And so Sunday came in quicker than anyone had anticipated.
The sunlight filtered gently through the window blinds, casting golden stripes across the floor of Liam's tidy bedroom. His jacket lay folded neatly on the bed, right beside his phone and wallet. Liam gave himself a quick once-over in the mirror, his shirt straight, shoes clean, hair combed.
He grabbed his phone to check the time and he was greeted with his lock screen which was a picture he and Emma had taken last year. He then briefly recalled the events of the last few days and then he smiled, slipping his phone into his pocket before heading toward the front door.
Just as he reached for the handle, he heard a soft voice behind him.
Liam's Mom: Going somewhere?
Liam paused, turning to see his mother leaning slightly against the hallway wall. Her eyes were gentle, and her hands were still dusted with flour from whatever she'd been baking.
Liam: (softly) Yeah… just going to meet up with a couple of friends.
She raised an eyebrow, a slow smile tugging at her lips.
Liam's Mom: Friends, huh?
Liam: (nods, almost shyly) Mm-hmm. We're planning something for Spring break. Just… a little outing.
There was a pause.
His mother didn't press him for more. She simply looked at him for a long moment, her eyes reflecting a quiet kind of pride.
Liam's Mom: You've changed, Liam.
Liam: (tilts his head) Hm?
Liam's Mom: You used to come home and go straight to your room. Barely talked to anyone. Now look at you.
Liam began recalling how fun it had been to interact with John, Rose and Kana through their video group chats and video calls and smiles and glanced down almost embarrassed. He reached for the door again, hesitated, then looked back.
Liam: I guess I just… found the right people.
His mother's smile deepened. She didn't say anything else, just gave a small nod, wiping her hands on her apron.
As Liam stepped out the door, she stood there quietly, watching through the screen as he walked off down the street.
His mother stayed there a moment longer as her mind lingered on what she had just seen.
Liam's Mom: (to herself) You're doing good, kid.
The sound of birds chirping filled the air as the door gently closed behind her.
*******
Rose stood in front of the shopping mall, looking left and right like she was waiting for someone. She wore a white ORIGNAL designer T-shirt with the letters printed in red, paired with jeans and sneakers. Her usual glasses rested neatly on her face.
As she waited, she glanced at the clock on her wrist, wondering where John and Liam were. Just as she looked up again, she spotted them a few feet away, entering the shopping mall together.
Rose waved them over once they were close enough to see her.
Rose: You guys are late!
John: Sorry, I got lost trying to find Liam's house. He lives really far from my place.
Liam: Yeah, that area's like a maze. I even get lost sometimes and I live there.
Rose: Okay, okay… we'll talk about your lack of punctuality later. Right now, we have an outing to plan.
Liam: (whispers to John) Why is she talking like she's the boss of us?
John: (whispers back) Beats me. She wasn't like this when I first met her.
Rose: What are you two whispering about?
Both John and Liam scratched their heads nervously as Rose gave them an inquisitive look. Then they both responded in unison:
John & Liam: Nothing.
They walked to a nearby ice cream shop, and Liam bought them each a cup. Sitting at a table together, they started browsing and planning out how their Tuesday hangout would go.
Rose began by checking tourist sites in Yukimura, reading off opening and closing times while John and Liam watched her scroll through different options.
After a few minutes of discussion, they narrowed it down to three places:
The amusement park, the movies, and the aquarium.
John: Personally, I think the movies are the better option.
Rose: You're probably just saying that because there's already a movie you want to see.
John: Huh? Blockbuster movies don't even come out this time of year.
Rose: They have a specific time they release?
Liam: Yeah, usually around the summer. This is spring.
Rose: Oh… anyway, I think the aquarium is a much better option.
John: How is the aquarium better than going to the movies?
Rose: Because people tend to make the most memorable memories at the aquarium.
John pondered her words for a moment and slowly nodded.
John: I guess… you're right.
Rose: Of course I'm right.
John: But the aquarium's really far from Kana's hospital. It's basically on the other side of Yukimura. That's not ideal.
Rose frowned and raised her eyebrows.
Rose: So? We can just leave a little earlier.
John: It takes five hours to get from here to Yukimura.
Rose: So?
John: Rose, she just got permission to go out for the day. Do you really want her sitting in a car for over an hour each way?
Rose: It's not that far. Maybe thirty minutes, max.
John: You're underestimating it. You always underestimate how long it takes to get across town.
Rose: And you always exaggerate like we're traveling to another city. It's not that dramatic.
Liam (to himself): But we literally are, though.
John: I'm just thinking about Kana. She shouldn't be exhausted before we even get there.
Rose: And I'm thinking about giving her a memorable day. I want her to actually enjoy herself, not just do the easiest thing.
John: The movie theater is closer. She won't have to move around a lot, and we can relax.
Rose: And do what? Sit in silence? We can do that any day. This is special.
While they went back and forth, Liam sat quietly, looking down at his phone until—
Liam: Hey… I found something.
Rose and John turned to look at him.
