[Multichapter] Dreamcatcher ～瞳を閉じて君を描くよ～ (chapter 3/9)
Title: Dreamcatcher ～瞳を閉じて君を描くよ～
Author: tsuchi8562
Beta: andreja1989 << Thank you so much ♥
Special thanks for: syunikiss1990 for kicking my butt to continue this story when I wanted to drop it and for yuuki_saya for throwing ideas at me when I needed them.
Pairing: Fukushi x Ninomiya, Matsumiya
Genre: romance, psychological drama
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: Your comments are always highly appreciated
*MASTERPOST*
It was a room. Simple, a bit smaller than the one he had at home but somehow brighter. Maybe because the window was bigger? Window... Maybe they will allow him hang the dreamcatcher? He will need to ask. All in all, the place he got in was four star hotel comparing to the cellar he ended up not so long ago. It can't be that bad, can it?
"Ninomiya-kun, do you like your new room?" Nurse's voice sounded really close to his ear. Woman smiled when Kazunari nodded and patted his back, gently pushing him further inside. "You're lucky! We got one free room for you. One family dropped out, their son... Well, he is not with us anymore. Feel yourself at home."
"Can I... put something in the window?" Nino asked quietly, as if he was ashamed he dared to do more than breathing in the woman's presence.
"You will have to ask doctor Aikawa about this but it really depends on the object you want to hag there. Doctor will be with you in few minutes, he is doing rounding. Meanwhile, look around your room and start organizing your stuff. I will bring you some papers you need to read." The nurse disappeared, leaving Kazunari alone. The boy looked around, trying to imagine his life here. He thought it couldn’t be that bad; he has his bed and a normal room… Of course Ninomiya didn’t agree with any of reasons he was put in here, believing with all of his heart that he is a normal teenager and that he is definitely not sick. Maybe if he pretends to be straight, they will let him leave soon? One thing he was sure more than anything else - he won’t get back home. Jiro died for him and his sister disappointed him in the worst possible way. Kazunari didn’t have anybody now, seeing the only person who accepted him the way he was, is dead… Nino was alone… Really alone.
“You’re Ninomiya?” Male voice sounded in the room. The quite young man, in his forties, didn’t even look at Kazunari, reading some documents. “I bet the nurses told you everything about this place?”
“I… I am supposed to get some materials…” Nino said shyly, trying to become smaller than he really is. He didn’t like the man in front of him, he didn’t know why but somehow he sensed that it is a bad person. Should he ask about the dreamcatcher?
“Ah yes… Well read them. But don’t think this is some kind of hotel or camp. You are sick and you will be treated whether you like it or not.” The man, who most probably was the infamous doctor Aikawa, finally raised his gaze from above the papers and glimpsed at Nino with disgust clearly visible in his eyes. Kazunari took a deep breath, gathered all of his courage and quietly asked if he can hang the dreamcatcher in his window. The older man rose his brow and didn't say a word for a longer while, making the boy tensed. Finally Aikawa cleared his throat and sighed.
"As long as it's not a naked guy picture you can hang it there. But remember when you misbehave or oppose to the treatment I have a right to take it away. Now, read the rules and I see you in cafeteria in two hours. Be late and you won't eat." The doctor left the room, letting in the nurse who was there earlier. She put a pile of documents on the bed and left Nino alone again. For sure it won't be that easy here and he will have to pretend he changed but still, it should be better here than in that cellar.
With million thoughts, he reached the documents and started reading them slowly, trying to remember the rules around here. Of course any physical contact with any male here was forbidden and punished with something that was described only as ECT. The patients here weren't allowed to talk to each other unless it's in staff's presence however even then even shaking hands was forbidden. Ninomiya was surprised how detailed the part about physical contact between men here was described and what was not allowed. Everything from using the same spoon till even looking at other men in the way which seemed inappropriate for the doctors was punished in different way, depending on the weight of the crime.
All in all rules limited themselves to preventing them to contact, just in case if they wanted to hump each other. Also, lights should be turned off at 10 PM and had to be switched on at 5 AM. The rest was supposed to be organized basing on individual plan for each patient. Kazunari didn't get any document which looked like his personalized schedule but he wasn't worried. Probably it will be created with time, after Aikawa knows him a bit better. After Nino read the papers, he decided not to delay anymore and carefully placed the dreamcatcher in the window, smiling gently.
