Morning... When I Woke Up, Episode 6: 'The Truth'
I woke up lying in a hospital bed. A rhythmic electronic beeping echoed through the quiet room. 'Is it night now...? Or is it dawn...?'
Detecting a change in the electrocardiogram at the nurse station, a nurse entered the room.
“Ms. Nakajima? Are you awake? How are you feeling?”
“Ugh...!”
I wanted to answer, 'I'm fine,' but no voice came out.
“It’s okay. Calm down. Take your time.”
At her gentle words and smile, the tightness in my throat loosened.
“Ye...s. I’m... o...kay.”
“That’s good. I’ll go call the doctor now.”
Saying that, she hurried out of the room, contrary to her calm tone.
I could hear the nurse’s voice from the hallway.
“Oh, sir! Your wife just woke up!”
“What? Really?”
At the same time as that voice, the door opened vigorously.
“Minako! Minako! Are you okay?”
My husband in his suit entered the room. 'Oh... you came by on your way home from work, didn't you.'
“Are you okay? How do you feel? Can you talk?”
I stared intently at my husband’s face.
'Somehow, my husband’s face looks aged...'
“I’m... o...kay...”
Before I could finish, I coughed violently. I wanted to talk, but I couldn't speak well.
The doctors entered.
“Ms. Nakajima, can you understand me? Is there anywhere that hurts?”
My throat was parched, and I couldn't get the words out properly.
“No... it doesn't.”
The doctor performed a simple check-up.
“I’m going to raise the bed a little.”
When I nodded, the electric bed tilted little by little, raising my upper body. My head felt light and fuzzy. The nurse moistened my lips with room-temperature water. Then, using a spoon, she gave me a tiny bit at a time so I wouldn't choke, and I swallowed. Little by little, various sensations returned.
“I’ll come back for a consultation later, so for now, please just watch over her quietly so she doesn't get tired.”
The doctor told my husband that and left the room for a moment.
I was able to speak a little more and asked my husband a few questions, but he just looked surprised and gave vague answers like, 'Yeah...' or 'No...'
'Is he following the doctor’s orders? I’m perfectly fine, though...'
Then the doctor returned. It was a strange sight to see my usually talkative husband being so quiet.
“Ms. Nakajima, I’m going to ask you a few questions, so could you answer them? If you feel tired, please don't push yourself and let me know.”
“Yes.”
“Could you tell me your name, age, and occupation?”
“Minako Nakajima. 45 years old. I work part-time at Sanei Supermarket.”
“What!?”
My husband let out a surprised voice.
The doctor looked at my husband and nodded quietly, and my husband shut his mouth.
“Then, do you know what year, month, and day it is today?”
“Um... today is...”
“Since I collapsed on Yumiko’s birthday...”
“It is October 21, 2015.”
“What is your family structure?”
“A daughter in her second year of high school, a son in his second year of middle school, a son in his second year of elementary school, and my husband who is right there.”
I saw that my husband had a pale face.
“I see. Understood. Do you think you can eat?”
“I’m not very hungry, but...”
“I see. Well, you just woke up today and I’m sure you’re tired, so please rest well, and let’s start with porridge tomorrow morning. You’re getting nutrition through the IV, so you’ll be fine. Let’s talk more slowly tomorrow.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Sir, could I have a word with you?”
The doctor took my husband and left the room.
I was indeed tired. I felt like I had used my brain a lot. My head felt fuzzy. A sudden sleepiness washed over me.I fell into a deep sleep once again.
***
When I woke up in the morning, it was still the hospital room. It seems I slept through the night and reached the next morning. There were many things I wanted to ask.
What happened to Yumiko after that?
Or
Did I contact them about my part-time job absence?
Or
How are things at home?
And so on...
'I wonder if Tetsuya is handling things properly... I wonder if the kids are able to go to school okay... I wonder if I can be discharged today? I have to get back home soon. I’ll try consulting with the doctor.'
I raised the electric bed and tried to slowly change my position. Just as I was about to lower my feet from the bed to stand up, a nurse entered.
Mr. Nakajima! You still shouldn't move suddenly.
Ah... I wanted to go to the restroom...
So the sensation of needing to urinate has returned too. That's good. I'll assist you, so please wait a moment.
It's not that big of a deal.
...However, when I tried to stand up, my body swayed unsteadily. I couldn't put any strength into my legs.
Huh? Why...?
Mr. Nakajima, it's impossible to do it suddenly. You've been asleep for nearly a month. Your muscles have weakened, you see. But the sensation will return soon. You mustn't be impatient.
Huh? A whole month?
Oh, you haven't heard from the doctor yet, have you? You'll have a detailed talk today. For now, let's try to go to the restroom. There's a portable one right there, shall we give it a try?
Confused, I did as I was told... And with assistance, I was able to relieve myself. When washing my hands, I looked in the mirror and was shocked.
U-um!
Is today the third Wednesday?
Huh? ...Ah, I believe today is indeed the third Wednesday. Is something the matter?
Oh, no, nothing... I'm fine.
I returned to the bed.
Since your sensation hasn't fully returned yet, please don't try to walk around on your own. Always call for an assistant when you need to move.
Saying that with a smile, the nurse left.
I was asleep for a whole month? And besides...
This time, it's a half-baked transformation.
The person reflected in the mirror had a face that looked about ten years older.How strange...
