Thursday - 9:00pm
The atmosphere in the car was tense and thick with unspoken thoughts. Mrs. Yuigahama drove in silence, her focus solely on the road ahead. In the front passenger seat, Yui sat, her gaze fixed on the scenery outside, but her mind likely occupied by her own worries.
In the back, Iroha and Yukino were seated, their faces solemn and their gazes fixed on different things.
Yukino kept staring at the darkened streets through the window of the car, her sapphire eyes fixated on the darkened streets passing by outside the car window. Her gaze didn't take in the surroundings, instead reflecting the swirling thoughts and anxieties that consumed her mind.
Her thoughts were a tumult of worry and speculation, all revolving around one person.
Hachiman Hikigaya.
He had just fainted before her eyes, it'd happened before she could realize what was going on. Fortunately, she'd managed to react before it was too late. Now, Yui's mother, as determined and worried as the group of friends is driving with great speed toward the hospital where Hachiman was sent.
"Any of you contacted his family?" she asked, looking up at the rearview mirror.
"I did write Komachi-san, his little sister earlier," Yukino answered.
"Do you know if they're on the way too?"
"They are."
As Mrs. Yuigahama pushed down on the gas pedal, the car picked up speed, propelling them forward towards their destination with more urgency. The tension in the air thickened, growing palpable as the car raced forwards.
When they reached the hospital, they hurriedly descended from the car and headed towards the building.
At the same time, the Hikigayas were as panicked at the girls. The second Komachi read Yukino's messages, she couldn't help but drop her cell phone to the ground, smashing the screen slightly.
She didn't waste one single second when she ran to alert her parents.
"Go get the car keys, we're leaving right away!" her mother shouted, as she gathered her bag.
In less than 3 minutes, the entire family was gone.
Once the Yuigahamas, Iroha, and Yukino arrived at the lobby of the hospital, they wasted no time in searching for information about Hachiman's whereabouts. Yukino approached the receptionist, taking the lead in inquiring about his room and condition.
"We're sorry but the patient is currently undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers. You must not bother the doctors who are working in this room," The receptionist explained, adjusting her glasses.
"Then could you tell us when we will be able to see the boy?" Yui's mother asked politely.
"Are you and the teenagers members of his family?"
"No, these teenagers are close friends. I am only the mother of one of them. But the family is on the way."
"I see. Then you'll have to wait a little longer. The family has priority to visit him."
Yukino couldn't hide her disappointment. She understood that it was how the system was made, and that it is logical that the family had priority but she would do anything to see him again as soon as possible.
"Alright, girls, let's have a seat there. We'll wait for his parents to come, okay? " Yui's mother suggered and they all agreed.
Yukino reluctanly followed the others and took her seat beside them.
As Yukino looked at her side, lost in thought, both Yui and Iroha shared the same growing curiosity about one thing. And they knew that one of them would have to ask Yukino directly if they wanted to have answers.
"What had happened in your appartment that could have caused Senpai to get an heart attack?" Iroha spoke up.
The memories of the incident came rushing at her like a tidal wave, inundating her mind.
"After you and Yuigahama-san had left, we cleaned up the kitchen and washed the dishes together. It was peaceful, until I notice that there was a stain of chocolate on his shirt. Then I..." Yukino stopped, bitting her lower lip slightly.
She couldn't bring herself to talk about it. Maybe it was embarrassment, or maybe it was because of how horrible the memory looked in her mind.
"...Some things happened and he suddenly collapsed before my eyes," Yukino ended.
"That's all?" Iroha's curiosity didn't erase. She knew it must have been more than it.
"I see... Don't worry, Yukinon. We'll patiently wait for his awakening. And once he wakes up, we will all jump into his arms and not let him close his eyes ever again!" Yui said in an optimistic tone.
She felt that Yukino was struggling to share her memory with them. So she didn't try to make her push it further.
Yui's way to reassure Yukino looked pretty kind of childish. But it sounded like Yui. Yukino wouldn't let her usual self take Yui's words seriously, but this time she shared the same will and longing to hold onto him when he wakes up.
So, with her gaze still fixed on her lap she aquiesced.
"Okay... We'll do that..." She said, her tone low and soft as her fingers fidgeted on her lap.
