Chapter Two: I'm Alive (February (continued))

Note: Sorry all. I didn't realize I messed up with the previous upload. Initially, this second chapter was a re-paste of the first. So, I put it in what I actually wrote. Hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading!

Kaori Perspective

Setting: Totsuhara University Hospital

Bright light. I smelled pastries. This must be heaven. I smiled. So I did die, I thought to myself.

That is until I felt warm breath on my face. It stunk of coffee and icing. The only person who drinks coffee and constantly eats icing is…

"Dad?"

"Kaori, you're awake." my father breathed out.

I opened my eyes as they adjusted to the light. It was my old hospital room. I weakly craned my neck to see what was around me. Surprisingly, no more IV's. The dull gray of the hospital walls. And, my mother and father staring at me with open mouthed smiles.

"Oh my god…" my mother whimpered as she was holding back tears again.

They pulled me into a hug and began kissing me all over.

Huh, guess I'm not dead.

My mother got up and almost pranced to the door. "Doctor, she's awake!" she exclaimed.

A doctor strolled in with a bright smile on his face. I recognized him as the one who had administered the anaesthesia to me.

"Good morning, Kaori. I'm Dr. Kofuku, the lead doctor of your surgery. I bet you haven't had a good sleep like that in your life."

"How long was I asleep? What happened? Is this real?"

My parents burst out laughing as tears of joy cascaded down their face.

"Yes, honey it is real."

"But, how?"

Dr. Kofuku strolled over to the side of my bed opposite to my parents. My father reached back and handed me a cake from the shop, on a little plate with a fork. I accepted the pastry, and looked up at the doctor questioningly. Could I eat this? The doctor gave me a smile and a nod. I began to eat (SO YUMMY (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧) as the doctor cleared his throat. My parents grabbed my hand, as Dr. Kofuku began to explain:

"Well, Kaori, you are one strong girl. We told you coming in that we may be able to extend your life by a couple of months, a year if you were lucky. Well, your parents had decided a couple of weeks prior to your surgery that they'd go with a more invasive method."

"We didn't want you to suffer for another year, Kaori. That's why we were extra worried prior to surgery." my mother blurted out, as my father nodded with a smile. So that's why she mouthed out please, prior to my surgery.

"Yes, so this method, while more dangerous, would increase your lifespan significantly more than what we initially planned." Doctor Kofuku stated.

My heart did a somersault. More time? I timidly asked:

"How much longer, Doctor?"

Dr. Kofuku smiled and cleared his throat while pulling a piece of paper from his pocket.

"Well, Kaori, you've been unconscious for about a week, since your body has been recovering. We ran some tests and the results came in last night."

"THEY HAVE?" my father blurted out.

"Yes, since we knew that Kaori would have a good chance to wake up today, we decided to just wait till we have all the results. Now, there's good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"

I looked at my parents. Slowly, I saw their smiles start to fade. But, I gave them a grin, and made up my mind. I want another happy ending, since that seems to be the trend.

"Bad news, please." I said confidently.

"I'm so sorry, Kaori. We knew we'd be running this risk in the surgery. What we had to do was concentrate blood flow to your organs so that they could get the nutrients that they need. In order to do that, we had to limit blood flow significantly towards parts of your body. So, we decided that we would serve that compensation by limiting the flow to your legs. The result gave us what we need, but," he sighed, "you won't be able to walk again."

I stared blankly at him, as did my parents. No more running with the kids at the park. No more standing on the handrail of Courage Bridge. No more kicking Watari and Kousei. I meekly tried to lift my legs. My thigh twitched a bit, but as hard as I tried, I couldn't do anything.

"There's therapy right?" My father asked, longing apparent in his voice.

"Unfortunately, with the procedure, therapy won't work. Kaori's health necessitates the restriction of blood flow to her legs. So, the therapy would be either pointless or even counter-productive. I'm so sorry Mr. and Mrs. Miyazono, and to you especially Kaori."

My parents both looked like they were on the verge of tears again. I thought I would begin to cry as well, but strangely no tears came. Even though I had lost my legs, I'm alive. And I can still play the violin! I can still play with Kousei. I smiled at the thought. My parents, on the other hand, had no trace of a grin on their face. Hoping to distract them, I interjected:

"That's fine, Doctor Kofuku. At least I'm alive, right? I mean, it could have been my arms. I can still play the violin. So what's the good news?"

"Ah yes," he said, moving his eyes away from my parents. "Kaori, while you won't be able to walk for the rest of your life, we were able to give you just that."

"What…" my parents and I said, confused.

"Kaori Miyazono, the surgery of your type was the most successful in Japan. No other team has operated and achieved the results that we have had with you. It went even better than we thought possible; it's honestly a miracle. The short of it is, other than not being able to use your legs, you should have a long, normal, healthy life."

