Misa lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, her phone resting on the mattress beside her. Her mind swirled with everything that had happened over the last few hours.
Her best friend, the one she had believed to be dead, was alive. And for some reason, that truth made her feel both incredibly happy… and deeply sad. She had cried with Kana, laughed with her and hugged her so tightly like she'd never let go again.
But now, in the quiet of her room, the weight of everything hit her in a different way.
Four years… Four years thinking she'd never hear Kana's voice again… Four years of birthdays, school lunches, and quiet moments where she'd glance at an empty seat and pretend it didn't ache.
And all this time… she'd been alive.
Misa's chest tightened.
She thought about the conversation, the look in Kana's eyes when she talked about her isolation, the hospital, the strangers online who became her lifeline.
She hated how much Kana had to go through alone.
But she also felt a flicker of guilt, like maybe she should've tried harder, asked more questions, pushed past the silence Kana's mom gave her.
But how could she have known?
Misa rolled onto her side, facing the wall as tears welled up in her eyes, though she didn't let them fall.
"I missed you," she whispered into the silence of the room. "So much."
And yet, under all of the tangled emotions, there was something else blooming quietly inside her; hope.
Because Kana was here now.
Alive.
Real.
Laughing again.
Inviting her to join this new chapter of her life. Misa's thoughts shifted to the hangout Kana had invited her to a small gathering at Yukimura Park.
She found herself looking forward to it more than she expected, imagining the warmth of the sun, the laughter of friends, and the chance to make new memories together.
*****
Two days later…
It was 6:15 AM, and John was already at the train station, seated on one of the benches as he waited for Liam and Rose, who had called him earlier and said they would be there soon. The train hadn't arrived yet, so he wasn't worried about them being late.
As John looked around the station, a strange sense of déjà vu washed over him. His eyes fell on the bracelet wrapped around his left wrist, and in that moment, he understood why.
Suddenly, all the memories from last December flashed in his mind, Kana's smile, how beautiful she looked that day and then, her words echoed once more in his head, the ones she never explained:
"If I ever got to have something like that… if I ever started a real family… I think I'd want to start it with you."
Remembering that made his whole face turn red. Embarrassed, John quickly lowered his head and tucked it between his knees, hoping to avoid the stares of the early morning crowd.
John: (to himself) Why are you thinking about that now?!
But the words lingered, tugging at his chest.
John: (to himself) That's basically a love confession, right?
Still lost in thought, John suddenly felt a hand tap his shoulder. He looked up and saw Rose and Liam standing beside him.
John: Oh, you guys made it.
Rose: Of course! I wouldn't miss this for the world.
Liam: Why's your face all red, John?
The question caught John off guard as he hadn't realized his blush was still visible.
John: Nothing. It's nothing, really.
Liam glanced at John's hand and noticed the bracelet. He paused, then nodded slightly, choosing not to press the issue.
Liam: So, what did you guys tell your folks about spending the night in another city?
Rose: My parents were totally fine with it, as long as I keep them updated on where I am.
John: My mom and I have a complicated relationship… so I just do what I want without needing to tell her.
Liam: That's cold.
Rose: And scary.
John: (smirks) Sorry… Didn't mean to bring down the mood.
Rose: By the way, did you guys see the message Kana left yesterday?
Liam: Yeah. She said something about bringing an old friend she ran into on Sunday.
Rose: Well, the more the merrier, right?
John: Yeah…
But John was barely listening. His mind drifted back to Kana's message. A person from her past, someone who knew her before the hospital, was going to be there. That meant he might get to learn more about her… maybe even understand things she never told him directly.
John: (to himself) But… I wouldn't want to hassle them about Kana's situation… Forget it. I'll think about this later.
And so John sat with his thoughts.
They waited together on the bench, the early morning air brisk and quiet. About fifteen minutes later, the train arrived, ready to take them to Yukimura.
*****
Meanwhile, Kana stood in front of the mirror as she dressed up in her new outfit, a green blouse with a black skirt, a nice pair of shoes, and a small handbag to complete the look.
She grabbed her phone and started taking a bunch of pictures, contemplating whether or not to post them, but ultimately dropped the idea.
As she looked at herself in the mirror, she realized she barely recognized the girl staring back.
The past nine months had completely changed her and for that, she was entirely grateful. As she stood there reflecting, the door behind her slid open, and Jane and Misa walked in.
Misa: Whoa, Kana! You look so good!
Jane: (smiling softly) You look… different. In a good way.
Kana turned to them, a bit shyly, hiding her phone behind her back like a kid caught sneaking candy.
Kana: (chuckling) You think so?
Misa: Girl, yes. That outfit is killing it. I'd wear that to my own wedding.
Kana: (laughing) You'd wear a black skirt to your wedding?
Misa: With no regrets!
Jane: (gently) You really do look… happy, Kana. I guess reaching out to people was the best decision, huh?
Kana paused, and in the quiet that followed, Jane felt her own words settle deeper than she expected.
Kana: I am. I mean, not all the time… not in that perfect kind of way. But today, yeah… I think I am.
Misa walked up and fixed a strand of Kana's hair that had fallen out of place. Their eyes met, and in that look, there were a thousand things unsaid, but understood.
Misa: I'm glad I get to be here for it.
Kana: Me too.
Misa: Alright, enough of the heart-to-heart. We've got a party to mildly destroy.
Kana: (grinning) Just mildly?
Jane: Try to behave. I'll be responsible if you guys do anything wrong.
Misa: Yes ma'am.
Kana: Alright, big sis.
Misa: (puzzled) Big sis?
Kana scratched the back of her head and smiled nervously, while Jane looked away with a similar expression.