“One good thing…” Ninomiya whispered and ran his fingers around the wooden frame and black feathers. This will keep the nightmares away, he can handle the rest. Or at least he hopes so… Since he still had around forty minutes, he looked through the window just to see a part of garden, a tall fence and cliff just few meters behind it. Why the building was situated so close to the steep? Were they afraid somebody will decide to escape from here and end his life on the rocky bottom? Kazunari was sure he will handle, no matter what they will prepare for him here. He had a goal - freedom. After he gets out of here, he won’t go back to Jiro just try to find his own place on earth, a place he can call home.
“You should be going to the cafeteria already, if you don’t want to be late…” Already familiar woman’s voice brought him back to reality. “Believe me, Aikawa-sensei hates when somebody is late. Besides you want to make a good first impression, right?”
“I guess it’s too late for that…” Nino smiled and slowly shuffled in direction the nurse pointed. As far as he could see, the place looked like a typical hospital. The walls were either white or greenish, floor was covered with rubber linoleum and halls were empty. Not only no person, even staff, could be seen but even chairs, tables, benches or flowers were hidden somewhere. The whole building looked a bit like haunted house.
Ninomiya caught himself waiting for somebody in vampire or zombie costume jump out of nowhere to startle him but of course nothing like that happen. The other thing which made Kazunari feel even more uncomfortable was the silence. He imagined hearing here some distant chats, maybe some radio or TV, anything which can prove that this clinic is alive but instead all that invaded his ears was his own heartbeat. On the other hand, what else he could expect after reading the rules? Nobody was allowed to talk, media were probably forbidden as well seeing how bad influence they can have on the so-called patients… Nino will have to get use to this muteness.
When he reached the cafeteria the huge clock in the corner of the room rang two o’clock. He wasn’t late and that gave him small satisfaction. Kazunari noticed the doctor standing close to the window and nodding with approval, looking straight at his new patient. Without wasting much time, Nino sat at the only table which had food on it and started to eat slowly, trying not to make too much noise. He wasn’t sure if he is allowed to and he didn’t want to get in troubles on his first day here. Everything seemed so off, so quiet and out of place. It was obvious they have medical staff here, most certainly other patients, maybe some janitors but no one was visible. Just as if the only people inside this building were Aikawa, the nurse Kazunari met earlier and himself. If they keep them so isolated why they created the rules in the first place?
“Your first session starts tomorrow at 7 am sharp. Don’t be late. Nurse will come to your room at 6 am to give you the medications you will be taking every day at the same time. Till then you are free, however do not move from your room. Nurse Hachiko will give you pills which will help you sleep tonight. See you tomorrow.” The doctor bowed almost unnoticeably and left Ninomiya in the cafeteria. Of course he wasn’t allowed to stay alone anywhere so some woman he didn’t meet till now was standing close to the door, observing him and giving him space to feel more comfortable in the facility. Nino finished his meal and was escorted to his room and given the sleeping medicine.
“You don’t need to take it if you think you can sleep normally here. I know new place can chase the sleep away so just in case you have them. I’ll visit you tomorrow at 6 o’clock to give you meds. Goodnight.” Young woman smiled and touched Kazunari’s cheek. That gesture was at the same time calming and disturbing. It wasn’t the way concerned woman touches her friend, more like worried lover… Nino shook his head chasing silly thoughts away and looked around the chamber again. Yes, it was way better than the cellar but only when it comes to the room itself. He was scared of the therapy and the doctor, afraid of the pills and suspicious about the nurses… Something was fishy here but he couldn’t put a finger on it.
“I wonder, will you come to me if I take them…” Kazunari whispered and took a deep breath, looking at two small white pills on his hand. He knew well he won’t fall asleep without them so he just swallowed them and jumped in his pajama. Kazunari took some deep breaths and stared at the ceiling waiting for drowsiness to come. He smiled remembering the times he was with Fukushi, how happy and in love he was. Nino recalled every good minute spent with the older boy and even if his heart hurt, he kept focusing on Souta's face hoping it will appear in his dreams.