Hearing Yukino agreeing to that idea surprised both Yui and Iroha. Yukino wasn't the one to let her vulnerable side speak, and seeing this sight of her made Yui feel warm inside. All she wanted now, was to be here for her closest friend and support her in a moment of vulnerability.
Yui took Yukino's hand, causing her to look at Yui with an expression of surprise. Yui's face was so warm and bright, almost angelic.
She let her hold her hand as they continued to wait for Hachiman's family arrival.
A smile formed on Yui's mother's lips. Her eyes were locked on the sight of her daughter reassuring her best friend. She was so happy and proud that her daughter was capable of being such a great friend.
Yui's ability to be a reassuring and soothing presence to someone reminded her of someone who had been present for a big part of her life.
Her deceased husband.
"He would be so proud of you, Yui..." She thought to herself, her eyes closing as her mind replayed every moment her lover would comfort her in his arms during the difficult times.
The minutes went by until the Hikigayas finally arrive.
"Mom, there are his friends." Komachi pointed at the group of girls who were sitting.
The parents looked at them and walked over to greet them.
"Good evening. So you are Hachiman's friends?" the mother firstly asked.
They looked up at her and stood up to politely greet them.
"I am Yukino Yukinoshita, the president of the club your son is a part of," Yukino introduced herself, bowing.
"My name's Iroha Isshiki, one of his friends."
"It's nice to meet you girls. I'm happy to know that Hachiman has such nice friends..." The mother took a step closer to them.
They noticed the striking resemblance between Hachiman and his mother. She wore glasses and had medium-long hair with the same ahoge as Hachiman and Komachi.
She was definately his mother.
"It's been a while, Yuigahama." The mother looked at Yui and her mother.
"Yeah, this time we see each other while he is on a hospital bed again..." Mrs. Yuigahama answered, her expression darkening as she remembered the accident that had occured because of their dog.
Then she turned to Yukino, her eyes analyzing her from bottom to top.
"You said you were Yukinoshita, right?"
"Yes. That's correct," she confirmed.
Yukino was aware that Hachiman's mother knew about her involvment in the car accident. She didn't know what to expect the day she would face her, would she have to apologize for what her family had caused to Hachiman in the past? Or would it just remain a matter of the past?
"We're truly grateful for what you've done. If you hadn't reacted in time, his state would have been worse than it is now." The mother and father bowed to her.
"...I didn't do much."
"You likely saved Onii-chan. Of course you did a lot." Komachi stood next to her parents and bowed as well.
"Now, let's ask if we can see him. It's already been a while since he is there." The mother suggested as her husband agreed.
She led the way toward the reception with her daughter walking next to her. The man glanced one last time at the group of girls before following his family.
"He's quite the silent type." Iroha commented on the father who'd remained silent all this time.
"He is like this in tense situations. He always becomes thoughtful when worry and anxiety fill his mind. If he doesn't talk much, it means he's busy with his own thoughts. So, don't mind him," Yui's mother explained.
"I don't remember Mom talking to him even once," Yui said.
"Well, when we went to his house together after the car accident he had always avoided talking to me somehow so that's why you might think I never did but actually, we did have a conversation in the end."
"How did you manage to talk to him?"
"It was thank to his wife who had convinced him to have a small private talk with me. When we discussed, he admitted that he'd blamed me for the accident, and that he was angry against both of us for having been too careless with Sablé."
"I... I see..." Yui slightly looked down, knowing that he wasn't totally in the wrong.
"But there is no reason to worry about it now, he doesn't blame us anymore. We even got along. So, don't think he hates you or anything, Yui." She reassured.
Mrs. Yuigahama's comforting words did ease some of Yui's fears, but they also inadvertently fueled another's worry. Yukino, listening to the exchange between the mother and her daughter, felt a sense of unease begin to rise within her own chest.
She started to visualize the situation from Hachiman's father's perspective, envisioning the trouble that she may have caused him. The thought of his possible anger and disappointment towards her actions made the tension within her intensify.
"Oh, they're already back." Yui said.
"They said we will be able to see him in around 10 minutes," Mrs. Hikigaya revealed, taking her seat with her husband.
They also followed, sitting down beside them.
