The soft hum of morning filtered into Kana's hospital room, sunlight pouring in through half-drawn curtains, casting a warm glow across her blanket. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, the emotional weight of the night before still resting on her chest, but somehow, it didn't feel as suffocating. It felt bearable. It felt held.
And as if summoned by that very thought, the door slid open quietly. John stepped in, slightly out of breath, carrying a clear plastic bag with some snacks and a rolled-up comic book tucked under one arm and with a heart warming smile on his face.
John: I brought reinforcements.
Kana blinked at him, then smiled.
Kana: You're here early.
He nodded and pulled the chair closer to her bed, sitting down.
John: I didn't sleep much. Kinda wanted to see you as soon as I could, so I came a day earlier than Liam and Rose.
Kana's cheeks tinted pink, but she only nodded, her fingers absently tracing the edge of her bedsheet.
It had been two weeks since they had officially become a couple and once again Kana's worried and depressed face had completely vanished once more and she once again looked forward to every morning if if meant she could talk and see John everyday.
That same day they became a couple, Kana and John announced the news to Rose, Liam and Misa.
Rose was still surprised by the whole thing but was happy that Kana was finally getting someone who truly loved her.
Misa was happy that John had once again come to Kana's aid where she had failed to do so and was completely grateful to him.
Liam said nothing much except; "so he finally took that step huh?"
Dr Kennedy and Jane of course were very much happy when they had heard about Kana's new relationship with John which she was nervous to actually talk about but they openly supported it.
Things seemed to be going well once again for Kana and the memories of what had happened in Yukimura Brilliant Park became a distant memory.
For the next hour, they simply existed together. John helped her open a snack she liked but hadn't eaten in months and fed her when she requested for it like a spoiled child.
They flipped through a web novel that John had picked up a few days ago, occasionally pointing out funny lines or weird dialogue. It was quiet, comfortable, filled with the soft noise of two hearts healing.
*****
Later that afternoon, Rose, Liam, and Misa arrived at the hospital together. Jane, Kana's nurse, met them outside the door, and when she opened it and saw John sitting close beside Kana, their hands gently brushing, her eyes widened in delight.
Rose whispered with a grin, clinging to Liam's arm.
Rose: No way… Look at them. They're totally a couple now.
Liam gave a satisfied smirk.
Misa simply smiled. She had known before anyone. And now, seeing Kana's slightly brighter eyes, the way her hand didn't flinch away from John's, something eased in her chest.
When they all stepped into the room, Kana looked up and instantly brightened.
Kana: You guys came!
Rose rushed over and hugged her gently.
Rose: Are you kidding me? We promised to visit you didn't we?
Kana: Yeah… you did.
Then Misa added, nudging John with her elbow.
Misa: And now you have a boyfriend.
John and Kana's faces turned red instantly.
John: Uh… well…
Rose immediately noticed Kana and John's red faces and she couldn't help but shriek in excitement.
Rose: Awwwn. Look at them… blushing together like a true couple.
Liam then patted her on the shoulder.
Liam: Hey, don't try to tease them too much.
Rose: I know, I know.
Jane stood near the doorway, watching it all unfold, her hands clasped to her chest. Dr. Kennedy soon joined her, glancing inside with a quiet smile.
Jane: (softly) They look happy.
Dr. Kennedy nodded, arms crossed.
Dr Kennedy: Giving Kana that phone on her 18th birthday might have been the most important decision I've ever made.
Jane: Yeah… it was… because it led her to him. And to all of them.
Dr Kennedy smiled and then began to walk away and Jane followed him and spoke again…
Jane: So… about Kana's heart…? Is there anything we can do about it?
Dr Kennedy: Realistically, there's nothing more we can do aside from the drugs we've been giving her. However, there's the option of heart surgery. But we don't have one to use for the surgery.
Jane: Oh… I see…
Dr Kennedy clenched his fists in frustration and determination.
Dr Kennedy: But… that's not going to stop me from searching… I need to protect that smile of hers. (looks at Jane) We both need to.
Jane smiled and then kissed him on his cheek.
Jane: Don't worry, we'll work something out.
*****
Meanwhile, back in Kana's Ward, the group of friends continued to conversate with one another and then Rose brought in an important question.
Rose: So… have you guys kissed yet?
John and Kana froze as soon as Rose asked the question.
Kana's face turned bright red, and she instinctively tightened her grip on John's hand under the blanket.
John glanced away nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
Kana: (softly) N-No… we haven't… not yet…
John: (mumbling) I was gonna… but she's not ready for that yet.
Rose gasped playfully, grinning.
Rose: Not even a little peck?! Kana, what are you waiting for?
Kana: (flustered) I—I don't know! It's not like I've done this before…
John: (laughing nervously) Yeah, neither have I… and I just want it to be special. For her.
Rose: (teasing) You're too sweet, John. Seriously, you two are giving me cavities.
Liam: (smirking) Let them breathe, Rose.
Misa: (gently) I think it's kind of beautiful. That they're taking their time.
Kana glanced down, her smile slowly dimming. Her hand trembled slightly in John's, and she took a breath.
Kana: Hey… guys?
Everyone quieted. The room stilled as Kana's voice softened.
Kana: There's something I need to tell you.
A heavy silence filled the space. Even Rose stopped smiling.
