The soft morning light streamed through the curtain cracks, spilling onto the white bed. Hiro slowly opened his eyes, feeling an unprecedented lightness in his body. He tried lifting his legs. Although he couldn’t run or jump yet, the strength that had been absent for so long had returned to his legs. This was the first time since being hospitalized that he could sit up slowly without needing assistance.
Beside him, Zero Two was still asleep, her hair gently falling on her shoulders, her expression peaceful. Hiro quietly watched her, his lips curving into a smile without him even realizing it. He carefully reached out and gently stroked her hair. Zero Two, sensing the movement, slightly opened her eyes and saw Hiro gazing at her with tenderness. A lazy smile spread across her face.
“Good morning, Darling,” she said, her voice hoarse and gentle from just waking up.
“Good morning, Zero Two,” Hiro replied, his voice steadier and brighter than the day before. “It seems like I’m really feeling a lot better today.”
They gazed at each other, their eyes an unspoken embrace. After a while, Hiro tried to put his feet on the edge of the bed. Zero Two immediately got up to support him, helping him stand. Though his steps were still unsteady, they were a far cry from the weakness he had felt in the past few days.
At the end of the corridor was a small open garden. The weather was clear, with the sunlight accompanied by a gentle breeze, making it feel refreshing. Zero Two pushed Hiro in the wheelchair as they walked, taking in the flowers and the blue sky along the way.
Hiro took a deep breath, looking up at the sky. “The air outside feels so refreshing…”
“I told you, sunlight is the best thing for recovery, much better than the hospital room.”
Zero Two chuckled, holding Hiro’s hand, and he squeezed it back. They stopped in front of a bench, where Hiro sat down. Zero Two quietly leaned against him, saying nothing, just enjoying the rare moment of peace together.
Hiro turned his head towards her, softly saying, “This morning… feels like a dream.”
“Then let’s never wake up, okay?” Zero Two whispered.
Sunlight bathed them, gently embracing their shared moment of serenity.
Back in the hospital room, the nurse came in to perform Hiro’s routine checkup. Seeing that his spirits were high and his legs were gradually gaining strength, the nurse arranged for further activity training. This was Hiro’s first real attempt to stand and practice walking. Though his steps wobbled at first, every movement required his full attention, but there was a serious gleam in his eyes.
“Take it slow, no need to rush. I’m right here beside you,” Zero Two encouraged softly, holding his hand.
Hiro concentrated as he took each step, and though he didn’t walk far, every small step felt like a giant leap for him. Breathing slightly heavier, he smiled brightly. “I think… I’m really getting better.”
Zero Two didn’t say anything but gently patted his back as if cheering him on. After the training, she pushed him back to the garden, where they rested under the sunlight.
The wind gently blew, carrying the scent of flowers. It felt like a fresh hope was floating in the air. Zero Two lowered her head and asked him, “What do you want for lunch later? Want to try something different?”
Hiro nodded. “You decide. No matter what we eat, as long as you’re here, I’m happy.”
Zero Two couldn’t help but laugh, pinching his cheek. “If you keep saying things like that, I might not be able to resist kissing you.”
Hiro’s ears turned red, and he muttered softly, “Then kiss me…”
Their laughter mingled in the breeze, and that pure happiness, along with the progress of recovery, seemed to bring them closer together.
Midday Nap
At noon, Zero Two pushed Hiro back to the room, holding a lunchbox she bought from a small restaurant outside the hospital.
“I changed things up today and got you your favorite hamburger steak,” she said, smiling as she placed the lunchbox down. She skillfully unwrapped it, putting the food in a bowl, and gently spooned some soup toward Hiro’s mouth.
“I can feed myself…” Hiro said, though his face turned slightly red as he obediently opened his mouth.
“No, I want to feed you,” Zero Two said, tilting her head with determination. “It feels like I’m really taking care of you this way.”
They chatted about their walk, the training session, and plans for the next day. The atmosphere was warm and relaxed. After finishing the meal, Hiro leaned back on the bed, and Zero Two pulled a chair to sit beside him, holding his hand.
“How about a nap? I’ll stay with you,” she gently asked.
Hiro nodded, his eyes filled with affection. “Yeah, this kind of nap… feels so reassuring.”
Outside, the sunlight was gentle, casting a warm glow on their joined hands. The hospital room was quiet except for the soft sounds of breathing, and the afternoon calm seemed to stretch on forever.
After their nap, Hiro and Zero Two went to the hospital’s reading area. There were a few children around their age, quietly reading or drawing.
Zero Two sat beside them, softly talking to the children, explaining Hiro’s condition and gently interacting with them. Hiro was still a little shy, but with Zero Two’s encouragement, he started sharing some of the little knowledge he had recently learned. The children gathered around them, and the atmosphere was warm and cheerful, with laughter echoing through the reading area.
“Hiro-oniichan, I heard you learned to stand today!” one little girl exclaimed excitedly.
“Yeah, I worked hard!” Hiro replied with a smile, his mood lifting.
Zero Two watched quietly, her eyes full of tender light. She talked to the children about some of her favorite storybooks and invited them to read together.
Time passed unnoticed in the lighthearted interaction, and Hiro felt that the road to recovery was now supported by even more warmth.
As night fell, the lights in the hospital room softened. Hiro and Zero Two quietly cuddled together, enjoying the rare peace. Zero Two gently took Hiro’s hand, looking at him with expectation.
“Darling, when you’re fully recovered, we should explore the world together. See different places and experience new things,” Zero Two whispered, her voice filled with longing.
Hiro smiled and lowered his head to look at her, his gaze full of unwavering determination. “I promise you, no matter how long we’re apart or how far apart we are, I’ll always find you. We’ll always be together, and we’ll travel the world together.”
Zero Two gently leaned against Hiro’s shoulder, closing her eyes and feeling his promise. It seemed as though she had found an infinite strength in her heart.
“You said we would see the blue sky together and feel the vast world, right?” Zero Two asked, her voice laced with a sweet smile.
Hiro nodded, his eyes shining with deep affection. “I remember. I said we’d walk through every future together.”
The room was quiet, with only the soft breaths and heartbeats of the two of them. At that moment, time seemed to stand still, and the world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them.
To be Continued…
