It's Better This Way

Yoshiko's POV

Yoshiko’s POV:

It was the next day. Kanan came to pick me up in the morning. She had agreed to join me for this. I’m glad. I don’t want to be alone. This isn’t an easy task.

We went slow. Neither of us really wanted to go in. We knew this was going to be tough. I led the way. The therapist met us. She thanked up for the video and showed us to her room. We took some seats and waited for the nurses to bring Ruby in.

I was really nervous. I don’t know what to expect from this. What if Ruby doesn’t get better? What if this makes her snap?

Kanan grabbed my hands and held them still. They were shaking a lot. She held them in her own. I looked up at her. She looked nervous as well, but she tried to smile at me. I tried to smile back at her, but I failed. The door to the room opened up. Ruby was brought into the room in a wheelchair. She was still restrained to it. I guess they don’t trust her yet.

Ruby stared at us. She doesn’t seem very happy that we’re here. I guess that’s to be expected. She hasn’t liked us since we forced her here. I just hope that soon she’ll like us again. This is for the best that she’s here. I hope she’ll come to understand that soon enough.

“Ruby, I believe it would be helpful for you to see the event that lead up to all of this.” The therapist said.

“I don’t want to.” Ruby grumbled.

“You don’t have a choice. This will help you.” She replied.

She turned her laptop toward Ruby. I guess she’s going to play the video now. I looked up at Kanan. She was biting her lip as she watched Ruby. The therapist turned on the video. It was weird to see everything again. All of us had avoided videos about it. None of us wanted to see it again.

Ruby didn’t show any emotion as she watched it. Is it doing anything for her? Maybe this isn’t working. What will we do then? I don’t know what else we could do. I guess they’d just have to rely on the medication working for her.

Soon enough, the video ended. The therapist turned the laptop back to her. Ruby was looking at us again. She seems a little suspicious of us. Does she think we’re here for something else?

“That will be all for today.” The therapist said.

Ruby was taken back to her room. Kanan and I followed her. We sat on opposite sides of the bed. Ruby doesn’t seem very pleased that we’re here.

“So, Ruby… um, how are you doing?” I nervously asked.

“The same.” Ruby replied blankly.

“You don’t seem to even be trying to get better.” I said.

“What do you know?” Ruby snapped at me.

“This isn’t the normal you, Ruby. You’ve changed.” Kanan stated.

“It’s your fault! If you would’ve just left me alone I would’ve been fine!” Ruby growled at her.

“You tried to kill me, Ruby.” I said.

“Because you ruined everything! You should’ve minded your own business.” Ruby grumbled.

“Ruby, this isn’t healthy. You need help.” I said as calmly as I could. I was trying really hard not to raise my voice.

“Get out. I’ve had enough of you!” Ruby yelled.

I sighed and stood up. Looks like she still doesn’t like us that much. I left the room. There’s no point in staying if all we’re going to do is argue. Kanan followed me after a moment. The two of us silently walked out of the hospital.

“She doesn’t seem to be getting better, does she?” I sighed.

“It’s only been a day. Give it some time.” Kanan replied.

“I want her better now.” I whined.

“I know. I do too. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to speed it up.” Kanan said.

We soon parted ways. I was back at my house. I was alone. Why does this loneliness feel different than normal? Why did all of this have to happen? Why couldn’t we be happy? Fate is very cruel.

…

It had been a month. Ruby had finally been released. She was better now. I’m really glad. It’s good to have her back to normal. I was on my way to go visit her. I still liked to drop by and see her daily if I could. Just to be sure.

I rung the doorbell. Ruby answered the door. She let me inside.

“Hey. You doing good?” I asked.

Ruby nodded, “Yep. I’m fine.”

That’s good. I’m glad she’s doing good. We went to the living room and sat down. We talked for a while. I noticed Ruby would occasionally glance around. I’m not sure what to make of it. I don’t want to bring it up. She doesn’t like talking about things like that still. She gets very defensive.

We talked for about an hour before I had to go. I was busy today. Normally I’d spend a lot longer with Ruby. It doesn’t really matter. Since she’s been doing really well, I’m fine with leaving her by herself for a long time. She can be trusted now.

I just hope this lasts. I don’t know if things could go back to how they were before. I hope not. I don’t want to see Ruby like that ever again. It was tough. I just want her to be happy. Now that she doesn’t see Dia anymore, she definitely seems a lot happier.