Another Time, Another Kiss - Chapter 17

“What are you doing outside the ER?” Reiko demanded and tried to stop Kotoko from entering the ward. “This is no place for a clumsy person like you!” Reiko warned.

“Err...” Kotoko was totally speechless because she herself was getting a little shock when she received the instruction from the head nurse.

“What’s going on?” Naoki stopped in between the two ladies. He was too, surprised when he first noticed Kotoko proceeding towards the direction of the ER. “I…” Kotoko tried hard to explain but no word would come out from her vocal box.

“Why are you standing outside for?” Another voice projected from within and diverted the attention of the threesome. Seconds later, Takashi approached slowly towards them. “Get yourself ready, the operation is about to start in another twenty minutes.” Takashi reminded and diverted his attention towards Naoki, who was frowning at the bad news.

“Nurse Imai is not able to make it today, so I’ve asked Nurse Aihara to assist us in this operation. I am really looking forward to Nurse Aihara’s performance. What about you?” Takashi said, laughing.

“What?” Reiko cried out in dismay, her palm pressed against her temple. “Is this some kind of joke?”

“What joke?” Takashi threw the question back.

“Are you trying to kill the patient by placing this time bomb inside the operation room?” Reiko cried again, hoping that her scream might somehow inject senses into Takashi’s skull. “You don’t know who you are dealing with.”

“I…think…I better…go.” Kotoko stuttered out, fully aware of Reiko’s worries. She was indeed a time bomb and she did not wish to see someone die because of her stupidity.

“No!” Takashi said, moving closer to Kotoko. “You are my assistant today, who would assist me if you withdraw right now?”

“I…can…ask…Michi…” Kotoko stuttered out again because the atmosphere was getting more and more intense.

“No!” Takashi flicked a glance at Kotoko and then at Naoki. “Do you have any problem with me taking Nurse Aihara as my assistant? Doctor Irie?”

Naoki stood rooted to the ground, unable to find his voice for a second. “Well? What do you think? Doctor Irie?” Takashi repeated.

“Baka…” Naoki muttered under his breath. “As you wish...” Naoki said and his voice took on the steely edge of a razor during this time. He then took a quick glance at Kotoko before making his way into the ER while Reiko followed closely behind.

"Let's go in." Takashi told Kotoko.

"Hai!" Kotoko quickly nodded. When she was inside the ER, she spotted Naoki getting ready for the operation inside another room, she just stood rooted and stared blankly at his direction. As if sensing someone, Naoki turned his head and their eyes met each other again. All the sudden, Kotoko never felt lonelier and more afraid of what was to come when she finally noticed Naoki’s eyes. His eyes...Why are they so cold?

To be continued...