"Hey, Arima Kosei-kun, will you save me?"
Kosei woke up the next morning feeling restless. He dreamed about what Kaori told her yesterday and he regretted not inquiring further about that matter. Now, he feels something is wrong. Kosei's been paranoid ever since Kaori changed. He feels like he is always walking on a thin ice and he needs to calculate every move and words he will utter because one mistake, something terrible might happen.
'No, I have to prepare or I'll be late.' He's looking forward today since Kaori was in a good mood yesterday and he hopes it will be the same today too. He went to the bathroom and to start his morning routine. After that, he cook his own breakfast and greet his mom. It is his normal way to start his day but something feels off and he desperately shake that feeling off.
"Yo Kosei!" Watari who is grinning, tap his shoulder.
"Good morning. You are early today."
"What do you mean by that? I am always early." Watari looked at him, offended and Kosei only smiled. "Where is Tsubaki?"
"Do you think that just because she's my neighbor we're going to school together?" Kosei shake his head, "She said that she will go to Kaori's house so that they can go to school together."
"Waa~ really? Must be lucky to be a girl. You can go to the girl's house without any problem and invite the girl to walk with you to school."
Expect Watari to notice and say nonsense.
"Wh-" Kosei was interrupted as his phone rings. He took his phone and confirmed that the caller is Tsubaki then answered it. "Hello Tsubaki?" Kosei heard the uneven breathing on the other line. "Are you okay?"
"K-kosei! Hurry! Kao-chan..."
Badump
Kosei became deaf. Did he hear her right? His hands are trembling, even Watari looked at him like he has two heads. He cannot hear anything right now. Watari took the phone from him and talk with Tsubaki on his behalf. About what? He don't know. Watari looked surprised, teary even. Then he just realized that he is already running with Watari. His heart beating so fast that he's afraid that it might burst. It is not because of running. But because of the news.
Kao-chan is in the hospital right now! S-she.. Kosei! Kao-chan committed suicide! Please hurry!
"Kosei! Watari!" Tsubaki called them, she's waiting for them outside of the hospital. Her eyes are red.
Where's Kaori? She's alive right? What happened?
Kosei wants to ask so many questions. He wants to scream but before he can do so, Tsubaki took his hands and run inside the hospital. He noticed that her hands are cold. Tsubaki already knows where to go, they did not even go to the receptionist to ask for a direction. After few minutes that they felt forever, they arrived at the second floor of the building. In front of them is a private room. Tsubaki took a deep breath and knock on the door, two times. Then a lady opened the door for them, upon seeing Tsubaki, she moved aside to let them come in. Inside the room, the man who served them delicasies and teas when they went to Kaori's house is sitting on a chair beside the hospital bed. Kosei remembered that Kaori introduced him as her cousin and guardian. The man looked at them and nod his head, he stood up and say something which he did not hear and went outside with the lady.
Then, Kosei saw Watari moved closer to the bed, he gripped the railing of the bed. He can see how his fist tightened. Watari muttered something but Kosei still cannot hear the word. Tsubaki is still holding Kosei hand. She is crying so hard that her face turns red. Step by step, Kosei moved until he saw who is on the bed.
It was Kaori.
His senses came back in an instant but his breathing stopped for a moment. Kaori is laying on the bed. She looks so pale than ever. There is also a bandage on her arms but the most prominent one is the bandage on her left arm. It was bigger than the other one maybe that is the reason why it was noticeable. He can clearly hear now Tsubaki who is crying so hard and Watari who keeps muttering Why.
"Kao-chan.. Akane-san said that Kao-chan tried to commit suicide by cutting her wrists. I-It happened in the midnight.." Tsubaki sobbed. "A-Akane-san said that they... that they a-are almost a minute late.."
Stop. Please. Just. Stop.
The information is too much. He wants to throw up. Someone must wake him up from this nightmare. But no matter how much Kosei deny the reality, this is nothing but a cruel truth.
And with a trembling hand, Kosei held Kaori's small and cold hands.
"I-I'm sorry...."