𝐀 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲

Megumi woke up ten minutes ago. She couldn't get herself to stand up, not feeling quite ready for what today is gonna bring.

Sitting up on her bed and turning her eyes at the picture pinned on the wall across her bed Megumi realized she had a moment to think, to think it all trough.

Her journey as a nurse is officially beginning.

The very first day of entering Shibuya Metropolitan Medical center as a nurse and not a patient.

It was everything younger her dreamt of so why did she feel so uncertain about it. She didnt even meet her coworkers yet and here she is doubting the place.

As a adult everyone will click with some poeple more then others and then there will definitely be some people she cant stand or befriend. And thats fine, totally normal.

Finishing her simple breakfest of two eggs, and a piece of toast. She went straight to the bathroom, she wanted to make herself look presentable today. To make a impression, a good one at that.

Hearing a few buzzes from the other side of the room, she walked over to her phone seeing messages pop up.

It was her younger brother, Sota wishing her a good first day at work saying she should "smash it". Followed by another message to hopefully not smash or break anything actually.

Stupid as the messages were they did bring a gentle smile on her face. Her brother always ended up making her laugh no matter the circumstances.

The smile quickly faded away as she saw there is not a single message from her dad saying good luck or anything. Whatever not like she needed anyone's prayers.

Fixing her hair in the bathroom she kept it very simple and just went with her natural straight hair. Brushed her teeth and applyed minimal makeup to her face.

Megumi wouldn't say she is the most confident person on earth, but she definitely isn't insecure either.

She wasn't blind to the fact how some gazes would linger on her for a second too long. Or the comments her friends would say about her looks.

Especially the ones about her green eyes.

Putting on a simple but work approved outfit, she grabbed her phone and wallet and left the apartment. It wasnt a outsanding apartment, nothing worth dropping your jaw to the floor for. It was rather more cozy and comfortable.

And she wouldn't like it any other way, anything more than that would overwhelm her.

For the first time in a while she chose the staircase instead of the elevator. Well if she wasn't ready for a bit of stairs how can she handle being a nurse.

Walking to the bus station she couldn't help the nerve wreck she became her legs started trembling. She even bumped into a old lady today.

One thing was clear it wasn't her best day.

Megumi kept telling herself not to freak out, if she wants to impress her fellow coworkers she must calm her uneasiness first.

Entering the hospital never felt quite this heavy. It was the first time she noticed how quick everything moved.

The fact there is no time for waiting, even seconds semmed to matter.

Entering as a fellow employee felt unnatural, instead of visiting her loved ones in pain she is here to make sure people survive and stay alive.

A thought came to her mind, instead of a nurse coming to comfort her and tell her sweet things, whispering how everything is going to be fine.

Now Megumi is the one who will be doing that. Comforting people and muttering sweet nothings in their ears.

after they have gone trough the traumatic expirience of loosing a loved one.

Life weirdly made sense today.

Arriving ten minutes early Megumi had time to change into a wrinke free white hospital uniform.

There were rules for the nurses. Hair must be tied up, nails cut short with no polish on them, and only plain white nursing shoes are allowed.

Megumi didnt really care about how she looked at her own job, really she didnt have anyone to impress. Only thing that matterd is keeping the job and being sucesfull in it.

Bringing a smile to a strangers face after saving their friend.

How painfully Megumi wanted to see someone smile and thank her.

Hold Megumi's hand and tell her she did great, amazing even.

Moving quickly trough the hospital there was no time left to wander everything was rapid and fast. She had seen nurses so many times, but this was something else.

She never relized how incredibly quick they really are.

The head nurse approched Megumi, she was a rather tall women with black hair and dark eyes her gaze was strong. She seemed like a person that had seen too much in her life. Her posture mirrored her piercing stare.

The tone that she used to introduce herself was a tone that only people who were sure of themselves used. One made off of pure confidence.

"Hello Megumi-san i'm Sachiko Arai the head nurse, follow me please." Her face didn't look quite friendly, however it wasn't unwelcoming either.

