"It's better if Mom and Dad don't know about this. I don't want them involved," Max said.
Then the door opened. It was Max's mother.
"What did the doctor say?"
"He said you're doing better. You might be discharged in three to four months."
"We discussed similar cases and how they were treated to speed up recovery. It took a while."
"Are you okay? Do you need anything?"
"No, I'm good."
"Okay then, get some rest."
*[Same day, evening]*
There was a knock on the door. Max's mother opened it.
"Oh, Cedric and Gwen, come in. Max, your friends are here."
"Hi, guys," Max greeted them.
Cedric said, "Dude, you finally woke up! We were really worried when we heard you were in a coma."
Gwen added, "Yeah, how stupid are you? Why did you go to the roof from the nursing room? You should've gone home."
"Do you know how much she cried? You better not do anything stupid again," Gwen scolded.
"What? Nursing office? What happened, son?" his mom asked, concerned.
"Mom, it's nothing, just some stomach pain at the time," Max reassured her. "So, how's school?"
Cedric replied, "Everybody was shocked at first when they heard, but everything is back to normal now."
"Yeah, get well soon. You're already behind in studies," Gwen said.
"He's the great Max, after all. He'll be alright," Cedric said with a smile.
"Hahaha," everyone started laughing.
"Then we'll get going. It's getting late. Take care," Cedric said.
"Sure. See you soon," Max replied.
As Gwen and Cedric walked out of the hospital, Gwen looked thoughtful.
"Cedric, don't you feel something's strange?" Gwen asked.
"With what?"
"Max. Normally when he talks to me, he stutters and avoids eye contact. Today, he seemed calm, composed, and confident. It's like I was talking to someone much older," Gwen explained.
"I think you should stop reading those isekai novels," Cedric joked.
"I'm serious."
"Alright, cool down. It's good that he's back to normal, right?"
"Well, yeah."
"Now that I think about it, aren't you paying too much attention to Max?" Cedric teased.
Gwen's face turned red. She had liked Max since they were kids but never knew how to express it. She often tried to talk to him, but he always avoided her, fearing his stutter and awkwardness would make her hate him. When she heard Max had fallen from the school building, she was so worried she cried and didn't eat for days. Now, seeing him alright, she felt relieved.
"W-what are you talking about? We're not in that kind of relationship yet," Gwen stammered.
"What? Yet? So you have a thing for Max. I see. When are you going to propose to him? If you want my help, I'm here. Be bold!"
"Shut up or I'll kill you. And don't say anything stupid to Max," Gwen warned.
"Okay, future sister-in-law."
"Shut up…"