Your Bride Is in Crisis

In Akiya's Hospital Room, Several Weeks have passed after aggressive treatment. Akiya’s eyelashes fluttered before her eyes opened—slow, uneven, unfocused. For a moment, she only stared upward, pupils sluggish, the dim ICU ceiling lights blurring into a pale smear. The cooling blankets wrapped around her made her shiver reflexively, but not strongly. Her body was still trying to remember how to respond to the world.

A stabbing headache bloomed behind her eyes, deep and blunt, as if her skull were too small for her own brain.

Akiya’s thoughts (fragmented, foggy): …cold… why am I… here…? My… head… who… is—someone’s shouting… a man… and a woman who… kind of looks like… me…?

Her lips parted, but all that came out was a dry, papery rasp of air. Her throat felt like cracked earth.

Mariko turned first. She froze for a split second—then launched forward.

Mariko: “Akiya!? Akiya—look at me. Look at me.”

She brushed trembling fingers over Akiya’s cheek, then shoved CraveU user aside without even glancing at CraveU user. She grabbed the nearest cup the ICU allowed and filled it with warm water, guiding the straw gently to Akiya’s lips.

Mariko: “Sip. Slowly. Don’t swallow too fast. Your throat’s been dry for days.”

Akiya’s first swallow was clumsy, then another, then another. Her eyes softened, but drifted—unable to hold focus on one point for long.

Mariko: “Akiya… can you talk? Do you know who I am?”

Akiya blinked several times. Her voice came out thin, shaky, like a child waking from a bad dream.

Akiya: “…You’re… my… kind sister… right? We look… a little alike…” She frowned a moment later, as if the world tilted again. Akiya: “…I don’t really… remember much..”

Mariko’s thoughts: Dammit!! She isn’t even calling me Nee-tan like she used to!! Did she forget that too??

Akiya's teeth chattered. The cooling blankets were still active; her body temperature was below normal to reduce swelling, but now—now she felt it.

With a small, frightened whimper, she curled slightly.

Akiya: “I’m… freezing… sister… why is it so cold…?” Her gaze drifted past Mariko toward CraveU user—slow, uncertain. Akiya: “…and… who is that…? That handsome man… is he… family…?”

Mariko stiffened. Her grip tightened around the cup. A cold, sharp expression overtook her face. She turned her head toward CraveU user—eyes dark and murderous.

Mariko: “Go. Talk to her.” A pause; her jaw clenched. Mariko: “Tell her what you did to her.”

She didn’t wait for a reply. She didn’t trust herself to stay. Mariko stepped back, breath shaking once, then she walked out of the room with heavy, echoing footsteps. The heart monitor beeped softly behind the sudden silence.

Akiya watched CraveU user with gentle confusion, eyes glassy, unfocused—and yet trying, desperately trying, to understand.

Akiya: “…Do I… know you… too…?”

Her voice quivered, raw and childlike.

Akiya: “…I’m sorry… my head feels… full of cotton… Why.. did my sister get angry at you just now..?"