She looked around thirty which meant there was a chance she worked here for most likely ten years or more. Her professionalism was very evident.

Well if Megumi was the head nurse hell she would've been self-assured too. Probably even more than this woman.

Sachiko was brief with it "Listen its a busy day there is not a lot of time, so i will show you your department and hand you your ID badge. Most importanly i will hand you to your designed mentor a senior ER nurse".

That's the exact moment everything began. Megumi was going to get a tour, meet the team and ses how she settles in it.

Sachiko started casually describing the ER nurse "She's got enough experience to answer any question you may ask, and is definetly less strict than me. I would describe her as rather warm and welcoming, so there is no need for worrying".

Three minutes was all that it took for Sachiko to deliver her information to Megumi.

It was definetly a lot to take in, quite easy to lose your head around here but that is what she has prepered for her entire life. She manages a bow with a rather simple response.

"Thank you so much Sachiko-san please treat me well i look forward to working here and i promise to give it my all". That was the sentence she prepared, quite safe words nothing out of the ordinary.

"Megumi-san please make sure not to panic. The ER nurse has 5 years of expirence prior, and she will be by your side the whole day. The senior nurse is very much responsible for everything you do today okay?"

Sachiko's eyes warmed now her expression softening. Looking at Megumi like she is something fragile, someone to protect. Mimicking a motherly face.

Like a mother whispering to her child how everything will turn out just right.

But does anything really turn out good at the end?

Megumi didn't realize how her stomach was completely covered in knots. No amount of preparation would be enough to make herself feel secure at this moment.

She is not even close to being a weak person, having been treated and led down so badly by people.

So why are her feet frozen, why cant she move? Just why?

A rush of a another feeling hit her straight in the chest. It was a good one tho, a feeling called excitement. Why was she excited now?

Every emotion that hit her was different, it felt like being on a roller coaster.

She has to keep her emotions in check, this was an indeed good opportunity for her to show the team that she is someone worth trusting.

Someone intelligent. Not a small girl who doesn't know what she wants. She knows exactly what she wants.

Megumi's green eyes turned towards the head nurse, if there was one thing Megumi was good at it was masking how she really feels. Hiding herself.

Lacing her voice with as much confidence she can. "I won't panic. I will make sure i do my absolute best today, thank you again Sachiko-san."

Sachiko offered one last sympathetic look with a faint curve of her lips barely apparent on the head nurses face. Turning her back towards Megumi she started walking away.

Immediately Megumi could tell her motherly expression changed. It went from that soft look in her eyes, right back to the strong gaze she held a few minutes ago. She was someone that looked fully dependent on herself.

A woman that approches Megumi next must be the senior ER nurse.

"Hello there im Aoi Nakamura so pleased to meet our new rookie nurse, god knows we needed a new nurse."

The senior nurse said it with a ear to ear grin on her face. The tone she used wasn't half as serious or professional like Sachiko's. She had an amazingly warm presence.

The nurse didn't look two faced either, she was radiating warmth and positivity. Replicating someone you cant look away from easily.

She had blonde hair with light brown eyes, her lips were juicy plump and she had pale skin like a true doll. Beautiful thats the word that best describes her.

Megumi answered with a tender smile on her face aswell "Hello my name is Megumi Shimizu, pleased to meet you aswell i look forward to working here"

She kept it simple and formal like any rookie would when entering a new workplace.

Hearing her name Aoi's ears perked up,a clear glint in her eyes.

"Oh what a beautiful name you've got suits you a lot, a blessing has officaly entered our hospital can you belive it?

A blessing thats what Megumi's name meant. Her mom named her that, well thats what her father told her all the time.

Before her mother's death she had insisted that her baby will be named Megumi as she is the biggest blessing the world has to offer.

Megumi found all of those words ridiculous. Sure her name had a meaning but so what, a name is a name at the end of the day.

Everyone's got one. There is nothing special about her's.

