Shut Off

-----Kaede's POV

It didn't take long for the doctors and nurses to come rushing into the room, especially considering I was taking off all the wires and needles they had on me. They'll probably wonder why my arm's no longer in a cast, but there's nothing I can do about that now.

Nurse: "What?"

Doctor: "Ma'am. Please lay back down."

I've had enough of laying down. So almost in defiance, I choose to finally stand up and out of the bed. The look on all their faces were of utter shock as they were looking at me as if I was some sort of monster. But I guess in a way, I am. And the moonlight shining through the window seems to have enhanced the effect it seems.

Kaede: "Where are my clothes?"

Doctor: "Like I said, please lay back down."

Ignoring his words, I survey the room, but there isn't any sign of clothes anywhere. I guess I'm not naked, but I'd hate to walk around in this hospital gown.

Kaede: "Thank you for saving my life, but I'm fine now."

Ah~ That smell... And now with my stomach beginning to tighten up and churn in pain, I try to suppress my hunger.

Nurse: "Kaede! You're obviously still in pain. Please, lie down."

Kaede: "Don't come any closer!"

The nurse began to move closer to me, trying to get me back in bed, but that only made my body heat up even more. No one knows what I am right now, so I'd like to keep it that way. But of course, they refuse to listen to me, as the nurses surround me. With the pain that's steadily spreading throughout my body, I end up giving in to their order and lay back down in bed, hoping that they'll leave me alone. But that only seemed to have the doctor come over instead. Damn it... Can they just leave already?!

Doctor: "It's amazing to see you recover so fast, but we still need to make sure, okay?"

Kaede: "...Fine."

Doctor: "Hmm?"

It was then that the doctor noticed my arms. Of course, one of them was in a cast until now, and my other had a couple needles inside.

Doctor: "Your arm. How is it-"

I instinctively wrap my arms over one another, bringing them to my body to try and hide them.

Kaede: "They're fine! Like I said, I'm feeling better, so can I just go?"

Doctor: "I'm sorry, but I cannot do that. We'll get another x-ray of your arm and make sure the rest of your body is alright before dismissing you."

Kaede: "Okay, then get on with it."

...

-----Yui's POV

Morning soon came, and with it I woke up full of excitement. In truth, I wanted to rush over to the hospital right away, but of course my parents wouldn't want me skipping school.

Maria: "We going to see Kaede again after school?"

Emi: "Of course."

Yui: "Mm."

And so, I find myself having lunch with Emi and Maria, with Shin next to me. He ended up introducing himself to the two of them so we decided to have our lunch together again. Ken and Aki are busy with the club right now, probably rescheduling things because of us. They could've easily had us partake in the club activities, so I'm truly thankful for them to work around this, for Kaede's sake.

Maria: "What about the club?"

Yui: "As far as I'm aware, you two are in."

Maria: "Th-then shouldn't we be doing club after school first?"

Emi: "Eh?! You want to leave Kaede alone?"

Maria: "N-no. I was just worried about being a burden to the club is all."

Yui: "It's okay. They'd be short on girls anyways. They did kick out those three girls before, remember?"

Maria: "But what about you? Aren't you like their ace?"

Yui: "Yeah... But I'm more worried about Kaede, so Aki's trying to work around me right now."

Shin: "I wonder if there's any room for me?"

Yui: "Pfft, don't make me laugh."

Shin is athletic enough to join the club, but I don't see him sticking with it for more than a week. I can totally see him coming to practice for two days only to then not show up ever again.

Emi: "Well then we have to go wake up Kaede then. I don't think I want to show up there without her."

Maria: "Mhmm! Same."

Such loyal friends, but I guess I'm at that point as well. Even now I'm choosing Kaede over the club. But that's not only because we're friends... But I'm still unsure how I'm going to approach "that" topic.

...

Eventually, classes ended as we made our way to the hospital. The receptionist was the same lady as last time, so I figured it would be faster to get to Kaede's room this time around... However.

Receptionist: "I'm sorry, but the patient has informed us that they do not want visitors."

Everyone: "What?!"

All four of us couldn't help but scream that as everyone around us quickly looked our way.

Emi: "W-w-wait, hold on! She's awake?!"

Receptionist: "Yes."

Emi: "But she doesn't want to see us?"

Receptionist: "That's correct."

I feel so conflicted right now. Don't get me wrong, my body feels extremely light right now, I feel as though I can sprint for hours on end. But to hear that we can't see her? Knowing she's awake but I can't see her? I want to talk with her, to apologize. So why?

