Meanwhile, in Dr. Kennedy's apartment, Liam and John settled in for the night. Since Dr. Kennedy had to stay at the hospital due to Kana's condition, he had offered them the bedroom.
Liam lay on the bed, while John was on the floor with a blanket and an extra pillow he'd found in the room.
But John couldn't sleep.
He couldn't stop thinking about Kana and the way she'd looked just before collapsing, the trembling in her voice as she muttered the word "mother" after seeing her again for the first time in years.
John stared at the ceiling, the image of her face etched into his mind.
Liam: Hey… are you still awake?
John: Well… what do you think?
Liam: I'll take that as a yes. (taps the bed) Are you sure you don't want to sleep on the bed?
John: Two guys sleeping on the same bed doesn't sit well with me for some reason. I'll be fine.
Liam: Suit yourself.
Silence settled again for a while and after a while, Liam spoke softly.
Liam: Don't worry, man. Kana's going to be fine.
John didn't respond right away. His mind drifted back to the beginning of the day, her laughter, her beautiful smile. The way she looked when she handed him the bracelet.
He slowly raised his left hand and stared at the bracelet she had given him. He hadn't taken it off once since that day.
He sighed and put his hand on his face after briefly recalling that fateful day.
John: I sincerely hope so.
****
The hospital ward was filled with the soft hum of machines and the warm glow of late-morning light. Kana sat propped up in bed, a light blanket over her legs, an IV in her arm. Her hair was still a little messy and her skin pale, but she was awake.
Dr. Kennedy had finished the morning scans and charts a few minutes earlier, discussing the plan with Jane, who would start Kana on a new set of medications today.
The sight of fresh pill bottles stirred a familiar dread in Kana, the same feeling that nothing had really changed, that it was only a matter of time before…
Suddenly the ward door slid open with a bang, and Kana looked up to familiar faces.
Rose: Kana!!
Rose dropped her bag, crossed the room, and hugged Kana as gently as she could, clinging tight without hurting her.
Rose: Don't scare us like that. I thought you were going to die.
Kana, though not surprised, returned the hug slowly.
Kana: I'm sorry… for scaring you. I didn't mean to make you worry.
Rose: It's okay. You're forgiven.
Misa, who had been behind Rose the whole time, smiled and placed a calming hand on Rose's shoulder.
Misa: She wouldn't stop worrying last night.
Liam: (whispers to John) Sound familiar?
John didn't answer. He stood a little apart, hands in his hoodie pockets, eyes fixed on Kana and worry written all over his face.
Misa: We're just glad you're okay.
Kana: Yeah.
She met John's eyes. He hadn't moved closer, but his gaze said more than words ever could. Kana managed a small smile meant just for him.
Kana: I'm okay.
His shoulders eased a fraction. He nodded, the corner of his mouth twitching as if a smile tried to break through.
Liam clapped his hands.
Liam: You scared the life out of us, Kana. Give us a heads-up next time, will you?
Rose: Liam!
Liam: What? I'm trying to lighten the mood.
Kana chuckled; it felt good to laugh again. The others joined in, appreciating Liam's effort to lighten the mood.
Then Rose's phone buzzed nonstop. She glanced at the screen and sighed.
Rose: We should… probably get going soon.
John flinched at the reminder.
Kana: Already?
Liam: Yeah. We told our parents we'd be back today. We can't stay longer, and we don't want to miss the train.
Misa: That's true.
Rose pouted.
Rose: We didn't even get to have enough fun.
Misa: Don't worry. There'll be other spring days.
Liam: Besides, break is just starting. We can come back another time.
Rose brightened.
Kana: Thanks for… coming. For being here, and coming all this way to see me.
Rose: Anything for you.
Liam: Yeah.
John still said nothing.
After quick farewells, the three headed for the door. John lingered. He looked back once more; Kana's gaze followed him. For a moment she thought he'd speak, but he only gave a soft smile, nodded, and turned away.
Misa, who hadn't left with the others, watched him quietly. She noticed how his steps slowed just before he exited, how his fingers twitched, how tension still held his shoulders stiff.
When they were gone, Misa whispered:
Misa: …You felt it too, didn't you?
She turned to Kana, but Kana had already lowered her head to the pillow, eyes closed, a single tear sliding down her cheek.
*******
The soft chime of the announcement echoed through the station.
"First boarding for the 8:10 train to Aozora City. Departing from Platform 2."
Liam adjusted the strap on his backpack and glanced at his phone.
Liam: Perfect timing. We'll get home before dinner.
Rose nodded, her eyes still distant as if part of her was still back in the hospital room.
Rose: I still feel like we're leaving too soon.
Liam: Well, that can't be helped, can it?
John didn't say anything.
He stood a few paces behind them, hands jammed into his hoodie pockets, and his head low. The platform buzzed with the sounds of rushing footsteps and scattered conversations, but for him, it was all muffled as though the world had slipped into slow motion.
His mind kept replaying the moment:
Kana collapsing.
Her eyes wide with disbelief.
The word "Mother" slipped from her lips, her fragile body almost hitting the ground before he caught her.
He hadn't been able to breathe properly since. And then Liam's voice pulled him back from his thoughts.
Liam: John? You good, man?
The train hissed as the doors began to open.
John looked up, almost startled, and took a shaky breath.
John: I… I can't.
Rose turned, confused.
Rose: Huh? Can't what?
John responded, his voice quiet but certain.
John: I can't leave. Not yet.
Liam: What do you mean? We gotta go. Our parents are waiting.
John shook his head slowly.
John: I thought I could... I thought just seeing her awake would be enough. But it's not… Something doesn't feel right. I haven't felt right since she fell… and when I looked into her eyes earlier, she was smiling — but…
Rose blinked.
Rose: John…
He began stepping back.
John: I need to be there. I need to make sure she's really okay. Not just physically… but everything else, too.
There was a beat of silence.
Liam exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck.
Liam: You really love her that much, huh?
Rose suddenly had this cartoonish, horrified, and shocked look on her face hearing this.
Rose: Huh?!
But John didn't answer.
He just turned and ran.
Down the platform, weaving past strangers, suitcases, and station staff, not bothering to explain further. His sneakers pounded against the tile floor. His lungs burned. But something stronger than exhaustion pushed him forward that unrelenting pull in his chest, the voice screaming in his head:
"You can't leave her again."
Back at the platform, Rose watched him disappear, still in shock.
Rose: Wait… John has feelings for Kana?
Liam chuckled, slinging his bag onto his shoulder.
Liam: Yeah, everyone's picked up on that by now. Well, except for you, that is.
Rose: How did I not know this?
Liam shrugged his shoulders and with that, they stepped onto the train.
John, meanwhile, was already halfway down the street heart pounding, soul racing, as he ran back toward the hospital.
Towards her.