It took me little time to find myself heading down the hall of the hospital, to Aoi’s room.
It was the usual, quiet stillness, the kind that bore a solemnity. It was a familiar atmosphere in hospitals, a clean sterile smell, mixed with a sound of emptiness.
By the time I reached the sliding door, I realized I had been wandering, aimlessly shuffling my feet.
Was I reluctant to come here, day after day? I convinced myself that it wasn’t so. It couldn’t be so. I couldn’t believe that.
The door was slightly ajar. I pulled it open with a little effort and it slid soundlessly.
I looked into the room.
Someone was there.
