179 - Decision

RAW

“A-a surgery? An emergency one?!”

Haruto’s voice, filled with fear, echoed through the waiting room.

“Yes. Ms. Kiyoko is currently experiencing an aortic dissection.”

“Aortic… dissection…”

“If we don’t operate, her life is in serious danger.”

Hearing the doctor’s concise explanation, Haruto truly understood the urgency of the situation.

Surgery was the only way to save Kiyoko.

The rational part of his mind immediately understood that.

But the emotional part of him trembled with anxiety.

“Um… my grandmother is elderly. Will she be able to withstand the surgery?”

“There is definitely a risk involved,”

the doctor replied, nodding in understanding to Haruto’s concern. He calmly explained Kiyoko’s current condition.

“Aortic dissection is an extremely dangerous condition where the wall of the blood vessel tears. Without surgery, there is a high chance the vessel could rupture, or that blood flow to the brain or heart could be cut off. In your grandmother’s case, the tear is likely in the section of the aorta near the heart — what we call Type A — which is especially life-threatening. While we can manage blood pressure with medication, it doesn’t repair the tear itself. Replacing the damaged area with an artificial vessel is currently the safest method. It’s true that being 78 years old poses a risk, but even with that in mind, I believe surgery is the best option.”

Despite the lack of time, the doctor took care to explain things in a way Haruto could fully understand.

Haruto lowered his gaze.

He understood. He really did.

Kiyoko was his only remaining family. To save her, she had to undergo the operation.

Logically, he knew the answer. He had already made the decision.

All he had to do was nod. Just say, “Please do it,” and bow his head. Every second he hesitated, Kiyoko was still suffering.

And yet, Haruto couldn’t move. He couldn’t speak.

His body simply wouldn’t listen.

Deep in the core of his heart…

From the far corners of his old memories, came a powerful jolt — a scream echoing from someone unknown, cries of sorrow and grief.

It was like a hazy, fragmented image — one he had always suspected was from the time he lost his parents.

That fear, anxiety, loneliness, and pain had all taken root inside him and remained there ever since.

And then came the memory he could recall clearly — the loss of his grandfather.

A terrifying memory that brought him unbearable sorrow and made him realize just how frightening it was to lose someone from your family.

Those past memories — too painful to endure — clung to him like chains, binding his limbs and silencing his voice.

What if the surgery fails?

What if she never wakes up again?

What if Grandma… dies…?

There was no time. He had to decide quickly. But even as the urgency grew, Haruto’s mouth felt sewn shut.

And then — his right hand suddenly grew warm.

“Haruto… Kiyoko-san is a strong person.”

Ayaka’s voice, from right beside him.

The moment he heard her voice.

The moment her hand gently wrapped around his own.

Haruto’s throat moved.

“…Please do the surgery. Save my grandmother.”

He bowed deeply to the doctor.

“Thank you for your decision. We’ll do everything we can.”

With a short response, the doctor exchanged a glance with the nurse beside him and swiftly left the waiting room.

The remaining nurse placed several documents on the table.

“These are the consent forms for the surgery and hospitalization. Please read through them and sign here.”

“Yes…”

Haruto, struggling with his blurred vision, forced himself to look over the documents.

Then, he picked up the pen to write his name.

But his hand was shaking so badly that he couldn’t sign. He grabbed his right wrist with his left hand to steady it — but the trembling wouldn’t stop.

As he bit his lip, desperately trying to write, Shuichi gently placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze.

“It’s okay, Haruto.”

Shuichi’s calm voice and steady presence helped reduce the tremor in Haruto’s hand.

“Thank you…” Haruto whispered, then slowly began to sign.

His signature was faint and uneven, but he managed to finish it.

After confirming the signature, the nurse placed another set of documents on the table.

“We’d also like a signature here. This is for the ICU and a guarantor form for the surgery. Ideally, we’d prefer someone other than the primary signer…”

As she spoke, the nurse looked toward Ayaka and Shuichi.

“I’ll sign,” Shuichi offered without hesitation and promptly wrote his name.

Haruto bowed deeply once again in gratitude for Shuichi’s quick decision.

“Until the surgery is finished, please wait here in the waiting room,” the nurse said, then left with the documents.

Haruto couldn’t sit still. He stood up and began pacing in circles around the room.

How much time had passed?

Haruto had completely lost his sense of time, walking in silence the entire while.

At the center of his heart, fear and loneliness remained constant.

Kiyoko was his only remaining family. She was someone irreplaceable.

He was terrified that she might be going somewhere far away — somewhere he couldn’t reach. That fear and anxiety were suffocating him.

Still, he managed to maintain a semblance of composure only because Ayaka and Shuichi were by his side.

With them nearby, he wasn’t crushed by the weight of solitude.

In the quiet waiting room, the ticking of the clock and the sound of Haruto’s footsteps merged.

Time passed painfully slowly — filled with fear and unease. But Haruto knew the one suffering most was Kiyoko, and he continued to pray for her safety.

Eventually, the sky outside began to lighten — early dawn.

The doctor who had explained the situation earlier returned to the surgical waiting room.

“Ah—! How is my grandmother!? What happened to her?!”

Haruto rushed forward and pressed the doctor for answers.

The doctor responded calmly and clearly.

“The surgery was a success.”

“Really?! Thank you so much!!”

Haruto bowed deeply at the words “surgery was a success.” He could feel the fear and anxiety that had overwhelmed him slowly fading away.

But that relief didn’t last.

“However… she hasn’t regained consciousness yet.”

“What…?!”

Haruto’s vision darkened once again.

“S-she did survive the operation, didn’t she?”

“Yes.”

The doctor nodded firmly and continued.

“Your grandmother is elderly. In cases like this, waking from anesthesia can sometimes take longer. For now, we’ll monitor her in the ICU.”

“...Is there… a chance she might not wake up?”

Haruto asked in a trembling voice, heavy with fear. The doctor replied gently.

“If the aortic dissection affected her brain, there’s a possibility she could remain unconscious. However, we were able to treat her relatively quickly, and the surgery went well. Her current condition is stable. I’ve been told she’s usually healthy and free of major illnesses. If anything happens, we are fully prepared to act immediately. Let’s believe in her and wait.”

Haruto struggled to hold back his emotions as he bowed once more.

“Thank you…”

He barely managed to speak.

The doctor gave a polite nod and left the room. Shortly after, a nurse came to escort them.

“Ms. Kiyoko is in the ICU now. Please come with me.”

Following the nurse, Haruto and the others were led to the ICU.

There, through the large glass window, they could see Kiyoko lying in a hospital bed.

The moment Haruto laid eyes on her—

He started running.