Hachiman's mother ran her hand through her black hair, sighing. "I still cannot believe this is happening... Komachi, how many time did I tell you to make sure he takes his pills the same hours his doctor ordered?" she complained, looking at her daughter.
"I know, but when I tried to tell him that he had forgotten, he was already gone."
Without any surprise, the words exchanged didn't go unheard by the others.
"What are you talking about?" Yukino was the first to ask the question.
The woman raised an eyebrow and glanced at Komachi once more.
"They don't know?"
"No..." she answered, looking down.
As she listened to the mother's words, Yukino quickly realized the main subject matter of the conversation.
"Don't know what?" she retorted.
She understood that these people, as a part of Hachiman's family, would undoubtedly possess the answer and information Yukino had been incessantly seeking.
The unawereness of the girl caught the father's attention, snapping him out of his thoughts as he began to pay more attention to the conversation.
"Since you are his closest friends, I thought that you would have known, but it seems I was wrong... Alright, I'll do it, I guess," the mother expressed.
Komachi felt a small tinge of guilt, she would have prefered that the girls learn from Hachiman's mouth and not from someone else's. But in this situation, she knew they needed to know, no matter who was going to say it.
All the attention was now directed at Mrs. Hikigaya, especially Yukino, Yui and Iroha were listening intentely.
"Hachiman is critically ill." Her words hung heavily in the air, casting a pall of grave solemnity throughout the room
A taut, sharp silence engulfed the space, the gravity of her revelation evident in the tension that hung heavily in the air. Each of the girls' eyes widened in a moment of stunned, disbelieving shock, their faces draining of color as the weight of the news settled in their minds.
"I-Ill? Ill like..." Yui searched her words, too scared to bring the worst possibility.
"How bad is it? As bad as Grandpa?" Iroha asked, hoping from the bottom of her heart that comparing him to her grandfather would be exegeratted.
"Not the same kind of illness," Komachi said, taking a deep breath as she finished. "But yes, as bad."
The relief that had started to take hold in their minds was shattered by Komachi's final words, as she delivered the full, devastating impact of the news.
"God..." Yui's mother covered her mouth with her hands, the shock percing her heart.
"A succession of events occured very recently and deteriorated his health, tonight's incident is probably one of those now."
"So... was his last absence at school related to it?" Yukino asked, her voice emotionless.
"Ah, yes. He was absent because he was taken to this hospital. The day before his sudden absence, do you remember what had taken place at school?"
"the Annual Winter Event Marathon Race," They all say in unison, their mind coming into realization.
"Hachiman has always had a fragile health, ever since the childhood. He had to be extremely careful with his physical state and to make sure he doesn't overwork himself in sports." She continued her explanation.
"I told him that he had not to participate in the event, but for some reason he did..."
"For Yumiko's request," Yui spoke up.
"Yumiko? Why did he go that far to fulfill a request?"
She knew that her son was taking part in club activites within a club named The Service Club. But that was all she had been told. The details of these activities weren't shared. And what had disappointed her the most, was that one of the requests requiered him to run that marathon race.
Hachiman had good reasons to refuse, but in this moment he didn't want to reveal his health issues to his friends, so he tried and hoped that he would be able to handle it.
But following Hayato's speed appeared more difficult than expected.
"Hikki was always, like, willing to help other by turning all the troubles toward himelf."
The mother's face slighly darkened, as if some memories resurfaced.
"So he's still doing it..."
Self-sacrifice.
This is the act of placing the needs and well-being of others before one's own, often at a cost or detriment to oneself. It is an act of altruism and selflessness that involves making choices, taking actions, or relinquishing something valuable or important for the sake of someone else's happiness
The idea of self-sacrifice had always been a part of Hachiman's attitude, and only recently had the people around him realized how dangerous this attitude was.
What pushed him to go that far for others? Was it because he was a pure-hearted boy behind those rotten eyes?
Whatever was the source of this part of him, we could be sure of one thing.
Hachiman is a good guy.
His parents, his little sister, his friends, Yukino, they all never stopped repeating him that self-sacrifice was never the best choice to resolve problems.
And guess how long did it take him to finally realize that his way to resolve things could hurt the people who cared about him?
Long enough to cause permanent injury.
...
Pov : Yukino Yukinoshita
...
