Well, here we are, folks. It's finally time for Kousei and Kaori to have a talk after all the stuff they've been through. I hope you like it. And by the way. I hope you noticed some of the callbacks in Chapter 3. Thanks for reading.

Chapter 4: My Special One

"Yo" Kaori said with a bright smile. Kousei hasn't seen that smile for a while now, it felt like years. The last time they met was on the snowy hospital rooftop. It was there that Kousei finally realized how scared she was. So seeing her smile now made him smile too.

"Yo" he said in return.

"I heard your performance left the audience speechless" she said. "I guess they didn't like it".

"H-hey, wait a sec-" he said before she started laughing.

That sound... How long has it been since I last heard her laugh? I think it was back on the roof when I told her I want us to play together again. Kousei kep smiling. Hearing Kaori laugh took away all the painful memories of yesterday.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding" she still couldn't stop laughing.

Her parents were truly happy to see their daughter laughing again after all this time.

"Me and Ryouko are going to eat something, do you want something, Kousei?" Mr. Miyazono asked him.

"N-no, thank you, Mr. Miyazono" The truth is that Kousei hasn't eaten since before his performance yesterday. But he wouldn't let them know that now.

"Call me Yoshiyuki. Well then, I'll leave you kids talk. We'll be back in an hour or so, please take care of Kao, Kousei" Yoshiyuki told him.

"Can I have some sweets?" Kaori added.

"I'll ask Miura-san if we can get you any." He replied.

Once the door was closed Kousei and Kaori were alone in the colorful room. I never thought I would be glad to find myself in this room... Not after all she's been through here. It was surprising, Kaori's simple presence gave the room a different aura, like the sun on a rainy day.

"Hey" he hears her saying quietly, almost whispering.

Her hair already looked more colorful than it did before. Once she started to give up on herself she also started to lose her color. But a certain boy asked her to dream again, to play with him again. He was a cruel boy, asking her to live... But in the end, their promise let the girl feel the sun's warmth once again.

"I heard you play" she continued.

Does she mean... at the competition? But how...

"Did your parents have a recording or-? He started

"No..." she interrupted him "I heard you while I was asleep..." she said with a warm smile.

The silence that followed was almost embarrassing, but not in an awkward way. It was a solemn silence, like both the boy and the girl wanted to say something but they couldn't.

Kousei didn't know what to say to that answer, although he didn't need to say anything. The room's door opened and Kaori's nurse came in.

"Good morning Kaori-chan, I'm sorry to interrupt but doctors need to see you" she told her in a kind tone.

Kaori wasn't yet able to move, so the nurse helped her to a wheelchair.

"Don't leave yet, I still want to talk to you" She told Kousei before the nurse took her away.

The door closed and Kousei was left alone in Kaori's room. He was still thinking about what he'll say to her once she comes back. I just stood here like an idiot... Tsubaki was right, Kaori likes Watari. I'm a horrible friend...

"By the way, Kao-chan. Is he your boyfriend?" the nurse asked as she was pushing her wheelchair slowly.

Kaori wasn't expecting that question, it made her blush while thinking for an answer.

"N-no, h-he's my... my accompanist. That's right! He's just my accompanist." she answered a little too quickly.

Huh, kids nowadays... That boy looked like his world was ending yesterday.

"A-anyway, what does Miura-san want to tell me? My parents already told me the details about my situation" Kaori asked the nurse.

"He wants to see how you're feeling. You also need some tests. Nothing too serious, don't worry you're not in any danger anymore" The nurse was almost tearing up.

It wasn't only her family that was heartbroken because of Kaori's condition. Seeing such a happy young girl doomed by a disease was painful for everyone at the hospital. Nurse Ayako especially considered quitting her job because she couldn't look the poor girl in the eyes knowing her fate.

This was truly a miracle...

Kousei couldn't think of anything while alone in her room. He just sat on the edge of her bed while looking out the window. Yesterday the snow covered the sky entirely, now the sun managed to break through the barrier and spread it's color around. Kousei was especially captivated by a plane that was heading west.

I hope I can stay in Japan after that contest... I don't want to leave her alone anymore. No. What am I thinking, she doesn't need nor does she want me here. I bet she wishes Watari was here instead.

Tsubaki's words kept repeating in his head. "Kaori like Watari".

He also remembered Watari's words. "It's only natural for the girl you're crushing on to be in love with someone else. Since you're in love with her, she sparkles in your eyes. That's why people fall so irrationally in love."

But Watari said he thinks she cares more about me... Why would he say such a thing? I'm sure he's jus- huh?

