Saruto was sitting in one of the hospital corridors, on a cold chair that did not match the storm raging in his chest. He could not stay still; after a few moments, he stood up and began pacing back and forth, his steps quick and uneven, as if trying to escape something chasing him.
The corridor was quiet… a suffocating silence.
Every small sound—the footsteps of nurses, the creak of a distant door—echoed loudly in his head. "Did I arrive in time…? Were her injuries… worse than what I saw…?"
He slowly tightened his grip on his hair, then let go, his breathing unsteady.
Time… no longer moved normally. Every second weighed heavily on him, stretching… turning into an unbearable burden.
Half an hour passed. Then… the operation room door opened. With a faint sound. But to him, it was like thunder.
He lifted his head immediately. In an instant, he was standing before the doctor. "Please…"
His voice came out low, but tense. "Tell me… how is Star?"
The doctor looked at him for a few seconds, his expression serious, his eyes carrying that exhaustion that only comes after battles partially lost. "There are two pieces of news…"
He paused briefly. "One good… and one bad."
Saruto stomach tightened. "Start with the good." He said it quickly, as if afraid the worst would come first.
The doctor exhaled quietly, then said: "Her condition is stable now. She has passed the danger… and she will recover."
Saruto closed his eyes. For just a second. But it was enough for him to feel something heavy lift from his chest. He exhaled slowly. "That… is good."
He opened his eyes again, this time steadier. But when he spoke… his voice was lower. "And the bad…?"
The doctor fell silent. This time… longer. His gaze lowered slightly, then rose again to meet Saruto eyes. "The injuries in her hands… are severe."
He paused. Then continued, with merciless clarity: "The nerves are completely damaged."
Silence.
"She will not be able to use her hands again."
Saruto eyes widened. But his body… did not move. As if the words had not reached him yet. As if his mind… refused to accept them. "…What?"
The word came out faint. But the doctor did not step back. "We did what we could."
Silence. Then Saruto said nothing. He simply… turned. And walked away.
---
Minutes later, he stood in front of her room door. He did not touch it immediately. He just stood there. Looking at it. As if what lay behind it… could change everything.
At last, he raised his hand. And slowly pushed the door open. He entered. And closed it quietly behind him.
Star was lying on the bed, her features pale, but her smile, despite everything, was still the same. And when she saw him… she smiled wider. "Are you okay, Saruto?"
He walked toward her. Slowly. As if each step was heavier than the last. "I am fine." He said it… but his voice was not.
He sat beside her. Looked at her. Then said calmly: "What about you?"
She let out a light laugh, as if refusing to admit what had happened. "I am fine too. No need to worry."
But Saruto eyes… did not stay on her face. They lowered. Slowly. To her hands. They were completely wrapped in bandages.
Still. Motionless.
His expression hardened. The truth… was in front of him. Clear. Impossible to ignore.
Star noticed his gaze, so she smiled again, this time with a clear attempt to hide her injury from him. "This is just an injury from the recoil of the scorching sun attack… it will get better."
Silence. Then he extended his hand. And gently held her hands, as if they might break if he held them any tighter.
He lowered his head. A tear fell. Then another. "Star…"
His voice was broken. "I know you're lying."
She froze.
He raised his head slowly. His eyes… filled with pain. "The doctor told me."
He tightened his grip on her hands slightly. "They will not heal."
Star said, flustered: "That is not—"
Saruto cut her off: "All of this… is because of me!"
His voice rose suddenly, tearing through the silence. His fist tightened, his body trembling. "If I had gone with you… this would not have happened!"
His voice dropped suddenly. "I am the reason…"
He bent forward more, his forehead almost touching her hands. "I am sorry…"
His tears did not stop. "I am sorry… Star…"
Slowly, she raised her hand. With difficulty. But it reached him. She touched his cheek. Wiped his tears… from his face.
She smiled. A warm smile… despite the pain. "Do not blame yourself." she said calmly.
She looked directly at him. "I am the one responsible for what happened."
Saruto said: "But—"
Star interrupted him: "What the doctors said… is true."
He froze. But she continued immediately: "But that does not mean it is over."
She blinked. "I have a solution."
His eyebrows lifted slightly. "A solution…?"
She nodded. "I have a friend in the kingdom of Solinferia."
Her gaze became more confident. "She can heal me."
He looked at her for a long time. Trying to find… a lie in her eyes. But he did not. "Are you sure…?"
She smiled. "Yes."
Silence. Long. Then he exhaled slowly. "Alright…"
He lowered his head slightly. "I will trust you."
But inside him, nothing was calm. "Please… let this time be different… because if I lose you again…"
He closed his eyes for a moment. "I will not forgive myself…"