**Chapter 3: The Weight of Uncertainty**

The darkness of the operating room enveloped me, a stark contrast to the bright lights of the infirmary. I was trapped in a sea of nothingness, unable to move or respond to the world around me. The only thing I could feel was Hange's hand, still grasping mine with a firm but gentle grip. As the surgery progressed, I was aware of the beeping of the machines and the soft murmurs of the medical team. Dr. Kyuin's voice was calm and reassuring, but I couldn't make out the specifics of what she was saying. The anesthesia had taken hold, and I was drifting further and further away from reality. In the distance, I saw a vision of Hange, his face etched with worry and concern. He was pacing back and forth in the operating room, his eyes fixed on the surgical team. I wanted to reach out to him, to reassure him that everything would be okay, but my body refused to respond. Time seemed to stretch and compress, becoming meaningless as I floated in a state of suspended animation. I was aware of the surgical team working to repair the damage to my spinal cord, but it was all happening in a distant, detached world. As the surgery drew to a close, I felt a sense of exhaustion wash over me. My body was drained, my mind foggy and unclear. I was vaguely aware of the medical team wheeling me out of the operating room, back to the infirmary. The bright lights of the infirmary were blinding, and I turned my head away, unable to bear the intensity. I was aware of Hange's presence, his hand still grasping mine as he sat beside me. "How long?" he asked, his voice low and husky. I didn't know what he was asking, but Dr. Kyuin's response was reassuring. "The surgery was a success, Hange," she said. "We've managed to repair the damage to her spinal cord, but...there's still a long road to recovery ahead." Hange's grip on my hand tightened, and I felt a surge of love and gratitude towards him. He was still there, holding on to me, refusing to let me go. As I drifted in and out of consciousness, I was aware of Hange's presence, his voice whispering words of encouragement and reassurance in my ear. I was trapped in a world of uncertainty, but with Hange by my side, I felt a sense of hope that I might just make it through this after all. The machines surrounding me beeped and whirred, a constant reminder of my fragile state. But as I looked up at Hange, I saw a glimmer of determination in his eyes, a sense that he would do whatever it took to help me recover. And in that moment, I knew that I wasn't alone. Hange was there, holding on to me, and together, we would face whatever the future held.