Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 614: Hospital [2]

A bright day bathed everything in sunlight.

One of those delightful days perfect for being outdoors. Exiting the Guild, I savored the fresh breeze and straightened my sunglasses. These shades held a special feature: they masked my face, something I absolutely required.

That ability proved handy in moments like this. Yet, on reflection... it seemed somewhat excessive.

This worked just fine.

"Hm?"

Checking my phone and browsing apps, I spotted a figure from the corner of my vision and lifted my gaze.

Rowan?

Unlike myself, he skipped sunglasses, opting for a simple white cap. It concealed his face adequately, though he lacked fame anyway. Positioned near the path, he concentrated on his device.

After a brief consideration, I chose to walk over.

"Rowan."

"Eh...? Wh—ah."

Even with my features concealed, recognition dawned on him.

His posture eased.

"Seth? What are you doing here? You going somewhere?"

"Yes, actually."

"Oh? Where...?"

"I’m going to the Central Hospital. I’m planning on visiting someone there."

"Huh? You’re going as well?"

I halted briefly. Then, I cocked my head.

"What do you mean as well? Are you hurt somewhere?"

"Ah, no. I... do you not remember?"

"Remember?"

I stopped again, rifling through recollections. It quickly came back to me.

"Ah, that’s right."

His sister.

Rowan’s sister suffered from illness.

’Time passed, nearly erasing it from my mind, but yes... Rowan pursues all this for his sister.’

"How is she doing...?"

"As... best as she can do."

Rowan forced a grin, but it rang false. Observing him closely, I grasped the gravity had intensified.

I clapped his shoulder, seeking words of comfort, when suddenly a vehicle arrived.

Rowan pocketed his phone and gestured toward it.

"This is my taxi."

"Ah, I—"

"Since we’re going the same direction, want to come with?"

I hesitated, withdrawing my hand from his shoulder. No deep thought entered my mind. Heading to the identical spot made sharing a ride sensible.

"Sure."

Grabbing the door handle, I swung it wide and climbed inside. Rowan moved to join when an arm abruptly blocked him.

"You take the front."

A known voice froze us both as I glanced at the cap-wearing girl. Her blonde locks curled gently while she settled into the back seat. Draped in a baggy green jumper ending above her waist—exposing skin above her white top—she stuffed hands into pockets.

Seated with eyes ahead, she munched gum steadily before saying, "What are you waiting for? Sit at the front. At this rate, you’ll make the driver wait for too long."

"....."

Rowan remained rooted, utterly baffled.

Finally catching my eye, he shot a pleading expression.

I returned the look and shook my head.

Don’t you fucking—

"On second thought, I think I forgot something."

"———!"

"You two go ahead. I’ll meet you later."

You—

Clank!

An awkward quiet settled after Rowan shut the door. The driver glanced back before pulling away.

Facing the window, I massaged my face.

’Never imagined I’d aided him before. If he seeks therapy from me, no chance in hell. Wait... it’s been ages since my last session. Actually, solitude suits me now.’

I never claimed to be a therapist.

Uncertain why I started, but I’d likely excel more today.

"My head is a mess."

Surprisingly, Zoey shattered the hush. Eyes forward, her whisper stayed private between us.

"...A part of me wants to apologize for what I said before. I was probably heated from everything that had happened. I feel like I’ve been a bit unfair to you. Especially when considering everything that has happened to you."

Hearing her, I rubbed my temple.

Was this an apology directed at me?

"Honestly, you fuck my head up."

Zoey’s features twisted while staring straight.

"You do something, and in the end, it always ends up with me thinking that I was the one in the wrong. That I just misunderstood you. It’s always like this... It’s kind of weird, you know? When do you think this cycle will stop?"

"When you stop misunderstanding me."

"Pfft, yeah."

Zoey chuckled, but it lacked sincerity.

"But you don’t make it easy for me not to misunderstand you."

"Can start by talking to me instead of lashing out."

Zoey hesitated then nodded.

"You’re right. That’s a start."

Her mouth tightened briefly before she turned toward me, locking eyes.

"In that case, I’ll ask straight to your face. Did you laugh when Kyle was brought back at the Guild? Or was I just misunderstanding again?"

I blinked, mouth parting involuntarily.

Wait, she saw that?

Assumed no witnesses, but clearly mistaken.

Still, I answered swiftly.

"I wasn’t laughing."

"....."

Zoey held my stare, unwavering. The intensity unnerved me, yet averting eyes felt wrong. So, I endured, holding firm.

She broke first.

"...I see."

Resting head on the seatback, she gazed through the windshield.

"I’ll trust your word for it this time."

Those final words preceded her eye closure. My eyes stayed on her as my mouth worked silently, but silence prevailed.

Somehow, her tone clashed with the message.

...As if I’d validated a suspicion. But... uncertainty lingered. Paranoia on my part?

Truthfully, I couldn’t tell, and it gnawed at me.

The drive to the hospital dominated my thoughts.

Fortune favored a short trip.

In mere minutes, we reached a towering multi-story structure. Car halted, we exited together. Rowan, having summoned the ride, covered the fare. Waiting at the entrance, Zoey’s gentle tone reached me again.

"Rowan’s sister’s situation has gotten pretty bad lately. From what I’ve heard, she might not make it until the end of the year. He’s been coming here almost every day."

What...?

Such dire progression?

"This is your first time hearing this, right?"

I eyed Zoey anew.

She gazed afar, pockets full.

"Kyle has been helping Rowan with the medical fees. Now that he’s gone, it’ll be a bit more difficult for him to pay, even though he earns quite a lot."

Gradually pivoting, eyes connected once more.

"This is a rough world, isn’t it?"