Weakened Heart
Sakura slowly opened her eyes and saw me smiling at her, "Ohayou, Sakura. Did you have a good sleep?" She nodded and yawned, "Um, Ryuichi-kun, what if I--?" "Get pregnant?" I asked, "We used a protection. You don't need to worry." "But, Ryuichi-kun—" I stroke her cheek gently. I leaned closer and kissed her lightly on her lips, "I already told you not to worry, okay?"
It was already Friday afternoon, five days after Sakura and I slept together. Suguru gulped before he approached Sakura, who was about to leave the school, "Sakura." She turned around and saw him. Suguru caught up with her, "Can I walk you home?" Sakura looked down and slowly nodded.
"I'm sorry if I hadn't talked with you these days," Suguru started, "I was just busy with the arrangements for our songs." Sakura shook her head, "I don't mind. It's just normal." Suguru gulped, "You seem like you're angry at me," he thought for a moment, How could I say sorry to her? She sounds like she doesn't care, "As a sign of apology, can I take you to Odaiba Amusement Park?" "Eh?" "I'll take you to Odaiba Amusement Park," he repeated, "It's a date... that is... if you want to." Sakura blushed and smiled, "Ii yo." Suguru blushed back, "Y-You're gonna come?" She nodded in reply. "Then I'll pick you up tomorrow at ten in the morning?" Suguru said, unsure as if asking a question. Sakura nodded, "Okay." He smiled at her. He's been nervous in asking Sakura to go on a date with him, afraid that he'll be rejected. For some reason, he felt at ease whenever he's with Sakura but at the same time, nervous. Could this be fate? he suddenly remembered the time he caught me making out with Sakura. He clenched his fists, Sakuma Ryuichi... I didn't expect him to like Sakura. "Suguru-kun?" "Hm?" "You look pale," Sakura said as she put her hand at his forehead. She caught Suguru gazing at her. They stayed that way, gazing into each other's eyes. Sakura suddenly snapped into reality and blushed madly, "G-Gomenasai." "Sakura," Suguru said, "Did you believe in the teasing of Nakano-san and Shindou-san... about us?" "I know that they only like to tease," Sakura paused, "But I didn't believe in it." Suguru frowned, "I see but it's not just a tease," he looked at her, "It's true." Sakura stopped walking, Did I hear what I thought I heard? "Suguru-kun?" He approached her, "It's true that I...," he gulped, "...that I like you."
Sakura looked out of the window and sighed, Why did Suguru-kun confess only now? Why didn't he confess when I still have strong feelings for him? Before I met Ryuichi-kun." She remembered the words Shuichi said: "Well, that's love. You have to make a choice..." She grabbed her chest in pain and her vision somehow became blurry, Another... attack...? She fell off the chair and tried to call for help but she has difficulty in speaking, especially in her condition now. Luckily, the door opened, "Sakura, can you help me with—" Maiko was stunned when she saw her little sister in pain. She rushed to Sakura's side and helped her, "Is it another attack?" Sakura tried to nod and whispered, "N-Nee-san..." This is bad! Maiko thought, "I'll call an ambulance." Sakura grabbed her hand, "D-Don't... I don't... want to..." "But you're in serious condition!" "I... have to... go... with Suguru-kun... tomorrow..." was Sakura's last words before she lost consciousness.
Maiko looked at the thermometer, Her fever has gone down, she sighed. Sakura's consciousness came back, "Nee-san?" She smiled at her, "How are you feeling?" "A little better," Sakura replied as she weakly sat up. "You should really go to the hospital," Maiko said, "You're sickness will only be worse." "I'll be fine, Nee-san. Don't worry about me," Sakura smiled at her, assuring that everything is all right... wishing that everything will be all right...
