Chapter 77
[106]
Makoto Niijima was out of breath as she pushed through the hospital door and ran straight to the front desk. When she had gotten the news on her way to school that morning, she immediately dropped everything and ran the entire way to the hospital.
“Is *huff* Is he really awake?” She asked the nurse at the front desk. After visiting the hospital so many times in the past few months, the staff there were well aware of who Makoto was and what she meant.
“Hello Ms. Niijima.” The nurse greeted. “Yes, your father is awake, your sister is already with him.”
In that moment, Makoto didn’t even feel the pain in her lungs, she was simply too overjoyed.
“Now if you’ll just sign this visitor sheet-”
But it was too late, before the nurse could even finish his sentence, Makoto was sprinting down the hall to her father’s room. “Sorry!” She called back, but made no attempt to stop.
When she finally arrived at the correct room, she slid open the door to find her father, Akihiko Niijima, sitting up in his bed and her sister Sae sitting next to him. The two were surprised to see her, but their looks of surprise were quickly replaced with smiles. For the first time in months, the three of them could be really, truly together again.
“Daddy!” She yelled as she enveloped the man in a hug, tears flowing from her eyes. She didn’t care if it sounded childish, her father was awake and that was all that mattered.
“Mako!” He said weakly as he put his arms around her back.
“Dad. *sniff* I-I was so scared. I was afraid you might never wake up.” Makoto’s voice was shaky as her tears began to run down his shoulder.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that Mako. I can only imagine how hard all of this was the both of you. I never meant to put myself in danger but-”
“Shut up Dad.” Sae said as she joined in on the hug. “Never scare us like that again. Understand?” Her tone was half sentimental, half scolding.
“Yes ma’am.” He replied.
The trio let the embrace last for another minute, soaking in the reality that they were all together again. When they finally did let each other go, both sisters decided to hold on to one of their father’s hands while they spoke.
“When I heard how long I’d been out, I nearly fell into another coma just from shock. My daughters, living on their own for almost 3 months? Did you burn down the apartment?” He chuckled softly.
Both of them rolled their eyes at the dumb joke. Classic Dad.
“You know, I’m an adult with a well-paying job and a pension, and Makoto is nearly in college. We can manage on our own.”
“Oh? So you’re saying you don’t need your dear old dad to take care of you anymore?”
“On the contrary.” Sae said. “From here on, you will be staying home so that we can take care of you.” She crossed her leg and smirked.
“You want me to retire? I know my hair is grey but I’m not an old man just yet.”
“Dad, I’m serious. No more dangerous police work. There’s a new villain on the street every other week now. Things in the city have taken a serious nosedive in the past months. Police aren’t enough anymore.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about me doing roundhouse kicks on super criminals anymore. The doc told me my right leg was shattered, my kneecap was destroyed beyond repair and I’ll probably need a cane to walk.” Suddenly, a look of shock appeared on his face. “Oh my god. I am an old man.”
“Dad…” Makoto said, concerned.
Sae closed her eyes and let out a long sigh before turning back to her father. “Look, I probably shouldn’t be telling you this, but the company has big plans in the near future, ones that include a large raise in my pay. Money won’t be a problem anymore, you can retire early and focus on pursuing other goals in your life. Maybe you could even try dating agai-”
“Sae.” Akihiko interrupted, a dead serious look in his eyes. “The only women I’ve ever needed in my life are you, your sister, and your mom.” His expression lightened. “Besides, who else would want this old bag of bones in their life?”
Makoto was surprised by Sae’s suggestion. The two of them had been trying to get their dad back in the dating pool for years now, not out of a need for a new mother, but for their father’s own sake. Their attempts had always fallen short though, eventually they’d given up entirely, or at least that’s what Makoto had thought.
Minako Niijima had been the love of their father’s life. So much so that he actually ended up taking her last name when they got married. Minako had been an orphan when growing up, losing her parents in a car accident at 10 years old. After bouncing from orphanage to orphanage through her teens, she eventually found herself at Gekkoukan High School, where she met Dad.
“I appreciate all that you’re offering,” Their dad continued. “But I’m happy with my life as it is. Why don’t we continue this discussion at another time? Don’t you have work right now? And Mako, shouldn’t you be in class?”
“I’ll call in sick.” Makoto replied, hugging her father’s arm. “I just got you back, I don’t want to leave you so soon.”
“You won’t lose me Mako, I’ll be right here. I promise.” He reassured, petting his daughter’s head.
Suddenly, the door to the room slid open once more, and in stepped their father’s police partner and best friend since high school, Junpei Iori.
“Sorry to say this, but the fundraiser to turn your unconscious body into a Robocop ended up falling short of its goal. But it’s okay, I used the funds to buy you a coffee instead.” The man held out a small styrofoam cup of steaming brown liquid.
“Uncle Junpei!” Makoto smiled at the newcomer.
“Isn’t that the free coffee they give out in the lobby?” Sae asked, looking at the cup.
“How dare you!” Junpei mocked being offended. “And after going through all of this trouble. Aki, your daughter’s being mean again!”
“Good to see you again Junpei.” Akihiko smiled at his partner. “I don’t remember a lot from that night, but I do remember you saving my life, so thank you.”
“No problem, I owe you after all the times you did the same for me.” He turned to the two younger girls. “Has he told you what he did yet? Took on Tombstone with his bare hands and laid him out like Bruce Lee.”
Sae turned to her father with an angry expression in her eyes. “No. He failed to mention that.”
Realizing that he was only going to get in more trouble if he let Junpei go on, Akihiko decided to take preventative measures. “Girls, how about you two go? You’ve got work and school waiting for you and I’ll be stuck here for the rest of the day. You can come visit me when you get off.”
Both of the girls wanted to protest, but the look they got from him told them that there wouldn’t be a discussion. With that, the Niijima sisters hugged their dad goodbye and exited the hospital.
“Can I give you a ride to school?” Sae asked as she stepped into her car.
“That’s okay, I know it’s out of your way so I’ll just take the train.” Makoto replied. Her sister shrugged and stepped into her car, a chrome luxury car that her boss had bought her. From what Makoto knew, this particular model wasn’t even available to the public yet. Having your boss be the richest man in Japan had its perks.
Makoto arrived at school during the third period, much to the surprise of her fellow classmates. Being the student council president and resident ‘robot’, rumors regarding why she was late spread like wildfire. From what she heard, one in particular accused her of ditching class to be with her boyfriend, the school delinquent. That one made Makoto blush more than she’d care to admit.
“Makoto!” A familiar voice called out to her in the hallway. When she turned her head, she spotted Ann and Morgana standing by the stairs. The pair waved her over and she joined them, having a few minutes of free time before class.
“Where were you?” Ann asked. “It’s not like you to be late for school.”
“Sorry, I was at the hospital. My dad, he finally woke up from his coma.”
“Oh my god!” She exclaimed. “That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you!” She brought the older girl into a hug, which Makoto promptly accepted.
“Wait.” Morgana chimed in. “So then, you weren’t with Ren?”
Shocked that one of her friends would believe such a scandalous rumor, she vehemently denied it, reassuring Ann that she had no interest in her crush. (Even if it was a lie.) Unknown to both of them, Morgana was kicking himself mentally, upset that his ‘Lady Ann’ still had a shot with Ren.
“Why does everyone think I was with Ren? Isn’t he here?” Makoto asked.
“No. He didn’t show up to class today. He hasn’t been answering our texts either. And if he wasn’t with you…” Ann began, but Makoto finished for her.
“Then where the hell is he?”