Tears

Shuichi: This Chapter 11: Tears will have two parts.

Ryuichi: Continuation of the flashback and the present time for the ending na no. (stares at the script) Huh! Ending na no ka?

Shuichi: Sadly, yes, this is the last chapter for Ryuichi's First Love.

Ryuichi: Nooooo na no da!

Shuichi: But Yukino-chan palns to make a continuation of this story after she's finished with Ai no Sasuke: Futari Dake De.

Ryuichi: (whines) But that's a long time na no.

Shuichi: Yeah. (whispers) Let's hope Sasuke-kun won't be able to narrate his story. Well then, I'll start narrating the chapter.

Ryuichi: (nods)

Hiro and I are watching a Nittle Grasper video at my room. I was singing along and acting as if I was Sakuma Ryuichi. "Shuichi, I can't watch Nittle Grasper with you singing in front of me. I can't see," Hiro complained. "But you're watching at my room." "And you borrowed this video from me." We heard footsteps from outside. Hiro quickly stood, "It must be Sakura-chan." He rushed out of the room to take a look, "Sakura-chan." "Hiro-san?" He put his arms on Sakura's shoulders, "Sakura-chan, why did you already had a boyfriend?" Sakura blushed, "Wha-What do you mean?" "I mean—" "Cut it out, Hiroshi," I said, "You're scaring her." He sighed, "Oh, all right. Whoever that guy is must be really lucky," and went back to my room. Sakura blinked, "What exactly happened?"

"Nee, Onii-san," Sakura stated, "Did Hiro-san mean yesterday?" "Oh that? Just forget about it," I replied. "Yeah, forget about it. I was just kidding," Hiro said. "Hiro-san." He waved his hand, "Don't worry about me," and sighed. "Ah," I saw the construction area near us, "That's gonna be a tall building... Nee, Maiko, are you okay?" She was walking ahead of us, "I'm going to be okay is Sakura weren't here." Sakura frowned, "Then I'll—" Hiro held her hand tightly, "Stay with us." She nodded in reply. "GET OUT OF THE WAY!" someone shouted. A shadow was closing down at us. We looked above and saw a bunch of steels falling down at us. "Let's get out of here quick!" Hiro said as he pulled us away. "Maiko!" I called, "Maiko! Oi! Maiko!" But her feet was kept firm on the ground, staring above the bunch of steels closing up at her. "Onee-san!" Sakura pulled her hand away from Hiro and rushed at her sister. "Sakura," I struggled from Hiro's grip. "Shuichi, don't go there! You'll die!" Hiro said fighting with Shuichi's struggle from him. "No! Sakuraaa!"

A water dropped. "What?" Her eyes fluttered open. "Wh-Where—" "Ah. You're awake, Shindou-kun." Maiko turned to see a middle-aged nurse, "Where am I?" "At the hospital," the nurse replied. "At the hospital?" she repeated.

I tapped my foot on the floor with my hand crossed. I was leaning on the wall this way. Hiro was on the seats, his hands covering his face. I couldn't tell if he was crying or what. It's been an hour or two since we arrived at the hospital and Sakura is still at the operating room. After a minute or so, my uncle went out. I quickly approached him and asked, "How's Sakura?" He sighed heavily before answering, "She's going to be all right now. She had her arm and ribs broken and she lost too much blood because of her deep injuries. Right now, we're transferring blood to her so don't worry." "Thank God she didn't die!" I breathed heavily. Hiro put down his hands from his face as he heard that Sakura's life is no longer in danger, Sakura.

Maiko's face lit up as she saw Hiro enter the room. "Hiro-kun!" she noticed that him glaring at her, "What is it?" "Maiko," Hiro growled, "Do you still hate Sakura-chan after saving you from sure death?" "Hiro-kun, you know that I really hate her," she ignorantly replied, "...and who wouldn't?" "Don't mess with me!" Hiro shouted, "Sakura... Sakura-chan loves you even though you hate her so much. When she woke up a while ago, she was looking for you, asking if you're all right." Maiko looked away, "I..." "Think about it," Hiro said as if ordering her and went straight out without glancing at her. He sighed as he closed the door, It has been my first time to get really angry. But then, I couldn't stand to watch Sakura-chan suffering... suffering all of her life from the pain...

