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Clover woke up in a weird place, unsure of how they got there, pain surging through their leg. They were in a bed, with a bunch of strange equipment. A bunch of weird poles with… tvs on them? Or were those bags? Maybe both? They couldn’t fully tell anything else; their vision was blurry.
They started to go through their memory, trying to recall where they were before now. It was confusing, as their mind was all muddled, but they remembered… walking home with their siblings, Kuroba and Kanako.
It was just another Friday, they recalled. (Not a 13th, though. 12th. Close, but not quite.) The three of them were on their way home from school. Kuroba had their driver’s license, but they all preferred walking home. Kuroba was leading the way, as they tend to do (older siblings’ rights or whatever), while Clover and Kanako were sorta hanging back, talking. Everything was fine.
That’s when it happened.
Kanako had gone up ahead to speak with Kuroba, leaving Clover behind. Suddenly, they felt some sort of hand push them on their back. There was a cacophony of sound; the screeching of tires; concerned voices for their safety; footsteps coming to check on them (and a few… running away?).
They fell. They fell right into the road. Right into oncoming traffic. They got hit. That’s where the pain they were feeling was from.
That’s when it hit them. (The realization, that is, the car was earlier.) They were in the hospital for being run over. Good news: it was just their left leg that hurt like hell. Everywhere else felt fine, just some scrapes and bruises. Must’ve been their middle name giving them the luck for that to happen. Another win for Clover Konan Ketsukane!
Finally, Clover realized that their family was there in the room. Their siblings and moms were standing around the hospital bed, looking very relieved that they woke up; their parents, especially Martlet, looked on the verge of tears while their siblings’ faces were showing extreme concern. Clover felt bad for making them all worry, even if it wasn’t fully their fault. All four of their expressions quickly changed to relief as Clover noticed that they were there. They decided to say something to fully help ease tension.
“Hey-” they started saying as they were getting up.
“Nope, staaaaaay down, cowboy,” Kanako told them off, actively shoving them back down. “Doc said not to try and strain yourself.”
“Oh, come on. I just got hit by a—no, yeah, I see why I should be careful,” Clover responded. “But my upper body feels fiiiiiiiiiiine. It’s really just my leg that’s causing me pain.”
“You should still listen to the doctor, Clover,” Ceroba told them. “Just to be safe.”
“Alright, I will,” they said, knowing that angering their mom was one of the worst things that they could do at this moment. “Did… uh… did the doctor say what’s damaged, or do I still need to be examined?”
“Examined, still,” Martlet answered. “It’s only been about an hour or two since you were brought in.”
“Oh… I thought I would’ve been examined right away,” Clover remarked.
“They needed you awake in order to get, like, the pain scale or something,” Kanako said, flipping his hair. “Anyways, since you’re awake I’m headin’ out. Hospitals, y’know? See ya.”
“We probably should, too,” Ceroba said. “As much as I’d love to stay, I still need to finish putting an order together for tomorrow. Just knowing that you’re awake gives me enough peace of mind.”
“Yeah,” Martlet agreed. “Plus, I kinda left work in a rush, so I really should head back. (I didn’t even clock out, I may be in trouble.) We’ll visit often, once a day at least! Bye!”
Upon that, the parents left Kuroba and Clover alone.
“Bye!” Clover said. They wondered why Martlet put so much emphasis on the word "we" before remembering their sister’s aversion to hospitals. “Oh, right… guess Ko won’t be visiting me frequently.”
“Yeah, prolly not,” Kuroba agreed. “I should probably go too. Letcha get ready for whatever exams the doctor’s getting prepared. I’ll bring you whatever homework your teachers give you, since Kanako might not. Here’s your bag, by the way. See ya, Hirai.”
Upon Kuroba’s departure, Clover was alone with their thoughts.
(Hopefully it’s nothing too bad and you can go back to school soon,) they thought. (This’d be a suck-y way to end eighth grade. Never thought you’d actually hope for broken bones.)
