Chapter 185: The Night Call
Three days later, I was finally discharged from the hospital. The doctor said the knife wound on my abdomen had been deep—just a few centimeters closer and it could’ve hit something vital.
Lucky, he said. I wasn’t sure if “lucky” was the right word for what happened, but I nodded anyway. At least I was still breathing. Still alive.
---
“Let’s go,” Keiko said softly, looping her arm around mine as we stepped out of the hospital doors. The afternoon air was cool, the sky cloudy like it hadn’t decided if it wanted to rain or not.
“Thank you,” I murmured.
We walked in silence for a bit before she flagged down a taxi.
Once we got inside, the air conditioner hummed faintly. Keiko sat beside me, her hand resting on mine. For a few minutes, neither of us said a word. The faint beeping of the hospital monitors still echoed in my mind, like ghosts I couldn’t quite shake.
“Glad that the cut didn’t get into your vitals,” Keiko said finally, breaking the silence.
“Yeah,” I said, managing a faint smile. “Lucky…”
She sighed. “Looks like everything’s going well. You’re recovering fast, and Riku is still detained at the police station. They’re interrogating him.”
That caught my attention. “Really? They didn’t release him yet?”
She shook her head. “No, not a chance. Our evidence was solid—the CCTV you recorded, the voice threats, everything. The police said it was enough to keep him locked up until the case closes. They’re even pushing for a heavier charge because of attempted murder.”
I exhaled, leaning back into the seat. “That’s… a relief.”
For a few moments, we just listened to the hum of the taxi engine and the muffled sound of the city outside. Then I said quietly, “You know… it’s weird.”
Keiko turned to me. “Weird?”
“Yeah. Watching him like that—watching Riku go insane, hurting people—it feels strange. Because technically, that’s my old face. My body. It’s almost like watching myself do all those things.” I paused and stared at my reflection in the car window. “It’s kind of sad, you know?”
Keiko’s expression softened. She reached over and gently held my hand, her fingers warm against mine. “I know what you mean. Honestly, it still feels strange to me also. Every time I see him, I can’t help but remember… that used to be you.”
I smiled faintly, squeezing her hand back. “Well, at least the bad guy’s finally behind bars. I guess that’s still a win for us.”
She chuckled softly. “Oh, right! Speaking of that, the police told me they’re investigating the body-switching thing too.”
I blinked. “Wait, seriously?”
“Yeah,” Keiko said, nodding. “After I told them everything and showed them the evidence you collected, they actually believe us now. They’re still trying to figure out how it happened, but at least they’re treating it like a real case instead of… you know, a crazy story.”
My heart lifted with relief. “That’s… great news.”
I smiled, feeling tears sting my eyes a little as I leaned toward her and wrapped my arms around her shoulders. “Thank you, Keiko. I really mean it. I love you.”
Keiko froze for a moment. Her cheeks turned pink, and she didn’t say anything. Just a soft, nervous chuckle and a shy smile that told me she didn’t know what to do with the words.
Then—
“Ahem… sorry to interrupt, miss… but we’ve arrived already.”
Both of us jolted. The taxi driver’s voice came awkwardly from the front seat.
Keiko immediately pulled away, her face bright red. I rubbed the back of my neck and laughed awkwardly. “Oh… right. Uh, thanks.”
The driver grinned in the mirror. “You two make a cute couple, by the way.”
Keiko groaned softly and muttered, “Can we please just pay and get out already?”
Even I couldn’t hold back my laugh that time. “Guess he’s not wrong.”
She glared at me but there was a smile tugging at her lips.
---
That night, I finally got to rest in my own bed again. The familiar scent of home—Keiko’s perfume, Rin’s books, the faint aroma of detergent—wrapped around me like a blanket. My abdomen still hurt so much, but I could finally relax.
Keiko sat at the table nearby, scrolling through her phone as I lay there half-dozing. Then suddenly, her phone rang sharply, cutting through the quiet.
“Who could that be at this hour?” I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.
Keiko frowned and answered it. “Hello? …Yes, this is Keiko.”
Her tone shifted instantly, serious and alert. She stood up, pacing slightly as she listened. “Wait, now? You’re sure? …Alright, I’ll be there soon.”
I sat up, concern immediately rising. “What’s going on? Who was that?”
She grabbed her jacket from the chair, looking flustered. “That was the police station. They said they’ve found something new about the case.”
My heartbeat quickened. “Something new?”
“They caught Riku’s grandmother,” she explained quickly. “Apparently, she was involved in the body-switching somehow—they’re still figuring out the details, but they need me to come right now to confirm a few things.”
I blinked in disbelief. “His… grandmother?”
“Yeah.” She fastened her coat and reached for her bag. “They said she might know something about how it all happened.”
“Wait, Keiko—you can’t go alone!” I tried to get up, grimacing as pain shot up my abdomen. “Let me come with you.”
She turned immediately, her voice gentle but firm. “No, you can’t. You were just discharged today. You need rest, Ryusei.”
“But it’s dangerous to go alone at night,” I argued, gripping the side of the bed.
Keiko chuckled softly. “You’re overreacting. It’s the police station. And it’s just five hundred meters away. I’ll be fine.”
I sighed, my chest tightening. “I know, but I just… I worry, okay?”
She smiled and came closer, resting her hand lightly on my cheek. “I know you do. That’s why I’ll call you as soon as I get there, alright? I won’t be long.”
I wanted to protest more, but seeing that look of quiet determination in her eyes made it impossible. I just nodded. “Okay… but please, be careful.”
“I will,” she said softly, leaning closer to kiss my forehead. “Now get some rest.”
As she left, the door closing behind her, the room felt suddenly too quiet. I stared at the ceiling for a long time, listening to the faint ticking of the clock.
“Riku’s grandmother, huh…” I muttered to myself. “So this really isn’t over yet.”
---
About 10 minutes later, my phone buzzed on the table. A message from Keiko popped up:
> I’m at the station. Everything’s fine. Don’t worry too much.
I exhaled in relief and texted back:
> Okay… just be careful. I love you.
Her reply came with a little heart emoji.
At least Keiko’s still staying by my side, I thought, letting my eyes drift shut.
Even if the storm wasn’t over yet, at least tonight, I wasn’t facing it alone.