There's a boy who always stays in silence.
In the years that Yashiro has labored within this small hospital, there never was someone like this before for as far as her memory goes.
Apparently, he ended up in that hospital bed because of an accident. The only survivor it seems.
A sad thing.
Accidents have become a normal thing for her to hear, after all they're the reason to why most of the patients attended the hospital in the first place. Whether they are something small or a big tragedy, it was still a sad reason. But she has learned to accept reality instead of looking away.
There's a boy who stares at nothing.
Yashiro liked to believe that it was also part of her job to not only that not only taking care of the patients in a literal sense, but also to care in the sense of giving them hope.
But this boy who always seemed as if he were detached from the world, who's eyes didn't beam; it worried her. He was too young to be trapped inside four white walls. He should be outside, playing under the sun laughing alongside the others kids of his age. Instead, he was chained to a machine that showed his heartbeats, the scent of medicine and chemicals though the air. Limbs tangled in between tubes with needles connected to his skin as serum made its way inside his veins in hopes of recovery.
Such a sad sight, it pained her heart.
Yashiro thought, if he can't go play outside then she would bring the fun inside.
But first she would first try with little steps. And so, she would always come with the intention of starting a small peep talk the times she came to see him. Her first objective was simple, make him talk to her. She would first ask for the important questions;
"Are you tired?" His response would be a shrug.
"Are you hungry?" He would shake his head.
"How are you feeling?" He would keep staring at the outside.
There would be no response after that.
And that was the sign for her to try again the next day.
There's a boy who is lonely.
As for now, her instructions were easy to follow; She would bring his meals to the assigned hours, as well to make sure the serum didn't run out but when so then to change the bags if necessary, and to provide any help he requires, but that goes untold.
One day however, she decided to try something different.
She stands beside the door. Ruby eyes gazing at the boy who's focus is still lost. Her hold on the knob would tightened for a second, it this the right thing to do? she doubts but it soon vanishes. Of course, it is, she's not making any harm after all, this is her way of helping.
Taking a deep breath, Yashiro allows her body to relax. She will just talk to him, and this time she will succeed.
As she makes her way inside the room, she gently approaches. Making sure her steps are loud enough for him to hear; she takes a seat at the feet of his bed.
The first thing that changes, it's that the boy turns his head towards her. Big bright amber eyes looking at her with a layer of surprise shining in his curious gaze.
Her lips curls in a soft smile.
Instead of asking if he's tired, Yashiro asks for his favorite color. His response is a soft blink.
Instead of asking if he's hungry, Yashiro asks for his favorite food. His response is a shy gaze.
Instead of asking how he's feeling, Yashiro asks for his name. Despite her being already aware of this fact, she waits patiently in hopes to hear it not from other people or a sheet of paper, but from him.
His lips part, a quiet tone meeting her ears.
"Amane." Is his response.
There's a boy whose words are quiet.
When she comes to see him, one of the things that changed were that now every time she arrived, she was now welcomed by the sight of shy amber eyes.
He would never be the one to start the conversation, instead waiting for Yashiro to be the one to talk first. She didn't mind of course, she understood. So, she greets him first with soft words just to be rewarded by a clumsy reply followed of a blush.
They would talk of little things at first.
"Which flower do you like?" She once asked. Camelias was his response, his words tripping at the name. She didn't mind, instead she grew curious and asked for why. His response was careful.
"When we were young, there was this old lady how would give us candy if we help her with her grocery bags. She would also invite us for dinner, she even taught us many things. She was really nice; it was fun being with her." He explained. 'We' Yashiro noticed in his speech, but didn't say a thing. "She had a garden full of red flowers, it was really pretty. When she passed away, one of the things she left behind was her garden. 'Camelias' where those red flowers we always saw at the entrance of her house. They remind me of her." He fell silent. Yashiro's gaze softened, her hand moving to his head.
"Do you want to see the flowers again?" She questioned softly. He bit his lip.
"I don't know." He whispered.
The room fell in silence.
Feeling Yashiro's hand caressing his hair with affection, Amane allowed himself to close his eyes, leaning in her touch.
There's a boy whose memories are melancholic.
There was a time where Amane grew the courage to ask if it was ok for him to go outside. At first it took her off guard, but then she became wary, despite being glad he now had the confidence to ask her for things, she wasn't so sure if it was ok for him to leave the room. He just had a surgery not so long, maybe a few days ago, still she was aware there were more to come soon enough, so for him to be outside in such frail conditions wouldn't be the best option.
But then it was that part of her who felt weak to indulge at his request, rare if not absent were the times he requested something, the least she could do was to accept them.
But as much as she wishes to say 'of course' she'll need to stop herself, not out of malice but for his sake.
However, she can't bring herself from saying those words that will most likely extinguish that shine in his eyes, so instead she carefully thinks of her words and says in a singsong tone.
