Chapter 10 Shock

At 8 p.m., feeling thirsty, Hana attempted to pour water into a glass, only to find it empty, forcing her to go to the cafeteria. She glanced at Kaji briefly before leaving the room.

Shortly after, she returned with a bottle of mineral water in her hand. Her face was shocked when she opened Kaji's room door; he was not in his bed. This startled Hana, and she hurriedly approached a nurse.

"Patient named Kaji in room 302, have you seen him?" Hana asked frantically.

"The patient has just been taken to the ICU by Dr. Yamato," the nurse replied, surprising Hana.

"ICU? Why was Kaji taken there? What happened to him?" Hana asked, starting to run towards the mentioned room.

Upon arriving, Hana tried to see through the glass door and caught a glimpse of Kaji being attended to by several doctors. A nurse had just drawn the curtain, blocking her view. At that moment, Hana was genuinely afraid that something bad had happened to Kaji. All she could do now was patiently wait for the doctor to come out.

*

A gentle touch successfully woke Hana from her sleep. She found herself just waking up in a chair, trying to recall what had happened. Mimi, who had just awakened her, wondered why Hana was found sleeping in the chair that morning.

"Last night, Kaji was taken to the ICU. I didn't get a chance to see him and fell asleep here. Where is Kaji now?" Hana asked anxiously.

"Calm down. I just arrived and found you like this. I'll ask the nurse. Wait here," Mimi replied, promptly seeking out a nurse.

After a few minutes, Mimi returned and informed Hana that Kaji was back in his room. Without hesitation, Hana headed to Kaji's room with mixed emotions. She didn't understand why he had been taken to the ICU last night, especially since nothing unusual happened when she left, and she wondered why the nurse didn't wake her when Kaji was returned to the room. Additionally, she was puzzled as to why Mimi had to find out about it instead.

Hana gazed at the bedridden Kaji, surrounded by various medical instruments attached to his body. Despite the usual routine, she lowered herself next to Kaji, expressing gratitude for being able to see him again, even though he remained unconscious. Mimi sensed something unusual, having observed the numerous hospital tools on Kaji's body that she hadn't seen before.

"The nurse I asked earlier said that Kaji had a seizure last night and had to be rushed to the ICU. They waited for you all night to get approval, but you weren't there, so they had to take Kaji without informing you," Mimi said, her expression unchanged.

An odd moment unfolded as Kaji's EKG machine remained silent, though the heart rhythm still displayed on the screen. Mimi checked it and questioned a passing nurse. Confusion marked the nurse's face, leading to a call for the doctor through the emergency bell. Hana and Mimi left the room, allowing the medical team to examine Kaji.

Shortly after, the doctor and nurse apologized to Hana, revealing Kaji had passed away. Shocked, Hana collapsed, hearing Mimi's cries as her consciousness faded.

In Hokkaido, the beginning of spring marked the day Hana lost Kaji forever. As leaves scattered in the brisk wind, Hana prayed by Kaji's gravestone, accompanied by friends who had returned after escorting the hearse from Tokyo. Emotions ran high as they mourned the sudden departure.

"I still can't believe it, Kaji left without saying his last words," Hana uttered with a hoarse voice.

"You must stay strong; Kaji wouldn't want you to be sad there," Mimi comforted, gently rubbing Hana's shoulder.

With night falling, Mimi decided to go to her parents' house in Hokkaido, and Urahara accompanied her. Despite initial reluctance, Urahara accepted the invitation. At Mimi's home, her parents warmly welcomed them. While Mimi's mother inquired about Urahara, Mimi clarified they were just friends.

"Introduce yourself, Urahara Kyosuke," Urahara responded.

"You two look good together," Mimi's mother teased, causing Mimi's embarrassment.

"Enough, Mom, let's not discuss that now. They are still in mourning," Mimi's father intervened.

After dinner, Mimi pulled Urahara away, not wanting him to hear her mother's inappropriate comments during this grieving period.

Mimi and Urahara lay down in the pavilion, gazing at the brightly shining moon. Moments later, Mimi apologized to Urahara for her mother's comments, but he didn't mind. In fact, he enjoyed interacting with Mimi's parents, whom he considered very kind.

"I'm confused about how to help Hana right now; she must be fragile after Kaji's departure," Mimi shared with Urahara.

She then recounted the story of how Hana and Kaji met during their first year of high school, and their relationship blossomed over the years. Despite four years of long-distance, their love persisted. Kaji occasionally visited Hokkaido, and eventually, Hana moved to Tokyo to be with him. Their love journey wasn't a perfect romance, but their trust was unwavering.

"I think you just need to be there for her to provide comfort," Urahara suggested after hearing Mimi's story.

"Thank you for helping me and Hana take care of Kaji," Mimi said, smiling at Urahara.

Urahara blushed at Mimi's sweetness, feeling awkward as he approached a potted plant and asked where the flowers were. Mimi looked at him puzzled, explaining that the flowers wouldn't bloom at night. Urahara, once again embarrassed, decided to go to sleep.

The next day, after escorting Kaji to his final resting place, Mimi and Urahara decided to return to Tokyo. Hana requested they stay in Hokkaido, but they planned to come back. Hana, on the other hand, would return to the orphanage to meet the caretaker who had raised her.

As they departed, Mimi hugged Hana tightly, whispering words of strength. Mimi's mother, instead of hugging Mimi, surprised everyone by embracing Urahara, leaving Mimi irritated.

"You're my daughter; why are you hugging someone else?" Mimi asked, annoyed.

"You've been hugged by me since you were little. Now it's your future son-in-law's turn, right, Kyo-chan?" Mimi's mother teased, earning a small laugh from Urahara.

"Kyo-chan?" Mimi questioned, bewildered.

"Kyosuke... Kyo-chan," Urahara clarified, while Mimi's mother playfully pinched his cheek.

"Mom, you're too much. Let's go," Mimi said, thoroughly fed up with her mother's antics.