Mako's condition showed no abnormalities, so she was moved from the special ward—lined with life-support devices—to a quiet room in the general ward.
Her mother, Miyu, had gone home looking relieved for the moment. Left alone, Mako listened as her assigned nurse, Yokomine, explained the equipment in her new room.
"Alright, Mako-chan. If you start feeling sick or unwell, press this nurse call button, okay?"
Yokomine pointed to a remote-like device beside the bed, smiling gently.
"So this is the nurse call button…"
Mako picked it up with curiosity, tapping lightly on the top of the button with her thumb. "It kind of makes me want to press it for fun."
Yokomine let out a soft laugh.
"No pressing it as a joke, alright? Believe it or not, we're pretty busy."
"Okaaay."
Mako answered with a mischievous grin.
In truth, she didn't really need to use the call button—various sensors in the room monitored patient abnormalities, and any alerts would instantly reach the nurse station and staff devices. But regardless, a natural sense of familiarity had already grown between Mako and Yokomine in the short time they'd known each other.
While neatly adjusting the bedsheets, Yokomine spoke up.
"You must be tired today, huh? You woke up for the first time in three days, had your checkups and all."
"Yeah… I really felt how weak my legs have gotten."
Mako lowered herself slowly into a chair, moving like a frail old lady. The sight made Yokomine smile involuntarily.
"Make sure you rest well today. But you really don't remember? You fainting with a nosebleed and everything?"
"No… I didn't even remember I was online until Mom told me today…"
With her shoulders drooping, Mako gave a sad little smile.
Yokomine sat at the edge of the bed and continued in a gentle voice.
"I see… Well, when I was your age, I used the internet so much my mom got mad at me all the time. So I can't really talk. Still… moderation, okay?"
Mako chuckled and raised her hand energetically.
"Okaaay!"
A relaxed, peaceful moment settled between them.
Then suddenly, Mako lifted her head as if remembering something.
"Ah—right, Yokomine-san. About that cat…"
"The cat you said you saw when you woke up?"
"Yes. I was wondering if maybe you saw it too."
Mako stared at her hopefully. But Yokomine only tilted her head.
"Hmmm… I was so surprised you woke up, I didn't really look around. Anyway, Mako-chan, you can get in bed now."
She gestured toward the freshly made bed.
Mako slowly slid under the covers, and Yokomine tucked the blanket over her with practiced hands.
"I mean, I've seen stray cats wandering around the hospital parking lot sometimes… But coming inside the building? I doubt it. Security is tight."
"Right… I guess so…"
Mako drooped a little, looking disappointed.
Was that cat a dream? Or something else?
The uncertainty lingered as she sank deeper into the blankets.
"Like you said, you were half-asleep. I'm sure that's all it was."
Yokomine smiled softly.
"Mmm… That's probably true. But… it felt like something had weight on me…"
Mako murmured.
"That's just because your body's still recovering. Everything probably feels heavier than usual."
With that, Yokomine lightly stepped toward the door, preparing to return to the nurse station.
But with her hand on the doorknob, she paused and turned back.
"…Hey, Mako-chan. Maybe the cat you saw was a ghost cat."
"E—h!?"
Mako's eyes went wide in horror.
Yokomine chuckled playfully at her reaction.
"You know, this is a hospital. These places tend to attract that sort of thing."
"S-stop it! I'm really bad with scary stories, seriously!"
Mako yelped, clutching the blanket tightly around her.
Yokomine looked delighted.
"Hehe, just kidding. I haven't seen anything—yet. You'll be fine. Good night, Mako-chan!"
Patán.
The door closed with a soft click.
Silence swallowed the room, leaving Mako alone.
And then—
(Huh…? What did she just say…? "Yet"…?)
A small, cold worry seeped through Mako's chest, tightening slowly.