Shinsuke Tanahashi II : Running out of Time

It's March.

It's been two weeks since the Cultural Festival and Shin is still in the hospital.

Homeroom was about to start, as Sensei entered the classroom. 

"In two weeks, March 19 is your graduation day."

Sensei announced throughout the whole class that graduation will be in two weeks.  Sensei ended the homeroom and opened the door but stopped for a bit.

Then, Sensei called five people in particular, "Uchida-san, Daisuke-Kun, Suzuki-Kun, Chiba-san, Kyouko-san. Can you guys come out here for a second?"

The five people went outside to talk to Sensei.

Sensei started talking, "Have you guys visited Tanahashi-Kun?"

Yuuki replied, "We haven't since the day he got hospitalized."

Sensei asked, "Can you guys visit him after school? I haven't been informed by his guardian about his condition right now and graduation is in two weeks."

The group looked at each other and answered Sensei's request. Yuuki answered on behalf of the group, "We'll visit him."

Sensei appreciated it, "Thanks," as Sensei leaves them and the group returned to the classroom.

During lunchtime, at the roof...

Itsuki suggested, "We should buy something for Shin before visiting."

Sakura replied, "Flowers?"

Nise answered Sakura, "He wouldn't like that. How about fruits?"

Miu liked the idea, "Yeah, let's do that."

Yuuki arrived late at the roof, "I'm sorry, it kind of took a long time to help the new president of the student council."

Nise replied, "It's fine. Don't bother about it."

As Yuuki walked toward the group, she stopped for a bit and looked at the group, being reminded of something nostalgic...rather, someone missing.

She sheds a tear in her eyes. Miu quickly went after Yuuki, "Are you okay, Yuuki?"

Yuuki tries her best to stop crying but ended up doing so, "I...just missed him. I missed the times that were complete."

Sakura tries to comfort Yuuki, "It's alright, we also miss him. Calm down."

Everyone has the same feeling as Yuuki.

After classes, the group went and see Shin at the hospital.

"Is this the room, Yuuki?"

"That's what I was told by the nurse at the reception desk, Nise."

They knocked at the door but no one answered.

Nise asked once more, "Are you sure this is the room, Yuuki?"

Yuuki confidently answered, "I'm certain this is the room."

Yuuki knocked once more, "Shin, it's us."

No one answered. Itsuki is about to open the door, "We're going in, Shin."

He opened the door and they see a bald person on the bed with a lot of tubes on his body looking out the window. The person turned around looking very weak, "Oh, it's you guys."

They suddenly realize that it's Shin, who lost his hair because of the treatment.

Itsuki just looks at Shin, remembering himself back then when he got injured but in a whole different state, "Sh...Shin..."

—

I just smiled at them, "What's wrong everyone? Don't stand there. There's a lot of space here."

Everyone looked at me, feeling bad about my situation. Yuuki got worried, "Are you alright, Shin?"

I nodded, "I'm fine."

Miu asked, "Does it hurt?"

I looked at the tubes that are connected to my body, "I would lie if it doesn't but I'm fine."

Yuuki prepares the fruits while the rest of the group sits down on the chair that's in the room. 

I suddenly spoke, "About the play, I'm sorry that I wasn't there."

Miu replied, "Don't worry about it."

I continued and complimented them for their job at the festival, "You guys did well at the play. I'm proud of you guys."

The rest of the group was happy to hear that. Yuuki places the fruits on the tabletop, "Here you go, Shin."

I smiled at Yuuki, "Thanks, Yuuki."

The bowl was filled with fruits. There are some sliced apples and oranges as well.

I was about to grab the fork but Yuuki stopped me, "I'll do it for you, Shin."

Yuuki realizes that I might have trouble eating the fruit from all the tubes that are connected to my body. She grabs the fork and feeds Shin like a baby, "Say ahh, Shin."

I opened my mouth and ate the fruit, "Thanks, Yuuki."

Yuuki smiled, "It's nothing."

Miu teased us, "Look at the two of you, being lovey-dovey. Must be nice being lovebirds.

I reacted, "Wha—"

But I suddenly coughed and choked on the fruit I was eating. Yuuki provided water for me, "Here you go, Shin."

I drank the water, "Thanks...Yuuki."

Suddenly, someone is knocking at the door. The door opened and it was Dr. Minoru, "Oh, you guys are here."