My parents jaws dropped to the floor. Unwittingly, I noticed mine had too.

"So, I can play the violin again? I can go to high school? I can travel the world? I can have kids? I can grow old and see flying cars and all that?" I breathed out.

"Yes, if cars begin to fly in eighty or ninety years, you should be able to see that." The doctor said with a light chuckle.

My family and I were so fast, we could have challenged Usain Bolt for the 100 meter world record. We latched onto the doctor, wailing and sobbing onto his pristine, white coat.

"THANK YOU, DOCTOR KOFUKU!"

"YOU GET FREE PASTRIES WHENEVER YOU COME TO OUR SHOP!"

"I'LL INTRODUCE YOU TO ALL OF MY GIRL FRIENDS IF YOU WANT!"

Dr. Kofuku laughed, "Thank you, Miyazono family. Kaori's health is the best gift to me. I live for reactions like yours, and I've never had such an amazing success." We all sat there hugging, laughing, and crying for a couple of minutes.

"Now, Mr. and Mrs. Miyazono, there's some instructions you need to see and paperwork you need to fill out before Kaori leaves in a couple days."

"Of course, anything Dr. Bro-fuku." My dad said with a wiggle in his eyebrows. Oh god, there's my goofy dad back at it again. I feel like we'll be seeing a lot of Dr. Kofuku in the future.

"Alright," Dr. Kofuku said with a laugh, "Please follow me. You just sit tight Kaori."

"Will do, doctor!" I exclaimed.

The doctor and my parents walked out of the room, my mother still sporting wet eyes while my father had latched his arm around Dr. Kofuku.

Now me, I laid back on my pillow. I grabbed my pillow, smashed it onto the front of my face and yelled out of joy as loud as I could! For the first time in years, I wasn't living on a near-expired timer. Of course, that timer had motivated me to have the best year of my life. But, it just felt like a dream come true. Everything I thought I'd never get to do, every hope I had lost, every second I thought I would never have, all of that had now changed.

Overcome with pure elation, I wanted to jump for joy. I tried, and of course, my legs pathetically twitched. I frowned, a little shaken and surprised by my new dilemma. I lifted away the covers and stared. My legs laid there limp. Tapping them lightly, I felt barely anything. Folding my hands over my chest, my mouth contorted into a pout. I know I shouldn't be upset; I was just given a life, for goodness sakes. But, I couldn't help but feel downcast at losing the opportunity to ride a bike, or play hopscotch, or climb, or jump. I wouldn't be able to do those fun things with Tsubaki, Watari, and Kousei.

Oh my god, Kousei. I wonder if he knows I made it alright. How did his performance go? Did he worry about me? I tried to pull my knees up to my chest to calm my anxiety. Nothing happened. My face fell into a frown. Would he even want to spend time with me anymore? It's not like he had a lot of time before as it was. Would he even want to be around a cripple?

Knock-knock.

My mother popped her head in. "Kaori, you have a visitor! In fact, he's been visiting for the past couple days and spending all day here."

That must be Watari. I giggled, thinking about what excuses he used to get out of school and soccer practice all those days.

"Let him in, Mom"

"Ok sweetie, and he brought more of your favorite pastries. What a thoughtful boy you are, Kousei!"

Well, that's not the word I would use to describe that baka. Maybe... WAIT, KOUSEI? Turning my head to the right, something caught my eye. On my bedside table, I saw a pile of pastry bags neatly placed there. He had come all these days? But why?

My stomach flip flopped when I realized why: the letter. He had to have read it. I began to panic. Let's be honest here, I didn't think I'd make it this far. Not only am I alive, I have YEARS to live that letter down. I could feel my face start to heat up to catastrophic levels, as I looked towards the door. (All of these thoughts went through my head in about a second, you know)

And there he was. Square glasses framing his face, messy jet black hair as if he had just gotten out of bed (or off the floor by his piano most likely), with an egg sandwich in his hand, and a bag of pastries in the other.

"I'll leave you two alone," my mom said with a smile.

NO MOM, NO. I'M NOT READY FOR THIS, I yelled in my head. My eyes immediately fell on Kousei who was standing just inside the room as my mom closed the door shut. As if I could escape anyway.

"Kaori, is that really you?"

"Haha, surprise." I replied with a little wave.

I stared into his blue eyes, and then tried to study him. As always, he had that forlorn look etched across his face. He just stared back at me. My face was so hot, it could have lit a candle by now. DId he read the letter? What was he doing? Is that ecchi checking me out again?

"WELL, SAY SOMETHING BAKA!" I blurted.

Kousei put his hands up in front of him as I yelled. Same old Kousei, huh?

"Eh, your face kind of looks like a tomato when you're flustered."

Yep, same old Kousei.

"YOU INSENSITIVE, COLD-HEARTED… EEP!" I had attempted to lash out at Kousei, thinking I could leap out of bed. Instead, I began cascading down to the floor. Goddamn legs. I braced myself for impact.

