Chapter 41
Ryosaku woke up to the chirping sounds of sparrows outside his hospital room window.
(...I see, I was dreaming the whole time...)
When he slowly woke up his still aching head, he saw his mother sleeping soundly in a chair beside him.
His mother was worried about Ryosaku's condition and kept her in the hospital room, watching over him.
"...Hmm? Are you awake?"
His mother speaks to him, still looking sleepy.
"Mom... what on earth am I...?"
"Yeah. I got a call that you suddenly collapsed at school... They said you were taken to the hospital by ambulance, so I hurried to the hospital. Your father was there too. You've been sleeping ever since you were brought here. You've been dozing off for a long time... but the doctor said, "There's nothing to worry about anymore." ."
"I see... and my father...?"
"He's already gone to work. Tanabata Day doesn't matter to office workers."
"Huh...? Today is Tanabata day...?"
"Yes, it's July 7th. Wednesday the 7th."
Looking at the calendar hanging in the hospital room, Ryosaku realized once again that he had been dreaming for a long time since he collapsed on Monday.
(...After all, those sad faces of Mieko-chan and Teacher Suzuki were just "illusions" that I created in my head. I mean, isn't that so? Today... ・Isn't this an important "anniversary" for me and Mieko-chan? I'm sure she's feeling better and wants to meet me.)
Ryosaku thought so and looked around the hospital room once again.
Then he noticed two flower decorations on the bedside table.
The large one and the small one...both were beautifully decorated with seasonal flowers.
"...Mom, what about this flower decoration...?"
"Ah, this is it.Actually, the day after you were admitted to the hospital...in other words, it was yesterday, Tuesday, with your classmates, your homeroom teacher Mr. Yoshizawa, and, I think, a cute first-year student. Ragane, she left this flower decoration as a hospital visit for you."
"Huh...? All my classmates??"
Ryosaku couldn't believe it.
Aside from his new homeroom teacher, Mr. Yoshizawa, his own classmates hated Ryosaku that much... and the new first graders, who adored Ryosaku and called him "School Lunch Big Brother" only during school lunches. He himself couldn't believe that they were so concerned about Ryosaku.
