A New Beginning

I could have never guessed Doctor Kaori was talking about her own child when she promised me that she would help me find a friend. Heck, I didn’t even know she was married. I thought she could have been planning to get me stuck with a fellow patient or some kid with fractured bones who wanted company in the hospital to kill time with.

And doctor Kaori’s child was a girl, who just looked around my age as well. In fact, it could have been my first chance to talk to a kid of my age since I don’t get many chances to meet new people except for old guys who come and go from my room in white lab coats and a stethoscope around their neck or the cruel nurses who show up for my regular injection doses.

"Why don’t you say hello to my daughter? Her name is Sachi."

And now Doctor Kaori wanted me to talk to her, but how was I supposed to, given that she was hiding behind her mother?

“Hello…” I waved my hand at her. I decided not to be too rude this time and at least wish her for going to the trouble of coming here and not embarrass myself by being unkind in return.

“…HMM…” In a sudden motion, the girl swiftly averted her gaze from me, not bothering to make eye contact. Crushing my heart and all the efforts I had put in not to feel nervous.

And that’s how my first meeting started with this girl who seemed intent on being mean towards me.

“Sachi why don’t you go in and sit down.” Doctor Kaori pushes her daughter in front.

After a little staring the girl walked in and took a seat in the nearest chair because it was the only one that she could reach with her height.

She was wearing a light-blue long sleeve with a short-length white sailor striped pleated skirt which was customary for the elementary kids. And then she was also carrying a school bag on her back.

She hadn’t even spoken a word and for some mysterious reason, it seemed like she already hated me.

Until then I didn’t notice, for a young kid, I had never seen anyone with such long hair and then how could anyone not be shaken after seeing the two…

“…Your face,” I spoke out of line.

Sachi, at least that’s what her mother called her, stared at me with a condescending look in her eyes.

“Ah! So, you noticed. Don’t we mother and daughter look exactly the same.” Doctor Kaori, Sachi’s mother interposed her head between me and her daughter.

Seeing their faces just next to each other there was no denying the fact. Doctor Kaori looked even more beautiful than someone I once saw on the front page of a model magazine; a nurse was once reading in my room. But while her figure exuded more of a mature beauty, her daughter would take after her with an adorable, childlike charm.

“Hmmm.” The girl again looked away from me.

“But why!?” Did I stare too much?

I still couldn’t wrap my head around what I could have done to displease her.

“Now, now, there's really no need for the two of you to fight. Kenta, can’t you see how a cute little angel she is.” Dr. Kaori gently cupped her daughter's cheeks, revealing how soft they might have felt under her touch.

“See you are even blushing…” Kaori said poking at my cheeks as well.

"H..mmm..." Instead of attempting to protest, I found myself unable to hold back and turned my gaze elsewhere.

“In fact, they used to say the same thing about me and Sachi’s grandmother back when I was young.” Doctor Kaori explained as if it was some kind of a famous family trait.

“I want to hear more about grandma?” Sachi spoke for the first time and instead of having that angered look, she had a special glint in her eyes.

“OK, why don’t we make it a bedtime story for tonight? But only if you stay here like a good girl while I do my job in the hospital.”

“Umu….” Sachi agreed immediately and got busy taking out some books from her bag.

I did not really know what to do at this point. And that’s when Doctor Kaori came close to me.

“Don’t worry about her. She is just being shy in front of new people. But if you try talking to her for a bit she will open up to you. Do your best because this can be your only chance to make a good friend.”

My only last chance. What did she mean? But then remembering her scorn, she might be the last kid who comes to visit me.

“Okay bye, Kenta. Bye, sweetheart.” Doctor Karoi waved at her daughter from the door and before leaving quickly gave me a thumbs-up signal.

Sachi did not speak a word and was busy reading a fat book that did not seem to fit a kid of her age.

If this is really my only last chance I might as well give it my best.

“Hello, my name is Kenta Kazuki.” I announced, trying my hardest to maintain a smile but really I was the one in a fix here.

“I am Sachi Kondo.” She responded without even sparing a glance in my direction.

Now what!? What’s the next step? She refused to pay attention to me or continue with any conversation.

So, what can really grab her attention? I know; she was really curious to know about her grandma and seems like she might also like listening to stories.

So, what is she right now really reading at…?

“Dra..igi..n…” I tried to read the title of the book but failed to understand what was written, so I ended up with a gibberish pronunciation.

“Are you dumb?” Sachi continued looking at me with piercing eyes, not hiding her icy demeanor anymore.

