Kiko's POV
"Why? Kiko Why did you keep distancing yourselves from me? Was it because of him? Sanzu? If you'd have said that you've feelings for him... I'd have let you go Kiko! I'm not that heartless! But.... You lied to me! You gave me false hope and then broke my heart!"
His face was red with anger but his eyes said that he was extremely hurt!
"No... Baji! Listen to me! You're getting the wrong idea!" I tried to calm him down... I took a step forward... Towards him.
But he backed away!
"Please Kiko! Please stay away from me! You think you can play with my feelings and I'd forgive you! You disgust me Kiko!" He spat venom at me!
He got on his bike and drive off!
I felt weak! My legs.... My knees started shaking!
I managed to step inside the house but as soon as I stepped in... I collapsed!
I feel it... The void inside me... Forming into a black hole and sucking the life out of me! The world revolves around me! I try to crawl into my room but I could drag my body only to the living room!
Koro ni? I'm a nuisance! My life is worthless.... My existence is worthless! Why did you make me promise such a thing! Why did you made me promise that I will continue living...
I'm afraid I'll end up being a promise breaker!
The heavy feeling grew in my chest.
My body aching... My head throbbing!
I want to sleep... I'm so tired! I want to sleep for forever!
I curl into a foetus position on the floor.
And slowly... I fall into deep slumber...
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Next day:
Baji's POV:
Last night... My overwhelming feelings made me react too much! I maybe right... But atleast I should've tried to listen to her.
I couldn't sleep all night. I thought about confronting her today... But she didn't show upto school!
Did she again go off to visit Sanzu? After school maybe I should visit her! If I don't give her chance.. I might regret it!
The thought of her holding onto Sanzu pierced my heart! The way she was smiling at him... Makes me want to destroy everything!
What is their relationship? Am I overthinking?
But...Sanzu's eyes say otherwise.
"Baji? Did you hear anything from Kiko? I've been trying to contact her since this morning!" Emma's worried voice Interupted me...
"This morning.. I called her multiple times.. but she didn't pick up! I'm scared! I even passed by her house but there was no sign of anyone!" Hina said...
"Even I called her... But she didn't respond! I am worried about her!" Shiota Sensei entered our conversation.
"I came here to ask if anyone heard from her... But seems like everyone is stuck at the same thing!" Shiota Sensei's eyebrows creased and a frown appeared on his face.
"I even called Karma... But it seems like he too didn't hear anything from her...!"
"Let's all head to her house after school!" Draken suggested.
Everyone agreed but I... I was not ready to face her! But at the same time... I'm worried! What must have been the reason?
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Kiko's POV:
Earlier, I woke up at around 4 in the morning! My body was aching. My throat was burning. My body had no strength!
I felt like...I couldn't do it anymore...
I called Auntie Aoi... I requested her to help me!
Soon she arrived and helped me reach hospital.
Right now.... I'm in a hospital room.
Auntie Aoi and the oncologist talking about something.
I realised that I left my phone at my house...!
I think about my and Baji's conversation last night!
"You disgust me Kiko"~ those certain words haunted me.. and it will haunt me forever- but atleast he'll get over it soon and find his happiness. I'll try helping my friends find their happiness before I go!
I'm too tired that I can't even move my body. I laid their like a half dead person deep in my thoughts.
My thoughts were interrupted when Auntie Aoi and my oncologist Dr. Itsuhara entered the room:
"Kiko... We will start your chemotherapy sessions from next month! We tried medications but it seems you're health is only deteriorating!" Auntie Aoi spoke in a low tone.
"It's fine Auntie. Thanks for taking care of me. I will follow what you guys decided!" I weakly smile at her. I try my best to show them I'm strong.
Auntie sadly smile at me.
"Stay strong Kiko!... Do you still not want to let your brother know?"
"No auntie... I don't want to hurt him! But there's someone I want to talk to! Can I make a call?"
"Sure... Here's my phone!"
I thank auntie Aoi and make a call.
"Ira ne? Can you come to XYZ hospital. Room no. 110"
"Ok... But are you alright Kiko?"
"Yah... Please come soon!"
"On my way!"
Ira me hang up her phone and auntie Aoi leave my room.
After some time... I hear someone entering my room.
"Kiko? What is going on?"
Ira ne's voice boomed inside the hospital room.
(Y/N) nesan was with her.
"I.... I'm probably dying Ira ne!" I weakly chuckle at her hyper state. She never changed.
"What the heck you mean by you're dying?" She asked me confused!
"I'm diagnosed with Leukemia... My health is deteriorating! My doctors are going to start chemotherapy from next month.
