Three Months.

Chapter 1

It's said when people die, they will always remain in our hearts, and the memory of them will persist. Their actions and their ambitions will all be remembered. That those prominent will go down in the annals of history, to be taught in schools and revered, maybe even becoming legends passed down from generation to generation.

What nonsense. That's only consolation.

"Hey, stop spacing out. Don't forget about your routine medical check-up at eight."

Wha…?

I guess that was Selphie. Or Rinoa. Or Somebody. I really should be paying more attention, but I got a lot on my mind these days, the upcoming SeeD examinations, the recruiting and scouting of new students…. It just goes on and on. Being SeeD commander isn't as easy and carefree as it seems. Plus I was never very good at focusing.

Hmm, what was that again, a routine medical check-up?

Shit.

Its 8.20 now, dammit whoever was reminding me is an idiot. Reminders are supposed to be before the event, not after.

As I ran into Kadowaki's clinic, a thought flashed into my mind.

What a waste of time.

"You're lucky I still haven't left yet, Commander." I felt a hint of well-placed causticity in Kadowaki's tone as I entered the room.

Luckily for both of us, a medical check-up takes no less than 10 minutes, a full body scanner has recently been purchased, and there was
no further awkwardness or unwanted tension. The silence however, was still imposing and the white and cold walls of the clinic offered no comfort whatsoever. I just wanted this to be over as quickly as possible and get on with selection of next year's new recruits.

Come to think of it, there were a few promising candidates, but nothing outstanding. Most were just mediocre and they all looked the same. Same hairstyle, same clothes and even their way of speech during the interviews was the same, it was almost eerie. I guess that's just due to competition and really bad fashion trends. Who in the right mind would find a black cape tasteful, not to mention the grotesque skull imprint on the back.

"Please take a seat; I will come to you in while with the results" As I sat there motionless, I noticed that Kadowaki's an avid bug collector, countless displays of dead bugs litter the walls haphazardly, from colorful butterflies to dull beetles. One particularly caught my eye, Acherontia atropos, it looked just like one of the new recruits, it was black and even had a shape of a skull on its back. Come to think of it, they all looked a little like the insects.

20 minutes have passed, and still no results or Kadowaki. It appears that while technology for body scanning has greatly advanced, that of diagnosing the scanning results have not. The dead bugs aren't helping either; they make this place feel like a mortuary. Thank god for windows.

As I hear some soft footfalls, I quickly perked up. Then I realized that all I was perking up to was more work at the office. Oh well, at least I won't be rotting in here like those bugs.I looked back at Kadowaki, expecting a routine response like:" You fine and healthy", but all I got was:

"Your results are back. I'm not sure how I should say this but……….

Then time seemed to stretch.

… … You have cancer."

Any comments/ reviews much appreciated.