"Why did you do that..." I mumbled quietly.
Hikigaya-kun risked the health of his heart for a stupid request that he himself didn't care about much.
I really hate when he does that.
He never considers how him being hurt would affect others' feelings, especially mine.
"I must be truthful, especially with you."
He's been sick and never told us. He put himself in danger and I wasn't aware of it...
I don't know how long it'll take him to recover from his illness, though I don't even know what it is even about.
"That wasn't all." Someone suddenly spoke up, and it was Hikigaya-kun's father.
It was the first time I heard him.
His voice sounded like Hikigaya-kun's, but deeper.
"We were told by the doctors that the race wasn't the only reason for his deteriorating condition," he explained.
Then, he turned his gaze toward me.
"Another unknown reason had caused an hyperactivity of his heart."
His eyes remained fixed into mine, I can't describe what his expression was telling but I don't have a good feeling about it.
The rising tension gnawing at me was abruptly interrupted by Mrs. Hikigaya's voice, breaking the silent exchange of gazes between her husband and me.
"Yeah, Hachiman's heart is like unpredictable. It can go crazy over something that wouldn't cause a normal one to have such a reaction.
"Though, the cause of today's incident is similar to the last time. The same hyperactivity of his heart," he revealed.
The cause of his fainting was the same as his last time..?
According to Mr. Hikigaya's words, Hikigaya-kun may have fainted because of an hyperactivity today. The moment we were sharing a... noticeable closeness and intimacy caused his heart to race to the point it provoked an hearth attack.
So... Was it the effect I had on him?
If that's the case, then I might know what was the other reason his father talked about.
Yes... I remember it clearly. What happened in the infirmary room the same day...
This was a day that I tried to dismiss in my mind, tried to convince myself that the emotions I was feeling were not what they seemed. But the truth was, at that very moment, he and I shared the exact same feelings.
The only divergence in our reactions revolved around how each of our hearts responded. While mine pounded ferociously, his... it was as if something entirely different had taken hold within him.
Now I understand why he left the infirmary room so quickly after that. He must have felt like burning from the inside.
"Regardless of what it was, it will not alter the irrefutable truth that the number of his remaining days has diminished."
Wh...
What did he just say?
"Dad... You could have at least let us the time to properly reveal it to them..." Komachi-san complained to her father, her finger rubbing her temple.
"No matter how you were going to say it, the truth remains what it is. Since you've been avoiding specifying it, I'll do it for you."
The impact of his words reverberated through my heart, his veiled meaning stirring up the most dreadful possibilities in my mind.
"Hachiman... is terminally ill."
Komachi-san and her mother looked away from us as the man dropped the bomb.
No... I don't think I've heard correctly.
"We don't even know if he'll make it to his next birthday." He ended.
That was the moment when all remnants of my lingering delusions, those feeble strands of hope that had been clinging to life, shattered into a million pieces.
But now, no excuses remained, no longer could I find solace in the comforting blanket of denial.
"This can't be real. Do you really mean like... Terminally ill? Like it's over?" Isshiki-san said, her lips trembling.
"I think high school students should know the definition of a terminally ill person," The father replied, as if purposefully wanting to stuck the horrible truth into our minds.
Hikigaya-kun's going to die..? That's what they're making me believe...?
I immediatly stood up, one hand covering my mouth and my other arm wrapped around my belly.
"S-Sorry, I'll be back in a minute..." I said, running away from what I've just heard.
"W-Wait, Yukinon!" Yuigahama-san called me out, but I couldn't stop.
I needed to find a place, somewhere to isolate myself and let my mind digest the news.
No... What am I saying? My mind will never be able to swallow such a thing.
I strode purposefully towards the women's restroom and quickly entered, hastily closing the door behind me. A wave of intense nausea washed over me, accompanied by an unmistakable sensation in my stomach that warned of imminent vomit. The rising tide of queasiness grew stronger and more intrusive with each passing moment.
With my back to the door, my body slowly collapsed onto the cold floor. It wasn't my will, I just felt unable to stand on my feet. My heart was pounding uncontrollably in my chest, and my body was shaking from the chills I felt all over me.
This can't be real...
I must be in a nightmare or anything.
No, it is the reality.
