Cold.

  Silence.

  What the hell just happened?

  Did... someone hit me...?

  ---

  [Scene Transition – Hospital]

  “He got hit on his head and suffered a fracture on his shoulder and got cut on his ribs,” the nurse said.

  “He lost too much blood on the way to the hospital,” the doctor added grimly. “Find someone with the same blood type and contact his parents or relatives.”

  ---

  [Outside ER]

  “Is my son alright, doctor?” the mother asked, voice trembling.

  “Ahh…” The doctor paused. “Your son is stable… but he’s in a coma for now.”

  “What?!” she gasped. “Was it that bad? He went into a coma?!”

  “Yeah… He was on the verge of death. If we hadn’t found a blood donor in time, we might’ve lost him,” the doctor replied seriously. “Someone came and donated blood.”

  “Who was it?”

  “We don’t know. He just said, ‘My name doesn’t matter. Just give it to him.’ He kept a low profile.”

  “Do you have any pictures of him?”

  “No.”

  “You have cameras in here, right?”

  “Yes, but we can’t show footage without police permission,” the nurse said politely.

  “Oh… I just wanted to thank the person who saved my son’s life,” the mother said, raising her voice in frustration.

  “I understand,” the nurse replied calmly. “But the footage is private. We can’t give it out.”

  “Okay… If you see him around, please let me know.”

  Who was it…?

  ---

  [Two Years Later]

  “My head… feels like it’s full of fog…”

  “Where… am I…?”

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “You’re finally awake,” said the nurse with a gentle smile.

  She turned toward the door. “Doctor, patient number 256 is awake!”

  “You’re at H and C Hospital,” she informed him.

  “…How did I get here?”

  “Your mom will explain everything. Please wait until she arrives.”

  “Did he lose his memory?” the doctor asked, observing from the doorway.

  “Seems like he doesn’t remember what happened that day.”

  “We’ll figure that out after his mother arrives.”

  ---

  [Moments Later]

  “She’s here.”

  “Where is my son?!”

  “Here,” the nurse guided her to the bed.

  “…Momma? Is it you…?”

  “…What did I just say…?” he asked himself , blinking in confusion.

  “patient… Who is that woman crying in front of me?” he asked, confused.

  “He just called her…” the nurse looked over to the doctor.

  The doctor nodded. “I guess… he recognized her by her voice alone. I believe his memory will return once you tell him everything, miss. This often happens to people waking up from a coma.”

  “She is your mother, boy.”

  The boy blinked, his voice uncertain.

  “Sh-She is…?”

  The doctor gave a calm nod.

  “Miss, you can take him home. He’s fine now. I checked him before you came.”

  “But…” the woman whispered, her voice trembling slightly with hesitation.

  The doctor turned to her kindly.

  “Before you go, come to my cabin. I’ve got something to tell you,” he said humbly.

  ---

  [In the Doctor’s Cabin]

  “May I come in, Doctor?” the mother asked gently, standing at the doorway.

  “Yeah, sure. Miss Yamanaka,” he replied, gesturing her in.

  She stepped inside, carefully closing the door behind her.

  “Yes, Doctor… what do you want to tell me?” she asked politely, though concern laced her tone.

  The doctor let out a small sigh.

  “Ahh… it’s like this. Your son just woke up from a two-year nap. And… he seems like he can’t remember anything from that day—or anyone who was with him.”

  Her eyes widened, lips parting in disbelief.

  “But… there’s a chance he’ll remember soon,” the doctor added, leaning forward slightly. “Because before you entered the room, when he heard your voice, he said, ‘Is it you, Momma?’”

  “He said that…?” she murmured to herself, eyes softening.

  “That’s why I’m telling you—give him the things he used to have. Try to contact the friends he was closest with. Doing this might help him recall everything quickly. Also… tell him about what happened that day he went into this cold sleep.”

  She lowered her gaze, voice tense.

  “Is it really okay to tell him, Doctor? That was a tragic day for all of us… What if he gets traumatized by hearing it?”

  The doctor’s expression turned serious.

  “It’s not that he’ll get traumatized just by hearing it. It depends on how you tell him. So… tell him everything wisely. It’s necessary.”

  She gave a quiet nod, her voice barely above a whisper.

  “Okay, Doctor… I’ll tell him, bit by bit.”

  “Okay, Doctor, I’m leaving now. And… thank you for treating my son,” she said with a warm smile.

  “Oh no, no need to thank me. It’s my duty to treat people, so never mind,” the doctor replied politely.

  As they stepped out, the boy looked at the woman beside him.

  “Are you… really my mom?” he asked, his voice filled with hesitation.

  “Yeah, son. I’m your mom,” she answered gently.

  She raised her hand and called for a taxi.

  ---

  [At the Entrance of Their Home]

  The boy looked at the house as they arrived.

  “Is this… my home?” he asked himself, eyes scanning the surroundings.

  They went inside.

  Everywhere he turned, there were photos, familiar furniture, and traces of a life he couldn't recall.

  “Mom, just asking… what happened that day?” he said in a low voice. “Everyone keeps saying your mom will tell you.”

  She turned to face him, eyes soft.

  “Are you scared of me, son? You’re talking in such a low voice,” she asked.

  “No, Mom… I just… I can’t remember anything. It feels awkward… asking all this.”

  Why am I calling her my mom in every sentence?

  I guess… she really is my mom.

  She smiled faintly.

  “Okay, son. If you’re thinking about it seriously now, then I’ll show you our family albums.”

  She walked to the bookshelf and pulled out three large photo books.

  “Here, son. Look at this—this is your picture from elementary school.

  And this one’s from your 10th birthday.

  This one’s from when we went to the beach, you were 12 years old.

  And this… is from your first day at high school.”

  He stared at the photos, trying to connect with the faces.

  “What is… high school? And… elementary school?” he asked in a low voice.

  “You can’t remember that too?” Mom blinked in surprise.

  Is he going to remember anything…? she asked herself, anxiety flickering in her eyes.

  “Son, those are the places where you learn about the world. You’re now in your final year of high school. Be prepared to go back soon.”

  “Okay, Mom. I… I’ve fixed it now. You’re my mom,” he said with a small smile.

  “Ahh… you finally accepted it. We've been telling you since the moment you woke up.”

  She glanced at the clock.

  “Okay, son, it’s 8 PM now. Dinner is ready too. I’ll tell you what happened—both to you and to the others—after we eat.”

  “I made your favorite dish.”

  “…My favorite dish?”

  “Yes. Even though you can’t remember anything, I hoped this would spark something.”

  She placed the plate in front of him.

  “The dish is Tori Kara… Age!”

  His eyes widened for a second.

  “You remembered the name of your favorite dish!” she said, surprised and delighted.

  “I… I guess so!”

  “Now, let’s eat.”

  After a few bites, he looked up.

  “Mom, tell me… what happened on that day?”

  She grew silent, her expression shadowed.

  “Okay, s

  on. What happened to you that day… I honestly don’t know.”

  She looked at him seriously.

  “But what happened to our city… that, I do know.”

  She lowered her voice.

  “On that tragic day… we were saved by Kazehiko Aranami.”