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Sou was in pain. It wasn't localized anywhere in particular, though. There was something peripheral about it that his swimming head couldn't quite grasp. Where memories were, only a pulsating ache was left.
"...Oh, see? He's fine."
His hands grope around, trying to make sense of his surroundings. He was laid out over a couch, surrounded by a small crowd of strangers. They all looked worried or mildly annoyed. It seemed he caused quite a scene, though he couldn't recall what happened.
"'Fine?' Are you sure, Keiji? He hasn't tried being a major pain in our asses yet. Maybe that bump on the head was worse than it looked."
A bump on the head. He tried thinking back, but only felt a surging pain radiate from the back of his skull. The woman with the strange makeup helped him get to the heart of the problem. His head hurt and he wasn't sure where he was. Not great news, but a lead.
"Maybe the loner can't talk anymore, woof. Or he can only tell the truth, like in a fairytale, meow!"
"Yeah, I doubt we'd be that lucky. We won't know for sure until he focuses up a bit." A large, muscular man was the first to address Sou directly. He cleared his throat, looking uncertain. "Hellooo? Looks like someone bashed you real good. I never met someone so predisposed to head injuries..."
"I-It's a little suspicious, right? This is the second time in less than two days." A nervous-looking redhead was keeping her distance, hands clasped anxiously to her chest.
It seemed that he wasn't very popular. That made him feel like laughing, but he resisted the urge. It wouldn't help his headache.
"...Are you alright, Sou? Can you hear us?"
This voice was the nearest. His gaze floated to his side, where two figures were kneeling on the floor beside him. An elementary school girl, who didn't say anything. She only sniffled every few seconds.
The girl who spoke...
There were dark circles under her eyes. She looked exhausted. Like someone tired from crying for too long. For a fleeting moment, he wondered if she'd shed those tears on his behalf. Someone who deigned to show him concern where others felt only half-hearted scorn.
The kind of pretty girl who'd usually never give him a second glance, let alone stay by his side to care for him. For whatever reason, it jogged something in his memory. A certainty that she was extremely important to him, if nothing else.
"Miss Sara..?"
He finally spoke up, voice hoarse. The girl looked surprised, like she hadn't expected him to turn attention to her and smile so warmly. He reached out, finding her hand resting on the edge of the couch cushion, and covered it with his own.
"Are you worried about me? Ah, that makes me so happy..."