When the pills started to work, his eyelids became heavier with each blink until they just stayed closed, moving Ninomiya into dreamless slumber. He was woken up with something he less expected in a place like this. Somebody's hand was touching his face at first, gently as butterfly's wing. Kazunari thought at first that he is still dreaming, that everything till now was one, long nightmare and he will be woken up by his boyfriend's kiss... His eyes were still closed but slowly his consciousness was getting back. Now he could feel the hand moving to his chest, sneaking under his shirt. The other hand started to palm his crotch. When he felt fingers closing around his semi-hard erection, he bit his lower lip. Just then he realized what was going on. The nails were too long and fingers too thin to belong to a man. Scent spread around him was too sweet and too flowery to be Fukushi's. Nino's eyes snapped open and he moved away in the furthest corner of the narrow bed.
"W-who are you? What... is going on..." Ninomiya asked still confused and with pieces of sleep in his voice. Slight fear sneaked to his throat, squeezing it and he needed to hold his breath just to chase the shivers away. The nurse he never saw before giggled and licked her lips.
"I am a nurse here and I will take good care of you. I see you liked my care..." She tried to sound sweet and sexy but all Kazunari could feel was disgust. Was it a part of therapy? Where they are checking if he can get aroused by woman's touch? Will it happen again? What if he refuses? Kazunari kept gazing at the woman in front of him, trying to look smaller he really was. The nurse didn't say anything more, just stood up and left the room. Nino didn't move from his spot, staring at the door, afraid that she will come back with drugs and will force him to sleep with her but nothing like this happened. After a longer while he got up and slowly went to a small table to check at what time he had meeting with his doctor. Should he say what the woman did to him? No, maybe this is not good idea... Aikawa wasn't a person he could trust, that's for sure. Can he trust anyone?
"You are late." The psychiatrist said emotionlessly without even looking at his patient nor at his watch. Kazunari was sure he was on time but he decided not to argue, so he just apologized quietly and sat on big armchair in front of the older man. Aikawa didn't say a word for a while and when he talked his voice showed nothing but disgust.
"Since when you imagined yourself that you like men?" The doctor asked. Nino frowned, trying to catch anything from what he just heard. Imagined? He was born this way, every scientist can confirm it! Why people can't accept that?
"I... I don't think I understand..." Ninomiya asked shyly, trying to experiment how much he will have to deny who he really was.
"As expected... Homosexuality is a disease which attacks your brain. You imagine things then, believing you are normal but you aren't. When did you notice first symptoms?" Aikawa for the first time glimpsed at the latter. It didn't last longer than few seconds before he got back to read some papers. Nino still didn't know what to say but he believed that telling at least part of the truth won't harm anyone.
"I don't know exactly... I don't remember. I feel like I knew all along..." The boy said quietly and leaned back, still trying to figure out how he should be acting and what he should say to get out of here. He cannot escape for sure. It’s an island with only one facility - this clinic. It was built in very smart way. Three walls of the main ward was practically on the edge of cliff, leaving escape impossible. The only way to get out of it was getting healthy again and this is what Kazunari wanted to pretend. Nino couldn’t focus much on the questions asked by the doctor, answering with monosyllables and some incoherent sounds which made the psychiatrist irritated. He quickly wrote something in his patient’s chart and sighed loudly.
“I truly hoped it will go well without it but I guess it’s not possible in your case… You don't think you're sick, right?" Aikawa asked with a bit of hope audible in his voice. Nino took a deep breath to calm down. How come the older man expects that Kazunari will get used to this place in just one night? What kind of clinic is that, if it abuses its patients and demands for them to be normal almost immediately?! The younger one didn't say a word and keep staring straight in the latter's eyes.
"Come on, admit you are sick and need treatment, so we can let you go out soon from here. You can't do that, can you?"
"I am not sick!" Ninomiya shouted before he could even think of anything else. He was supposed to obey, even though he didn’t agree with anything what was said or done here. What would Fukushi do in this situation? Nothing… He wouldn’t have to do anything, because he wouldn’t be forced to come here in the first place. His was accepted by his family and he was happy… Right now Kazunari was all alone in this, without anyone he could talk to or just simply trust. Maybe it was time to get the courage and strength Nino didn’t have?
