Just Being Alive Is Amazing: Starting Life Over in a Chastity-Reversed World - Chapter 3: Nice to… Meet You?

Chapter 3: Nice to… Meet You?

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As I went about my usual morning routine at work, I received a call from the hospital.

The news that my son, Takuya, had woken up was so shocking I nearly dropped my phone. They told me his tests were done, and I should come to the hospital during the afternoon visiting hours.

Restless, I finished my morning tasks, and as soon as the afternoon hit, I delegated my work to a trusted subordinate and rushed to the hospital at full speed.

At the hospital reception, I was led not to my son’s room but to another room where his attending doctor and one of his nurses were waiting. The other nurse wasn’t there—perhaps she was off duty or in my son’s room? I was so worried that even trivial details bothered me… But first, I needed to hear what the doctor had to say.

“Izumi-san, as we informed you over the phone, your son Takuya has woken up. However, there’s something we need to discuss before you see him.”

Something they need to discuss? The ominous tone sent my mind spiraling with dreadful possibilities about what could have happened to my son. It was a major accident—could it be paralysis? Amputation of limbs?

But speculating on my own won’t help… I need to listen to the doctor.

“As you know, Takuya fractured his right arm after being hit by a car. The treatment has already been administered, so now we’re just monitoring the healing process.”

This was all information I’d heard before. The real issue was coming next, wasn’t it?

“Due to a severe head injury sustained in the accident, he fell into a coma, but he woke up this morning. There’s no clouding of consciousness, and he can communicate without issues.”

Hearing that he could talk washed away my earlier anxiety, filling me with relief.

“However, during the questioning, he said he couldn’t remember anything except his name. We believe the head injury from the accident has caused memory impairment.”

Memory impairment? And he can’t remember anything but his name?

I tried desperately to process the doctor’s words, but all I could think of were facts I couldn’t accept. Does this mean he doesn’t remember me or the rest of the family?

Barely holding myself together to keep from collapsing out of the chair, I asked Dr. Kudo, “Will… his memories come back?”

“There have been cases of patients with memory impairment recovering their memories. However, the likelihood is extremely…”

The expressions on Dr. Kudo and Nurse Nakano’s faces told me how slim that hope was.

My son, who had grown into a kind and wonderful boy despite becoming shy around women as he entered puberty, was no longer the same. Realizing this, I couldn’t hold back my tears.

“We plan to conduct further tests with a specialist later, but…”

Dr. Kudo’s voice felt distant. Even if they ran more tests, the chances of a significant change in the short term—or of his memories returning—were probably close to zero. Waking up at all was already a miracle.

…If that’s the case, clinging to memories that won’t return is pointless. As his mother, what I need to do is face the boy he is now. Even if his memories are gone, he’s still my flesh-and-blood son.

“Please… let me see him.”

I looked straight into Dr. Kudo’s eyes, conveying my desire to see my son.

“…Understood. But let’s check on Takuya’s condition first.”

“Alright. Thank you.”

With that, Dr. Kudo left to check on my son in his room.

“Nakano-san… how has my son been today?”

Unable to stop worrying, I asked Nurse Nakano about his condition.

“He’s been very calm and has been very kind to us nurses.”

Having just heard such devastating news, her words—though they could be taken as mere courtesy because I’m family—left me with mixed feelings.

“I-I see… And his memories? Did he remember anything besides his name?”

“He remembered nothing else, not even his date of birth… He can use the nurse call on his own, so he’s capable of conversation and daily activities, but he’s missing some general knowledge… and, well… he doesn’t remember you either…”

Hearing outright that he doesn’t remember me was a blow I couldn’t fully hide.

An awkward silence fell over the room, but it was broken by the ringtone of Nakano-san’s phone. She excused herself and answered it.

“Takuya-san’s condition is stable, so you can visit him. He also said he wants to see you…”

“Understood. Please take me to his room.”

Even if he’s no longer the boy we knew, with his memories gone, he’s still my flesh-and-blood son.

With that resolve as his mother, I steeled myself and headed to his room.

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After some time had passed since the tests, it was time for lunch.

That said, a critically ill patient who just woke up from a coma can’t eat normal meals, so I was given watery, bland, mushy hospital food.

“My apologies. It’s not exactly delicious, but please eat.”

Since I could barely move and my dominant hand was unusable, Yoshizawa-san fed me little by little.

Being fed while stared at by a beautiful woman like Yoshizawa-san would normally be a mood-lifter, but the food itself ruined everything.

“Thank you for the meal…”

“You’re welcome! Thank you for eating it all without complaint—it really helps!”

To be honest, it wasn’t something I’d ever want to eat again… It must be tough for small kids or the elderly.

Yoshizawa-san left to return the dishes, and for the first time in a while, I was alone.

Come to think of it, they said my mother would be coming this afternoon.

My mother is probably one of the people who knew the pre-amnesia me best. That also means there’s a high chance she’ll be shocked seeing the current me, with my memories gone. Will she even accept me as family? Aside from our blood connection, I’m practically a stranger.

I heard from the doctor that I’m a 15-year-old third-year middle school student… still too young to live on my own.

As I grappled with anxiety about meeting my mother, who would soon arrive, I was dozing off when a knock on the door echoed through the room.

“Takuya-san, it’s Kudo. May I come in?”

“Yes~, please come in~”

“Excuse me.”

I thought it might be Yoshizawa-san returning, but it was Dr. Kudo. Lunch was over, so maybe this was an afternoon check-up? Dr. Kudo sat in the chair beside my bed, just like this morning.

“Takuya-san, have there been any changes in your condition?”

“No, not really… I’m just a bit sleepy.”

I feel drowsy enough that I could probably fall asleep if I fully reclined the bed.

“I see… That’s good to hear. Your mother has requested a visit. Would you like to see her now? If you’re feeling tired, I can ask her to come back another day.”

I’d heard she’d come in the afternoon, but she’s already here…

I’m not fully prepared, but sending her away feels wrong, and I’ll have to meet her eventually. Sooner is probably better.

“I’m okay to see her now. Please let me meet my mother.”

“Understood. I’ll bring her right away.”

At my response, Dr. Kudo made a call on her phone. My mother must be waiting with someone in another room.

“I’ve already explained the general situation to your mother, including your memory loss.”

It seems Dr. Kudo spoke with my mother while I was in the room. She probably figured it’d be easier for my mother to meet me knowing about my amnesia beforehand. I’m grateful for her thoughtfulness.

“Dr. Kudo, I’ve brought Takuya-san’s mother.”

A knock and a voice announcing my mother’s arrival rang through the room. As I tensed up before meeting her, Dr. Kudo prompted them to enter.

“Excuse us.”

Nakano-san entered the room with a formal greeting. Her tone was stiffer and more polite than usual, betraying her own nervousness about this reunion between an amnesiac son and his mother.

From my position, I couldn’t yet see them, but I could feel my heartbeat growing louder with each approaching footstep.

Taking a deep breath, I waited. Following Nakano-san, a refined woman in a suit appeared.

“Taku-chan…!”

Her eyes widened the moment she saw me, and she rushed to my side, collapsing to her knees.

“…Thank goodness…! Really… thank goodness…”

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she choked on her words, gripping my hand tightly. I could only hold her hand in return.