“Is that the first thing you have to say to me!?” I yelled without thinking.

“It’s a dragon.” Sachi closed the book and put the front hard cover close to my face. It depicted a giant green mouth with big sharp teeth. It had a huge body with two long-spanning arms similar to that of a bird and a fat elongated tail with thorns growing out of them.

“What’s a dragon? Some kind of an animal?” I asked curiously listening to the word for the first time.

“It’s not just any animal. You don’t know?” Sachi asked in surprise.

“Of course, I don’t, that’s why I spelled it wrong. I am sorry that I don’t go to school like you all and can’t study like normal kids.” I felt embarrassed for not being able to spell out a new word properly.

“You don’t?” Sachi asked as if she really wasn’t aware.

“It’s not my fault that I can’t know everything about the outside world by lying here on this hospital bed all day.”

“Dragons are big creatures that spew fire from their mouth and can fly high in the sky. This book is a story about a group of young adventurers embarking on a journey across the world in search of a dragon's legacy.” Sachi explained without enquiring further into my circumstances.

“Really so did they find it?” Somehow the whole thing sounded fantastic and everything was news to me. The world outside might be a lot different than I had imagined it to be.

“I am still reading but they did find some hint to the location of a dragon’s lair and then...” Suddenly Sachi stopped speaking and put the book close to her mouth hiding her lips. As if she just now realized something important.

“⸺Do you really believe in dragons?” Her voice pecked me differently as if she was finally behaving like a shy girl.

“If you say so. And if someone wrote such a fat book about them, then they must be real.” Of course, I had little to no idea what dragons could really do nor I had seen any of them flying through my window.

“Yes, they are real. And one day I will go on an adventure round the world and find a dragon for myself and take it as my pet.” Sachi said in a boastful manner.

And I held her in high regard for being able to do such an amazing thing.

“So how long will it take to find a dragon?” I hurriedly asked wondering if Sachi had already found a dragon or either of those explorers in the book.

I couldn’t help but want to see one for myself and if they could really fly then maybe I could ride one too. If they are that big then they can easily carry people on their backs just like horses do. And because it was also one of my dreams to fly in the sky, because I also once heard a nurse saying that a single ticket for an airplane is way too expensive.

So, a dragon could be my only ticket to fulfilling one of my long-cherished wish.

“I am still too young to go out alone and mother won’t let me. But of course, it won’t be just a single quest of finding dragons because I will be traveling the world and having fun everywhere.” Sachi explained to me the conditions that have currently restrained her from achieving her goal.

“So are you taking your school friends on this adventure? You would need someone to help you since in the book you said they were a sort of team.”

As far as I could remember I heard one patient saying that he broke his arm while trying rope climbing at school. So maybe school is not just a place for academics to become a white-collared worker but also could have been a place where they give special training to climb mountains, hunt in the wild, and go on all sorts of adventures. My evaluation and expectations for school had just now reached a new height.

While I waited for Sachi to maybe tell me some names. Sachi instead made a sour face and pouted at me. Did I again say something wrong? Is it the end of our talk but I just now got to learn about so many new things and I wanted to hear more.

“I don’t…” Sachi spoke in a low voice and I couldn't hear her because I might have been sitting too far away. So, I moved closer to the edge of the bed this time.

I looked intently at her waiting for her to say it loud.

Sachi looked around as if she did not want anyone to hear this. Maybe it was just that important that it needed to be kept secret.

“Till now I have found no one capable enough to accompany me on this daring journey. Everyone in school are too immature and childish. All of them are boring and are either busy singing the same poem each day or playing with dolls or teddy bears. They don’t have what it takes to enjoy the thrill of being an adventurer.” Sachi could feel the guilt of what she was trying to describe at the same time also sounding all high and mighty.

“⸺Is that so?” I felt a bit disappointed. At that time my respect for school again diminished. Maybe school was still not good enough a place to become an explorer after all and it takes more than that.

“Since you are so interested and have learned about the existence of dragons. If you want I can teach you more about becoming an adventurer.” Sachi now really looked delighted and involved in the conversation.

“Yes, I want to know more. So, teach me.” I couldn’t have asked for more.

“…And maybe you can come with me on my adventure. Since I have still not found anyone and I will need help.” Sachi again started murmuring but this time I could hear her because of the close proximity.

“But promise me this you will keep it a secret from mom and everyone else.” Sachi brought up one condition.