"You dont have to be formal with me, so you can lossen up a little. We are going to be the best of coworkers. Also please do call me by my first name, as you will soon notice everyone in here calls each other by their first given names."

Gripping Megumi's shoulder lightly she continued her explanation.

"Even though we are in a hospital using first names instead of last ones make us all feel more at ease. It creates a comfortable environment for all of us."

"So dont be surprised when everyone addresses you as Megumi-san, take it as a sign of kindness and friendship.

Aoi's face turned to Megumi to get a good look at her as she was saying these words.

Now that Megumi thought about it, in Japan it was a sign of respect to call eachother using last names.

However Sachiko didn't use it for her, and neither did Megumi.

True to it's nature it did make the hospital environment way more heartwarming and soothing.

Megumi saw how it can help. Felling more like a group of friends working together instead of a bunch of employees.

Megumi is definitely not the most social person you could meet however she was a good judge of character. And both of the two nurses she met today seemed rather genuine.

Offering a small curve of her lips Megumi answered "Thank you for letting me know Aoi-san i appreciate it."

"And i do agree that it makes the whole hospital way less frightening."

Well it was still terrifying, but not like she is admitting that infront of her senior.

Being surrounded by the loud chatter of experienced nurses who already know how the rytham works didn't help. Standing next to the senior nurse not being able to think straight didnt help either.

Everyone went trough there first day so why should she judge herself for not knowing everything immediately.

There is time for everything. God, does Megumi wish she could agree with that statement.

Aoi's brown eyes looked straight at Megumi her grin fallen off her face.

"Collect your thoughts" Aoi's voice was serious she wasnt suggesting or asking she simply told her to ease her mind.

If Megumi wants to impress people at her job she must calm herself first.

Deep breathes thats what she needed.

The ER nurse had a expressionless face now, looking deadpan at her. "Listen the ER enviroment demends immedite trust because here we work as a crew, so during the morning hudle i will introduce you to the fellow ER nurses aswell as ER psyhticions and residents."

As expected she will be meeting the ER team. Those are the people she is going to spend a lot of time with. This was definitely not a one man job, so might aswell try to get on everyone's good side.

Aoi spoke again the loving smile right back on her face, but her sharp gaze was still set on Megumi.

The message being clear. Take this seriously.

"the morning hudle will start at 8:30 im gonna tell you this so you know what to expect. Is that fine?

Aoi was now looking at her with a expression of understanding like with one look she knew every thought that appeared in Megumi's mind.

Megumi managed a small nod as sign for the senior nurse to continue.

"The entire ER team gathers in a large circle in the staff report room the head nurse Sachiko will step forward and introduce you to the group. You are excpected to step in the center of the circle bow and say your rookie speech"

The blond tried saying it with as much easeiness and confidence she can gather. To help Megumi be less of a nerve wreck.

She didnt like introducing herself to people but obviously this is a big part of the job.

Both Sachiko and Aoi made it pretty clear they work as a team and if she wants to be a part of the unit and respected by her seniors.

Then she better put up one good speech.

Aoi continued while doing some hand gestures. "However this morning meeting will be a rather robotic meeting"

"The ER team is stressed and everything is stricly timed so nobody will shake your hand or even remember your name. The real meeting is the afternoon break that is where the actual human introduction comes and dont worry there is enough time for chatting and getting to know everyone."

With that, small wrinkles found their way under her eyes as she had a genuine smile on her face now.

Good Megumi has more than enough time to prepare herself for the afternoon break.

True to it's word. No one really cared about the morning huddle, a few people came to say their greetings to her but Megumi could tell their mind was already preoccupied with other things.

She didn't mind it at all.

Right after the morning huddle Aoi was walking Megumi trough the unit.

She psyhiclly pulled her aside to show her off to other nurses that weren't too busy.

The ones managing the desk or pediatric section. And would gladly with a grin on her face introduce Megumi to them.

"This is the new rookie nurse we got isnt she cute" Megumis face flushed as she exchanged quick bows and smiles with the nurses before they went right back to work.

