My first Imadoki story, this one takes place sometime after the manga. Koki has moved to Hokkaido by this point. It's been a while since I've read this series, so my characterization might be a bit off.
The second Koki heard about the fire, he rushed over to the hospital and hounded down everyone he could find until he figured out which room was Tanpopo's.
When he got there, he lingered in the doorway, his face twisted in pain, his eyes fixed on Tanpopo's burned and broken body.
Almost as though she had sensed his presence, her head turned slightly toward him. Her fingers twitched.
"Koki…?" she croaked.
"Tanpopo!"
Koki hurried over to Tanpopo's bed. "Are you alright?" he asked. "Answer me, are you alright?"
"Y-yeah…" Tanpopo's eyes cracked open. "Koki…how did…"
He knew what she was going to say. "Your grandparents called me," he said.
"They're okay…?"
"Yeah. They're fine. Thanks to you." Koki's eyes tightened. "You went back into the fire for them, didn't you?"
"Yes…I did…" Tanpopo took a deep, shuddering breath, wincing in pain. "I couldn't leave them…"
"Oh, Tanpopo."
"Koki…"
"Yes?"
"It hurts…" Tanpopo let out a little whimper. "It really hurts…"
At that moment, a nurse came into the room, giving Koki a disapproving look. "We have tests to run on this girl, young man," she said. "Out."
"No—" Koki tried to protest. "I'm not leaving Tanpopo—she's my—"
"Koki, it's okay," Tanpopo said weakly. "I'll be okay."
Koki turned to Tanpopo. "I don't want to leave you alone like this."
"Please don't worry."
"I'm not leaving you like this."
"Please, Koki…I'll be okay."
Koki locked eyes with Tanpopo. "Promise me. Promise me that you'll be okay."
Tanpopo smiled. "Yes, Koki…I promise. I swear…I'll be okay."
After a long pause, Koki nodded slowly. "Alright, Tanpopo." He looked to the door, then back at Tanpopo. "I'm coming back first thing in the morning."
"Okay."
"You'll be okay?"
"Yes."
"Okay." Koki smiled. "You'll be out of here in no time, Tanpopo. And then you can come back to Tokyo with me for a visit. Remember? We were planning to do that sometime soon."
Tanpopo's own smile widened. "Yeah. That sounds great."
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow, Tanpopo. I love you."
"I love you too, Koki." Tanpopo's eyes drifted shut. "I'll see you in the morning."
When Koki came back the next morning, Tanpopo was dead.
He stared at her lifeless body for a long time. Various people came and went. Some tried to talk to him; others tried to make him leave. He listened to neither.
After what seemed like an eternity, he was alone.
"Liar," he said finally.
Aw. It's been a while since I've written character death. I'd quite forgotten how depressing it was.
RRE.