But, it didn't come. I felt a warmth all around me. I smelled dust, egg, and a hint of sweat. Kousei had caught me. Kousei, with his re-discovered reflexes and, wait, trembling body.

"Wahh"

I collapsed on top of Kousei. I should have known he wouldn't have the strength to hold me up. At least he caught me. I looked up into the face of my frail savior. He had a horrified look on his face, and he looked down.

I followed the trail of his eyes. His hand was laying there on my right breast.

"YOU PERVERT!" I yelled. I slapped with all my might, pouring all my embarrassment into my left hand. It smashed against his face with a loud crack.

"AGHHH! I-It's not my fault." Kousei stammered, frantically looking around.

"I brought canelés," he said holding up the pastry bag he had brought. Yeah, like that'll save him… ok maybe it will.

"YIII! I've been waiting for these." He handed the bag to me, as I ripped it open and began scarfing down the canelés.

"Yeah, there's more, up there." Kousei sighed, as he smoothed out his clothes. He pointed up to the bedside table.

I reached for them, but I just couldn't reach. I tried getting up, and then remembered my legs were useless. So, these are the things I'd have to struggle with now. I relaxed my body, and crumpled down onto the floor. I didn't want Kousei to see me like this. Not for the first time after my surgery.

Suddenly, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my shoulders and under my knees. I was picked up, and plopped right back on the bed by Kousei.

"Oh yeah, you're still recovering from the surgery, so you're not that strong yet, right?"

I looked back at Kousei. Tears due to the loss of my legs hadn't come before, but they were coming now.

"Kousei, I-I…"

Kousei pulled up a chair and pulled it right by my bedside. "Mhm."

Tears began to trickle on my face. "I can't walk anymore. During the surgery, they saved me by sacrificing my legs."

I had tried looking at the bright side before, but I couldn't hold it in anymore. I closed my eyes as I let loose:

"KOUSEI, I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO WALK AGAIN! I CAN'T JUMP OFF COURAGE BRIDGE, I CAN'T PLAY HOPSCOTCH, I CAN'T CLIMB THE STAIRS TO THE HOSPITAL ROOF, I CAN'T SWIM. I'M USELESS KOUSEI, I CAN'T -mmmm"

W-what? I opened my eyes. Kousei's face, inches from mine. And his lips… his lips… on mine. We were actually kissing. Me. And Kousei Arima.

Suddenly, Kousei backed up. No, no, get back here, baka. I wasn't done.

"I'm sorry, I read your letter and I thought it would cheer you up. I'm sorry if -mmmm."

I grabbed Kousei this time and pulled him in. Our lips met, and I devoured him. I grasped his hair, wanting him to never back away. He was responding. Our lips moved softly against each other, like the bow on my violin. Except, I definitely liked this better.

I pulled away, breathless. Panting, Kousei looked me in the eye. Then, he gave me something so special: that unique smile of his. Not like the fake ones my parents gave before my surgery. Not like the fake ones he gave to people when he was trying to get something. No, it was Kousei's confident smile.

"Kaori, I don't care if you can't walk. I don't care if you have one more year, one more month, or even one more day. Kaori, I love you. As much as you think I changed your life, you dragged me from the deepest of hells. You gave my world color when the pages were fading to nothingness. You saved me, Kaori. I want to give you everything you gave me and more."

If this is someone's cruel joke, please don't end it. I looked into Kousei's eyes and saw the conviction I had seen so rarely from him.

Tears began to form in my eyes. Finally, he realized. Kousi stood up, nudged me the side, and plopped right next to me on my bed. I could feel his warmth as we wrapped one arm around me. I leaned back on his chest, and held his arm in place.

"I'm sorry it took me so long, Kaori."

"It's ok. I was really roundabout with it too, so it's not your fault." I giggled, tears still leaking out. "You really came every day?"

"Yeah, Watari and Tsubaki told me to. They're both busy with sports, but since my competition's done, I can afford a break."

"OH, how did you do?"

He smiled sheepishly. "First place."

I squealed. Ugh, I just squealed. But, oh gosh, he actually did it! I mean, I knew he would do it, but just being able to hear it made my heart fly.

"I knew it, Kousei. I just knew you would."

"Yeah. So, now that I'm just waiting for high school, we can spend time together. Anything you want to do, Kaori. Practicing, traveling, another concert, I'll do it with you. Just tell me time and place…"

I cut him off with a laugh as he trailed off, confused. "Kousei, you don't have to rush. The doctors told me I have a full life ahead of me now."

"Full.. life"

"Haha, yes you baka, as in I'll live to be a wrinkly old grandma. And it's all because you gave me hope."

I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. He blushed as his face reverted back to that rare smile of his. From that, I could tell that he and I would be spending a lot of time together in the future.