Taro opened his eyes slowly, and immediately, the harsh, clinical glare of fluorescent lights burned into his retinas.
For a moment, his mind was a complete blank, a white void, staring at the ceiling in a daze, unable to think of anything... until the heavy, sterile scent of antiseptic and air freshener flooded his senses.
He blinked, and only then did he realise that he was lying in what appeared to be a high-end hospital room, far more luxurious than any clinic he had ever stepped foot in.
"Where... is this?" He muttered, still in a daze.
He tried to shift his weight, but a sharp, localized fire erupted in his chest, radiating outward to every limb, causing him to freeze in pain.
He groaned, letting out a dry, raspy sound, as his gaze drifted down to his arms.
They were covered in bandages, with IV needles taped firmly to the backs of his hands, pumping clear fluids and painkillers into his system.