Maiko sneaked out of the room and searched for Sakura. Shindou Sakura. Shindou Sakura. Shindou—Ah there it is! she saw Sakura's name below the room number, Good thing her room is at the same floor as mine. She nervously turned the knob and opened the door. The lights are still open. Someone is still awake, she gulped. She slowly entered the room and saw me and Sakura chatting. Sakura was the first to notice her, "Onee-san." I turned and saw her, "Maiko, why are you out of your room? Your injuries—" "They're just scratches," Maiko said, "I came here to see Sakura." She approached us and bowed, "I'm really sorry for all that I have done. Hontou ni gomenasai!" "M-Maiko?" She stood up straight and looked at Sakura, "I was really a jerk. acted so cold to you but you still call me you sister. If I hadn't realized it..." Sakura started to cry. "Sakura, daijoubu ka?" I quickly sat on her bed and hugged her tightly. "Onee-san," she said betweed her sobs, "You don't need to apologize. I already forgave you long ago." Tears of mixed happiness and relief flowed from Maiko's eyes. She sat on the other side of Sakura and hugged her, "Arigatou."

Ryuichi: It's my turn to narrate na no!

Sakura slowly opened her eyes. She fell something cold holding her hand. Wanting to know who it is, she turned to her left and saw a sleeping Suguru, Suguru-kun... She felt weak, thinking that it's because her sickness, she closed her eyes once more and drifted off to her slumber.

I heavily sighed, Sakura went fine but I still can't accept Suguru's... I clutched my head, "Kuso!" "Ryuichi-kun? What's the matter?" I gasped and looked at her. She wasn't pale-faced anymore and her breathing seems normal. "Sakura, how are you feeling?" I asked. She smiled, "I'm feeling fine. Don't worry." I smiled back, "That's good." "For some reason," she continued, "It doesn't hurt anymore. I don't know why." "I know why," I paused, "Suguru... Suguru also underwent the operation." "Suguru-kun?" she repeated, "You don't mean that he—" I nodded, "Yes. He just died a while ago," I bit my lip. Sakura felt stunned, "I-It can't be... I can't be!" She started to cry, covering her face with her hands. I quickly hugged her tightly, stroking her hair, "Sakura, look, Suguru did this because he wants you to live. He wants you to be happy." She shook her head, "He didn't have to go that far just to save me." "Suguru wants you to live," I said, searching for the right words to say, "In return, you should live happily for his sake." Sakura opened her eyes, "Live happily for his sake?" I nodded. "Ah!" We turned to look and saw Shuichi, Maiko and Hiro. "S-Sakuma-san and Sakura are," Shuichi said, pointing at us, "...are...are..." Hiro saw Sakura, "Hm? Sakura-chan, are you crying?" She quickly brushed her tears away, "Doushite minna-san ga koko ni iru?" "Why? To visit you of course," Shuichi replied. Sakura smiled, "Arigatou."

Ryuichi: End of story na no.

Shuichi: It's been a long time and this story has finally ended.

Ryuichi: By the way, where is Suguru-kun na no ka?

Shuichi: He left me this letter. I don't know what's inside yet.

Ryuichi: Let's open it na no. (snatches the letter and reads) It says: "Konnichiwa, minna. I'm not needed for the story anymore so I got the permission from Yukino-san to have a vacation at Hawaii. I hope everyone finishes the job. Ja ne." So that's what he said na no.

Shuichi: He already took a vacation ahead of us! That sneaky Fujisaki! I'm going to Hawaii too! (walks away)

Ryuichi: Ah! Shu-chan wait! (turns to readers) See you at the next story na no. (pulls out Kumagorou) Hm? What's that na no ka? (turns to readers) Kumagorou said to take care na no. Bye bye na no da! (follows Shuichi) Wait na no, Shu-chan!

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Translations:

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").

Daijoubu ka?

Are you all right?

Doushite minna-san (ga) koko ni iru?

Why is everyone here?

Hontou ni gomenasai.

I'm really sorry.

Ja ne.

See you.

Konnichiwa, minna-san.

Hello, everyone.

-kun

Indicates familiarity or affection.

Kuso.

Damn.

Nee/Oi.

Hey.

Onee-san

Elder sister

Onii-san

Elder brother

-san

Honorific. Carries the meaning of "Mr.," "Ms.," "Miss," etc., but used extensively in Japanese than its English equivalent.