I pressed my lip tightly between my teeth, desperately trying to maintain my composure. The tears that stung my eyes streamed down my face in an unstoppable torrent, and my sobs echoed through the empty bathroom space.
"I want something genuine."
Idiot...
"There is no reason to worry about me."
Liar...
I'm really... sick of this.
I can't stand your lies anymore, Hikigaya-kun. Can't you see how much you're breaking me?
My hand moved up to cover my mouth, the feeling of nausea intensified even more. Bit by bit, my hand became soaked by my tears spreading all over my face.
I tried so hard to understand you, to accept your actions even if that went against my ideals. But what did you give me in exchange?
Pain.
I did all of this because of these fucking feelings I have for you.
You said you wanted to be more truthful with me, yet you never told me you were going to die!
The idea of a scenario where you pass away without me or Yuigahama-san knowing the reason makes me sick.
But that is what could have happened... You had so many opportunities to open up to me... I gave you so many... But you never grasped them, you idiot...
I despise you so intensely in this moment, yet paradoxically, I can't help but love you deeply. It's the very depth of my emotions for you that bring these uncontrollable tears to my eyes, making me feel like a helpless child.
I looked up at the ceiling, my breath becoming more ragged each passing second. I pulled my hand away from my mouth, feeling an urgent need to have some air. But even with my mouth free, it suddenly became a struggle for me to catch air.
I coughed, and tried harder to catch my breath.
My hands gripped my chest tightly, my heart had suddenly decided to harm me as well.
Hikigaya-kun...
You're so unfair...
The door of the bathroom suddenly opened, revealing Yuigahama-san's silhouette behind.
I didn't want anyone to see me like this, but now I can't hide.
Taking the sight of me in such a state, she immediatly ran towards me and kneeled down.
"Yukinon! Slow down." She placed her hands on my shoulders.
"Please, breath in, and breath out. Slowly, follow my lead. Do like I'm doing. Breath in, breath out." Yuigahama-san instructed me, mimicking the action of breathing in and out in front of me.
I then proceeded, slowly inhaling the air and then exhaling it a couple of times in a slow rhythm. I feel my breath slowly coming more easily as I continued to do what I was told by Yuigahama-san.
"I'm sorry, Yuigahama-san. I didn't want to show you this." I said, desperatly trying to wipe away my tears but they kept falling without me able to do anything about it.
"It's okay, Yukinon. I said I'll always be here for you, didn't I? So cry with me as much as you want." She pulled me into a tight hug. "We're all heartbroken from this, so... it's fine, really. I don't mind seeing you like this at all."
I couldn't help but hug back. The feeling of Yuigahama-san's warm and comforting body against mine helped me calming down.
"Thank you..." I let out.
After some times, we pulled away and stood up.
"It's been quite some time, should we go back?" Yuigahama-san asked.
"Probably."
As she left the bathroom, I took one last look at myself in the mirror. All I could see were bloodshot eyes. Something else caught my eye. There was a stain on my back, as if something had wet it.
Without trying to think further about it, I left the bathroom as well.
I got back to where I was sitting earlier and saw Yuigahama-san sitting back next to her mother with Isshiki-san. Only Hikigaya-kun's parents and little sister were gone.
"You're here, are you okay? I was worried." Yuigahama-san's mother stood up and approached me.
"Yes... I just had a hard time swallowing the news..."
"I understand, everyone here is still in a state of shock."
I suddenly felt two warm arms and a softness envelopping me, I was pulled in an embrace by Yuigahama-san's mother. After a few seconds, she let go.
"Remember you're not alone in this, okay?" she said in a gentle tone.
"Yes..." I nodded, looking into her eyes.
"Senpai's family left to see him. Now we're only waiting for them to come back and say if we can see him as well." Isshiki-san informed.
Honestly, I don't know if I can handle seeing him tonight. I am not quite sure..
"Let's have a seat, shall we?" Yuigahama-san's mother suggested which I accepted.
Once seated, we waited patiently for their arrival.
After a ten of minutes, they came back. We all stood up and walked towards them as we spotted their silhouettes coming back to us.
"The cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers went very well. He's currently still unconscious but he's okay," Hikigaya-kun's mother announced.
"Can we go see him?" Yuigahama-san asked.
