When I Was Presumed Dead, They Became Unhinged Unknowingly - Chapter 25

It was after the sun had set that I left the hospital. Sakura would probably recover. Before I left, she told me, “If Onii-chan is alive, I need to get well soon and get out of here. Wait for me, Onii-chan,” so she would probably leave the hospital in less than a week.

Even so, I don’t think she will make a complete recovery yet, so it’ll probably take some time for her to get back to school and work.

As I replied to Kyouka’s messages every five minutes, I thought about what to do next. Sakura’s emotions are still unstable, but she still retains a certain amount of sense. She needs long-term treatment, but I want to think that she’ll be able to eventually recover completely.

There were three people left.

Mika, Misuzu, and Karen.

Of the three of them, Mika is probably the one who I think would be at her worst. Sakura’s heart had become so messed up, so when it comes to Mika, her mental state is most likely worse than Sakura’s.

Honestly, I thought I should have gone earlier to her than Sakura, but I didn’t expect she would be hospitalized, so I delayed Mika. I hope this doesn’t backfire.

By the time I got on the train and headed back to Kyouka’s house to fulfill my promise, it was already past one o’clock. I got into bed and fell asleep thinking about tomorrow.

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“Good morning, Kyouka.”

“Yeah, good morning, Satoru. It’s a nice morning.”

“Yeah, it’s a nice morning. There’s something I want to ask you, but I don’t remember sleeping together with you last night.”

“Yes. That’s because I went to bed after Satoru fell asleep.”

“…I see.”

“I mean, I couldn’t help it. I was lonely too, you know? I was alone while Satoru was busy with other women.  It’s painful enough going to school, and when you leave home, it really messes with my mental health. So, it can’t be helped, don’t you think?”

“…I’m sorry. But this is something I have to do.”

“It’s okay. If you’re thinking about the future, you need to have enough backbone to forgive your husband for a little infidelity. But don’t really cheat on me, okay?”

“…Ahaha.”

Cold sweat ran down my back, and a dry laugh escaped my lips. Looking at Kyouka’s eyes, it really doesn’t sound like a joke. Knowing her, she’s probably really going to do it.

After a short chat with Kyouka, we ate breakfast, then I took the train again and returned to the city where the girls lived.

Honestly, I’m still hesitant to meet them even now. Looking at Sakura, Kyouka, and Shouko, I’ve gotten too involved in their lives. I feel like I shouldn’t get involved with them any further, but that’s just because I don’t want to take responsibility for it.

I walked for a few minutes from the station and ended up at her house.

Sakura’s mind had degraded a lot. So what could have happened to Mika? But maybe she just has become a shut-in. Maybe she is healthy and alive.

………That lighthearted thought vanished the moment I entered her room. I was too naive about everything.

Through the curtains, I could see the words Satoru-kun written on the wall, or carved into it, and a messy room. 

There was a pungent, stinking stench in the air, and the pillow was battered, as if it had been stabbed by something, and feathers had flown out from  the inside.

Then I spotted Mika crouched in the corner of the room, looking like a pale ghost.