I heard a buzz of voices. First talking, then laughing.
There was the steady beaping of a monitor.
I opened my eyes.
They took a moment to adjust to the bright light that seeped through the thin boards of the blinds.
Where was I?
"Look! He's waking up!" a voice said not too loudly.
I rolled my head to the side.
I recognized Kyo, Kei, Sho and Jin. I hadn't seen them in quite a while.
"How did you guys know I was here?" I asked.
My voice was raspy.
"Hold on, I'll get you some water."
It was Sho, he got up and left the room.

"How are you feeling?" Kyo asked.
"I feel fine." I replied.
I took a look around, slowly taking in my surroundings.
"How long have I been here?" I asked.
"I'm not sure exactly how long, but you went through surgury early this afternoon. So, I'd say just a few hours." Kyo replied.
I nodded.
Sho came back into the room with a glass of water and handed in to me.
"Guess who's here?" he asked excitedly.
I frowned, confused, "Who?"
"Mizuki and your father!" Kei answered.
Why was my father here? Wasn't he supposed to be in California?
And, who was this Mizuki?

A girl about my age stepped inside the room, followed by my father.
I instantly recognized the girl who had interupted me when I was scolding that little girl.
What was she doing here?
"Ryo!!" she exclaimed upon seeing me.
She quickly set down the drinks she was carrying in her arms and raced towards me.
She took my hands in hers.

I quickly pushed her away.
"Who do you think you are?!"
She stumbled backwards, Jin caught her before she smashed against the wall.
I looked at everyone.
They were looking at me like I had gone mad.
"What's gotten into you?! How can you treat Mizuki like that?!" Sho shouted.
"What do you mean?! I don't even know her!!" I shouted back, my voice still hoarse.
Everyone exchanged shocked and hurt looks.
"What? Did she tell you we know each other? 'Cause that's a lie. We've only met once, I think it was yesterday--"
My head started aching. I frowned.
"I'll go find Dr. Ashizumi." My father said, "I'll be right back" he hurried out of the room.
I glanced at Sho.
He was glaring at me. I didn't even remember seeing him like that before.
I turned my eyes to Jin. He was holding that Mizuki firmly and protectively.
I instantly felt a pang.
I was about to shout at him to let go of her. But I didn't understand why I felt so hurt seeing his arms around her.
Did I feel hurt because he took her side in this? All I had done was push her away. I couldn't have hurt her that badly, even if Jin hadn't caught her, and she had crashed into the wall.
She couldn't be that fragile.

I kept my eyes on Jin and the girl.
My heart was beating fiercly.
Why were they all so protective of her? Why were they all glaring at me?
That girl had done something. She was getting between my friendship with them. Was this her way for taking revenge for what I did to her sister?
I had to find a way to get rid of her.
I didn't know her, so there was absolutely no reason for her to be here.