"Of course..." Aikawa smiled in the creepiest way Nino had ever seen and scribbled something in the chart. The patient was excused and could go back to his room and stay there until lunch. Everything seemed so weird and not the way it should be that Kazunari got scared again. Right now he would give everything to get back to the cellar, got insane there and just die. For couple of hours he was alone, staring at the walls and from time to time gazing at the dreamcatcher gently swinging in the window. Memories hit him so hard, his stomach started to hurt and he thought his heart will break in million pieces. Nino didn’t even have time to mourn properly, being pushed in this place and forced to handle the new situation. Maybe this was the better option? He didn’t cry from the bottom of his heart after Souta died, he didn’t have time to think about him… It was like his death kind of passed him by, gently showing its presence but disappearing soon. Kazunari still wanted to see Fukushi in his dreams so this time he decided not to take any pills in the evening. Maybe his beloved one will come to him this night.
***
It was weird. Ninomiya was perfectly aware he couldn’t be outside the fence, because he was safe, in the bed, sleeping. He looked around, seeing the clinic very clearly, shining in the sunlight brightly, almost blinding him. Building seemed to be made from ivory or white marble, looking more like some kind of palace than a hospital. Nino was sure he saw it somewhere before but he didn’t remember where. When the walls stopped shining rightly, he saw a male silhouette entering the clinic. His heart stopped when he recognized his late boyfriend, so much alive. Was it all a lie? Was Souta’s death just a cruel joke just to make him leave the older boy alone? How he could be living?
“Souta-kun! Souta-kun!” Kazunari shouted but his voice echoed from the walls and hit him with a physical force. Without thinking twice he tried to climb on the fence but as soon as he touched the metal net, he felt burning pain in his hands. No matter how hard he tried, the sore was too much to handle. He wanted to get inside, find Fukushi and ask him why he lied to him but he couldn’t, seeing his burned palms and fingers. Then, suddenly a thought so obvious came across his mind… It was just a dream… All he needs to do is to wake up and he will be safe. In the place he hated and wanted to escape from but with no pain and fear. However the harder he tried to get out of this nightmare, the more he drowned in it, climbing on the fence, despite the pain. His body didn’t want to listen to him, acting on its own, hurting itself with no purpose.
“It’s just a dream, wake up… Please wake up!” Nino shouted to himself, trying to pinch himself, do anything just to see his small room again. “Please, help me… Souta, please… Help me!”
“Shhh… It’ll be alright.” Somebody’s voice sounded very close to his ear and suddenly everything disappeared, leaving him on familiar meadow with the greenest grass he had ever seen. This time he wasn’t alone. Around a meter from him a young man was standing with gentle smile decorating his face. He was wearing crimson linen pants and matching shirt with black feathers attached to the sleeves. Kazunari’s heart calmed down as he looked around, remembering the place from a dream he had long time ago. Was it the same person he saw back then?
“W-who are you?” Nino whispered, trying to take a closer look at the man in front of him. He was a bit taller than Kazunari, with black curly hair surrounding his slim face. Handsome came across Ninomiya’s mind but he quickly pushed away this thought, trying to focus on the answer he was about to receive.
“Let’s say I am your friend. This is all I can tell you at the moment.”
“I saw you before right? You were here…”
“Yes I was, though I was dressed differently… But it’s not the place to talk about it, we will still have plenty of time later. I believe you should be waking up now… I hope to see you soon, though maybe I shouldn’t be saying this…”
“W-wait! Who are you? Why you are coming to my dreams? What’s going on?” Ninomiya frowned, feeling he is waking up. He tried to catch the last pieces of the dream to get his answer but all he could hear was one word, shouted from the distance.
“Jun…”
The next thing Nino saw was the dreamcatcher gently swinging in the window. He sat up, fully woken up and took a deep breath. He looked at his hands finding no burnings or any other wounds. How come the pain was so real then? Why the whole dream and the mysterious Jun were so real? Kazunari looked at the clock and cursed quietly, seeing he had to leave his chamber if he wants to get to the cafeteria on time. Who knows what the doctor can do to him for being late.
