Chapter 48When Hiroshi and Sakaguchi entered Takamatsu’s room, he was sleeping under a thick blanket with three IVs snaking out of his arm and machines bleeping by the side of the bed.
Hiroshi walked over and peered down at Takamatsu. His face, usually so full of energy, seemed to have collapsed, as if all the muscles and fat had been removed, leaving skin on bone. He had never looked so old.
Takamatsu opened his eyes.
“How’s our Olympic swimmer?”
Takamatsu groaned and started to stir.
“New Olympic event, cold water floating. It’s just for you.”
Takamatsu coughed and swallowed. “That was the coldest I’ve ever been in my life.”
Hiroshi said, “We brought you something.”
“A new body? This one is wearing out.” He coughed from deep inside.
“Japanese-Chinese herbal chocolate.” Sakaguchi
