Naruhito (47)
This room, I hate it.
It smells of medicine, there’s nothing but the bed and machines, all white, bringing back unpleasant memories.
That's why I can't sleep, constantly haunted by strange dreams.
Hiiro is seldom here, and I can’t sleep with him. It’s cold. Too cold to sleep.
I drift through a dark time when I can’t tell if I’m awake or asleep. People come in several times at night. If it’s not Hiiro, I don’t care. They touch my cheek or wrist gently, sometimes waking me up just when I’ve finally fallen asleep. I wish they’d leave me alone, whether I’m having nightmares or not. I turn my face away to avoid the hand rubbing under my right eye.
Even as the tubes connected to my body decrease, the fatigue only grows.
"Are you awake, Naruhito?"
"Ikimau."
Hearing his voice after so long made me happy.
"What Ikimau? Let’s eat together."
I tried to say 'Rikimaru' properly.
He brought a tray filled with various foods. I didn’t feel like eating porridge, but I could manage corn soup. And ice.
"Shoup. I want to dwink shoup. Eat wice."
"Wice? Oh, ice? You can have it later. It’s not really food."
Hiiro and Ikumatsu entered the room from behind.
"Hiiwo. Hiiwo."
When I called out, he immediately came closer, so I stretched out my right hand. I was cold and needed a hug.
"What’s wrong? You don’t look well. Can’t sleep?"
When he hugged me, I finally felt some of the tension leave my body. I was so tired. I wanted to be as close to him as possible. I noticed faint circles under Hiiro’s eyes too.
"Go home. I hate it here."
"Yeah, let’s go home. Isn’t that okay, Ikumatsu?"
"I’d prefer if he stayed until he’s able to move around more freely."
Hah? Rikimaru, who was setting up the food on the bedside table, responded incredulously.
"He’s moving plenty already, isn’t he? He just reached out and hugged Prince Hiiro. Before, he couldn’t even move a finger properly. Doctor, you’re asking for too much."
"If he has something he wants to do, he should be able to move more."
"Is that so? Hmm."
After thinking for a moment, Rikimaru smiled mischievously.
"Leave it to me. Your Highness, please sit Naruhito up on the bed and step back. We’re going to eat together, just the two of us."
What do you think about this chapter?
