Chapter Text
After a few thorough examinations, many more than what was necessary but Daisuke couldn’t care less, and multiple cross-examinations, the doctors finally invited the billionaire in to discuss Haru’s condition as Haru was deemed too unstable to be able to hear the results just yet.
“Mr. Kambe,” the doctor started. From her voice, Daisuke recognized her as the doctor who’d informed him of Haru’s condition many days ago. Days that felt like they stretched on forever yet passed by in a second. “First, I would like to saw Mr. Katou is a very fortunate man to have such a supportive lover and friends with him.” Although it wasn’t exactly true, yet, Daisuke still couldn't help feeling slightly giddy at the title. If others were to assume, there was no point in refuting it, it would be true in the future anyway.
“His broken leg is healing very well and he should be able to start physical therapy after 2 weeks’ time,” the doctor reported, “he also should be well enough to start solid food again.” Daisuke smiled at that prospect. He had been practicing how to cook a variety of dishes, ranging from porridge to fried rice to Haru’s natto dish, waiting for the day he could show Haru all his progress. Marks and scars littered his once spotless porcelain fingers but he didn’t mind.
“Now for some bad news,” she started hesitantly, taking a quick peek at how quickly Daisuke managed to collect his happy expression back to the usual more stoic one so characteristic of the billionaire. “Most of his physical issues are dealt with, but there is a wound that us doctors cannot heal as easily, it’s the damage done to him mentally. And that’s something Mr. Katou would have to ultimately overcome himself. Therapy and medication can assist him, but the effectiveness varies from person to person,” she said carefully.
That was something Daisuke knew first hand, after witnessing the death of his mother, no matter the amount or quality of therapy, the image was forever ingrained into his mind and he knew for Haru the image of blood spluttering from the bullet wound is also seared into his memory. It was ironic that Haru’s caring heart and vivid memory, one of his greatest strengths, would be the things to hold him back the most.
“Being surrounded by the people you love helps ease the pain, so please, be there for him, even if things get bad. What he needs most is your support.”
Resolute steel-blue looked back at her, “Of course, what kind of person would I be? I’ll be with him every step of the way until he recovers, even if it takes a lifetime.” Daisuke promised. A promise to her, but more for himself and Haru.
A pleased nod was quickly replaced by a hesitant look as her eyes fell on the final diagnosis. The elephant in the room had to be addressed.
“Doctor, I’m ready. What is wrong with his eyes?” Daisuke urged earnestly. He’d done some research on blindness due to trauma. In some cases, the only factor needed was time and attention. In other cases, treatment up to surgery is needed for proper recovery. Both options were easy for him to solve. However, there was always one last possibility.
“Unfortunately the main cause for Mr. Katou’s blindness is due to damage to his optic nerve due to the trauma to his head.” Daisuke closed his eyes to digest those words. He knew exactly what was to follow but it still hurt to hear the confirmation. A deep breath in. “The only way to recover is to have an optic nerve transplanted, but that is currently not possible.” He would be blind for life . A sentence that didn’t need to be said but was easily understood.
Daisuke gritted his teeth, eyebrows knitted in a barely contained scowl. Funny how his unlimited wealth kept showing how limited its powers actually were. It was funny how the very man who brought light into his life would be doomed to an eternity of darkness. So that was how it was, the last blow life dealt him.
“Thank you, doctor,” he finally breathed out, “I’ll take my leave.” After giving the doctor a slight bow Daisuke gripped the report handed to him and staggered out of the room, unsure how he could break the news to Haru, or even the rest of the MCPTF, or to even speak about it at all for that matter. Because when something was spoken out, it became a realization. It would become a truth and no longer just a nightmare.
“You know I know someone,” Saeki popped in, startling the brooding billionaire, “she’s a retired neurosurgeon who’s been researching optic nerve transplant. Unfortunately, her research was destroyed before she could publish it but she’s a really nice person. She’ll be willing to help us.”
Daisuke blinked at her in disbelief, partially from the fact that she'd been listening in on the conversation but more so from the deafening hope he felt. The question on his lips was left unspoken as Saeki answered the question for him with a smile, “We met her when she reported the fraud, the culprit was caught but her research was already wiped clean and there was no way of saving it.” Pity passed through Saeki’s yellow eyes, the academic world was a lot scarier than it first seemed. “ But , she was extremely moved by Katou-san’s dedication to her case and I befriended her through our shared love for ice cream,” a light-hearted laugh sounded, and it even made Daisuke chuckle.
How typical. How ironic. How funny was it that there were truly things he couldn’t buy but passion and friendship easily could? He could imagine Haru working tirelessly on what most officers would consider an insignificant case, losing sleep as he mulled over journals and records. The endearing state of sleep deprivation as his golden eyes shone brightly with determination to seek justice for this doctor he barely knew. He had thought he’d never be able to see Haru doing the things he loved anymore, and just like so many times before, the older detective never ceased to amaze him.
