Breathless
Chapter 19: The Promise on Renegades
The helicopter landed on a helipad just above the RS.Seito. Medics have been waiting for their arrival after getting an order from Hinata Kyotaro who is none other than the current health minister through Haima, the director of the hospital.
With a quick and well-organized movement, the medics swiftly moved Emu's body and immediately took her. Date and Hiiro follow the media officers, alternately explaining Emu's condition, while others follow them with mixed feelings.
As they followed towards the ER, media officers asked them all to wait in the waiting room. Date and Hiiro who initially insisted on performing the surgical procedure are rejected by the medics and Haima. The hospital director explained that the health minister did not allow them to temporarily perform the surgery. Haima did not explain the reason why Kyotaro banned them. But Hiiro and Date understand, it is likely that they will both get sanctions for their actions. In the end they were half unwilling to let another doctor handle Emu who was now at the end of consciousness.
As soon as the ER door was closed, Haima led them all towards the waiting room. They all sat on the sofa without making any sound. Silence, so that they could hear each other the sound of agitated breaths coming from each other. Hiiro, Date and Reiko look most frustrated. Reiko in Takashi's arms could only cry as she cried out a prayer for Emu's safety. Takashi who saw his wife so hurt looks could not control the restless expression on his face.
What should he do to calm her down?
Takashi then looked at Date who was visibly riled up and hid his face with both hands, his body trembling as if holding back what he felt. Now Takashi could only feel a feeling of guilt enveloping his heart. It was he who herded Date into this, he was the one to blame for having let the son grow up with the poison that had affected his son's behavior.
Is he regretting all this too late?
Suddenly the waiting room door opened making everyone's attention towards the source of the sound. Kyoutaro appears with a face that looks very angry but still tries to control his emotions so as not to overflow.
"Kamishiro-san, Hagino-san! You guys are here too?" kyotaro said in a sharp tone and looked at the two men reluctantly.
Takashi and Heizou nodded reluctantly to answer questions from the health minister. It seems like this issue has become more complicated, as the health minister has been meddling in the matter.
"I'm really disappointed in you all!" Kyotaru walked towards Haima, Hiiro and Kiriya with faces that looked very disappointed.
"Especially to you Kagami-san! You should be able to prevent them from doing something stupid like this!" kyotaro exclaimed with a hardened face restraining his voice from rising.
Haima simply lowered her head, she realized she had made a fatal mistake. But everything happened, they couldn't turn back time. Hiiro, Kiriya even Pallad feels very responsible with everything. They also felt very guilty letting Haima get involved in this matter and threaten her position now.
"We will discuss what sanctions are appropriate for you after Hanaya comes!" kyotaru realizes Taiga is not with them.
"And you're Hagino-san! How dare you let your son do anything to sacrifice a lot of people! Can't you educate your son better than this?" at once Kyotaro blurted out a sharp sentence and glanced at Takashi intensely.
"Take care of what you say Hinata-san! You have no right to judge my son!" Takashi was disturbed by Kyotaru's words until he rose with a fury from the sofa he was sitting on while pointing his index finger rudely at the health minister.
"Like father like son, right?! Your actions always disgust me! Sacrificing innocent people for your own ambitions!" kyotaru added that she was increasingly unable to control the sentence she threw out of her mouth.
Everyone especially Haima was very surprised by the attitude shown by the health minister. Kyotaro doesn't usually throw sharp words at other people. As far as Haiam was concerned, Kyotaru was gentle and wise. He was always smart in processing the emotions he had.
Is Kyotaru fed up with Takashi's behavior so that the health minister can't control his emotions?
"Are you tired of Hinata-san's life?!" threatening Takashi with hunting breath, his eyes looked red with anger. Reiko grabbed her husband's arm and tried to make him calmer but Takashi was already provoked by emotions.
"Are you threatening me Hagino-san?" kyotaru's voice grew increasingly high, leading Haima to try to pull the minister away from Takashi before taking further action.
"Hagino-san! Hinata-san! Enough already! We're in the hospital, don't forget that!" Heizo then mediates the two important people in the government, trying to prevent unwanted events from happening.
"You've also sided with him Kamishiro-san? I'm really disappointed in you!" heizo's turn was met with sharp criticism from Kyotaru. He did not believe that a high-ranking police general could support Takashi's criminal actions.
"I'm sorry, but you have no right to question my attitude and decisions!" Heizo said in a cold tone to Kyotaru.
"If, something happens to Emu-chan! I'm not letting go of you two! Catch that!" threaten Kyoutaro then sat down while clasping his hands together restlessly.
Emu was like a child to Kyotaro. He remembers how he once saved little Emu in an accident and gifted her a game console. The smile of happiness shown by Emu he never forgot at that time. Until they finally meet again when Emu began an internship as a pediatrician at the Hospital.Seito. The two of them then get closer, especially Emu always considers Kyotaru as a father figure for him. Now seeing Emu again faced with the choice of life or death makes Kyotaru very worried. He did not want anything to happen to the young doctor.