"Don't tell anyone about my sickness, especially to Nii-san," Sakura said while fixing her hair, "He has gone through a lot of problems. I don't want him to carry this burden too." "Sakura," Maiko looked at her, She's too kind-hearted. But why does she have to suffer all of this? She hasn't done anything wrong. Her thoughts was disturbed by the doorbell. "It must be Suguru-kun. I'm going, Nee-san," Sakura said before she rushed outside. Maiko heard the door closed and sighed, "Take care, my little sister."
Suguru blushed as soon as he saw Sakura. She smiled, "Ohayou gozaimasu, Suguru-kun." Suguru smiled back, "Ohayou, Sakura... Uh... Y-You look great..." Sakura blushed and looked down, "Arigatou." Suguru cupped Sakura's chin and gave her a quick kiss. "Well then, shall we?" he said as he grabbed her hand and started to walk.
I arrived at the Shindou's residence that afternoon and knocked at the door. "Ah. Sakuma-san, are you looking for Sakura?" Maiko asked. I nodded, "Is she home?" "No," she replied, "She's with Fujisaki-kun." I clenched my fists as I heard my rival's name, "Is that so?" Maiko heard their phone ringing, "Please come in while I answer the phone." I nodded and went inside. Maiko hurriedly rushed to the telephone and answered.
"Hai. Shindou desu."
"Maiko-san!" Suguru said from the other line.
"Doushita no, Fujisaki-kun?"
"Something happened to Sakura! She's in ER!"
Maiko gasped, "Nani!"
"You have to come here quick!"
"Aa, wakatta."
"I'll text you the name of the hospital," Suguru said before he put down the phone.
Maiko stared at the phone, It can't be! I approached her, "What's the matter?" No reply. I lightly tapped her shoulder, "What's up?" "Sakura is sent to the hospital," she said with tears in her eyes.
Suguru covered his face with his hands. He wanted to cry but he can't, Please be all right, Sakura. He heard footsteps coming his way. He looked and saw me and Maiko. "What happened?" Maiko asked. Suguru shook his head, "She suddenly fell to her knees and told me that she was all right and fainted. I don't understand what exactly happened." I looked at Maiko, "I suppose you could explain all of these." She looked down, "I discovered that Sakura has a heart sickness the time before she graduated at middle school. She told me to keep it a secret. I didn't know that it would reach up to this." Then why doesn't she want to tell anyone!" I shouted angrily. Maiko avoided my eyes, "She doesn't want us to worry." Suguru looked down to let his hair fall to his face, hiding his tears, "I understand her. She's too kind-hearted. She always thinks of others first rather than herself." A doctor went out of the emergency room. We quickly approached him with prayers that Sakura is going to be okay. "Sensei, how is she?" Suguru asked. "Shindou Sakura-san has 50/50 chances of living," the doctor replied, "If we are going to transplant a heart and replace hers, she may have a chance to live," the doctor bowed, "Shitsurei shimasu. We will be taking the patient to her room right away." Maiko fell to her knees, tears continously flowing. "Maiko-san," Suguru supported her, "Please hang on. We'll be able to solve this problem." There's no way that Sakura will die, Maiko thought, She mustn't die!
Ryuichi: (cries and wipes tears using his Kumagorou) Wah! Yukino-chan is a meanie! 'Till next chapter sniff, minna sniff!
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Translations:
Aa, wakatta
Okay, I understand
Arigatou
Thank you
-chan
Honorific. Can be used either as a diminutive (e.g., with a small child—"Little Sasuke"), or with those who are grown, to indicate affection ("My dear").
Doushita no?
What's wrong?
Gomenasai
Sorry
Hai, Shindou desu
Hello, this is Shindou residence
Ii yo
Okay
-kun
Indicates familiarity or affection.
Nani?
What?
Nee-san
Elder sister
Nii-san
Elder brother
Ohayou/ Ohayou gozaimasu
Good morning
-san
Honorific. Carries the meaning of "Mr.," "Ms.," "Miss," etc., but used extensively in Japanese than its English equivalent.
sensei
doctor
Shitsurei shimasu
Excuse me