A few days later, Kuroba came back for a reason besides the usual homework collection. For some reason, they wanted to break the news to Clover. What’s even more strange is that the doctor agreed. She probably thought it would be best for a family member to let them know what happened.
Kuroba stepped into Clover's room with a solemn gaze. Clover knew to prepare themself for whatever Kuroba would have to say; it’s bound to be bad news. They were expecting to need crutches, sure, but they were just hoping that they could at least walk. The infantilization from strangers for being in a wheelchair, and the hollow-feeling sympathy they would bring by potentially subconsciously seeing them as “lesser” in some weird way, was about that last thing they would need.
“So? What’s the verdict?” Clover asked, trying to appear brave for the incoming news. “Who’s the guilty party causing my pain?”
“Clover, you…” Kuroba said, shifting their glance. (Oh God, here it comes…) “The doctor said that…” (Brace yourself, brace yourself…) “you won’t…” (You’re not gonna be able to walk, your biggest fear is being realized.) “be abl. .. ... .gain…”
A pause.
“What…” There were tons of thoughts rushing through Clover's mind. They could barely hear what Kuroba had said. Do they bring it up? Or do they crack a joke to help lighten the mood?
After what seemed like an eternity but was only a few mere moments, Clover had decided and spoke. “What was that? You sorta mumbled off in the middle there,” Clover said, sitting up and potentially mocking their sibling, worries half melting away.
“I, I said…” Kuroba inhaled, prepared to give their sibling the news, “You won’t be able to run again.”
Clover felt like their heart stopped for a moment and just stared right at their older sibling. Silent. Trying to process what they were just told. No running… but… Kuroba made no mention of walking. So… surely they’ll be able to walk just fine… right? Eventually, they spoke.
“Oh nooooooooo, my totally real and budding athletic carreeeeeer. I’m ruiiiiiiiined,” they said, very sarcastically and relieved. “If it’s just running then that’s fine. I’d be much more worried if you sai—” they cut themself short. Slowly, they turned their head, eyes narrowing at Kuroba. “Yooouuu. You intentionally phrased it that way to get me worried, didn’t you?”
“Oh, come on, Hirai. Would I, your humble and loving older sibling, really do that to you?” Kuroba responded, almost smirking.
“I know what you are… I know your ilk. Thou art a theater kid in addition to an older sibling. Not to mention being me. Of COURSE you’d do that to me; I’d do it to you!” Clover remarked.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Come now, is that any way you should speak to your elders?” Kuroba smugly said.
“Oh, so you admit to being old?” Clover fought back.
“Wha— No, I— Oh, you little brat…”
“You set yourself up for that one, idiot.”
“Oh, shut up.”
“Hate that I’m right?”
“I can just leave ya know. Let you wonder what’s up with your body for a while longer.”
“Are you threatening someone with a disability? Wooooooooow, can not believe you. Just wait 'til Ka-san hears about this.”
“You…” Kuroba inhaled in defeat. “There’s no winning this… is there?”
“Not for you, no.”
Kuroba simply stood with their eyes closed, face buried in hands, contemplating the corner they backed themselves into. “Ok… fine… you win. I can’t make any sort of retort without further digging my grave. Just… don’t use this as a crutch in the future, alright? At least against me.”
“Was that a—”
“Don’t you even fricking start, ok? Just… look. The point is, y’ain’t running anymore. Doc said that your leg’s been damaged, but it’s not broken. (Can our legs even break?) Maybe a few cracks here and there (if we even have bones, I still don’t entirely know) but it’s not completely shattered. Your bones (again, if we have any) will heal just fine, but there will be lasting consequences on account of nerve damage (or the closest equivalent? Our bodies are weird). Sounds like you’re gonna need a crutch probably for the rest of your life.
“You’re definitely going to need some physical therapy in order to build enough muscle to at least be able to stand. No clue how long that’s gonna take. Good news is, shouldn’t be too long and you might be back in school before the end of the year.