"Sure."
They silently guided us towards the room of Hikigaya-kun. With each step that closed the distance between us, I felt my heart flutter slightly, betraying my inner turmoil.
"Hey, Yukino-san." Komachi-san called me out.
I looked at her.
"I understand how you must have felt, when Onii-chan got an heart attack right in front of you."
I looked down at the floor, the same scene replaying in my mind.
"It happened to me too."
My eyes widened slightly as they were now back directed at her.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I mean... Mom said that he was taken to hospital last week, it was for a reason."
Then if I understand correctly, Hikigaya-kun probably had passed out later after he left.
"We were on his bike when it happened. As usual, he was riding me home. We were chatting about meaningless stuff and... Out of nowhere, he stopped moving and fell from his bike, making me fall as well." She explained.
"While you were chatting, you never noticed anything strange?"
"Nothing as I couldn't see his face in that moment, but there was still a detail that caught my attention. The ride exhausted him more than usual."
Anyone would be exhausted riding a bike after running a marathon.
"I see..."
"Thankfully we were not on the road, we could have gotten into a car accident!"
"You're right."
When we reached the door to his room, I inhaled deeply, trying to calm the rapid, erratic rhythm of my pounding heart.
"Here we are." The mother announced, opening the door of the room.
I followed the others into the room, and immediately my eyes fell upon him, lying motionless and unconscious on the bed, encircled by various medical apparatuses.
"Did they tell you when he'll wake up?" Yuigahama-san asked.
"They said he was going to rest for a while, and that we should expect the entire night, and even tomorrow." Hikigaya-kun's mother explained, her hand gently tracing the a line along his arm.
"So he won't be able to come for Grandpa's birthday..." Isshiki-san muttered.
We will have to continue the request without him.
"..."
As the discussion went on between Hikigaya-kun's family and my friends, I couldn't pay attention to what they were saying, my mind too focus on his body, unconscious and lying there on this hospital bed.
This same body that is dying a slow death. The more I stare at him, the harder it gets for me to maintain my composure.
...No, I can't take it anymore.
"I... I think I've had enough." I said, interrupting in the middle of the conversation as I immediatly walked out of the room without letting them the time to react.
My soft sobs echoed through the empty hallway as I walked towards the main lobby of the hospital, the desolation magnifying the sorrowful sound of my crying.
When I reached the lobby, I realized one thing.
I forgot my phone in my apartment.
I couldn't call a taxi or prevent my parents. I was left with the option of taking the monorail.
I took a seat and let out a deep sigh, trying to calm down my emotion. With a trembling movement of my hand, I wiped the small tears that had been welling in my eyes.
Then I waited.
I don't know how long had passed since I'm sitting here, lost in thoughts and waiting for Yuigahama-san and Isshiki-san but it must have been near half an hour.
A noise snapped me out of my transe, someone had sit down next to me. I turned my gaze to that person and recognized him.
He only sat, silent and staring forwards.
"I didn't expect you to be involved with him once more," he finally spoke up.
"Neither did ," I answered, looking down at my lap.
"..."
"..."
"Hikigaya-san...?"
He looked back at me.
"I... I apologize for everything that had happened to him because of me."
He looked into my eyes still silent as if analyzing me. I could recognize the same look that Hikigaya-kun would have when he would be thinking thoroughly about a matter.
"If you're talking about the car accident, I don't blame you nor blame your family." He admitted.
"...I see."
"It wasn't you, the person driving the limousine, was it? So, I have no reason to be angry at you right now."
"But... I am still related to the reason of these hyperactivities of his heart."
Seeing how he was looking at me earlier, I felt that he knew that the reason of those hyperactivities was me.
"This couldn't be helped. He's a teenager after all, deep down I knew something like this would happen to him someday, though I didn't expect that it would have been you."
"What do you mean?"
"Much like any other boy of his age, he would undoubtedly cross paths with a girl that would make his heart race, and that girl was you. Simply put, you are the one who elicits such a profound and painful response from his heart."
My eyes widened at his words. Is that really how he sees me?
Did he just recognize me as... the girl his heart has been beating for..?
As his words reached my ears, I couldn't suppress the flutter that arose within my chest. His heartfelt statement managed to strike a profound chord within the very depths of my being, evoking an array of emotions that washed over me like a gentle wave.