Everyone greeted Dr. Minoru and Itsuki spoke on behalf of the group, "Sorry for the inconvenience, Doctor."

Dr. Minoru shook his head, "No, it's fine."

Miu asked, "How is Shin, Doctor?"

Dr. Minoru looked at the test results, "His condition didn't get better at all. It didn't get improve but it didn't get worse either. The test earlier today hasn't come yet so that might change everything."

Nise asked Dr. Minoru, "How much time does he have, Doctor?"

Dr. Minoru replied, "Unfortunately, I couldn't tell. I don't want to say he has a month or so."

Yuuki quickly asked, "Can Shin attend the graduation?"

Dr. Minoru repeats what Yuuki said, "Graduation?"

Yuuki replied, "It's going to happen in two weeks. March 19."

Dr. Minoru answered Yuuki's question, "I'm afraid that wouldn't be possible."

Everyone was shocked, including me. I was about to say something but I just hesitated and kept quiet. Dr. Minoru started explaining, "As Tanahashi's health continues to deteriorate, the risk is just too high and it might lead to his death."

Everyone kept quiet, as they don't know what to do about it.

Dr. Minoru suggested, "Since you guys are here in the hospital, how about you guys give Tanahashi a hand by touring around the hospital and giving him a change of pace? He hasn't gone outside of this room since he got admitted. What do you say?"

Yuuki asked me, "Do you want to do it, Shin?"

I simply nodded at Yuuki.

Dr. Minoru opened the door, "Take care of Tanahashi. By the way, outside is off-limits but the rooftop is an exception," as he leaves the room.

Itsuki pointed at the wheelchair in the corner, "How do we get Shin to that wheelchair?"

I replied, "I can do it. Just prepare the wheelchair and lend me a shoulder."

Itsuki prepared the wheelchair while Nise and Yuuki helped me stand and get on the wheelchair. Miu and Sakura are holding the IV stand that is holding my treatment. Yuuki is pushing the wheelchair for me.

We left the room and entered the elevator to go to the rooftop.

Nise opened the door and just like back then, it was the first thing that I saw. A bright blue sky as I felt the wind that passed through my skin but the difference this time is that I'm holding my shoulders, as it felt really cold for me, even though it was already March.

Itsuki noticed it and puts his blazer on me, "Here you go, Shin."

I nodded at him, "Thanks, Itsuki."

Miu is just in awe of the view, "It's kind of nostalgic. The six of us on a rooftop."

Nise followed suit, "I know right?"

I kept looking at the blue sky and suddenly, my eyes starts crying. Everyone got worried, especially Yuuki, "What's wrong, Shin?"

I wipe off the tears in my eyes, "I just missed being with you guys. I want to be always with you guys but this body won't let me do it. I miss eating with everyone, laughing with everyone, sharing hardships with everyone, hanging out with everyone!"

"I want to go and graduate with you guys! That's my one and final dream but it looks like I can't do it after all."

"I'm sorry guys if I wasn't there during the festival. I'm sorry if I can't attend the graduation with you guys. I'm... sorry... if...I'm running out of time. I'm really sorry!"

Yuuki hugs me from behind, "It's fine. It's fine. Everything is going to be fine."

I wished everything was the same as before.

 I kept reminiscing the good memories that I have with them.

Because I can't make new memories

For I'm running out of time.

We returned to the room and inside the room is Dr. Minoru waiting for everyone. He looks very serious right now.

Yuuki asked, "What's the matter, Doctor?"

Dr. Minoru went outside, "Tanahashi, stay there for a while. I'll talk to the five of them."

I just nodded as Dr. Minoru and my friends went outside of the room to talk.

—

The group followed Dr. Minoru to a different room.

Itsuki asked Dr. Minoru, "What's wrong, Doctor?"

Dr. Minoru just looks at them dead in the eye, "What I'm about to tell you guys, don't tell Tanahashi about it. Is that a promise?"

The group looked at each other, and Yuuki talked on behalf of the group, "We will."

Dr. Minoru let out a sigh, "As I said earlier, I did a check-up and some tests on Tanahashi earlier today and I just got the results."

Dr. Minoru stopped a bit and continued talking.

"Tanahashi's last day will be the 18th of this month."

His deathbed will be the day before graduation.