Kana: The meds aren't working like they used to. And the doctors said… the only way now is surgery. But… there's no heart available. So…
She trailed off. Her eyes shimmered as she blinked quickly to hold back tears.
Kana: I didn't want to worry anyone. I didn't want you all to start treating me like I was fragile… or feel like you had to walk on eggshells around me. That's why I didn't say anything.
Misa: (softly) Kana…
Kana: I'm sorry. I really am.
John: Kana…
Kana: I just didn't want to ruin what we had. These moments… all of you… You make me feel like I'm part of something again. I didn't want to scare anyone away.
Rose: (quiet but firm) You didn't scare us away.
Liam: Not even close.
Misa reached for Kana's hand from the other side of the bed, her eyes gentle.
Misa: If anything, this just shows how much stronger you are than you let on.
John: (tightening his hold on her hand) You're not alone in this, Kana. You don't ever have to carry this by yourself again.
Rose wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and gave Kana a small smile.
Rose: You think something like this is going to make us run? No way. You're stuck with us.
Liam: No matter what happens. We're here.
Kana: (voice trembling) You guys…
Misa: We're not your friends just for the good days, Kana. We're here for all of them.
John: And I'll be right by your side. For every minute you want me there.
Kana finally let the tears fall, but she smiled through them. The warmth in the room of shared promises, quiet love, and unbreakable bonds wrapped around her like a blanket.
Kana: Thank you… all of you.
And in that moment, she didn't feel sick, or scared, or fragile.
She just felt loved.
******
The rest of spring break unfolded like a quiet miracle.
Every few days, the group found time to meet up sometimes at the hospital, sometimes at the park near the riverbank, and once even at Misa's place where they played card games and laughed until their stomachs hurt. The warmth between them deepened with each visit, their bond cemented by joy and shared understanding.
Kana and John, especially, began to grow closer in a way that didn't need grand gestures, just the small things, like the way John helped adjust her blanket without being asked, or how Kana rested her head on his shoulder during the days they went to the movies.
Their affection blossomed naturally, gently, like spring flowers opening to the sun. In those precious moments, time seemed to slow down, and life, however fragile felt whole.
Also, after weeks of silence, Kana finally returned to Twibbler as she hadn't been on the app for a while now. Her fingers trembled slightly as she typed out a short poem about sunlight slipping through a hospital window.
It wasn't anything grand, just a few tender lines about hope and stillness, but it was enough.
Within minutes, her notifications lit up with hearts, replies, and warm welcomes.
"You're back!" one follower wrote.
"We missed your words." Another added,
"Your poems always make my day brighter."
Kana smiled softly at the screen, surprised by how many people had been waiting for her. For the first time in a long while, Kana felt genuinely happy again, like a familiar warmth had returned to her chest.
As she scrolled through the kind replies and supportive comments, she was reminded of the joy she used to feel every time she posted on Twibbler and saw people connect with her words.
That old excitement stirred again, and with it came a sense of comfort. Encouraged by the response, she began posting more short poems, quiet reflections, and the occasional photo of her friends during their visits.
Her return to Twibbler didn't just feel like reconnecting with others; it felt like reconnecting with a part of herself she'd missed deeply.
However, all good things must come to an end and in this case, the beloved days of spring break were slowly drawing to a close.
In the final days before school resumed and the rush of daily life returned, John, Misa, Rose, and Liam visited Kana one last time. They knew that once classes began again, it would be harder to make trips like this. But for now, they were there, together, one more time.
Rose: I'm going to miss our hospital hangouts. It was really fun.
Misa pulled Kana into a long warm hug.
Misa: I'll call you every night and visit you everyday after school. So don't disappear on me, okay?
Kana nodded and then Rose added.
Rose: And I'm making John keep his grades up, so no excuses.
John rolled his eyes.
Liam: Huh? You don't even go to my school.
They all laughed and said their goodbyes to Kana, but just as they turned to go, a bittersweet feeling settled in her chest. She reached out and gently grabbed the hem of John's shirt before he could walk away.
Kana: You're going too?
John hesitated, then took her hand.
John: I'll be back every weekend. Every single one. And I'll call you.
She smiled and gave a nod.
Kana: Okay.
They hugged one last time, and just before he left with the others, John paused. He looked into Kana's eyes, taking in her beautiful face, then leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
*****
That night, Kana sat by the window, gazing up at the stars, her fingers gently resting on her forehead where John had kissed her. The memory made her blush, a quiet smile playing on her lips. As she sat lost in thought, Jane entered the room quietly with her medication.
Jane: Everyone's gone?
Kana: Yeah, Spring break is over.
Kana hugged her knees to her chest as Jane sat beside her.
Jane: You okay?
Kana looked down, then back out the window.
Kana: I'm scared. But I'm also... happy. I think that's okay.
Jane smiled, brushing her hair behind her ear.
Jane: That's more than okay.
****
As the lights dimmed and the night deepened, the sound of spring faded into the quiet hum of early summer.
Back in Aozora City, John, Rose, and Liam returned to their classes, while Misa settled back into her routine in Yukimura. Uniforms were pulled from closets. School bells rang. Teachers resumed their lessons. The world moved forward.
And in a hospital room with sunlit walls, Kana sat by the window, her phone in one hand and her journal in the other, a soft smile spreading across her face as she typed out a new poem, one she would soon post on Twibbler. It felt good to return to the place where her words had once made people feel something.