Kousei only now noticed a white envelope on Kaori's table. It was laying next to the book she's been reading. A letter? He looked intrigued. It had a black kitty on it, he remembered when she bought it. Before he could think of anything he took the envelope in his hand for closer inspection. He then noticed the writing on the back, "To Mr. Arima Kousei". For me? Why would she write me a letter? He wanted to open it, but before he could even move the door opened again. With a quick movement he put the envelope in his suit's pocket.

"Yo" Kaori said as the nurse brought her back into her room. Still smiling as the nurse placed her slowly on her bed, Kaori turned to Kousei. "Listen, the doctor says I'm going to be fine!" she was almost radiating happiness. So much that Kousei couldn't help but smile. They didn't even notice when Nurse Ayako left them alone again.

"It's gonna be a while before I can walk again, ya know?" Kaori told him. "Apparently I have to take it slowly, at least 3 weeks before I can leave this place. And still a few months before I can walk properly."

"Knowing you, you'll be walking out of here on your own in a few days" Kousei replied with a warm smile.

They stood in silence for a few seconds before Kaori gestured him towards the bed. "Can you... sit next to me?" she asked him while pointing to the chair.

"S-sure" he replied. Still thinking about the letter, Kousei thought it would be a good idea to ask her about it. But he couldn't muster the courage to do it. So instead he just sat next to her, both looking into eachother's eyes. No words were needed for them.

"Now... tell me... I wanted to ask you-" she started looking angry. Did she notice I took the letter? "You know today is a school day, right?" Turns out that the anger he was seeing was just disappointment. "You shouldn't have stayed here all night." She was looking away from him, like she was hiding something she didn't want him to see. "What happens if you're not accepted into that high school you wanted?" She continued, her voice wavering slightly. "Y-you need to start practicing more".

He gave a quiet chuckle. "Don't worry, I got it covered. I'll be happy anywhere as long as yo-" he stopped himself befoer he could finish. "A-As long as I send them th-the recording of my performance. I'm sure they'll accept me if they hear it" he finished a little too quickly. He didn't even notice he started blushing.

This was the perfect time to ask her about the letter. Kousei didn't want to look like a creep, stealing it like that. It would've been easier if he just asked her. Sadly though, he still couldn't muster his courage. He decided to beat around the bush a little.

"H-hey, remember when we went shopping a few weeks ago?" He started.

She turned to face him again. "Yeah, why?"

"I... I recall that you bought some en-" the door opened before he could finish.

"Kao, Miura said you'll be able to leave in 2 weeks!" Mr. Miyazono looked ecstatic, which in turn made Kaori smile.

Kousei got up from his chair. "I th- I think I should leave now." he told them.

Kaori's smile faded as quickly as it appeared. It was only morning, she had so much he wanted to tell him. But she couldn't find the right words.

"O-ok, I'll see you tomorrow, r-right?" She asked him.

"Y-yeah" he replied.

"Here, Kousei. Let me walk you out." Mr. Miyazono said. He noticed how his daughter reacted when Kousei sad he had to leave.

On their way down the halls Mr. Miyazono started telling Kousei the details about Kaori's surgery.

"She was happy to see you" He said. "So, please visit her again from time to time if you're not to busy." He offered Kousei a handshake before he left.

Kousei couldn't go to school now, so instead he headed home. On his way he got a call from Hiroko who was worried about him. "Yeah, I'm going home - yeah, thank you".

As soon as he got home he laid down on his bed. He wasn't able to sleep last night, but sleep wouldn't come now either... Listening to music didn't help either. His favorite song was playing. "It was you, my special one / Who opened my eyes..." The song just kept reminding him of her...

That's right, the letter! he remembered.

He took the envelope out of his pocket and started looking at it. "To Mr. Arima Kousei" it said. Why would she write me a le- no... he realized. This was her goodbye...

"Kaori, we'll bring you some sweets. We won't be long" her parents told her.

Once the door closed she laid down on her bed trying to fall asleep. But sleep wouldn't come. She couldn't sleep now, not after she saw him again.

Kousei...

She decided she could read, and hopefully finish, the book that the two boys brought her.

As soon as she looked around she noticed something.

The envelope!

She only now realized that it was missing. Her heart started racing.

Did my parents... no, it was here when I woke up. Does that mean... Kousei took it?

There. Done. I know I'm moving slowly with the plot but I want to build up their relationship a little more before things get serious. Hope you're not disappointed.

As usual, Thanks for Reading and Have a nice Day!