Liam: Yukimura Brilliant Park. It's only about 15 minutes from Kana's hospital. It has an aquarium, a small movie theater, amusement rides, and food courts. Everything you both want… in one place.
John (blinking): Seriously?
Liam (nods): Yeah. There's a shaded garden area too, in case Kana needs to rest. It's pretty popular for weekend outings.
Rose paused, her tone softening.
Rose: That… actually sounds perfect.
John: You sure it's not packed on weekdays? Especially during spring break?
Liam (shrugs): It might be. But we can go early. It's still better than driving all over town.
Rose sighed and then nodded.
Rose: Alright. You win this round.
John: Liam wins, actually.
Liam chuckled softly.
Liam: I just didn't want you two scaring off the ice cream lady.
They glanced at the counter, where the staff awkwardly pretended not to be listening. Rose and John both laughed, the tension finally easing.
Rose: Fine. Yukimura Brilliant Park it is. For Kana.
John: Finally, we're agreeing on something.
Rose: Don't get used to it. I'm only agreeing because I was the one who said we needed to make memorable memories.
Liam (softly): You two are impossible.
******
Meanwhile, Kana and Jane had gone to Jane's mother's shop, Linen & Love, to get Kana a new set of clothes she would wear for the Spring outing with her friends.
The soft bell above the door jingled as they stepped inside, greeted by pastel walls, hanging plants, and rows of neatly folded clothes. The smell of lavender and fresh cotton lingered in the air. Kana moved quickly through the aisles, eyes sparkling with excitement as she pulled hangers from the racks, dresses, blouses, and jackets, humming softly to herself as she held each one up against her reflection.
Jane leaned against the checkout counter, arms crossed and smiling, while her mother, Sarah, stood beside her, watching Kana with a kind, gentle gaze.
Sarah: (softly) She looks so happy today.
Jane: (nodding) Yeah. It's the first time in a while I've seen her this excited. She even told me she's been having these long group calls with some friends she met online. And now they're taking her out for a day during spring break. I'm just… really glad she gets to go.
Sarah looked at Jane, a proud smile tugging at her lips.
Sarah: You've done good, sweetie. You've always been there for her.
Jane didn't say anything at first. Her eyes stayed on Kana, who was now trying to decide between two different denim jackets in front of a mirror.
Jane: I just want her to stay like this. Happy. Even if it's just for a while. She deserves that.
Sarah's eyes softened as she nodded. Then she tilted her head, squinting slightly.
Sarah: Huh… that bracelet I gave her, the one with the small clover charm. She always wore it. She's not wearing it today?
Jane blinked and looked closer. Sure enough, Kana's wrist was bare.
Jane: Oh yeah. She, uh… she gave it to someone.
Sarah turned to her daughter, eyebrows raised in curiosity.
Sarah: Someone?
Jane: (grinning) A boy. His name's John. She met him online last year. They've been talking for a while and he actually visited her during the winter… in person. It was the first time she really smiled in weeks back then.
Sarah's expression changed, soft surprise mixed with quiet understanding.
Sarah: So… she gave him the bracelet?
Jane: Mhm. Said she wanted him to have something to remember her by. She didn't say it, but I think… She really cares about him.
Sarah's gaze returned to Kana, who was now spinning playfully in front of the mirror with a soft cream-colored dress.
Sarah: Then I hope he realizes just how lucky he is.
Jane smiled.
Jane: I think he does.
Across the shop, Kana glanced over at them and smiled brightly.
Kana: Do you think this dress is too much? I want to look nice, but not like I'm trying too hard!
Jane: (laughs) You look perfect, Kana.
Sarah chuckled softly, her eyes warm.
Sarah: You always did have a good eye for clothes.
Kana grinned, cheeks lightly flushed from all the moving around.
Kana: Thanks! I want everything to be perfect for Tuesday. I still don't know where we're going, but Liam said it's a surprise.
Jane and Sarah exchanged a glance, the unspoken understanding between them clear:
Let her have this day.
Let it be filled with joy.
Let her be a normal girl, just once more.
*****
A little while later, Kana stepped out of the boutique, a white paper bag swinging gently at her side, her new dress folded neatly inside. The scent of freshly baked pastries from the café across the street blended with the breeze, sweet, airy, and full of spring.
She stood by the curb, waiting as Jane ran off to grab them both drinks from a nearby vending machine. For once, Kana wasn't thinking about hospital beds, medical charts, or the slow ticking of time. She watched as people passed by: couples laughing, a group of teenagers skateboarding, a little girl chasing bubbles.
And then— she heard a voice.
"Kana?"
She turned.
A girl stood a few feet away, motionless.
Her navy blue hair rested on her shoulders just like Kana remembered. Her expression was caught between disbelief and something deeper, like recognition tinged with emotion she didn't know how to name.
Kana's heart stalled in her chest, memories hitting her in quiet, fast waves, shared lunches, whispered secrets, a falling-out they never truly healed from.
Kana: (softly) …Misa?
The other girl blinked, her mouth parting just slightly.
Misa: It is you…
They stared at each other, the street noise dimming around them. And just like that, the past had stepped into the present.