Sacrifice


Misaki felt her eyes flutter open. She pushed herself into an upright position. What... happened?

She looked around. The surroundings were unfamiliar. Strange. W-Where am I?

Suddenly, it all came flooding back to her. Her eyes widened. Usui. USUI! Is he okay?

Misaki pulled the covers aside and stood up. She winced, leaning onto the wall. Her whole body was throbbing. "Perfect," She muttered through gritted teeth. "Just perfect."

"Um…"

It was the nurse. "Miss, the doctor recommends that–"

"I don't care!" Misaki yelled.

The nurse was about to question her rudeness. That was when she saw it.

There was a glimmer in the girl's eye. A spark of franticness, a fire unquenched by words. The nurse fell silent, words failing to escape her mouth.

"Sorry," Misaki muttered. "I didn't mean to be rude. But I have to find someone. Can you help me?"

"Of course. What's his name?"

"U-Usui. Usui Takumi." Misaki closed her eyes, swallowing the lump growing in her throat. "I need to find him, it's urgent."

The nurse didn't question her words. Instead, she smiled. "He's in room 432, floor 4."

"Thank you," Misaki replied, forcing a smile on her face. "I really appreciate it."

Then she was gone.

Misaki made her way through the hallway. Her legs stung with pain, but she ignored it. A little pain was nothing.

426… 428… 430…

Finally, she found herself at his door. Misaki fell to her knees, exhausted. So… tired… She gritted her teeth. She had to do this. Anxiously, she reached out.

Knock.

Knock knock.

The door swung open. There stood a doctor, holding a notebook in his hands. "I'm sorry, but visitors aren't allowed. The patient is currently in a critical state." He stated, his tone bored and businesslike.

Misaki fought back tears. "You can't! You see, w-we were in a car accident…" Her words were shaky. Uncertain. "I need to see him." She finally uttered. "I need to know if he's okay. Please..."

The doctor examined her under his glasses. Finally, he nodded hesitantly. "...You may see him. But if anything happens, please inform me."

Misaki smiled, nodding her thanks. She made her way into the hospital room.

There he was. He looked so peaceful, just like he had in the play. A light smile hinted at his lips, the same smile that she'd fallen in love with.

"Usui…"

Misaki reached out, taking his hand in hers. Just like she'd done so many times before. "I love you, Usui." She whispered. "Please, just open your eyes..."

She tightened her grip on his hand, feeling for a pulse.

But there was nothing.

Her heart nearly stopped. It couldn't be. He had to be alive. He had to.

"Someone… help…"

Misaki fell to the ground. The energy left in her was gone. She couldn't do this anymore. Not without him…

Life was once so beautiful. But now, all the color had faded. Now, there was only darkness.

Because dreams and reality had crossed their lines.

The play had come true.


"...He's in a critical state."

"...His heart... It isn't functioning properly..."

"...His time cuts down... approximately 24 hours..."

Misaki opened her eyes. She could hear two voices in the distance.

"...His name... Usui Takumi..."

Misaki's eyes shot open. "W-What?" She stuttered.

She heard footsteps. Moments later, the door swung open. It was one of the doctors. "Miss, how are you feeling?"

Misaki ignored the question. "Where's Usui? Is he okay?!"

The doctor hesitated. "I'm sorry, but I cannot tell you. I apologize for the inconvenience."

"Why?" Misaki demanded. "You don't understand! He was with me, and–"

"Your mental state is extremely fragile." The doctor interrupted. "If I comply, it may deeply harm you. You must understand that the situation isn't that simple."

"He risked his life for me. I need to know how he is." Misaki was unable to suppress a tremor in her voice.

The doctor lowered his glance. "I'm sorry."

"Please..." Misaki stared into the doctor's eyes, her golden orbs transfixed in his.

And at that moment, something changed. Like a mutual understanding. The memories came flooding back to him.

There was so much the doctor had tried so hard to forget. He saw himself in the girl. It had been a happy ending for him, but he knew Usui wouldn't last...

The doctor sighed. Arguing with Misaki was pointless. She couldn't escape the truth forever. "...His heart is failing. And if we do nothing, his life will end."

"I can try doing an operation on him." He continued. "But at this state, there are no promises it will work."

"W-What?" Misaki stuttered. "No. It can't be..."

The doctor closed his eyes, hesitating for a moment. Then he opened his mouth.

"He has 24 hours to live.

Misaki's heart stopped. Her eyes widened, her eyes pooling up with tears. 24 hours…

This was all her fault. If only she hadn't distracted him. If only she'd realized how stupid she was.

A tear slid down her cheek. Then another. She hated it. She hated it all. The stupid truck. The stupid hospital.

But most of all, she hated herself.

She closed her eyes. I... can't. I can't do this anymore.

"Please, don't blame yourself for it. There's nothing you can do." The doctor stated. But his words went unheard.

"Usui..." Misaki whispered. They were so perfect. Yet the world didn't want them to be together...

...Just like Romeo and Juliet.

She gave a pathetic laugh to herself. How can a poor person like me… be with him? The wealthy person who had a bright future waiting for him... I should never have fallen in love with him.

"Miss? It's your choice." The doctor said finally. "If I proceed with the operation, it will limit your time with him. The chance of his survival is very small. However, if I don't operate, death is unquestionable."

Misaki hesitated for a moment. Then she nodded.

"Do it."


"Umm. Miss?" A nurse interrupted. "The surgery is about to begin. Please leave the room."

Misaki shook her head. "No. I can't just leave him." She struggled to restrain tears. "W-What if the operation fails? I want to be there, I want to hear his last breath..."

"..." The nurse sighed. "I guess there's no harm, as long as you don't interfere with the operation. But please understand. He's already in a critical state, success is highly unlikely."

Misaki nodded. "Thank you." She took a seat next to Usui. Then, just like he had, she took hold of his hand.

Please... let this operation successful. I don't care about the cost. I'll do anything, anything at all.

Because no matter what... I have to finish what I started.


"The operation was successful. But we won't know its effect on him until he wakes up."

Misaki hovered nervously over the hospital bed. Her hand was still in his. She was never going to leave him. Never.

She loved him too much...

Suddenly, the blonde stirred. "Usui...?" Misaki whispered. Almost afraid to believe it.

Slowly, he opened his eyes. His bright green eyes glistened into the darkness.

Misaki pulled him into a warm embrace. "U-Usui! I'm so happy you're okay..." She smiled, feeling her eyes pool up with tears of relief.

But he didn't smile back.

"U-Usui...?" Misaki trailed off, uncertain.

The blonde stared at her for a moment. There was something… different about his glance. An unfamiliar spark that she couldn't describe.

He looked down at their intertwined hands in confusion. Then he said something that made her heart stop.

Something that made her whole world come crashing down.

"Who... Who are you?"


Cho: Happy Holidays, everyone! ^.^

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Cho: -.-" ANYWAYS... we'd like to thank you all for the amazing reviews!

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Cho: We don't quite feel like continuing... so... we won't. Unless we get 25 reviews. B̶u̶t̶ ̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶'̶s̶ ̶ ̶i̶m̶p̶o̶s̶s̶i̶b̶l̶e̶.̶.̶.̶ ̶ ̶s̶o̶.̶.̶.̶ ..O̶h̶ ̶ ̶w̶e̶l̶l̶! ̶ ̶T̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶ ̶s̶t̶o̶r̶y̶ ̶ ̶s̶h̶a̶l̶l̶ ̶ ̶r̶e̶m̶a̶i̶n̶ ̶ ̶i̶n̶c̶o̶m̶p̶l̶e̶t̶e̶ ̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶e̶v̶e̶r̶.̶~ T.T

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