"Sarina… Do you… Have a wish?"
Sekinin could have started this conversation differently, with a question that fit the moment. But Sekinin decided to ask this instead. Sarina looked a bit startled by the question. But she nodded, as if she already had a wish in mind.
"I wish to see an Ai Hoshino concert. That is one of the few wishes I want to do while I still have time."
Sekinin stares at her for a moment, before softly asking.
"Could you be able to?"
Sarina shook her head, saying she had been diagnosed with an illness. A condition that is making her weaker. Sekinin has long known Sarina's condition.
"If I had the willpower and strength to at least take a few steps, then I would like to take a walk just around the hospital. Or perhaps, if possible, just close to tonight's concert. But if that wasn't possible, then to see the moon just outside rather than just through a window."
Sekinin stared at Sarina for a moment, and just as he wanted to say something, he sensed someone approaching the room. But Sekinin relaxed, because he didn't feel a threat. In fact, he felt two people he would believe Sarina would desperately want, even if she didn't show it. Especially with what she wrote on the whiteboard.
"The doctor said this was the room… Oh! Sekinin."
"Hi Aunt May! Hi Uncle Ben!"
Sekinin softly greeted the two of them, he watched them approach the bed as Sekinin wanted to ask why his aunt and uncle were here. Not that he didn't appreciate the perfect timing, but it was unexpected for both of his guardians to be here.
"Hey kiddo, are you perhaps Sarina?"
Uncle Ben softly asked Sarina as she slowly nodded. Uncle Ben nodded as he introduced himself.
"Well, I am Benjamin Parker, and this is my wife Maybelle Parker. It seems you met my nephew Sekinin."
"Hello Sarina, I hope you don't mind that we brought you flowers. Sekinin may have brought extra flowers when we came to visit our other nephew here. But maybe it was for the best. A beautiful child like you shouldn't have been ensuring this."
Sekinin instantly noted Sarina's reactions to Aunt May's words. First she looked surprised when she saw the lilies flowers, but her expression for a millisecond, he saw her expression of slight depression of the mention of them visiting someone. But Sarina again became surprised by flowers for her, someone other than her hero Spider-Man.
Sarina looks on as Aunt May puts the flowers in the flower bottle. Sarina gives a small smile.
"Thank you, Parker-san."
"Call me May dear."
"Uncle Ben, Aunt May, I don't wish to be rude, but how come you both are here?"
Uncle Ben smiled as he ruffled Sekinin's hair.
"Well, we were speaking with Loid for a while, and when he went to check on Yuri he introduced us to this kind doctor named Gorou Amamiya. As it seems he saw how much calmer and slightly more expressive Loid was when talking to us."
Sekinin raises an eyebrow, Loid was more talkative when talking to any of them? Then again that was possibly his own perspective as he knows Loid is more talkative when he is with him. But from other perspectives, well it seems Loid was possibly stoic or something.
Well, Sekinin will never know unless he is somewhat spying on him. Not that he would ever do such a thing.
Anyways…
"So Dr. Amamiya asked us if we could keep this little lady company while he and Loid went to help someone with surgery. So that is why we're here. And it seems you are already here to keep this kiddo company."
Sekinin just shyly scratched his head; well he at least tried his best. But mentally though, Sekinin did have an idea for Sarina. He wanted to at least share it with her, perhaps tonight.
"So, I guess we are going to be here a little longer then?"
Aunt May nodded with a smile as she sat next to Sarina.
"Yes we are, but I'm sure you don't mind Sekinin."
Sekinin didn't say anything at first but looked at Sarina. Sekinin then smiled saying he didn't mind it at all. In fact, perhaps Sarina would truly be happier to have someone else talking to her.
So throughout like possibly two hours, Sarina spent time with the Parker family. Sarina regained some of her color, not a huge amount but enough to show that she is happy to speak with someone who treats her as if she was already a part of them. Even if May, or Ben would sometimes leave just to check on their other nephew after learning what happened and come back.
Sarina felt the huge hole that was left behind by her parents not visiting was being filled by May and Ben. Even if it was only a few hours, Sarina felt today was another of the happiest memories she would ever remember.
Sarina even wished she had been a Parker, born or raised as she saw just how much her new friend Sekinin loves them. Sarina even began calling May and Ben by what Sekinin referred to them as. It just shows Sarina how much she wishes to be the niece of the family.