Kana: Well… it's kind of a long story.
Misa: Then shorten it.
Kana explained the circumstances that led to her and Jane becoming sisters by proxy. After hearing everything, Misa took a moment to process it.
Misa: I see.
She immediately turned to Jane and, to both Kana and Jane's surprise, bowed her head.
Jane: Huh?
Kana: Misa..? What are you—
Misa: Thank… Thank you so much for taking care of Kana. For deciding to make her your sister when you knew she had no family and...
Jane gently placed a hand on Misa's shoulder, cutting her off before she could say more.
Jane: It's fine. I was just doing what I thought was right.
Misa: Still… I'm grateful.
There was so much more Misa wanted to say, but she stopped herself, not wanting to change the mood in the room.
Just then, Kana's phone buzzed with a notification. She checked it and her face lit up with excitement.
Kana: They're right outside!! Let's go!!!
Jane: Right.
Misa: Yeah, sure.
Jane and Misa smiled as Kana grabbed her small handbag, giving herself one final glance in the mirror before stepping out of her ward.
******
Kana, Jane, and Misa stepped out of the hospital entrance, the soft morning light brushing against their faces. The sound of the city was gentle, almost respectful birds chirping, the distant hum of traffic, and the bubbling of the small water fountain just ahead.
And then, as Kana looked forward, she saw them.
John. Liam. Rose.
They were standing by the fountain, really there, no longer behind a screen. They were here, in the flesh, laughing about something.
Kana froze for a second.
Her heart skipped.
She had imagined this so many times, wondered how tall Liam really was, if Rose's voice matched the way her lips moved in person, what it would feel like to just… exist in the same space with them.
And now that it was happening, she didn't know what to do with herself.
Kana: (barely a whisper) Oh my god…
Jane nudged her gently from behind, as if reading her mind.
Jane: Go. They've been dying to meet you just as much.
Kana took a breath, her hands slightly trembling as she walked forward.
When John noticed her, his face lit up and as if on cue, Rose and Liam turned too.
Then…
Rose: (grinning wide) Kanaaa!
Before Kana could say a word, Rose was already hugging her tightly, her energy just as vibrant in person as it had always been through the screen.
Kana: (muffled, emotional) Oh wow, you're real.
Rose: So are you! You smell like actual human shampoo and everything!
Liam: (smiling, a little more reserved) It's good to finally meet you, Kana.
Kana pulled back from Rose and turned to Liam and then, without overthinking it, she threw her arms around him too, catching him off guard.
Kana: (still hugging Liam, voice a little shaky) You're… way taller than I thought.
Liam: (awkward laugh, patting her back gently) I get that a lot. You're… warmer than I imagined.
Kana: (pulling back slightly) That's 'cause I've been soaking up human sunshine.
John: (smiling) You look great, Kana.
Kana: (turning to him) John…
For a second, they just looked at each other. The same connection they'd always had unspoken but strong, finally grounded in the real world.
Kana: (quietly) You're taller too.
John: You already said that to Liam.
Kana: (grinning) Yeah, but with you I'm gonna pretend it's more meaningful.
John chuckled and opened his arms slightly. Kana walked into a more familiar, comfortable hug, the kind that says I missed you without having to say it.
Then…
Jane: (smiling from a few feet away) You guys gonna hog all the hugs or…?
Kana: (breaking away from John) Oh! Right! Come on, guys! Don't just stand there!
Jane walked forward first, calm and composed, followed by Misa, who seemed more hesitant, scanning the group with quiet curiosity. Rose immediately spotted Jane and lit up.
Rose: You must be Jane! The "cool big sis"!
Jane: (raising an eyebrow) That's… generous. But yeah, I guess I am.
Rose: Thank you for taking care of Kana.
Jane: Yeah, no problem.
They shook hands warmly. Jane then turned to Liam and gave him a polite nod, which he returned.
Meanwhile, Misa approached the group a little more slowly. Her eyes scanned them… and then landed on John, whose eyes locked with hers at that moment. His expression shifted from curious to surprised. Misa's eyes widened as well.
Both of them froze.
John: (blinking) Wait a second…
Misa: (in disbelief) You…?!
Kana: (eyes wide, looking between them) Wait… you two met already?!
John: Yeah, she was on the train with me when I came to see you last December.
Misa: And I gave you my number and you never called or texted.
John's face turned cartoonish as the memory clicked.
John: Uh… yeah, I'm sorry about that.
Misa: (sighs) It's fine. At least we got to meet again. (pauses) Wait… so Kana was the one you came to see, back then?
John scratched his head, a little embarrassed, while Kana looked down at her feet to hide her red face which Misa took notice of.
John: Yeah…
As he responded, Misa's mind flashed back to her first conversation with him. Then she smiled.
Misa: I see…
They all stood for a moment, soaking in the surreal nature of it, online friends, childhood friends, and newfound friends meeting face-to-face for the first time. There was something electric in the air, the kind of moment that felt like a movie.
Except it wasn't a movie.
Liam: (checking the time) We should probably get going before the crowd starts to intensify over there.
Rose: Yes! The party awaits! I brought snacks. And backup snacks. And emergency backup snacks.
John: That's a little too much, don't you think?
Rose: I know… but I was too excited and didn't think it through.
John: Since when did you think anything through?
Rose: HEY!!
They all shared a laugh, the kind that only happens when nerves finally break and comfort settles in.
Jane: Alright then. Let's start going. And remember, please behave. I'll be held responsible if anything happens to any of you.
They all responded in agreement as they started walking together, toward the exit gate of the hospital, the early morning sun casting soft golden light across their backs.