It wasn't hard to read the mood in the room. So when Mei asked Shivini to help Finlay get situated, she more than eagerly took that opportunity up. Her head quickly nodded as she walked out with Finlay, taking a gentle but firm hold on his right arm. Only when they were out of earshot and sight did she speak up again.
"I'm sorry about that. It's ... it wasn't acceptable, no. But ...."
Her head moved sadly from side to side.
"
Nothing involving this place has been easy. It doesn't excuse Hajime's words, no. But just ... give him - all of us, really - time."
Shivini finally moved a hand up towards her eye and removed some concealer that had been very carefully applied. Underneath was a dark circle, and even though he wasn't a doctor, Finlay could determine it wasn't due to being hit, but lack of sleep. "We're all living on an almost literal edge we'e never had to deal with before. Or, in the case of those of us who haven't even returned yet, we're going to be living on one hell of a cliff. And we're all just ... barely hanging on. All of us." A defeated sigh passed Shivini's lips as she glanced towards the direction where Takeshi's room was.
"I don't know if any of us are going to even revert to the slightly more typical version of ourselves, and that's including the possibility of Yuna waking up."
Her head turned back towards Finlay as she looked right into eyes with a saddened, but still determined, look.
"But damned if at least
I'm not gonna try. Some of the others though ... aren't, haven't been handling this bullshit nearly as easily. And it's understandable in quite a few regards. So ... I'm not saying forget what he said or did. But eventually ... forgive Hajime. Please."
Hajime, meanwhile, had been following Mei's instructions. Compared to the harsh nature of his tone to Finlay moments ago, he was
very gentle with Yuna's body. Were it not for the fact Shivini had hinted she had been an item with Hotsuma, it'd be easy to think her and Hajime were lovers. And that assumption would get stronger after Mei left.
Please wake up ... sometime ... he pleaded, gently moving onyx bangs away from Yuna's shut eyes.
It wasn't much - but a faint glimmer of hope came as Yuna's head turned away. She didn't utter any sounds, nor move afterwards ... but the fact was, her body had finally
moved! On its own too! All things considered, this was a very good sign in Hajime's eyes. His head silently nodded, as if approving of the simple gesture, as he let his head fall against the wall. All the while, he never let go of Yuna's arm ... even though it wasn't necessary to keep it still or exposed for Mei.
Regardless of her boyfriend's answer, Finlay would be led into one of the many spare bedrooms within the Facility. At this rate - annoying as it was - she could only continue to do the same she'd been resorting to. Expecting the worst, but praying for the best possible outcomes.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The entire duration of Yamichi's hospital stay had been tough. Mainly with watching him recover. Ling had found herself balancing her emotions; never wanting to come off as if she pitied him, but definitely voicing concern and worry for him in the right situations. It was odd - and that was a generous understatement - for Ling to consciously take note of her emotions and keep them in check.
But all in all?
She felt like it had worked out pretty well.
"They've already agreed to. That, unfortunately, was something that me and dad talked about when you were being driven to the hospital, and were thus already unconscious. But ... yes. They will."
A genuine, if not slightly tired, smile crossed her face as she gently took a hold of one of Yamichi's hand.
"Father agreed ... we can be an item. You definitely proved yourself in that duel. He even bought my cards that got lost. He had a lot of epiphanies that evening. He's still gonna be a
bit protective, but that's over the more ... intimate matters. But that's also fair enough for now."
The knock was honestly a bit of a relief, because her face was getting a bit too crimson for her own good. Ling's head lifted ... and eyes also widened as she saw a face that ... was he even supposed to be here?
"Shi...moda? Is ... that really you?"
Apparently, yes. Her eyes softened as her heart felt just a bit more complete than it had over the past .... had it even been a week? Almost? Ling had no idea, but frankly, some part of her didn't care. This was a great sight, in all honesty. No, she hadn't been overly close with Shimoda. But knowing he had never been dead prior to Yamichi arriving here? It certainly took a weight off her own shoulders, and she could only guess how relieved Yamichi was feeling.
She gently rubbed his back, hoping it'd help reassure him should he still need it in any form or fashion, only giving Shimoda her full attention when he spoke to her.
"O-Oh, please ... you don't need to be so formal with me. Just Ling will more than suffice. I already got a lot of agencies who have been contacting me doing things like that. Miss Dueling Queen, especially. I suddenly see exactly what Jack meant about needing patience when it came to this position. He was definitely not kidding."
A soft laugh passed her lips as she grinned at Shimoda.
"Much better, actually. It's been hectic and stressful, sure. But umm ... everything that went ... well, to shit ... has been fixed in some form or fashion. Not perfect, of course, but improvement has definitely been in the works."
"Shimoda-kun! Why are you out and about?! What have I told you! You need to be resting!"
Behind Shimoda was one of the many nurses currently on duty in the hospital. In her hands were papers - likely the dismissal ones for Yamichi - and a scowl was on her face.
"If you're really going to stay and visit here, then at least sit down and take it easy. But I'm not going to just let you carelessly wander around in your state. Is that clear?"
The woman would wait for him to answer, then move, before entering herself. "Okay, Yamichi-kun ... let's see ... " Vitals were starting to be jotted down ... and when she noted his pulse was just a tad bit higher than it should be, she looked back to the young man ... and finally noticed Ling's hand. "Miss? Please don't. Even the simplest of gestures can influence the human body. That's the simplest explanation for an otherwise long and complicated lecture that, frankly, I doubt you want."
"Huh?"
A quick following of the nurse's gaze helped Ling realize she was, indeed, still holding Yamichi's hand. The red she'd been trying to hide finally emerged on her face as she swiftly, though somewhat reluctantly, complied with the nurse. "Sorry, ma'am," she muttered, allowing the nurse to continue her exam.
It would only take about five more minutes ... but they likely would feel so much longer to everyone in the room. Finally, though, the nurse would speak up once more.
"Well, Mister Hizumara ... it seems like you can finally leave today. You'll have to keep taking it easy, just as a precaution. Dueling is something that I don't overly recommend; however, if you truly must, use vigilance when you do so." And with that, the papers were handed over. "Sign anywhere an X is marked beside, please. After that, you're free to go."