But there was something strange regarding the nephew of the family for Sarina. It was really strange; it was like she and Sekinin just instantly clicked. Sure there was basically nothing that they had in common.
But it was special, something meaningful. As if, he already knew exactly how she was feeling and what words he would say to her. It was like how she sees a bit of Ben and May in him.
A very responsible young man, who looked like he would make her the happiest girl in the world. As well as a very kind young man who would always think of her first and would know if she wanted space or comfort. Responsibility and kindness.
Now that she thought about it, isn't his name the kanji for responsibility? If so, then no wonder why Sarina felt Sekinin was treating her like she does matter, like she deserves the world.
Sure he didn't do something that is overwhelmingly outrageous but she couldn't help but feel like he would do something for her. Like they just let and already within these hours he treats her like a friend and a very special person.
Meanwhile, Sekinin is just happy, happy that he at least is making Sarina feel more comfortable and happy especially with his family. He couldn't help but blush as Aunt May told Sarina a few stories about himself. Like why Aunt May had to explain an accident of him trying to make dumplings which resulted in him almost burning down the kitchen.
But hey, if Sarina giggles about his own culinary skills then he can endure the slight embarrassment.
But Sarina knew, even a good day has to come to an end. Her doctor came back after it seemed like the surgery was a success as he and another doctor saved a person's life. Sarina hid her sadness as she said her goodbyes to Uncle Ben and Aunt May.
Just as she was about to say goodbye to Sekinin, she noticed him deeply thinking of something.
"Uncle Ben, Aunt May, do you both mind if I could say goodbye to Sarina, privately if that is okay?"
Thankfully May or Ben didn't have a problem as Uncle Ben told Sekinin they would wait for him in Yuri's hospital room. When they left, Sekinin also noted that Gorou left just to check in on something.
Sekinin turns to Sarina as he softly puts his hand on hers.
"Hey… If I could somehow manage to get tickets for tonight's concert. Would you want to go with me? I could carry you all the way to where the concert is."
Sarina's eyes widened at what she just heard. But only to softly ask a problem.
"Wouldn't it be a problem, if you could say you can carry me? Or if I could have the energy to even stay awake. As much as that does sound like a dream come true. I can't really leave the hospital, not without a wheelchair or my IV."
Looking at the metal pole with wheels, Sekinin knew that after hearing of Sarina's possible death in a month, her body would grow so much weaker that she would have to rely on an IV drip. But he didn't see the line on her arm like any comatose patient or anything.
"But you couldn't really leave, could you?"
Sekinin asked as he did know the answer, but he wanted to hear Sarina's answer. And Sarina said she really couldn't leave; even if she could, it was like she said, she can't really last a few hours out without medical care or support.
Sekinin lowered his head before looking back up.
"Okay… I was planning to literally just come into your hospital room tonight just to sneak you off, but I guess that's too extreme and bad for you."
Sarina couldn't help but giggle.
"You really are a strange Sekinin-kun."
"Yeah, I really am."
Sekinin did have a plan B, whether anyone could believe it or not.
"But I do have a way for you to see the concert in the room. I just… I need to set something up before I can come back here. Do you… Don't mind if I can still come back here tonight."
Sarina slowly nodded saying she didn't mind it at all, before asking how he could even come back inside as even she knew visiting hours would be close by that time. Sekinin said he had a way, well two ways if the first one doesn't work.
But after getting the okay, Sekinin just hugged Sarina and said that she would enjoy what he had planned. He then left the room as he went back home with his aunt and uncle.
————
Hours go by as it was evening; Sarina stares at the window as the sun completely descended and was replaced by the moon. If she was being honest, she held that hope that Sekinin would somehow be here as he said. But would that really happen?
She doesn't wish to doubt him, but again she just met him. But, she still has hope. Her doctor came in and began to speak with her.
"Hey Sarina… We may have to insert a needle into your arm for the IV drip. Will you be able to endure the procedure when they put it in?"
Sarina nodded as another doctor came in. The moment the doctor looked at Sarina he gave her a soft smile of reassurance. He prepared the IV needle and approached Sarina.
"I just need you to relax; it won't take long."
