A/N: You can either curse me for not updating for a long time or you can rejoice with me because I updated. Hee. Yes. Finally the long-awaited(!) Yume o Miru chappie four:) Don't get confused, alright? Just go on with the flow. Please review.
Standard disclaimers apply.
Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed.
Chapter Four: Reality Bites, it Hurts
The doctor placed the stethoscope on top of his table. He sighed. "Well, Ban-kun. It's a good thing you rushed him to the hospital immediately. He would've died from dehydration. Plus, he had a very high fever," he looked at the thermometer. "104.2"
Ban barely heard the doctor. He was just beside Kazuki, stroking his forehead. Suddenly, a shock of hair fell stubbornly over Kazuki's one eye, and he gave it an impatient swipe.
"Doctor, may I talk with the patient?" the doctor nodded. "Alone." He looked at the now-awake Kazuki. "What did you just do? Why did you just faint from dehydration and fever?"
Kazuki smiled. It was a sad smile. "I'm sick, Ban."
Ban rolled his eyes. "Well, obviously. This is a hospi-"
Kazuki cut him off. "You don't understand, Ban. I'm sick. I'm very sick. I have brain cancer."
Ban stared, shaking his head. "No time for jokes… Kazuki."
Kazuki looked angry. "I'm telling the truth. I would not joke about this! I discovered two years ago, and I stopped taking any treatments. I… I'm dying, Ban."
Ban had his hands gripped on Kazuki's slender shoulders. "Why didn't you tell me earlier!" He was almost shouting now. "Why only now!"
Kazuki looked away. "Sorry."
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"Uhm… Ban-kun. You told me that uh…" the doctor paused. "Kazuki-kun has brain cancer, as he stated. Well…" Ban stopped then glanced at the doctor. "I don't think it's brain cancer."
Ban's eyes widened and automatically stood up. "What!"
The doctor backed away, "Well… when we were checking-up on him, we didn't find any cancer cells. We still don't know what possible sickness it is. We will, however, immediately call you up if we found anything informative."
Ban frowned. "Whatever."
Kazuki opened his eyes, squinting when the bright light came in contact with his eyes. He caught a glimpse of a figure sleeping beside him. 'Where the hell am I, anyway?' When he became familiar, he sighed. 'Aah… Honky Tonk.' He looked at the person beside him. "Eh? Ban-kun?"
"Huh?" Ban raised an eyebrow. "Oh, itomaki. You're awake."
Kazuki chuckled. "No, not really." He joked, sarcastically. "What happened?"
Ban stood up, placing his hands on his hips. "You don't have brain cancer, itomaki."
This time, Kazuki sat up. "What? But I-"
Ban cut him off. "You have a different disease, not brain cancer. Whoever doctor told you that will die in hell."
Kazuki didn't even laugh at Ban's dark humor. He closed his eyes, lying down on the bed. "I hate this life."
Ban smirked. "You shouldn't, you know." He walked towards Kazuki's side. "Lots of people love and care for you, itomaki. But… why me? Why did you tell me?"
Kazuki sighed. "I don't know… it's just that… I felt something different when I'm with you. And suddenly I… I forget all my problems. When I'm sad you somehow make me happy. I don't know why…"
Ban's face was emotionless, but inside, he was smiling. He then stepped on something soft. He looked down. "Huh? What's this piece of crap?" He opened the paper. "To see stars in my room. To find out who gave me these bells. The person I love will love me back. To die happy." He looked at Kazuki. "Aren't these your wishes?"
Kazuki immediately stood up, then snatched the piece of paper from Ban. Then he blushed, chuckling. "Yes. I must've dropped it. Sorry." He smiled, sheepishly.
Ban laughed. "You're so cute for an itomaki."
"Stop it, Ban."
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"Eeeehhh… Ban-chan, I'm hungry… Let's get something to eat!"
Ban gave Ginji money, not uttering a single thing.
Ginji knew that something was up. His partner was distracted today, and for the first time, he actually didn't know why. He didn't know what to do. It was rare that he would encounter such things with him. It kind of weirded him out, honestly speaking. "Ban-chan…"
"What?"
Okay. It was either he will a) ask Ban-chan what is wrong and he will be beaten up senseless or b) just leave him alone and let Ban tell him, but definitely not today. Ginji shrugged and chose the latter. "Uhm… nothing."
The bells tinkled, signaling a person enter the café. Ginji's eyes lit up. "Kazu-chaaaaaaaan!" he lunged himself on the itomaki.
Ban choked on the coffee he was drinking then cast over a quick glance at the new-comer. But he looked away as fast as he could.
That didn't go unnoticed to Kazuki. He just shook his head. "Well, Ban-kun… aren't we supposed to drive around town today?" He smiled.
Ban couldn't help but sigh. "Fine… Let's go, Ginji, itomaki."
While Ginji was admiring the beautiful landmarks and stuff in the backseat, Ban and Kazuki sat quietly on the driver's seat and passenger's seat, respectively. Kazuki was looking out the window, who, apparently, was deep in thought.
Ban glanced over at Kazuki's direction. He momentarily clutched the latter's slightly extended hand. Kazuki turned around. "Don't worry too much. I'll be here with you."
Kazuki tried to, but he couldn't hide the smile.
tbc
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A/N: It was a bit short, wasn't it? Sorry… Hmm… expect a lot more updates, alright? I hope… hee… Oh btw, to all pinoys: REJOICE FANS OF RIVERMAYA AND KITCHIE NADAL! They're having a concert in Araneta Coliseum on April 16… I'm definitely going to watch. Erm… hopefully. If I'm allowed to go. OMG. Those are my top fave singers. Wooh… time for pestering power, I guess. D Review, please.
Side note: Okay, apparently, as I am updating this, I discovered that ffn kept scraping off the dashes which I use as dividers. Argh.