“Alright. I will not tell anyone.” I enacted my lips being sealed like a zip and that made Sachi laugh for a moment.

It was her smiling face this time that made me forget how distant and cold she was when she came here.

“Then…” After thinking for a while, “Ken you will be one of my party members on my adventures.”

“Heh! But my name is Kenta.” I protested wondering if she had got my name wrong.

“It’s alright, party members do have nicknames so yours will be Ken.” I was amazed at how much Sachi was informed and serious she was about exploring the whole world thing.

“Then how about your name…” I was still in the process of thinking of a nickname for her as well when she interrupted.

“My name will still be Sachi.”

“Why the difference?” I could already feel the discord in the group, but then she again explained.

“It’s because I will be the team leader.”

Perhaps that's logical, considering Sachi was the mastermind behind the entire plan and held knowledge of the book's secret contents.

Of course, there was still the matter to recruit more members but we kept it on hold and Sachi decided to grace me with the knowledge of what she now referred to as the sacred text.

Turns out there were all kinds of quirky animals alongside dragons. There were the long pointy ear ones, those who could use secret powers and then there were people with horns. And animals with human physiques that could talk as well.

Time flew by, and while I had thought I could comprehend everything Sachi told me, there was an overwhelming amount of information that was difficult to absorb and believe.

But how Sachi delivered it made it feel real to me. And if there was really a part of an outside world like the one Sachi described I really wanted to see it.

It was evening and a nurse came to inform Sachi that his mother would soon be coming to take her. Also, it was time for me to eat.

The nurse also held a plate of boiled veggies and plain rice.

“What’s that?” Sachi herself picked some stuff from my plate without asking as if she wanted to test its taste.

“Wa…it…” And even before I could stop her she was chewing it while making a distressed face.

“Is this what you eat here every day? It’s so bland.” For a second I thought I had already envisioned Sachi would say that.

“How can you eat this stuff every day? Do you want some chocolates, I have them in the bag?” Sachi quickly offered.

“I can’t, because this is all I can eat. I have no other choice otherwise my body is so weak it is unable to process anything else.” I explained. It has been a long time since I have complained about the food. Even enjoying food was out of my reach now.

Sachi looked at me as if she was feeling sorry. But seeing so many faces who would come to visit and console me I could tell she was not regretting because of my condition but had something else planned in her mind.

And I was glad that all this time instead of telling me how awful my life was here I got to know new things.

“Thank you.”

“Don't thank me just yet, Ken. You've only skimmed the surface of what makes the sacred text. Remember that no one else can learn of this; otherwise, all our plans could fail and outer forces might try to get in our way.”

“Alright, I understand.” I had already locked my heart and brain with all the details so there was no need to worry.

“And one more important thing.”

I gulped seeing Sachi make a troubled face.

“You can call me by my name because now we are working as a team.”

“Okay then, thank you, Sachi.”

Sachi was ready with her bag and packed the items she had taken out. Like the rough notebook sketch to draw things that needed visual explanation or to map out the places mentioned in the book.

“Sweetheart, it’s time to go.” Doctor Kaori came in.

“Yes, mother.” Sachi got off the seat on her own and started walking out of the door.

Doctor Kaori watched as if she felt that things did not work out in there until Sachi reached the door and looked back.

“Bye, Ken.” And before I could say bye as well she rushed through the door outside.

“That’s an adorable nickname you scored in a short time. K-E-N.”

“I can’t tell you anything about it. My lips are sealed.” I thought Doctor Karoi might have been planning to get out all the information by calling me by my nickname too. But she is wrong if she thinks she can do that.

As per Sachi’s instruction, I couldn’t reveal anything to anyone. But one thing I still couldn’t get out of my head until now, will there be another day when we will meet.

“Ah! Too bad. I see that you are already faithful.” Doctor Kaori laughed to herself with a bemused face.

“Thank you for bringing Sachi here to meet me.” I at least once wanted to say thanks to Doctor Karoi for giving me this chance.

“So, I guess I was worried for nothing in the end about how things would turn out here.” Doctor Kaori was aware that Sachi was unable to blend in properly with other kids at school because of how different she thought from others. And because of her demanding profession, she could only spare enough time for her when she was not working.

“But even you can tell by now isn’t she the most adorable kid in this world! She is the smartest kid in the class and already can learn things all on her own.” Doctor Kaori kept on bragging about Sachi like it was the only purpose of her life.

“Isn’t this what they call a doting parent!” I did not always want to be the one whose leg is being pulled all the time.