"You mean it?"
"Yes, I have noticed that he has changed since the day he joined the Service Club. That's why I think you were the main reason of it."
Indeed, he's changed but... he can't help but coming back to his old ideals, underestimating his own value.
Though, I'm impressed by the way he can make such well thought conclusions from his exterior point of view. Not many would do as much if they could only observe so few of Hikigaya-kun.
"I don't know if you feel the same way, but I think that... You might be able to save him where I failed to."
What does he mean by 'where I failed to'?
"Ah, they're coming." He then stood up.
I followed him as we met back the others.
"It is very late, I think I'm going to take back the kids to their homes," Yuigahama-san's mother said.
"Would you accept to drive me home too?" I asked.
"Sure, I was planning to take you home anyway."
I don't have to worry about how I'd have to get home anymore.
"Iroha, you come with me too?"
"Yeah, thanks."
She then turned toward Hikigaya-kun's parents.
"I'm sincerely sorry for what's happening to your son, you have all my support."
"I hope the next time we meet will be with Hachiman in a good state." She answered, smiling wistfully.
Mrs. Yuigahama nodded and pulled out her car key.
"Well, let's get going girls." She then led the way as we followed after saying goodbye to Hikigaya's family.
The dim, somber landscape outside the car window was a stark contrast to the sterile brightness of the hospital. As the vehicle glided through the night, the streetlights cast an eerie glow upon the deserted streets, their glow filtering through the car's windows and washing over us in intermittent waves. Shadows stretched long upon the asphalt.
The moon hung high above, casting its pale glow over the darkened streets. The silence reigned outside, broken only by the occasional hum of a passing vehicle. In that moment, my mind was consumed with contemplation, my thoughts swirling like the darkened landscape that danced before my eyes.
From the moment I stepped inside that hospital tonight, my mood never stopped degrading. The exhaustion I had been ignoring for a long time was slowly catching up to me, manifesting as a persistent headache that weighed heavily upon my brow.
The silence hung within the car, none of us knowing what to say. Though, it's understable. We all are still digesting what we just learned.
I glanced at my side, seeing Isshiki-san staring at the road as well, lost in her thoughts as some small yawns could escape her lips.
Yuigahama-san's mother's gaze was visible through the rearview mirror of the car, her eyes were clearly showing that she too, was struggling to process all the news.
We were soon arrived at my place before I could even realize the time passing.
"We're arrived."
"Thank you for driving me home." I got out of the car and bowed.
"You're welcome, if you need anything we're here for you, alright?"
I nodded gratefully.
"Bye, Yukinon. See you at school tomorrow." Yuigahama-san waved.
"Goodnight, Yukino-senpai." Isshiki-san waved as well.
"Sleep well, Yukino. Now we'll be leaving."
Each window of the car closed, sealing off the vehicle and marking its slow but certain departure from the parking lot.
As I watched the car leaving the parking lot, I noticed that a familiar limousine was parked.
I see... That means Mother must be here.
This doesn't surprise me. After the incident, the news had probably reached my family's ears. And if they know the identity of the boy who has fainted here, they couldn't be more concerned.
I entered my apartment building and pressed the button to call the elevator as I always did. When the elevator arrived on my floor, I stepped out into the hallway and trudged toward my apartment door, feeling weary to the bone.
Grabbing the handle, it seemed that it wasn't closed with the key, meaning that my family was indeed inside.
Then I opened it and stepped in.
"You're here finally. Where have you been?" Mother was the first to greet me.
"At the hospital where the boy was sent." I responded, gently removing my shoes and coat and placing them neatly in their respective spots.
"We have to talk about what happened, and the boy involved with it, it was..."
"I know."
Suddenly, someone else stepped in the conversation.
"Good evening, Yukino-chan! Such an unexpected turn of events occured it seems."
"Nee-san? Why are you too here?"
"I couldn't just ignore such a thing, you know me."
I let out a sigh, silently acknowledging the inevitability of it all.
I turned my gaze towards Mother and posed a question that had been lingering in the back of my mind.
"Is Father here too?"
"No, for now only I and Haruno are here."
