Cold fluorescent light flickered by as Himeragi Yukina rushed through the hospital's corridors. Fearing the worst, she stopped by the door to room 731, and knocked on the door. After she heard that Akatsuki Koujou had collapsed in the middle of the class and was rushed to the emergency room, she couldn't even stand the thought of not going to see him as quickly as possible. She was his "observer" after all…
"Senpai!", Yukina rushed to Akatsuki's bedside "Are you ok?!"
"Cough!" Akatsuki gave her a weak smile and said "I'll be fine, Yukina… It's just cancer…" his smile faded as he uttered that final, wretched word.
"Cancer?!", Said Yukina, unable to believe what she just heard "Don't joke with me! Seriously…"
Akatsuki slowly shook his head, a pained expression on his face.
Yukina was shocked- baffled. No matter how hard she tried, words just wouldn't come out of her mouth. Akatsuki looked at her gently, unsure of what to say, how to help.
"They can treat it, right? You're strong, senpai! I know you'll get through this!"
"I hope…", Akatsuki said silently, not even completely believing his own words. "They said it's a violent case, but it's not impossible to cure. It will just take time, and effort."
Saying this out loud suddenly filled him with a speck of hope.
"The docs will take care of me the best they can. They told me my chances aren't that low! Apart from that… I guess it's my fight now…"
"No, senpai", Yukina said, her voice was strong but shaky, and she was fighting the tears welling in her eyes. "It's our fight!"