The fast paced walk trough the depertment begun.

Aoi started opening drawers "now remeber you arent just looking you are memorizing"

She continued "For an example this is where we keep chest tube rays. Now remember everything i show you, beacuse when i ask you to bring me a endotracheal tube from the second drawer i need it in less then five seconds"

Megumi didn't take this as a joke as it wasn't one either. She made sure to memorize everything she could.

Aoi voice followed with a slight snort "If you feel like crying just make sure to do it while you are on your five minute restroom break"

At the end of the tour Aoi turns to her and gives Megumi her electronic medical record password and shows how the ER tracking board displays incoming ambulances

The senior nurse turned her head toward Megumi as she was looking straight at her."Now it is your first day working indeed but you are still excpected to be a helpful quick assistant to your perceptor"

"You will sit and observe how we assist incoming patients, and i will test your knowledge of the room by asking you to bring me items."

It was rather simple.

It felt like an a exam that you needed to pass so your teacher can know you have actually studied and understood the topic.

Megumi is an introvert and there for one great observer.

Not spearing her a glance Aoi's voice is loud and crystal clear. "i need a miller size 3 laryngoscope blade"

"Where is the pediatric crash cart, point to it"

A paitent can crash at any second the senior nurse needed to know if she asked for an item can the rookie give it to her quickly.

Suprisingly Megumi was just what they needed, although a rookie she was quite fast of a lerner. She indeed ended up bringing everything to Aoi in less than five seconds.

Well good they needed actual nurses that are ready for the job and the trauma that comes with it.

Last thing they need is someone that's a complete nerve wreck.

Well it was stressful. If Megumi had to say one word to describe it, it would've been stress.

But the good kind, the kind that made her want to actually do something and not just curl up in her blanket and stay at home watching netflix shows.

Well the real deal started now.

The afternoon break.

Aoi's eyes were beaming up at her. She was explaining how much she loves the break with such enthusiasm that Megumi couldn't help the smile growing on her face. It was just very interesting listening to the blonde.

"Finally my favorite time of the work day. Megumi don't you worry i will introduce you to everyone, there will be so much chatting you wont even have to say a word."

"You probably thought a ER team would be way too busy for gossiping, but truly everyone makes time for it."

Walking into the cramped staff break room with the senior nurse by her side didnt feel uncomfortable like she thought it would. The room smelled like convinienced store food and coffee. There were nurses talking to eachother while others were scrolling on there phones. In the back there was a tired looking ER doctor rubbing his eyes.

"You should also try to keep the icy face up, cause the surgeons around here eat soft girls for breakfast.

"Ask me whatever you want to know about anyone. If someone catches your eye you absolutely have to tell me. I mean it's so important for me to tell you who you should avoid and who can be a good catch." Aoi gave Megumi a little wink before she turned her whole attention to the bento box infront of her.

Two guys were approaching them now, most likely to sit with them. They gave a small nod to Aoi as she nodded back aswell.

Turning their faces to Megumi both of them started introducing themselves.

"Hello i'm Daiki heard we got a new nurse so i just wanna let you know if you need help turn to me im the best resident here."

With that the guy on the left with dark hair and a edgy look to him immediately smacked Daiki from the back muttering to try be normal for atleast five minutes.

Turning around locking eyes onto the rookie nurse he apologized. "Sorry for this idiot, just excuse him but my name is Akira its really nice to meet you." He offered a small curve of his lips.

Megumi introduced herself as well.

She didn't know she was gonna reuse the sentence Hello my name is Megumi about fifty times today, but oh well.

Daiki gave her one warm smile as him and Akira sat across Megumi and Aoi.

Daiki was still complaining about the hard smack he received.

Megumi silently observed them. She noticed they couldn't be more different then one another.

One was bursting with radiating energy and joy, while the other just seemed to nod at whatever he was saying.

They looked like good friends.

