Chapter 26- Wake me up.

"We need matching blood! Type O will do." Kuriyama examined her file before jotting down on her notebook. Yamamoto placed the syringe on the table and went to fetch some gloves. They're working on the antidote.

"This is really really mysterious. I've never seen anything like this." Yamamoto spoke. Kuriyama kept silent.

"How much possibilities that this antidote will work?" he asked again.

"Probably 85%." Kuriyama answered it short.

Yamamoto smiled and continued his work. "You really love that girl, ne?"

Kuriyama put down her file and sighed. "She's like my daughter. We had so much fun together. It hurts me so much to see her dying." She said.

"Ah, that girl woke up yesterday. But she doesn't feel well. She told me her head's spinning and she couldn't see much, her vision is still blurry. Her retina went wrong I think. And her cold sensitivity probably increases. She needed at least 3 blankets." Yamamoto said.

Kuriyama frowned. "I'll definitely save her."

"I know you will."

Seijuurou

Ah, this feeling again. Is she awake? Is she smiling like always? Is she dead? Is she okay? Is she eating well? Did she take her breakfast?

The sunlight pierced through my skin as I opened the curtain, revealing the sweet scenery of Kyoto. Not so sweet now. I checked my phone and there was a message from Yamamoto Sensei who was willing to come to Kyoto to treat Kina.

From: Yamamoto Yuuhei.

Good morning, Sei. She woke up yesterday night. It'd be best if you could see her today.

As fast as lightning, more or less, I rushed into the bathroom, took a short shower and ran downstairs heading towards Kuruki Hospital where Kina is located.

Seikina

Glad I'm experiencing skin-piercing sunlight again. Glad I'm able to breathe again. This is like a dream. It's 8am and I'm lying on the bed, staring at the white ceiling. This must be a ward. The thickness of this bed shows it all.

The door opened. I turned my head, sat up and grinned when I saw him entered. "Akashi!" I exclaimed and he sat on the chair beside my bed.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice low. It's like he's the one who's dying.

"More than okay, don't worry. Have you taken your breakfast?" I answered and questioned him.

He shook his head. "Kina..."

"Hm?"

"... Wake me up, please. Tell me this is just a dream."

I smiled and exhaled sharply. "You're completely awake. This is what you call reality, Seijuurou."

He seemed shocked when I called him by his first name. He bit his lower lip and looked away. "I refuse to accept this."

"Whether you refuse or not, it's still happening. You'll still have to accept this someday." I said. He held my hand, leaned his elbow on the bed, rested his forehead on my hand and closed his eyes, enjoying the moment.

"I hate you."

"I love you." I replied with a grin.

"I hate you, so much. I hate you."

"Words aren't necessary Akashi."

"Keep calling me Seijuurou."

I repeated. "Words aren't necessary, Seijuurou. I mean, we both know we love each other. And we both know I'm not going to—"

"Shut up." He cut me off. I smiled and ruffled his hair.

"Your hair is soft." I commented.

"That's not important." He said.

I giggled. "It is. Every single thing about you is important."

"I hate you." He's starting to sound like a small kid. Like Yukina when I refused to have further walk with Akashi last month.

"I love you too." I smiled, enjoying this conversation.

"Where's Yukina?" he asked.

"Kuriyama Sensei took her for sleepover with Chiharu as soon as I passed out that day. She doesn't know." I answered.

"She must know."

"You tell her." I looked away.

"I will. You'll just have to wait for her to throw eggs at you."

I laughed and threw my head back to the pillow, sighing heavily. "I can't even walk properly now."

Akashi checked his phone then stuffed it in his pocket. "Reo and the other will arrive in another 5 minutes. They're crying tears of joy."

I smiled. "Let's have some breakfast first."

He wanted to protest but I cut him off, "You're eating with me, that's an order." I said and he shrugged, helping me with the food on the tray on the bedside table.

-^.^-

I avoided everyone's eyes when they entered the room. Only the sound of the heater could be heard and I'm really nervous.

"I..." Reo spoke. I knew what he was going to say. "I... I can't I—"

He stopped. I bit my lower lip and looked up. He was staring at me, eyes teary. "Y-you know... I'm sorry ." I said.

"So this is what Akito was trying to tell us?" Kotarou cut in. I inhaled sharply and nodded once.

"Why...?" Reo's question came out as a whisper. I couldn't hold back my tears.

This is wrong.

It shouldn't have ended up this way.

I should be alone in this room, now, waiting for the end.

I shouldn't be surrounded by anyone. At all.

What is my reason moving to Kyoto? Isn't it to not make any friends? Isn't it to live alone and die alone? Isn't it?!

"It's..." I sniffed and wiped my eyes. "It was a mistake. I got to know this sickness last year. I wasn't concerned and don't care at all. But when it started to get worse, I panicked and the first idea is get away from everyone. Mum said Kyoto would be best. Argued with her for a while and eventually Mum let me go. I was determined to not speak at all except around teachers. But suddenly that day, I met Akashi—um, Seijuurou and Yukina was really really attracted to him. I had no choice but to let him follow us. Without me realizing it, I started to talk to him and get along with him well. That was a major mistake. I met you guys. I couldn't push anyone away. You guys are just so... so... i don't know but I love you all so much I couldn't bring myself to tell you. It will hurt you guys but I know, eventually you all had to know anyway. I'm sorry for not telling you this earlier."

Everyone went silent again. Reo exhaled sharply then sniffed. "You don't have to say anything. Just accept the fact and cherish the moments." I said, smiling.

"You are going to survive, stupid." Akashi warned. I giggled. His hands is still around mine.

"I'll miss you guys." I said.

"You're gonna live!" Akashi snapped and looked at me. I frowned.

"You don't know! You won't know!" I shouted back. "Do you know how cold it is?! Do you know it hurts when I walk!? Do you know what I am feeling right now? How I wish I could wipe all your memories and let me die alone! I don't want to die leaving everyone crying! I hate people crying!"

"You're the one who don't know!" he gripped my hand tighter. I winced. "What will Yukina say!? What will she do when she attends your funeral!? What will she react seeing you like this!? HOW!? TELL ME HOW!?"

I gritted my teeth. Everyone was staring at us. Reo, Eikichi, Kotarou and Chihiro. "She'll just have to accept it." I said, my voice went lower.

"When you know this, you should spend more time with your friends! You should cherish your moments with them! You should treasure those memories so you'll die in happiness! What is the purpose of dying alone with no reason to smile!?" he protested.

At that, I was hushed. We were in a staring contest. "I'm sorry." I muttered and turned away.

He didn't reply.

Then it stayed like that.

Silence.

No one dared to speak.