Maria: "Can we ask why?"

Receptionist: "I'm afraid that we don't know. She's even denied her parents to visit."

Wait, could it be because of her eyes? She was keeping her red eyes a secret, so maybe that's why she doesn't want to see anyone? Thinking so, I feel myself calming down by the second as I subconsciously move my hand to my pocket to make sure that the contacts are still there.

Yui: "Are you sure we can't just visit for just a few minutes?"

Receptionist: "I'm sorry, really. But if she doesn't want to see anyone, then we must listen. Sometimes having visitors can disrupt the recovery process."

Yui: "Then-"

I know that this is meant to be kept a secret, but maybe, just maybe if I hand these to the nurse, maybe then Kaede might want to see us. My hands were already moving to the contacts in my pocket before I end up pulling them out to show the lady.

Maria: "Huh?"

Yui: "Could you please pass these on to Kaede?"

Receptionist: "...Very well. I can get that delivered to her for you."

She ends up placing them in a small, transparent bag before sealing it up.

...

And so, after handing over the contacts, the four of us head out of the hospital in defeat. But the massive silver lining is obviously that Kaede's alive and even awake.

Emi: "What was that?"

Yui: "Just contacts."

Emi: "Hmm?"

Maria: "U-uhm! So... You know?"

Yui: "Know what?"

Maria: "About... Well, her eyes?"

Is she talking about her red eyes? Don't tell me that Maria also knows? But I guess they are quite close friends, so maybe Kaede told them.

Yui: "Yeah."

Maria: "I see."

Emi: "What's this about her eyes?"

However, it seems as though Emi is clueless to what we're talking about for some reason.

Maria: "N-nothing's wrong. Remember how Kaede went to see me for contacts? Well those are the contacts I gave her. She wanted to know what it feels like, so I helped out."

Emi: "Hmmm? I see."

Maybe I should play along with Maria? Looking at Emi, she still doesn't seem too convinced.

Yui: "Mm! And she came over to my place to show them off to me. But when she took them off she accidentally left them at my place. I was going to return them sooner, but... Then the accident happened."

Emi: "Ahh~"

Looking at Emi, it seems as though she finally buys the story. My end of the story is the truth, but I can guess that Maria's isn't the same. She obviously left out the "real" reason as to why she needed those contacts.

Shin: "So then what now?"

Maria: "We could maybe make it back to school? The club's still going, right?"

Yui: "Y-yeah."

Emi: "But I want to go when Kaede's ready!"

Maria: "Hehe. But you saw her run before. Don't you think we have some catching up to do?"

Emi: "I mean... I guess."

Maria: "Well then, let's go!"

Emi: "W-woah! Hey!"

Suddenly, Maria drags Emi by the hand, heading straight back to school. She then turns her head back.

Maria: "Yui~ You coming?"

I guess it's better than nothing... I handed over the contacts and we can't see Kaede anyways... And so, I pick up the pace, catching up with the two of them.

Shin: "Alright, I'll catch you later then, Yui!"

Yui: "Mm! See ya!"

-----Kaede's POV

I can't believe I'm forced to stay in this room. I do hope that no visitors come by, I'd hate to suddenly pounce on them because of my hunger. I did consider jumping out the window to escape, but with how weak my body feels, I think that even though I'm a vampire, I can see myself dying right as I hit the ground. Wait, but shouldn't hospitals have blood bags around? Maybe I could cut myself really good and force them to bring blood bags to my room and hook them up to me. I'd have a steady supply then.

Kaede: "Hmmm."

What am I thinking, that's a stupid thing to do. There's no guarantee that it would work out like that. Maybe it might be best if I snuck around and found some?

But right as I was trying to think of a plan of escape, the door to my room suddenly opens as a nurse steps through.

Kaede: "I said no visitors."

Nurse: "Ah, I'm sorry, but a group of girls came by to visit."

Kaede: "And like I said, no visitors."

Nurse: "Yes. They only came to drop this off for you."

Kaede: "Hmm?"

The nurse stepped close before placing a plastic bag on the bedside table. However it's contents was the most surprising as I quickly picked it up with the nurse now leaving the room.

Staring into the bag, I notice two dome shaped disks as I immediately realized what they are, but why?

Kaede: "Ah-"

It was then that I realized that I never grabbed them when I ran out of Yui's home. Which means that Yui was the one that tried to visit just now?

Kaede: "...Yui."

I recently decided to just cut myself from her, but here she is, trying to slide back into my life. I end up heaving a heavy sigh as I open up the bag. I guess so...