant.
“Miss Himeko. Hello! Kafka told us you’re crashing at her place for a while.” A familiar voice greeted her back. A woman with grey hair and lots of tattoos, as well as scars, was standing before her.
“Firefly! I’m glad to see you’re doing well.” Himeko and Firefly always did get along well, back when Himeko was close with the gang.
Himeko thought Firefly was a brilliant mind, and she hoped one day she would steer clear of gangs. Perhaps her prayers were answered in a way.
They hugged briefly. “Look at you all grown up!”
Firefly got a bit flustered. “You haven’t changed one bit, Miss Himeko.”
Himeko turned to Blade and Silver Wolf, who were quietly watching.
“I apologise for my rudeness the last time we saw each other. I am glad to see you are all doing well.” She tried to sincerely apologise because her behaviour wasn’t nice, and she did take out her anger towards Kafka on the rest of them.
Silver wolf just said, “It’s okay,” before turning to her food and disconnecting herself from the situation.
“I heard what happened to your kid. I’m truly sorry. I hope she makes it.” Blade said in the same tone as he always speaks. He does seem to care, though.
“Thank you. I will tell her you said that.” Himeko felt awkward, standing in front of everyone like that.
Kafka grabbed her by the hand and gestured at the seats in the waiting area. “Let’s sit down and eat.”
As they were eating, Kafka was speaking to the team about work, as they are all employees working for her. She wasn’t paying attention to her food much, so Himeko attempted to kidnap a stray fry.
Kafka turned to her with a smile, grabbed her little box of fries and extended them to Himeko. “Here, dear. Take some more.”
A faint trace of pink appeared on her cheeks; was it because she was caught? Or because Kafka is being cute? She feigned an angry expression and took two more fries.
“They taste better when I steal them from you...” She said quietly, almost whispering.
Kafka had this soft look on her face, a protective, almost possessive one. Himeko always made her act like a fool.
“God, get a room.” Silver wolf said, the annoyance in her voice clear.
Kafka chuckled. “Apologies, Wolfie.” Himeko’s cheeks reddened a bit more.
“So, Himeko, after this, you’re going back to see March?” She asked in a bit of a quieter tone, while the rest of the group continued to talk about which shifts they would take.
“Yes, I think I’ll spend some time with her and maybe write a couple of emails to work partners, let them know I will be missing for a while.” She looked down, clearly stressed about work.
“Would it be all right if I went with you? Kafka’s voice was almost pleading.
“I would like that. Rather not be alone.” She thought back to last night. She is not very stable.
“That’s part of why I asked.” She said, worriedly.
They finished their food soon after and said goodbye to the group. Kafka left to get her car while Himeko grabbed her purse.
“Himeko.” A threatening, almost angry voice, of a short, but fiery girl demanded attention.
“Yes, Bronya?” She didn’t know what to expect, but Kafka did warn her.
“Listen up.” She stepped closer. “Do not. Break Kafka’s heart. Understood?”
“I...” Himeko stammered as she was confused.
Silver wolf poked her collar threateningly. “Don’t break her heart again.”
“Alright, I won’t... What is this about?” Silver Wolf simply stormed off into the break room.
Blade chuckled “She cares for Kafka she got incredibly pissed at you for leaving her.” He looked at the confused lady with a smile, something he rarely did. “It’s sweet of her, isn’t it?”
Before Himeko gets a chance to respond, a honk comes from outside. “Whoops, got to go.” She rushes outside to not keep Kafka waiting.
Before long, they are pulling into the parking lot of the hospital. The hospital isn’t far from the parlour anyway; Himeko went on foot in the morning.
They make their way up in the elevator and find nurses rushing in and out of March’s room.
Immediately, Himeko gets panicked. Did something go wrong? The two of them rush to the room where... March has awoken. Before they can enter the room and talk to them, the doctor stops them.
“Miss Himeko, you cannot go in at the moment. March has woken up, yes, but we are still doing some tests. Sit here outside, you will be able to see her shortly.” She closed the door on them before they could say anything.
Himeko gets scared; something isn’t right. Why wouldn’t they be allowed to enter?
Kafka hugs her. “It’s okay. We will wait, and we will see what is going on. No need to stress yourself out.”
They stayed in an embrace for about half an hour, Himeko trembling from anxiety, before the doctor walked over to them.
“Here is the situation. She seems okay, but she doesn’t remember anything before the crash, and even her memory of recent events seems to be weak. I will allow you to go to and talk to her, but don’t expect a miracle. She is lucky as it is.” The doctor said solemnly
Himeko clammed up, got all stiff and quiet. “Himmy? You okay?”
She shook her head as if pushing some bad thoughts away. “Yes, I’m fine. Let’s go see her.”
Kafka holds Himeko’s hand as they enter the room. March is awake, she looks at them.
“March... Oh, March, I’ve missed you so much.” Himeko rushed to her side and took her hand as Kafka stood by and watched.
“Who... Who are you? Are we close? Sorry, the doctors said someone is waiting for me, but not much else.” She spoke in an exhausted voice, but she was functioning; the worst of what Himeko feared did not come true.
“I am... well, my name is Himeko, and this is Kafka. I am the closest thing to family you had, sort of like a mom.” Her voice is shaky; she is trying her best not to cry.
“Oh, I see. Sorry that I can’t remember. Thank you for coming, though.” Her voice was shaky, too. She was overwhelmed.
Kafka suddenly spoke up, “Do you want us to go? You seem exhausted, and if this is too much for you right now, we can always come back tomorrow.
“Maybe this would be for the best... I might remember later.”
“Okay. We will talk to the doctor now. Bye March.” Kafka said, seeing that Himeko is in shambles.
“Wait,” March said. “Who are you people? Where am I?”
Himeko’s soul dropped. She didn’t know what to do. “What do you mean? We just introduced ourselves, dear.”
“I don’t know you. Don’t lie to me!” Kafka ran out to grab the doctor immediately, and before long, Himeko was kicked out, and the room was filled with nurses again.
Kafka talked with the doctor because Himeko was lost in her mind. She explained what had happened and that March forgot who they were mere seconds after introducing themselves.
Himeko was so lost that she didn’t know what to do anymore. She was shaking, her vision was blurry, and she felt like she had just lost her daughter completely.
“...meko...”
“...Hi...meko...”
“Himeko.” That coarse and composed voice brought her back to the land of the living.
“We should get out of here. You need air.” Himeko was not saying anything, but she walked with Kafka.
They walked out the front door. “Are you okay, Himmy?”
She reached for Kafka, pulled herself in and started crying into her shirt once more. “Oh, Himmy. It’s okay. I’m here.” She rubbed those familiar circles that she always used to rub into her back, petting her head with her other hand.
“I’ll be here with you; we will go through this together. I’m not going anywhere, Himeko.”
“Th...”
“Thank you.”