“But aren’t you getting too friendly with my daughter already? If you ever try to hurt her or make her cry I won’t forgive you.” Doctor Kaori tried to be suddenly intimidating and out of her character.

My fingers then suddenly reached my eyes.

“I was just joking Kenta there’s no need to be scared.” Doctor Kaori suddenly held my face with an anxious face.

But I really did not mean to make Doctor Kaori worry after she did so much for me by crying in front of her.

“Its not that. I too remember my parents loving me and I just can’t believe that they vanished and left me on my own.”

I too once remember my parents loved me the same way. But I still didn’t know what changed their hearts to abandon me like this all alone.

“My parents… they were kind to me as well, but past these months they were not acting like themselves. They started to keep a distance from me and they did not seem well themselves. Nor did they look at me anymore. Was it because I am a bad kid?” I wanted to cry it all out. Things I had not said to anyone yet.

“If you could see that much, then that makes you a wonderful kid already. And wherever your mother and father may be, no parent can ever stop loving their child.” Doctor Kaori said to me in a confident voice like she knew it was the absolute truth.

“So will they come back? If I somehow try to heal up. I don’t want to die.” I asked doctor Kaori, something which no one would ever answer to me. But I wanted to hear her say it honestly.

“Listen to me closely, this time I will really tell you my secret.” Doctor Kaori hugged me as if she was trying to get close to me so no one heard her.

“Believe me or not I have the power to perform miracles. So, no matter what happens I will not let anything happen to you. And when you do heal up I will tell you all about your parents. For now, you should rest.” Doctor Kaori leaves me and puts me on the bed.

I suddenly started to feel tired and my eyes started to droop. As if all the heaviness and tiredness just now caught up with me.

“Goodnight Ken. Hmmm… maybe Kenta because someone might not like it me calling you that. I will meet you tomorrow.”

***

KAORI KONDO

After I made sure Kenta was comfortably asleep in his bed. I asked the nurse to cover his food and give it to him when he woke up. I walked outside the door only to find Sachi just waiting outside the door.

“Sweetheart it’s time to go.”

Her eyebrows were furrowed slightly, and most of all her gaze seemed reflective when she looked at me. Her demeanour might have looked quiet but it was hard to tell whether she felt sad. It's as if all her emotions were being subdued on their own before it could reach her heart.

Recently the teachers at her school raised a similar concern of Sachi being unresponsive to certain elements in her surroundings. And while she had shown excellent academic records and was ahead of most of the children of her age it set her apart from them. And she also refused to make friends with anyone around her or let anyone get close to her.

I wouldn’t have worried that much and thought of it as part of her growth but if only things were actually normal for us. I would go to any length to make sure that my daughter never gets hurt.

I ducked a little to get to Sachi’s height when she might have finally noticed me.

“Sweetheart, why don’t I drive us back home?” I remarked casually, twirling the car keys around my finger.

“I don’t want to die so quickly! I have already called father to get us.” Sachi said to me with an expressionless face, as she took the keys from my fingers without my noticing, and walked away.

I know my driving skills are one of the only few things where I lack no matter how much I try, but at least my own daughter could have given me a chance.

At home, Sachi without asking anything got busy in her room with her work as usual.

When just before I was set to start making dinner she came running towards me.

“Mom I have decided, can you please teach me how to cook?” She said with a determined look on her face.

“So, you finally want to learn. And why is that…” I asked in a quizzical manner.

“I just wanted to do what you are doing and it’s not like I want to….” Sachi replied looking the other way.

“Hahaaa… Until yesterday you were angry with me because you found out the new list of patients I was working on. And because you saw the photo of a kid on top of the list you thought I was spending much time with some other kid and neglecting you. And that’s why you forced me to take you with me to the hospital.”

Sachi held on to my apron tightly as if she was right now feeling the most embarrassed.

“Mother will always love you the most in this world. And never forget that you are my cutest little angel.” I picked up Sachi by the nose and it left a ticklish feeling on her face.

“So, tell me what do you want to learn to cook first?” I asked.

“I am not sure. Maybe something a child would like.” Sachi tried to think but couldn’t come up with much on her own.

“These days kids are so handful. Aren’t you a child yourself? What would you like to eat if it were you?” I tried to make things simpler for her, it's not like I had my eyes already fixated on something.

“Chocolates.” Sachi said without a doubt in her mind.

“That’s my child, then let’s dive right into a world of chocolatey goodness!"

***

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