Hiroshi forced open the heavy lids of his eyes when he felt a warm touch against his cheek. His father's face came into view. He felt too weak to lift his hand but seeing his father's sad and aged self, he forced himself to wear a smile.
"Are you okay?"
Hiroshi's smile broadened at that question. He could imagine how worried his father was about him, and he hoped that showing he was doing better than they had imagined might be the best way to ease his father's worry, rather than a verbal response.
He forced his body up despite his father's protest. "Did you bring anything for me to eat?" he asked calmly as soon as he sat up.
"You haven't eaten?" his father asked, his eyes widening. He could see his son had lost a lot of weight but rather than hunger alone, he attributed it to the worries of being locked up.
"No, they won't serve me anything. It is part of their torture." Hiroshi leaned against the cold wall of the room. He held back a shiver and smiled.