Sarina looked away before feeling her arm being pierced by a needle. She wanted to cry out but held her breath in, before feeling some kind of tape around where the needle was lodged. Sarina looked and saw it was just a simple see-through tape to keep the needle in place.
"There we go, good job young Miss."
Sarina just let out a tearful weak smile. Sarina now recalled this doctor; it was the doctor she heard Uncle Ben mention. Loid Forger, not the nephew who was admitted here, but another nephew.
After a few minutes of talking with Gorou, he and the other doctor left to check in with the other patients. Leaving Sarina to be alone again. She looked at her left arm that had the needle in it for a moment.
Then she began hearing something, something trying to get something open. She turned to the window as she felt excitement as she instantly thought that Spider-Man had come here to visit her.
But to her surprise, it was Sekinin, who looked like he had just climbed up here. For a second, Sarina was disappointed, but brushed that feeling off in an instant. If her hero is busy fighting crime, she, the number one fan of the Sensational Spider-Man will understand.
But that didn't stop Sarina from realizing Sekinin was at her window.
"Sekinin! W-What? How did you do?"
"I literally brought a ladder with me!"
And Sekinin was not even kidding, if anyone saw him from outside the hospital right now. They would either question what a teen is doing literally on a ladder to trespass into a hospital room. Or how did a teen manage to find a ladder long enough to reach the third floor? Possibly both.
"There is no way you brought a ladder!"
"Yeah, I did! You want to see proof? I got a photo on my phone literally buying a ladder. You wouldn't believe the length I managed to get with a discount!"
Sekinin was about to go on about how he managed to carry such a long ladder all the way here before realizing he was getting carried away. He took out his phone and a cable charger as he went to the wall where the TV is.
"I'll admit, I did have some doubt about my plan B, but thankfully I managed to get in the concert, as I managed to get myself a ticket, and put a camera as a blind spot in there as that very camera that is linked to my phone."
Sarina let out an "Oh," before her eyes widened in pure shock at what she just heard. But Sekinin continued.
"I had to be careful to not get spotted because boy I forgot the amount of people who came to see B-Komachi. Well, maybe for Ai Hoshin, anyways I just got lucky when I managed to get my camera on the ceiling with the perfect angle."
What actually happened was that Sekinin had to wall-crawl from the wall to the ceiling while praying no one would look up. Heck, he even webbed his own face just to hide his identity as his other self was patrolling. Still, it seems luck was on his side as a web shot had the camera stick to the perfect view after Sekinin checked his phone to ensure the perfect quality of viewing the concert.
"Is, is someone going to find the camera and could link it back to you."
"I doubt anyone would ever find the camera."
Sekinin assures Sarina as he manages to connect his phone to the TV and after some things on his side, Sarina soon sees the TV showing the stage of the concert as it seems it was still a few minutes before it starts. Sarina can hear the mumbles, excitement, and voices of fans of the idol they all wished to see, including her.
"Sekinin!"
Sarina whispers, feeling so touched as Sekinin walks to the side of her bed as he grabs his shoulder bag and takes out two pairs of purple glow sticks. He handed them to Sarina to hold, only to notice her left arm had a needle in it, and Sekinin just froze.
He stared at Sarina's left arm for a moment, then at where the IV drip was being carried, where a lone injection needle was shown.
His eyes only moved towards his arms, wondering…
"Do… Do you need help to hold the other glow stick?"
Sekinin softly asked as Sarina nodded before saying she wouldn't mind if he held the other glow stick and waved alongside her, and Sekinin nodded.
"I think it's starting soon. Do you need water or anything?"
"A glass of water, if you don't mind."
Sekinin didn't mind at all as he went to grab a cup and went to fill it up, and helped her drink the water. The two began speaking of what happened within the remaining day as Sekinin just couldn't help but blush when Sarina spoke so much about Spider-Man. Even if Sekinin knows his alter is who Sarina admires and that he knows for certain has a crush on Spider-Man.
But he is also Spider-Man as Sarina is literally in the same room as him without her knowing. Just hearing so much about how much Sarina loves Spider-Man even when she said she wishes to marry him almost made Sekinin lose his composure, and he had to hide his face. Just to hear a proposal from his number one fan really got him imagining Sarina in a wedding dress. Of course, she is healthy.
