Chapter 16: Holding On ( 16 )
Haruki didn't waste a second.
He quickly scanned the room, found Kyouko's bag, and checked inside. Her car key and house key were there. He grabbed his wallet, slipping it into his pocket just in case they needed identification at the hospital.
Then, without hesitation, he lifted Kyouko into his arms in a princess carry.
Her body was light, warm—too warm. Her head rested against his chest, her breath faint against his shirt.
Haruki's jaw clenched. He didn't have time to panic.
He rushed downstairs, opened the front door, and made his way to her car through the lingering morning mist.
Once he reached it, he carefully opened the passenger side and lowered her into the seat with gentle urgency. As he adjusted her posture, he fumbled slightly with the seatbelt, his hand brushing against her breast—soft, delicate... warm. His breath hitched for a second.
But he didn't let it distract him.
He made sure she was secure, closed the door, and ran around to the driver's seat. He started the engine, gripping the wheel tighter than usual, and pressed the gas.
They sped off toward the hospital, the only sound inside the car being the low hum of the engine—and Kyouko's faint, rhythmic breathing beside him.
As soon as the car reached the emergency lane of the hospital, Haruki slammed on the brakes and jumped out.