“We still chat from time to time so I’m sure we can ring her up.” With that Saeki whipped out her phone tapping away excitedly at her phone, walking away when a voice sounded on the other side.
The remaining members of the MCPTF soon gathered around as they all waited for Saeki’s return.
After a while, Saeki turned back to Daisuke, chewing her lips in concern, “We’ve run into a bit of a problem.”
There was that sinking feeling again, but Daisuke pushed it away for the moment. He had to hear the problem first before he lost hope too quickly, “What is it?”
“Well, for the transplant to happen, we need a donor, whose eyesight should be relatively healthy,” she said.
“That’s something money could buy,” Daisuke reassured her, already tapping onto HEUSC.
Saeki shook her head, “I don’t think it’s that simple. I mean who would be willing to give up their sight? For life? No matter the amount of money. People are willing to give up a kidney because they have 2, but eyes? That’s a much taller task.”
“We never know until we try,” Daisuke argued, but he knew there was truth behind Saeki’s words. Not to mention the possible complications would deter most people from undergoing the operation, regardless of the amount he had to offer, but he had to try. That was the only thing he could do.
“I’ll take care of finding the donor,” Chosuke calmly replied, an assured smile on his face, “You guys just focus on getting Haru to accept the surgery.”
“Hey Haru,” Daisuke called out gently, reaching out to the man dressed in the hospital robe, tubs and wires were connected to him in preparation for the upcoming surgery. Dazed golden eyes turned to the sound of his voice. Soon, Daisuke reassured himself, those eyes will be shining again.
It was finally the day of the surgery. As expected, the initial prospect of receiving the surgery was strongly rejected by Haru. However, after a lot of whining (on Kamei’s part), encouragement (on Daisuke’s part), and (mainly) persuasion by Chosuke, pointing out how he’ll need his sight to be a good police officer, Haru eventually gave in, after reassurance that no one was forced against their will, of course.
“Are you nervous?” Daisuke asked as he wrapped his bandaged fingers around Haru’s.
The man in question only smiled as he shook his head, squeezing Daisuke’s hand in turn, “You’ll be waiting for me, everyone’s waiting for me, for the hero to return aren’t they?” Haru chuckled at his own joke.
“Haru, you’ve always been a hero to me, regardless if you can see or not. Regardless of what others say, or what you choose to do, you’ll always be a hero to me,” Daisuke promised
Haru started, “If anything were to happen-”
“I promise the operation will be a success, Haru,” Daisuke interrupted, wrapping his fingers tightly around Haru’s.
Nurses entered the room and Daisuke stepped back so that they could wheel Haru out.
Just before the door closed, steel blue widened when Daisuke realized one thing he had to say before the operation, before Haru could regain his vision, because the phrase was only truly meaningful now more than ever, “I love you, Haru.” Daisuke shouted as metal doors closed on him. Maybe Haru heard it, maybe he didn’t, it didn’t matter because Daisuke was certain he’ll be repeating that sentence for years to come.
“Daisuke-sama! Daisuke-sama!” Suzue’s panicked voice called out, yanking Daisuke out of his trance as he looked up to see her hair completely disheveled.
“Calm down, what’s wrong-” The words died on his lips when he noticed an eerily familiar shade of violet in the distance.
“What are you doing here?” Daisuke growled, steel eyes staring daggers into the very monster that caused everything. His fist instinctively clenched as he surged past Suzue to deliver a punch. This blow wasn’t for him but for Haru.
The past few days were by no means easy for the older man. Daisuke could only watch as Haru writhed in his sleep from the nightmares that still haunt him. Wails to stop, pleas of mercy, incoherent screams pierced through his ears and stabbed through his heart. Sometimes Haru could wake up, other times he would be in such a frenzied state, doctors had to be called in to inject him with sedatives as people held him down. Just witnessing the sight made Daisuke felt as if his heart was ripped from his chest.
And the nightmare wasn’t the end of it. Daisuke didn’t know what happened, didn’t dare think of the possible cause for Haru’s sudden fear of natto. It was the first true meal Daisuke fed him, but the moment that distinct fermented smell reached Haru’s nose, he immediately scrambled away as far as possible, knocking over medications and sending medical equipment crashing down as he continuously shrieked in fear.
A powerful punch to the gut sent the other man flying into the wall, and he showed absolutely no sign of resistance, "Do you think life's too long? Were you afraid I've forgotten about you?" Daisuke growled, "Well I'll satisfy your death wish for you."
“Stop!” Chosuke called out, “Don’t hit him.”
2 pairs of steel eyes widened in shock, the hand pulling on Hoshino’s collar stopped in its path.
“Do you know what he’s done ?” Daisuke snarled, “We wouldn’t be in this mess-”
“Do you really think everyone’s blind?” Chosuke shouted. “Do you really think no one noticed his absence? He should have been the first at the hospital if he was completely unrelated. The wounds on his body, Ryou’s prolonged disappearance, do you think no one would piece two and two together?”
“If you knew, then what, exactly, is he doing here ?” Daisuke snapped as he shook the shell of a man, purple bangs covering his shaded violet.