“Probably gonna miss the eighth grade visit to the high school, but I’ll ask the principal if I could give you a tour shortly before next year begins if you miss it. That all sound good?”
“Yeah, sounds great,” Clover said, very relieved that they’ll actually be able to walk. “Quick question though. Did you really ask the doctor to give the news just so you could be a brat and make me think that I’d be screwed?”
“Do you really think tha—”
“I already caught you in your act, just answer the damn question.”
“...Yes,” Kuroba responded through gritted teeth.
“Oooooooooooooof course.” Clover sighed. “I’m telling Ka-san next time I see her.”
“I’m grounded, aren’t I?”
“Eh, probably not,” Clover reassured them. “Absolutely in trouble though.”
“Greaaaaaaaat… Is there any way I can convince you to not tell Ka-san?”
“Maybe, maybe not. Who knows?”
Kuroba sighed, fully giving up. “Alright, well… I’ve told you what’s necessary from the doctor. Here’s your homework for today, the class notes, aaaaaaand some get well soon cards from your friends. Don’t know why they don’t just visit. Anyways, I’m gonna go ahead and self-report to Ka-san so that you don’t get that satisfaction.”
“Is she outside?”
“Yeah, her and Ma are.”
“I see...” Clover inhaled. “KAAAAAAA-SAAAAAAAAANNN!”
“Wha— Clover, what are you—”
Ceroba opened the door, curious as to why she had been called by Clover. “Yes, sweetie?” she asked.
“Kuroba tried to scare me by making it sound like I wouldn’t be able to walk ever again,” they tattled.
“Kuroba …” Ceroba said, shaking her head disapprovingly. “I’m disappointed, yet not surprised in the slightest.”
Kuroba gave Clover a look to signify I’m going to kill you. Or maybe make you fully unable to walk. See how much you like it then. Clover merely shrugged with a smug look on their face.
“Jerk,” Kuroba mumbled.
“Siblings, Kai. You know we live to annoy each other.”
“Shut up...”
“And if I don’t?”
“...
“See you tomorrow, nerd.”
“Love you too, brat. Now get out of my room, I need to do my work.”
“Yeah, yeah. So pushy.”
“Only with you. But, yeah, I would like to be alone right now,” Clover said, turning to Ceroba. “Let what I was told really… sink in.”
“Of course,” she responded. “I understand. Martlet and I will be just outside if you want to see us.”
“Alright… maybe in like half an hour or so. Just to give me time. Love you.”
“Love you too, Clover.”
Kuroba and Ceroba left the room without another word, once more leaving Clover with their thoughts.
(So you’re going to need a crutch forever. Eh, that’s not as bad as you were worried about. Sure it’s… gonna be rough considering how young you are, but… well… just don’t think too hard on your situation and it’ll be fine! That’s a totally healthy thing to do.)
(Definitely gonna be hard to ignore all the challenges from a more ableist society though… Ugh, maybe this sucks actually. You’re not entirely sure if you would be able to walk without a crutch again… if you can, you hope it can be sooner rather than later. But it’s sounding like nerve damage, or the closest equivalent for you, so no dice.)
(Ok, maybe try looking on the bright side, if there is one. Sure, the no running may be bad, but like you said, you weren’t exactly planning on doing much if anything athletic. You were thinking about track and field next year but you weren’t married to it. At least P.E. should be a tad easier.)
(Maybe parking once you get older? You’ll definitely be qualified to use handicap parking spots if you've got a crutch. But then there’s the problem of being able to drive in the first place… Wait, it’s your left leg that’s damaged; right is fine. You should be able to drive.)
(…)
(There’s not much else of a bright side… You’re sure you’ll get used to it eventually, but… you have no idea how long that will be…)
Clover sighed.
(Might as well get started on your homework. Hopefully it gets your mind off of it all.)