That day later, when I saw them together at night… I was dazed, thinking about what I had done to make them break my heart.
But I had to admit that… I had started to forget many things, and the most interesting part is that I didn't even notice it. At first, I only forgot small things and conversations that weren't even necessary, but recently my health has been getting worse with time.
If I talk about them "together"—
My memory has gotten worse along with my health.
If I force myself to remember something important, or moments about Lion and me when we were together, I can barely recall blurry images. Hmm… a texture like… a hug. I'm not sure about that.
I think God heard my prayer to clear my silly thoughts. What a blessing I got—to distract myself from negative thoughts.
Whether I want to or not, I always end up forgetting.
I encouraged myself, "I am lucky," I whispered with a sad look and puffed eyes.
Like that, he spends his days—peacefully, without any drama.
<
(Minato is lying on the bed silently. His eyes are closed. A stream of sunlight falls onto his face from the window.)
I open my eyes. I cover them with my hands because the sunlight is so bright. It feels like it burns my eyes. I stretch my hands and step toward the door.
I move toward the stairs in the hallway because my stomach is groaning.
I belong to a species that eats a lot like a pig but doesn't gain any weight, though I'm not that thin anyway. I am healthy.
I smile to myself.
In the middle of my thoughts, I hear—
"Hey, wait! Wait! I really don't want to eat. I'm not that hungry." The mistress's voice.
"No, you have to eat at any cost. I'll give you just a small amount. Say 'Ahh…'"
I pause in terror, staring in the direction the sound came from.
I feel disappointed. He never insisted that I eat.
Suddenly, my stomach starts hurting. I grab it and squeeze, "Ah… by their lovey-dovey act, I feel like I'm going to puke…" That pain was nothing compared to the situation I was in.
Their disgusting act—or maybe they're trying to show me it's going to affect me. I'm just hungry, I guess. Yeah, that's it. I only need to eat, and then my stomach pain will vanish.
Sigh…
But… beneath the surface—everything is the opposite. They have a calm and sweet vibe around them.
I see—Lion feeding his mistress with his hand.
He never did that for me. With a cheerful look on his face… no, a grim face. It gives me goosebumps.
If I remember my past, it was completely different.
I had a fever. I wasn't able to move my body even an inch; I could barely breathe.
"To make something for me because of my habit…" My voice was barely audible.
<
"Come on, only a few more bites, then you can go." Lion smiles.
"Nah. I don't want to eat more. ENOUGH!!!" the mistress mutters dramatically.
But in the past, he was so different.
Lion replied rudely, "Do you think I have time to make your breakfast? I'm busy."
I called him again while tolerating the pain, "Please… I can't even move my finger an inch."
Lion answered roughly, "You know what? Stop your drama. I'm begging you."
"I'm going to the office. I don't want to hear any excuses from you now." he shouted.
He left. He didn't look back at me.
After he left—
My condition became worse. I felt dizzy. My head was shaking like a crazy person. I didn't know what was going on with my body. I tried to move at any cost to stop my hunger.
I stood up with all my strength, but my knees gave way. I didn't want to give up. I crawled toward the kitchen.
One more time, I used my energy to stand up, but I stood easily this time. My body felt light. I didn't understand why.
What is wrong with me?
I made my meal. Hmm… a normal breakfast—toast and omelet.
With the first bite, I can't even explain how I felt at that time. It was like this was the most delicious breakfast I had ever eaten.
After eating, I stepped toward the sink. But—
Suddenly, THROBTHROB. My stomach started hurting—that pain was unbearable.
THUD. I collapsed on the ground. My vision blurred. My eyes started to close.
Click…
I remembered my phone on the table I left it on. I rushed toward it, falling to the ground.
I finally grabbed it and sat on the floor, leaning against the table.
First, I tried to call Lion, but he didn't pick up even once.
I called him 20 times.
Then I remembered my one and only friend. But my vision blurred, and my fingers felt numb. I couldn't move them properly. My eyes were closing again.
Finally, I saw that number. I called him.
On the first attempt, he picked up.
He answered, "Hello."
Sigh… My voice was too low. "Please… help me."
"What? I can't hear you," he replied.
But I couldn't hear his words. "Help me…" I tried to say it louder at last.
He replied in panic, "Huh… Minato, are you fine?"
I couldn't hear anything after that and lost consciousness. My body became lighter. I fell asleep.
But his voice didn't stop.
"MINATO!! ANSWER ME!" he shouted again.
"COME ON… ARE YOU IN DANGER?"
"I AM COMING. JUST WAIT."
After that, my eyes opened directly in a hospital bed.
My friend rescued me.
He told me why my condition had gotten worse.
The doctor said to my friend, "Minato ate expired food, and he had a fever too."
<
I was staring at them, thinking and comparing their sweet moments with mine.
I don't remember further. If I force myself, my head begins to hurt.
I never told Lion about that incident. I didn't want to worry him or make him feel guilty. I just shut myself off and live life as normally as I can.
Lion noticed someone looking at them. He saw Minato, lost in deep thought, staring at them.
He called, "Minato, come downstairs."
TO BE CONTINUED.