Chapter 3: Awakening to Reality

As I slept, I was vaguely aware of Hange's presence beside me, his hand still holding mine in a tight grip. The beeping of the machines and the soft hum of the hospital equipment created a soothing melody that lulled me into a deep sleep. But my rest was short-lived, as I was jolted awake by the sound of footsteps outside my room. The door creaked open, and a woman with a kind face and a crisp white coat walked in. She was followed by a young nurse who was carrying a tray with a steaming cup of coffee and a plate of food. "Good morning, I'm Dr. Rachel Kim," the woman said with a warm smile. "I'm the attending physician on your case. How are you feeling today?" I tried to speak, but my voice was still hoarse from the previous day's events. Hange squeezed my hand reassuringly and handed me a cup of water. I took a sip, feeling the cool liquid soothe my parched throat. "I'm...I'm okay, I guess," I managed to stammer. Dr. Kim nodded sympathetically. "You've had a rough time, but you're making good progress. The tests show that your body is healing well, and we're optimistic about your recovery." Hange released my hand and stood up, stretching his tired muscles. "What's the plan for today, Doc?" he asked, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something. "We'll start with some physical therapy to get you moving again," Dr. Kim replied. "We'll also need to run some more tests to make sure everything is okay. But I think you're ready to start taking some small steps towards recovery." I felt a surge of anxiety at the mention of physical therapy. I had always been an active person, and the thought of being confined to a bed or a wheelchair was daunting. But with Hange's reassuring presence and Dr. Kim's encouraging smile, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. As Dr. Kim and the nurse began to explain the day's schedule, I couldn't help but think about the accident and how I ended up here. The memories were still hazy, but I knew I had been in a serious car crash. Hange had been by my side the whole time, taking care of me and supporting me through the darkest moments. But as I looked at Hange, I noticed a flicker of concern in his eyes. Something was bothering him, and I could sense that it was more than just my recovery. "Hey, what's wrong?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Hange hesitated, his eyes darting to Dr. Kim and the nurse before focusing back on me. "We'll talk about it later, okay?" he said, his voice low and reassuring. But I knew that Hange's expression was hiding something. And I was determined to find out what it was.