Daiki turned to Megumi with a gentle expression. "Congratulations on surviving the morning. Now that that's finished you can just enjoy things. At the end of the day there is so much time to learn the rhythm of the hospial."

Before she could mutter a answer Akira nudged in. "I wanna know how was your day with Aoi i know she is the most annoying person on earth so tell me honestly."

Aoi tried to muster a serious face while asking Megumi that, but the very evident grin on his lips betrayed him.

Aoi gave no time for Megumi to answer immediately jumping to protect herself.

"Hey you dickhead first of all i am not annoying and Megumi had a great time with me thank you very much."

As soon as she said those words she turned back to chewing on her rice, but her gaze remained on Akira.

Daiki bursted out laughing looking between them two.

Megumi also coudnt help the smile forming on her face. It felt so much like friends sitting on a table together rather than coworkers.

Megumi defended the senior nurse. "She was actually really nice and welcoming, the one that terrified me at the start was Sachiko."

Moving his gaze from his friends arguing to her Daiki started reassuring her.

"Yeah makes sense Sachiko may seem all strict and professional, but once you go out with her outside of work she is a different person."

Aoi and Akira stopped staring at eachother and turned their attention towards them. As they were listening Akira decided to join the conversation.

"And way less stressed one time i was in her house, and i accidentally broke a lamp in the kitchen. I was expecting her to be pissed at me but instead she just said it's fine and how she didnt like it anyway."

"Seriously now Megumi everyone here is really welcoming escpacilly to a pretty new nurse like you. There is no one around here who you should look out for" Aoi stated as she was chewing on her riceball.

Megumi flushed a little at the compliment but decided to just ignore it.

Daiki noded and Akira seemed to agree aswell until he remember the existence of a certain doctor, who was also their very close friend.

"There is one person that may be a bit mean to you at the start. Do not think of him as a cruel man he just likes to joke around. However a lot of nurses walk on eggshells around him because of his stupid jokes, they think he is being unreasonably rude."

"However he is great at his job so people don't complain much."

Well who was this man?

Megumi didn't have to ask, as she got her answer immediately.

"Oh yeah Ryota." Daiki started talking as he was swallowing the last of his riceball.

"He can be quite annoying at the very start but he is one great guy. He takes his job very seriously and is a very good friend. Us three are all friends with him."

Aoi now grabbed Megumi's shoulder as she started describing this Ryota guy aswell.

"If it's a stressful day for him he may not be the most friendly person ever, but outside of that he is quite kind and honestly as mad as those horrible jokes make me."

Aoi now averted her gaze away from everyone as she whispered a little. "He can sometimes be funny i guess."

She said those words so quietly you could barely hear them.

Daiki jumped up at the statmemt like hearing he got a rase at his job.

"So you do admit it he is a funny guy."

The blond man was so loud people sitting close to their table turned towards them. Listening in on their conversation.

Now everyone is looking at the table Megumi is sitting. Great, she definitely wanted this.

"Well is he here on his break can you point to me where he is." Megumi asked she oddly found herself curious about this doctor.

"No he said he is apparently way too busy for a break right now. Again just lying to everyone, he definitely has enough time for a small break. He finds it easier to overwork himself. He did it last week aswell."

Genuine concern could be heard from Aoi as she spoke.

Eventually another girl approched them named Rina.

The four of them were switching from one topic to another in a matter of minutes.

Usually Megumi would be in her apartment eating her lunch all alone. But now being surrounded by three people she only met today felt weirdly comforting.

They asked her a lot of questions. And gave a few tips to Megumi.

Even told her who she should absolutely not piss off or else they will hold a grudge against her for atleast a year.

It was such a welcoming environment. They talked to her so easily. It felt like a bunch of friends catching up on a cup of coffee.

Excactly at 2:13 PM the red emergency wall lights began to spin.

A sharp wail echoed trough the ceiling speakers "Ambulence arriving. Male thirty-two severe lacerations from a motorcycle accident. Vitals unstable. Estimated time of arrival two minutes."