"My, that's a surprise! Would you be kind enough to share with me what would like to do outside? It's chilly tonight."
To her relief, he didn't seem disappointed and neither took it as some kind of mockery. Instead he plays with his thumbs, his eyes falling on the sheets that covers his lap as his heads lowers in timid excitement.
"The calendar says today there'll be a full moon and I was wondering if it was okay for me to see it." His voice is low, a small smile curled on his lips. "It's being a while since I have been able to stargaze." His cheeks are dusted in pink.
Of course, no matter how much her mind screamed to think about it more carefully, Yashiro felt unable to say no at such innocent words. Promising to be back she left in a heartbeat only to return with a couple of prompts, things such as wheel chair and a couple of extra serum bags. If she was going to make a possible reckless act then better be safe than sorry.
It was all worth it. His reaction at the feeling of the gentle breeze collide with his body, his smile at the sight of the stars twinkle in disguise, and his glimmering eyes when they encounter the full moon he was promised.
He laughed vividly, just like every other child does when they are rewarded or the fact of simply feeling joy. He pointed with his index up to the sky, tracing the constellations while from his mouth escaped multiple facts, myths and even legends, all about the space and beyond.
The smile in her lips never left, watching with adorating eyes his passion and excitement. She made sure to pay attention to all he had to say, she may not be fond of astrology as much as he does, but the way he told it gave her the feeling like she was been told a tale.
By the time they left, it was already past his bedtime.
There's a boy who loved the night.
One day Yashiro was surprised with Amane being the one to start the conversation before she even had the time to greet him like she usually did.
"You know? I promised to meet someone on the moon." He said suddenly, taking her off guard as well as leaving her at a loss of words.
'Who?' She wished to ask but could only stare. Paying no mind to it he continued.
"I'll be soon seeing him again." A soft, tired laugh escaped his lips. " I have been such a bad older brother. Making him wait, that is." His body sank on the bed.
Unable to find her voice she could only wonder, why to say something like this so suddenly? Something felt off. First of all, it wasn't his fault what happened, there was no way a child like him would be the one at fault of such a tragic incident in which he was a victim.
From him to lose his relatives only to be rewarded with a weak state. Chained to machines who offered the life support he needed. Surgeries that did what they could to bring his body to what once were before; removing shards of metal and glass, joining tissues and closing wounds.
To survive so traumatic event and live what was next, only to think of it as his mistake. Yashiro couldn't help but frown.
Amane kept talking.
"I once wished to be an astronaut. He wanted to be a painter. In the end I guess it didn't work out." There was no irony in his words only resignation.
Her heart shrank.
"Don't say that," She comforted, taking seat at her usual place by the feet of his bed, she palmed over his covered knee. Her gaze understanding and patient. "I'm sure you can both fulfill your dreams." Her eyes shined with determination.
Amber eyes blinked dumbfounded. His expression reflecting his surprise only to fade before she could catch it. Allowing himself to settle in bed, his hands rested on his lap. His eyes softening.
"Tell me, do you have people you love?" He asked instead, now it was Yashiro's turn to be surprised.
"Ah," she murmured. "Well of course. There's my husband, my son, my parents, my friends, " she paused, her eyes falling on him. "you." He smiled.
"You know, aside from him, you are actually my first friend." He admitted, the moon shinning over him. "Which is funny, since i don't even know your name." Yashiro stopped. He did not?
"I'm sure you must have said it before, but at that time I wasn't feeling fully like myself, so I don't really remember much from it." His gaze became ashamed. "Sorry." He was quick to explain before she could open her mouth. Leaving her past question and confusion in oblivion, Yashiro blinked only to soften her features.
"Then, let's start again." She suggested, capturing his attention once again. Taking his eyes off his lap, her ruby eyes meet again with those familiar amber eyes who reminded her of the sunset in an afternoon. Her tone was kind. "My name is Yashiro Nene, your assigned nurse who'll be on your watch from now on. Nice to meet you."
Her expressions became soft, a welcoming look on her face. He blinked softly, giggling, he mimicked her expression all the same.
"I'm Yugi Amane. Nice to meet you, Yashiro." Her hand reached his head once again, her fingers tangling in between his brunette locks. Feeling himself grow calm, he closed his eyes.
"I think, the closest thing I have felt similar to fall in love had being the times I have watched the sky." He says. "Maybe I love the moon the same way you love your husband, and maybe I love the stars the same way you love your son." Yashiro hummed.
"What about that someone you will meet?" He laughed.
"I love him the same way you love your family, and I love you the same way you love your friends." A yawn follows right after his words, Amane leans close to her touch. His body felt heavy, the tiredness slowly taking over him, demanding to rest. Yashiro moves closer, taking his small body in her arms, she continued patting his head.
"And I love you too." A tear rolled down her cheek.
There's boy who fell in love with the moon.
There's a boy whose first friend was her.
But when the next morning came, there was no boy anymore.