Chapter 15: CH 15

Chapter 15: Discharge day

Today was the day I would finally leave the hospital. I never thought I’d spend the summer of my freshman year of high school in a hospital room. I’ll have to ask everyone to do their best for the fall tournament… I’ve got training to do, and I’ll use next year’s spring tournament as a training ground for next years’ Koshien.

I was thinking about what I would do as I packed my bags.

“Good morning!”

Aizawa-san was in a good mood, smiling as she came in, and the old lady answered.

“Huh? Haruka-chan, I thought you weren’t coming today.”

“Yes, I wasn’t going to come today.” (Haruka)

“Then what seems to be the occasion?” (Haruka’s grandma)

“There was… Ah, Yoshizumi-san! I’m glad I could make it.”

Wait what? Does it have something to do with me?

“Good morning, Aizawa-san. How can I help you?” (Hiroto)

“Yoshizumi-san, I heard you were going to be discharged from the hospital today… please eat this at home if you’d like.”

“Huh? Yes… thank you…?”

I didn’t know what it was, but I took it anyway.

“Oh, it’s a… hospital discharge gift! Since you said you were going to spend your birthday in the hospital, this is also a celebration for you!” (Haruka)

What was handed to me was a birthday cake.

“Um… don’t worry about it. I was practicing making cakes to celebrate my grandma’s upcoming discharge from the hospital.” (Haruka)

“I see. Well, I’ll eat it when I get home. Thank you very much. I didn’t expect to have a birthday cake this year, so I’m happy.” (Hiroto)

I was surprised, but convinced that it was just for practice. Well, there’s no way… She would go to the trouble of making one. I accepted the cake with gratitude.

“I’m going to go home and do some shopping. What is it, Grandma?” (Haruka)

“Haruka-chan… it’s nothing…”

I wonder what Aizawa-san’s grandmother was thinking about.

“Okay. Yoshizumi-san, I’ll take my leave now. Please take care of yourself.” (Haruka)

“Yes, thank you very much for the cake. Take care of yourself, Aizawa-san.” (Hiroto)

And with that, Aizawa-san left. I was just about to leave to meet up with Saito-san in the lobby.

“Jeez…” (Haruka’s Grandma)

Huh? I felt her eyes on me again.

“Um… Ms. Aizawa, how can I help you?”

“You guys… must have been close after all. My discharge isn’t until October.”

I wonder why Ms.Aizawa is misunderstanding. The cake was probably just a way to apologize for… seeing me cry.

I don’t know why I was being treated like Aizawa’s plaything. Then my parents came to pick me up.

“Aizawa-san I’ll be going now. Thanks for your kindness.” (Hiroto)

“Take care of yourself, Yoshizumi-kun. I’ll also be leaving the hospital soon, but I’ll have to be patient until then. Please take care of Haruka-chan.” (Haruka’s Grandma)

Toru had already completed the discharge procedures, so we headed to the lobby to meet Saito-san and his son, who were already there waiting for us.

“Saito-san! Thank you for waiting.” (Hiroto)

“I’m glad you’re discharged. My parents are over there. I’ll go get them.”

Saito-san then came back with his parents.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting, Yoshizumi-kun. Huh? Mari-san from Sakurai-san’s house! Wait what…?” (Saito’s mother)

Saito-san’s mother looked at my mom’s face and made a surprised sound as she covered Saito-san’s face.

She called my mom “Sakurai-san” and…