- I just got wonderful news! – Izumi said excitedly, entering the practice room where the Autumn Troupe were rehearsing.
- What is it, Director-sensei? – Taichi asked cheerfully.
- The Autumn Troupe's been invited to perform on the Moon base!
There was silence for a brief moment as the Autumn Troupe were positively amazed by the news. Banri looked over at Juza, whose eyes lit up with joy.
- That's fantastic, Director-chan! – Banri said excitedly. – How did you pull that off?
- I accidentally saw the advertisement the day before the deadline and just sent an application to the space agency. I thought the Autumn Troupe's repertoire is the most suitable for the astronauts, and you guys are the most physically fit in our theatre to fly into space, - Izumi smiled. – So… what do you think of this? Would you like to go to the Moon base?
- Do you really need to ask that? Of course, we're going there. – Sakyo answered sagely. - It's a great opportunity to make our theatre known outside the country. If I'm not mistaken, this will be the first time in history that performing artists will land on the Moon.
- Yeah! We're gonna be the world's first actors to perform on the Moon, – Banri said proudly and glanced at Juza, who met his eyes with calm delight.
- Yay! We're going to the Moon! – Taichi jumped with joy.
- I guess we need to go through basic astronaut training, - Sakyo noted judiciously.
- And also medical tests. They say that both astronauts and space tourists undergo medical screening process, - Izumi was slightly concerned.
- Don't sweat it, Director-chan. We'll pass all the tests. It'll be a piece of cake, - Banri assured confidently.
- You can count on us, Director, - Omi said with a gentle smile.
- We won't let you down, - Juza echoed.
The following week, the Autumn Troupe arrived at the astronaut training centre, which turned out to be a huge complex comprising facilities for physical and psychological training of astronauts, as well as space medicine. After the first round of medical examinations, which included electrocardiography, computer tomography, exercise tests and many more, they finally returned to the Mankai dorm. In a couple of days, they received personal letters with their medical results. The same evening, Izumi called them to an informal meeting at Guy's bar, which was located nearby.
- Well guys, how's it going with your medical test results? – Izumi asked as soon as she and the Autumn Troupe took seats around one of the tables.
- I passed! – said Taichi cheerfully.
- Me too, - Azami stated calmly.
Sakyo and Omi nodded, silently affirming that they too had passed. Juza frowned a little and glanced at Banri with slight concern. The others looked over at Banri too.
- Oi, Settsu, what's with that sour face? – said Sakyo sternly. He suddenly felt suspicious: Settsu would normally be the first one to brag about his results.
- They asked me to come back for a couple of follow-up tests to verify the results, - Banri replied unwillingly.
- What tests? – Sakyo enquired. Banri clicked his tongue with annoyance.
- Re-examination of the endocrine and genito-urinary systems, - Juza supplied and then immediately received an elbow poke from Banri.
- Why a hell did you butt in? I didn't say you could blab about it! – Banri shouted, feeling embarrassed.
- Settsu, this ain't a game, okay? - Juza responded levelly.
- When d'you have to do the re-examination? – Sakyo asked casually.
- This Thursday, - Banri said with a pout.
- Hyodo, you go with him, - Sakyo said matter-of-factly.
- Got it, - Juza nodded.
- Aah?! I'm not a kid! – Banri objected.
- You're worse than a kid, - Juza quipped good-humoredly.
- What'd ya say?! – Banri bristled up.
- Cut it out, you both! – Sakyo snapped. – Settsu, you'll go with Hyodo, period.
- Okay, okay, sure, - Banri answered grudgingly.
A few days later, he and Juza were back at the space agency's medical centre. Juza walked Banri to the door of the first medical specialist Banri was scheduled to visit and waited for him in the corridor. After that, Banri was sent for several tests, which overall took him a few hours, and all the while Juza patiently waited for him at the door. At last, Banri came out the door of the last medical examination room. Juza stood up from the bench he was sitting on and anxiously looked into Banri's face. Settsu was white as a sheet.
- What's wrong? – Juza had a bad feeling.
- I got cancer... - Banri said in a trembling voice, his eyes wide with despair. – Penile cancer, you get it? Hyodo... What do I do now?.. I don't want... don't want to die!..
Banri started to sob uncontrollably, and Juza instinctively wrapped him in an embrace. He felt crushed and terrified no less than Settsu, but there was no way in hell he would show his fear to him...
- Shhh, calm down, - Juza gently stroked Banri's head. – Can it be that you've been misdiagnosed?
- No!.. They said that the second analysis confirmed the suspicion. I have cancer… - Banri responded in a halting, strangled voice. He felt as if the ground was crumbling beneath his feet.
- When's your next appointment? – Juza moved his hand lower and gently stroked Banri's back along the spine.
- Next week. They're putting me in the town's cancer hospital.
- Want me to go with you?