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A few hours pass by Taiga, Shinosuke, Chase and Gou arrive at the hospital. They escorted Gou to the treatment room to get proper treatment for him. After that the three of them began to look for colleagues who were waiting for the procedure Emu operation that is still ongoing.
Taiga opened the waiting room door in frustration and saw that everyone who was there was no less surprised by their arrival.
"Explain what happened? Why did Emu get shot?!" taiga's passionate questioning makes Kiriya, Kuroto and Pallad uneasy. They don't know where to explain. Moreover, they feel responsible for what happened to Emu.
Shotaru approached the three of them and asked them to calm down first. Kurorto then told them to sit down and asked Kiriya to explain what happened. Kiriya only let out a long sigh of not understanding what to explain to them.
After explaining in detail what happened, Kiriya and Pallad were rewarded with glaring eyes angrily by Taiga. But the doctor tried to control his emotions and prevent him from doing anything that could make a scene, especially then Taiga caught the figure of Kyotaro was in the room was looking at him with a sharp gaze.
Taiga averted his gaze awkwardly, then looked at Hiiro who was sitting down lowering his face, Haima was seen talking to the genius doctor. Trying to fix the atmosphere of his heart that Taiga guessed was riled up and agitated.
Hopefully things will improve soon.
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"Sensei how is he?" Reiko rises hastily ahead of the others as the doctor who handled Emu exits the operating room and enters the room where everyone is waiting.
"The operation went smoothly, Houjou-sensei's situation was better. He also went through a critical period. I'll make sure he recovers soon!" The words spoken by the man's doctor made the whole room can be relieved again, at least they now know Emu will be fine.
"Can we see it, Sensei?" Date is eagerly hoping to see the idol soon. He wanted to make sure himself with his eyes if Emu was in good shape.
"Of course!"
"We have removed Houjou-sensei from the operating room. You can see it, but if you can see it alternately first!" the doctor said, giving a smile.
A second later the doctor said goodbye to the people in the waiting room, they all bowed in unison and thanked the doctor who had saved Emu's life.
Date then looked at Kyotaru expectantly, "Minister Hinata, may I see Emu's condition? I promise I won't do anything stupid anymore. I beg!"
Date bows himself to Kyoutaro, taking away his prestige to meet his lover. Kyoutaro is first quite surprised by the soft demeanor that Date shows, but then the man snorts resignedly. Although he did not like the actions that Date had done, still he could not ignore if Date looked so regretful of his actions.
"All right!" he said while breathing short breaths.
"To this day I'm letting Date and Hiiro look at Emu-chan. You can take turns to meet him. Decide who saw it first!"
"While you!" Kyoutaro glanced sharply at the doctors, Pallad and Kuroto, "It's best to rest first! We will continue the conversation about your fate tomorrow!"
Kyotaro passed accompanied by Haima who escorted him out of the waiting room. Hiiro and Date looked at each other, they tried to decide who first met the pediatrician who was lying weak in the treatment room.
"Can I meet you first? I promise it won't be long!" date said half-begging to Hiiro.
"Well, as long as you don't do anything that can hurt her again!" said Hiiro then threw his gaze away from the direction of Date.
"Thank you, I appreciate that!" date said with a faint smile and then passed towards the room where Emu was.
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Date entered the room where Emu was lying with her body shaking. He approached Emu carefully and saw Emu's tiny body fitted with various medical devices. So fragile, so pale, so stifling. Date sat next to Emu's weakly lying body. The flap-haired man grabbed onto Emu's tiny hand and grasped it gently. It was cold, not as warm as when he first held that hand lovingly.
Date kissed Emu's hand with unexplained emotions. Only regret now rumbled in his heart. A regret that could not be lost in an instant, a regret that would haunt him for life.
Date's eyes looked at Emu's wrists with a slashed feeling. Emu was still wearing the bracelet she had given when expressing love to the young doctor. The bracelet bears witness to how much Date loves Emu with all her heart.
Date gently stroked Emu's black mane, she looked at the doctor's face. Pink sheets have disappeared from the face with a pale color that covers the beauty of the owner.
"I'm so sorry, sweetheart!" he said as he kissed the lover's hand.
"I'm sorry for my stupidity! Forgive all my mistakes! I was so stupid for messing things up! I wish I could be a better me, for you!"
"I'm sorry for hurting you! I never intended to do anything bad to you but my selfishness has ruined everything! I'm so sorry!" His issue slowly while continuing to look at Emu's face and grasping Emu's hand gently.
"One thing is for sure, I will always love you with all my heart! Always!" she said she then kissed Emu's forehead with a feeling of champu stirring.
I'll give you back your smile, baby, I promise!
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"I'll turn myself in to the police!" Date entered the waiting room and uttered a sentence that shook the room. They looked at Date half in disbelief and felt that Date was trying to make a joke for them.
But unfortunately Date never joked if he said something.
"Akira-kun? What are you doing, son?" Reiko stuttered and approached Date and squeezed his son's arm.
"I will take responsibility for all my actions!" date said again with complete confidence.
"Takashi!!!!!" Reiko without letting go of the grip on her son's arm turned towards Takashi with a stern expression.