As always the place was empty, only one table with plates and Aikawa near the window. He has been here for a week already and every day looked the same. He got up, ate breakfast, had two hours of free time and then therapy session. There he was persuaded that he is sick and asked many embarrassing questions about the most intimate moments in his life, feeling exposed. He was close only with Souta, just this once... It was very precious memory for him and now it was being shown like the filthiest and sinful thing in the world. Kazunari wasn't even blamed for anything, just called sick many, many times. The mysterious disease which was causing him fall in love with somebody he shouldn't, who forces him to do indecent things and hurt his family and himself. Aikawa repeated this on every meeting. All Nino could do was to stay silent or agree, just to leave this place as soon as possible.
"Are you ready now to admit that you are sick?" The doctor smiled creepily, pointing on some book with his pen. Ninomiya bit his lower lip, not knowing what he should say. Betray himself, or even worse Fukushi, and admit he is ill just to get out of here or stay faithful? What will happen after he gives a reply, whichever he chooses? They will treat him either way... When the silence prolonged, Aikawa probably took it as an answer and sighed, pretending he is worried.
"You're leaving me no choice then..." The older man scribbled something in the chart and closed it before Kazunari managed to read a word. He was excused and could stay in his room till dinner, reading the script which he got from Aikawa. It was his homework before next meeting. Nino opened the book and when he started to run through the text he knew what kind of lecture it was. The script was a mix of catholic believes with some other religions, combined in such way it didn’t mention any god, heaven or hell. It repeated over and over again the same statement Ninomiya heard from the doctor, changing only expressions. He read it as fast as he could, not focusing on anything, feeling frustration and anger boiling blood in his veins. His staying in this so-called clinic limited only to echo the same sentences over and over again, making him go insane.
Kazunari believed in things he read through the years in articles and books so much that he carved it inside his mind and heart. And now he was slowly being forced to think opposite and tempted by young nurses dressed in too tight outfits. Yes, the seducing strategy was still used on him. Nino saw everything through it; the only man in the clinic was mean and far from being likable when all women were polite and cared about him very much. Incidents he had few days ago also repeated but he learned how to avoid them. Apparently saying firmly no was enough, at least for now. The most important thing was that they still allowed him to keep his dreamcatcher.
“Ninomiya-kun…? I was sent here to take you for your therapy…” Sweet voice sounded close to Kazunari’s ear, bringing him back to reality.
“But I already talked with Aikawa-sensei today…” The patient frowned, trying to understand this sudden change in his schedule. Till now everything was the same…
“This time you won’t need to talk. Come one, I need to prepare you…” The nurse smiled and took Nino’s hand, pulling him gently in unknown direction. Ninomiya’s heart beat faster from sudden fear that appeared out of nowhere when he was taken to a huge, dark room he had never seen before. The chamber reminded him a bit of the cellar, with only one difference - there was a window there and thus more light poured inside. In the middle of the room there was comfortable looking bed, covered with brown leather, a bit shabby already through the years. Kazunari was left alone for a short while, allowed to take a closer look at the place he was in and his gaze was drawn by some small machine standing next to the bed. What was this place?
“Lay down, please. I promise it won’t hurt.” The woman smiled while preparing some injections and pills. Nino didn’t like any of this and wanted to oppose but before he managed to utter a word, he felt a sting in his arm and warmth spreading around his body when the nurse injected unknown substance in his vein.
“W-what are you doing? I have to agree… on that… don’t I…?” Ninomiya said slowly, as if he was drunk. She must have given him so anesthetic drug as he felt more and more indifferent and the world was spinning around. Without realizing he was put on the bed and restrained. A distant and quiet thought that he should fight and escape was gently shining in his mind but was overpowered by the medications he got. Right now nothing mattered. Ninomiya was lying on comfortable bed, safe and secured and even quite happy…
“I… don’t… wanna… die…” Kazunari muttered to nobody in particular, feeling everything around him float in the air. Sounds changed in one quiet murmur from which he couldn’t recognize particular words. With the last bits of his brain’s sharpness he managed to register Aikawa placing something on his temples and putting rubber protector in his mouth. Then, everything disappeared leaving place only to whiteness and a distant face of somebody he probably didn’t know…
***
Kazunari’s muscles hurt and his head was very heavy. He didn’t move from his bed, only trying to find the most comfortable position to sleep. Ninomiya wanted to escape from this reality, sleep and never wake up. He didn’t know what will happen to him from now on and what Aikawa did to him yesterday but he was sure of one thing - he must get out of here as soon as possible. His breath evened out and he slowly started to float in the dreamland, hoping for seeing Fukushi. Just to be able to yell at him for leaving him alone…
Nino found himself in the same meadow he has already been a couple of times before. This time he saw a big trunk on the ground and somebody sitting on it. He had a feeling he knows that person but he couldn’t recall any name or place he could see him from before.