Like hearing something like that out of nowhere had already had him form an imagination.
Before Sekinin could even manage to say a response to that sudden declaration. He and Sarina hear the voices of cheering become loud and exciting as they both turn back to the TV. Sarina's eyes began to widen and brighten. Sekinin sees this and smiles as he watches Sarina raise her right arm to wave her glowstick.
Before having to help her as her arm was slowly faltering.
During the time of the live view, Sekinin really saw Sarina again in pure happiness. Cheering her idol on, seeing Ai moving and dancing while she tried to match her glow stick movements.
Sekinin swore that Sarina was trying to do some kind of dance move to show her support for Ai. Sekinin wanted to ask if he could record the dance and send it to Ai. Only to realize that wouldn't work. One, how would he explain to himself how a normal guy like him got Ai's phone number?
But he did ask, only for Sarina to show a blush and softly ask him not to record her as Sekinin accepting her words. But Sarina still allowed him to help her.
"Hey, Sekinin… Do you think it's okay to have two favorite people?"
Sekinin was surprised to hear this, but he thought that Sarina already had an answer. Considering who Sekinin assumed Sarina was talking about.
"I believe it is okay to have two favorite people. Do you mean Ai and Spider-Man?"
Sarina nodded.
"Of course, both of them are my Oshi."
"Oshi?"
"A word I've learned while searching up words to represent my favorite idols. Even if Spider-Man isn't technically an idol, I still view him as my idol, my Oshi in a sense."
"Well, the word idol does mean people you idolize whoever you look up to."
Sarina giggles before looking back at the concert live feed. A longing expression was shown in her eyes. Sekinin notices this and softly asks if she wants to say something.
"...I wish to be an idol. To perform alongside Ai Hoshino. To show my love for Spider-Man from one Oshi to another Oshi. Does that make sense?"
Sekinin just nodded and softly said it did. To him, mentally it meant a lot for him. But… Sekinin once again stared at the needle on the metal pole just below the IV bag.
So after more time passed, the concert soon ended with Sekinin and Sarina watching Ai on the screen saying she loves everyone. Sekinin just stares at Ai leaving with the other idols. The way she said "I love you," just… Made him feel sorrow for odd reasons.
Sekinin then looks up the clock from the wall as getting late, as his Spider-Man self is still out there, he himself isn't as Uncle Ben and Aunt May will wonder where he is right now. So after another soft conversation where Sekinin listened to Sarina's words.
Sekinin said his goodbyes and climbed out of the window and closed the window to ensure the breeze wouldn't enter the room as Sarina could hear the noises of a ladder being used.
"There is no way there was a ladder that long."
Sarina whispers to herself as she smiles before feeling drowsy as she lies down on the bed and slowly falls asleep.
An hour later. Sekinin quietly opened the window and wall-climbed to the ceiling as he carefully made his way back to where the metal pole stood. Sekinin descends with a web line while being upside down. Sekinin was within range of that unplugged needle. Sekinin had to hold back from letting out a heavy breathing to not disturb Sarina's rest.
Sekinin reached out his left hand as he grabbed the bottom of the needle, and moved it towards his right arm. His body slightly shook. Not because of him being afraid, but even if he shows that he made a decision. He was still unsure if the results would even work or not.
"(Why?)"
Sekinin mentally questioned himself.
"(Why am I hesitating?)"
The shaking would have been heard, but it was so faint and low.
"(If I do this… Sarina could be saved. My blood could save her… But would that even work? Would it even heal her illness? Or would it had made it worse for her?)"
His left hand subconsciously let go of the needle.
"(Why… Can't I just make a decision? Why… Is it when it truly matters at any major moment… Why can't I make a decision?)"
A teardrop slowly flows from his eye; he wants her to live. She doesn't deserve this. She could have done so much, had she not been fated to die by that damn illness. An idol, a wonderful girl. Someone whose life had decided to torment.
And worse of all, he is hesitating to choose to save her life, depending on whether what he thinks would save her could cause more harm to her. And he hated himself for just continuing to let Sarina suffer while he was out there being the very hero she admires, loves, and Oshi.
Sekinin asked the quiet room, to anyone who could hear him. To tell him if his idea would work or not. To tell him whether he is doing the right thing or not. The decision remains empty.