"I see.. "
Tonight's incident involved the same boy who was involved with the car accident. That was probably what had caught my mother's attention.
I can already hear the questions coming, 'What was that boy doing in that apartment?'. I already had to explain the fact I was alone with another boy in the apartment, and in this case it wasn't any boy.
I knew that an in-depth conversation with Mother was imminent, and it seemed that this night would only grow longer, stretching out ahead like a vast, uncharted path.
"Goodnight Yui-senpai!" Iroha-chan waved as she walked towards the entrance of her house.
"See you tomorrow."
"Good night."
I and Mom waved at her before driving away.
Making Hikki stay alone with Yukinon there was an huge mistake.
Iroha-chan was right, we should have been more careful. Though, I thought it'd have been a good thing to them. I never expected something like this to happen.
Now everything is messy between us, and I don't know how the ambiance will be between him and Yukinon when he'll wake up.
It was hard to see the so tough and composed Yukinon breaking down in front of me. I never believed she was capable of acting in such a way. But she only does that when she's alone...
When I saw her in the women bathroom, my body worked almost instinctively and felt the need to take her in my arms.
The sheer desperation etched upon her face betrayed the depth of her love for Hikki. All I could read on her face was pain, anger and mostly sadness.
"This brought back some bad memories from the past." My mom suddenly spoke up.
"What are they about if that's not a secret?"
"Your father."
Dad..? I see...
Mom never wanted to talk a lot about him, all I've got to know was his caractere and his qualities.
"He's died from a sickness."
"Seriously?"
My mom's face sombered as the pain from the past resurfaced within her.
"It started from a simple cold, and it escalated so abruptly..."
"Let's not talk about it if that makes you sad."
She glanced at me, a soft smile forming on her lips.
"Don't worry about me, Yui. I'm not sad, you know why? Because even if he's gone, I know he's still living through the wonderful gift he gave me." She said, her hand patting my head.
"Gift..? What was it?"
"You."
Mom parked the car next to the house and turned off the ignition. She fished the keys from the ignition and pulled them free with a jingle of metal.
"Finally, you'll get the rest you deserved." My mother said, opening the car door.
I got off as well and we headed towards the front door. When we entered we were directly welcomed by our dog, Sablé.
"Hi Sablé! I hope you didnt miss us too much!" She said to our dog.
I slipped out of my coat and bent down to remove my shoes, feeling a strange heaviness in my head, like an invisible weight was pressing down upon me.
Sablé approached me, his little paws padding across the floor as he waddled up to my lap, his head turning in a questioning manner as if asking for attention. I stroked his head affectionately.
"Hi Sablé... you missed me didn't you..?"
"Hey, Yui..." My mother turned to face me, her expression warm and soothing.
"You don't need to hold back anymore, you know..?"
A few warm droplets landed upon Sablé's head, causing him to glance upward at me. My hand, which had been gently patting his head, now grew damp with the warm liquid flowing from my eyes and cascading down, their wetness staining my fingers and skin.
"U-uh..? What's happening? I didn't allow them to fall yet..." I mumbled, feeling more and more of my tears cascading my face.
Though, mom was right. I had no reason to hold back anymore. In front of her, I can let it all out.
So, I let it all out.
My mind wandered back to Hikki's state, and fate. Seeing his motionless body lying on that hospital bed, plus the heartbroken expression of Yukinon had ravaged my heart, leaving it in shambles.
I will lose the boy I love the most in the world, and this fact makes me feel like my heart is being sliced by a sharp knife.
Mom kneeled down to my level and delicately wrapped her warm and soft arms around me, pulling me against her and hugging me tightly.
"That's it," she murmured gently, pulling me close against her chest. "Just let it all out. I understand how difficult this must be for you. Don't keep it bottled up inside; you can let it all out with me. Remember: I'm here for you, now and always." Her soothing words and reassuring embrace enveloped me, providing a comfort that touched the very depths of my weary soul.
"I don't want him to die..." I sobbed, my tears staining her shirt.
"No one wants him to die..."
My sobs escalated, transforming into a relentless torrent of tears that cascaded from my eyes in an almost endless stream. It was as if all the emotions I had suppressed since the beginning were now breaking free.
"Mom..."
"Yes..?"
"Why... Why are we so unlucky with men?"