"Daddy will prepare the best lawyer for you!" Takashilalu got up from his seat and grabbed the phone from his suit and tried to contact his lawyer.
"No, Mom! Dad! I don't want to seek forgiveness! Let me take responsibility for everything! I beg!" date's steady speech stopped what Takashi was doing.
Takashi and Reiko stared at the date uneasily. The son asked for things they could not do. No parent wants to see their child in jail.
"No, Akira-kun! Please don't do that!" Isak Reiko who then hugged the body of the son tightly.
"It's okay Mom! It's okay! Please don't cry!" date then replies to Reiko's hug and kisses her head.
"Hiiro" Date turned his back towards Hiiro with a faint look.
"If Emu-chan has come to her senses, please convey my apology to her. I knew I didn't deserve to be forgiven, too much sadness I gave him. Emu-chan deserves a better man, a man who can give happiness to her"
"Date, you—" Hiiro did not know what to react to Date's request. The man had surprised her with an attitude that changed dramatically in a matter of hours.
"Maybe it's time for me to end it all. I really regret what happened. I still can't act like a real grown man. I follow my ego too much and forget the feelings of those around me. Now, maybe an apology and regret will not be enough to make up for everything" he said again, occasionally bowing his face regretting everything he had done.
"Hiiro, I really love Emu with all my body. She was the first woman to ever shake my world. But, because of my selfishness now only the suffering that I give her. I had removed his smile on his face and it was not something I should be proud of" Date sighed for a moment while recalling the various sufferings he had done to the idol. He does not deserve to be considered human.
"Therefore, I beg you one thing, Hiiro! Give him back his smile as usual. Be happy and don't let him suffer again. Take care of him wholeheartedly. I know, you can do it" he said then giving a smile with quivering lips.
Giving up the love of his life is not easy, his heart is broken and hurt. But it's not time for him to be selfish anymore, he just wants Emu to get his happiness and he's sure, not him who can give it all away. After what he did to Emu, there was no way that the seed of love was still stored in the heart of the girl.
"Date, I swear! I'll make her happy and won't let Emu suffer anymore! You can hold my word! I promise! " Hiiro approached Date and patted him on the shoulder slowly.
In his little heart Hiiro has long promised, he will not let Emu suffer more than this. He wanted to give all the happiness he had for the girl he loved. He wanted to bring back the smile on Emu's face, the smile that had once shaken his heart, the smile that always warmed his soul.
"Thank you! I appreciate it all!" date said and then smiled a relieved smile.
"Mommy, I'm sorry I let you down. But will mommy grant my request?" Date then again stroked the hair of the mother who still hugged him while sobbing.
"Anything for you sweetheart! Just tell me what do you want?" said Reiko then looked up with eyes full of tears staring at the beloved son.
"Please, take care of Emu for me! Make sure he's happy!" Date gives her sweet smile to her mother trying to make Reiko not dissolve in sadness anymore. Seeing her beloved mother cry hurt Date enough. He didn't want to see that .
"Mommy promised!" reiko said increasingly sobbing in the arms of the son.
"And one more thing, mom!"
"Please don't cry! You look so ugly when you're crying!" joking that was thrown by Date managed to make the mother smile again. Reiko began to wipe her tears and tried hard in front of the son.
Takashi approached the son and gripped his shoulder with a tremble. My son is really growing up now. Date patted the father's hand gently and nodded slowly gesturing if he was okay.
Heizou then called the SAT officer who was waiting for them outside the room and ordered them to bring Date. As soon as the officer handcuffed Date's hand, Takashi turned to Heizou with a dumbstruck face.
"Heizou! Can there be no handcuffing?" takashi asked Heizou to cancel the handcuffing procedure against the son.
"Daddy! I beg you, let Kamishiro-san run the procedure properly!" said Date firmly makes the father more upset.
"But—"
"It's alright Daddy! It's okay!" Date tries to convince the father if he does not question the procedure that should be done. The father looked at his son with haru. His son was wiser than he thought.
"I'm so proud of you, son!" takashi hugged Date with pride.
Takashi hugs Reiko while looking at her son. Date walked towards the exit along with the SAT and Heizou officers. Before reaching the end of the door, Date turned her body once again and bowed 90° towards everyone in the room. Everyone in the room reacted differently even arguably they did not know how to react with the attitude of Date that changed quickly. They could only sense that this incident had buried the monstrous monster that was in Date's heart.
Date walked away from the waiting room accompanied by the officers and Heizou with his head held firm. He has to be strong and strong to face what will happen next. He was aware that this was a consequence to be accepted after what he had done. He does not regret his decision. What he regretted was only one, he did not have time to give the happiness he deserved for his lover. And the fact is that the consideration he took was a very heavy decision because he had to give up Emu, so that the girl could achieve true happiness. The happiness he never got from her,
Emu, thank you for coming into my life! May you find your happiness after this! I will love you always!
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Let me apologize to begin with
Let me apologize for what I'm about to say
But trying to make your trust was harder than it seemed
And somehow I got caught up in between
Between my pride and my promise
Between my lies and how the truth gets in the way
The things I want to say to you get lost before they come
The only thing that's worth than one is none
Linkin Park - In Between