At that moment, the room door opened and my husband entered.
How are you feeling? Is anything hurting?
Yeah, I'm fine. How about work? And the kids?
I took a paid leave today. Tatsuya and I came by again last night, but you were asleep, so we thought it was better not to wake you and just went home. He said he wanted to come again this morning, but I sent him to school.
I see. You should have woken me up. It seems I've been asleep for nearly a month, right?
That's right. They ran tests and there was nothing wrong with your brain. But they told me you were just in a state of sleeping continuously without a ventilator... And they said if a vegetative state continues for more than a month, the chances of waking up become lower... It scared me to death. I'm so glad you really woke up...
He looked like he was tearing up at the end.
I see... I'm sorry for making you worry. But I'm fine now! I want to go home soon! I'm healthy! ...Oh, by the way, today is the third Wednesday, right? Isn't this month's transformation a bit subtle?}
Huh? The third Wednesday? Transformation? ...What are you talking about?
Huh? You know, I transform every month, right? Me?
Just then, the attending physician entered.
Ms. Nakajima, how are you feeling?
Oh, Doctor. I'm feeling much better than yesterday. I want to be discharged soon!
I see. I'm glad you're feeling better. Well, since you seem to be doing well today, I would like to organize your memories, is that alright?}
Organize my memories... you say? ...Yes... that's fine.
First, the doctor asked about my most recent memories, and I told him that I had lost consciousness after feeling a headache and dizziness during Yumiko's birthday party.
...However, the reason I was here was not for any such reason.
I was left speechless after being told an unbelievable and shocking fact.
***
The shocking fact was this.
Today is Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
I am 55 years old.
It was about a month ago, on Saturday, October 25, 2025. I had planned to hold a birthday party for Yumiko at our home.
On Wednesday, October 22, I went out shopping with great enthusiasm. While driving, I swerved to avoid a child who suddenly ran out into the road and crashed into a wall. Fortunately, the child was not injured. Although I had almost no external injuries, I lost consciousness and was taken to the hospital, and I woke up yesterday.
"In other words, you have lost your memory for the ten years since 2015. Memories can sometimes return due to some trigger, but there is also a possibility that they may never return."
"How could this be..."
"The test results show no abnormalities, so I think you can stay in the hospital for a little longer for rehabilitation and be discharged as early as next weekend. However, you must not overdo it!"
"Yes..."
With that, the doctor left the hospital room.
"Hey, am I 55 years old? Not a transformation?"
"That's right. What do you mean by transformation... Did you have a dream or something?"
"Huh? ...I wonder... I still can't organize my thoughts. Hey, does that mean the kids are... grown up? Can you tell me about the kids?"
I heard about the ten years I had lost from Tetsuya-san.
Tetsuya-san is 58 years old and still working at the same company as he was ten years ago.
Yuki, who will turn 27 in February, graduated from a junior college with a degree in English, went to the United States for language studies, joined the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, and is now working in full-scale international aid while traveling between Asia and Japan.
Tomoya, who has turned 24, was unsure of his path after graduating from high school at the time, but ultimately decided to take the entrance exam for T University and passed brilliantly. He has since graduated and is now attending a vocational school in Tokyo to become a film director while earning his own income.
Takkun is now a third-year high school student and is working hard on his studies for university entrance exams.
The six years since Tomoya graduated from high school were apparently spent with just the three of us: Takkun and us as a couple.
As for me, I apparently became a part-time leader a few years ago, and with the addition of supervisory duties, I had been spending my days doing part-time work and housework just as I always had. I have absolutely no memory of it...
"What about Yumiko?"
"Yumiko-chan married Masato-san five years ago and lives in America. Then, she was supposed to return to Japan last month for her birthday, and you said you were going to invite her home for a birthday party, and you were so excited..."
"Is that so? Yumiko got married? Wow! How moving! I'm not sure where reality ends, but all the things I'm happy about are becoming reality!"
"What are you talking about? Yumiko-chan was frantic, saying that a precious person had been in an accident the day after her birthday. She said she wouldn't go back to America, and she stayed by your side for the first two weeks..."
But I didn't have the luxury of being considerate either, and I didn't know when she would wake up, or if she would ever wake up at all... And Yumiko-chan was at her mental limit, so I told her husband and had him force her to go back to America.
I see... You're right... I made Yumiko feel sad again.
For now, I contacted her yesterday, so why don't you try calling her?
When I called Yumiko on a LIME video call, she appeared on the screen immediately.
Minako! You woke up!
Yeah. I'm sorry for making you worry. Oh, is the time okay over there?
Yeah, it's totally fine. We just finished dinner. Are you okay? Any aftereffects?
Perhaps it's because she's gotten older, but Yumiko looked quite haggard. She must have been worried about me.
I'm fine. See, I'm doing great!
I decided not to mention the memory impairment yet.
I'm so glad. I'll come back to Japan soon to see you.
Yeah, I'd love that. It looks like I'll be able to be discharged soon. So, please come back to see me after I've returned home and settled into my life! Okay? That would make me happier too!
I wanted a little more time to organize my memories and my heart.
I understand... Please, don't push yourself. Can you call me again whenever you like?
Yeah. I will. I want to hear about all sorts of things too.
We promised that, and then hung up.
☞☞☞ Episode 7: 'The 55-Year-Old Me' ☞☞☞
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