“I heard,” Hoshino said, his voice cracking slightly, “about senpai.”
Daisuke spat out a laugh as he gripped Hoshino’s neck, steel eyes darkened to an inky black, “You have no right to even mention him.”
“Please,” Hoshino choked out as the hand on his neck closed in on him mercilessly, “Please let me be the donor.”
Daisuke turned to look up at Chosuke, “He’s the donor you were talking about? How did you even get to him? How did he even escape?” Daisuke turned to look at Suzue accusatorily, she was supposed to be responsible to ensure the monster was encaged. Daisuke wasn’t through with him yet.
Suzue looked down to the ground, “I was going to report he was missing, but-”
Hoshino interrupted, “It’s not her fault-”
Daisuke jerked Hoshino’s face close to his and growled, “Yes, it’s not her fault, it’s not anyone’s fault except for yours .” With that he roughly pushed Hoshino back into the wall, his forearm pressing down on Hoshino’s Adam’s apple.
“I know,” Hoshino squeezed out, “So please, let me repay him in any way I can.”
“Do you really think you can get away with this? Your life isn’t enough to repay even an ounce of torment Haru is feeling right now.”
Hoshino’s pale complexion was starting to turn blue from the lack of oxygen but he still persevered, “I’m turning myself in, the moment this surgery is over. I swear Cho-san had recorded my confession.” He pleaded as his hands tried to push back Daisuke in the least offensive manner he could manage.
“And why do you want to donate? Do you really think Haru will forgive you?” Daisuke spat out.
“No, I’m not looking for forgiveness because that’s something I don’t deserve.” Hoshino gritted out through labored breath. Finally, he felt the pressure on his neck decrease, just barely, as stormy steel glared into him, “I’ve left a scar on him that would last a lifetime, the least I could do is to let him see the beauty in this world again.” Downcast violet pleaded, “Please, this was the only way I could think of. Punch me, kick me, I don’t mind but none of it would help senpai. The only thing he needs now is his vision and that’s the only thing I can offer him. I don’t need him to know that it’s from me. Maybe it’s better that he doesn’t know.”
Daisuke glowered at Hoshino, “Then what do you want, exactly?” Distrust was evident in his eyes but the grip on Hoshino’s neck was loosened, allowing him to breathe much easier.
Hoshino heaved a sigh as a sad smile appeared on his face, his eyes looking up just slightly to take in the color of the setting sun one last time. A brilliant, blinding gold, the colors of the eyes he loved.
“I just want him to be as happy as possible. I realized through all those two weeks, there was something I’ve never said because I knew deep down I knew had no right to say it.” Hoshino whispered, a far off look on his face, “I’ve never once told him how much I love him and I’ll never get the chance to say that I’m sorry,” he choked on the words as tears of regret welled up in his eyes, “for everything I’ve done.”
Hoshino looked up, violet meeting ocean blue, “Please take care of him, Kambe-san. He deserves the world and so much more.” With a bow, Hoshino headed into the operating room and got dressed. Taking in everything he could see one last time. Across the room, he could see Haru with his eyes closed as doctors busied themselves around him.
“I know I can’t ask for forgiveness, but if one day you could feel something other than hatred in your heart when you speak my name. Feel more than disgust when you think of me, that would be enough to satisfy me for life,” Hoshino thought to himself as he settled into the bed. He winced slightly at the pain of the anesthetic needle punctured into him but a small smile graced his lips, happy that at least the last thing he’d ever see would be Haru.
Daisuke carefully unwrapped the bandage around Haru’s head, layer by layer, from his hair down to his eyes. Finally freeing Haru from their confines.
It was the moment of truth. It would be the first time in weeks Haru would open his eyes again and Daisuke’s hands were shaking slightly in anticipation.
Golden eyes creaked open slowly as Daisuke held his breath, eyes searching for any sign of success.
Without warning, Haru lunged in his direction, as Daisuke’s mouth met with soft pink lips. Tears started to stream down their cheeks from the joy of the moment. It was everything Daisuke had ever thought he wanted and so much more, the swell of happiness in his chest, the feeling of completeness that Haru was finally back.
“Thank you, for everything,” Haru said as they parted. He hugged Daisuke tightly, clinging on to the billionaire’s back.
“No,” Daisuke pulled back, smiling as he looked into glittering gold. He could feel himself beaming, mimicking the same expression that made him fall for Haru, “Thank you for coming into my life.”
Barely suppressed sobs can be heard in the background as the couple turned to see their friends in tears. Kamei was openly crying, while Saeki was holding onto a handkerchief. Suzue was smiling widely as tears streaked down her face while others were all grinning at the happy sight. Even Chosuke had a genuine smile on his face for Haru’s recovery.
They all rushed forward, pulling Haru into a crushing group hug. It was suffocating, it was chaotic but it was warm and comforting. It was something he didn’t know he’d miss for so long. Comfort, happiness, love. Things were returning to how they used to be.