I promised to tell you! So... I called you!" I weakly tell her everything.
"Ira ne! Please don't let nisan know about this! I haven't told him yet!" I say.... Ira ne's eyes widened.
"What the hell Kiko? Why didn't you tell Karma? He's your brother... He deserves to know!" She shouted.
(Y/N) nesan calmed her down.
" That's her decision sis. We need to respect that!
Also Kiko... You're not dying. There's are so many leukemia survivors. Stay strong... You will win this thing!"
She looks at me with determination.
"Thank you so much (y/n) nesan." She hugs me and Ira ne join in too!
"Fight for yourself ok? You're stronger than this. I know!"
"Ok.. (Y/N) nesan.. I'll not go down without a fight!" I smile
"But please don't let anyone know... I need you to keep this to yourself for now!"
"Ok.... We respect your choices...but if the time comes down to an emergency.. we will take matters into our hands" Ira ne said.
"Ok.... Deal!" I said.
But suddenly a piercing feel came over me... I stopped feeling anything!
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Baji's POV:
We all stand outside kiko's house. It's locked! No one's here!
We even enquired the neighbors but no one saw her!
I am getting worried now! Horror engulfing me! Where did she go!?
We even called Karma San... He was worried sick! He wanted to come but as a bureaucrate he was stuck in his job. As a government administrator... He had a lot in his plate already! We assured him that we will find her and that he will keep him updated.
I felt guilty! Was I responsible for what is happening?
I need to find her.. but how?
I cannot loose her... I have too much feelings for her to let her go like this!
I'm overwhelmed by the guilt that it might be my fault!
So...I confessed to our friends about what happened the previous night. They assured me it was not my fault. But... What if it is?
..........................................................
We didn't find anything about her!
The next day... She didn't come to school.
She was absent the following day... And the next day and the next day...
It continued till the weekend.
The next Monday... We were hopeless that she'd come but to our surprise she was there.
Looking thinner, weaker, smaller, paler... Looking at her, I wanted to engulf her in a hug and cry my heart out.
I wanted to apologise!
"Kiko?" The girls were hugging her.
She looked in my way. She looked sad. She didn't even utter a word to anyone.
She sat at her desk like an emotionless doll! Emma, Hina, Mikey... They'll tried to talk to her but she only looked at them.
I walk over to her and take her hands into mine.
"Kiko... Are you ok? Please tell me!"
She looked at me and slightly nod her head as if she's saying she's ok... She didn't let out a single word! Hina was on the verge of crying and so was Emma!
Draken, Mikey and Takemichi was trying to calm them down. I was feeling broken.
"Baji San...!" Chifuyu called. Kazutora, Mitsuya and Chifuyu entered the room.
Chifuyu squeezed my shoulder which calmed me down.
Bell rang and Shiota Sensei walked in...
"Ohayo Gozaimasu, Mina San! Before I take your attendance I want to talk to you all about something. You classmate here, Akabane san is going through a little discomfort due to I'll health. So, please cooperate with her and help her!"
He sadly looks at Kiko And then he starts taking our attendance.
During the break time, I received a text from Sanzu.
____________
Sanzu
Meet me after school near the Musashi Shrine.
Me
Why?
Sanzu
Need to discuss something extremely important. I promise no funny business.
Me
Ok!
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No matter how much I hated him, Sanzu is a trustworthy guy and Kazutora and Mikey trust him. So, I trust him too!
.......................................
After School, At the Musashi Shrine~
"You came?" Sanzu looked at me.
"What is it?" I hinted him to come straight to the point.
"It's about Kiko! I investigated a little about her disappearance. Turned out she was admitted in the Hospital. You might not be aware, but she is suffering from a something that is slowly Killing her.
How I know? A Secret in exchange of a A Secret.
I can't tell you what is exactly happening with her but I want to tell you that... She's just a close friend of mine... Nothing more. She will never see me as more than a friend even if I wanted to!" He let out a heavy breath
"...I've seen the way you two look at each other. So... Please don't hurt her! It's a request..." He bows to me.
"She promised me that she will return me my family. I never said it but I promise to help her find her existence... Her happiness!" Sanzu's voice was filled with sincerity.
"I'm sorry for judging you both too soon! Please forgive me!"
I say.
"Just take care of her. Show her that this life is worth living!" Sanzu looked the other way."show is she has reasons to fight for her life... She's already giving up!"
Sanzu's words left a deep mark. She's dying? I need to help her! I'll find whatever is happening and will get her find her happiness. I promised to protect her and so... I will.
We both shake our hands and I leave the place.
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To be continued...