Shutter ➳ CITRUS

Thirty - Don't Take Long

Mei's POV

She's fine, she's awake, she's not going to die, that is what's important, I keep telling myself after talking to the doctor and finding out Yuzu had memory loss and I'm practically a stranger to her now.

I don't want to cry, no, it's selfish to grieve. She's out of serious danger Mei, you can't have everything.

The past four days passed in a complete blur. I stayed at the hospital all night the first day, sleeping on a chair beside her on the bed before I realize at dawn the next day I have to contact her family about what happened. Sakura came with the rest of the Okogi clan immediately and I had a feeling Ume Okogi blames me for what happened to her daughter but Mr. Okogi thanked me for looking out after Yuzu.

Sakura convinced me to go home and have some sleep while she takes turns looking after her sister. I didn't want to leave Yuzu, not when she's not awake but I thought the family needs time to be with her alone so I left.

I came back with Himeko, Norman, and Ryuu that night after they found out what happened to Yuzu. I was the one who looked after her with Ryuu that night and the next morning, Sakura and Harumi replaced us as we go to work. Sakura told me that it would be better if I stay clear of the hospital when Ume's the one who's looking after Yuzu and I half-heartedly complied.

I hated that I wasn't beside her when she woke up and instead I was at the office editing articles after articles but my mind's always drifting to Yuzu's frail body lying on the hospital bed unconscious, getting paler every day. The urge to run was getting stronger as days passed but I stayed because I told myself she'll need me when she wakes up.

But I wasn't there when that time came and how could she need me if she doesn't even know I exist?

I rub my sweaty palms against the fabric of my pants and blinked away the persistent tears. Yuzu doesn't remember me. If I walk in that door she won't even know it's me.

"There you are, what are you doing out here?"

Sakura sits on the chair beside me in the hallway outside Yuzu's room.

"I- I don't think I can do it."

"What the fuck do you mean Mei?"

"It means I don't think I can handle seeing her knowing the fact that she doesn't know who the fuck I am."

Sakura sighs and laid a hand on my shoulder. "Look, I know you love my sister and by the way, she constantly talks about you means she loves you too. You have to be strong for both of you. Yuzu needs you right now Mei."

"... I know that but-"

"No fucking buts Aihara, you're the one Yuzu needs. Not me, not Mum, not Dad, but you. So get your shit together."

I give Sakura a skeptical look. "I thought you hated me."

Sakura smirks. "But my sister doesn't. You make her happy that's what's important really."

I cast my eyes down to the floor. Maybe I'm wrong about Sakura Okogi after all. "...thanks Sakura."

"Are you going to see her or you'll sit out here all day?" she says with a roll of her eyes and standing up from her seat.

"I'm coming." I hastily stand up and followed her inside the room.

She's sitting on the couch beside the bed with Harumi, munching on a sandwich. She looks thinner and paler despite the fact that I just saw her last night. She stopped talking to Harumi and looked up from her sandwich when I walked in.