“I shouldn’t be here because there is no nightmare here, but after last time I think I should introduce myself better…” The man said calmly, smiling. Kazunari frowned and sat next to the latter, trying to understand what was going on. Who was that person? Is this just another trick of the doctor? Make Ninomiya see a handsome man who probably will hit on him and see how he will react?
"W-who are you?" Ninomiya frowned, making sure he is keeping the distance from the mysterious man.
"You don't remember me? I am Jun, we met few times already. I am your dreamcatcher."
"My what?"
"A dreamcatcher. Person who protects you from nightmares. I was... assigned to you. I am not supposed to talk to you when you have good dreams but I think you deserve to know more about me and everything…”
“How should I believe that you are not somebody who was sent to test me? Maybe I am only thinking I am sleeping and you are just a creation of my mind? This is only a test of that sick bastard to prove I am sick and keep me here till the day I die…”
“You are not going to die… Well, at least not here. I came to you to explain you everything, from the beginning… Are you willing to listen?” The man named Jun smiled and turned around, straddling the trunk and looking straight at the latter. Nino just nodded and moved away as far as he could and decided to listen. He has nothing better to do anyway…
“Okay then. My name is Matsumoto Jun and I am a dreamcatcher, but you know that already… My job is to protect a person from nightmares and provide calmness. Usually we are assigned randomly but your case was different. I was asked by my previous protégé to take care of you. Particularly you. So, I am here.” Matsumoto bit his lower lip, waiting for any reaction from the latter’s side. Kazunari just frowned, staring at the man next to him and tried to find the right words to express how absurd he thought it was. His dreams were protected by some person? Of course he heard about dreamcatchers but only as an object made from wood which is supposed to be hanged in the window and catching nightmares in its net. What kind of sick idea was that?!
“You won’t say anything?” Jun asked quietly, leaning forward. Ninomiya jumped on his feet and tried to stay as far away from the latter as he could.
“What do you want me to say? That I am thankful? I… I don’t need you, I don’t want you, go away and leave me!” Kazunari bit his lower lip to stop tears from falling down. Usually he would wake up by now but probably the meds were too strong to let him out from this dream.
“You’re different from what I’ve heard from Fukushi-kun…” Matsumoto whispered more to himself than to anybody else and sighed. Ninomiya gasped and just then he found a courage to come closer to the latter and grab his wrist.
“Where do you know about Souta from?! Answer me, who told you about him?! Answer me now!” Nino’s voice trembled both from fear that they will try to destroy every good memory he had and from pain that appeared in his heart.
“Calm down, please. I told you that I was asked by my previous protégé to take care of you? Fukushi-kun asked me to take care of you because he thought you need it more than him…”
"How dare you? Where... Don't talk about him... Why..." Nino felt so confused, mad and scared at the same time. He wanted to wake up so badly he started to pinch and hit himself, just to get back to reality. Jun jumped on his feet and held Kazunari's wrist tight and made him look at him.
"Stop. Please, stop. I know you are confused and scared of all of this but please, trust me. Not now, give me some time, please. Let's meet here again and I promise I will answer all your questions. If you won't trust me then, I won't come here unless you have nightmares. Please..." Matsumoto slowly released the pressure on Nino's wrists but was still holding them. Kazunari took a deep breath, trying to calm down. He heard Souta's quiet voice, encouraging him to trust the man in front of him but Ninomiya was still too scared to think straight. How can you wrap with your mind something which is known only from some fantasy books? How you can believe in something that can't be explained scientifically?
"I have to go." He finally muttered and stepped back a bit, feeling he was waking up. The last thing he saw was smile on Jun's face which was so similar to Fukushi's...
