There he was, seated on the bench as he normally is on his 'day off'. Not that he ever really had a day offer, he was still sick. Still dying. But here, he was away from the clutter.
I reserved my Sundays for this beautiful soul. Despite his impending demise, he was so strong. I really admired his strength and I knew that this carried through in my work against the Shadows. Every cough, every wheeze, it was beaten away by me in the Dark Hour. I could not save him, so I vowed to save everyone that I could.
"There you are," he wheezed, grinning up at me. Another afternoon of sitting at the Shrine, talking about the future, or lack thereof. "I'm afraid I cannot stay long, I must visit the Hospital for more testing."
"Would you mind if I came with you?" I didn't want to give this up. It hurt him to walk, it was the least I could do to help.
"If you insist." His face grew dark, "but don't think that you have to. I can do this alone - I don't need your pity."
"I don't pity you, Akinari. I just want to spend time with you."
The ride was silent. We sat close, and watched the world outside fly by. I quietly monitored his breathing, and I could feel his heartbeat by leaning on his shoulder. So frail, so full of hurt and love. Now and again his breathing would hitch when I shifted, but all in all, he seemed to be doing well today.
Arriving at the Hospital, he shook an older doctor's hand. "Ah, hello Akinari. Who might this be?" He motioned at me.
"This is Alice. If you don't mind, I'd like to get this over with sooner than usual."
"You are never one to rush things! I wonder, is she your girlfriend?"
"Please, I'd never be that selfish." I flinched. I knew that we were not dating, but somehow it hurt to hear him say it.
"It's not selfish to be loved, Akinari…"
Leaving within the hour, we decided to head back to my dorm. Fuuka had promised to make Rice Balls for everyone, and if the dying young man truly wanted to experience life before he passed, he would try Fuuka's cooking.
"Where have you been?" Akihiko greets us.
"Who is this?" Yukari chimes in, interested in my guest. I introduced Akinari to my teammates, and took him up to my room when he started to look frazzled. At least they know why I turn them all down on Sunday's now.
Akinari still looked a little shaken up after a few moments of being away from everyone. "Are you okay?" I asked, looking up at him. He was trembling just a bit, and he looked exactly as he did when I met him - flustered, angry. His breathing pattern had changed, and his cheeks had flushed.
"I don't think so. There's so much that I haven't experienced. Surrounded by all of these young, healthy people. Why are you wasting your time with me?"
"I'm not wasting my time. I understand that you cannot get better, but as your doctor had said, it is not selfish to be loved."
His gaze softened, "how could that doctor think we were dating. This is absurd. You are so young and full of life; I am dying."
"I don't think it's that crazy. We are close, and I care deeply for you."
"You don't get it! I am passing away. Every day, life slips from my hands and I cannot stop it. I cannot love you for the rest of your life, like you can love me for the rest of mine. My time here is short. There is so much that I have not done, so much that I have not seen." He was looking distraught, wheezing and coughing throughout his outburst.
"It is not selfish to let anyone love you," looking up at him, I grabbed his hand. They were trembling with the rest of his body. But he was warm, and his grip tightened. His fingers intertwined into mine, and I was so overcome with affection for this dying young man.
Like his breath was knocked out of him, Akinari sighed. "I have to sit down," and leaned toward my desk. I shook my head no, and lead him to my bed.
"Rest here a while."