บท 132: You Remember?

3 years ago...

Sato, age 17. It was a nice hot summer weekend. The high schooler was on holiday, a period when students would gather together to go out and have fun. The beach was an attractive spot, or even the movies, to escape from the sweltering hot sun. Sato was not doing any of that. Though he may not have friends, he did, however, have a person's company.

Gray, age 25. He too was on summer break. Though it was a mission, there would be no movements that could be tracked if the school was not open. It had already been a year into his forbidden relationship with his student, Sato Takahashi. It didn't matter to both of them, however, as it was only between the two of them. A love so strong, a bond so unbreakable, an everlasting relationship for life.

By this time, Sato had basically moved into Gray's apartment. In the night, they would sleep together and in the morning, they would be woken up by each other's smiles. There was nothing more either of them could ask for. Their summer routine revolved around things that they can do together. Gray, knowing that his job scope was full of danger, wanted Sato to be safe too. And so began the teenager's training.

Gray had rented a boxing gym near his house. Sato never really cared what he did with Gray, for everything to him, was fun. Gray first went through the basics of Military Self-Defense. It was a combination of many different martial arts ranging from Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Krav Maga, grappling, and basic self-defense against weapons in hand to hand combat. Although it was meant to be a serious training, Gray never once forced the boy to do something.

Maybe it was because he really cared for what Sato wanted or that he knew Sato could pick up anything quickly, Gray was having fun with the youth. Sato, of course, picked up the different martial arts styles and applied it in his sparring sessions. It was fun while it lasted, all before that unfortunate incident that separated the couple...

...

Sato opened his eyes slowly. As soon as he did that, a wincing pain from the side of his head had hit him like a truck. Only after ten seconds was Sato able to look at his environment. Weird, wasn't I sparring with Gray just a second ago? Why does the place I am at now seem like it was the hospital? A strong smell of disinfectant. The beeping sounds from the blood pressure cuff. Most definitely, I am at a hospital.

Sato was alone in the large hospital ward for a short minute before a tall and handsome man entered the room. Although Sato could not see who had entered yet, he instinctively called out a person's name. "Gray?"

When Gray heard Sato's voice, he immediately ran pass the corner and looked at the young man endearingly. Gray breathes out a sigh of relief. He walked towards the chair beside Sato and sat before him. Sato could tell that he had given Gray quite a scare. Reaching out, Sato gently rubbed Gray's soft hair. He smiled to show that he was really fine.

Afterwhich, Gray explained to Sato the situation. The gym sparring session had ended in a rather anti-climaxing way, with Sato being completely knocked out. Gray being extremely paranoid that Sato would suffer from brain damage, had called the ambulance and sent the boy into the hospital. He received an MRI and thankfully, there were no adverse effects. Yet, Sato had not woken up. Only after a subsequent 12 hours did Sato wake up from his sleep.

"Let me guess, you did not get a wince of sleep right?" Sato looked at Gray with a pained expression. He had worried the poor man the whole night. Judging from his rugged look, it was obvious to Sato even if Gray did not say it himself.

"Well, if you had gone easy on me like in the past, this would not have happened," Sato said teasingly.

"In the past? Wait, Sato, do you remember sparring with me?" Gray's eyes lit up in excitement when he heard what Sato had said.

"Are you talking about the days when we sparred in the gym under your apartment complex? I do remember them." It only hit Sato a few seconds after he had blurted out those words naturally. "Wait a minute. I do remember our sparring sessions!"

"Oh my gosh." Gray stood up and gave the boy a hug. It was the type of hug that was as a result of relief, a relief that Sato had regained some of his memories. Sato, of course, was happy too.

Before Sato was discharged from the hospital, Gray called in the regular doctor to get Sato's head checked again. This time, he also asked about the memories being gained back. The doctor nodded when he had heard about Sato's case.

"The situation that you just experienced is very much possible. Anything ranging from Visual and sight to physical experiences may trigger a memory from the past. In this case, the sparring session from last night could indeed result in Sato remembering his past experience."

Gray thanked the doctor and got ready to leave the hospital with Sato. Sato was slightly confused with one thing and so he asked Gray. "Is there no need to fill in some paperwork to get discharged from a hospital?"

Gray shook his head as he explained to the young man their situation. "There is no need to do paperwork in this hospital. Marion's family owns this hospital. I have already registered you under my name, so you can come here anytime to receive free treatments."

When Sato heard his explanation, he was dumbfounded. He could never understand or comprehend the rich life.