The hospital waiting area glowed under soft white lights.
Kasumi sat on a bench, hands trembling, face pale with fear.
Beside her, Yeamori tried to stay calm. Ren slouched nearby, masking his worry with a blank stare.
"Kasumi, don't panic," Yeamori said gently. "Shion will be fine."
Kasumi shook her head, voice breaking.
"Not until I see him… I can't breathe until then."
Ren let out a soft sigh.
"At least eat something. You'll collapse before he wakes up."
"I don't want anything," she whispered.
Just then, a nurse entered.
"Shion Amano's friends?"
Kasumi shot to her feet. "Yes! Is he… is he okay?"
The nurse nodded. "He's stable. But only one person may stay inside."
Ren's calm voice broke the silence.
"Kasumi, let us handle it. You should go home and rest."
Kasumi's reply was instant.
"No! I'm staying with him."
Ren exchanged a look with Yeamori.
Yeamori gave a tiny nod: let her.
"…Fine," Ren muttered. "We'll bring you food later."
"I don't need it," Kasumi said again, gripping her arms tightly.
Yeamori's voice turned slightly firm.
"You do. We'll handle it. Just go in."
With that, they left. The nurse guided Kasumi down the hall.
Inside the ward, faint beeping filled the room. Shion lay pale against white sheets, chest rising slowly.
Kasumi pulled a chair to his side. She leaned forward, eyes shaking.
"…Idiot. I told you not to push yourself."
Her hands wrapped around his cold fingers. For the first time since the collapse, her panic eased slightly.
---
Meanwhile, in the corridor, Ren and Yeamori walked in silence.
Ren spoke softly.
"I didn't know Kasumi cared… this deeply."
Yeamori gave a faint smile.
"Her first crush… her first love… it's Shion. Losing him would break her."
Her voice lowered. "…Souta's absence feels even heavier now. If he were here, he wouldn't let Shion suffer like this."
Ren nodded silently.
"…Yeah. I miss him too."
---
Later, when they returned, Kasumi was still by Shion's side, holding his hand tightly.
Ren set a cup of noodles on the table.
"How is he?"
Kasumi didn't look away from Shion.
"Normal. Breathing steady."
Yeamori placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Kasumi… we'll leave now. Just take care of him."
Kasumi gave a weak nod.
When they left, silence returned. Only the machine's steady beeping filled the room.
Kasumi rested her hand near his hand, still clutching it tight. Her eyelids grew heavy, and at last… she fell asleep in the chair.
---
Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains.
Kasumi was still asleep, her hands holding his firmly.
Shion's eyes fluttered open. Vision blurred, but slowly focused—on her face, so close to his.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"…Kasumi. Wake up."
Her eyes blinked open instantly. She stared, then gasped with relief.
"Shion… you're awake."
"…Yeah." His voice was weak, but steady. "I'm sorry. I didn't listen to you."
Kasumi gripped his hand tighter.
"It doesn't matter. You admitted it. That's enough."
Her eyes grew heavy again—not with sleep, but with a secret she carried,his mind suddenly thought.
"How do I tell him… his time may already be slipping away?"
Shion studied her face quietly, sensing the weight in her silence.
"Kasumi… what is it? What are you hiding?"
She forced a smile. "Nothing."
But his gaze stayed steady, waiting.
Kasumi lowered her eyes. Her lips trembled.
"…Okay. I'll tell you."
---
Flashback – Last Night
When Ren and Yeamori left for food, the doctor had called Kasumi into his office.
She sat nervously, heart pounding.
"Doctor… what happened? Why did you call me?"
The doctor closed the report file. His tone was calm, but heavy.
"Patient: Shion Amano. His blood tests are back. You—and his father—needed to be informed."
Kasumi froze.
"You… know his father?"
"Of course," the doctor said quietly. "Ryu Amano. A wealthy businessman… with ties to the underworld."
At that moment, the hospital entrance gate opened.
A luxury car pulled in.
From it stepped Ryu Amano.
Cigar at his lips, presence cold as stone. He walked in without pause, as if the rules of this world didn't apply to him.
He sat casually beside Kasumi, eyes flicking toward her for a moment.
before looking back to the doctor.
"Why the urgency?" he asked flatly.
The doctor opened the file.
"Diagnosis: Shion Amano. Final stage blood cancer. Time… limited."
Kasumi's body froze. Her hands shook violently.
Her heartbeat pounded in her ears.
Ryu exhaled a cold sigh, as if this news meant nothing.
"I'll handle the formalities."
The doctor nodded.
----
Cabin outside.
Kasumi's courage burst out. She stood, voice trembling but fierce.
"Don't you care at all? I don't know what happened between you and Shion… but he didn't deserve this!"
Ryu listened calmly. Then, in a casual tone, he replied,
"Maybe you're right. But I don't regret the past."
He smirked faintly.
"…What's your name?"
"…Kasumi Hoshino," she said firmly, locking eyes with him.
Ryu said nothing else. He rose, leaving cigarette smoke in his wake.
Without even glancing at Shion's room, he walked out of the hospital.
---
Present.
Shion stared at Kasumi, face pale but calm.
"Kasumi… what happened?."
Kasumi forced another smile.
"…It's nothing."
Shion's voice was weak, but steady.
"Kasumi. Water, please. I'm thirsty."
She reached toward the table,she give him water poured glass.
----
Footpath area.
Ren and Yeamori walked side by side, their footsteps echoing softly.
Yeamori's pace slowed. Her voice dropped low.
"Ren… I feel awful for Kasumi. For the first time, she gave her heart to someone. And now… even that's being taken away."
Her words trailed, heavy with sadness.
Ren shoved his hands in his pockets, eyes on the floor. His usual grin was gone.
"…Everyone has their fate. Maybe Shion's journey with her… was only meant to be this far."
Yeamori's lips pressed tight. She gave a small nod.
"…You're right."
Silence lingered between them, filled only by their steps.
The glow of the hospital gate shone faintly ahead. Their faces looked sharper, more serious in the cold light.
---
Hospital Room
When Ren and Yeamori pushed open the door again, they found Kasumi still seated by the bed.
Her face was pale, eyes shadowed with sadness.
Shion's hand lay in hers, unmoving, but she refused to let go.
For a brief moment, she looked at them—then turned her gaze back to him,she thought again.
"I just wanted more time… only with him."
Ren quietly stepped closer. From his bag, he pulled a small wrapped book. He placed it gently on the bedside table.
"…Got this with pocket money. If you get bored… read it."
Shion's eyes flicked toward it. For the first time, his lips curled faintly.
"…Thanks Ren ."
Yeamori leaned in, voice soft but steady.
"How do you feel now?"
"…I'm fine," Shion whispered, his breath thin.
Yeamori's gaze slid to Kasumi.
She was sitting there, shoulders stiff, eyes locked on Shion, but her expression heavy with unspoken pain.
"Kasumi…" Yeamori said gently.
Kasumi lifted her head. "…Yes?"
Yeamori met her eyes and gave the smallest nod.
Stay strong.
Kasumi swallowed. She forced a smile, but her eyes glimmered with tears she refused to let fall.
Ren and Yeamori quietly stepped out, closing the door behind them.
---Chapter 31 end---