Kokoro and Taro

“

Is it working?

Can I start?...

Okay.

Hey Taro.

If you are watching this, then it means something bad just happened.

I died.

”

Taro was bawling his eyes out on stage, with Kokoro lying limp in his arms. She had stopped breathing. He was kneeling in a pool of her own blood and vomit, and no matter how much he tried to sweet talk her into opening her eyes, Kokoro kept them closed.

“

Right now, you’ve gone out to pick up your sister in time for the concert, so I thought about leaving this message for you, while I still can.

”

Some of star Airi’s bodyguards quickly surrounded him while he held onto Kokoro’s dead body, preventing onlookers from taking pictures of the both of them.

“

First, I want you to know that it’s not your fault. You shouldn’t blame yourself for any of it. Because you did nothing wrong.

”

A few of star Airi’s bodyguards now held Taro down, while Kokoro’s body was being taken away on a stretcher. He yelled, screamed, and struggled to break free of their grasp, but no matter how much he begged them, they wouldn’t let him go after her.

“

You are not the reason I died Taro.

You are the reason I lived.

”

Taro managed to break free from the men holding him, and he began chasing after the ambulance.

“

Because of you, Taro, I got to live out my dream of becoming an icon. I got to sing after thirteen years of silence, I got to walk and dance again when I was certain I was never going to.

”

Taro kept running after the ambulance, yelling for Kokoro to wake up if she could hear him. But the vehicle was just too fast, and he wasn’t getting any closer.

“

You saw me, Taro. The real me. You didn’t discriminate, you didn’t try to avoid me because of my disability. Instead, you somehow fell in love with me. With me! The girl most people on the street don’t even spare a second glance.

”

Taro had stopped chasing after the ambulance. He couldn’t even see it anymore.

“

I love you, Taro.

And I always will.

I’m sorry I had to leave you this way. I didn’t want to, and I’m already missing you.

”

Taro was now standing alone in the middle of the road, rivers of tears flowing down the sides of his face.

“

But I need you to stay strong for me, Taro. And for Tomomi. And for your sister Ruka and the rest of her family. Because you still have a lot of work to do.

My story might have just concluded, but yours is just beginning. Go out there, and make a better society. People like me are waiting.

Thank you, Taro, for coming into my life. I know you don’t like it when I say thank you, but I have to say it.

I love you Taro, and I always will.

I love you.

And thank you.

”