After school ended, Arashi and the rest of the group began making their way toward Mizuki's house together. The afternoon air was calm, and the streets were slowly filling with students heading home after the long day. Among the group, the mood was noticeably light—especially because of the e exam results that had been announced earlier.
Takumi, in particular, could barely contain his excitement. His face was practically glowing with happiness as he walked alongside the others.
"Seriously… today has to be one of the best days of my life," Takumi said, still sounding a little stunned. "I got such good marks… I still can't believe it."
He let out a small laugh, shaking his head as if the result still felt unreal to him.
Satoru glanced at him with a faint grin.
"Well, that's great and all," he said casually, "but now you're going to have to give us a treat."
Hina immediately nodded in agreement.
"Exactly," she added. "Both you and Miyu should give us a treat."
The moment the word treat was mentioned, Takumi's cheerful expression froze. He quickly raised his hands in surrender.
"Wait, wait—hold on!" he protested. "I don't have any money at all! Seriously, I'm completely broke. The only thing I can offer you guys are my prayers."
Miyu quickly joined in, nodding in agreement.
"Same here," she said helplessly. "I don't have any money either."
But despite their desperate explanations, no one in the group seemed particularly interested in listening.
Arashi, who had been quietly walking beside them, spoke up in his usual calm tone.
"Well, when we get to Mizuki's house, you two can just order something there," he said. "This way she can also have treat from you two."
Miyu turned toward him immediately, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"Wow," she said teasingly. "You're really concerned about Mizuki, aren't you?"
Arashi didn't look bothered by the comment at all. His expression remained completely natural.
"Yeah," he replied simply. "I am concerned about her."
The group continued chatting like this, exchanging playful remarks as they walked through the quiet streets. Their conversation flowed easily, filled with small jokes and teasing.
Before long, they finally arrived in front of Mizuki's house.
Arashi stepped forward and pressed the doorbell of Mizuki's house.
They all waited.
But there was no response.
Arashi frowned slightly and pressed the bell again, expecting someone to answer this time. The group stood quietly outside the door, listening for footsteps or any movement from inside the house.
Still… nothing.
A few more seconds passed, yet the house remained completely silent.
The group members slowly looked at one another, confused by the lack of response. Arashi sighed quietly and pressed the doorbell for the third time.
Once again—
Silence.
No footsteps.
No voices.
No sign that anyone was inside.
Arashi finally turned back toward the others, rubbing the back of his neck slightly.
"Uh… I think Mizuki and her family might not be home," he said.
Hina nodded thoughtfully.
"Yeah, that makes sense," she replied. "We didn't even tell her we were coming. We probably should've asked her first."
Arashi gave a small nod in agreement.
"Yeah, you're right," he said. "Wait, I'll call her to ask."
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and was about to dial Mizuki's number—
But just as he unlocked the screen, a voice suddenly called out from behind them.
"Hey, kids."
The group immediately turned around.
Standing a short distance behind them was Mizuki's father. He had just arrived and was looking at the group with mild curiosity.
"What are all of you doing here?" he asked.
Miyu stepped forward and answered politely.
"We heard that Mizuki isn't feeling well," she said. "So, we thought we'd come visit her."
Mizuki's father paused for a moment before speaking again.
"I see," he said. "I guess she didn't tell you."
He then gestured toward the street.
"Wait here for a moment. I just got back," he continued. "Why don't you all go sit in the car? I'll be back in about two minutes."
The group didn't ask any questions. Without saying much, they simply nodded and walked toward the car, quietly getting inside while waiting for him to return.
A few minutes later, Mizuki's father came back outside, carrying a small bag with him. Without saying anything, he opened the car door, sat in the driver's seat, and started the engine.
The group quietly settled into their seats.
The car began moving.
No one spoke.
An unusual silence filled the car, heavier than before. The students exchanged brief glances, but none of them asked any questions. It almost felt as if everyone was waiting for someone else to speak first.
After some time, Arashi finally turned slightly toward Mizuki's father.
"Umm… uncle," he said cautiously, "where are we going?"
But the moment he finished asking, Mizuki's father spoke.
"We're here."
The car slowed down and pulled into a parking area.
When the group stepped out of the car and looked around, they immediately realized where they were.
It was a hospital.
Arashi's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He turned to Mizuki's father.
"Uncle… what are we doing here?"
Instead of answering directly, Mizuki's father simply gestured for them to follow him.
"Come with me."
The group exchanged uncertain looks but followed him inside the hospital building. The atmosphere inside was quiet, filled with the faint smell of antiseptic and the distant sounds of hospital equipment.
They walked through a long corridor before stopping in front of a room.
Room 214.
Mizuki's father turned toward Arashi and gently guided him a step forward.
"Go inside," he said.
Arashi swallowed nervously.
He slowly reached for the door handle, gathering his courage before pushing the door open.
The moment the door opened—
He saw Mizuki.
She was sitting upright on the hospital bed looking outside the window.
The sight alone made Arashi's heart suddenly start beating faster. In an instant, memories he didn't want to relive flashed through his mind—memories of his grandfather in a hospital bed, the same kind of room, the same feeling of fear and helplessness.
His chest tightened.
For a brief moment, Arashi felt genuinely scared.
Mizuki noticed him standing at the doorway.
"Ar—Arashi?" she said, surprised.
Then her eyes moved past him, noticing the rest of the group standing behind him.
"Everyone…?"
A small, gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Please… come in."
The group slowly stepped into the room together.