Chapter 40:
Sora no Kiseki: A Bittersweet Return to the Stars
A gentle breeze signaling the end of summer whispered through the windows of Hojo General Hospital.
"Director, you're at it again? It's already late," a nurse said to Sora as she passed the nurses' station. Even now, as the hospital director who had inherited the position from her grandfather, Sora continued to work on the front lines as a physician. In her white coat, she smiled with the same gentle expression she had always worn.
"Yes. They're dear friends of mine," she replied with a gentle smile.
Some staff called her "Doctor," while others addressed her as "Director." Yet Sora responded to both with unchanging kindness.
She paused in the corridor of the critical care ward. Outside Asuka's room, she crossed paths with Yuta, who couldn't hide his exhaustion. He was still in his gym clothes, having rushed over after teaching physical education.
"She seems stable today," Sora observed.
"Yeah... she's been reading books all day," Yuta replied, showing slight relief.
"Ah, right," Sora added, as if remembering something. "I need to review some board meeting documents. It'll take about 30 minutes, but I'll come back after."
"Thank you."
Sora nodded at Yuta's words and disappeared down the corridor.
---
When Yuta entered the hospital room, Asuka greeted him with a peaceful smile.
"Big brother, you came again."
Yuta nodded quietly at her fragile voice.
"Just finished coaching the club."
"Still advising the basketball team?"
"Yeah. We've got some good players this year."
As their gentle conversation continued, Asuka carefully picked up a photo frame by the window. It showed Sora and Yuta from their high school days.
"Big brother, there's something I've been meaning to tell you."
"Huh...?"
"About Sora's grandfather... Chairman Hojo."
Yuta's expression tensed.
"A long time ago, when I had just been hospitalized. When I went out to the hallway, I happened to hear you talking with Chairman Hojo."
Asuka took a small breath before continuing.
"I heard Chairman Hojo and the attending physician's voices. About you, about my treatment costs... and about investigating Sora..."
"Asuka..."
"I didn't understand anything then, but I remembered. And gradually... the reason you had to report about Sora, the reason I could continue receiving advanced medical care... it all connected."
"Why didn't you say anything until now..."
"Because it would hurt you. But I can't stay quiet anymore. That you would put yourself in such a difficult position for my sake..."
"It wasn't difficult..."
"That's a lie. I can tell from your expression. When you're with Sora, you look happy, but... somewhere, you look like you're suffering..."
Suddenly, Asuka's body began to shake violently. The heart monitor began sounding an alarm.
"Nurse! Doctor!" Yuta's voice echoed through the corridor.
---
Minutes later, when Sora rushed in, Asuka had slightly regained consciousness. Yuta clutched her hand, his voice trembling as he desperately spoke. "Asuka, hang in there! I'm here with you, so everything will be alright!"
Asuka managed a faint smile in response to Yuta's desperate calls. Though the smile carried a sense of peace, to Yuta it only appeared fleeting.
"Asuka..."
Sora quickly checked the monitors, verifying Asuka's pulse and oxygen levels. She placed a hand on Yuta's shoulder, calming his trembling while calmly giving instructions.
"Yuta, I'm going to help Asuka breathe more easily. Deep breaths, we'll stabilize her airway."
As Sora began emergency treatment with her equipment, Yuta looked at her with eyes full of anxiety and desperation. "Sora, please, do something!" he cried out pleadingly.
"Please, Sora...!"
However, Asuka's condition deteriorated rapidly. Even Sora's steady hands couldn't hold onto her life.
"Sora... san..."
Sora knelt beside Asuka, gently holding her hand. It was cold, its strength fading.
"Please... take care of my brother."
Asuka's voice was weak, but carried both gentleness and determination.
"Brother has always tried so hard... now, it's time for him... to be happy..."
As those words ended, all strength left Asuka's hand. The heart monitor drew a single line, and silence enveloped the room.
"Asuka...! No, Asuka!"
Yuta called out her name repeatedly, his voice shaking. No matter how he shook her, there was no response. Tears wet his cheeks as sobs began to escape.
Sora stood quietly beside Yuta, carefully choosing her words as she spoke in a low, gentle tone.
"Yuta... Asuka was at peace until the end. Because you were always by her side."
"But... I... couldn't I have... done something more...!"
Yuta whispered in a broken voice, nearly collapsing to the floor. Sora quietly supported him, holding his back.
Stepping back slightly to look at Yuta, Sora spoke in a calm voice. "Yuta, you don't need to force yourself to think about anything right now. Asuka was truly happy that you were here." Just cherish those feelings now."
Sora quietly accepted the reality that no medical treatment could overcome. She understood that being by Yuta's side was all she could do now.
A peaceful expression remained on Asuka's face. After gazing at it for a moment, Sora quietly stood and checked the monitors. Having witnessed Asuka's final moments, she simply stood beside Yuta, watching over him silently.
---
Days later, a wake was held at Yuta's home. Close friends gathered to remember Asuka in quiet reflection.
At the wake, Haruka quietly spoke to Sora.
"Thanks to you, Asuka was happy."
"I didn't do anything..."
"That's not true. After you started coming, Asuka could always keep smiling. That alone gave us so much comfort..."
Sora couldn't respond to Haruka's words. They simply resonated quietly in the depths of her heart.
By the window of the living room where Asuka's photo was displayed, Ten sat quietly. His small form bathed in moonlight seemed to be watching over everything.
Parting with Asuka marked the start of a profound realization for Sora. It was an important step in understanding the fragility of human life and the depth of love that dwells within it.
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