- Uh-huh, – Banri sniffled. – Hyodo, I'm scared!.. I don't wanna die!..
- Don't panic ahead of time... Perhaps it's not that serious as you think… Medicine doesn't stay still, cancer is no longer a terminal disease.
- But… What if I die?..
- We're all gonna die someday... – Juza sighed. – But calm down now, will you? I'm with you... I love you...
- Hyodo... - Banri pulled away slightly and parted his lips, looking into Juza's eyes pleadingly.
Understanding Banri's silent request, Juza met Banri's lips with his own and began to kiss him tenderly, holding him tight to his chest.
It was already late evening when they finally returned to the dorm. The Autumn Troupe and Director Izumi were waiting for them in the living room. Having entered, Banri and Juza sat down on the sofa next to each other, and Banri quietly told what had happened. Everyone was shocked by the news. Izumi and Azami were mortified, Sakyo and Omi became very gloomy, and Taichi broke into tears, throwing his arms around him. Banri bit his lip. It felt almost like a feat not to cry, but he had to allay the worries of his troupe mates, promising to do everything possible to heal and be back with them... Till then, somebody had to replace him in the trip to the Moon and other performances of the Autumn Troupe... However hard and bitter it was to reconcile with, they all knew that the show must go on, with or without him... Having discussed several candidates, they settled on Tsubasa Yoshikawa, the newly scouted member of Mankai Company's extended cast, who was recommended by Yuzo as an experienced and talented actor and also somewhat resembled Banri in appearance.
The next few days before the weekend passed quietly. Banri read his favourite books and magazines, watched the Autumn Troupe's rehearsals, and gave Yoshikawa tips on how to play his role. On the weekend, the Autumn Troupe and Yoshikawa went shopping for the lunar trip. Left alone, Banri started to pack a bag for the hospital. He put his slippers, towel, and basic personal care products into the bag, and then cried. He was so alone!.. It felt like he was worlds apart from his troupe mates now, as if an invisible wall separated them from him... They were going to the Moon, while he was going to the cancer hospital, where he would probably perish… He wanted so badly to be with them, to have Hyodo by his side and argue with him as always! Had he lost all of that forever?.. It hurt so bad!.. Banri was weeping quietly when the door to the room creaked opened, and Juza came in with two large bags in his hands. Banri quickly wiped away his tears, but his tear-stained eyes didn't go unnoticed by Juza, who made a heroic effort to appear calm.
- Settsu, I got you something. Wanna have a look? – Juza said as he set the bags on the floor and pulled out a small package from one of them.
- What is it? – Banri tried to smile, but couldn't.
- Here, - Juza sat down on the floor next to Banri and pulled out a small velvet box. – Give me your hand.
- Uh? An engagement ring? – Banri couldn't believe his eyes.
- Yes, - Juza gently pulled Banri's left hand and put a silver metal ring with a small lilac gemstone on his ring finger.
Banri's eyes flashed with joy for a moment as he stretched out his fingers and looked at the ring. It had a simple yet stylish design, just the way he liked it, but it was special in a wholly different way... It was a tangible proof that Hyodo loved him and wanted to marry him... Besides, the fact that Hyodo knew his taste well and chose the ring thinking of him was just so nice... But the harsh reality was that his life was in grave danger...
- But... If I die, this ring... – Banri uttered in a wavering voice.
Juza shook his head slightly in disagreement, looking up into Banri's face.
- I just wanted to buy it for you. I don't need anyone besides you, - Juza took Banri's hand and laid a tender kiss on his palm. - If you go, all I'll have left is theatre and my memories of you. But I hope that you won't leave me behind.
With a soulful moan, Banri threw his arms around Juza's neck and clung to him tightly. His shoulders shook as he tried but couldn't hold back his sobs and tears flowing from his eyes onto Juza's shoulder. Juza stroked Banri's back soothingly and bit his lip as his eyes stung with tears he was fighting back... He wished so badly that Settsu wouldn't cry, but he knew he just had to let him cry it out to get at least some relief…
The following day, Juza called a taxi and then carried Banri's hospital bag outside. When the taxi arrived, they rode to the cancer hospital, where Mankai Company had reserved a high-comfort single-bed ward for Banri. After having Banri checked into the hospital and helping him settle into the ward, Juza pulled him into his arms.
- Well, what happens next? – Juza nuzzled Banri's hair, breathing in his scent.
- They're going to do more tests to determine the stage and prescribe treatment, - Banri responded. – More importantly, you're flying tonight. Did you prepare well?
- Mm-hmm. Don't worry about that. Focus on your treatment, - Juza pulled away slightly. – Well, I gotta go now.
- Yeah, - Banri let go of him with a sigh. – I'm gonna watch the live stream.
Juza looked into Banri's eyes for a moment, then pecked a farewell kiss on his lips and headed out.
