*prologue*
the cough had progressed so that it hurt to even breathe, and after an attack, there was an unquenchable fire deep in her chest. she lay in the hospital bed, ignoring the silent figure who was standing nearby. Another attack was coming. she could feel it.
"sae." the girl collapsed into the chair next to the bed, helplessly watching as the pale figure's lungs poured out their battle cry and the room was full of coughing and wheezing. the tan girl watched as mucus flooded from the mouth of pale lips. she watched as it flowed onto the girl's chin and drizzled down her neck. she watched and winced-- and shed a tear.
"god, sae! why are you doing this? i can't believe what's happening!" the girl buried her bronze face into her shaking hands. more calmly she said, "should i call the nurse again?"
"what's the use!?" sae broke her silence. "i'm dying, and glad of it. you already tore my life to pieces. i just wish it would hurry up and finish the deed." she closed her eyes.
"don't talk like that, sae! look. you haven't exactly been a great friend. but neither have i. let's start over. we can fix this."
sae sighed, "it's too late for that, momo." she shook her head.
momo sobbed. she cried until her gut hurt. "why are you doing this, sae? as much as you've made my life hell, i want to help you! at least let me try!"
"why, so you can feel better about yourself when i'm
finally dead?" another attack suddenly came upon her, and it seemed that
the whole world went silent to the sound of those deadly coughs...
***