Chapter Text
Hiroko is worried.
Not so much in the “Oh God we’re going to die!” kind of worry, rather the “Something is very wrong but I can’t put my finger on it” kind of worry.
And it centres on her seven-year-old son, Yuuri.
A week ago, Yuuri had gotten into an accident while at school. A large tree branch had fallen on him while he was eating lunch. He was subsequently rushed to Hasetsu Children’s Hospital, bleeding and unconscious. Thankfully, the doctors found that he only had a minor concussion, and all that was left to do was wait for Yuuri to regain consciousness.
And he did, three days ago.
Yuuri woke up to his family gathered around the bed. There were plenty of tears and wailing to go around, even more so because Yuuri appeared to be in a state of limbo. Conscious, but not quite in the present. His eyes remained half-lidded, and his words were slurred like a drunkard.
The doctor had reassured Hiroko and her husband, Toshiya, that the reason why their son is so out of it was likely due to the painkillers wearing off. Give it some time, he said, and Yuuri will be in tip-top shape like before.
That was four days ago.
Yuuri had been discharged the next day and brought home to Yu-Topia Katsuki to recuperate in more familiar surroundings. In that time, Hiroko became his nurse, tending to his needs and making sure that he was taken care of.
It was then that she noticed that Yuuri’s disoriented state continued to persist.
Whenever he walks around the main building, he appears to be in a trance. He will stare at unseen points for prolonged periods of time, before sauntering off. Sometimes, he will sit and not move an inch for about an hour at a time. Throughout it all, his expression does not change. It is empty, mouth drawn straight and eyes dark, almost haunted.
Not once did Yuuri talk. He responds with nods or shakes of the head. Effectively, he has become a ghost, haunting the halls of Yu-Topia.
Hiroko decided that she could not stay silent any longer. She went to confide with Toshiya about their son. While he was concerned himself, Toshiya tried to stay positive. He told Hiroko that they will continue to monitor Yuuri for a few more days. If his unusual behaviour persisted, they would take him back to the hospital for another check-up.
Two more days passed, and to Hiroko’s relief, Yuuri starts to show signs of improvement. He appears slightly more alert and aware of his surroundings. His movements are less detached and more controlled. And he is not staring off into space as much.
Hiroko ultimately decides that further medical intervention is not needed. Her son is gradually returning to normal. There is nothing to worry about.
That is, until the next day came.
Hiroko is cleaning the banquet hall. They had several guests over, and they had one too many drinks the night before. In whatever drunken hooliganism they had gotten up to, alcohol was spilt, and some food ended up flying. Stains matted the floor, requiring clean-up.
This is completely routine for Hiroko. The banquet hall has seen similar events whenever her husband’s entertainment got a little out of hand with the alcohol flowing like there was no tomorrow. She knows the perfect crème cleanser that does most of the job for her, leaving the rest to lukewarm water and rags to finish up.
Hiroko spends half an hour cleaning the stains, before getting the vacuum cleaner.
Because of the loud whirring noise, she almost does not hear the footsteps rushing towards her.
“Mum!”
Hiroko turns off the vacuum. Yuuri is standing before her, panting lightly.
On the one hand, the sudden alertness in her son’s expression and eyes is a welcome sight. However, there is something about the alertness, the under layers of sheer confusion and manic desperation, the need for answers that far exceeds the typical curiosity, that brings the worry back to Hiroko’s mind.
“What is it, Yuuri?”
Her son stares at her for a moment, one that feels far longer than normal, before asking in a quiet voice, “Mum…w-what day is it?”
“24 th September, dear.”
“A-And…year?”
Okay, the worry is growing now.
“2000. Why?”
Hiroko sees the exact moment when all colour drains from her son’s face, and the mania that had been hidden under the surface breaks through.
“Yuuri? What’s wrong?”
Complete silence.
“Yuuri? Y-You’re scaring me. Why are you staring at me like that?”
And just like that, the young boy keels backwards, and crumples to the floor.
“Yuuri!”
To Be Continued.