Sothing was definitely up with Zoey.
I couldn’t quite explain it, but sothing about her made uncomfortable. She seed to act and speak just fine, but sothing about her mannerisms really threw off. Despite this, I didn’t pay too much attention to it.
Rowan arrived a few monts later, and the three of us separated.
I originally thought Zoey had co just to talk to , but it seed she had other reasons for being there. Parting from the two of them, I glanced at Rowan a couple more tis before heading off on my own.
Honestly, I was surprised by what Zoey had told .
I hadn’t known Kyle had paid for Rowan’s sister’s treatnt, but thinking about it, it made sense.
Kyle had always been very soft-hearted.
’Well, it’s not like he’s dead. When he cos to it, I’ll just let him go. In fact, I probably wouldn’t mind letting him go now. The problem is that I can’t risk having him reveal anything about . I should find a way to stop him from doing that.’
Then again...
It wasn’t impossible. He was technically controlled by .
Maybe...
’Now that I think about it, wasn’t there soone else who had issues with one of their siblings? Geneva was it...? I do rember promising her to help her. Hmm. I should check it out later when I have ti.’
There was also the matter with Mr. Jingles.
Thinking about it, there were a lot of things that were tied to this hospital.
"We’re here."
A voice shook out of my thoughts.
Looking at the nurse standing in front of , she handed a slip as she reached for the door.
"The patient’s condition still isn’t great. If possible, I’d like you to avoid agitating her emotions too much. That could be problematic."
"...I understand."
I smiled at the nurse.
"You don’t have to worry too much about that."
"In that case, I feel more relieved."
She returned the smile. However, just before she opened the door, she stopped herself and looked back at . After a mont of hesitation, she took out a small pad and handed it to .
"Actually, I’m a big fan... can I have your autograph?"
"....."
I found myself at a loss.
Nevertheless, I obliged and signed the paper. Her face brightened as she tucked it away and opened the door for , mumbling, "Thank you! Thank you!" over and over again.
Honestly, it wasn’t like I didn’t see it coming.
The people in this hospital had been giving strange glances. I knew that the mont I had revealed my identity at the counter, news had spread among the other nurses and doctors.
Clank—
Instantly, a wave of fresh air washed over as the distant curtains billowed softly in the breeze. Sunlight stread into the room, casting a warm glow across the space and revealing a clean, quiet interior with a large bed set to the side.
Sitting on the bed was a familiar figure, her silhouette outlined by the light as she slowly turned her head in my direction. In the background, the steady beep of the cardiogram echoed through the room.
Beep! Beeep—!
Removing my glasses, the initial confusion disappeared from her face as she smiled warmly.
"...Seth."
"Matriarch."
I smiled back at her, moving into the room as the nurse behind closed the door to give the two of us so ti.
The Matriarch set the book in her grasp as she extended both hands.
"How long has it been? I’ve been aning to ask you to co visit for quite so ti. I thought that you had forgotten about ."
"...I was quite busy."
"I saw."
Her eyes lit up for a mont.
"You’ve made quite a na for yourself lately. It’s all I’ve been hearing about. I’m honestly glad you’ve been doing so well. I’m sure the other children are happy about it, too."
"Ah, the other children... How are they doing?"
"Well, they are doing the best they can."
The Matriarch’s smile faded slightly, a trace of sadness settling in its place as she let out a quiet sigh.
"They’ve been recovering a bit, but they did go through a lot. I heard that it’ll take so ti for them to improve. However, it does seem like there are so improvents, which is always great. Are you also planning on visiting them?"
"I am. Probably after this."
I could feel Mr. Jingles growing quite restless.
"That’s great."
The smile returned to the Matriarch’s face as I looked around and found a nice seat to sit in.
Right as I sat down, the Matriarch asked, "How is Kyle? I haven’t heard from him for quite so ti. Is he doing well? Is he here?"
"Kyle?"
I paused for a mont.
Then, thinking about what the nurse had previously told , I realized that they had probably not told her about what had happened to him.
I pressed my hand against my chest and lightheartedly replied.
"Actually, he’s dead."
The Matriarch’s expression changed.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
The cardiogram started to beep faster.
"Wait, what... Are you...?"
"Nope."
I shook my head.
"He’s dead. Died back in the World Congress. I’m surprised that you didn’t hear about it."
I tilted my head.
"H-ha, that can’t be... H-how could..."
The beeping grew more relentless as her lips parted and closed again and again, her words slurring each ti she tried to speak. Seeing her like this, I decided to stand up and move closer to her as I held her hand.
"Matriarch."
I kept my voice warm.
"This is sothing that happens often in our line of work. I can understand why you’re distressed, but you should be well aware of this."
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
"...He didn’t suffer. It was quick."
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
"S-stop. S—"
"Stop, what?"
I tilted my head while moving my head closer to her. I didn’t even know when, but I was smiling. Yeah... I was smiling. Sothing about this situation felt hilarious to .
Especially when...
"Are you sad that one of your potential vessels is gone? But I don’t think you were that sad when sothing happened to . I heard you were texting Kyle a lot. Just like how I never contacted you... You never contacted . Why is that?"
I tightened my grip on her hand, and her expression shifted. Then, before she could react, I reached forward and grabbed her by the neck.
"Huek!"
A strained, choking sound escaped her as her face flushed a deep red.
Her hands imdiately scrambled, trying to push away, but the difference in our strength was too great. I forced her head down, tightening my grip around her neck.
Her hands continued to flail until they found my arm, her fingers digging into it as she tried to pry off.
"Ukhe...! Khe!"
Choking sounds continued to spill from her lips as she struggled to force out words.
"Hm? You’re trying to say sothing?"
I leaned closer, trying to hear what she was trying to say, but at the sa ti, my grip tightened.
"Ukh!!"
Her face was entirely red.
No, it was purple.
Her resistance was also weakening.
My grip remained the sa.
Looking at her and seeing her struggle, I felt absolutely nothing.
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
Even as the beeping grew more rapid and unbroken, I felt absolutely nothing.
But I didn’t persist for very long.
"Ueeeeeek!"
Letting go of her throat, I calmly patted my hands while sitting back down in my seat.
At the sa ti, the Matriarch continued to choke, gasping desperately for air.
I stared at the sight in silence, waiting for her to recover.
And she did.
It happened rather quickly, her aged features settling as her gaze fixed on . For so reason, her face seed more sunken than before, her hair even grayer.
Did I choke the life out of her?
"S—"
"Sorry about that."
Rubbing the back of my neck, I apologized to the Matriarch.
"...I didn’t an to go that far. Honestly, I was about to kill you before I realized it."
I suddenly burst out laughing.
"That would’ve been quite bad."
After all, there were still a lot of things that I wanted to ask her.
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