The room was bathed in sunlight. He didn't know what time it was but nobody bothered him yet, so probably it was still early. The dream he had seemed so real, he felt slight pain in the places he pinched himself. Nino sat up and looked at his wrists, trying to find any bruises or smudges from Matsumoto’s hands but he didn’t find anything.
“Am I losing my mind?” Kazunari whispered to himself and hugged his knees, hiding his face in them. He couldn’t wrap his mind around anything what was going on recently. His father finding out about his orientation, his sister not standing up for him, Fukushi’s death, the clinic… A lot of things had happened in such short period of time. It was way too much for him to bear and now he needed to add one more. Maybe it was just creation of his imagination, who knows what medications they are really giving him here and what the mysterious machine was … Nino didn’t remember much from the mysterious room he was brought to the other day, just the taste of plastic in his mouth made him feel uncomfortable. Ninomiya didn’t know what to think about Jun who suddenly appeared in his life. Was it true that Souta sent him? Or maybe they really want to play with his mind here? Kazunari decided to let it be and be very careful. He shouldn’t trust anyone, especially this new guy who emerged out of nowhere. The only thing Nino has to do is to focus on the right answers he should give Aikawa to get out of here as soon as possible. Even if this mysterious therapy he had the other day will be used on him more regularly.
***
“You’re here again and I have no nightmare.” Kazunari stated firmly, sure he won’t be afraid of the latter ever again. He looked straight at Jun, making sure to keep the distance between them.
“I just wanted to make sure you are okay…”
“I am fine.” Kazunari crossed his arms on the chest, protecting himself this way. “Tell me more about Souta.”
“Demanding…” Matsumoto giggled from his own joke but when the latter stayed serious he cleared his throat and looked down. “I am forbidden to talk about my previous protégés, I think I have already told you more than I was allowed to. He cares about you a lot. But you already know it…”
“He cared about me… Past tense… He is d-dead.” Nino’s voice trembled on the last word. He still couldn’t believe the one he loved the most wasn’t here anymore. How could he leave him?! How he could be so careless and thoughtless to get himself lured into trap set my Yamada?
“I… I didn’t know… I guess I organized the change before he died… I couldn’t reach you for a very long time, I think you didn’t put the gate in your window…” Jun frowned, trying to match the pieces of puzzles in his mind.
“I couldn’t, I didn’t have a window in the place I was in… Wait… A gate?”
“Yeah, this small, wooden and fancy thing you call dreamcatcher. This is gate we are using to go to your dreams.” Matsumoto seemed to relax a bit more and behaved more freely than before. Just now Ninomiya noticed that the latter is in his late twenties, which made him at least ten years older than Nino. Kazunari looked down, not knowing what he should think about this anymore. He was so sure he will just ignore the man and focus on his real problem but now, when he mentioned Fukushi…
“I want to get out of here… I just want to leave… Please, don’t confuse me anymore… I can’t afford to hear more about him or you… I just need to get out of this godforsaken place… Just… Don’t disturb me, okay?” The younger one pleaded, not sure why exactly is he doing this. For sure he wanted to have clear mind and Matsumoto was just another distracting event.
“I am here to help you, that’s it. I don’t understand how can I disturb you…”
“Just… Please…” Ninomiya sighed and sat on the trunk. He jumped few feet away when Jun touched his temple and moved few wisps away. “What the hell are you doing?!”
“Me? What the hell they are doing to you? Did you see yourself in a mirror recently? You have small burns on your temples, near your hairline. ECT?”
“What?” Kazunari frowned and touched the same place the latter did not so long ago. Indeed, there was some scars he didn’t had before. He remembered what he had read in the guidebook on his first day here something about the mysterious abbreviation but that was described as a punishment… Did he do something wrong?
“ECT. Electroconvulsive therapy. They are using shocks on you to make you behave and forget…” Matsumoto got somehow mad, got up and kicked the trunk few times. Ninomiya got scared again and wanted to wake up instantly. Fortunately his alarm went off and next second he saw his room and a nurse with syringe in her hand. He couldn’t oppose in any way, seeing they will inject some tranquilizers and do what they want anyway. The last thing he remembered before being embraced by sweet high was Jun’s angry face with small sparks of concern in his eyes.