Beep... Beep... Beep...

What's that sound?

I slowly opened my eyes, trying to adjust to the brightness.

Where am I?

Just then I heard a door open.

"Oh, you're awake, I'm just going to take your vitals real quick and the doctor will be here soon."

Doctor?... Am I in a hospital?... How?...

The nurse returned with the doctor and they checked up on me.

"You have several gashes and bruises, but nothing too serious. You might have some memory loss and possibly a slight change in behaviour. You should be discharged soon though, so at least there's some good news." the doctor informed. "For now, just rest. You'll get better soon."

I nodded.

Memory loss and a slight change in behaviour, huh?... Yeah right, I still remember everything... though i wish i could forget... forget everything and start on a clean slate...

My wings!

My back felt empty and lighter. I slowly reached around my back.

They're gone!

I started to panic, not because they're gone, but because of what will become of me. I was uneasy and on edge the rest of my stay.

Eventually, I was taken out of the ICU and moved to a regular hospital room as I continued to recover. They said I could be discharged soon.

If I'm being discharged, then does that mean they don't know?...

When I was told I was allowed to have visitors, the nurse gestured towards the door.

I looked over to see Koro-sensei's face squished against the little window in the door. I assume the rest of E Class was there too.

When the nurse left, everyone crammed inside my hospital room. They all looked relieved as they saw me.

All of them crowded around the bed, asking me questions I refused to answer, telling me they're glad I'm alive and well, and stuff like that.

I remembered what the doctor said about the memory loss.

Hehe... This is gonna be fun...

I pretended to be scared and curled up into a ball, holding the sheets near my face.

"W-who are you?" I asked innocently.

The class froze when I said that.

"We're your friends, you know from Class 3E!" Nakamura desperately tried to get me to remember.

"Class 3-E? What school?"

"Kunugigaoka Junior High," she answered.

"Kunugigaoka Junior High?" I repeated. "Hmmm..."

I pretended to think for a while, the class staring intently in silence.

"I think I remember something!"

The class stared at me with their eyes filled with hope, waiting for my answer.

"I remember... that I'm just pranking all of you!" I said cheerfully and sat up on the bed.

Chaos erupted from the class.

"Don't make us worry like that!" Okuda exclaimed.

"You know how scared we were?! We thought you might've died!" Kayano joined.

"We're glad you're alright though," Isogai added calmly..

"Yeah, so we can still see that cute face of yours," Maehara teased with a goofy smile and got karate chopped on the head by Okano.

Damnn, whatta playboy....

Koro-sensei laughed.

"You should at least say, 'thank you'. You really would've bit the dust, if we didn't rescue you," Terasaka huffed.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"Nevermind," he answered angrily.

"We can tell you later if you want," Itona offered.

"That would be very much appreciated," I replied.

The class told me about the showdown between Koro-sensei and the principal on the day I skipped. 

They were also preparing for the drama festival and Hazama showed me the script she's working on.

"Too bad I won't be able to help," I said sadly. "But I'm getting discharged after the day of your performance."

I'll just watch it from Uncle's laptop...

They didn't stay for long since they had to continue preparations.

"I see you guys in class in a few days, so don't miss me too much, okay?" I joked as they started to leave.

The rescue team stayed behind as everyone left. They told me what happened and how they found me. Well, Koro-sensei did all the storytelling while the others stayed quiet.

He also told me that he was one who surgically removed my wings. He discovered the cells used to grow the wings were similar to those of the tentacles, so he was able to operate on me.

Under the circumstances when he found me, the wings and their cells were able to be safely extracted without any issues.

"Thank you, all of you for coming to help me," I thanked them with a smile.

but at the same time, i also wished you didn't...

Koro-sensei and Karma walked out first. Their expressions were hard to gauge.

"Yeah, yeah just watch your back next time," Terasaka warned before leaving. "Itona, are you comin' or what?"

I guess that's his way of showing he cares?... That's probably the most sincere thing I'll ever hear from him...

"I'll be there in a second," Itona answered. He reached into his bag and pulled out a photo. "Here, I found this on the ground where we found you."

I took the photo from him.

It was a photo of me with my parents and maternal grandparents, way before shit went down.

Without me realizing it, tears were streaming down my face as I stared at the photo. All the memories and feelings came flooding back to me. 

It finally hit me... and it hit me hard...

they were all gone... i'll never see or hear them again... 

the time that we spent each with each other...

the memories we made together...

the lessons they taught me...

i'll always be grateful for everything they've done for me...

My eyes watered, my stomach felt like it was fluttering and nauseous. I bit my lip to stop it from quivering. "T-Thank you..." I managed to whisper without crying out loud.

