The next day, Hinawa was waiting in an exam room, surrounded by medical equipment. He felt that a doctor's appointment was unnecessary, but it was mostly for Maki's sake, so she'd quit worrying. He was sitting on the exam table in a hospital gown and his underwear when the doctor came in.

"So you're here because you keep coughing up blood, correct?" he asked.

"Yes, sir." Hinawa sat up a little straighter.

"How long has this been going on?"

"I've been coughing for about two weeks, but I've only been coughing up blood for the past few days," Hinawa said. "It's not prohibited me from doing my job, but I still would like to know what is causing me to be sick."

The doctor checked his neck and mouth. As he pulled out his stethoscope, Hinawa calmed himself. He's just checking my chest. There's nothing wrong with my chest. The doctor moved the bell of the stethoscope around his chest, and Hinawa breathed when he was ordered to. It was painful to do so; it was like someone was cutting his lungs from the inside.

"So, Lieutenant Hinawa, have you ever heard of Hanahaki Disease?" the doctor asked.

"Not really. Why?" Hinawa said.

"The disease, caused by unrequited love, starts in the heart and lungs. It then manifests itself as petals coughed up by the victim, and once the victim coughs up full flowers, they die."

Unrequited love? Death? Hinawa thought. It was a lot to process. "H-How do I treat this? What do I do?"

"There aren't many regular treatment options for you; the ones not endorsed by medical professionals are that the person you're in love with has to return your feelings or just to let the disease run its course." the doctor said.

"But that's crazy!" Hinawa yelled.

"The third option is that you can have an operation to remove the flowers and never love again. It's a drastic measure, but about half of our patients choose this option."

Hinawa paused. Never love Maki again? "I'm supposed to decide between death and-and not being able to love again? That's insane! I can't make that decision!"

"You don't have to decide today," the doctor told him.

Hinawa was frantic. He felt an anxiety attack coming on; he couldn't have an operation. Or at least not one that put his and Maki's relationship on the line.

"I'd rather die than not love her," he said, his voice shaky.

"Well, it looks like you've decided," the doctor said. "But if you ever change your mind, please feel free to make an appointment, and we'll get you set up."

Hinawa waited until he had left before exploding in small fits of rage and sadness. How could he possibly decide between death and Maki, of all people? He wanted to collapse into tears in the exam room but felt it'd be best to wait. When he got back to Company 8's cathedral, he was ambushed by his squadmates, all wanting to know if he was given a clean bill of health.

"Yeah, it's just the flu, is all," he lied. "I should be better within a few days."

"That's great!" Maki said.

"I know. I'll be resting in my room if anyone needs me," Hinawa said. He walked toward his room, passing the large stained glass windows in the hall. He stopped and looked up at one of the windows in thought.

I can die from this, he thought. I want to love Maki without worrying about dying. Is that so much to ask for?

As Hinawa opened his bedroom door, he reached inside and flipped on the light switch. He tossed his jacket over to the chair in the corner and sat down on his bed, his heart heavy.

Should I mention it to anyone? he wondered. I mean, maybe having this disease won't be so bad if someone else knew about it. But then they could tell Maki, and I'd have to worry about that.

He was lost in his thoughts when he heard someone knocking softly on his bedroom door. He made his way over to the door and opened it to see Maki standing in the hall. She was teetering back and forth on her heels, hesitating on her question.

"Maki, what is it?" he asked.

"Do you have the flu?" she asked him.

"Yes," he lied.

"I-I don't believe you!" Maki cried, her fists clenched at her sides.

Hinawa's hand clenched around the doorknob. I can't let her know. "I promise it's just the flu. I'll be better in a few days."

Maki scrunched her face up and stared at the floor, her lip quivering. She felt that, in her heart, she should trust him, but there was just something about the way he had been acting that she didn't like.

"I'm sorry for bothering you, Lieutenant Hinawa. Goodnight." Maki turned and headed down the hall to her room.

Hinawa sighed in confusion. He didn't know what was going on with Maki lately. It felt like he never understood her anymore. He wanted to chase after her but didn't. She'll come back to me, he thought.

Maki walked into her room and fell to her knees on the floor, sobbing. She knew in her heart Hinawa wasn't okay.

"Why won't he tell me the truth?" she cried. "I know he's sick. I know it's not the flu."

Maki held her arms close to her chest for a few minutes before standing. She knew that she'd been bothering the lieutenant a bit lately, so she felt that if she left him alone, he might explain to her what was wrong.

Does he not trust me anymore? Maki wondered. She knew that that was wrong; she knew that the lieutenant trusted her completely. I don't know the truth anymore. If he trusts me, he'd tell me what was wrong with him, right?

She laid down in bed and faced her wall. Her thoughts raced with the news, or lack thereof that the lieutenant was giving her.

I'll talk to him again tomorrow and see what's going on, Maki thought before closing her eyes. That is if I can speak to him.