Itona wiped the tears from my face, "Compared to what you and Koro-sensei have done for me, this is nothing. Get better soon, okay? I'll be here when you need me, like how you were there when I needed you." He patted my head before leaving the room.

Little did I know, Karma was also waiting outside the door. The three of them left the hospital together. After they left, I collected myself and calmed down.

Not long after, I had two other visitors.

"Uncle Asano..." I kinda muttered when he walked in. I saw Shuu walk in behind him and gave him a small, awkward smile...

I'm so screwed now...

"How did this happen to you?" Uncle Asano asked, staring into my soul's soul, but I didn't feel the scary aura he usually emits. It felt warm and comforting, like when he first approached me and took me in.

"I... uh..." I looked down. I didn't know what to say, so I took a deep breath.

"Can you wait outside for a bit, Shuu, please." he eyes widened in shock, but obliged and left.

"Do you remember when you took me in and asked what happened before I was found?" I glanced over at him and he nodded once.

"Well, I guess I should start from the very beginning. When I was born, my parents loved me a lot.

My mother started teaching me everything at a young age, but my father eventually turned into an alcoholic with a gambling addiction; he was swimming in a pool of debt.

They started to fight almost every night when they thought I was asleep. But I would actually sneak out of my room and eavesdrop on them. Of course, I didn't understand what they were arguing about.

One night, their arguments got so heated that he started to hit her. Being the child I was, I tried to stop them, but I got caught in the crossfire.

My father started coming home drunk and would beat us again.

My mother still took care of me, but she was miserable, I could tell: her face always looked gloomy and every time she smiled, I could tell she was faking it for my sake.

One day, a gang of loan sharks forced their way into our home while he was out. They demanded money from us to pay off his debt.

When we didn't give them what they wanted, they started to beat us and rob our house.

My mom tried to protect me. She told me to run as long and as far as I could. And that's exactly what I did.

That's how I ended up on the streets, and then you took me in.

The story doesn't end there though.

There's something that I've been meaning to tell you, but didn't have the courage to...

When I went to study abroad, an assassin offered to train me... and I accepted. I started training ever since...

The assassin who offered to train me had connections to the Ministry of Defence and I started to work with them.

I didn't tell you and told Mr. Karasuma not to tell you because I was afraid you would abandon me for taking advantage of your hospitality...

...I went to a small concert the day it happened... The person who did this to me was my father...

I understand if you want me to leave..."

My voice cracked at the end and my eyes watered as I waited for an answer.

"Shiniko..." he expression softened and he patted my head. I started to quietly cry all over again.

"You've gone through a lot and prevailed. Thank you for sharing your story and I promise you, I won't say a word to anyone. You'll still be my daughter, there's no doubt about it. I'll send the driver to pick you up when you get discharged. I have a few things to take care of." he stood up from the seat and headed to the door.

"Thanks for everything," I raised my head and thanked him. "Father."

"No need to thank me, just get better soon." he smiled softly.

After he left, Shuu worriedly rushed to the side of my bed.

"Are you okay?! What happened?!" he asked frantically.

"Calm down," I placed my hand over his as he took a seat. "There's nothing to worry about, 'cause I'm feeling just fine fine fine~" I sang the last part. (iykyk)

"You disappeared for days, and now you're here, how can you be fine!?" he sighed and dropped his head. "I'm just glad you're alright..." he lifted my hand and rested his forehead on the back of my hand.

"Now, tell me, what happened." he demanded. I sighed and took a deep breath.

I told him about my family situation; the loan sharks and running away.

His grip on my hand tightened as I was about to continue.

"I went to a concert with my friends and when I was walking home, I got drugged and taken into a van. I was unconscious and at this point I don't really remember what happened." I lied.

"All I know is that the one behind the kidnapping was my father."

He pulled me into a hug, with tears still on my face, taking in everything I just said.

"You should've told me that a long time ago, now I feel like a terrible brother...

That's why I tried so hard to cheer you up, but nothing worked... 

The cuts... I saw right through you... " he admitted, resting his head on my shoulder.

"I didn't know how to help you then, and I sure as hell don't know how to help you now, but I'll always be by your side. I promise..."

"It's fine, the truth had to come out sooner or later... and you're not a terrible brother." I smiled at him. "I have the best family I could ever ask for. Thank you for letting me be a part of it." I wiped away the tears that were starting to pool in my eyes again.

He nodded. "I should probably go now, get well soon," he ruffled my hair and left.

After telling Uncle-, no, father about my past and what I've been up to now feels like a huge weight off my chest... 

But at the same time... how am i supposed to face them again?.... Do I act like everything's normal like nothing happened? or...

Ughhhhh too much overthinking, need more sleep...

Just a few more days and I'm outta here...